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135:11.1 [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_the_Baptist John] had a lonely and somewhat bitter [[experience]] in [[prison]]. Few of his followers were [[permitted]] to see him. He longed to see [[Jesus]] but had to be content with hearing of his [[work]] through those of his followers who had become believers in the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Son_of_Man Son of Man]. He was often [[tempted]] to [[doubt]] [[Jesus]] and his [[divine]] [[mission]]. If [[Jesus]] were the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jewish_messianism Messiah], why did he do nothing to deliver him from this unbearable imprisonment? For more than a year and a half this rugged man of [[God]]'s [[Nature|outdoors]] languished in that despicable [[prison]]. And this [[experience]] was a great test of his [[faith]] in, and [[loyalty]] to, [[Jesus]]. Indeed, this whole [[experience]] was a great test of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_the_Baptist John]'s [[faith]] even in [[God]]. Many times was he [[tempted]] to [[doubt]] even the [[Authentic|genuineness]] of his own [[mission]] and [[experience]].

135:11.1 [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_the_Baptist John] had a lonely and somewhat bitter [[experience]] in [[prison]]. Few of his followers were [[permitted]] to see him. He longed to see [[Jesus]] but had to be content with hearing of his [[work]] through those of his followers who had become believers in the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Son_of_Man Son of Man]. He was often [[tempted]] to [[doubt]] [[Jesus]] and his [[divine]] [[mission]]. If [[Jesus]] were the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jewish_messianism Messiah], why did he do nothing to deliver him from this unbearable imprisonment? For more than a year and a half this rugged man of [[God]]'s [[Nature|outdoors]] languished in that despicable [[prison]]. And this [[experience]] was a great test of his [[faith]] in, and [[loyalty]] to, [[Jesus]]. Indeed, this whole [[experience]] was a great test of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_the_Baptist John]'s [[faith]] even in [[God]]. Many times was he [[tempted]] to [[doubt]] even the [[Authentic|genuineness]] of his own [[mission]] and [[experience]].

135:11.2 After he had been in [[prison]] several months, a group of his [[disciples]] came to him and, after reporting concerning the [[public]] [[activities]] of [[Jesus]], said: " So you see, Teacher, that he who was with you at the upper [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jordan_river Jordan] prospers and receives all who come to him. He even feasts with publicans and sinners. You bore [[courageous]] [[witness]] to him, and yet he does nothing to effect your [[deliverance]]. "[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Gospel_of_John#Chapter_3] But John answered his friends: " This man can do nothing unless it has been given him by his Father in heaven. You well remember that I said, `I am not the Messiah, but I am one sent on before to prepare the way for him.'[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Gospel_of_John#Chapter_3] And that I did. He who has the bride is the bridegroom, but the [[friend]] of the bridegroom who stands near-by and hears him [[rejoices]] greatly because of the bridegroom's [[voice]]. This, my [[joy]], therefore is fulfilled. He must increase but I must decrease. I am of this [[earth]] and have [[declared]] my [[message]]. [[Jesus]] of [[Nazareth]] comes down to the earth from heaven and is above us all. The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Son_of_Man Son of Man] has [[descended]] from [[God]], and the [[words]] of God he will [[declare]] to you. For [[the Father]] in heaven gives not the [[spirit]] by measure to his own Son. [[The Father]] loves his Son and will presently put [[Everything|all things]] in the hands of this Son. He who believes in the Son has [[eternal]] life. And these words which I speak are true and abiding. "[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Gospel_of_John#Chapter_3]

135:11.2 After he had been in [[prison]] several months, a group of his [[disciples]] came to him and, after reporting concerning the [[public]] [[activities]] of [[Jesus]], said: " So you see, Teacher, that he who was with you at the upper [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jordan_river Jordan] prospers and receives all who come to him. He even feasts with publicans and sinners. You bore [[courageous]] [[witness]] to him, and yet he does nothing to effect your [[deliverance]]. "[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Gospel_of_John#Chapter_3] But John answered his friends: " This man can do nothing unless it has been given him by his Father in heaven. You well remember that I said, `I am not the Messiah, but I am one sent on before to prepare the way for him.'[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Gospel_of_John#Chapter_3] And that I did. He who has the bride is the bridegroom, but the [[friend]] of the bridegroom who stands near-by and hears him [[rejoices]] greatly because of the bridegroom's [[voice]]. This, my [[joy]], therefore is fulfilled. He must increase but I must decrease. I am of this [[earth]] and have [[declared]] my [[message]]. [[Jesus]] of [[Nazareth]] comes down to the earth from heaven and is above us all. The [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Son_of_Man Son of Man] has [[descended]] from [[God]], and the [[words]] of God he will [[declare]] to you. For [[the Father]] in heaven gives not the [[spirit]] by measure to his own Son. [[The Father]] loves his Son and will presently put [[Everything|all things]] in the hands of this Son. He who believes in the Son has [[eternal]] life. And these words which I speak are true and abiding. "[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Gospel_of_John#Chapter_3]

135:11.3 These [[disciples]] were amazed at [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_the_Baptist John]'s pronouncement, so much so that they departed in [[silence]]. John was also much [[agitated]], for he perceived that he had uttered a [[prophecy]]. Never again did he wholly [[doubt]] the [[mission]] and [[divinity]] of [[Jesus]]. But it was a sore [[disappointment]] to John that [[Jesus]] sent him no word, that he came not to see him, and that he [[exercised]] none of his great [[power]] to deliver him from [[prison]]. But [[Jesus]] knew all about this. He had great [[love]] for [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_the_Baptist John], but being now cognizant of his [[divine]] [[nature]] and knowing fully the great things in [[preparation]] for John when he [[Afterlife|departed from this world]] and also knowing that John's [[work]] on earth was finished, he constrained himself not to [[interfere]] in the natural outworking of the great preacher-[[prophet]]'s [[career]].

135:11.3 These [[disciples]] were amazed at [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_the_Baptist John]'s pronouncement, so much so that they departed in [[silence]]. John was also much [[agitated]], for he perceived that he had uttered a [[prophecy]]. Never again did he wholly [[doubt]] the [[mission]] and [[divinity]] of [[Jesus]]. But it was a sore [[disappointment]] to John that [[Jesus]] sent him no word, that he came not to see him, and that he [[exercised]] none of his great [[power]] to deliver him from [[prison]]. But [[Jesus]] knew all about this. He had great [[love]] for [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_the_Baptist John], but being now cognizant of his [[divine]] [[nature]] and knowing fully the great things in [[preparation]] for John when he [[Afterlife|departed from this world]] and also knowing that John's [[work]] on earth was finished, he constrained himself not to [[interfere]] in the natural outworking of the great preacher-[[prophet]]'s [[career]].

135:11.4 This long [[suspense]] in [[prison]] was humanly unbearable. Just a few days before his [[death]] [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_the_Baptist John] again sent trusted [[messengers]] to [[Jesus]], [[inquiring]]: " Is my work done? Why do I languish in prison? Are you truly the Messiah, or shall we look for another? "[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Gospel_of_Matthew#Chapter_11] And when these two [[disciples]] gave this [[message]] to [[Jesus]], the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Son_of_Man Son of Man] replied: " Go back to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_the_Baptist John] and tell him that I have not forgotten but to suffer me also this, for it becomes us to fulfill all [[righteousness]]. Tell John what you have seen and heard—that the [[poor]] have good tidings preached to them—and, finally, tell the beloved [[herald]] of my [[earth]] [[mission]] that he shall be abundantly [[blessed]] in the age to come if he finds no occasion to [[doubt]] and stumble over me. "[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Gospel_of_Matthew#Chapter_11] And this was the last [[word]] John received from [[Jesus]]. This [[message]] greatly [[comforted]] him and did much to stabilize his [[faith]] and [[prepare]] him for the [[tragic]] end of his life in the [[flesh]] which followed so soon upon the heels of this memorable occasion.

135:11.4 This long [[suspense]] in [[prison]] was humanly unbearable. Just a few days before his [[death]] [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_the_Baptist John] again sent trusted [[messengers]] to [[Jesus]], [[inquiring]]: " Is my work done? Why do I languish in prison? Are you truly the Messiah, or shall we look for another? "[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Gospel_of_Matthew#Chapter_11] And when these two [[disciples]] gave this [[message]] to [[Jesus]], the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Son_of_Man Son of Man] replied: " Go back to [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_the_Baptist John] and tell him that I have not forgotten but to suffer me also this, for it becomes us to fulfill all [[righteousness]]. Tell John what you have seen and heard—that the [[poor]] have good tidings preached to them—and, finally, tell the beloved [[herald]] of my [[earth]] [[mission]] that he shall be abundantly [[blessed]] in the age to come if he finds no occasion to [[doubt]] and stumble over me. "[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Gospel_of_Matthew#Chapter_11] And this was the last [[word]] John received from [[Jesus]]. This [[message]] greatly [[comforted]] him and did much to stabilize his [[faith]] and [[prepare]] him for the [[tragic]] end of his life in the [[flesh]] which followed so soon upon the heels of this memorable occasion.

<center>[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_135 Go to Paper 135]</center>

<center>[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_135 Go to Paper 135]</center>