JESUS ADVOCATE OF

BELIEVERS ONLY
"I write unto you that ye avoid sin. Yet if any man
sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus
Christ the Righteous; and He is a propitiation for
our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the
sins of the whole world" 1 John 2: 1, 2.
 our Lord's sacrifice is a propitiation, satisfaction for our
sins, the Church's sins, and not for ours only but also for
the sins of the whole world.
We perceive that in this text the Lord sharply differentiates
between the Church and the world, between our salvation
and the world's salvation.
True, at one time there was no difference, for we were all
"children of wrath even as others" still are;
but those who have heard the voice of the Heavenly Father
speaking peace through Jesus Christ, those who have
accepted that Message, those who have been reconciled to
God through the death of His Son, are no longer of the
world, but, from God's standpoint, constitute a separate
and distinct class, a small minority, "a Little Flock."
The Scriptures tell us that thay are called, chosen
separated from the world. Our Master's words are, Ye are
not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world.
"Ye have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you, and
ordained you."
 Christ the Mediator, and then to show that it will be during the
Millennial Age that Christ will act as Mediator between God and
man: that as He has already laid the foundation for the great work
of reconciling the world unto the Father through the sacrifice of
Himself, he will during the Millennial Age complete that work by
covenanting mankind and the Fatheras many of the world under
favorable opportunities will be glad to come to a knowledge of the
Divine character and plan and to obedience to the Divine
requirements.
The Scriptures properly enough speak of our Lord Jesus as already
the Mediator, from the standpoint that He has already been
honored by the Father and indicated as the One who shall perform
that great work of mediationthe One who must reign until He
has put all enemies under His feet, and caused every knee to bow
and every tongue to confess to the glory of God the Father (1 Cor.
15: 25; Phil. 2: 9-11).
The time for doing this work, howeverthe time for exercising His
power as the Mediator and putting all things into subjectionis
still future.
Now we wish to emphasize the thought that our Lord Jesus is not
the Church's Mediator before the Father, but the Church's
Advocate.
 There is a sharp distinction to be drawn between the two thoughts.
A mediator implies a distrust() between two principals, requiring
the intervention of a third party to guarantee them to each other;
and this is not the case with the Church. They are not unbelievers.
They are not distrusted by God, but now through faith in the blood
they are children of God, and our Redeemer assures us, "The Father
Himself loveth you" (John 16: 27).
Even before the time came in the Lord's plan when the Kingdom
would be established, the rebels subdued, they were glad to trust the
Father's voice speaking peace through Jesus Christ, and they came to
Him.
Surely, then, there is no need of a Mediator between the Father who
trusts and loves His children and the children who trust and love their
Father.
However, the basis of our acceptance with the Father was our hearty
renunciation() of sin and our acceptance of the sacrifice of Jesus
as covering our blemishes and condemnation of the past, and our
acceptance of the Father in Christ was on condition that we would
henceforth walk in His stepsnot after the flesh but after the Spirit,
as set forth in the perfect Law of Liberty, the Law of Love to God and
man.
 It may be asked then, If we are children of God and the Father
Himself trusts and loves us and has accepted us in Christ
through the merit of His atoning blood, why should we need
an Advocate with the Father?
We reply that the Father's requirement that our hearts be
perfect in love to Him and to all is beyond our abilitynot
beyond our desires, our endeavors, our intentions, but
beyond our accomplishment, because we have the treasure
of the new mind in earthen vesselsin imperfect bodies, born
in sin, shapen in iniquity, on account of which the Apostle
says, "We can not do the things that we would" (Gal. 5: 17).
This constitutes our need of an Advocate with the Father;
otherwise we should lose the standing already granted to us
through faith.
This brings up the subject of forgiveness of sins.
Some are inclined to say: If our sins were forgiven once why
should we repeat the matter at the Throne of Grace? Why
should we continue to acknowledge ourselves sinners when
the Word of the Lord assures us that our sins and iniquities
are covered from His sight, that we are justified freely by His
grace from all sin?
 There is a measure of correctness in this argument, but in other
respects it is incorrect. So far as the original sin is concerned
our share in the Adamic condemnation that passed upon all men
the Scriptures assure us that we have escaped the
condemnation which is on the world (Rom. 8: 1-4).
we believe the testimony of the Lord's Word that our sins are
covered, that we have escaped from that condemnation, it
would not be proper for us to reiterate to the Lord prayers for
forgiveness of our share in original sin.
That is all past and gone, and the proper attitude of faith in
God's assurance forbids that we should repeat requests along
that line.
However, it would always be proper for us to acknowledge the
Lord's goodness in having forgiven us for our share of original
sin, and to thank Him for having lifted our feet out of the horrible
pit and out of the miry clay of sin and its condemnation, for
having placed our feet upon the Rock, Christ Jesus, and having
put in our mouths the new song of rejoicing, thanksgiving and
praise, which is our privilege and our joy since we have passed
from condemnation to justification, from being children of wrath
to joint-heirship with Jesus our Lord.
 There are more sins than our original sin.
These in the Lord's prayer are designated
trespasses; and these should be considered,
should be mentioned at the Throne of Grace daily.
As New Creatures we have entered into a
covenant with the Lord to walk in Jesus' steps in
the narrow way, according to the Law of Love.
And we all find continually that, however sincere
and loyal our hearts are to the principles of
righteousness and love, we come short of the
perfect standard because of weaknesses,
blemishes and imperfections of the flesh.
These trespasses against the Law of Love should
be mentioned at the Throne of Grace.
 It is to these that the Apostle is referring in
our text. In the preceding context he is
directing us how we should maintain
fellowship with the Father and His Son, Jesus
Christ, that, so far from our imperfections
separating us again from the Father and from
the Son, our joy may be full, our fellowship
complete.
He tells us that as New Creatures we must
walk in the light according to the new nature,
according to truth, according to
righteousness: we must not walk in sin, in
darkness, according to fallen humanity.
 But since we have the treasure of the new mind in a blemished
earthen vessel, since our spotless robe of Christ's righteousness
must be worn continually, and thus be brought in contact with the
world, the Apostle intimates that it would be impossible for us to
preserve it without spot or wrinkle.
Nevertheless our wedding robe must be without spot or wrinkle, if
we would be acceptable at the end of the Age as members of the
Heavenly Bride at the Marriage Feast.
How then shall we do? What must be our course in view of these
apparently contradictory conditions?
The Apostle explains that the blood of Christ not only met first the
obligations of the past, satisfying, setting aside the condemnation
which was against us as members of Adam's racebut that the
same merit of the same sacrifice of Christ may be used for the
cleansing of every spot, every imperfection, every blemish.
He says, "The blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanseth us [keeps
cleansing us] from all sin" (1 John 1: 7).
Thus and thus only can the Lord's children in the present time
continue to abide in fellowship with the Father and with the Son,
and be prepared for the glorious change of the First Resurrection.
 "IF WE DECEIVE

OURSELVES"
The Apostle, surmising that some would claim that they had
reached perfection and that their daily life was perfect, puts
in a warning word, saying, "If we say that we have no sin
[that we are free from any breaches of the perfect Law of
Love toward God and man], we deceive ourselves and the
Truth is not in us."
We make God a liar, and indicate that His Word is not in us
that we have not properly studied or understood His Word.
There is no more serious condition for the Lord's people to get
into than to imagine that they are perfect in the flesh.
It implies that they are blind to many of their own failings.
We may be sure that their neighbors and friends and kindred
can discern blemishes in them, and that much more the
Heavenly Father discerns, as He declares in His Word that
they come short of glorifying Himthat they come short of
the full glory of perfection which the perfect Law of Love
demands (1 John 1: 8-10).
 While, therefore, faith in the Lord and a knowledge of His Word
shows us clearly that we are purged from our old sins, that from the
Divine standpoint these are all covered for the Household of Faith
by the robe of Christ's imputed righteousness, we see on the
contrary that daily imperfections crop out, notwithstanding our best
endeavors to walk as nearly up to the standard of the Divine Law as
possiblewe see that we can not do the things that we would.
More than this, as year by year we grow in grace and knowledge
and love we see ourselves more clearly, so that after making
progress in the Christian way for years, the best of the Lord's people
will see more of their own blemishes than they noted in the
beginning of their Christian experience.
They daily see more clearly than before the lengths, breadths,
heights and depths of the Divine Character and of the Divine Law;
and as they look into the perfect Law of Liberty they discern more
clearly day by day, and behold as in a mirror their own natural
imperfections and shortcomings.
Such would be completely discouraged did they not realize the
significance of the Apostle's words in our context.
He says, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us
our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
 The Apostle, we see, is not referring to the question of
mortal sin again, and the applying for a new robe of
Christ's righteousness.
All that was done in the past.
That robe is now ours, and must never be laid off, if
we would abide in Divine favor.
But our robe must be spotless, and hence the
gracious provision of the Father through the Son that
the blood of Christ may upon our application be
applied to cleanse us from all sins, even the slighter
ones.
Thus has the Lord provided that we may keep our
garments unspotted from the world by making use of
this privilege granted us of coming with courage to
the Throne of Heavenly Grace that we may obtain
mercy (in respect to our shortcomings or trespasses)
and find grace to help in time of need (Heb. 4: 16).
 Nothing in this, properly understood, suggests any carelessness
on the part of those who would keep their garments unspotted
from the world.
Imbued with the Spirit of the Father and of the Son, with a love
for righteousness, they are, as the Apostle suggests, to "hate
even the garment spotted with the flesh" (Jude 23), and strive
continually and with growing persistency and carefulness to avoid
such blemishes and the necessity for confessing trespasses.
But although this necessity grows less and less as we grow
stronger and stronger in the Lord and in the power of His might,
nevertheless, so long as the New Creature must operate through
the earthen vessel, we must not feel discouraged with our best
endeavors for righteousness, but the more earnestly wait for and
hope for the glorious resurrection change, in which we shall
receive glorious spirit bodies, which our Lord has promised to the
faithfulperfect in every particular.
Thenceforth we shall know no sin, and need no further to confess
trespasses; for that which is perfect shall have come, and the
new mind, the New Creature, thenceforth will be able to express
its sentiments of obedience to righteousness perfectly.
 The Lord brings to our attention the fact that there will be
two classes saved during this Gospel Age, as well as another
class that will be saved during the Millennial Age.
All saved during this Age are believers in the Lord Jesus
Christ, "justified through faith in His blood" (Rom. 5: 9).
But the classes saved during this Gospel Age do more than
believe, do more than repent, do more than seek to live
righteously.
Both classes make a covenant with the Lord to follow in the
footsteps of Jesus.
Both classes receive the white robe of justification as a
result of such faith and consecration.
To one of these classes we have already referredthe class
which seeks to live up to its consecration daily, hourly, and
which keeps its garments unspotted from the world, "without
spot or wrinkle or any such thing."
This class in the Scriptures is designated a "Little Flock."
The other class is designated the Great Company.
 Concerning the latter company note the statement, "These are
they who come out of great tribulation, having washed their robes
and made them white in the blood of the Lamb" (Rev. 7: 14).
This class, failing to keep their robes unspotted, failing to go to the
Lord in prayer with every discovery of trespass, get their robes
sadly bedraggled through contact with the world.
They were vexed with the first spot, and with the second, and so
on, but gradually they became more careless and less and less
appreciative of the absolute spotlessness of the robe.
For this reason they will not be accounted worthy of the high
honor which the Lord proposes to give to the "Little Flock."
But before they can obtain any honor or any place in the
everlasting Kingdom it will be necessary that they should pass
through fiery experiences, disciplines, for their correction, for their
purification.
In some parts of the Scriptures this trial is referred to as the "fiery
trial which shall try you" (1 Pet. 4: 12).
Its primary reference is to a great tribulation in the end of this
Age, through which the Little Flock will not pass (Luke 21: 36) .
The Lord be praised therefore!
 In this tribulation time there will be a general cleansing, a general turning
to the Lord on the part of these consecrated ones and an acceptance by
the Lord; for we read that they shall come up out of the great tribulation
and be granted palm branches, and be permitted to serve the Lord in His
Temple before His Throne.
We notice, however, that the Little Flock, who keep their garments
unspotted by daily, hourly, applying for their share of the precious blood for
this purposethese receive the higher honor; and instead of being before
the Throne are in the Throne as the Bride, the Lamb's Wife.
Instead of having palm branches, representing victory, they have crowns,
which represent victory on a higher, grander plane, approving them as
"more than conquerors" through Him who loved them and bought them
with His precious blood (Rom. 8: 37).
In other words, the Great Company mentioned here are chastened through
tribulations to the point of the abjuration of sins and the cleansing of the
robe, and attain to the spiritual nature and will be highly honored servants
of the Lord during the Millennial Reign, while the Little Flock will be joint-
heirs with their Lord in that Kingdom.
These two classes are represented to us in Psalm 45. The Little Flock is the
Bride, all glorious with raiment of fine needlework and gold, representing
the embroidery of the fruits of the Spirit and the gold of the Divine nature,
while the Great Company are represented by a larger company"the
virgins, her companions, that do follow her" into the King's presence.
 The promises and opportunities, however, went first to Natural Israel;
and as many out of all the tribes who were of right condition of heart
and received the Master were granted the liberty to become members
of the House of Sons (John 1: 12).
The remainder of that nation were cast off from participation in the
chiefs blessingsubsequently to have an opportunity in the Millennial
Age of attaining to an inferior blessing.
Their casting off left vacancies in the appointed numbers of the
twelve tribes; (Rev 7)
And it is to those vacancies that the Lord during this Gospel Age has
been inviting those who have an ear to hear the Truth and who have
earnest desires of accepting it.
Many more will be called than will be chosen to this place.
The world in general is not called, but only those who have an ear to
hear.
The Great Company, although called, failing to respond with full
appreciation, fail to secure membership in this Spiritual Israel class,
the Little Flock.
Yet, as we have seen, they will come through much tribulation and
disciplines of the Lord to a grand position, but far inferior to that of
the "Very Elect."
 The world has no advocate with the Father, but "we have."
The consecrated Household of Faith is represented in Heaven itself
by Him who redeemed the whole world.
After our Lord had finished His sacrifice at Calvary, been raised from
the dead on the third day, spent forty days with the disciples,
establishing them and preparing them for the work before them, He
then ascended up on High, there to appear in the presence of God
on our behalf, as today's text declares, to be our Advocate (Heb. 9:
24).
The figure is a peculiar one. An advocate, an attorney, appears to
answer for his client, not to answer for others;
and so, although our Lord has laid down the Ransom-price for the
sins of the whole world, or, as today's text says, is a Propitiation for
the sins of the whole world, nevertheless He did not appear for the
whole world.
The world has not retained Him as an Advocate.
Only believers have come into this relationship, and consequently
only for these does He appear, only for these has He made
satisfaction. Only these, therefore, have been brought into covenant
relationship with the Father, as the Scriptures indicate.
 The same Jesus, on the basis of the same Sin offering
finished at Calvary, will in the next Age take up the cause
of the worldnot as an Advocate, not as appearing before
the Father for them and having them justified through
faith, but as a Mediator between God and man.
God stands for His own Justice.
Mankind in general, the world, are in more or less of an
unbelieving attitude, lovers of sin, blind to their true
interests.
The Mediator undertakes a work on their behalf, to bring
them into contractual relation with God and to recover the
former by opening their eyes of understanding, by giving
them valuable lessons and experiences respecting the
blessings of righteousness and the undesirableness of sin,
and thus to bring back as many as possible to fellowship
with the Father, and to restore them mentally, morally
and physically to the original likeness of God.
 By the end of that Millennial Age the Mediator will be ready to
introduce the perfect members of the race to the Father,
blameless and irreprovable; for all those rejecting His New
Covenant ministries will have been cut off in the Second
Death.
Thenceforth there will be no more sorrow, pain, sighing,
crying, dying, because all the former things will have passed
away.
The Mediator will have effected His grand work of destroying
sin and bringing in everlasting righteousness through the New
Covenant provisions.
How precious the thought that, while the world is mentally,
morally and physically poisoned by sin and blind through
unbelief to its own best interests, the time shall yet come
when they will be blessed with the opening of the eyes of their
understanding and with all the assistance necessary for their
recovery from unbelief and its results!
And how the Lord's words resound in our ears, "Blessed are
your eyes, for they see; and your ears, for they hear" (Matt.
13: 16).
 We may well thank God that the light of the
knowledge of His goodness has shone into our
hearts; and that we no longer need to wait for the
Mediator's work with the New Covenant
arrangements, but that now in advance may turn
to God promptly, as soon as we have heard of His
grace in Christ. And how gracious has been His
provision in all respects, for our adoption into His
family, our begetting of the Spirit to a new nature,
that we may become heirs of God and joint-heirs
with His Son in the glorious Kingdom, which is to
bless the world "all the families of the earth."