Dr Paul Allen

The two longest statements relating to the Holy Spirit in the Upper Room discourses fall in this section. Let's consider all five of them (14:15–17; 14:25, 26; 15:26, 27; 16:7–11, 12–15). The first of these sayings refers to the Holy Spirit as “another Paraclete.” That name is really the Greek word for the Spirit in these passages. It is often used in discussions about the Holy Spirit because it is difficult to find a real parallel for it in our language. Often it denotes a legal adviser in court, but it is not a legal term like advocate, barrister, or attorney; it can have a more general meaning like “helper.” In 16:8–11 the legal associations are to the fore, and there the Spirit appears to perform the functions of a prosecuting barrister in court. But in 14:25 and 26 and 16:13 and 14 his task is to recall and interpret the revelation given through Jesus. The chief work of the Paraclete-Spirit is indicated in 15:26: “He will bear witness concerning me.” The Spirit is to “teach”

John describes the false prophet as “rising out of the earth” (Rev. 13:11). While the first beast that arose from the sea echoed the four beasts of Daniel 7, the second beast that ascended from the earth echoes the four kingdoms of Daniel 7:17. Since Daniel 7:17 interpreted the four beasts as four kingdoms, John’s two beasts are intimately connected. It is a “beast” (Greek, thērion) like the Devil (Dragon) and the Antichrist (the Beast). This evil trinity parodies the true God: “As Christ received authority from the Father (Matt. 11:27), so Antichrist receives authority from the Dragon (Rev. 13:4), and as the Holy Spirit glorifies Christ (John 16:14), so the false prophet glorifies the Antichrist (Rev. 13:12).” The second beast, like the first Beast, parodies Jesus, the Lamb with seven horns (Rev. 5:6): it has “two horns like a lamb” (13:11). While the seven horns of the messianic Lamb symbolized the fullness of his strength as conquering Messiah, the two horns of the counterfe