Contents.
In Search of a Better Resurrection
5
- A Waiting Surprise in the Scripture
5
Paul’s Exposition 5
The Eternal Timeframe 5
Building Jig Saw Puzzles 6
The Historical Relevance 6
Time to Re-examine our views 7
The Better Resurrection in the Gospels
9
- The Infinite Wisdom of our King
9
The Conflicting Views 9
Redemption and Resurrection 9
Reunification of the Kingdom
10
A New Covenant Relationship 11
The Harvesting of Souls 11
Two Kingdoms 12
The Better Resurrection expounded to the Corinthians
14
14
The Birth Right of the Saints
14
Correcting erroneous views 15
Comforting the saints. 16
Outlining the timing 16
The Two Major Covenants 17
The Rhetorical Question 18
Comparing proofs of the Resurrection.
19
Summarising the resurrection
20
The Promised Redemption 20
The Imminent Change of State
21
Passing over the great divide
22
Supporting the resurrection of the dead.
23
Following The Sounding of the Trumpet
24
The Gaining of a victory over death
25
Reinforcing the Resurrection.
25
The Judgement Seat 26
The Better Resurrection for the Thessalonians.
28
28
The Basis of the Resurrection
28
The Reunification of resurrected souls
29
The Collapse of the Modern Rapture hypothesis
30
A Better Resurrection in the Psalms
32
- Calling the Worlds Attention
32
Why we need Redemption 32
Redemption of the Soul 33
The Better Resurrection in the Prophets
35
- The Benefits of the New Covenant
35
The Rhetorical question about the New Nation
35
The Birth of the New Nation of Israel
36
The Primary Object of the Christian Faith
37
Rejoicing in the New Jerusalem
38
Isaiah’s Preview 38
Daniel’s Outline Isaiah’s Conclusion.
40
The Better Resurrection in the History of the Kings.
41
41
The Glimpse of the Future State
42
Understanding the theme of the Song of Redemption
42
The Historical Account of the Start of the Better
Resurrection. 44
- 1. The Thief in the Night
44
2. The Shout that raises the Dead
44
3. The Place of his Return. 44
3. The Opening and Closing of the Eastern Gate
(Beautiful Gate) 45
4. Bolt of Light shining in the temple
45
5. The Redemption of the Purchased Possession
45
6. The Day to be Remembered 45
7 The sealing of the remnant of Israel.
46
8. The Divine Order of the Gospel
47
9. The Wise and the Foolish virgins.
48
The Historical Account in comparison to the scripture.
49
Summary 51
Addendum 53
Mosaic Feasts 53
53
The Levitical Calendar 53
Bibliography 57
Books Available 57
In Search of a Better Resurrection
A Waiting Surprise in the Scripture
Hebrews 11:35 Women received their dead raised
to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting
deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:
From this divinely inspired scripture contained in the divine
cannon of the Christian Faith, we get a glimpse of the
distinction between a physical resurrection and what is termed a
better resurrection. The dead being raised to life is commonly
known as resurrecting the dead. The women received the physical
resurrection of a child that had died. The child was brought
back from death into its human body, which was reanimated by the
child’s soul
1 Kings 17:22 And the LORD heard the voice of
Elijah; and the soul of the child came into him again, and he
revived. And Elijah took the child, and brought him down out of
the chamber into the house, and delivered him unto his mother:
and Elijah said, See, thy son liveth.
The Author of the letter to the Hebrews intimates that there
is a better resurrection than the case study above of the
answering of Elijah’s intercession. The reason being that the
child would still have to face death again during its temporal
human life span.
Paul’s Exposition
The Apostle Paul expounds the Better Resurrection to the
Church at Corinth. He goes into much detail of this better event
than a physical restoration of a human body. There are many
religious views in the current world that embraces
reincarnation, the return of the human soul into another human
body after death at conception. This is an endless cycle of
death with a rebirth following it. By this view the human
tragedy is repeated time after time, through endless wars,
famines, diseases etc, and all are locked into it. One must
beware confusing the better resurrection with the myths that
prevail in society.
The Eternal Timeframe
This better Resurrection has an eternal timeframe attached to
it, which some see as a future event following a future return
of Christ, while others declare that Christ returned in Ad70
according to his oath, which may or may not imply that the
resurrection is past. This is a question that plagues the view
of a past fulfilment of the Apocalypse. This author holds to the
veracity of Christ’s words to his followers in Ad30 of the great
tribulation they would experience and his promised return within
that generation.
Matthew 24:34 Verily I say unto you, this
generation shall not pass, until all these things are fulfilled.
This implies that there is no other return in the scripture,
because the Second Coming has already taken place. This leaves
one with the dilemma, if the dead were raised when Christ
returned, what hope do I have? If we accept the futurist view of
dividing the resurrection into two separate events, one at the
Rapture and another at the General resurrection of the last
judgement, we still have the problem of an uncompleted
salvation. This is because Christ has already returned in
judgment, to the generation he lived amongst, which implies we
are not part of his Church as it has already been removed and
raised in the Rapture.
Solving this dilemma of believing the veracity (absolute
truth) of Christ’s words means we have to re-examine our views
on the resurrection, lest we be accused of preaching a false
hope. Having once held the untenable position of a futurist, of
mythical gaps in time frames, stopped clocks, a future
tribulation etc, one cannot return to plausible falsehood.
It is this Authors intention to expound what he has
discovered in Paul’s description of the better resurrection in
the letter to the Church at Corinth in the first century AD
prior to the complete destruction of Jerusalem by AD70 and
Christ’s return during those events. To do this one has to stay
in Context and avoid one verse contradicting another. The
Futurist has avoided this for they strain out single verses to
support their untenable position, which makes the scripture a
mass of confusion, which only they can piece together.
Building Jig Saw Puzzles
If one has ever built a jigsaw puzzle, one will understand
that pieces belonging to different parts of the puzzle do not
interlock. When attempting to build a composite picture one
needs to stay within the section one is working on, all the
while considering the broader picture that it compliments.
Scripture supports Scripture and the divine Canon is not a
mish mash of isolated verses to be used out of context. Of
course there is a reiteration of certain events partly explained
under the old Covenant, and completely explained in the New
Covenant (testament). This partial understanding is illuminated
by the glorious light of the grace and truth given to us by the
Lord Jesus Christ through the aid of the ever-blessed Comforter
the Holy Spirit of Truth.
As one draws closer and closer to your final moments on this
planet, you become more aware of the effects of aging. While
young people seem to have a whole life span still ahead of them.
The glitz and glamour of this world hypnotizes them and it seems
as though tomorrow never comes. But death is an ever-present
realty, which so few actually think about. To some it comes as a
shock when a beloved parent is wheeled into a chapel for the
performing of the traditional last rites.
Ecclesiastes 7:2 It is better to go to the
house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that
is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart.
The Modern American television evangelist’s hang out the
carrot of an imminent Rapture, based upon news reports and
speculative interpretation of the scriptures, as a solution to
the anguish experienced at the loss of a loved one. But coercing
others into believing myths is like administering snake oil to a
wounded heart. The history of this prevalent myth in Christian
circles has a long list of failed speculative predictions that
are hidden from the unwary soul and put down to cultic extremes.
These predictive speculations all have come about through
unsound apocalyptic traditions still held today amongst the
various denominations. These all have their roots in an ancient
heresy known as Chiliasm, upon which Pre and Postmillennial
views of the apocalypse are founded. The basic flaw in these
views is that they do not take Audience, setting and timing into
consideration when expounding apocalyptic passages. This means
that the book of Revelation can be interpreted to fit modern day
events almost two millennia after it was written.
The Historical Relevance
If the Revelation received by the Apostle John had no
relevance to the churches in Asia (Modern day Turkey) at the
time of writing, they were mere custodians of a letter that only
modern technology could supply the answers too.
Revelation 3:11 Behold, I come quickly: hold
that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
Revelation 22:7 Behold, I come quickly:
blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this
book.
Revelation 22:12 And, behold, I come quickly;
and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his
work shall be.
If the reiteration of Christ to the churches in Asia, in the
Apostle John’s Life span, has not been fulfilled then those who
oppose the Christian faith have proof of breach of promise by
the one we worship and adore. Whichever view of the dating of
the writing of this letter to the churches in Asia you hold this
stumbling block remains.
Preterists believe it was written prior to the Destruction of
Jerusalem (Ad 66-70) and that its contents have to do with the
final fulfilment of the Mosaic Covenant and the proof of a
completed salvation found in Christ. The conglomerate beast
found in its midst is the Roman Empire headed by Neron Caesar
whose name tallies to 666. Modern day interpreters preach a
revived Roman Empire, using the European Economic union to
support their claims. Then they claim computers will be used in
the Great Tribulation to mark or implant silicon chips in the
general population bodies, some think it is a bar code branding
of people. The view is obviously ridiculous because those
Churches to whom the letter was written would not be able to
interpret it from its contents. There were no computers in the
first century AD and their claim also makes the Letter
irrelevant to the Historical setting of its context.
John 21:21 Peter seeing him saith to Jesus,
Lord, and what shall this man do? Jesus saith unto him, If I
will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow
thou me. Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that
that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He
shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry (is still alive)
until I come, what is that to thee? This is the disciple which
testifies of these things, and wrote these things: and we know
that his testimony is true. And there are also many other things
which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one,
I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books
that should be written. Amen.
Matthew 16:28 Verily I say unto you,
There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death,
till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.
From the Gospels we discover the same Dilemma about a yet
future return of Christ almost two millennia after these
statements of His were penned. Only a past return of Christ
during the human life span of the Apostle John can answer this
dilemma. The critics of the Church have ground for a failed
promise of Christ should we try to explain away the fact that
Christ used an oath to his disciples that they would personally
experience his return. This oath is contained in the use of the
word “Verily” and sets it as an absolute promise, which no man
professing the Christian faith can go beyond. The Pre and
Postmillennial views both declare that Christ is still to return
at some yet indeterminate date in the near future. The
consequence of supporting these views means that Christ never
meant what he said.
Matthew 24:15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of
desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy
place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)…. (21) For then
shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning
of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be
.
Both Pre and Postmillennial views shift the great
tribulation, that Christ told the disciples in his presence on
that day in AD 30 they would personally experience, to some yet
future unfulfilled event. To defend their view they hold to some
vague double sense meaning that makes the entire discourse a
speculative event, which had no real bearing on the survival of
the infant Church. Should the infant church have not heeded
Christ’s explicit warning to them and taken flight then
Christianity would not have survived. There are some theologians
today who would even date the gospels after the fall of
Jerusalem which implies that Christ’s prophetic warnings were
made up by the writers to support their dissent and revolt from
traditional Judaism. Such darkness expounded by apostate men of
the cloth should be censured in the strongest possible terms.
John 18:37 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art
thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king.
To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the
world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that
is of the truth heareth my voice. Pilate saith unto him, What is
truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the
Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all.
Time to Re-examine our views
Is it absolute Truth or Fiction? Upon this question the
entire validity of the New Testament hangs. This quest of mine
for a Better Resurrection hangs upon this balance.
Daniel 5:25 And this is the writing that was
written, MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN. This is the interpretation
of the thing: MENE; God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished
it. TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found
wanting.
The Modern Church needs to re-examine its Apocalyptic views,
for should it fail to do so it will soon, in this time of easy
access to the scriptures using computers and the world wide web
to disseminate them, experience questioning about their double
sense interpretations. Tradition can no longer come to their aid
only a quest to re-establish the veracity of the scripture will.
A modern reformation is in the wings and only the gullible like
to have their ears tickled with mere speculation.
We all suffer from shortcomings and without God’s help we are
doomed to failure. The space age is upon us and human
colonization of other planets may occur before the end of this
twenty-first century. Failed speculations of the previous
centuries will be abandoned, and only the bringing in of a
better hope will survive.
Hebrews 7:19 For the law made nothing perfect,
but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw
nigh unto God.
The Better Resurrection in the
Gospels
The Infinite Wisdom of our King
The Logical place to start is with Jesus the son of man, for
he alone being the Messiah (the Christ) having been in the form
of man was God with us. His credentials give him absolute
authority over matters of the Christian faith. All must bow the
Knee to his infinite wisdom and righteousness.
1 Corinthians 1:30 But of him are ye in Christ
Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and
sanctification, and redemption:
The Conflicting Views
The source of Christ’s wisdom is found in the Gospels often
when he was in conflict with the religious leaders of his day.
In his discourses with the Scribes, the Pharisees and the
Sadducees great truths can be learned, for the light of Christ’s
replies to them corrects their dark opposing views.
Mathew 22:23 ¶ The same day came to him the
Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked
him, Saying, Master, Moses said, If a man die, having no
children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed
unto his brother.
Now there were with us seven brethren: and the
first, when he had married a wife, deceased, and, having no
issue, left his wife unto his brother: Likewise the second also,
and the third, unto the seventh. And last of all the woman died
also.
Therefore in the resurrection whose wife shall
she be of the seven? for they all had her.
Jesus answered and said unto them, “Ye do err,
not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. For in the
resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but
are as the angels of God in heaven. But as touching the
resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that, which was
spoken unto you by God, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the
God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the
dead, but of the living.”
And when the multitude heard this, they were
astonished at his doctrine.
Redemption and Resurrection
The Sadducees set out to attack Christ on the link between
Redemption and Resurrection, citing the Law of Moses that
ensured widows were not left to fend for themselves, but were to
be embraced into the family of their deceased husband. This
tenet of the Law defines a Kinsman as the one who is to redeem
his deceased brothers widow. They unknowingly set the question
before Him who is their KINSMAN REDEEMER. Obviously Christ’s
earlier discourse on the marriage supper had provoked their
attack and attempt to entrap Him.
Mathew 22:1 ¶ And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by
parables, and said, The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain
king, which made a marriage for his son, And sent forth his
servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they
would not come.
Citing a hypothetical case of seven brothers who after the
demise of the first of them had all been married to the same
woman. They were attempting to prove that the Law of redemption
discounted the resurrection. They vainly imagined some conflict
between these brothers, if there was a resurrection, as to whom
she actually belonged. “Therefore in the resurrection whose
wife shall she be of the seven? for they all had her”
Christ’s reply astounded those who witnessed event, “And
when the multitude heard this, they were astonished at his
doctrine”, which draws our attention to the effect of his
reply.
Jesus answered and said unto them, “Ye do err,
not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. For in the
resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but
are as the angels of God in heaven. But as touching the
resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that, which was
spoken unto you by God, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the
God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the
dead, but of the living.”
The Sadducees envisaged that the resurrection entailed that
people would retain their sexuality after being raised from the
dead. So they did not anticipate Christ’s reply. For he has
openly declared that in the resurrection there is a change of
State. The word “angels” speaks of the celestial beings commonly
called sons of God in some places. In addition by spanning the
resurrection across three generations of the Fathers of the
tribes of Israel, he has implied that it is not an event that
occurs in a single period of time. He also brings eternity into
the subject, by stating that Abraham Isaac and Jacob were living
eternally and were not dead. Almost two thousand years
previously Father Abraham inhabited this planet in a mortal
body, Christ’s reply asserted he was still alive in God’s
presence. The Sadducees contention that there was neither spirit
nor a resurrection was quashed completely.
Acts 23:8 For the Sadducees say that there is no
resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees
confess both.
We should rejoice at this declaration of Christ, that at our
resurrection we shall be clothed in angelic splendour.
Reunification of the Kingdom
Mathew 22:1 ¶ And Jesus answered and spake
unto them again by parables, and said, The kingdom of heaven is
like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, And
sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the
wedding: and they would not come. Again, he sent forth other
servants, saying, Tell them, which are bidden, Behold, I have
prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all
things are ready: come unto the marriage. But they made light of
it, and went their ways, one to his farm, and another to his
merchandise: And the remnant took his servants, and entreated
them spitefully, and slew them. But when the king heard thereof,
he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those
murderers, and burned up their city. Then saith he to his
servants,” The wedding is ready, but they, which were bidden,
were not worthy. Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many
as ye shall find, bid to the marriage”. So those servants went
out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they
found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with
guests. And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw
there a man which had not on a wedding garment: And he saith
unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding
garment? And he was speechless. Then said the king to the
servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast
him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of
teeth, For many are called, but few are chosen.
It is interesting to note the depth of this section taken
from Mathew’s gospel in this day and age when most are straining
single verses out. This they do to motivate their congregations
by preaching a gospel that is totally devoid of Christ. This
section on the marriage supper follows hard on the heels of a
previous parable about the returning king giving the Kingdom to
someone else.
Mathew 21:37 But last of all he sent unto them
his son, saying, They will reverence my son. But when the
husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the
heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his
inheritance. And they caught him, and cast him out of the
vineyard, and slew him. When the lord therefore of the
vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen? They
say unto him, He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and
will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall
render him the fruits in their seasons.
This is the lead up to the parable of the marriage supper,
which provoked the Sadducees into attempting to discredit
Christ. So we see certain events being repeated, the Return of
the Lord, The Judgement of the Husbandmen (Apostate Israel),
followed by the question on the Resurrection. This is the common
thread running through this section. What strikes me most about
the Marriage supper is it is told in a narrative that declares
it to be in progress at the time of Christ’s earthly ministry.
“Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my
fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the
marriage” which is followed by “But when the king heard
thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and
destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city”.
It is self-evident from this portion of scripture that the
events described undoubtedly place it in the period AD66-70 when
the Roman Armies came and burnt down the temple. From this we
gather that the Lord returns in Judgement at the second coming
and the timeframe of his coming. Because at Christ’s return many
hold that a rapture/resurrection takes place, which most set at
some yet unspecified future date; they miss the context of the
passages entirely.
A New Covenant Relationship
Here I really want to point out the following “And when
the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had
not on a wedding garment” because being clothed in the
resurrection as an angel is the benefit we receive at the supper
table of the Lord, by embracing the New Covenant meal of bread
and wine in remembrance of him. Here in this parable is an
invitation to come into a covenant union with the Son.
“The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which
made a marriage for his son”.
Romans 7:4 Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are
become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be
married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead,
that we should bring forth fruit unto God.
The better resurrection is a Covenant promise from a Covenant
Keeping God who has promised to be your God.
“Then saith he to his servants,” The wedding is ready, but
they, which were bidden, were not worthy. Go ye therefore into
the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the
marriage”. So those servants went out into the highways, and
gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good:
and the wedding was furnished with guests”.
The Harvesting of Souls
Following Christ’s return in Judgement, we see that the
Gospel was to continue harvesting souls throughout the world.
Highways are the roads that connect nations to nations; commerce
and trade rely upon these collecting links. The harvest that
began in Jerusalem continued by the bringing in of the Nations
(Gentiles) to Christ. The Divine injunction by the King of Kings
to the ministering spirits of God fulfils the prophecies of the
times of the nations. Ministering spirits are sent into the four
corners of the Roman Empire and beyond using their trade routes.
Rome was famous for its paved routes, some of which are still
evident today. Contextually these discourses are set in the time
period when the Promised Land of Canaan was a vassal state of
Rome.
Hebrews 1: 13 But to which of the angels said
he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies
thy footstool? Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth
to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?
Two Kingdoms
Because of the Demise of the Kingdom of Israel in the Land of
Canaan is implied in these linked portions, by the destruction
of the Husbandman, one can only conclude that the Kingdom had
been relocated. The messengers sent to furnish the wedding with
Guests are the Ambassadors of the Divine Kingdom, the Kingdom of
Heaven. Many today fall into the trap thinking that the earthly
Kingdom is to be established in the secular state of Modern
Israel.
Mathew 21:42 Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the
scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is
become the head of the corner: this is the Lord’s doing, and it
is marvellous in our eyes? Therefore say I unto you, The
kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation
bringing forth the fruits thereof. And whosoever shall fall
on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall,
it will grind him to powder.
The arrival of the King (the Stone) the builders of the then
Kingdom of Israel, under the Jurisdiction of an Edomite; Herod
the Son of Antipater a descendant of Esau; rejected was to spell
the end of their kingdom. A new nation was to follow the demise
of their nation. This nation would be under the Lordship of the
rejected king.
1 Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a
royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye
should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of
darkness into his marvellous light: Which in time past were not
a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained
mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
One nation was in its Last Days and about to see its demise,
as the messengers had already been sent forth to gather the
guests of the wedding supper to form the nucleus of the new
nation. One nation was a visible Kingdom in its death throes.
While the other nation were to form part of the invisible
Kingdom of Heaven. This duality of the two kingdoms in contrast
with one another forms the backbone of these sayings of Christ.
The one being populated by the resurrection through the new
birth, the other dying in its sins, Jerusalem of old about to
fall, the Heavenly Jerusalem to become the capital of the new
nation.
Hebrews 12:22 But ye are come unto mount Sion,
and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and
to an innumerable company of angels,
The Better Resurrection expounded to the
Corinthians
The Pre-Requisites
Of all the passages in the scripture this portion in the
first letter to the Corinthians describes the pre-requisites to
the afterlife most comprehensively. Although the scripture is
given to us to mould our moral conduct in this present world, to
stop at this point is only half of the truth. The scripture
through this moulding also prepares us to inherit an eternal
Kingdom. This Kingdom is not the product of human effort, as it
was prepared for us from the foundation of the world. The two
major requisites for entry into this eternal Kingdom are the
gifts from God the Father of his Grace and Faith. The very
purpose of God through the scripture is to prepare his
predestined elect through the agency of the forever-blessed Holy
Spirit for the better resurrection.
Faith, in the veracity of the divine Saviour’s mission to
bring us Grace and truth, is a prerequisite. For none of those
who fail to believe and follow Christ shall enjoy the benefits
of the transfiguration described by Paul in this letter. Those
Christ himself knows personally receive this joint inheritance
of the saints; the scripture does not describe this as a
universal right of every living human being. Notwithstanding
this all of humanity shall stand at the Judgement seat of Christ
after their demise. Some souls will be clothed in Glory while
others will be in shaming nakedness.
The Birth Right of the Saints
This chapter from this letter is for the Church’s
edification, and reveals a birthright of the saints.
1 Corinthians 15:12 ¶ Now if Christ be
preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that
there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there be no
resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: And if
Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith
is also vain. Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God;
because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom
he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not.
For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ
raised: And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are
yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in
Christ are perished. If in this life only we have hope in
Christ, we are of all men most miserable.
But now is Christ risen from the dead, and
become the first fruits of them that slept. For since by man
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; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.
Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom
to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule
and all authority and power.
For he must reign, till he hath put all
enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed
is death. For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he
saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is
excepted, which did put all things under him. And when all
things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also
himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that
God may be all in all.
Else what shall they do which are baptized for
the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then
baptized for the dead? And why stand we in jeopardy every hour?
I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our
Lord, I die daily.
If after the manner of men I have fought with
beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not?
let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die. Be not deceived:
evil communications corrupt good manners. Awake to
righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of
God: I speak this to your shame.
But some man will say, How are the dead raised
up? and with what body do they come? Thou fool, that which thou
sowest is not quickened, except it die: And that which thou
sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain,
it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain: But God giveth
it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own
body.
All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is
one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of
fishes, and another of birds. There are also celestial bodies,
and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one,
and the glory of the terrestrial is another. There is one glory
of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of
the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory.
So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is
sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: It is sown in
dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is
raised in power: It is sown a natural body; it is raised a
spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a
spiritual body.
And so it is written, The first man Adam was
made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.
Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is
natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. The first man is
of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. As
is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the
heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. And as we have
borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of
the heavenly.
Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood
cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption
inherit incorruption. Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not
all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 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. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and
this mortal must put on immortality.
So when this corruptible shall have put on
incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality,
then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death
is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O
grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the
strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth
us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye
stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord,
forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the
Lord.
From the above passage, divided by the editors of the Letter
into verses for easy reference we find a composite picture by
Paul given to us to comprehend and understand. Its major subject
is the resurrection of the dead saints, which he expands to
establish the truth about their future resurrection at the time
of Christ’s return.
“But every man in his own order: Christ the first fruits;
afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.”
It may pay the reader to refresh his memory of this composite
picture by reading through it in its entirety before continuing.
For from this point onwards this Author intends to expound it,
by examining each verse or section and drawing certain
conclusions from them.
Correcting erroneous views
12 ¶ Now if Christ be preached that he rose
from the dead, how say some among you that there is no
resurrection of the dead? But if there be no resurrection of the
dead, then is Christ not risen: And if Christ be not risen, then
is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. Yea, and we
are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of
God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be
that the dead rise not. For if the dead rise not, then is not
Christ raised: And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain;
ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep
in Christ are perished. If in this life only we have hope in
Christ, we are of all men most miserable.
The Apostle Paul obviously from this section had to correct a
certain erroneous view held by some that there was no
resurrection of the dead. In modern times some still hold to the
swoon theory that Jesus never died, and was still alive after
the punishment inflicted upon him by the Romans. This of course
discredits the Gospel and the entire cannon of the scripture.
Our Faith is based upon the scripture and this erroneous view
turns the scripture into myth. The Muslims hold this view that
Christ never died; hence there was no resurrection of Christ.
One must beware of opposing views of those of other faiths, lest
one imbibe a poison that destroys the soul and robs you of your
birthright.
Without believing in the Resurrection, of our forerunner
Jesus after he died, there is absolutely no hope for you after
you die. Christianity has embedded in it the hope of an eternal
existence in the presence of God. The words “then is Christ
not risen” imply the ascension of Christ into heaven after
his resurrection. “Because we have testified of God that he
raised up Christ” The resurrection and ascension of Christ are
an integral part of one another, as the ascension is the result
of him being resurrected. Christ has been raised up to the right
hand of the majesty on High.
Ephesians 1:20 Which he wrought in Christ,
when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right
hand in the heavenly places,
Comforting the saints.
¶ But now is Christ risen from the dead, and
become the first fruits of them that slept. For since by man
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;
afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.
Paul assures the church that their faith is
not in vain, and introduces the great hope of that faith. ,
“Even so in Christ shall all be made alive”. Thus the church is
comforted to know that being in Christ, contains the promise of
being made alive. Death is obligatory to all men " For as in
Adam all die” which he reiterates later. “Thou fool, that
which thou sow is not quickened, except it die”, this is a very
important part of his discourse for he has reiterated it that
there be no conjecture of a rapture before one has died.
Outlining the timing
“But every man in his own order”
Paul also outlines the timing of this event, which excludes
the living from it. This order is death burial resurrection
followed by ascension, which follows Christ’s example. Christ is
the first fruits to ascend into heaven after his death burial
and resurrection. Some contradict the earlier statement “For as
in Adam all die”, which is as clear as daylight that everyone
must die, by supporting their rapture while they are still
alive. Paul reiterates his position again that all must die in
the general subject of the resurrection. “Now this I say,
brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of
God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.” That is
anyone still in a flesh and blood body cannot inherit the
kingdom of God. My harping on this point is vital to your
understanding, that death always precedes a resurrection and its
timing is according to human order, that is as we each
successively die after our allotted timespan on this planet. In
fact if you take the time to go through the entire subject as
outlined by Paul you will find that it is a common thread
running through out it, from which I have extracted a few
explicit examples. Eg: “neither doth corruption inherit
incorruption”.
Now we are faced with a paradox “; afterward they that are
Christ’s at his coming” which appears to contradict Paul’s
statements that all must die. This implies that some will be
left behind at Christ’s return, because they have not died yet.
Because the scripture is sacrosanct, we cannot discount Paul’s
reiteration that death precedes a resurrection (rapture), as the
futurists do by selecting a single verse from the context and
portraying it as the entire truth of the matter.
We, who hold that Christ has already returned to the
generation he preached to, are some times charged with saying
that the resurrection is over and done with. Whereas in fact the
scripture supports an ongoing resurrection of the dead, which
commenced when Christ returned, and is still in progress today,
by the statement “But every man in his own order”. Of course
someone will shout, “what about the letters to the
Thessalonians”, to which I reply let us find out what Paul’s
mindset was before we attempt to expound something which is hard
to understand.
2 Peter 3:16 As also in all his epistles,
speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard
to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable
wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own
destruction.
We need to deal with this progressively, although I have had
to jump a bit forward in order to show that views I hold are not
uncorroborated. For I expect opposition from those who place a
futurist emphasis on their creeds instead of an ongoing
fulfilment of them. I reiterate that I was once a futurist. Now
in the light of Christ’s oath, “Verily” contained in Mathew
Chapter 24:34, when taken in the context of the entire discourse
on the end of the Mosaic Covenant, the futurist view is
incorrect, and only the Preterist view holds to the absolute
veracity of Jesus of Nazareth words.
The Two Major Covenants
Then cometh the end, when he shall have
delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall
have put down all rule and all authority and power. For he must
reign, until he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last
enemy that shall be destroyed is death. For he hath put all
things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put
under him, it is manifest that He is the exception, which did
put all things under him. And when all things shall be subdued
unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto Him
that put all things under him that God may be all in all.
The scripture is divided into two major covenants, the first
is the Old (Mosaic Covenant a Covenant of Works) the second is
the New Covenant (the ratification of the promise made to
Abraham as reiterated in the prophets a covenant of Grace.)
Eschatology must be based upon these two major divisions of the
scripture. This is termed Covenant Eschatology. One of the
presumptions of the futurist view is that the Church is in its
last days. They hold this view to lend credence to an
unfulfilled return of Christ, although it is erroneous and the
result of poor exegesis. Their failure to understand the
Historical setting and context of the Gospels has led them to
the position, where current news reports and political tensions
are used to support their views instead of the scripture.
Because they fail to see the application of the major Covenants
of the scripture, some even go so far as to denigrate the
Covenant Christ confirmed at the last Supper in the midst of
Daniel’s seventieth week, the Messianic Covenantal time frame.
They have been waiting for an Antichrist to appear to support
their deluded views. By splitting up divine fixed time frames
and filling them with millennia long gaps they have made many
deluded speculations on the return of Christ etc. They turn the
scripture into modern day fiction. Because without understanding
the end spoken of by Paul, “Then cometh the end, when he shall
have delivered up the kingdom to God”, to the Corinthians they
are left in the dark. The letter was written before the
Levitical priesthood was abolished and the sacrificial system
abandoned at the demise of the temple Ad70. The fulfilment of
the Mosaic covenant (end) had taken place and yet the Futurists
still shift this, “end”, millennia into the future. This they do
by reintroducing the Mosaic covenant prior to the millennium and
proclaiming a rebuilt temple and an earthly Kingdom for the
modern secular state of Israel in flat contradiction of the
scripture.
Hebrews 8:13 In that he saith, A new covenant,
he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth
old is ready to vanish away.
The old covenant was in a state of decay at the time the
Letter to the Hebrews was written; its imminent demise is
obvious from the words “is ready to vanish away”. Thus today
with the abolition of the priesthood of the Levites and their
atoning sacrifices at the destruction of Jerusalem, it is
patently obvious that this scripture has been fulfilled.
Under the Covenant of Works, redemption was found through the
sacrificial offering of Lamb, Christ being the Lamb of God laid
down his life under the Law in order to fulfil the Law.
Therefore there is no other offering for sin, because the once
only perfect offering of the Lamb of God has accomplished the
very purpose of the Law. Which is the reconciliation of the
aggrieved party (God) to his predestined elect.
Hebrews 10:11 And every priest standing daily
ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which
can never take away sins: But this man, after he had offered one
sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;
From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his
footstool. For by one offering he hath perfected forever them
that are sanctified.
Because the sacrifice of the Lamb of God was perfect, the Law
having been fulfilled perfectly, there was no longer any need
for the Aaronic Priesthood. This has been replaced by the coming
of Christ our High Priest after the order of Melchizedek. Thus
the old covenant, which was unable to bring about a perfect
reconciliation through human mediators, is now no longer in
force. It was fulfilled perfectly by God the Son, because at its
core it had the promise of redemption from death. Death was
consequence of failure to fulfil the law. Thus the promise found
in the Psalms to the Messiah is fulfilled, of being the
Melchizedek High Priest forever, whom the author of the letter
to the Hebrews declares as being the accomplisher of our
redemption. This redemption includes Christ conquering death on
our behalf, and brings the promise of a better resurrection to
the church.
“Romans 4:15 Because the law brings wrath: for
where no law is, there is no transgression. “
1 Corinthians 10:11 Now all these things
happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for
our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.
It is evident even in Modern Israel today that the end of the
mosaic covenant of the law is long past. The temple no longer
stands, its priesthood and High Priest are no longer in
existence its sacrifices have ceased and been replaced with a
rabbinical substitution. Paul writing about those under the law
describes that end of the Jewish economy has come upon them.
“When he shall have put down all rule and all authority and
power”, Christ’s return spelt the ruin of all in power over the
Divided Kingdom of Israel, when he made those enemies, who
crucified him, killed his disciples and murdered his prophets,
his footstool. Some may object to this failing to understand
that Christ’s Kingdom shall never end, therefore there are no
last days for the Church as it is part of his everlasting
kingdom.
Isaiah 9:7 Of the increase of his
government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne
of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it
with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever.
The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and
finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him
endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the
right hand of the throne of God.
The Rhetorical Question
Else what shall they do which are baptized for
the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then
baptized for the dead? And why stand we in jeopardy every hour?
I protest by your rejoicing, which I have in Christ Jesus our
Lord, I die daily. If after the manner of men I have fought with
beasts at Ephesus, what does it advantage me, if the dead rise
not? Let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die. Be not
deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. Awake to
righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of
God: I speak this to your shame.
“ Else what shall they do which are
baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? Why are they
then baptized for the dead?”
Paul concludes his Proof of Christ’s resurrection with this
hypothetical question to those who did not believe in Christ’s
resurrection and ascension. That is to ask, “why were you
baptized into a still dead Christ”, we are not baptized into the
dead Christ, but into the ascended resurrected Christ. There are
still some cults that baptize their followers on behalf of a
dead relative in order to secure their salvation. There is
obviously no support for this based on Paul’s rhetorical
question in the context, which it is made to support the
resurrection of Christ.
Comparing proofs of the Resurrection.
35 ¶ But some man will say, How are the dead
raised up? and with what body do they come? Thou fool, that
which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die: And that
which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but
bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain: But
God gives it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed
his own body. All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one
kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of
fishes, and another of birds. There are also celestial bodies,
and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one,
and the glory of the terrestrial is another. There is one glory
of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of
the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory. So
also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption;
it is raised in incorruption: It is sown in dishonour; it is
raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power:
It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There
is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. And so it is
written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last
Adam was made a quickening spirit. Howbeit that was not first
which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward
that which is spiritual. The first man is of the earth, earthy:
the second man is the Lord from heaven. As is the earthy, such
are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are
they also that are heavenly. And as we have borne the image of
the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.
Paul now goes into a comparison stage on this subject, where
he separates the fleshly resurrection from the spiritual
resurrection. Using the prophetic mode of similitude’s to
illustrate a divine truth. “But some man will say, how are
the dead raised up? And with what body do they come?”
Here he gives us as composite an answer as is humanly possible
to what the resurrected ascended human spirit will be clothed
with.
“And that which thou sow, thou sow not that
body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or
of some other grain: But God gives it a body as it hath pleased
him, and to every seed his own body.”
If one were to hold a acorn, one cannot avoid, by looking at
its present image, the foreknowledge that one day it will be a
mighty oak. Paul’s likening the body you are presently living in
to the mere grain of something greater is the example he sets
here. The seeded body through death and resurrection becomes
something greater than that which was sown. This discounts the
imagination that everyone returns to a seed stage when he is
resurrected. If you have ever grown something from a seed you
will discover that the acorn seed you planted no longer exists
in its original form having been replaced by the Oak Tree.
“All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is
one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of
fishes, and another of birds. There are also celestial bodies,
and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one,
and the glory of the terrestrial is another.”
Paul by setting comparison’s here is getting across the idea
that there is more than one type of clothing for the soul. He is
not preaching reincarnation in the earthly realm, but the
distinguishing between that which inhabits the earth in its
three realms (Land, water, air) and that which inhabits the
heaven of heavens. There is a body equipped for living in the
Celestial realm and a body equipped for living in the earthly
realm, which he reinforced by his comparison of men and beast’s
versus fishes and birds.
“There is one glory of the sun, and another
glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star
differs from another star in glory “
Paul is now likening the radiance of the glorified
resurrected body by comparing it to the sun moon and stars also
a radiance that is dependent upon our distance from it. Here by
using the Sun, which is brightest, gives us a glimpse of the
resplendent splendour of Christ that blinded him on the Damascus
road.
Acts 9: 3 And as he journeyed, he came near
Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from
heaven: And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto
him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art
thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest:
it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And he trembling
and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the
Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be
told thee what thou must do. And the men which journeyed with
him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man. And
Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw
no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into
Damascus. And he was three days without sight, and neither did
eat nor drink.
Revelation 1:16 And he had in his right hand
seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword:
and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.
Matthew 22:30 For in the resurrection they
neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels
of God in heaven.
Revelation 22:8 And I John saw these things,
and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to
worship before the feet of the angel, which showed me these
things. Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy
fellow servant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them
which keep the sayings of this book: worship God. And he saith
unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for
the time is at hand.
. “So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in
corruption; it is raised in incorruption: It is sown in
dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is
raised in power: It is sown a natural body; it is raised a
spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a
spiritual body.”
Paul continues his comparisons of the difference between a
physical body and a spiritual body. By these comparisons he cast
down those imaginations of men who think they shall be glorified
in an earthly body that is only designed to inhabit this planet.
The earthly body he describes as corrupt, and the heavenly as
incorrupt (a state of perfection) which offers great hope for
those who have lived as cripples or have been maimed in life, or
are mentally deficient etc. The heavenly state is one of eternal
Glory, while the earthly state is one of diminishing vigor and
the emaciating results of aging.
Summarising the resurrection
” There is a natural body, and there is a
spiritual body “
This is the summary of all that he has compared in likeness,
to those who are desiring to have their old bodies back in the
resurrection, I say keep them. I desire the perfection of a
spiritual body after my death, you can burn my remains and
scatter them to the four winds for my naked soul will be clothed
with the immaculate wedding garment he has prepared for me, that
I may appear in his presence unashamed. I shall glow with the
glory of an angel as my Messiah has promised.
The Promised Redemption
And so it is written, the first man Adam was
made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.
Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is
natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. The first man is
of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. As
is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the
heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. And as we have
borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of
the heavenly.
Our natural body we inherit from Adam, our spiritual body we
inherit from the glorified resurrected Son of the Living God who
in splendour exceeds the radiance of the Sun at midday in the
middle of the Sahara Dessert in the height of summer.
“ Now this I say, brethren that flesh and
blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption
inherit incorruption.”
Without the change made within us through the earnest of the
Holy Spirit, we cannot inherit the kingdom of God. The rebirth
precedes the entry into this Kingdom, for the resurrection is
the culmination of the conception of Christ within us. We may
proclaim by faith we are born again, but the manifestation of
fully-fledged Son of God only occurs at the redemption of our
body, which is the great hope of salvation. To those who think
they are already manifesting what they in fact hope to be, I say
go back and read the context in the book of Romans.
Romans 8: 19 For the earnest expectation of
the creature waiting for the manifestation of the sons of God.
For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but
by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, Because
the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of
corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For
we know that the whole creation groans and travails in pain
together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which
have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan
within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the
redemption of our body. For we are saved by hope: but hope that
is seen is not hope: for what a man sees, why doth he yet hope
for it? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with
patience wait for it.
There is much erroneous teaching amongst Pentecostal sects
about being a manifested son of God. Having totally missed the
point that at the redemption of the physical body (I.e.: the
Resurrection) one then becomes like an angel (A Manifested Son
of God). But this manifestation occurs in the Heavenly Jerusalem
the city of the Living God. The descendants of Adam, who are the
creation spoken of here, are groaning to be clothed with
immortality. Adam being created in the image and likeness of
God, thorough transgression brought his future descendants
(creation) into the bondage of sin and the resulting aging
process (corruption) that leads to our death. If Paul was still
hoping for the resurrection (I.e.: the redemption of his body)
how can these blind guides make the claim that they are
presently one of the manifested Son’s of God?
The Imminent Change of State
“ ¶ Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not
all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 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. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and
this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible
shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put
on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is
written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy
sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin;
and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which
gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Perhaps at this point you may have caught a glimpse of this
great mystery of the Gospel. Men try to hide this from the
unlearned, to keep them in bondage to the regalia and pomp and
splendour of deftly clothed Evangelist’s and other
self-proclaimed prophets.
“We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be
changed, 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.”
Not everyone will have tasted death when Christ returns (has
returned) but all in the Christian faith will be changed. Paul
declares the imminence of Christ’s return in these words to
Corinthians “Behold, I show you a mystery’; we shall not all
sleep”, which limits the return to occurring within the
lifespan of the congregation he was writing to. This unexpected
event within their life spans is declared a mystery. Those who
shift the return into the distant future far beyond the expected
life span of the audience, the time of Paul’s writing, blind
their congregations to the fact that Paul had asserted that he
himself saw it as an imminent event. It has remained a mystery
to the blind futurist’s until this day. The mystery is we are in
a Post rapture time frame to think otherwise turns the discourse
into a myth.
Paul has brought the final act of redemption into the life
spans of the congregation he was overseeing. “In a moment, in
the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump” these words
introduce a finality to the resurrection he has been describing
to them. The Corinthian church being a mix of the descendants of
Jacob and the Gentiles who have been brought into the promises
and covenants of hope, they are themselves a sign of the end of
the time of Jacob’s travail. The last trumpet signalling the end
of one covenant age and the introduction of a new covenant age
to the children of the promise was about to sound within their
life span..
Galations 4:21 ¶ Tell me, ye that desire to be
under the law, do ye not hear the law? For it is written, that
Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a
freewoman. But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the
flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise. Which things are
an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the
mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar. For this
Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which
now is, and is in bondage with her children. But Jerusalem
which is above is free, which is the mother of us all. For it is
written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and
cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more
children than she which hath an husband. Now we, brethren,
as Isaac was, are the children of promise. But as then he that
was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the
Spirit, even so it is now. Nevertheless what saith the
scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of
the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.
So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of
the free.
The New Jerusalem, which is above was about to be populated,
the earthly Jerusalem was about to be cast out, the children of
the promise born of the free woman (the Church) was about to
inherit a city made without hands. The old Covenant had a
promise within it of Final redemption from its greatest enemy,
which was “Death” which laid claim to all under the “Law”. The
Last Trumpet signalled a victory of this greatest enemy of
mankind. The old Generation would pass away at the clarion call
of the trumpet and be succeeded by the New Creation.
Luke 21:32 Verily I say unto you, This
generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.
Passing over the great divide
Christ, replacing the old Passover that celebrated their
redemption from the Egyptian bondage, had introduced a New
Covenant Passover. The old celebrated their freedom from the
tyranny of foreign dominion over them and the new
