Let no Christian's heart fail him because it seems that the enemy has come in like a flood, that the voice of the prophet is not heard in the land. God has His men hidden. They will come forth without price tags, with nothing to sell, nothing to promote but His message, nothing to organize, nothing to propagate but holiness unto the Lord.
John the Baptist came at a critical hour in the history of Israel. The parched souls sought him in the heat-laden desert. England, dead under the teaching of Deism and thickly foul with corrupt politics, hardly offered loving arms to the Oxford scholar, Wesley. Injustice, unequal taxation, vice, drinking, etc. were all at a premium in Wesley's day. To the nation dead in politics and with icicles on the pulpits and snowmen in them, Wesley brought the torch of Spirit-anointed preaching and the nation melted before him.
The cultists and purveyors of false doctrine, with millions to spend on scattering their false doctrines worldwide, offer us greater challenges than Wesley or Finney had, but not greater than our God is able to deal with. Our present evangelism offers men a change of destiny- Biblical regeneration offers men a new Spirit-born personality, then destiny.
Revival is the Lord's doing, and is marvelous in our eyes. Wet-eyed, heart-broken revivalists produce wet-eyed, heartbroken sinners at the feet of a Holy God. True revival, said dear Dr. Tozer, "changes the moral climate of a community". Men like John the Baptist, and Wesley burned their names on the history of the world.
At the moment, we are a broken nation, broken financially, morally and spiritually. If we were half as spiritual as we think we are, we would be going to the house of the Lord in sackcloth with a handful of furnace ashes to anoint our unworthy heads. But we still play church. We still delight in shallow preaching and offer shallower praying. Our sackcloth and ashes would be less conspicuous than Isaiah, "walking barefoot and naked" for three years as a sign.
Jeremiah mourned the sin of the people. His castigations of their iniquity cost him a spell in the stocks, the inside of a prison, and the misery of sleeping at the bottom of a muddy well. He knew better than to say, peace peace, when there was no peace. He alone knew the pending judgments of God. He sat alone because of the wrath of God (Jer 15:17).
Oh for men who will wait upon the Lord, hear His voice, get a baptism of His power and an authority to deliver His message to a sick church and a dying world. We have labored in the flesh for too long. We have interpreted success by material gain- bigger buildings for our churches, bigger crowds for our hearers, bigger offerings as proof of His favor. We have had weak preachers for too long- God give us giants! We had promoters too many, Lord send us revivalists. We have played evangelism with a hundred gimmicks; Lord give us, in this dark hour of human history, some John the Baptists to burn and shine, some Knox to say, " Give me America and the nations, or I die".
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Friday, April 22, 2011
The Future Status of Israel!
During the tribulation period, Israel will again be a focal point of God’s activity. Many Jews will be saved as a result of God’s dealings with them. This is part of God fulfilling His covenant promises to the Jewish people. God’s covenant promises to the Jewish people include salvation, restoration to their land, and the Lord Jesus Christ as their ruler. God grafted in the Gentiles when the Jewish people rejected the Messiah and the gospel message. God’s purpose in grafting in Gentiles includes making Jews jealous as He brings them to the point where they accept the Lord Jesus Christ as the Messiah. God has chosen a remnant among the physical descendants of Jacob. Spiritual blindness (for the most part) rests upon the Jews today because of their persistent disobedience and unbelief. God will remove the blindness from the Jew’s hearts and many will be saved during the tribulation period. At least 12,000 from each tribe of Israel will be saved. God is worthy of praise for the sovereign way He has worked among the Jews and Gentiles. Every person will, by one means or another, come to acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord. Some may voluntarily do so now by coming to Jesus in faith and receiving salvation. Some will be saved during the tribulation period. Others will have to later acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, but they will only receive condemnation, not salvation.
One of the greatest evangelism explosions the world has ever seen will take place during the tribulation period, as God continues to have His witnesses on earth even during those dark days. A great evangelistic outreach will be led by 144,000 saved Jews (12,000 from each tribe of Israel, according to Revelation 7:4-8). The 144,000 Jews are described as being redeemed and following the Lamb. The 144,000 Jews are able to learn a song that others on earth are unable to learn. The 144,000 are sealed in their foreheads to indicate God’s ownership. The message preached by the 144,000 witnesses will be the gospel of the kingdom, involving the same gospel message that is preached today, and additional emphasis on Jesus’ soon return to establish His earthly kingdom and the need to prepare for that event. People will have the opportunity to be saved during the tribulation period. People will be saved during the tribulation period (and only way) people are saved today—by God’s grace, through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. The New Covenant will still be in effect at this time, since it is an everlasting covenant and promises salvation through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, based on His atoning work on the cross. A huge (innumerable!) group of people from every social, ethnic, and linguistic group will be saved during the tribulation period, largely through the commitment and effectiveness of the 144,000 Jewish witnesses.
One of the greatest evangelism explosions the world has ever seen will take place during the tribulation period, as God continues to have His witnesses on earth even during those dark days. A great evangelistic outreach will be led by 144,000 saved Jews (12,000 from each tribe of Israel, according to Revelation 7:4-8). The 144,000 Jews are described as being redeemed and following the Lamb. The 144,000 Jews are able to learn a song that others on earth are unable to learn. The 144,000 are sealed in their foreheads to indicate God’s ownership. The message preached by the 144,000 witnesses will be the gospel of the kingdom, involving the same gospel message that is preached today, and additional emphasis on Jesus’ soon return to establish His earthly kingdom and the need to prepare for that event. People will have the opportunity to be saved during the tribulation period. People will be saved during the tribulation period (and only way) people are saved today—by God’s grace, through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. The New Covenant will still be in effect at this time, since it is an everlasting covenant and promises salvation through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, based on His atoning work on the cross. A huge (innumerable!) group of people from every social, ethnic, and linguistic group will be saved during the tribulation period, largely through the commitment and effectiveness of the 144,000 Jewish witnesses.
The Distinction between the Rapture and the Second Advent
The terms second coming and return of Christ have multi-faceted significance, which often results in a bit of confusion. It is necessary to distinguish between the Lord Jesus Christ’s coming for His saints (often called the rapture) and the Lord Jesus Christ’s coming with His saints in triumph and glory (sometimes called the second advent, meaning second coming).
Distinctions between the rapture and the second advent: the rapture could occur at any time; with no signs preceding it to indicate that it is about to happen. The second advent of Jesus will be preceded by various signs and events. At the rapture, Christians will meet Jesus in the air. At the second advent, Jesus will return to earth (specifically, to the Mount of Olives, causing the mountain to split in half). His feet shall stand in the day upon the Mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the Mount of Olives shall cleave (split) in the midst thereof toward the east, and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south. At the rapture, the only people on earth who will be involved are Christians. At the second- advent, every eye shall see Him. Changes in Christians will take place at the rapture, but nature will remain unchanged. Changes in nature will take place at the second-advent. In conjunction with the rapture, believers will be judged. In conjunction with the second-advent, unbelievers will be judged.
Certain passages are commonly thought to be referring to the rapture, because of statements such as “Then shall two people be in the field, the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Watch therefore; for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come… be ye also ready; for in such a hour as ye think not (when you are not expecting it) the Son of man cometh. Matthew chapter 24, Mark chapter 13, and Luke chapter 21 are not referring to the rapture. In context, Jesus was responding to His disciples’ question about the signs that will precede His coming back to earth at the end of the age. Jesus described the signs that will precede His triumphant coming to set up His kingdom on earth, at the conclusion of the tribulation period – not His coming in the air at the rapture.
Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. Many shall come in My name, saying I am Christ, and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars; see that ye be not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers (various) places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you; and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end (of the tribulation), the same shall be saved (delivered from the tribulation). And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation (the antichrist), spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place (whoso readeth, let him understand), then let them which be in Judea flee into the mountains… For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days be shortened, there should no flesh be saved (no one would survive). Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of heaven shall be shaken; and then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven; and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. The immediate context compares the people in Noah’s day to those who are taken when the Lord Jesus Christ comes. Those who are taken are taken to be judged, just like those who were taken in judgment by the flood in Noah’s day. Those who are left remain on earth to experience Jesus’ millennial reign, just like those on board the ark were left alive (unlike all other people on earth in Noah’s day).
Distinctions between the rapture and the second advent: the rapture could occur at any time; with no signs preceding it to indicate that it is about to happen. The second advent of Jesus will be preceded by various signs and events. At the rapture, Christians will meet Jesus in the air. At the second advent, Jesus will return to earth (specifically, to the Mount of Olives, causing the mountain to split in half). His feet shall stand in the day upon the Mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the Mount of Olives shall cleave (split) in the midst thereof toward the east, and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south. At the rapture, the only people on earth who will be involved are Christians. At the second- advent, every eye shall see Him. Changes in Christians will take place at the rapture, but nature will remain unchanged. Changes in nature will take place at the second-advent. In conjunction with the rapture, believers will be judged. In conjunction with the second-advent, unbelievers will be judged.
Certain passages are commonly thought to be referring to the rapture, because of statements such as “Then shall two people be in the field, the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Watch therefore; for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come… be ye also ready; for in such a hour as ye think not (when you are not expecting it) the Son of man cometh. Matthew chapter 24, Mark chapter 13, and Luke chapter 21 are not referring to the rapture. In context, Jesus was responding to His disciples’ question about the signs that will precede His coming back to earth at the end of the age. Jesus described the signs that will precede His triumphant coming to set up His kingdom on earth, at the conclusion of the tribulation period – not His coming in the air at the rapture.
Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. Many shall come in My name, saying I am Christ, and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars; see that ye be not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers (various) places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you; and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end (of the tribulation), the same shall be saved (delivered from the tribulation). And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation (the antichrist), spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place (whoso readeth, let him understand), then let them which be in Judea flee into the mountains… For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days be shortened, there should no flesh be saved (no one would survive). Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of heaven shall be shaken; and then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven; and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. The immediate context compares the people in Noah’s day to those who are taken when the Lord Jesus Christ comes. Those who are taken are taken to be judged, just like those who were taken in judgment by the flood in Noah’s day. Those who are left remain on earth to experience Jesus’ millennial reign, just like those on board the ark were left alive (unlike all other people on earth in Noah’s day).
The Value of Studying Final Things (Future Things)
The study of final things is very interesting, especially in this day when it seems there are things happening that appear to be related to the fulfillment of Bible prophecy. Remember, however, that prophecy is not the main emphasis in the scriptures. The scriptures tell us about God, Jesus, mankind, salvation, worship, prayer, and daily Christian living and service. Prophecy is dealt with appropriately in the Bible, but it is not the main emphasis. However, there is definite value in studying final things, particularly since the study of those things revolves around the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.
The second coming of Jesus Christ ought to motivate believers to holy living. The time of the Lord’s return is unknown; therefore believers should be prepared for His coming. The second coming of Jesus ought to motivate believers to be faithful servants. The second coming of Jesus ought to motivate believers to become faithful witnesses. The second coming of Jesus ought to motivate believers to love one another. The second coming of Jesus ought to motivate believers to not judge other. The second coming of Jesus ought to produce patience in the lives of believers. The second coming of Jesus ought to produce hope in the lives of believers. Jesus taught that His return should be a comfort to His followers because He would return to take them to be with Him. The second coming of Jesus ought to motivate believers to watch for His coming. 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 gives details concerning the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ in the air. The Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first; then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air; and so shall we ever be with the Lord. The next verse declares, Wherefore comfort one another with these words. Comfort is found in the fact that believers who have died will be raised, believers who are still alive will be reunited with those who have died, the bodies of all believers will be changed, and believers will be with the Lord forever. The responsibilities of believers in regard to the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ include: 1.) Believing in His coming, 2.) Praying for His coming, 3.) Loving His coming, 4.) Being alert, expecting and watching for His coming, 5.) Patiently waiting for His coming, 6.) Do not scoff at the thought of His coming, 7.) Live in such a way as to be unashamed at His coming.
The second coming of Jesus Christ ought to motivate believers to holy living. The time of the Lord’s return is unknown; therefore believers should be prepared for His coming. The second coming of Jesus ought to motivate believers to be faithful servants. The second coming of Jesus ought to motivate believers to become faithful witnesses. The second coming of Jesus ought to motivate believers to love one another. The second coming of Jesus ought to motivate believers to not judge other. The second coming of Jesus ought to produce patience in the lives of believers. The second coming of Jesus ought to produce hope in the lives of believers. Jesus taught that His return should be a comfort to His followers because He would return to take them to be with Him. The second coming of Jesus ought to motivate believers to watch for His coming. 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 gives details concerning the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ in the air. The Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first; then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air; and so shall we ever be with the Lord. The next verse declares, Wherefore comfort one another with these words. Comfort is found in the fact that believers who have died will be raised, believers who are still alive will be reunited with those who have died, the bodies of all believers will be changed, and believers will be with the Lord forever. The responsibilities of believers in regard to the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ include: 1.) Believing in His coming, 2.) Praying for His coming, 3.) Loving His coming, 4.) Being alert, expecting and watching for His coming, 5.) Patiently waiting for His coming, 6.) Do not scoff at the thought of His coming, 7.) Live in such a way as to be unashamed at His coming.
The Rapture!
The term rapture does not appear in the Bible. The term rapture comes from the Latin verb rapto, which means to seize or to snatch away. Rapture implies the act of conveying a person from one place to another and is therefore used to denote the conveying of living persons to heaven. The rapture is declared to be a mystery- something that God did not reveal in the Old Testament. The first clear mention of the rapture came from the lips of the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. The Lord Jesus Christ will descend from heaven. Jesus’ coming will be a physical coming, not merely a spiritual or symbolic coming. Jesus’ coming will be visible to those who belong to Him. The dead in Christ shall rise first, caught up to meet the Lord in the air, to be with Him forever.
Resurrection (unlike the rapture) was no mystery, the Old Testament clearly teaches that people would be raised from the dead. Job declared, I know that my redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth; and though after my skin worms destroy my body, yet in my flesh shall I see God; who I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed (how my heart longs) within me. David spoke of awakening in God’s presence. Isaiah gives a clear statement of the hope of resurrection: Dead men shall live together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust; for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out (give birth to) the dead. Daniel clearly describes a future resurrection: Many multitudes of them that sleep are dead in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.
Jesus rebuked the Sadducees for not believing in resurrection. Jesus declared , the hour is coming in which all that are in the graves shall hear His voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life, and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. Jesus promised everlasting life to those who believe on Him, giving them the assurance that He would raise them from the dead. Jesus declared, I am the resurrection, and the life; he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live; and whosoever liveth, and believeth in me shall never die. Jesus then proved the validity of His statement by raising Lazarus from the dead. The resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ is foundational to Christianity. The resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ also guarantees the resurrection of all those who belong to Him. Now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first-fruits of them that slept. For since by man (Adam) came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order; Christ the first-fruits (the first of many to rise from the dead, never to die again); afterward they that are Christ’s at His coming. The term first-fruits refers to the first of many to rise from the dead, never to die again.
There is plenty of biblical truth regarding physical death. Physical death is the result of being in Adam. Physical death is the consequence of sin. Physical death is ordained by God. Physical death will be experienced by all people who are presently alive, with the exception of those believers who are alive when the Lord returns. Physical death brings the end of earthly projects and possessions. Physical death is the leveler of all ranks of people. Physical death is to be regarded as at hand and therefore preparation should be made for it. Physical death should prompt faithfulness to the Lord. Physical death is described as sleep. Sleep is a euphemism- a figure of speech that utilizes a softer, gentler way of dealing with a harsh subject. This does not mean that the soul is unconscious between the time of death and the resurrection. It applies primarily to the body, which will one day be awakened when it raised from the dead. Physical death is described as putting off the tabernacle. Physical death is only temporary for those who have believed on the Lord Jesus Christ. Physical death holds no fear for the believer. Physical death—in the case of a believer – is precious in God’s opinion. Physical death is never experienced by those who are in the presence of the Lord. Physical death will one day be destroyed.
Living believers will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air, to be with Him forever. There will be Christians who will not experience death—another mystery. The Old Testament clearly teaches resurrection, but it does not reveal that some people will go into God’s presence without experiencing death. The rapture will produce a spectacular reunion. All believers (those who have died and those who are still alive) meet the Lord Himself. Christians who are alive are reunited with other believers who have died. The bodies of all believers (those who have died and those who are still alive) will be changed. The believer’s present body, which is called a vile body is not yet suited for entrance into the presence of God. A change in our physical bodies must take place. A phenomenal change in the bodies of all believers (those who have died and those who are still alive) will be accomplished by the power of the Lord Jesus Christ. This change will take place in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye.
Characteristics of having a resurrected body include having a body that God, in His sovereignty, will give to believers, having a changed body that is not to be subjected to the limitations of our present physical bodies, including sickness, injury, fatigue, weakness, exhaustion, and death, having a vast improvement over the old body, having a glorious body, having a heavenly body, perfectly suited to the environment of heaven and perfectly suited to accomplish the purpose of God. It also includes having a body similar to the glorified body of the Lord Jesus Christ. The resurrection body of the Lord Jesus Christ was a real physical body – the same one in which Jesus’ followers had seen Him living, the same body that had died. People recognized Jesus after His resurrection. Jesus demonstrated certain physical functions, such as when he ate with His disciples. But Jesus’ physical body was changed—free from restrictions. Jesus may have passed from the sealed tomb. Jesus entered into a locked room without using the door. Jesus appeared suddenly and He disappeared just as suddenly. Distance was no restriction to Him after His resurrection. Most importantly, the risen Lord Jesus Christ cannot ever die again. The Lord Jesus Christ is referred to as the firstborn of the dead and the first begotten of the dead. The Greek term translated firstborn and first begotten is prototokos, from which we get the term prototype. There are passages that refer to Jesus being a prototype—the first to have an everlasting resurrected body, the first to die and rise again, never to die again. Other people were raised from the dead, but only to their former existence. They all died a second time, at which their bodies remained dead.
Also, the new resurrected body will have somewhat of a resemblance to the present earthly body. Jesus was recognized by his friends and associates after He rose from the dead. It is likely that people will still be recognizable in the presence of the Lord. The resurrected, glorified bodies of believers will be like the resurrected, glorified body of the Lord Jesus Christ, in some ways resembling their present earthly bodies, and in other ways very different from their present earthly bodies. Every believer will be changed at the rapture. These changes will occur in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye. The rapture will accomplish the final stage of salvation.
Resurrection (unlike the rapture) was no mystery, the Old Testament clearly teaches that people would be raised from the dead. Job declared, I know that my redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth; and though after my skin worms destroy my body, yet in my flesh shall I see God; who I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed (how my heart longs) within me. David spoke of awakening in God’s presence. Isaiah gives a clear statement of the hope of resurrection: Dead men shall live together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust; for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out (give birth to) the dead. Daniel clearly describes a future resurrection: Many multitudes of them that sleep are dead in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.
Jesus rebuked the Sadducees for not believing in resurrection. Jesus declared , the hour is coming in which all that are in the graves shall hear His voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life, and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. Jesus promised everlasting life to those who believe on Him, giving them the assurance that He would raise them from the dead. Jesus declared, I am the resurrection, and the life; he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live; and whosoever liveth, and believeth in me shall never die. Jesus then proved the validity of His statement by raising Lazarus from the dead. The resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ is foundational to Christianity. The resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ also guarantees the resurrection of all those who belong to Him. Now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first-fruits of them that slept. For since by man (Adam) came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order; Christ the first-fruits (the first of many to rise from the dead, never to die again); afterward they that are Christ’s at His coming. The term first-fruits refers to the first of many to rise from the dead, never to die again.
There is plenty of biblical truth regarding physical death. Physical death is the result of being in Adam. Physical death is the consequence of sin. Physical death is ordained by God. Physical death will be experienced by all people who are presently alive, with the exception of those believers who are alive when the Lord returns. Physical death brings the end of earthly projects and possessions. Physical death is the leveler of all ranks of people. Physical death is to be regarded as at hand and therefore preparation should be made for it. Physical death should prompt faithfulness to the Lord. Physical death is described as sleep. Sleep is a euphemism- a figure of speech that utilizes a softer, gentler way of dealing with a harsh subject. This does not mean that the soul is unconscious between the time of death and the resurrection. It applies primarily to the body, which will one day be awakened when it raised from the dead. Physical death is described as putting off the tabernacle. Physical death is only temporary for those who have believed on the Lord Jesus Christ. Physical death holds no fear for the believer. Physical death—in the case of a believer – is precious in God’s opinion. Physical death is never experienced by those who are in the presence of the Lord. Physical death will one day be destroyed.
Living believers will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air, to be with Him forever. There will be Christians who will not experience death—another mystery. The Old Testament clearly teaches resurrection, but it does not reveal that some people will go into God’s presence without experiencing death. The rapture will produce a spectacular reunion. All believers (those who have died and those who are still alive) meet the Lord Himself. Christians who are alive are reunited with other believers who have died. The bodies of all believers (those who have died and those who are still alive) will be changed. The believer’s present body, which is called a vile body is not yet suited for entrance into the presence of God. A change in our physical bodies must take place. A phenomenal change in the bodies of all believers (those who have died and those who are still alive) will be accomplished by the power of the Lord Jesus Christ. This change will take place in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye.
Characteristics of having a resurrected body include having a body that God, in His sovereignty, will give to believers, having a changed body that is not to be subjected to the limitations of our present physical bodies, including sickness, injury, fatigue, weakness, exhaustion, and death, having a vast improvement over the old body, having a glorious body, having a heavenly body, perfectly suited to the environment of heaven and perfectly suited to accomplish the purpose of God. It also includes having a body similar to the glorified body of the Lord Jesus Christ. The resurrection body of the Lord Jesus Christ was a real physical body – the same one in which Jesus’ followers had seen Him living, the same body that had died. People recognized Jesus after His resurrection. Jesus demonstrated certain physical functions, such as when he ate with His disciples. But Jesus’ physical body was changed—free from restrictions. Jesus may have passed from the sealed tomb. Jesus entered into a locked room without using the door. Jesus appeared suddenly and He disappeared just as suddenly. Distance was no restriction to Him after His resurrection. Most importantly, the risen Lord Jesus Christ cannot ever die again. The Lord Jesus Christ is referred to as the firstborn of the dead and the first begotten of the dead. The Greek term translated firstborn and first begotten is prototokos, from which we get the term prototype. There are passages that refer to Jesus being a prototype—the first to have an everlasting resurrected body, the first to die and rise again, never to die again. Other people were raised from the dead, but only to their former existence. They all died a second time, at which their bodies remained dead.
Also, the new resurrected body will have somewhat of a resemblance to the present earthly body. Jesus was recognized by his friends and associates after He rose from the dead. It is likely that people will still be recognizable in the presence of the Lord. The resurrected, glorified bodies of believers will be like the resurrected, glorified body of the Lord Jesus Christ, in some ways resembling their present earthly bodies, and in other ways very different from their present earthly bodies. Every believer will be changed at the rapture. These changes will occur in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye. The rapture will accomplish the final stage of salvation.
Warning Every Man!
Paul ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. He says, Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men. There is not enough terror of the Lord today, either, in the pulpit or in the pew, either among professing Christians or among out-and out sinners who make no profession.
God is indeed holy, just, and good, merciful and kind; but He hates sin. The fact that He gives human beings space to repent, by no means implies that the most terrible judgments are not coming on those- all those-who despise His mercy.
It is an awful thing to trample underfoot the Blood of the Son of God and to ignore the mercy of the Almighty. It is impossible to fully preach the Gospel (Romans 15:19) and to declare all the counsel of God (Acts 20:27) without warning men of judgment to come! Even Felix trembled when Paul reasoned of righteousness, temperance and judgment to come (Acts 24:24-25).
Anyone who goes about lulling Christians into a yet deeper spiritual sleep then they are already in, is not a disciple of Christ- but rather, a wolf in sheep's clothing (Matt 7:15). Jesus says, Why sleep ye? Rise and Pray(Luke 22:46). Jesus tells His own, Take heed to yourselves...watch ye therefore and pray always.
Unless we want to be cut asunder and have our portion appointed with the hypocrites, where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth, we must heed the warning of our Lord and watch- be alert, be aroused, be awake spiritually, and be... ready for the Second Coming of Jesus!
The least thing God wants us to do is more important than anything else in all the world! It is better to miss anything than to become careless and fail to be ready at the coming of the Lord. In such an hour as you think not, the Son of Man cometh.
Some might say that Jesus only spoke those warnings to His disciples of that day, but Jesus is the Head of the Church. The church is subject unto Christ. He taught His disciples to teach all nations to observe all things whatsoever He had commanded them.
Jesus is the Mediator of the New Testament (New Covenant), under which we now live, as Moses was the mediator of the Old Covenant (Hebrews 8:8,13). Jesus says that when the Holy Spirit is come, He will reprove (convict) the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment. There will be conviction of sin when the Holy Spirit is freely moving in the midst.
God does not tell us to go about trying to make things nice and comfortable and pleasant for the people, so that they may enjoy themselves and be self indulgent. He says, Woe to them that are at ease in Zion (Amos 6:1). In other words, sometimes we will have to confront the out-and out sinner and tell them that there are consequences for what they do and we at times must be bold in doing so.
Jesus says, if any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me (Matt 16:24). Consider what it means to follow Jesus. Was He trying to get all the enjoyment out of life He could? Was He self-indulgent?
Repent ye for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand (Matt 3:2). Exhort one another daily (Hebrews 3:13). The Kingdom of Heaven suffereth violence and the violent take it by force (Matt 11:12).
Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap (Galatians 6:7). Today many people are deceived, actually imagining that they can give some kind of mental assent to to the truth of the Bible, and then live in sin openly and flagrantly and expect to get to Heaven when they die!
The rich man in Hell was told: Son remember that thou in thy lifetime recievedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted and thou art tormented (Luke 16:25).
Unless you repent of your sins, you will certainly reap what you sow! Let us quit living for self and for sin now and repent, and cry unto God before it is too late for forgiveness, in Jesus' Name. Jesus says, Him that cometh to Me, I will in no wise cast out (John 6:37)
This commandment is for you. If ye will not hear, and if ye will not lay it to heart, to give glory unto My name, saith the Lord of hosts, I will even send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings (Mal 2:1-2)
God is indeed holy, just, and good, merciful and kind; but He hates sin. The fact that He gives human beings space to repent, by no means implies that the most terrible judgments are not coming on those- all those-who despise His mercy.
It is an awful thing to trample underfoot the Blood of the Son of God and to ignore the mercy of the Almighty. It is impossible to fully preach the Gospel (Romans 15:19) and to declare all the counsel of God (Acts 20:27) without warning men of judgment to come! Even Felix trembled when Paul reasoned of righteousness, temperance and judgment to come (Acts 24:24-25).
Anyone who goes about lulling Christians into a yet deeper spiritual sleep then they are already in, is not a disciple of Christ- but rather, a wolf in sheep's clothing (Matt 7:15). Jesus says, Why sleep ye? Rise and Pray(Luke 22:46). Jesus tells His own, Take heed to yourselves...watch ye therefore and pray always.
Unless we want to be cut asunder and have our portion appointed with the hypocrites, where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth, we must heed the warning of our Lord and watch- be alert, be aroused, be awake spiritually, and be... ready for the Second Coming of Jesus!
The least thing God wants us to do is more important than anything else in all the world! It is better to miss anything than to become careless and fail to be ready at the coming of the Lord. In such an hour as you think not, the Son of Man cometh.
Some might say that Jesus only spoke those warnings to His disciples of that day, but Jesus is the Head of the Church. The church is subject unto Christ. He taught His disciples to teach all nations to observe all things whatsoever He had commanded them.
Jesus is the Mediator of the New Testament (New Covenant), under which we now live, as Moses was the mediator of the Old Covenant (Hebrews 8:8,13). Jesus says that when the Holy Spirit is come, He will reprove (convict) the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment. There will be conviction of sin when the Holy Spirit is freely moving in the midst.
God does not tell us to go about trying to make things nice and comfortable and pleasant for the people, so that they may enjoy themselves and be self indulgent. He says, Woe to them that are at ease in Zion (Amos 6:1). In other words, sometimes we will have to confront the out-and out sinner and tell them that there are consequences for what they do and we at times must be bold in doing so.
Jesus says, if any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me (Matt 16:24). Consider what it means to follow Jesus. Was He trying to get all the enjoyment out of life He could? Was He self-indulgent?
Repent ye for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand (Matt 3:2). Exhort one another daily (Hebrews 3:13). The Kingdom of Heaven suffereth violence and the violent take it by force (Matt 11:12).
Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap (Galatians 6:7). Today many people are deceived, actually imagining that they can give some kind of mental assent to to the truth of the Bible, and then live in sin openly and flagrantly and expect to get to Heaven when they die!
The rich man in Hell was told: Son remember that thou in thy lifetime recievedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted and thou art tormented (Luke 16:25).
Unless you repent of your sins, you will certainly reap what you sow! Let us quit living for self and for sin now and repent, and cry unto God before it is too late for forgiveness, in Jesus' Name. Jesus says, Him that cometh to Me, I will in no wise cast out (John 6:37)
This commandment is for you. If ye will not hear, and if ye will not lay it to heart, to give glory unto My name, saith the Lord of hosts, I will even send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings (Mal 2:1-2)
Awaken All Who Idly Slumber!
The time is short! Oh ye, who bear Christ's name, with unction from on high, His Gospel truth with prayerful zeal proclaim. Redemption draweth nigh! Awaken all who idly slumber! Send heralds out in countless number. The time is short!
The time is short! Unsheathe the Spirit's sword, Salvation's helmet wear. Await with joy the coming of your Lord. Yield not to dark despair. Let kingdoms fall and earth bonds sever, God's settled Word abides forever. The time is short!
The time is short! While moments still remain bring to God's storehouse now the tithes of gold ere rust has left its stain. Oh bring in sweat of brow the gifts of toil and service. Christ's holy laws of love fulfilling. The time is short!
The time is short! Sweet Advent Music swells, O'er hill and dale and plain. The pealing chime of Maranatha Bells Herald His coming reign. Each day His bridal feast draws nearer: "The time is short"!
The time is short! Unsheathe the Spirit's sword, Salvation's helmet wear. Await with joy the coming of your Lord. Yield not to dark despair. Let kingdoms fall and earth bonds sever, God's settled Word abides forever. The time is short!
The time is short! While moments still remain bring to God's storehouse now the tithes of gold ere rust has left its stain. Oh bring in sweat of brow the gifts of toil and service. Christ's holy laws of love fulfilling. The time is short!
The time is short! Sweet Advent Music swells, O'er hill and dale and plain. The pealing chime of Maranatha Bells Herald His coming reign. Each day His bridal feast draws nearer: "The time is short"!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)