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“THE RESURRECTION"

Thesis: To instruct the hearers on what the bible teaches concerning the resurrection and the application that it has for us today.

Text: John 11:17-26
Joh 11:17 So when Jesus came, he found that he had been in the tomb four days already. Joh 11:18 Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off; (2 mi) Joh 11:19 and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary, to console them concerning their brother. Joh 11:20 Martha therefore, when she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary still sat in the house. Joh 11:21 Martha therefore said unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. Joh 11:22 And even now I know that, whatsoever thou shalt ask of God, God will give thee. Joh 11:23 Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. Joh 11:24 Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. Joh 11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth on me, though he die, yet shall he live; Joh 11:26 and whosoever liveth and believeth on me shall never die. Believest thou this?

Introduction,
1. In this text we see what transpired prior to the account of the raising of Lazarus from the dead, which is commonly referred to as being “resurrected.” Jesus states here that though a person may die physically, those that believeth (continue to believe) on Him in this life will live spiritually, and these that continue to live spiritually in this life shall be resurrected bodily to the resurrection of life (John 5:28), and will never die, they will never experience “the second death,” (Rev 2:11; 20:6, 14; 21:8) that final separation between God and man by being cast into that place known as “the lake of fire” (Rev 20:15).

2. The word translated “resurrection” in the NT is “anastasis” which literally means “a standing up again” “a raising up,” thus a raising up from the dead, this could refer to a literal raising as seen in the case of Lazarus, or the spiritual raising up of one morally, which can be seen when the spiritually dead obey the gospel of Christ and are raised from the waters of baptism to walk in newness of life (Rom 6:4-5).

3. This word occurs 44 times in the NT and is translated “resurrection” 39 times, and “rise” “rising” ”raised” and “again” the other 5 occurrences, and for the most part refers to the literal raising of a person’s body from the state of physical death, wherein the body began to see corruption, beginning to return to the dust whence it came, and the spirit had returned to God Who gave it (Eccl 12:7).

4. We need to remember that the resurrection is basically a 2-fold operation when it is used in the most literal sense; the spirit of the person enters into the physical body of that person, for the person is biblically dead without one’s spirit (Ja 2:26; Gen 38:18), then the body, at that same time is regiven the breath of life, which enables said body to function as God designed, breathing with one’s lungs, pumping blood through the body with one’s heart, the sending of electric impulses through one’s nervous system which enables the mind to control the motor functions of the body.

5. So basically the literal resurrection is quite a complex undertaking, and the finite mind may have a little trouble fully comprehending just exactly how God brings this all about, yet 1 Cor 15 teaches us that He surely can, but we really do not have to understand these things any more than the scriptures reveal, for (Deut 29:29) . . .

Deu 29:29 The secret things belong unto Jehovah our God; but the things that are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.

6. Let us also remember the inspired words of the apostle Paul in (1 Cor 4:6b). . .

1Co 4:6b that in us ye might learn not to go beyond the things which are written; that no one of you be puffed up for the one against the other.

7. Yet there is still a good amount of information concerning the “resurrection” in God’s word, for it reveals “all things” that pertain unto life and godliness (2 Pet 1:3), and gives “everything” we need to be “complete” in all aspects that God considers important for His people (2 Tim 3:16-17), and seeing that the resurrection of Christ is the firstfruits of our resurrection (1 Cor 15:23), and thereby our living hope (1 Pet 1:3) it is a topic the bible reveals quite fully.

8. The bible teaches 3 basic “resurrections,” a spiritual resurrection, and two literal resurrections (even though some may assert that one of the literal resurrections is in a figurative sense only), but that is something that you will have to decide for yourselves as we go through this study, for there are a few difficulties that arise in either of these interpretations, but they are few at best, and the end result of this topic should only help us have more faith in Him Who created and sustains all the works of His hands.

9. Thus in this lesson we will take a closer look at . . .
a. The Spiritual Resurrection (John 5:25; Rom 6: 3-4; Col 2:12; 3:1-4; Eph 2:5-6; Rom 5:17; 1 Cor 4:8).
b. The First Resurrection (Rev 20:4, 6; 3:21; 6:9-10; Mt 19:28; Phili 1:21-23; 3:8-11; Luke 14:14; 20:34).
c. The General (Second) Resurrection (Dan 12:2; John 5:28-29; 6:39-40, 44; Acts 24:15; 1 Cor 15:22-23; 2 Cor 5:1-4; Heb 6:2; 11:35; Rev 20:5, 13; Luke 14:14; Mt 22:31)

I. THE SPIRITUAL RESURRECTION (John 5:25; Rom 6:3-4; Eph 2:5-6; Col 2:12; 3:1-4; Rom 5:17)

A. (John 5:24-25)

Joh 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth him that sent me, hath eternal life, and cometh not into judgment, but hath passed out of death into life. Joh 5:25 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour cometh, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God; and they that hear shall live.

These two verses are basically parallel statements made by the Lord, it states that those that are dead shall hear, believe, and they shall live.

1. The bible plainly teaches that those that seek after earthy desires instead of God are dead in the eyes of He Who is over all, as seen in the case of the pleasure seeking widow in 1 Tim 5 (1 Tim 5:5-6). . .

1Ti 5:5 Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, hath her hope set on God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day. 1Ti 5:6 But she that giveth herself to pleasure is dead while she liveth.

2. Jesus also refers to those that follow Him not as being in a state of death (Mt 8:19-22)

Mat 8:19 And there came a scribe, and said unto him, Teacher, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. Mat 8:20 And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the heaven have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. Mat 8:21 And another of the disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. Mat 8:22 But Jesus saith unto him, Follow me; and leave the dead to bury their own dead.

3. And also in the parable of the prodigal son, he was pictured as being dead (turn to Luke 15:11-24)

Luk 15:11 And he said, A certain man had two sons: Luk 15:12 and the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of thy substance that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. Luk 15:13 And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together and took his journey into a far country; and there he wasted his substance with riotous living. Luk 15:14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that country; and he began to be in want. Luk 15:15 And he went and joined himself to one of the citizens of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. Luk 15:16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. Luk 15:17 But when he came to himself he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish here with hunger! Luk 15:18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight: Luk 15:19 I am no more worthy to be called your son: make me as one of thy hired servants. Luk 15:20 And he arose, and came to his father. But while he was yet afar off, his father saw him, and was moved with compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. Luk 15:21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight: I am no more worthy to be called thy son. Luk 15:22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth quickly the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: Luk 15:23 and bring the fatted calf, and kill it, and let us eat, and make merry: Luk 15:24 for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.

a. This son realized he was starving without his Father, he repented, recognized his spiritually dead state, regained his senses and returned to his Father, and lived.

4. It is God’s word that gives us spiritual life, the Lord said (John 6:63).

Joh 6:63 It is the spirit that giveth life; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I have spoken unto you are spirit, and are life.

a. But that word has to be responded to, if one hears and believes, yet does nothing about it, they are just like the demons described in Ja 2:19-20.

Jam 2:19 Thou believest that God is one; thou doest well: the demons also believe, and shudder. Jam 2:20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith apart from works is barren?

5. But the one that “heareth” (continues to hear), and “believeth” (continues to believe), and manifests an outward demonstration of that belief by obedience to the commands of God (the obedience of faith”; Rom 1:5; 16:26) by being baptized (“baptizo” immersed”) passes from that state of spiritual death, to life and is saved (Mk 16:16).

Mar 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that disbelieveth shall be condemned.

6. Believers baptism (immersion) is pictured as a death, burial, and resurrection that shadows that of Christ’s (turn to Rom 6:3-5).

Rom 6:3 Or are ye ignorant that all we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? Rom 6:4 We were buried therefore with him through baptism unto death: that like as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life. Rom 6:5 For if we have become united with him in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection;

a. And the person that is buried (immersed) in the waters of baptism, and comes up out of the water (Acts 8:39) with their sins washed away (Acts 22:16) is raised from a state of spiritual death, being determined to walk in newness of life, according to the divine directions contained in the Holy Spirit revealed and confirmed gospel of Christ, this changing state, this metamorphosis, is referred to as the renewal, in fact it is an ongoing thing for all that obey the gospel, through which God prepares, fits them for heaven (Rom 12:2; 2 Cor 4:16; Eph 4:21-24; Col 3:5-10; Tit 3:5).

2Co 4:16 Wherefore we faint not; but though our outward man is decaying, yet our inward man is renewed day by day.

7. This raising is also pictured in Col 2:12-13 (turn there)

Col 2:12 having been buried with him in baptism, wherein ye were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead. Col 2:13 And you, being dead through your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, you, I say, did he make alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses;

a. Let us note that in the act of baptism, it is God that does the work, the cutting away, the forgiving of one’s sins, and we are to believe, to have faith concerning this is being accomplished just as He has said.

b. And just like in Rom 6:3-5, the person that is raised is to lead a different, a new life, according to God’s divine commands, focused upon their future eternal home, and not their old way of life (look at Col 3:1-4).

Col 3:1 If then ye were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God. Col 3:2 Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are upon the earth. Col 3:3 For ye died, and your life is hid with Christ in God. Col 3:4 When Christ, who is our life, shall be manifested, then shall ye also with him be manifested in glory.

c. This is how God raises us up, from the quagmires of spiritual doom, formerly headed for that lake of fire (for all have sinned and are heading there; Rom 3:23), He raises us up spiritual through the gospel to have us figuratively sitting with Christ in heaven (Eph 2:1-6), this is the spiritual resurrection (turn to Eph 2:1-6)

Eph 2:1 And you did he make alive, when ye were dead through your trespasses and sins, Eph 2:2 wherein ye once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the powers of the air, of the spirit that now worketh in the sons of disobedience; Eph 2:3 among whom we also all once lived in the lust of our flesh, doing the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest: - Eph 2:4 but God, being rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Eph 2:5 even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace have ye been saved), Eph 2:6 and raised us up with him, and made us to sit with him in the heavenly places, in Christ Jesus:

d. And in this condition, alive with Christ “in Christ,” we are pictured raised, resurrected with Him, sitting with Him in heavenly places, and therein we figuratively reign with Him here on earth (Rom 5:17; 1 Cor 4:8), this is “the spiritual resurrection” as seen in John 5:24-25 (also see Rom 5:17; 1 Cor 4:8).

Rom 5:17 For if, by the trespass of the one, death reigned through the one; much more shall they that receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one, even Jesus Christ.

1Co 4:8 Already are ye filled, already ye are become rich, ye have come to reign without us: yea and I would that ye did reign, that we also might reign with you.

II. THE FIRST RESURRECTION (Rev 20:4, 6; 3:21; 6:9-10; Mt 19:28; Phili 1:21-23; 3:8-11; 20:34)

A. (Rev 20:4-6)

Rev 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus, and for the word of God, and such as worshipped not the beast, neither his image, and received not the mark upon their forehead and upon their hand; and they lived, and reigned with Christ a thousand years. Rev 20:5 The rest of the dead lived not until the thousand years should be finished. This is the first resurrection. Rev 20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: over these the second death hath no power; but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

In this passage it is important to note that this is something John saw, this is a vision, not an actual event that was taking place, even though I am sure that something similar to this is taking place, but it is important to keep these things in their proper perspectives, this is the passage that many use to state that Christ is going to rule upon this earth with His followers, yet this passage, which describes the first resurrection (which implies that there is a second; as in Jesus being Mary’s firstborn son implies that she had other sons), this resurrection describes a distinct group of individuals (those martyred for the cause of Christ), and specific place where these individuals are reigning, and that place is in what we might refer to as the throne-room in heaven, where these thrones are pictured in the book of Revelation (Rev 4:1-4; 11:6).

1. Note first of all that this speaks of “the souls of them” this is not referencing these peoples bodies and souls joined together, but only their souls, this exact wording is used in Rev 6:9-11 (turn there).

Rev 6:9 And when he opened the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of them that had been slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: Rev 6:10 and they cried with a great voice, saying, How long, O Master, the holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? Rev 6:11 And there was given them to each one a white robe; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little time, until their fellow-servants also and their brethren, who should be killed even as they were, should have fulfilled their course.

a. In this passage we see again “the souls of them” that had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held are pictured as being “underneath the altar.”

b. I believe that these are literally in Hades at this time (Luke 16:19-31), but figuratively they are depicted as being underneath the altar, the altar was the place that the blood was shed in the OT system (Lev 4:7, 18; 17:11), thus the faithful service of God’s people unto death is depicted as and is similar to a sacrifice (Rom 12:1; Phili 2:17; 2 Tim 4:6).

c. The question is put forth “how long until their faithful blood be avenged?” This looks back at Christ’s statement in Mt 23:34-36 which looked forward to the destruction of Jerusalem, and the Jewish system, it would be upon “this generation” (Mt 24:34), but there was a specific course of events that would have to take place before this would come to fruition, which it did in AD 70.

d. But the point I am making here is this refers to disembodied souls, “the souls of them” the very same wording as seen in Rev 20:4.

2. And these are not just any souls (in Rev 20:4), but those that were “beheaded for the testimony of Jesus, and worshiped not the beast, neither his image, and received not the mark upon their forehead and upon their hand.”

a. This is a specific group of people from the first century, who spread the gospel in the most trying of circumstances, and did not succumb to the evils of emperor worship nor their worldly ways, they were faithful, and proved it by giving their lives for the cause of Christ (while the souls pictured in Rev 6:9-11 are Old Testament prophets [spoken of in Mt 23:30] that were also killed for doing God’s will).

3. Thus they were seated on thrones ruling with Christ in heaven seeing that they overcame, as promised by Christ in (look at Rev 3:21).

Rev 3:21 He that overcometh, I will give to him to sit down with me in my throne, as I also overcame, and sat down with my Father in his throne.

4. In this context the congregation at Laodicea was lukewarm, Christ was going to spew them out of His mouth, but if they went out and did the Lord’s work and thereby were exposed to persecutions, they would be refined by fire, possibly killed, and be made rich, and receive white garments, which indicate salvation. 5. This “sitting upon thrones” was promised also to His apostles, who all but John were martyred, in this manner they also followed (imitated) Christ (Mt 19:28).

Mat 19:28 And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, that ye who have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit on the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

6. This is how Paul was going to be with Christ immediately upon his death, and not go to the Hadean realm like everyone else (turn to Phili 1:21-23).

Phi 1:21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Phi 1:22 But if to live in the flesh, - if this shall bring fruit from my work, then what I shall choose I know not. Phi 1:23 But I am in a strait betwixt the two, having the desire to depart and be with Christ; for it is very far better:

7. Paul speaks of the resurrection “of” the dead (in Acts 23:6; 24:21) which refers to the general resurrection on the Last Day as spoken of by Martha (John 11:24),

8. But in Philippians he speaks of the resurrection “from” the dead, indicating a separation from the other dead (Phili 3:11) while they were still in their state of physical death, indicating that this is prior to the general resurrection, this was likened unto Jesus’ resurrection (Rom 1:4), and is a reference to the first resurrection (look at Phili 3:8-11).

Phi 3:8 Yea verily, and I count all things to be loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but refuse, that I may gain Christ, Phi 3:9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of mine own, even that which is of the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith: Phi 3:10 that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, becoming conformed unto his death; Phi 3:11 if by any means I may attain unto the resurrection from the dead.

9. And tradition teaches us that Paul indeed was beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and his spreading of the word of God, thus I am sure that he has gotten his desire, his soul, his spirit is literally in heaven at this time, with Christ reigning, like those others who followed Christ demonstrating their faithfulness unto God to the point of death (Rev 2:10), and didn’t bow down to the heathen worship of those days, this is the first resurrection, it was meant specifically for the recipients of the book of Revelation (“the seven churches that are in Asia;” Rev 1:4), and the specific circumstances that they had to deal with in their day, and I don’t believe that it directly applies to us today.

10. Yet it could be that one, who does not follow the ways of the world, but rather the ways of God, and is put to death for their spreading of the gospel, could still partake in the first resurrection, they could go straight to heaven and by pass the Hadean realm, or be taken to comfort in Hades by the angels, and then to heaven upon their arrival, while their bodies go back to the dust whence it came, but I am not exactly sure how it would take place, but it certainly does seem possible, for all things are possible with God!

11. Turn your bibles to Luke 20:35-36 (Mk 12:25).

Luk 20:35 but they that are accounted worthy to attain to that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage: Luk 20:36 for neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection. (Mar 12:25 For when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as angels in heaven. )

12. Again, I believe this speaks of the first resurrection (as also seen in Mk 12:25, “from” “ek” the dead, also Mt 22:31 “of the dead” declensioned “wn” “omega nu” could be translated the genitive “of” as seen in most translations, or the ablative [genitive source] “from” aligning it with the 2 other accounts and probably is the more correct rendering all things considered as seen in the ISV) even though most apply this passage to the general resurrection, these don’t have any sort of physical body whatsoever, therefore they are likened unto angels (who are spirit not physical beings), thus they cant participate in the consummating act of the marriage. This interpretation of the first resurrection does solve a few difficulties where the saints are pictured coming with Christ at His second coming (Jude 14), or at least gives us another option, remember these are already in Heaven with Christ (even though this; Jude 14; could and probably refers to “all the souls” of “all” the redeemed, those that were waiting in Hades (which will be emptied; Rev 20:13), and those martyrs that were in Heaven who will come with Christ on That Day (1 Thess 4:14) and be reunited with their incorruptible bodies)

a. And why are they accounted worthy of that world, that age (eternity), and the first resurrection while others may not be worthy? Because not only did they obey God, they actually died for the cause of Christ, as did Christ.

b. Another thought on this matter, concerning the marriage state in whatever resurrection is in view (1st or 2nd [general]), the state of death dissolves the marriage bond (Rom 7:2-3) even though I am sure that loving spouses will continue to have special feelings for one another.

13. Another point concerning the first resurrection, I believe when you put all that God says together concerning this topic it looks like on the Last Day (John 11:24) those that are worthy to inherit the first resurrection will then (on the Last Day) be joined up with their resurrected, changed, incorruptible bodies, as will all of mankind (John 5:28-29; Acts 24:15; 1 Cor 15:22-23; 1 Thess 4:17).

III THE GENERAL (SECOND) RESURRECTION (Dan 12:1-3; John 5:28-29; 6:39-40, 44; Acts 24:15; 1 Cor 15:22-23; 2 Cor 5:1-4; Heb 6:2; 11:35; Rev 20:5, 13; Luke 14:14; Mt 22:31)

B. (Rev 20:5a)

Rev 20:5a The rest of the dead lived not until the thousand years should be finished.

Note that this verse says nothing concerning “the souls of them” as in verse 4, but simply states “the rest of the dead,” this would refer to all those that have tasted death, those that are righteous because they lived according to the commands of God, and everyone else, those who were not in a saved relationship with God while upon this earth, this is reference to the “general (second, or final) resurrection which will happen at the end of time, when Christ comes again (1 Cor 15:51-52; 1 Thess 4:16-17).

1Co 15:22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. 1Co 15:23 But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; then they that are Christ's, at his coming.

1Th 4:16 For 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; 1Th 4:17 then we that are alive, that are left, shall together with them be caught up in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

1. These passages (1 Cor 15:22-23; 1 Thess 4:16-17) refer only to the redeemed, for they are the topic under consideration in these contexts, but the bible plainly teaches that there will be a resurrection of both the wicked and the just, it was spoken of by the prophet Daniel (turn to Dan 12:1-3).

Dan 12:1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince who standeth for the children of thy people; and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. Dan 12:2 And (the) many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. Dan 12:3 And they that are wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.

a. The general (second) resurrection was also taught by our Lord Jesus (which is strikingly similar to our Daniel passage; look at John 5:28-29).

Joh 5:28 Marvel not at this: for the hour cometh, in which all that are in the tombs shall hear his voice, Joh 5:29 and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of judgment.

b. This was also spoken of by the apostle Paul when he before Felix (turn to Acts 24:14-15).

Act 24:14 But this I confess unto thee, that after the Way which they call a sect, so serve I the God of our fathers, believing all things which are according to the law, and which are written in the prophets; Act 24:15 having hope toward God, which these also themselves look for, that there shall be a (singular) resurrection both of the just and unjust (together).

c. And remember our passage in John 11, where Martha spoke of her belief in the resurrection at the Last Day, which was not discounted by the Lord (John 11:24).

Joh 11:24 Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.

d. And this is what is spoken of in Rev 20:13.

Rev 20:13 And the sea gave up the dead that were in it; and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.

2. Also consider this (Heb 9:27) . . .

Heb 9:27 And inasmuch as it is appointed unto men once to die, and after this cometh judgment;

a. This verse teaches that a person dies, and their fate is sealed based upon their lives, their works upon this earth, but as we see in 1 Cor 15:50-52; 1 Thess 4:17; yet there is one generation that will not taste physical death.

1Co 15:50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. 1Co 15:51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We all shall not sleep, but we shall all be changed, 1Co 15:52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

1Th 4:17 then we that are alive, that are left, shall together with them be caught up in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

b. This may speak of all men, and just be addressing the saints in these passages, or it may be a hope only the saints can have, I personally believe that God is able and will cause the unrighteous to suffer physical death at the Lord’s coming on the Last Day based upon Paul’s statement concerning the lost in 1 Thess 5:3 . . .

1Th 5:3 When they are saying, Peace and safety, then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall in no wise escape.

3. Look at Rev 20:11-15.

Rev 20:11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat upon it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. Rev 20:12 And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne; and books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of the things which were written in the books (I believe this refers to God’s laws throughout time which we have recorded in our bibles), according to their works. Rev 20:13 And the sea gave up the dead that were in it; and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. Rev 20:14 And death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death, even the lake of fire. Rev 20:15 And if any was not found written in the book of life, he was cast into the lake of fire.

a. “The book of life” is no new thing, it is seen in the OT in Ps 69:28.

Psa 69:28 Let them be blotted out of the book of life, And not be written with the righteous.

b. And also in Ex 32:31-33.

Exo 32:31 And Moses returned unto Jehovah, and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold. Exo 32:32 Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin - ; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written. Exo 32:33 And Jehovah said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.

c. And of course we know that this includes all (Rom 3:9-10, 23).

Rom 3:9 What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we before laid to the charge both of Jews and Greeks, that they are all under sin; Rom 3:10 as it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one; Rom 3:23 for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God;

d. We see a similar phrase used by Paul in Phili 4:3.

Phi 4:3 Yea, I beseech thee also, true yokefellow, help these women, for they labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow-workers, whose names are in the book of life.

e. Thus it follows that to be forgiven of sin, which today only happens through the gospel (Rom 1:16), and to express an active faith by working in the Lord, then one is written in “the book of life”

f. Is your name written in the book of life? It just doesn’t happen to a person by chance, no one is accidentally going to make it to Heaven as depicted in (Isa 35:8)

Isa 35:8 And a highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but is shall be for the redeemed: the wayfaring men, yea fools, shall not err therein.

g. This verse teaches that no one unknowingly, erringly becomes a child of God

h. It happens the same way it happened in Paul’s day, and there is no other gospel (Gal 1:6-9), there is but one faith (Eph 4:5), one truth (John 8:32), and it was delivered in its entirety in the 1st century (Jude 3), all of it (John 16:13).

One must . . .

1) Hear the Word of God (Acts 2:37; Rom 10:17);

Rom 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

2) Believe that Jesus is the Divine Christ (Acts 8:37; John 8:24), and that God rewards those that earnestly seek after Him (Heb 11:6). Jesus said . . .

Joh 8:24 . . . for except ye believe that I am, ye shall die in your sins.

3) Repent of sins, (Acts 17:30; Luke 13:3, 5) Jesus stated . . .

Luk 13:3 . . . except ye repent, ye shall all in like manner perish.

4) Confess Christ before men (Acts 8:37; Rom 10:9) as did the eunuch, he proclaimed . . .

Act 8:37 . . . that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

5) Be baptized (immersed) into Christ (Gal 3:27) into the death of Christ (Rom 6:3) where His blood was shed (John 19:34) unto (for) the remission of sins. (Acts 2:38; 22:16); at which point one is born from above and God writes your name in the Lamb’s book of life, adds you to the church (Acts 2:47) translates you into the kingdom (Col 1:13) adds you to that one body (1 Cor 12:13) which Christ promised to save (Eph 5:23).

6) And live a faithful holy life unto God (1 Pet 1:15-16),

1Pe 1:15 but like as he who called you is holy, be ye yourselves also holy in all manner of living; 1Pe 1:16 because it is written, Ye shall be holy; for I am holy.

7) Determined to follow God’s divine instructions, being renewed day by day (2 Cor 4:16), being made fit (prepared) for Heaven, thereby demonstrating our hope in the truth of the resurrection (1 Pet 1:3-4; 1 Cor 15:23),

1Pe 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy begat us again unto a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 1Pe 1:4 unto an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,

1Co 15:23 But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; then they that are Christ's, at his coming.

8) Setting our sights on heavenly things, while serving our God with His earthly blessings (Mt 6:19-21).


"That in us ye might learn not to go beyond the things which are written"

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Evangelist - Kenneth Windbiel
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