Intercession

by Jannie

 In the O.T. we think of examples like Abraham (Gen 18:23-25) and of Moses (Ex 32:9-12,14), and then think the N.T. believer in the completed [successfully finished] work of Jesus Christ must [can] still “stand in the gap” for someone else.  This is sadly still a mainstream teaching in church today.

The fact is that Jesus has put all intercessors out of a job [as “saviors”] for good.  Contemplate carefully Rom 8:26,27,34; 2 Cor 5:17-21; 1 Jn 2:1-2; Heb 7:25; 10:12. Also consider Lk 2:10-14 with the paper “Who is Jesus Christ”.

Jesus does not pray for us, He intercede so that we may pray effectively to God our Father (Jn 1:12-13,17; 14:6-15; 15:16-23; Jn 17:9; Rom 8:14,26,27,34; Heb 7:24,25). Jn 16: 26 means that it would be unnecessary for Jesus to ask on our behalf since we can approach God the Father directly in Christ (Jn 16:24; Heb 4:16; Rom 8:26,27; 1 Jn 2:1-2). This is what “In Jesus’ name” means (1 Tim 2:5; Jn 16:23-27; Gal 6:2. Refer to the meditation “Prayer” and “Who is Jesus Christ” in www.gospel-truth.co.za).  Remember our Savior that also is our Parakletos, that sent us His Spirit as our Helper, Guide and Comforter (Jn 4:24; Rom 8:14,26,27). So, if Jesus does not pray [but do intercede] for us, why would we believe the teaching that a dead [departed] person, the saints and martyrs, do that? No, they don’t.

Ponder even just Phil 3:9 and Jn 14:6 with 1 Tim 2:5. The sufficiency of Jesus Christ is unquestionable. Christ needs no deceased person to assist Him by praying for those still on earth (Lk 16:26-31) and neither is there any requirement or scripture that states that we must pray through them (Jn 14:12-14; 15:4-8; Heb 4:14-16). As a matter of fact, refer to 1 Chron 10:13 and see that king Saul died for his trespass against the Lord (in sparing Amalek), for his unfaithfulness in not keeping God’s Word, and also for consulting [a medium with] a spirit of the dead to inquire pleadingly of it. It is verified an evil practice by 2 Chron 33:2-6; 2 Cor 6:14-16; 11:12-15 as well.  

Similarly, reading 1 Tim 2:1-15, the conclusion is that only Jesus can be the Savior, but that we can apparently ask for any help on someone else’s part just as we can ask help for ourselves (Js 4:1-3).  This does, of course, not mean that our omniscient and perfect Father-God needs any morality, ethic or goodness nor direction [instructions, explanations or guidance] from us in any way!  It means that God has given us the privilege to be involved in a personal family [Christian fraternity] if we so wish.

Just remember that a personal relationship is personal [submission, trust, faith] and hence 1 Tim 2:5.  You cannot save people [on their behalf get them in a “covenant”] that reject Jesus’ reconciliation on His cross!

Contemplate Heb 7:25; 8:13; 9:8-14,24; 10:12,14; 12:24.  Also 1 Jn 2:2 and 1 Tim 2:5; Heb 10:12 and Rom 8:34.  Even 1 Sam 2:25 and Is 53:12.  Around Is 59:16 you’ll see Ez 21:27 and Jn 14:6.  Similarly, Jer 7:16-18; 15:11; 27:18 will lead us to the conclusion that in the O.T. God’s judgment was poured out on both individuals and nations; but in the N.T. was poured out on Jesus (1 Thess 5:9; Heb 10:14; even Is 53:12).  There was an exchange [and provision for us made] on His cross (Isaiah 53 and in this context specifically verse 12).  Consider Heb 12:24;7:25.  Jesus + something = nothing; Jesus + nothing = everything!  So we can reconcile the above by saying that only Jesus Christ is the Savior, and brought peace between God and man (not between men); but that we speak God’s Word to ask help for light on everlasting life (2 Pet 3:9), and to be better informed about Christ (Eph 4:11-25); trusting God that Is 55:9-11 and Jn 17:3,13-26 is true.

It is crucial to remember, though, the principle in Rom 12:1-2 and Hos 4:4-10. An accurate knowledge about Jesus Christ is essential (Rom 10:1-4; see the paper “Who is Jesus Christ” and the introduction to this website).

Note at Rom 10:5 (Lev 18:5).  God is not saying you should live by law, He is saying that if you choose the option of self-righteousness [as apposed to His Righteousness, Christ in you], you better live by that law! But none of us could/can, as examined in the meditation “The Covenant and the Law” (Rom 3:20,28; Gal 5:4,18; Phil 3:9).

Note at Lk 10:25-28.  Note that Jesus was asking this lawyer (testing Jesus’ insight!), to explain how he [the lawyer, accuser, trying to discredit the Messiah] read [interpret, understand] the law. Consider v 19-24.  Now see that v 27, by the lawyer’s own mouth [devoid of revelation-knowledge, Mt 16:13-19; Lk 18:34, Jn 6:68], quoting in parrot-like fashion, was actually supposed to get him to understand Rom 8:1-3,11-19; Gal 3:12.  Jesus said to him that his answer was correct – This man (we) should have a habitual, continuous personal relationship with Him where we keep listening to His Voice [guidance, counseling, teaching] inside of us and trust that Jesus is our Lord and our righteousness; not by attempting to be our own righteousness by fulfilling the [whole] law (Rom 10:1-4).  Yet, this lawyer did not understand what he was quoting, even continuing to try and acquit himself by asking who his neighbor is.  The parable that followed, show cliques [a party-spirit] and exclusivity [also forms of self-righteousness] to be alien to Spirit-Life and not to be a Kingdom property.  But, alas, are too many of us too busy (Vs 40-42) to have ears to hear – we give more weight to nonsense, making other things [“self”, dogmas, ideas, doctrines, religious traditions] our Lord.

Note at Rom 10:6-11 (Dt 30:10-20).  This expands on the previous revelation.  It also explains that, if you believe and confess that Jesus [as eternally successful Intercessor] is Lord [not you], you will not attempt to ascend into heaven to pull Christ Jesus down from His position at the right hand of God the Father (1 Jn 2:1-4), so that you can now sit there as intercessor [in His stead] between man and God.  No, we are supposed to be risen with Him spiritually, freely by His grace delivered from judgment (Rom 8:31-39; even Jn 20:19-23) and made partakers of Christ’s salvation through faith [complete trust in His Word].  And this came from not our striving, but is the gift of a Perfect Triune Father God (Eph 2:4-10).  Remember Jn 14:6.

Note on Js 4:2 (last part).   To make people think that, if they fail to get their prayers answered, they must mail us that letter [with the request on paper], so that we can ask in their stead because we are closer to God, is a dangerous and misleading theology.  We ask in Jesus’ name, not some famous preacher’s name.  To agree is one thing, but to ask in someone else’s stead, is a completely different matter altogether. Jn 14:12-14 is not saying we must use the name “Jesus” as an “abracadabra” magic spell, and then “Poof!” see a magic result, it is talking about His authority (Jn 1:12-13); representing Who He is, even if you do not say “in Jesus’ name”!  We learn Sunday school rhymes and forget Rom 10:1-3; not grasping the principle [key].  Shall we go to Mt 16:19 (Rev 3:7; Is 22:22,23; 9:6,7)? He is Jn 10:9.  We should perhaps understand that the phrase “in Jesus’ name”, is possibly more for those hearing us, than for us getting a result by merely saying those words [His name].  “His name” should be visible in the life we live, in the normal words we utter every day.  The words recognizable as having been said by Him, that can not return void (Is 55:1-11).

Today, believers in the successfully completed work of Jesus and who can demonstrate Christ in us, should rather “intercept” those fiery darts from the enemy before they hit [destroy] their targets.  What are those darts?  Consider Is 54:13-17; 1 Cor 10:5; Eph 6:12-20.  Job 3:25 can also assist… 

The darts are quite possibly thoughts of calamity, despair and distrust in His Word [unbelief, fear], and the targets, most likely, are the mind [that is naturally self-centered, the thought-life, the mindset], the place where we should agree [accept, believe, trust] with God’s Word, Jesus Christ.  Again, 1 Cor 10:5… No wonder Phil 4:6-8 is good to remember and apply.   Trust in God’s Word [promise] of His Spirit inside of us will not return without result.  It will accomplish what He has set it out to do (2 Pet 3:9 + Jn 11:26).

Lk 2:14 does not contradict Mt 10:34 (Rom 3:24-27; Col 1:13-22; 2:15; and so on).  Jesus brought peace between God and man, not between man and man.  Evil is a name for a result where Jesus is rejected.

Salvation does not come by intercession [you interceding for others], but by the foolishness of preaching the good news that came from the lips of Jesus Christ (1 Cor 1:21).  We are told to heal the sick and by commanding healing into their broken bodies (Mt 10:8; Jn 1:15-20).  Is Acts 10:38 and Js 4:7 of any help?

It is quite possible that a NT believer’s “intercession” could be the prayer before having your meal (Rom 14:20), or praying/prophesying about your baby yet unborn (1 Pet 1:18,19), or your future spouse that you must still identify (Js 1:5)…  remember Is 5:18-21?…

To reconcile these thoughts above (Rom 8:26,27,34; 1 Tim 2:5; Heb 7:25; even 1 Cor 12:13), with the following Scriptures, look for the idea of “interception” [Spiritual speaking, prophesying], rather than “intercession” [to try and fix on behalf of someone else, what Jesus has done]; so we look at Scriptures like:

Eph 1:16-17. See v 18-23!

Phil 1:4.  Verse 2 mentions God’s grace [the unmerited, unconditional favor of God (Rom 11:6)].  Verse 5 talks of thankfulness expressed for their sympathetic cooperation, contributions and partnership in advancing the good news of Jesus Christ.  What does Paul continue to say in v 6?  It continues to v 10 where he hopes that they be untainted and pure and unerring and sincere and certain and unsullied – not stumbling or causing others to stumble.  A great concern seems to be that they will be part of falsity or mislead others, even if this misleading is unintentional.  One can be sincere, but sincerely wrong!

Col 1:3.  Again, thanks to God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the One that redeemed us, saved us, made propitiation for us, intercedes for us… v 9 connects with v 8 (1 Jn 3:11,15-18), and vs. 18-22…

Together, it seems, this family of Christ can even imitate each other, but only those that is representing the Lord Himself (1 Thess 1:6; Eph 5:6,7; Rom 12:9).  This goes on to 1 Thess 5:23 that also show the hope of keeping your body [living in immortality] until the returning of Jesus Christ – His really good news.  Then those bodies can be made glorified [totally imperishable, completely unable to die eternally].  He then asks for prayer (v24) [unity, strength, oneness, prophecy].  See the paper “The Testimony” by the author.

Mt 18:19.  Remember Gen 11:6?  Imagine that with us today after what Jesus has provided (2 Cor 3:8; Heb 2:8)!  It seems likely that our perfect Father wants His family in a oneness, and whenever we ask, we show the humility that show us to be open to receive [live out] from His providence and stop begging God for what He already provided (Eph 1:3-12; 1 Pet 1:1-25), because we accept [trust, believe] His Word, His promise of us being His stars shining [radiating + reflecting] His Light and immortal Life to all the world.  We believe [accept, trust, follow, cling to] His Word already spoken and providence through His cross, as a finished work, so that when we prophecy, we reveal Spirit Life, sonship, and power [authority] of a genuine child of God.  These results = fruit, and give us joy unspeakable.  This is a truly abundant life – everlasting Life.

Peace and Joy and real abundant life to you in Christ!