R.A. Torrey emphasizes the significance of Jesus' last words to His disciples before His crucifixion, focusing on the necessity of His departure for the coming of the Holy Spirit, who would guide, teach, and convict the world of sin. He explains how the disciples' sorrow would turn to joy upon seeing Jesus again, highlighting the transformative power of faith and prayer in His name. Torrey reassures believers that despite tribulations, they can find peace through Christ, who has overcome the world, and encourages them to rely on the Holy Spirit for guidance and truth.

DISCOVERY OF THE FACTS 1. “If I Do Not Go Away, the Comforter Will Not Come Unto You, But If I Depart, I Will Send Him Unto You,” vv. 7–15 What was the feeling of Jesus’ disciples over His departure from them? (John 16:6.) Did it not seem like a misfortune (v. 7)? In what ways was it for their good? (c. 11:50, 52; c. 14:3; c. 14:12.) What especial way in which His departure was expedient for them is mentioned in v. 7? Upon what was the sending of the Holy Spirit conditioned? (John 7:39; Acts 2:33, Eph. 4:8.) What would the Spirit do when He came? His activity in relation to what class is set forth in vv. 8–11? His activity in relation to what class is set forth in vv. 13, 14 and c. 14:26 and 15:26? What is His first work in relation to the world? In respect of what particular sin would the Holy Spirit convict the world? What is the one sin that brings doom? (John 3:18–20; Heb. 10:28, 29.) Is it our business to convict men in respect of sin? What is our part in the matter? Have we any illustration in the Bible of the Spirit convicting men in respect of the sin of unbelief? (Acts 2:37.) Of its error on what second point would the Spirit convict the world (v. 10)? What had the world thought of Christ? What would the Spirit show them respecting Him? By what fact would the Spirit convict the world of its mistake and show that He whom they had condemned as a malefactor was the righteous One? (v. 10; compare Acts 3:14, 15.) On what third point would the Spirit convict the world of its mistake? As whose judgment did the world regard the crucifixion of Jesus? Whose judgment would the Spirit show them the crucifixion had been? (v. 11; c. 12:31.) Who was it that was really judged and destroyed at the cross? (Col. 2:15; Heb. 2:14.) Where, in all the world’s history, did Satan seem most completely victor? When, in fact, was he most completely overthrown? What name is given to Satan in this verse? (Compare 2 Cor. 4:4.) Why is he so called? Why would it be necessary for the Spirit to come and supplement the teaching of Jesus (v. 12)? Is it enough, then, to take the teachings of Jesus alone and construct our theology out of them? In which, according to Jesus Christ’s own testimony, have we the more complete revelation, the teachings of Jesus or the teachings of the Apostles (vv. 12, 13)? Into how much truth would the Spirit guide them? If we wish to know the whole of God’s truth, who must be our teacher? (Compare 1 Cor. 2:11–14; 1 John 2:27.) Where can we find the truth into which the Spirit guided the apostles? To whose teaching does Jesus, by v. 13, set the seal of His approval? What would the Spirit show them? Is it possible then to know “things to come”? Is all opinion about the future mere speculation? What would be the chief business of this coming Spirit? (v. 14; compare vv. 9, 10; Acts 2:32, 36; 4:8, 10–12; 1 Cor. 12:3.) Whom had Jesus Himself glorified? (c. 17:4.) How would the Holy Spirit glorify Jesus (v. 14, R. V.)? If we would see the glory of Jesus, what must the Spirit do for us (v. 14)? Is He willing to do that? Has He ever done it for you? What is taught by the frequent use of the pronoun “He” in connection with the Holy Spirit? 2. “A Little While, and Ye Shall Behold Me No More; And Again, a Little While, and Ye Shall See Me,” vv. 16–22 To what does the first “little while” in v. 16 refer? To what does the second “little while” in v. 16 refer? What effect did the words of Jesus produce upon His disciples? (vv. 17, 18.) How did Jesus know their perplexity (v. 19)? What would be the effect upon the disciples of Jesus’ death and their consequent losing sight of Him (v. 20)? How would the world feel regarding His death (v. 20)? By what would the disciples sorrow be followed? By what is the true believer’s sorrow always followed? What was the darkest day the disciples ever saw? What was the brightest day that ever came to them? Is the time ever coming when we shall see Him again and our sorrow be transformed into triumphant joy? (Acts 1:11; John 14:3; 1 Thess. 4:16, 17.) What would be the character of the joy that the disciples should receive when they saw Jesus again (v. 22)? 3. “Whatsoever Ye Shall Ask in My Name, God Will Give It You,” vv. 23–33 What is the meaning of the first sentence in v. 23? (Compare A. R. V.) ought the believer ever to pray to Jesus, or only to the Father? (Acts 7:59; 2 Cor. 12:8, 9; 1 Cor. 1:2.) What is the normal order of Christian prayer? (Eph. 2:18.) To whom does Jesus teach us to pray in v. 23? What is His own relation to prevailing prayer (vv. 23, 24)? What wonderful promise does He make regarding prayer to the Father in His name? (v. 23; compare John 14:13, 14.) To whom is this promise made? (v. 26, 27; compare John 14:12, 15.) What is the result of praying in the name of Jesus (v. 24, R.V.)? Why does the average believer have no little fullness of joy? Why does praying in the name of Jesus bring fullness of joy? How had Jesus been teaching His disciples up to this time (v. 25)? When the Holy Spirit came, what difference would there be in His teaching (v. 25)? Does Jesus mean by saying: “I say unto you I will pray the Father for you” that He will no longer intercede for us after the coming of the Holy Spirit? (Compare Heb. 7:25; Ro. 8:34; 1 John 2:1.) What does He mean (v. 27)? Why does the Father love believers? Who, then, does the Father love in this peculiar way? What does Jesus wish us to believe about Himself (v. 27)? From Whom did Jesus come forth? To Whom was He now going? What new profession of their faith did the disciples make in v. 30? What was Jesus’ answer (v. 31)? What was the force of this question? What does it show that Jesus longs for? Does Jesus receive much real faith in Himself? What does Jesus tell them about their faith (v. 32)? Who was the loneliest man that ever walked this earth? Was He really alone (v. 32)? If any of us have to walk a lonely life here upon earth what thought may we take to ourselves that will banish all our loneliness? What did Jesus desire for His disciples (v. 33)? For what purpose had he spoken all the wonderful words in chapters 14, 15, and 16? What will the believer have in the world? Why may he have peace, even though he has tribulation in the world (v. 33)? If Jesus overcame the world, what may we also do? (1 John 5:4, 5.) CLASSIFICATION OF TEACHINGS 1. God, the Father His dwelling place: Heaven, 10, 17, 28; compare Acts 1:9–11; prayer should be offered to Him, 23, 24; He loves those who love Jesus and believe that Jesus came forth from God, 27; He stood with Jesus when all the world forsook Him, 32. 2. Jesus Christ (1). His nature: Divine 7, 10, 15, 23; human, 28, 32, 33. (2). Jesus and the Father: Jesus is subordinate to the Father, 16, 26, 30, 32; prays to the Father, 26; came from the Father, 27, 28, 30; went to the Father, 10, 16, 17, 28. (3). Jesus and the Holy Spirit: Jesus sent the Spirit, 7; Jesus glorified by the Spirit, 14; the Spirit takes of the things of Jesus and shows them unto us, 14. 3. The Holy Spirit (1). His personality, 7, 8, 13, 14. (2). His names: Paraclete (One called to stand by our side, an ever-present Friend), 7; Spirit of truth, 13. (3). The Spirit and the Father: Spirit speaks what He hears from the Father, 13. (4). The Spirit and Jesus Christ: Spirit is sent by Jesus, 7; glorifies Jesus, 14; takes the things of Jesus and shows them unto us, 14. (5). The Spirit and the believer: The Spirit does for the believer what Jesus did while with them on earth, 7; compare c. 14:16; comes to the believer and through the believer convicts the world of sin and of righteousness and of judgment 7–11; guides into all truth, 13, R. V.; shows the believer things to come, 13; takes of the things of Jesus and declares them unto the believer, 14. (6). The Spirit and the world: He convicts the world of sin because they believe not on Jesus, 8, 9, R. V.; of righteousness because Jesus goes to the Father, 8, 10, R. V.; of judgment because the prince of this world hath been judged, 8, 11, R. V. (7). His offices: An ever-present Helper, 7; Teacher, 13; Convictor. 8–11; Guide, 13; Revealer of the things of Jesus Christ and of things to come, 13; a glorifier of Jesus Christ, 14. 4. Believers Only avenue through which the Spirit can get at the world, 7–11; guided by Spirit into all the truth, 13; taught things of God, 13; shown the things of Christ, 14; have transient but bitter sorrow, 20; have overwhelming and abiding joy, 20–23; no man can take their joy from them, 22; have tribulation in the world, 33; can be of good cheer in midst of all their tribulations, 33; can have peace in midst of their tribulations, 33; whatsoever they ask of the Father in the name of Jesus will receive, 23; have fullness of joy by praying much in the name of Jesus, 24; Jesus reveals the truth plainly to them, 25; are loved by the Father because they love Jesus and believe that He came forth from God, 27; have direct access to the Father, 26, 27. 5. The World Lying in sin because they believe not on Jesus, 9; convicted in respect of sin and of righteousness and of judgment by the Holy Spirit, 9–11; hates Jesus, 20; rejoices over the crucifixion of Jesus, 20; persecutes believers, 33; cannot rob the believer of this joy, 22. 6. Prayer To Whom to pray: the Father, 23, 24, 26, 27. How to pray: in Jesus’ name, 23, 24. Who can pray so as to get what they ask? Those who love Jesus and believe that He came forth from God, 23–27.