Quickening and Resurrections (Part 3)

Maybe people don’t understand death. Death is the continuing experience of a soul that is infected with sin and the resulting penalty. IT IS NOT EXTINCTION. A physical death is a change of location whereby a soul enters into a different world of one kind or another. When Jesus referred to death He said this about sinners; their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched. Mark 9:48 People that have not served God in the correct way will live in torture and anguish forever. Death is the place where people are held until Judgment Day. No one wants to be held for judgment because we know how bad we are naturally. In Revelation we read that there is a “second” death.  See Rev 20:14 People will be taken out of the first death for judgment and then many of them will be placed into the second death of eternal condemnation. This terrible place is even worse than Hell is today. Scripture says that the fire will never be extinguished and it is punishment without end. We must help people to understand that the life they are living today will determine their place in eternity.

The Old Testament believers that entered death before the Christian era will be totally (body and soul) resurrected after waiting until the last days of this world. The Scriptures say that the first (in death) will be last (to live again). See Matt 19:30 This is why Hebrews talks about the fear of these people. Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. Heb 2:14,15 The reason Christians don’t fear death is because we don’t enter it. When they lay our body in the ground our soul simply sleeps in the Lord. Someday in the rapture our body will stand up as a super body. Our sanctified soul/spirit will be joined with it for eternity. Not only was sin and death destroyed by Jesus after entering death for us but He destroyed the power of the Devil himself. After judgment day the Devil will be chained in torment forever. How wonderful that Satan cannot rebuild death again because his power over us has been broken.

Scriptures actually talk about the reason Christians have such a special place among the children of God. Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits (a gathering of the earliest part of a crop) of those who have fallen asleep.(in Him)…  ²² For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.  ²³ But each in his own turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. 1 Cor 15:20-23 We will be the first part of a harvest that God is raising as His own family. The Christians are gathered first on rapture day and then at a later time Jesus will return to earth for the remaining believers. Note: There are three firstfruits in the New Testament. First Jesus himself, second Christians of the rapture, third the 144,000 male Jews. Actually, Christians are only a “kind” of firstfruits. The Scripture says; He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created. James 1:18  This is true because we are “in” Jesus Christ who was the firstfruit of all the redeemed. At the end of time there will be a resurrection day for all those that were not in the rapture with Jesus Christ. The last resurrection will bring people “out” of their earthly death.

The firstfruits of another resurrection consist of a 144,000 Jewish men. See Rev 7:4 These special men are talked about several times in the Revelations of John. For example; They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years. (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection. Rev 20:5 This is the first resurrection to take place after the rapture of all Christians. The standing-up of this firstfruit is at the beginning of the 1000 years and the final resurrection is at the end of the world. These men’s lives are described in more detail in another place; No one could learn the song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth. These are those who did not defile themselves with women, for they kept themselves pure. They follow the Lamb wherever he goes. They were purchased from among men and offered as firstfruits to God and the Lamb. Rev 14:3,4 These firstfruits are harvested from the nation of Israel as God fulfills His promises to the nation He selected as His own from the beginning.  

How privileged the Spirit-filled person is because they do not need to enter death. Jesus was the perfect sacrifice and now he is the perfect source of eternal life. Our Savior lives today in Heaven and is always helping his friends to become a part of life eternal. Jesus satisfied the Father during His stay on earth; Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered  ⁹ and, once made perfect,(then) he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him  ¹⁰ and was designated by God to be high priest Heb 5:8-10 Salvation is provided by our perfect High Priest and Jesus lives in us by the Spirit. This is a wonderful time to become a believer. Jesus Christ is alive and well on his throne in Heaven and at the same time, He lives in us by the Spirit. In effect, our soul/spirit was resurrected the day we became born-again. The Bible says; Since, then, you have been raised (quickened) with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.  ² Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.  ³ For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.  ⁴ When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Col 3:1-4

Yes, it is true, we (as a soul) are already resurrected if we are born again. Christians will bi-pass the entrance to spiritual death because of Jesus Christ. We only wait to be brought into the glory of God. It is possible to meet the chosen ones of God today and find a fellowship that is really out of this world. That’s because a life that is lived under the power of the Spirit can easily join with others in the same Spirit.. ¹⁴ We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death. ²³ And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us.  ²⁴ Those who obey his commands live in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us. 1 John 3:14,23 God’s Spirit joins with our soul and we become a part of the body of Jesus Christ. How much do you love other Christians? Hopefully, we love them enough to know that we have not remained in death.  

Salvation is not simply about forgiveness of our sins. It is also about the life of Christ that dwells in us. For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! Ro 5:10   This verse is very important to people of faith because it includes everything Jesus has done on our behalf. Everything in the perfect life of Jesus can be brought into us if we have faith. There are many places telling people how the life of God’s son saves us from death. It must be our soul first and then our body later. John really sums it up;  God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.  ¹² He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. 1 John 5:11 To “be in” Jesus Christ results in the eternal life of our body and soul. Christians do not enter death we simply wait or sleep until our bodies are gathered when Jesus comes for us.

Quickening and Resurrections (Part 2)

Comparing two of the resurrections will show us a sample of the different purposes of God. Looking closely at the Greek words in John 6:39, we see that only the children of God stand up from their sleep during the rapture to have their body quickened. No one will be in these bodies. This happens on the last day of the grace period of human history.  The word used here for last day, describes “the last day of the festival”. John 7:37 Those of us born again during this “grace festival” understand that Jesus will return for us. However, the standing-up referred to in Matthew 13:40 is a different resurrection occurring 1000 years later. This one takes place at the end of this world as described in the Greek word sunteleia (the completion). The main feature of this standing-up is to sort all sinful people out from among the righteous. But the people of the last resurrection will all stand-up in their bodies to meet the judgment of God. ‘For a time is coming (end of world) when all who are in their graves will hear His voice and come out---those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned. John 5:28,29

Our transformation during the salvation process is a reality that allows us to join with divinity. In addition Jesus physically destroyed death for us so that we have freedom from sin and death. But we see Jesus…now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered DEATH, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. Heb 2:9 The Bible plainly says that because Jesus entered death, we can be buried and resurrected with Him as described in our baptism. Paul explains in Romans that our sinful nature must be dealt with because sin always causes our death. Jesus lived in perfection and then He entered death for us. Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? Rom 6:3 Because He rose in victory over everything alive or dead, we are now invited to live in Him as His Spirit lives in us. This unbelievable redemption was designed before the universe was created. Everyone is invited to “enter-in” by their faith. The Scripture says that the work of Christ is available to all humans but we need the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him. Acts 5:32 We can be quickened if we believe and obey.

When we are baptized in Christ, we are resurrected to a new life. This makes Jesus our resurrection out of death. And this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience (a quickened life)toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand. 1 Pet 3:21 The death of Jesus can remove sin from our life and the deposit of God’s Spirit into us is the way we maintain a good conscience (walk the walk) toward God. The water baptism symbolizes these two realities in our life. Living with “the way of grace” in your life will get you ready for the completion of your salvation someday. God, who is rich in mercy,  made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.  ⁶ And God raised us up (stood our soul up) with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus. Eph 2:4-6 If we are alive with Christ in heaven then it is not possible for our soul/spirit to enter death.

Another time when Jesus was talking about people who are born again He mentions that we must “cross over” a term that is sometimes used at the cemetery. Here is what He said; I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life. John 5:24 This passage tells us that a real believer has already passed over. The Spirit of Life dwells in us and cannot enter death. Martha received this explanation when weeping for her brother. Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies;  and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?  John 11:25,26 Although the body dies here on earth, Jesus claims he is the resurrection and that those who live in Him do not enter death. Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality, 2 Tim 1:10 To repeat, Jesus destroyed our death when He arose victorious over sin and death. Therefore, the Spirit filled person is immortal. Jesus is asking; do you believe I can do everything I say?

The gathering of the Lord’s children is not a resurrection out of death. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 1 Thes 4:14 Paul says in both Corinthians and Thessalonians that Jesus is coming back for those who either sleep in Him or are living in Him. The word sleep that he uses is koimaoListen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed….then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” 1 Cor 15:51,54  This is why Paul refers to those who are absent from us as “sleeping”. Christians don’t enter death, we are simply waiting to have our body changed like our risen Savior. 

The standing-up of the saints is referred to many times in the New Testament. It is reassuring to know that we will have our own appearance in eternity and will recognize other people. They will all be the people we know that have the Spirit in their life. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies----through his Spirit, who lives in you. Rom 8:11 Note that if the Spirit is not active in your life, then the Spirit will not quicken your body when the time comes.  Another Scripture reminds us that we must be a part of Jesus Christ if any of this is to be true for us. By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? 1 Cor 6:14,15 Leaving this world is a time that should be celebrated by the Christians left behind. A Christian leaves this life of troubles and enters a place that promises many wonders to come.

Quickening and Resurrections (Part 1)

Christians learn from the Scriptures that there are different types of resurrections. These have to do with God’s different purposes in the history of man. The most privileged of them all is the one reserved for those of us that are saved by grace. The quickening (granting of eternal life) of our soul/spirit by the Spirit of God during this life gives us a special relationship with our Creator. Born again people will receive a unique resurrection at the gathering of our bodies into the air. Redeemed souls actually return with Christ for the purpose of possessing their new bodies that look like the old ones. Of course, the Christians that are still living on earth will simply be changed in the twinkling of and eye. Paul said; We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye. 1 Cor 15:52 Whether we are in the grave or alive every redeemed person will be spared from entering the realm of Death. A soul can only obtain eternal life (be born again) while alive on earth otherwise they will certainly enter Death.

Scriptures are very clear about the day Christians are gathered from the world as mentioned in this passage. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so (therefore) we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him…and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. 1 Thess 4:14-17 Only Christians (from the last 2000 years) will enjoy this wonderful event. Note that the Spirit of Grace (Heb 10:29) came at Pentecost and He will leave the earth along with all the Christians. This is the beginning of the greatest adventure in history and it will never end. This old world will never see another Christian because it will be totally devoid of any Spirit filled person. During the next 1000 years it will be much more difficult to find salvation. The Lord Almighty says; In those days ten men from all languages and nations will take firm hold of one Jew by the hem of his robe and say, “let us go with you, because we have heard that God is with you.” Zech 8:23

It is common knowledge that Christians have been martyred by worldly people many thousands of times in our history. However, the laying down of this body is not a big deal to people serving God. Probably because we have already given up our natural life in order to live our new eternal life. The Bible says it this way, For we know that our old self was crucified with him…because anyone who has died has been freed from sin. Ro 6:6,7 This is why our old body can stand up as a sin-free new body when Jesus returns some day. The word for resurrection in Greek is anastasis (to stand up). This is the same thing that was said when someone was told to get up out of bed in the morning. Our righteous soul goes to live with the Savior when we are serving God and our old body lies down. None of the different resurrections includes any type of spiritual quickening. In other words, if someone has not been regenerated (soul spiritually quickened) while they live on earth they wait to be resurrected only for the purpose of final judgment.

Gods Spirit joins himself to our spirit during the salvation process. If our spirit/soul was sent into Death, the Spirit would be going with us. However, this is impossible because God’s life eliminates death by its very existence. We should know that all Christians have passed from death into life. Jesus told his disciples; I tell you the truth, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death. John 8:51 For some reason people find this truth difficult to believe. Because our spirit/soul is joined with God’s Spirit we go directly to be with Him when we leave this earth. The Scripture says; What is mortal may be swallowed up by life. Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. 2 Cor 5:4,5 There is a wonderful fact in this statement “made us for this purpose”. We have been created with the duality needed to be transformed from this life into another. God is offering us eternal life with Himself and no other creation has the ability to enter into this covenant.