Author: petebeck3

Pete Beck III ministered as a pastor and Bible teacher in Burlington for over 34 years. He is married to Martha, with whom he has four children, ten beautiful grandchildren, and four amazing great grandchildren. He ministers in his local church as a Bible teacher and counselor. He has published two books - Seeing God's Smile and Promise of the Father - as well as a wide variety of Bible-related articles which he has compiled into books in PDF form.

The Dangers of Playing God

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prior to writing this article, as a good shepherd, I have tried to sound a warning to God’s “sheep” regarding the dangers associated with the experimental Covid “vaccine” by forwarding articles and videos to people who have showed an openness to such information. Yesterday, it suddenly struck me that there is also a theological reason not be “vaccinated.” Here is my attempt to share my thoughts. I hope it will help you decide what to do, if you have not already received the injections.

Satan, the being Jesus identified as the father of lies in whom is no truth, apparently came to a point where he decided to play God (Isaiah 14:12-15). He wanted to take over God’s throne, but it did not turn out well for him. If he could not be God, he decided to spread his misery and rebellion to planet earth and humanity. Being a liar, he used what he knew best to deceive Adam and Eve into disobeying God, promising her that doing so would enable her to become “like” God, knowing good and evil. (Genesis 3:5) The big lies Satan released upon these unsuspecting and naive humans were that God cannot be trusted to do the right thing, disobedience to God will produce good results, and sin will not result in death.

I submit that these are the same lies being used to trick people into receiving the experimental gene therapy called the Covid vaccine. We are being told that we cannot trust our God-given immune system, tinkering with God’s creation will produce good results, and altering God’s design will not result in death.

Indeed, Adam and Eve did come to know good and evil on a first hand basis, but it caused them to lose their spiritual link with God and introduced death into humanity. Adam and Eve were already created in God’s image, but they wanted more. They thought they knew best. It destroyed them.

At the tower of Babel, mankind once again tried to play God by building a tower to reach to heaven and make a name for themselves. (Genesis 11:4) God stopped that sinful work of pride in its tracks and scattered mankind over the earth by confusing their languages. Nevertheless, the Babel principle remains: humans still want to play God.

God sent his Son to actually elevate humans to the throne of heaven. The thing Satan covets God will give to anyone who puts their faith in the Son. This is why Satan hates believers.

Jesus is the second person of the Trinity, who became a human and came to earth to testify to the truth (John 18:37) and make a way for us to sit on God’s throne as co-rulers, enjoying his glory and authority forever. (Ephesians 2:6) The only way we get to enjoy these things is by entering through the doorway of repentance. To repent essentially means that we decide to stop trying to live independently from God and willingly surrender to Christ’s benevolent rule. It includes being sorry for having lived that way in the past and for all the wicked things we did and thought while in that mindset. Faith allows us to accept what Christ accomplished on our behalf – forgiveness, being made right with God, being restored to God’s family, being set free from all that enslaved us, and being given the rights, privileges, and authority of sons and daughters of God. We cannot earn this, steal this, or in any way accomplish this on our own. It is a gift pure and simple to those who will repent and believe.

But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5  even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6  and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7  so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8  For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9  not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:4-9 (NASB)

Unfortunately, those who refuse to accept the gracious offer of eternal life and sonship through the gospel still are trying to be God and steal his glory, thinking they know best.

In my opinion, one of the latest examples is the mRNA vaccine.

Instead of being grateful and awed by the immune system given to us by the Creator, men and women, who probably believe we evolved out of nothingness, fearlessly tinker with God’s creation in an effort to improve upon God’s design.

What could go wrong injecting a synthesized mRNA sequence into our immune system?

The following has been extracted from Moderna’s own website.

At Moderna, we are leveraging the fundamental role that mRNA plays in protein synthesis. We have developed proprietary technologies and methods to create mRNA sequences that cells recognize as if they were produced in the body. We focus on diseases where enabling targeted cells to produce – or turn ‘on’ – one or more given proteins will enable the body to fight or prevent a given disease.

      • We start with our desired sequence for a protein.
      • We design and synthesize the corresponding mRNA sequence – the code that will create that protein.
      • Before synthesis, we also engineer that mRNA sequence to optimize the mRNA’s physical properties, as well as those of the encoded protein.
      • We deliver the mRNA sequence to the cells responsible for making that protein via one of several modalities. Reaching different types of cells requires different delivery methods.
      • And, once the mRNA – the instructions – are in the cell … human biology takes over. Ribosomes read the code and build the protein, and the cells express the protein in the body.

I feel sure that many vaccine scientists believe that great good will come out of this new technology, which, by the way, has been falsely labeled as a vaccine. It is hoped that this new technology will lead to a cure for cancer and other diseases; but we must consider whether using it might be as when Adam and Eve ate the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil. Will it release a “Pandora’s box” of disastrous consequences upon the human race? Many think this is a distinct possibility.

Due to the current Covid “pandemic emergency,” this “vaccine” was manufactured and distributed without having successfully navigated the normal animal safety trials, despite there being two known effective treatments for Covid – hydroxycholoriquine and ivermectin, not to mention vitamin D and zinc. These treatments have been suppressed by big pharma and the media to allow the vaccine to be introduced. (Here is a very good short video of a presentation by Dr. Ryan Cole on this subject.)

All previous mRNA “vaccines” failed animal testing because within several months the animals died or were severely compromised when exposed again to a wild pathogen against which they were supposed to have developed an immunity. (Here is a video segment by Dr. Tenpenny which exposes this – go to minute 21:35) Dr. Tenpenny warns that animals previously tested with other mRNA “vaccines” were permanently altered by the vaccine so that the virus actually penetrated their DNA by an irreversible process called transduction. Here is another good video interview on this subject with Dr. Lee Merrit.)

The big question before us today is this. Will we start seeing a massive death event in a few months experienced by all who have received the mRNA injection due to being primed to experience a fatal cytokine storm? We certainly hope and pray not. Time will reveal the answer, however. The verdict is still out. In addition, it is feared that many may develop various autoimmune disorders. We are already seeing people develop blood clots. Many have experienced other weird symptoms, including death. It is also feared that the “vaccine” can produce sterility in women. Spontaneous abortions have already followed some pregnant women who were vaccinated.

What is my point? It is certainly not to ring a death knell on behalf of those who already submitted to receiving an injection of an alien synthesized mRNA sequence. We hope for the best for all of you.

However, I warn those who are pondering whether or not to receive this experimental gene therapy that doing so is tinkering with God’s creation and submitting to a trans-humanist agenda. I personally think it is another attempt at playing God and thinking that we know better than God. I predict no good will come from this.

True vaccines use the body’s defense system. This shot alters it.

I don’t know about you, but I plan to stick with God’s design, not experiment with man’s.

Below is a wonderful video compilation of doctors from around the world sounding the alarm. We do well to take heed. It is found on Bitchute, one site that is not censored.

DOCTORS & MEDICAL EXPERTS WORLDWIDE WARN HUMANITY AGAINST TAKING THE COVID19 VACCINE

I understand that some of my readers will dismiss this article as being a “tin foil hat” conspiracy theory. We are living in an era when truth is hard to discern at times. I have sounded the warning. It is up to you what you do with it. We shall soon know who was telling the truth. We will also soon know the truth about the gospel. According to the Bible, when we die, we will all stand before Christ’s judgment seat. If we ignored his warnings and refused the gospel offer, we will have no one to blame but ourselves. Don’t refuse God’s amazing offer of eternal life through the gospel. If we miss that one,we will discover that we made the greatest mistake imaginable. If the vaccine kills us, that is only our physical life, as precious as that is; but, if we refuse the gospel, it will result in a spiritual death and an eternity without God, which is far worse.

Prayer

Jesus, I repent of my misguided attempt to live without you. I now choose to come under your benevolent rule. Please forgive all my sins and give me eternal life through your indwelling Holy Spirit. I believe you defeated death on my behalf when you rose from the grave. Thank you for loving me so much. Help me to serve you all my days and tell others about the good news. Amen.

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Faith Waits During Dark Days

 

 

 

 

 

Darkness often descends upon those who are waiting to receive a promise from God. God allows our faith to be tested to prove its genuineness. (1 Peter 1:6-7) Persevering faith brings great glory to God. King David spent years waiting for Samuel’s prophecy of his coming kingship to be fulfilled. Even though he was anointed king as a young boy, he had to wait for God’s timing. So did Abraham and countless others. Joseph was also a great example. The scriptures say the following about his wait.

Until the time that his word came to pass, The word of the LORD tested him. Psalm 105:19 (NASB)

How discouraging and dark were those years of captivity in Egypt? How distant and unreal did those boyhood dreams of having authority over his brothers and parents seem? Was he tempted to cast away his confidence? There is no indication that he ever wavered.

The Letter to the Hebrews encourages us to likewise remain strong during our dark days of waiting on God to fulfill his promises to us.

Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. 36  For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised. Hebrews 10:35-36 (NASB)

Jesus told his disciples before he ever went to the cross that he would be crucified, but would rise again after three days. They were not able to grasp or believe his words. As he hung dying on that instrument of torture, the altar upon which he freely gave away his life as payment for our sins, he announced, “It is finished.” (John 19:30) He announced to the world, heaven, the angels, demons, Satan, and his Father that his mighty work of redemption was complete. Nothing more needed to be done on his part. All that remained was to wait for God the Father to do his part – the resurrection.

How do you suppose the disciples felt during that Sabbath between the crucifixion and the resurrection? Were they able to rest in and rejoice that, just as in the creation, God had finished his work? Or did they wallow in despair, confusion, and self-pity? What would you have done? What have you done when God has required you to wait for him to fulfill a very specific promise to you? Maybe you are in just such a time right now. How is your faith doing? Is it getting stronger? That is what God wants. That is what happened to Abraham when he had to wait twenty-five years for a promise to be fulfilled.

Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping—believing that he would become the father of many nations. For God had said to him, “That’s how many descendants you will have!” 19  And Abraham’s faith did not weaken, even though, at about 100 years of age, he figured his body was as good as dead—and so was Sarah’s womb. 20  Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. 21  He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises. Romans 4:18-21 (NLT)

Faith is able to wait during dark days because it is focused on God’s faithfulness and it is upheld by God himself. He is the Author and Completer of our faith. (Hebrews 12:2)

However, Jesus is compassionate when we waver. This is shown in the resurrection account of his appearance to the two disciples who were walking to Emmaus. They had lost hope, but Jesus chose to appear to them before he ever visited his main disciples. How remarkable! In fact, his chief band of disciples still did not believe! If you are struggling to keep the faith during your wait for God to fulfill his word, know that God is there for you. Hang in there, just as King David wrote so long ago.

Yet I am confident I will see the LORD’s goodness while I am here in the land of the living. 14  Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD. Psalm 27:13-14 (NLT)
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When Deception Rages like a Storm, What Is Our Anchor?

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Bible warns that Satan has been permitted to release his lies in an overt effort to deceive the entire human population.

Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back, 8  but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. 9  And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. Revelation 12:7-9 (ESV)

His lies began in the Garden of Eden and continue today in an unprecedented way, as his minions use all the tools of media and computer generated images to weave a shroud of deception over the world. There are alternative sources of information from the mainstream media, but even they often are guilty of deception. This is because sin has made us all deceivers, going back to Adam and Eve, who bought the lie that God did not have their best interests in mind. Since then the truth has always been questioned and lies are easily believed. That is the human condition.

It is only by God’s mercy and grace that anyone is able to escape this “matrix” of deception. The Holy Spirit is called the “Spirit of truth,” and he works inside those whom God has called to himself to open their eyes and ears and hearts to perceive and believe the truth.

Indeed, in their case the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled that says: “‘“You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive.” 15  For this people’s heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.’ 16  But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear.  Matthew 13:14-16 (ESV)

Now those who have a God-given love of truth find themselves in a quandary. Where do we turn? What is our anchor in the storm?

As would be expected, God has given to us a benchmark of truth to which we can and must turn – the Bible. Jesus, who is God’s truth in human form, told us that the Scriptures are absolutely true and can be believed and followed.

I have given them your word, and the world has hated them, because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world 15  I am not asking you to take them out of the world, but that you keep them safe from the evil one. 16  They do not belong to the world just as I do not belong to the world. 17  Set them apart in the truth; your word is truth. 18  Just as you sent me into the world, so I sent them into the world. 19  And I set myself apart on their behalf, so that they too may be truly set apart. John 17:14-19 (NET1)

Love for God’s truth is what sets us apart from those in the world who are not part of God’s people. (2 Thessalonians 2:10)

Satan always works to undermine our faith in God’s Word. He did this in the Garden when he asked Eve, “Did God really say?” (Genesis 3:1) He does it now. Satan “owns” the public school system, the media, higher education, and much of the government. He uses these platforms to disseminate his lies and undermine truth and devotion to God at every level.

The only hope for us, the only anchor we have in the storm, is to rely on God’s truth that is found in the Bible and upon the Holy Spirit, the one who guides us into that truth.

When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. John 16:13 (ESV)

The Bible and the Spirit testify to the One who is called the Truth, our Lord Jesus Christ. All truth points to him. Ultimately, our faith must be anchored in him, a person, the full expression of God’s truth to the world. (John 14:6) Faith in him anchors us in every storm and protects us against the devil’s lies. (Hebrews 6:19)

Prayer

Jesus, I feel confused and lost in a raging sea of deception. I turn to you. The Bible says you are the Truth and the only Way to the Father. I receive you and all you did for me when you died on the cross. Thank you for forgiving my many sins, for putting me in right standing with your heavenly Father, for setting me free, and for giving me your Spirit of eternal life and freedom. I give myself to you and acknowledge that you are my Lord and Savior. Help me to live the rest of my life for you. Teach me your truth and help me to be a disciple and fisher of men. Amen.

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Today’s Most Pressing Question: Who Is Lucy and Who Is Charlie Brown?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Only simpletons believe everything they’re told! The prudent carefully consider their steps. 16  The wise are cautious and avoid danger; fools plunge ahead with reckless confidence. Proverbs 14:15-16 (NLT)

Anyone familiar with the Peanuts cartoon strip knows about how Lucy routinely tricks Charlie Brown by removing the football just as he tries to kick it. She never changes, and he never ceases to trust her. Today we see much the same thing being played out in our nation. The mainstream media continues to lie, and the general public still believes their propaganda. There is now so much conflicting “information” that it is getting more and more difficult to distinguish between who is telling the truth and who is lying. Another way to put this is that we are no longer always sure of who is Lucy and who is Charlie Brown.

The MSM loudly and constantly declared that Trump colluded with the Russians for four or five years in an effort to prevent his reelection. Though proven wrong, the MSM never apologized or backed off, and, despite their proven lack of truthfulness, much of the public continues to believe their message. Now we are being told by the same proven liars that the last election was not stolen, that COVID lock downs and mask mandates are necessary and effective, and that the experimental “vaccine” is safe. Lucy is assuring us that this time she is not going to pull the ball away. Trust her, Charlie Brown.

Intelligent people whom I respect have been unwilling to heed the warnings of numerous doctors and other health experts against taking this “vaccine,” declaring that such warnings are rubbish, junk science, and conspiracy theories. Many have taken the vaccine, despite its not having passed the normal kinds of safety testing, ostensibly because they are desperately afraid of a virus with a 99.7% survival rate that is curable by using hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin. If those who are doing the warning are correct, those who take the vaccine are gambling their future health that Lucy is telling the truth this time.

The most pressing question of our day is who is Lucy, and who is Charlie Brown? Who is telling the truth, and who is a conspiracy theorist or liar?

We are living in a time of unprecedented deception largely because we have become so clever at manipulating information. Germany under Hitler suffered from what is taking place in the US and around the world. It took a World War to deliver them. Perhaps God will be more gracious and merciful to us. Eventually the truth, at least in part, will be known. Until then, pray for the wisdom and courage to pursue truth, even when it is disparaged, persecuted, unpopular, and very inconvenient.

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Basic Doctrines of Christ: The Resurrection from the Dead in Everyday Life

 

 

 

 

 

One of the dangers with any doctrine is postponing it until the indefinite future. This is what Martha did regarding the resurrection just before Jesus restored life to her brother Lazarus. Jesus told her that he is the resurrection and was able to raise Lazarus immediately, but her thinking restricted the matter until the end of time.

Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24  Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” 25  Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26  and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” 27  She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.” John 11:23-27 (ESV)

When Jesus returns in glory, he will indeed raise us from the dead, but even now we can experience resurrection life on a daily basis. There is only one problem associated with this process, however: to experience resurrection there must first be a death.

Imagine the horror Jesus felt as he hung on the cross as he experienced separation from his Father as the sins of the world fell upon him! You and I were born into this world separated from God because of Adam’s sin, but this was the first time for Jesus who had experienced glorious unity with his heavenly Father for all eternity.

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21 (ESV) 

And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Matthew 27:46 (ESV)

Abraham also experienced a version of this in what the Bible calls a “terror of great darkness” (Genesis 15:12), at which time God confirmed to him an everlasting covenant. God’s eternal unconditional promise to Abraham was based on what Christ accomplished millennia later. God is not bound by time as we are. The benefits of Christ’s death and resurrection reverberate through time backward and forward for all eternity. Jesus experienced completely the horror of darkness that Abraham felt in part. Nevertheless, God required Abraham to go through it.

Later in Abraham’s story, the death-resurrection principle played out again. God asked Abraham to sacrifice Isaac, the son of promise for whom he had patiently waited for 25 years! Amazingly Abraham immediately obeyed without questioning God and was ready to complete the act when an angel stopped him. This, of course, foreshadowed Father God’s actual sacrifice of his Son upon the cross. In writing about this act of obedience by Abraham, the author of Hebrews states that our faith forefather trusted in God’s ability to raise the dead.

It was by faith that Abraham offered Isaac as a sacrifice when God was testing him. Abraham, who had received God’s promises, was ready to sacrifice his only son, Isaac, 18  even though God had told him, “Isaac is the son through whom your descendants will be counted.” 19  Abraham reasoned that if Isaac died, God was able to bring him back to life again. And in a sense, Abraham did receive his son back from the dead. Hebrews 11:17-19 (NLT)

What Abraham did revealed his faith that God will fulfill his promises, even if he requires us temporarily to let go of them. Some call this “death of a vision.”  When we are willing to let something apparently die that is a precious promise to us, in the hope that God will yet restore it in his way and his time, we participate in the resurrection principle.

Paul wrote about this to the church in Corinth.

For we do not want you to be unaware, brethren, of our affliction which came to us in Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life; 9  indeed, we had the sentence of death within ourselves so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead; 10  who delivered us from so great a peril of death, and will deliver us, He on whom we have set our hope. And He will yet deliver us, 11  you also joining in helping us through your prayers, so that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the favor bestowed on us through the prayers of many. 2 Corinthians 1:8-11 (NASB)

The resurrection principle requires that we cease to try to keep ourselves and our promises alive through our own strength, but instead abandon ourselves to the faithfulness of God.

This is what Jesus did on the cross. As he descended into the abyss of death and experienced complete weakness and relinquished all attempts to save himself, he abandoned himself to his Father, the great Promise Keeper.

And Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said, "Father, INTO YOUR HANDS I COMMIT MY SPIRIT." Having said this, He breathed His last. Luke 23:46 (NASB)

This was the culmination of Jesus’ faith walk, but he professed his faith in God’s resurrection power often prior to his crucifixion. He repeatedly told his disciples that he would die on a cross and be raised three days later. For us to properly experience God’s resurrection power, we must have faith in his ability to pull it off.

To experience resurrection, it is important that we understand and embrace the process. Jesus knew he had to die first in order to be raised. The same is true for us.

What has God promised to you that seems hopeless at this point? Have you released it into God’s hands? Are you able to trust him to give it back to you, if you give it to him? That is how we experience the resurrection in everyday life.

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Basic Doctrines of Christ: The Resurrection from the Dead – Beyond Imagination

 

 

 

 

 

That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9 (NLT)

Imagination can be used in a good way to go beyond our previous experience. Many great advances have been made by those whose imagination fueled innovation.

When it comes to the resurrection and what lies ahead for those who trust in Christ after our earthly lives comes to an end, even our imagination is insufficient. What God has in store for us is far more wonderful than anything we can conceive. Imagine that!

A common conception of heaven pictures angels floating on clouds playing harps. How boring does that sound? The glimpses of heaven provided in Scripture are anything but boring. Those who claim to have died and seen heaven tell of sights, sounds, and experiences that are beyond description. The apostle Paul was among that group.

I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows. 3  And I know that this man was caught up into paradise—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows— 4  and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter. 2 Corinthians 12:2-4 (ESV)

When our Lord rose from the dead, he was sometimes not immediately recognized. Something had happened to him that made him different from before. At other times, he was clearly recognized by those to whom he appeared. He was able to appear and disappear. Walls were not a barrier to him. He had a real body that could be touched. He was able to eat food. What kind of body did he have in his resurrected state?

Paul said that we really cannot imagine what the resurrected “spiritual” body will be like.

But someone will ask, “How are the dead raised? With what kind of body do they come?” 36  You foolish person! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies. 37  And what you sow is not the body that is to be, but a bare kernel, perhaps of wheat or of some other grain. 38  But God gives it a body as he has chosen, and to each kind of seed its own body. 39  For not all flesh is the same, but there is one kind for humans, another for animals, another for birds, and another for fish. 40  There are heavenly bodies and earthly bodies, but the glory of the heavenly is of one kind, and the glory of the earthly is of another. 41  There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for star differs from star in glory. 42  So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable. 43  It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. 44  It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. 45  Thus it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit. 46  But it is not the spiritual that is first but the natural, and then the spiritual. 47  The first man was from the earth, a man of dust; the second man is from heaven. 48  As was the man of dust, so also are those who are of the dust, and as is the man of heaven, so also are those who are of heaven. 49  Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven. 1 Corinthians 15:35-49 (ESV)

When we plant a seed, we get something very different when it sprouts. We see a complete plant that is able to produce more seeds! The seed we plant must “die” before it can “resurrect” as a plant. The seed goes into the ground where moisture causes it to “decompose” in order to be re-composed as a brand new plant. This is a picture from nature that gives us some idea of the resurrection process.

Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25  Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. John 12:24-25 (ESV)

One thing we learn from what the Bible says about the resurrection is that our bodies are important to God, important enough for him to eternally save them, too.

He created our bodies to house our spirits, making us unique creatures who are able to interface with both the physical and spiritual worlds. How extraordinary!

God will eventually re-create heaven and earth (2 Peter 3:13), making a suitable place for resurrected people to inhabit. Imagine that, if you can.

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Basic Doctrines of Christ: The Resurrection from the Dead – Two Resurrections

 

 

 

 

 

As with most things God created, the resurrection is more “complicated” than it first appears. Creation has  fantastic complexity, depth, precision, and variety. After centuries of scientific inquiry, we have yet to fully comprehend the “fearfully and wonderfully made” bodies God created for his people. In an effort to deflect honor and glory from God, man created the lie of evolution to try to explain away God, but it is a futile exercise in foolishness. Any right thinking person knows instinctively that precision and complexity does not randomly appear out of chaos. In a similar fashion, the resurrection from the dead is not as simple as God making our bodies alive again. God is much more creative than that.

Just as God’s great salvation applies uniquely to each part of us, spirit, soul, and body, the resurrection does, as well. In fact, there is a resurrection “principle” at work in every aspect of God’s salvation.

The First Resurrection

When Jesus died on the cross and three days later rose again, the Bible says those who believe in him were spiritually included in that death and rising.

But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5  even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6  and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7  so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:4-7 (NASB)

God saves us on the inside before we see the results on the outside.

Spiritually those who believe in Jesus have already received and are learning to experience his complete victory. We died and rose with him and now are seated with him in heavenly places at God’s right hand. Nevertheless, since we still have an earthly existence in the body, we also live here on planet earth in a fallen world inhabiting a body still under sin’s curse and death. The incongruity is staggering. This is why we find ourselves often frustrated. We are divided in our experience. The spirit is “in sync” with God, or as Jesus said, willing, but the “flesh” is not. Every believer knows what this feels like. Paul wrote about it.

I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good. 22  For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man, 23  but I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members. 24  Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death? 25  Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind am serving the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh the law of sin. Romans 7:21-25 (NASB)

During our remaining days on earth, trapped in a pre-resurrected body, we must learn to live in the spiritual reality of Christ’s resurrection. This is called “walking in the Spirit.”

We already live in the Spirit, spiritually, but we must learn to “walk it out” on a day to day basis.

If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Galatians 5:25 (NASB)

This corresponds to what I previously wrote concerning transformation or sanctification, which is the daily outworking of grace in our lives to make us more like Jesus. We might call this a daily experience of the first resurrection, which is spiritual. This is the resurrection principle at work.

The Second Resurrection

The second resurrection will be that of the body.

When Jesus returns, he will raise all the dead, including the wicked.

"Do not marvel at this; for an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs will hear His voice, 29  and will come forth; those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment. John 5:28-29 (NASB)

In our resurrected state, we will all stand before God at the judgment seat. This is the point at which the Bible says that every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord. (Romans 14:11) Those who pass the test at that great judgment will experience God’s glory in their new bodies in the context of a new heaven and earth. I will write more about this in the future.

Only those who have experienced the first resurrection, or new birth, will be able to enjoy the glories of the second resurrection.

The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection. 6  Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years. Revelation 20:5-6 (ESV)

Now we are getting into what theologians call eschatology or the doctrine of the end times. There are various ways to interpret Revelation, but let me share my take on the above passage. Rather than believe in a future “millennium” or literal 1000 year reign of Christ on the earth, I believe Revelation is speaking of the current church age in which those who believe in Christ have been spiritually raised from the dead and are seated with him in heavenly places sharing his authority even now.

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2  Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3  For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4  When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Colossians 3:1-4 (ESV)

To me this makes sense of the passage in Revelation, but, even if you do not accept my interpretation, you must deal with the concept of two resurrections, the spiritual one and the bodily one.

Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22  But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” 23  Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24  Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” 25  Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26  and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” 27  She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.” John 11:21-27 (ESV)

Martha knew Jesus personally, believed in him, and had a pretty good doctrine of the end times, but she did not understand at that time the spiritual side of things. She thought the resurrection only applied to the very end of time, but Jesus, who is the Resurrection, was and is able to raise anyone from the dead at any moment. In addition, he promised Martha that those who put their faith in him “will never die.” This can only mean that the “second death” has no power over them. (Revelation 20:6)

In other words, faith in Christ makes us one with the risen Christ. We are part of Christ’s first resurrection and we never need fear the second death. We now belong to God.

Prayer

Jesus, I want to escape the second death. I believe that when you rose from the dead, you provided life for all who believe and receive you. I receive you into my heart and declare my allegiance to you. Thank you for eternal life now and the resurrection of the body later. Now, come Holy Spirit. Help me to live for Jesus. Amen.

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Basic Doctrines of Christ: The Resurrection from the Dead – Glorification

 

 

 

 

 

As I wrote in another series of articles, we are composed of spirit, soul, and body. (1 Thessalonians 5:23)  You can click on the links to read about each one in detail, if you wish.) Followers of Christ are instructed to properly “divide” or “cut straight” God’s Word (1 Timothy 2:15). This means we are to properly interpret and handle God’s message to us.

It is necessary to distinguish between how God’s great salvation applies uniquely to each part of us, or we will become confused.

For example, the Bible tells us that we can know that we have eternal life (1 John 5:13), but also reminds us that we are saved “in hope” (Romans 8:24-25). So which is it? Are we already saved, or are we waiting to be saved? The answer is both: we are already justified in the spirit, but we are waiting (hoping) for the last installment of our great salvation, the resurrection from the dead.

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19  For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 20  For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21  that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22  For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23  And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24  For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25  But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. Romans 8:18-25 (ESV)

We were created as living souls, which come to being when God breathes spirit into a lifeless body. (Genesis 2:7 KJV) In quick summary, at the new birth, our inner spirits are instantly transformed into a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17) and integrally joined with the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:17). We are “born again” and become one with Christ. This is a “once for all” completed work accomplished on our behalf in the past when Christ died and rose again, which I and many others call justification, even though it contains within it all five pillars of what Christ accomplished on our behalf in the New Covenant – propitiation, redemption, justification, reconciliation, and sonship. This is why the Bible tells us that those who believe already have eternal life. (John 5:24)

The salvation of the soul is an ongoing, daily process whereby we are being gradually transformed in our personalities and behavior to think, act, and speak as Christ. In this sense, our salvation is very much “in process.” I call this transformation, even though some prefer the term sanctification. It is a working out in our daily lives what God has already done in our spirits. (Philippians 2:12-13) How we obey God and allow his Spirit to inwardly conform us to Christ will have a great impact upon our heavenly reward. We need a fresh impartation of God’s grace everyday for strength to participate with the Spirit of God in this process.

Finally, we are waiting for the glorious day when our bodies, which are still under Adam’s curse of death, will be gloriously resurrected and renewed so that we finally are completely free from every vestige of the destructive power of sin and death. Our bodies will experience glorification.

For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; 21  who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself. Philippians 3:20-21 (NASB) 

Now I say this, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 51  Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, 52  in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53  For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality. 1 Corinthians 15:50-53 (NASB)

This is our hope and expectation in Christ, who promised to raise from the dead each of us who believe.

"For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day." John 6:40 (NASB)
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Basic Doctrines of Christ: The Resurrection from the Dead – Jesus Is Lord

 

 

 

 

 

Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, 2  which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, 3  concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh 4  and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, Romans 1:1-4 (ESV)

Christ’s resurrection was the most important event in human history. He died for our sins on the cross as the sacrificial Lamb of God, but he rose from the dead in glory and power as the indisputable Lord of Lords, the promised Messianic King of Israel to whom every knee will bow and who one day will judge the entire earth.

The proper response to discovering that Jesus died as God’s Lamb is to humbly and gratefully receive the provision of God’s mercy and grace it provides.

The necessary and fitting response to hearing that Jesus is the risen Lord is to make a declaration of faith and allegiance to him, which is the central meaning of water baptism.

...if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9 (ESV)

In the West we have reduced Christ’s ministry in many cases to that of the Lamb of God, instructing those who hear our message to receive him into their hearts.

The gospel of the apostles declared the lordship of the risen Christ and called hearers to acknowledge and submit to him.

The gospel is not simply a “get out of jail free” card that allows us to live free from any commitment to God. Rather it is an offer of forgiveness, justification, redemption, reconciliation, and sonship with the express purpose of making us fit subjects and obedient servants of the King.

Prayer

Jesus, I never realized my need to acknowledge you as my Lord and King. I do that now and pledge my allegiance to you. I depend on your grace and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit to enable me to be faithful to you all my days. Thank you for dying for me. Help me now to live for you. Amen.

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Basic Doctrines of Christ: The Resurrection from the Dead – Jesus Is the Resurrection

 

 

 

 

 

The apostle Paul wrote that the resurrection from the dead is the cornerstone of the Christian faith.

But if there is no resurrection of the dead, not even Christ has been raised; 14  and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain. 15  Moreover we are even found to be false witnesses of God, because we testified against God that He raised Christ, whom He did not raise, if in fact the dead are not raised. 16  For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised; 17  and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. 18  Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19  If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied. 20  But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. 1 Corinthians 15:13-20 (NASB)

Jesus offered himself as an offering for our sin by dying on the cross. Without the resurrection from the dead, he would be just another tragic and delusional historical figure who thought he was something special, when he was only a man, just like everyone else.

However, Jesus’ glorious resurrection was proof positive that his sacrifice had been accepted by his Father in heaven, who vindicated him in the eyes of his disciples.

His Second Coming at the culmination of time will glorify and vindicate him in the eyes of everyone else.

Jesus foretold his own resurrection on multiple times. He told his disciples that he would be put to death on a cross and rise again.

And he began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again. Mark 8:31 (ESV)

He told them that he would be raised from the dead as a sign prefigured in the book of Jonah.

But he answered them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40  For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. Matthew 12:39-40 (ESV)

He told his enemies that if they destroyed the temple of his body, God would raise him up again.

The Jews then said to Him, "What sign do You show us as your authority for doing these things?" 19  Jesus answered them, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." 20  The Jews then said, "It took forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?" 21  But He was speaking of the temple of His body. 22  So when He was raised from the dead, His disciples remembered that He said this; and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had spoken. John 2:18-22 (NASB)

Jesus told Martha that he would raise Lazarus from the dead because he was and is the embodiment of the resurrection.

Martha then said to Jesus, "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. 22  "Even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You." 23  Jesus *said to her, "Your brother will rise again." 24  Martha *said to Him, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day." 25  Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, 26  and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?" John 11:21-26 (NASB)

He promised his disciples that one day he would raise each of us from the dead.

And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. 40  For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.” John 6:39-40 (ESV)

Not only did Jesus rise from the tomb after dying for our sins, he is the Resurrection. Those who put their faith and allegiance in him will participate in his resurrection both now, in a spiritual sense, and physically at the Second Coming. Jesus is the resurrection and the life!

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