Category: Discipleship Foundations

Chapter 82: The Eternal State

Our state of being after death is topic in which we should be most interested. If we accept the Bible as our source of truth, we can gain many insights into this existence, but there is still some mystery to it.

God created us to live forever as a unified being consisting of a body, soul, and spirit.

Then the Lord God formed man of dust from the ground [body], and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life [spirit]; and man became a living being [soul].  Genesis 2:7 (NASB95)

The addition of a spirit to the body produced a soul. However, sin introduced death, according to God’s word.

The Lord God commanded the man, saying, “From any tree of the garden you may eat freely; 17 but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die.”  Genesis 2:16–17 (NASB95)

The day Adam ate, his body did not die, which seemed to confirm the serpent’s lie, but his spirit was cut off from its connection with God. Spiritually he died, but it took many years for it to show up in his body. Today people are born into the world with spirits that are cut off from God. Before the new birth, people are zombie-like creatures who are spiritually dead while living physically. Our souls are cut off from the Holy Spirit and only know a self-directed way of living, which is destitute of the fullness of life and joy God intended for us to have. We only experience an empty unfulfilling existence that we try to offset in any number of ways – wealth, pleasure, power, and various ways of escapism. Nevertheless, something within us yearns for more, which is only found in God. As the French philosopher wrote:

“What else does this craving, and this helplessness, proclaim but that there was once in man a true happiness, of which all that now remains is the empty print and trace? This he tries in vain to fill with everything around him, seeking in things that are not there the help he cannot find in those that are, though none can help, since this infinite abyss can be filled only with an infinite and immutable object; in other words by God himself.” – Blaise Pascal, Pensées VII(425)

Sin created a God-shaped hole in our souls that only he is able to fill.

God saw us in our lost condition and took initiative to save us.

But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, 5 that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) 6 For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus.  Ephesians 2:4–6 (NLT)

The glorious truth is that God so loved us fallen creatures that he sent his own Son to suffer the consequences of our sins, which included experiencing death, so that we can once again live forever as God originally intended when he put the tree of life in the garden.

Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.  Hebrews 2:14–15 (NKJV)
The Current State of the Saved

When we are born again, our spirits are renewed and made perfect in God’s sight through our identification with our Lord. This is a once for all time event that permanently imparts Christ’s righteousness to us. You can read more about this by going to the section on justification. Following justification, our souls enter an ongoing daily process called transformation or sanctification in which the Holy Spirit works inside us to make us more and more like Jesus. This will continue until we die or are caught up to heaven at Christ’s second coming. As our bodies await resurrection, we undergo the process of dying daily. (1 Corinthians 15:31) We may experience temporary reprieves from this march toward death through healing, but eventually we will die.

Our current state can be most perplexing since we continually experience a battle between what the Bible calls the flesh and the spirit.

For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. Galatians 5:17 (NKJV)

We are sort of bipolar in that we have a justified perfect spirit combined with a very imperfect and dying body that is still linked to the judgment of death on Adam’s sin. Paul called this a battle between the flesh and the spirit that requires us to walk by faith and not by sight.

The Current State of the Unsaved

Those who are not born-again are spiritually dead while physically alive. They are cut off from God.

In those days you were living apart from Christ. You were excluded from citizenship among the people of Israel, and you did not know the covenant promises God had made to them. You lived in this world without God and without hope.  Ephesians 2:12 (NLT)

Since existing without God is the only state unsaved people have ever known, it seems normal.

Unless God intervenes, they will continue in this condition until death and the judgment.

The Intermediate State of the Saved and Unsaved

Our existence after the physical death of the body, but before the resurrection of the dead, is called the intermediate state.

Probably the least is known about this form of existence, but the Bible does give us some information.  Some believe that at death people go into an unconscious state until the resurrection, since it is inconceivable that our souls could exist without a body. The Bible however indicates that we will have consciousness in this state.

Jesus told a parable of Lazarus and the rich man (Luke 16:19-31) which indicates that this is the case. After death, the rich man could see Lazarus enjoying his intermediate existence in a place called Abraham’s bosom, which seems to have been a holding place for the righteous before the resurrection of Christ. In contrast, the rich man was in a place of torment, but he was able to communicate, nevertheless. There was an impassable chasm between the two versions of the intermediate state.

Therefore, since I do not believe Jesus would tell a parable that leads us down a false path, we can conclude that we will have consciousness in the intermediate state and that the righteous will be blessed, but the unrighteous will be tormented.

After Christ’s resurrection, I believe he led those righteous dead in Abraham’s bosom (paradise) right into the presence of the Father. Paul later wrote about the intermediate state of the righteous dead in Christ.

Therefore, being always of good courage, and knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord— 7 for we walk by faith, not by sight— 8 we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord.  2 Corinthians 5:6–8 (NASB95)

It seems obvious that Paul is not looking forward to a state of being unconscious, but to enjoying God’s presence.

The Final State of the Wicked

If we die in an unsaved condition, we have no hope in the final state.

We will continue eternally in the state in which we died, that of being cut off from the life and presence of God.

“Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.”  John 8:24 (NASB95)

And God will provide rest for you who are being persecuted and also for us when the Lord Jesus appears from heaven. He will come with his mighty angels, 8 in flaming fire, bringing judgment on those who don’t know God and on those who refuse to obey the Good News of our Lord Jesus. 9 They will be punished with eternal destruction, forever separated from the Lord and from his glorious power.  2 Thessalonians 1:7–9 (NLT)

This eternal destruction is described in another place as the lake of fire.

And I saw a great white throne and the one sitting on it. The earth and sky fled from his presence, but they found no place to hide. 12 I saw the dead, both great and small, standing before God’s throne. And the books were opened, including the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to what they had done, as recorded in the books. 13 The sea gave up its dead, and death and the grave gave up their dead. And all were judged according to their deeds. 14 Then death and the grave were thrown into the lake of fire. This lake of fire is the second death. 15 And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire.  Revelation 20:11–15 (NLT)

Before this consignment to the lake of fire, there will be a general resurrection. (Acts 24:15) Therefore, the wicked will be cast bodily into this fire, as prophesied by Jesus.

And if your eye causes you to sin, gouge it out. It’s better to enter the Kingdom of God with only one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, 48 ‘where the maggots never die and the fire never goes out.’  Mark 9:47–48 (NLT)
 
The Eternal State of the Saved

Those who are born again have an indescribably better future. After our resurrection, we will have an eternal bodily “tent” in which to dwell.

For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down (that is, when we die and leave this earthly body), we will have a house in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands. 2 We grow weary in our present bodies, and we long to put on our heavenly bodies like new clothing. 3 For we will put on heavenly bodies; we will not be spirits without bodies. 4 While we live in these earthly bodies, we groan and sigh, but it’s not that we want to die and get rid of these bodies that clothe us. Rather, we want to put on our new bodies so that these dying bodies will be swallowed up by life.  2 Corinthians 5:1–4 (NLT)

Our final state is called glorification.

We will reflect the glory of the Lord in our entire being. From God’s point of view, this has already been accomplished, but for us who currently dwell inside time, it remains in the future.

And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory.  Romans 8:30 (NLT)

It is impossible for us to understand or appreciate fully what this will be like, since we have not experienced it yet.

Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.  1 John 3:2 (NKJV)

The eternal state will include the recreation of heaven and earth.

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. 2 And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. 4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” 5 And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!” And then he said to me, “Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.” 6 And he also said, “It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega—the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life. 7 All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be my children.  Revelation 21:1–7 (NLT)

Revelation uses apocalyptic language, which must be properly interpreted. We should take it literally unless it is obvious from context that it should not be. Not surprisingly, God says much the same in other prophecies to help us understand more fully.

But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the very elements themselves will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment. 11 Since everything around us is going to be destroyed like this, what holy and godly lives you should live, 12 looking forward to the day of God and hurrying it along. On that day, he will set the heavens on fire, and the elements will melt away in the flames. 13 But we are looking forward to the new heavens and new earth he has promised, a world filled with God’s righteousness.  2 Peter 3:10–13 (NLT)

Our eternal bodies will be able to endure this catastrophic judgment and cross over into the new eternal state of things. We do not really know what the new creation will be like, but we will fit in, being new creations ourselves. The goodness and glory of God will be reflected in everything, as was the case before the entrance of sin with the resulting spiritual blindness. There will be no danger of our being bored or unfulfilled. I assume that our revelation of God will continue through eternity. I also assume that we will have much to do as residents in this new creation, but we will have to wait to see what it will be like. One thing is for sure: we will delight ourselves with worshiping God.

Let all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; And let those who love Your salvation say continually, “Let God be magnified.”  Psalm 70:4 (NASB95)

In the meantime, we are encouraged to live with the confident expectation of our glorious eternal state with God.

Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is. 3 And all who have this eager expectation will keep themselves pure, just as he is pure.  1 John 3:2–3 (NLT)

Those who believe what the Bible says about eternal rewards and the glories to come will live in a way to maximize their joy in this life and guarantee a better resurrection in the next.

I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. 8 Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ 9 and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith. 10 I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, 11 so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead! 12 I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. 13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.  Philippians 3:7–14 (NLT)
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Chapter 81: Eternal Rewards

Over the years I have heard many say that they are not looking for rewards for serving God, as if that were a very noble thing. There is only one problem, however: it directly opposes Jesus’ teachings on the matter. Our Lord made a very big deal of how important it is for God’s people to live in a way that will gain for them a maximum reward from God.

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20  but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21 (ESV) 

People will sacrifice for what they treasure.

We learn from Jesus and other biblical authors that “laying up” heavenly reward is costly. Just as we must deny ourselves to put aside savings and investments in the natural world, it is necessary to deny ourselves to gain heavenly riches, too.

Jesus taught in the passage above that the pursuit of worldly wealth and laying up heavenly riches can be at odds. We must choose which we will prioritize.

No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money. Matthew 6:24 (ESV)

Money can be extremely useful in God’s kingdom if it is managed by someone whose heart is devoted to God. Those in whom God has put a gift of giving need money to fulfill this calling. Paul wrote about using money for God.

Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. 18 Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, 19 storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.  1 Timothy 6:17–19 (NKJV)

It is not money that is the problem: it is the love of money.

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.  1 Timothy 6:10 (NKJV)

If we make the choice to forego the pursuit of money, the thing that is most attractive to the great majority of people, it stands to reason that there must be something even better being offered by God.

Surely our Lord is not asking us to deny ourselves in this life just to be masochistic.

Paul the apostle was a man who willingly gave up worldly wealth, prestige, and power to follow Christ. What motivated him? Here are his stated reasons.

Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9  and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— 10  that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11  that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. Philippians 3:8-11 (ESV)

Paul received a clear revelation of Christ that motivated him to pursue a lifetime of costly service to his Lord. He suffered quite a lot and was finally martyred, but to him it was all worth it.

Our willingness to deny ourselves in the pursuit of Christ and his kingdom indicates how much we treasure the rewards God offers.

Likewise, our unwillingness to sacrifice in the here and now for what is promised in eternity means we probably do not even believe it is true, at least not at a “gut” level. Or perhaps we simply don’t care. I am not sure which is worse.

The following passage is a sad biblical example of this in operation.

Now Jacob cooked a stew; and Esau came in from the field, and he was weary. 30 And Esau said to Jacob, “Please feed me with that same red stew, for I am weary.” Therefore his name was called Edom. 31 But Jacob said, “Sell me your birthright as of this day.” 32 And Esau said, “Look, I am about to die; so what is this birthright to me?” 33 Then Jacob said, “Swear to me as of this day.” So he swore to him, and sold his birthright to Jacob. 34 And Jacob gave Esau bread and stew of lentils; then he ate and drank, arose, and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright.  Genesis 25:29–34 (NKJV)

Paul probably had this passage in mind when he wrote the following:

For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things.  Philippians 3:18–19 (NKJV)

Jesus taught his followers that we should perform acts of love because of the attached reward.

He said also to the man who had invited him, “When you give a dinner or a banquet, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, lest they also invite you in return and you be repaid. 13  But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, 14  and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just.” Luke 14:12-14 (ESV) 

Jesus not only taught this principle: he lived by it. As he approached his crucifixion, he weighed the price he was about to pay against the reward that lay ahead in heaven. The author of the Letter to the Hebrews informs us that Jesus endured the cross because of the joy that awaited him at the end. (Hebrews 12:2)

It is a good practice to weigh the cost of serving God against the joy of our heavenly reward.

Every time we choose between immediate gratification and the reward that God promises to those who love and serve him, we please and glorify God and become spiritually richer. Otherwise, we put ourselves in danger of becoming like the rich fool who lost everything while trying to hoard his wealth.

Then He spoke a parable to them, saying: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. 17 And he thought within himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?’ 18 So he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.” ’ 20 But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’ 21 “So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”  Luke 12:16–21 (NKJV)

There is an intense battle associated with the choice to live for heavenly reward. Only those who have faith will be able to choose well.

The world system, flesh-oriented people, and the devil will tell us that expending our lives for Jesus is a waste.

When the woman poured the expensive bottle of perfume upon Jesus’ feet, she was rebuked by worldly minded disciples.

And being in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, as He sat at the table, a woman came having an alabaster flask of very costly oil of spikenard. Then she broke the flask and poured it on His head. 4 But there were some who were indignant among themselves, and said, “Why was this fragrant oil wasted? 5 For it might have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor.” And they criticized her sharply. 6 But Jesus said, “Let her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a good work for Me. 7 For you have the poor with you always, and whenever you wish you may do them good; but Me you do not have always. 8 She has done what she could. She has come beforehand to anoint My body for burial. 9 Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her.”  Mark 14:3–9 (NKJV)

Nothing we expend upon Jesus out of devotion and worship to him is ever a waste.

It is important that love be our motivation; otherwise, our sacrifice may be in vain.

And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.  1 Corinthians 13:3 (NKJV)

Over our lifetimes we demonstrate whether God and his promises mean more to us than what this world has to offer. We do not want to wrongly invest our lives in things that do not matter to God. Right now, we still can put God first. There will come a day when it will be too late to make changes, as it was for Esau.

Make sure that no one is immoral or godless like Esau, who traded his birthright as the firstborn son for a single meal. 17  You know that afterward, when he wanted his father’s blessing, he was rejected. It was too late for repentance, even though he begged with bitter tears. Hebrews 12:16-17 (NLT) 

But when we do choose for God, Jesus promises a sure and lasting reward.

Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, 30  who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life. Mark 10:29-30 (ESV)

The apostle Peter, who heard Jesus say these words, took it to heart and lived accordingly.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4  to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you... 1 Peter 1:3-4 (ESV) 

Should we be rewarded for serving God? Yes, according to Jesus. Even though our ability to serve God comes through grace and is a gift from God, our choice to serve him is so priceless to God that he celebrates it by pouring out even more blessings upon us.

We cannot overestimate how much God appreciates people who lay down their lives in service to him.

For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because of your name as followers of Christ, truly I say to you, he will not lose his reward.  Mark 9:41 (NASB95)

God is extravagant. He will richly reward us beyond our imagination.

But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.  Ephesians 2:4–7 (NKJV)
What Will These Rewards Look Like?

It is impossible for us to comprehend the wonders and glory that await us in eternity.

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)

In another verse it compares variations in reward to how stars differ in brightness, which is an obvious reference to our somehow reflecting God’s glory in varying degrees.

And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, Some to everlasting life, Some to shame and everlasting contempt. 3 Those who are wise shall shine Like the brightness of the firmament, And those who turn many to righteousness Like the stars forever and ever.  Daniel 12:2–3 (NKJV)
There are also celestial bodies and terrestrial bodies; but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. 41 There is one glory of the sun, another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differs from another star in glory. 42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption.  1 Corinthians 15:40–42 (NKJV)

Jesus spoke of heavenly reward in terms of how a master would repay a servant for being faithful.

His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’  Matthew 25:23 (NKJV)

The idea here is that being faithful in carrying out responsibilities gains a reward of praise from the master and added responsibility. This would not be appealing if we are lazy or irresponsible. But for those who find joy in service, it is attractive. In contrast, according to the Lord, lazy servants will be punished. (Matthew 25:26) In heaven, we will have responsibilities and work to do, it appears.

Heavenly reward is compared to an inheritance in several places in the Bible.

All the nations will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will place the sheep at his right hand and the goats at his left. 34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world.  Matthew 25:32–34 (NLT)

Peter said this inheritance is ours because of the new birth through which we have become children of God.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.  1 Peter 1:3–5 (NKJV)

Paul agreed with Peter and added that the Holy Spirit guarantees it.

In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.  Ephesians 1:13–14 (NKJV)

In another place, however, it seems that our obedience will influence our inheritance.

And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. 25 But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality.  Colossians 3:23–25 (NKJV)

One of God’s unchangeable principles is the law of sowing and reaping. We gain an inheritance because of what Christ did for us, but that inheritance will be measured to us based on our obedience to God.

In God’s mysterious economy, his sovereignty never dispenses with our need to act responsibly. Grace never precludes obedience. In fact, it is quite the opposite. Grace leads to good works, and grace produces obedience.

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.  Titus 2:11–14 (NKJV)

Those who serve God with a whole heart in the pursuit of God’s honor and glory will store up for themselves eternal unfading reward. Those who belong to Christ but do not choose heavenly riches, will still be saved, but without acquiring what could have been theirs.

According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. 11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. 14 If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.  1 Corinthians 3:10–15 (NKJV)

The Bible makes it clear that in either case, full of rewards or suffering loss, heaven will be a place of eternal joy. I suppose once we get past the judgment and meting out of rewards, we all will be simply amazed and overcome at the mercy, grace, and glory of God. There will be no room at all for any sort of regret or sadness.

I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. 4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”  Revelation 21:3–4 (NLT)

The sure conclusion is that whatever the cost associated with honoring and obeying God here on earth will all be worth it.

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Chapter 80: The Last Judgment

Next to receiving a visit from the Grim Reaper, perhaps the most feared future event for many people is the prospect of facing God in judgment after death. Most of us realize that we have failed to live up to God’s holy standards of righteousness and wonder what he will say to us. Many, however, do not believe that God will judge people at all. They hold that God either does not exist or loves people too much to condemn anyone and will benevolently give everyone a “pass.” Such a view has God ignoring all sin and injustice in the name of love. He is ready to admit everyone to eternal bliss, even those who despised God and took pleasure in evil and hurting others. What does the Bible have to say?

Everything as we know it now will come to an end one day. Everything in this world upon which people pin their hopes will eventually cease to exist. According to the Bible, even the earth and heavens will “wear out like a garment” and pass away. (Psalm 102:25-26, Isaiah 51:6, Hebrews 1:10-12) In their place will be something new and amazing. But until that day arrives, the Bible teaches us that when our physical lives are completed, we will die, and, after that comes judgment.

And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment, 28 so also Christ was offered once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for him.  Hebrews 9:27–28 (NLT)

Whether we look toward that day with dread or delight depends on our relationship with the Judge.

Does Justice Matter to God?

I know a man who insists that God will never judge or condemn anyone; yet, I saw this person become very angry over a perceived injustice. Something in him hates it when anyone is treated unfairly. What gives? Can we have it both ways? Can we believe that a loving God does not really care about injustice when we care so much?

The truth is that if God is not just, he is not good.

No amount of love and forbearance allows a judge to overlook crimes against humanity. Very imperfect humans expect more from other humans. Either God is just, or he is not good and loving.

The Bible says that God loves justice. It is part of his nature.

The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he. Deuteronomy 32:4 (ESV)

God’s justice, which is part of his goodness and character, poses a huge problem for us.

Injustice is rooted in the human condition due to the perversion produced by sin. Even though people seem to universally hate injustice, we are all guilty perpetrators of the same to some degree or another.

Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. 2  We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things. Romans 2:1-2 (ESV) 

God is good and we are not. God is just and we are not. Therefore, we have a problem. We hate injustice, but we don’t want to have to face up to our own sins and failures. Ultimately, however, we will answer to God for our own participation in injustice and evil.

Jesus, the Judge

Jesus taught his disciples that he has authority to judge all people.

Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. 26  For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. 27  And he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man. 28  Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice 29  and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment. John 5:25-29 (ESV)

No one I know has died and come back to life. Granted, some tell of having near death or temporary death experiences from which they recovered. I believe that these should be viewed somewhat skeptically, unless they agree with the Bible. Even then, we realize that it is one thing to be dead for three days and rise again compared to being “out” for a few minutes.

Jesus the Lord is the only person who died and rose again without ever dying again.

According to the Bible, he pre-existed before coming to earth (John 1:1), at which time he took upon himself our human condition minus our inherited “sin nature,” in fulfillment of promises made to Abraham (Genesis 22:18) and King David (2 Samuel 7:12-13). Fulfilling the prophecies of Isaiah (Isaiah 53:4-6) and John the Baptist (John 1:29), he gave up his life as a sacrifice for our sins. Three days later, he rose again from the dead, demonstrating that his sacrifice on our behalf was accepted by God. His resurrection also vindicated Jesus in the eyes of his disciples and all who would later believe in him. Forty days later he ascended into heaven, where he now rules as Lord of Lords and from where he poured out the Holy Spirit upon the church. (Acts 2:32-36) The Bible says that, at the appointed time, he will return to judge the living and the dead.

And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. Acts 10:42 (ESV)

Jesus’ voluntary sacrificial death and resurrection can only be understood against the demands of God’s justice.

Mankind in general and each of us individually owed God a just debt in payment for our sins that we were completely unable to pay. Bankrupt people cannot pay off their creditors. Jesus, who lived in complete submission to his heavenly Father, was the only one with enough spiritual “credit” (righteousness) who could pay the debt, which he did at great cost to himself. The “wages” of sin is death, which is what Jesus paid. (Romans 6:23) In recognition for his amazing act of sacrificial love and obedience, God the Father elevated Jesus to the highest rank in the universe – Lord of Lords.

And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.  Philippians 2:8–11 (NKJV)

Jesus is now the One God the Father chose to one day judge all people to finally set things right in the universe with respect to divine justice.

God’s Standard of Judgment
As I looked, thrones were placed, and the Ancient of Days took his seat; his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames; its wheels were burning fire.10  A stream of fire issued and came out from before him; a thousand thousands served him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him; the court sat in judgment, and the books were opened. Daniel 7:9-10 (ESV)

Daniel the prophet was given this vision of the coming Day of the Lord, when God will judge all people who ever lived. This heavenly courtroom scene is both majestic and terrible. The Judge is Someone called the Ancient of Days, whose presence creates awe and dread. Is there anything here on earth that can prepare us for what that day will be like?

“And the books were opened.” If you are like me, I would like to know what are those books? Is there something in them about you and me? God gave John the apostle a similar vision when he was exiled on the Isle of Patmos for his bold testimony and faith in Jesus the Messiah. Here is his written record of that experience.

Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. 12  And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. 13  And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. 14  Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. 15  And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. Revelation 20:11-15 (ESV)

According to this and other Bible passages, the books that will be opened before the Ancient of Days contain a written record of how each of us lived here on earth during the time allotted to us.

This will include, according to Jesus, not only what we did, but also what we said. (Matthew 12:36) Our utterances are what we might consider to be verbal deeds. And according to the Bible, even our thoughts and intentions will be made known, which makes this an even more horrifying spectacle. (Hebrews 4:12, Ecclesiastes 12:14) None of us desires our worst thoughts to be made public, but that is what is going to happen. Imagine a book that contains all the thoughts, words, and deeds we ever had or did!

Another question we might ask ourselves is by what standard our thoughts, words, and deeds will be measured? Will we be compared to other people from our socio-economic group who lived about the same time as we, or will we be graded against all people who ever lived? Will we only be scored against others from our own religious grouping, or against all other world religions? Will we be graded “on a curve,” which would allow most of us to pass, despite our poor showing? But what if some, as is often the case, did so well that a normal “curve” no longer applies? What if someone made a perfect score? And what if we did not even believe that there was such a person as the Ancient of Days? Will we get a do over?

The Bible reveals that the Law is God’s standard for judging people. It reveals to us what God’s holiness looks like and what he expects of us.

The Ten Commandments are the bare essence of this standard. When we consider our lives against these commands, some of us might think we will come away fairly well at the Last Judgment. Most of us have never murdered anyone, right? That is, unless abortion is murder, or, as Jesus taught, being angry with someone is tantamount to committing murder. (Matthew 5:22) What if hatred or harboring a grudge and wishing ill on another is in the same category as murder?

Jesus taught that God looks at the thoughts and intentions of the heart, not just what we had the nerve to perform.

What about adultery? It might once have been true that most people have never committed adultery, but perhaps not today. Adultery, like murder, under the Law was punishable by death. It is an extremely serious offense in God’s eyes, which are the only eyes that will matter at the Last Judgment. Jesus raised the bar even higher when he told his followers that, if we lust after another person in our hearts, we are guilty of adultery. (Matthew 5:28) Does this mean that lustful thoughts are worthy of death? Since lust is a sin, its wages demand death. (Romans 6:23)

God created us to live in harmony and dependence upon him. We sin when we choose to go our own way in disobedience to his clear commands and try to live without consideration or reference to God.

Sin is not just when we do “bad things” like murder. It is also includes when we do the most evil thing of all – forsake God.

Sin began in the Garden of Eden and has been passed down genetically and spiritually to all of their descendants. As a result, we were born with an inner propensity to sin and have all contributed our part, spreading sin and rebellion against God to the far corners of the earth. We have all fallen short of God’s glorious standard of right living.

Every single human being who has ever lived a self-directed life apart from God will inherit death because such a life defines what death is – existence apart from God.

…when the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, 8 dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9 These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, 10 when He comes to be glorified in His saints on that day, and to be marveled at among all who have believed—for our testimony to you was believed. 11 To this end also we pray for you always, that our God will count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith with power, 12 so that the name of our Lord Jesus will be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.  2 Thessalonians 1:7–12 (NASB95)

We may not like God’s holy standard, but it is the one by which we will be judged.

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, Romans 3:23 (ESV)
The Gospel of Justice and Judgment

Paul preached these words to onlookers while he stood in the middle of the Areopagus in Athens, Greece.

“God overlooked people’s ignorance about these things in earlier times, but now he commands everyone everywhere to repent of their sins and turn to him. 31  For he has set a day for judging the world with justice by the man he has appointed, and he proved to everyone who this is by raising him from the dead.” Acts 17:30-31 (NLT)

The announcement that Jesus will come again to judge the living and the dead is integral to the gospel message.

Jesus is not the symbol of a “feel good” religion which affirms everyone’s beliefs and behavior. Rather, he is a very real person, who lived, died, came alive again, and still lives in a glorious spiritual body, waiting in heaven until the appointed time for his return, when he will raise the dead and judge all people according to their works. (John 5:19-29)

The Apostle Peter said that Jesus instructed his followers to focus on this part of the Gospel message.

And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. 43  To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” Acts 10:42-43 (ESV)

Jesus, the only One who really knows what will take place after we die, made it abundantly clear that he will judge every person who ever lived. Jesus has the right to judge mankind because he chose to absorb God’s judgment against humanity on our behalf. All who declare their allegiance to Christ the Lord and believe in his atoning sacrifice are made right with God.

If we spurn this generous offer, we condemn themselves to endure God’s just judgment against such arrogant rebellion. We judge ourselves to be “unworthy of eternal life” when we refuse to believe the gospel. (Acts 13:46)

Now What?

In today’s world, it is not popular or “politically correct” to announce that Jesus will come again to judge people, assigning them either to eternal blessedness or eternal damnation. This generation has largely rejected God and his truth. It demands tolerance for sins and cannot imagine or believe in a God that could be so intolerant! People who reject the gospel ask what right do we have to think that Jesus is the only Way to God? Nevertheless, that is the clear teaching of Jesus in the Bible (John 14:6) and is part of the gospel message.

If Jesus is who the Bible says he is, there is no other way to God and no other way to escape condemnation at the last judgment.

He is the only One who took our just condemnation upon himself; so, we don’t have to endure God’s wrath against sin for eternity.

Gospel means “good news,” and good news gets even better when it’s contrasted with any bad news we might be expecting. Most of us are familiar with the photos taken at the announcement that the second World War had ended. Joyous celebrations erupted. People celebrated exuberantly because that horrible period finally ended. Soldiers who previously faced the prospect of invading Japan now enjoyed the hope of soon returning home.

It is only when we properly fear having to face God’s holy justice as sinners that we can appreciate the good news that Jesus already did it for us.

One of the main deceptions of Satan is to convince people that they have no need of what Jesus came to provide for us. The alluring song of Satan is “I’m okay and you’re okay. Don’t worry. Be happy. Enjoy life. When you die, your existence is over. Don’t fret yourself about it.” Reality, however, is that this life is our opportunity to learn to trust God. If we reject God’s offer of salvation through Christ, there will be hell to pay, literally. After all, it’s what we sinners deserve anyway.

No one goes to damnation without choosing it. To reject the gospel is to choose to face God’s wrath against sin and end up in the lake of fire for eternity.

The Bible says that, because of sin, people come into this world without God and without hope. (Ephesians 2:12-13) It says that we are dead in sin and enemies of God. (Romans 5:6-11) Jesus said that eternal suffering awaits those who reject his message. (John 8:23-24 and Mark 9:43) Paul declared that the future for such people will be an eternity separated from God’s presence. (2 Thessalonians 1:5-10) I don’t know about you, but that all sounds very bad indeed. Is it wise to dismiss such dire warnings? Since we have no empirical proof, is it safe to declare that we do not believe there is a God or an afterlife? I choose to believe the one person who rose from the dead and subsequently ascended into heaven rather than any number of people who have not yet died. One day we will all know firsthand whether or not the Bible is correct regarding the coming judgment! Then it will be too late for those who did not declare allegiance to Jesus.

The Only Way to Escape the Coming Judgment

But, if we do accept that all people will eventually stand before God, what are our prospects at the last judgment? Jesus taught his followers that those who put their faith and allegiance in him will never be condemned.

I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life. John 5:24 (NLT)

Putting our faith and allegiance in Jesus will give us a “pass” from ever being condemned for the bad things we have thought, said, or done! How can that be? It’s really very simple: he already underwent judgment on our behalf. He stood before Pilate as an innocent man but was condemned to die.

The just One died in place of those who deserved to die, thus winning our release from condemnation. Debts cannot be justly paid twice.

The logic is inescapable, but it requires that we lay aside any notion of our own worthiness before God, which should not be too difficult for any honest person. Once we grasp just how bad we are, we will be overjoyed to accept God’s provision of his innocent Lamb, who died to take away the sins of the world.

Click here to see all the articles in this series.
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Grumbling against God’s Appointed Authority – the Traitor in Us

This test reveals whether we will support God’s delegated authority in our lives or choose to speak against and perhaps even try to overthrow it.

We are prone to fail this temptation because the “old man” is proud, rebellious, and judgmental. We realize that leaders are people just like us, who always have quite obvious faults and failings. We can grow dissatisfied with their leadership and start viewing them with a critical eye. If this goes unchecked, it can lead to outright rebellion and participation in an overthrow attempt. In 1 Corinthians 10:10, Paul refers to one such case in Numbers, when Korah attempted to unseat Moses as Israel’s leader. God promptly destroyed him, his family, and his associates – a total of 14,700 people! We can read all about it in Numbers 16:1-35.

It might startle us to discover how much God hates this behavior since grumbling and complaining against delegated authority are considered to be an American birthright of sorts. Our constitutional republic gives us the privilege of electing those who govern us. Since our leaders’ authority indirectly derives from the people via the election process, we may feel free to fearlessly criticize and judge them. But this is not God’s way, especially when it comes to spiritual authority. This does not mean we are not allowed to use discernment regarding others, but we should always try to maintain an attitude of humility. This can get tricky when people in authority abuse and misuse their position and power to harm those they govern. In these cases, it may be necessary to speak up against these abuses or even to resist them, but always in the fear of the Lord.

It is one thing to honestly resist the illegitimate use of authority and quite another to grumble and complain.

In the case mentioned in Numbers, unbelief and pride combined to fuel the rebellion of Korah and his followers, producing something God hates.

Moses was appointed by God and carrying out the Lord’s will. We have a responsibility to support godly leaders in their attempt to discharge their responsibility to oversee God’s people!

Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you. Hebrews 13:17 (ESV)

When Korah defied Moses, he seemed to have some good arguments, but he was fundamentally in the wrong. Like the rest of us, Moses had flaws, but he was still God’s appointed leader. God uses flawed people.

When Korah attacked Moses, without realizing it, he attacked God’s authority, too.

Judgment was swift. Today we don’t always see such quick retribution against those who undermine authority, but be assured that God has not changed his mind about this sin. Judgment will surely come! We always reap what we sow.

If, God forbid, we find ourselves in a situation in which we believe our church leadership is in error, we should approach them humbly and voice our concerns. If there is no remedy, we may find ourselves having to choose between resisting those in authority or finding another church. A general principle is that it is probably better to find a new church with trustworthy leadership than to engage in resisting the existing leadership in a local church. Sometimes we may need to give God “space” or time to work in the hearts of leadership. Patience is a needed fruit of the Spirit. In all situations, we need guidance from the Lord.

Application

If we have become critical of those God has placed in authority over us, it is very important for us to change our tune. This is no small matter. If we need to confront a leader for some reason, we should do so with a humble attitude. Properly regarding, honoring, and following God-appointed leadership is crucial to our spiritual well-being.

We pass the fourth big test by learning how to properly relate to and live under delegated authority, trusting that God is bigger than all who have such authority and is at work in their lives, too.

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Putting Christ to the Test – The Rebel in Us

The third big test we all will face at one time or another is connected to our choice to be satisfied with God and content with what he is allowing us to experience or to cave to grumbling and complaining.

We will be able to pass this test if we discover that God satisfies our deepest longings no matter what our circumstances may be. We can choose to praise God at all times, refusing to knuckle under to our tendency to complain. If we fail this test, we will find ourselves in the unhappy situation of discovering that God is not our first love after all, and our happiness depends on things “going our way.”

This is called “tempting” God because it tests the limits of his patience and can provoke his anger.

How dare we his creatures complain against our maker? How dare we who have been redeemed by the blood of God’s own Son demand anything at all? Truly he has already given us all things in Christ.

The passage to which Paul alludes in 1 Corinthians 10:9 is found in Numbers.

Then they set out from Mount Hor by the way of the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom; and the people became impatient because of the journey. 5  The people spoke against God and Moses, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we loathe this miserable food.” 6  The LORD sent fiery serpents among the people and they bit the people, so that many people of Israel died. Numbers 21:4-6 (NASB)

Even though the Israelites saw God deliver them from Pharaoh’s despotism and the cruel slavery they experienced in Egypt, at this point on their journey in the wilderness they only cared about their current physical needs.

They did not know God’s character or ways; so, they judged their situation by their circumstances, reasoning that either God did not really care for them or that he was unable to provide for them.

Both of these accusations reveal a deep seated rebellion against God that originated with Satan, who inspired Eve and Adam with the same doubts in the Garden of Eden.

When we doubt God’s love, character, and ability to care for us, it is a slap in his face and tests his patience. The Israelites dared God to judge their lousy rebellious attitude, and they got what they requested.

We learn from this passage and others like it that God absolutely hates complaining, grumbling, and rebellion against him, his authority, and his provision. For those of us who have parented children, we know that sometimes kids get progressively “out of hand.” When this happens, things usually will trend towards getting worse unless we, the parents, take care of our responsibility to discipline them. As adults, we can allow ourselves to “get out of hand,” too.

If we start grousing and complaining against God and life in general we have crossed the line. If this becomes a habit for us, we need to realize that in God’s eyes it is a serious sin, one for which he will discipline us because it reveals a sullen rebellious attitude against him.

Ironically, at this stage of their wilderness journey, God really was in the process of killing most of them as they had requested. As a group, except for Joshua and Caleb, they previously defied the Lord’s command by refusing to enter and conquer Canaan. Their fear kept them from inheriting what God had promised. Here is what they said.

Then all the congregation raised a loud cry, and the people wept that night. 2  And all the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron. The whole congregation said to them, “Would that we had died in the land of Egypt! Or would that we had died in this wilderness! 3  Why is the LORD bringing us into this land, to fall by the sword? Our wives and our little ones will become a prey. Would it not be better for us to go back to Egypt?” 4  And they said to one another, “Let us choose a leader and go back to Egypt.” Numbers 14:1-4 (ESV)

Rather than obey God, they complained that it would be better to die in the wilderness! God warned them that they would see their wish come true: all the adults who rebelled against him would die in the wilderness. Their “little ones,” however, would be the generation who would obey and go into the land.

Fear, grumbling, rebellion, and disobedience put God to the test and try his patience with us.

All of us have the propensity to rebel, complain, and sin against God. All of us have to be taken into the “wilderness” in order to learn how to trust and obey him.

And you shall remember that the LORD your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not. 3 So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the LORD. Deuteronomy 8:2–3 (NKJV)

The difficulties we endure are custom designed by God to help us grow spiritually, if we keep our eyes on him. (Romans 8:28) Otherwise, we may find ourselves on the wrong side of this test.

Paul discovered the secret of contentment.

Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:11–13 (NKJV)

Like King David before him, he learned to praise God at all times.

I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2 My soul shall make its boast in the LORD; The humble shall hear of it and be glad. Psalm 34:1–2 (NKJV)

Only the proud in heart complain against God and demand that he change things to suit us. This is a “hard pill” for our pride to “swallow.”

If we find that we habitually complain against God and find it difficult to be satisfied with him no matter what our situation, it is time for us to repent.

Grousing and complaining reveal hearts that are ungratefully out of sync with God.

Faith never complains, because it believes Romans 8:28 – God is working out all things for the good of those who belong to him. We can choose to act and speak as if we believe this and thereby bring glory to God.

We pass the third test by continually praising God.

Prayer

Lord, please forgive me for the times I tried your patience by refusing to acknowledge you in all things. Holy Spirit, help me to cooperate with your transformation process by choosing to praise, even when things are difficult and confusing. I believe that you always have my best interests at heart. I love you and consecrate myself to you once again. Amen.

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Immorality – The Infidelity in Us

Whereas test #1 exposes any remaining idolatry in our hearts; test #2 searches our hearts to ferret out any moral infidelity so that we can confess that to the Lord and be set free.

Balaam was a false prophet whom King Balak hired to speak curses over the nation of Israel as they marched through the wilderness heading for Canaan. God forbade him from doing so, and, much to Balak’s horror, he spoke blessings and some amazing prophecies over God’s chosen people instead. We learn from this true story that the devil has no power to curse those whom God has blessed.

“For there is no sorcery against Jacob, Nor any divination against Israel. It now must be said of Jacob And of Israel, ‘Oh, what God has done!’ Numbers 23:23 (NKJV)

However, this evil man devised a devilish alternate plan for bringing destruction to Israel by inciting them to sin, which incurred God’s judgment. He and Balak sent idol worshiping Midianite women to lure Israelite men into sexual immorality and idolatry. This rebellious infidelity to God brought down God’s judgment upon the entire nation.

Now Israel remained in Acacia Grove, and the people began to commit harlotry with the women of Moab. 2 They invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods, and the people ate and bowed down to their gods. 3 So Israel was joined to Baal of Peor, and the anger of the LORD was aroused against Israel. Numbers 25:1–3 (NKJV)

Since Balaam had not been able to curse Israel, he lured God’s people into bringing God’s judgment upon themselves.

As Moses and those who remained faithful to God considered what to do, one of the sons of an important clan leader blatantly sinned in full view of the camp, taking a foreign woman into his tent.

Just then one of the Israelite men brought a Midianite woman into his tent, right before the eyes of Moses and all the people, as everyone was weeping at the entrance of the Tabernacle. Numbers 25:6 (NLT)

Phinehas, Aaron’s grandson, took action and drove a spear through both the offending man and the woman, stopping God’s plague of judgment from going any further. In today’s morally lax and tolerant world, this sort of behavior seems very strange indeed and even reprehensible, but the Bible praises Phinehas for this display of devotion to the Lord and his holiness. We learn from this something about the utmost seriousness of sin, especially immorality and idolatry. Sin should never be taken lightly. It is what nailed our Lord Jesus to the cross. Nevertheless, the plague from God killed 24,000 Israelites before it was stopped. (Numbers 25:1-17)

Balaam’s strategy came from Satan and is still operational today. Satan cannot curse God’s people; so, he tempts us to sin against God, which always brings negative consequences.

Mankind betrayed God in the Garden of Eden, choosing to go his own way instead of God’s. Sinful infidelity (the “flesh”) lurks in the human heart ever since, making us susceptible to temptation to sexual immorality. In order to incite us to lust, we are bombarded with graphic sexual images on the internet, TV, the movies, and in other forms of media. Modern culture has largely acquiesced by declaring that sexual transgressions are not really wrong after all. Young people are taught that having sex outside of marriage is normal and natural, and they are encouraged and expected to engage in such activity. The availability of birth control and easy abortions provides a way for people to avoid the natural consequences associated with this sort of sin. Modern medicine has even made STDs less scary.

Nevertheless, one can never truly escape the consequences of sin. Indelible marks are left on our souls and sometimes our bodies, which only the blood of Jesus can cleanse and heal.

God’s commandments always have our best interests in mind, and we violate them at our own peril. Ultimately, we will all give an account to Jesus at the Last Judgment for how we lived and obeyed him. Sexual sin can rob us of heavenly reward and also brings destruction into our lives in the present. It tries to fill our thoughts, thus distracting us from the one thing that should consume us – our love for and devotion to the Lord.

Paul told Timothy:

Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. 19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s. 1 Corinthians 6:18–20 (NKJV)

Families and lives are ruined by sexual transgressions. We reap what we sow. Solomon warned of the dangers associated with failing the test of sexual immorality.

Now therefore, listen to me, my children; Pay attention to the words of my mouth: 25 Do not let your heart turn aside to her (the immoral woman's) ways, Do not stray into her paths; 26 For she has cast down many wounded, And all who were slain by her were strong men. 27 Her house is the way to hell, Descending to the chambers of death. Proverbs 7:24–27 (NKJV)

Ironically, this wise man horribly failed this test. We should not imagine that we are somehow immune to the power of this temptation. Many otherwise strong people have succumbed.

Emotional bonds are formed outside of the marriage covenant through having sex, and scars are left when these relationships are broken. This is serious stuff! God will not be mocked. Sin has consequences, and all of them are bad. (Galatians 6:7)

Jude warned us that even some who profess to be followers of Christ will go off the path and try to take others with them. Many who claim to be Christ followers today have fallen for the lie that God does not really care that much about moral holiness.

I say this because some ungodly people have wormed their way into your churches, saying that God’s marvelous grace allows us to live immoral lives. The condemnation of such people was recorded long ago, for they have denied our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. Jude 1:4 (NLT)

God’s mercy and grace should never be used as an excuse to indulge in sexual immorality. Even though I am convinced that the Lord will not take away our eternal relationship with him if we sin, we should nevertheless fear the discipline of the Lord. He is not playing games when it comes to this test and will do whatever he sees fit to bring us to repentance and set us free.

Wise people do not test the limits of God’s patience.

It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. Hebrews 10:31 (NKJV)

Why not rather heed God’s admonitions and flee immorality?

Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. 1 Corinthians 6:18 (NKJV)

God will reward us for resisting temptations to immorality. We can only do this by what the Bible calls “walking in the Spirit,” by relying on the combination of a proper fear of the Lord and the grace of God. With God’s help, we can do this! (You can read more about “walking in the Spirit” by clicking here.)

Application

If you have been flirting with or engaging in sexual immorality, or if you have been listening to arguments and reasoning that says it’s no big deal, beware! This is the second of the four big wipe out tests. I encourage all of us to recommit ourselves to setting apart our bodies and hearts for the Lord. Resist sexual temptation and stay away from opportunities to sin. It may be helpful to you to become accountable to some trustworthy loving person, who can assist you to keep your commitments to the Lord. Don’t throw away your heavenly reward for temporary pleasure. Pass the second test by standing strong against sexual temptation.

See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled; 16  that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal. 17  For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears. Hebrews 12:15-17 (ESV)
Prayer

Lord, please forgive me for entertaining immorality. I confess it to you and want to be set free. Guide me, Holy Spirit, in whatever steps you want me to take. Amen.

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Chapter 79: The Resurrection

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 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, but he is also 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!

Glorification

As I covered previously, our great salvation affects all three parts of our being – spirit, soul, and body. The resurrection is the final installment of that salvation which begins with the new birth, a spiritual resurrection. When we are physically raised from the dead, our bodies, which are presently still under Adam’s curse of death, will be gloriously renewed so that we finally will be completely free from every vestige of the destructive power of sin and death. Our bodies will experience glorification.

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.

Two Resurrections

As with most things God does, 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. To deflect honor and glory from God, man accepted Satan’s lie called evolution, which is 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, is “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.”

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

This daily “walking out” of our inner spiritual life is called 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 in sanctification.

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.

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

…Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. 5 But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.  Revelation 20:4–6 (NKJV)

Those who believe in Christ before the Second Coming have been spiritually raised from the dead and are seated with him in heavenly places sharing his authority even now. The second death, the lake of fire, will not be their destiny, for they have already passed from death to life and will never be condemned. (John 5:28-29)

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)

Jesus also taught that there are two resurrections, a 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 partial understanding of the end times, but she did not understand then 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.

Jesus promised Martha that those who put their faith in him “will never die.” This means 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.

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 is neutral in the sense that it can be employed for good and evil. On the evil side of the equation, we can imagine ourselves doing evil, as when we engage in sinful fantasies. Imagination in the worst sense can lead us down a path that has no basis in reality or truth. It can be used in a good way to help us conceive of real places or truths beyond what we have yet experienced. Many great advances have been made by those whose imagination fueled innovation. Many great deceptions have originated from those whose imaginations run contrary to God’s Word. When it comes to the resurrection and what lies ahead for those who trust in Christ after our earthly lives comes to an end, 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 happened to him that made him different. 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 ate 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 [soul]”; 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 looking after it germinates and sprouts. We get a complete plant that produces more seeds! The seed we plant must “die” before it can “be resurrected” 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 can interface with both the physical and spiritual worlds. 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.

The Resurrection Principle in Everyday Life

One of the tendencies with any doctrine is postponing fulfillment until the indefinite future. This is what Martha did regarding the resurrection just before Jesus restored life to her brother Lazarus.

When Jesus returns in glory, he will indeed raise us from the dead, but even now we can experience resurrection life daily.

There is only one problem associated with this process, however: to experience resurrection there must first be a death.

Imagine the horror Jesus may have felt as he hung on the cross and experienced separation from his Father when 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 when what the Bible calls a “terror of great darkness” (Genesis 15:12) came upon him. It was at this time that God confirmed to Abraham the everlasting covenant. This was a picture of what took place later at Calvary.

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 fully experienced the horror of darkness that Abraham felt somewhat. Nevertheless, God required Abraham to go through it. In a sense, Abraham experienced death as a precondition of coming into the promise.

Later in Abraham’s story, the death-resurrection principle played out again. God asked Abraham to sacrifice Isaac, the long-awaited son of promise! Amazingly Abraham immediately obeyed without questioning God and was ready to complete the act when an angel stopped him. This foreshadowed Father God’s actual sacrifice of his Son upon the cross from which there was no reprieve. 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)

Abraham’s obedience 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 at his time, we experience 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 asks us to cease trying 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, he relinquished all attempts to save himself and 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 be willing to experience God’s resurrection power, we must have faith in his faithfulness.

To experience the resurrection principle, it is important for us to embrace the process. We must first die to be raised. What has God promised to us that seems hopeless at this point? Have we released it into God’s hands in faith, or have we simply given up? Do trust him to yet bring it to pass, or have we resorted to employing our own devices? If we can give it back to God, trusting in his loving faithfulness, he will yet bring his promises to pass.

…For Abraham is the father of all who believe. 17 That is what the Scriptures mean when God told him, “I have made you the father of many nations.” This happened because Abraham believed in the God who brings the dead back to life and who creates new things out of nothing. 18 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!”  Romans 4:16–18 (NLT)
Click here to see all the articles in this series.
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Idolatry – The Egypt in Us

There are four big tests that most of us will encounter on our discipleship journey. Each will reveal some aspect of the condition of our hearts and our devotion to God. Of course, God already knows what we are like and how we will react, but for us it is often a shocking revelation. How we handle these tests will determine to a great extent how much we will glorify God and how useful we can be in his kingdom service. Failing them can greatly harm us. This series of teachings provides some tips on how to recognize these critical tests and how to experience Christ’s victory.

In his First Letter to the Corinthians, Paul warns us that what happened to Israel in the wilderness serves as an example or warning to us to help us avoid a similar outcome of being “overthrown in the wilderness.”

Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, 2 all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, 3 all ate the same spiritual food, 4 and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ. 5 But with most of them God was not well pleased, for their bodies were scattered in the wilderness. 6 Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted. 7 And do not become idolaters as were some of them. As it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.” 8 Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell; 9 nor let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents; 10 nor complain, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer. 11 Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. 12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. 13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. 1 Corinthians 10:1–13 (NKJV)

Most of the Jews who escaped the oppression of Egyptian slavery did not make it into the “promised land.” They never received what God had prepared for them. Instead, they died in the wilderness under God’s judgment for the sins of rebellion and unbelief.

According to Jesus, life is a narrow path filled with tests and difficulties.

Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14  For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. Matthew 7:13-14 (ESV)

We have a spiritual enemy who tries to harm us along the way. God wants us to pass each test by being wise to Satan’s wiles and by relying on his his Word, the Holy Spirit, his faithfulness, and grace.

Test #1: Idolatry – Overcoming the Egypt in Us

After escaping Egypt, through God’s judgment upon that nation and its idolatry, and after miraculously crossing the Red Sea, the Jews almost immediately fell into their own sin of idolatry.

Seeing a miracle and being set free doesn’t mean we are serious about following God yet. There was still a lot of “Egypt” in the Israelites, and perhaps in us.

They did not really understand God’s ways yet and were not converted in their hearts. As a result, they quickly doubted God’s faithfulness and love and caved to their sinful desires.

So all the people took off the rings of gold that were in their ears and brought them to Aaron. 4  And he received the gold from their hand and fashioned it with a graving tool and made a golden calf. And they said, “These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!” 5  When Aaron saw this, he built an altar before it. And Aaron made a proclamation and said, “Tomorrow shall be a feast to the LORD.” 6  And they rose up early the next day and offered burnt offerings and brought peace offerings. And the people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play. 7  And the LORD said to Moses, “Go down, for your people, whom you brought up out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves. 8  They have turned aside quickly out of the way that I commanded them. They have made for themselves a golden calf and have worshiped it and sacrificed to it and said, ‘These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!’” 9  And the LORD said to Moses, “I have seen this people, and behold, it is a stiff-necked people. 10  Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may burn hot against them and I may consume them, in order that I may make a great nation of you.” Exodus 32:3-10 (ESV)

The Israelites grew impatient with Moses’ foray up Mt. Sinai and, fearing that he died, they pressured Aaron to mold an idol for them to worship, a golden calf. Then they threw a big party, casting off the restraint of living under God’s authority. As part of their deliverance from bondage, God brought them into a place of scarcity and testing, but they preferred a party. They disowned God and renounced his kingship over them, which is the essence of sin.

Idolatry is always about who is in charge. We like to create “gods” who will allow us to do whatever we want.

We do not like being in a place of uncertainty in which we must fully trust in God’s character, power, and faithfulness on a continual basis. We prefer to relax, party, and enjoy a sense of security, even if it’s based on a lie. There is only one place of freedom and complete security – God’s presence and will. Sadly, however, we often are willing to trade our freedom for a false sense of security. Sin always leads to bondage and fear.

We may not bow down to a golden calf, but we have plenty of other “gods” which encourage us to pursue a rebellious independence from the true God – money, sex, addictions, godless recreation, et cetera.

For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. 2 Timothy 4:3 (NLT)

If we are growing weary or impatient with God and the path he has for us, if we have become fearful that he will not protect and provide for us, or if we are being tempted to cast off restraint and give way to temptation, we should take heed and make a commitment to fully trust God, no matter what the personal cost to us.

Idolatry is the first of the big four “wipe out” tests. Abandoning God will never get us where we really want to go, and it always brings destruction and judgment into our lives. Hang in there. Keep trusting and obeying. God is faithful and will keep his promises.

We pass the first big test by being steadfastly devoted to Christ and patient on the journey.

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 is promised. Hebrews 10:35-36 (ESV)

 

Prayer

Father God, please forgive me for serving other “gods”. (Name any that come to mind.) I reconsecrate myself to you and ask you to help me to love and serve you with a whole heart. Amen.

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Chapter 78: Daniel’s Seventy Weeks

The partial preterist interpretation of Daniel’s prophecy regarding the seventy weeks found in Daniel 9:24-27 is the most satisfying position for me and clearly reveals profound differences between it and futurist views. It more easily describes what happened historically without having to manipulate things by adding a two-thousand-year gap between the 69th and 70th weeks. This lesson will show that Daniel saw the rebuilding of Jerusalem, the coming of the Messiah, his crucifixion, and the subsequent destruction of the temple and Jerusalem. I will also incorporate into this discussion some of Jesus’ own prophecies about the end and show how they synchronize with Daniel.

God reveals important future events to us through prophecy in a way that almost defies analysis before they take place but makes sense after they happen. I believe one reason God does this is to help us navigate the present, not predict the future. When prophesied events take place, it confirms that God oversees history, and we are exactly where we are supposed to be.

When I first became a Christian in the early seventies, end time prophecy was all the rage. Most people adhered to a futurist pre-tribulation rapture kind of dispensationalism. Charts proliferated that showed how Russia would descend upon Israel leading up to Armageddon. There were popular books on the subject, such as The Late Great Planet Earth by Hal Lindsay. I had little understanding of church history at that time or of how earlier believers saw things. Over the years, as I learned more about alternative ways of looking at the end times, I was drawn toward the Amillennial view, thinking that it better reflects Jesus’ teachings. When I discovered the partial preterist viewpoint, which is well represented in the book Victorious Eschatology by Eberle and Trench, I felt right at home. Rather than changing my thinking, it stated clearly what I already believed.

Nevertheless, it is my firm conviction that it is wise to hold our positions regarding the end times rather loosely, understanding that we are all likely to be surprised by how things eventually play out.

The partial preterist interpretation of Daniel does not answer every question, but I feel it does capture the essence of what the prophet saw and explains why he was so devastated. He came away understanding that the Jews would reject their Messiah and that Jerusalem and the temple would be destroyed.

The discovery of Jeremiah’s written prophecies regarding seventy years of captivity preceded Daniel’s vision.

This whole land will be a desolation and a horror, and these nations will serve the king of Babylon seventy years.  Jeremiah 25:11 (NASB95)

Let’s begin with the first three verses of Daniel Chapter 9.

In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of Median descent, who was made king over the kingdom of the Chaldeans— 2 in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, observed in the books the number of the years which was revealed as the word of the Lord to Jeremiah the prophet for the completion of the desolations of Jerusalem, namely, seventy years. 3 So I gave my attention to the Lord God to seek Him by prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth and ashes.  Daniel 9:1–3 (NASB95)

Daniel was deported to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar in 605 BC. Jerusalem and the temple were destroyed in 586 BC. This vision was given in 539 BC, the first year of Cyrus’ rule, when the prophet was over 80 years old. In the same year, Cyrus decreed that Israel could return to their land. (Side note: Never think you are too old for God to use you.) Zerubbabel began work on the temple, and it was completed in 516 BC, seventy years after its destruction, thus fulfilling Jeremiah’s prophecy. In 457 BC, Artaxerxes gave Judah autonomy to establish Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Many believe this event inaugurated the 70 weeks of Daniel, a 490-year period of favor for the Jews.

  • 605 BC – Daniel deported
  • 586 BC – Jerusalem and Temple destroyed
  • 539 BC – Daniel’s Vision
  • 516 BC – Completion of Second Temple (586-516 = 70 years)
  • 457 BC – Artaxerxes granted Judah autonomy to make Jerusalem capital of Israel, apparently launching Daniel’s 70 weeks.
“Seventy weeks are determined For your people and for your holy city, To finish the transgression, To make an end of sins, To make reconciliation for iniquity, To bring in everlasting righteousness, To seal up vision and prophecy, And to anoint the Most Holy. 25 “Know therefore and understand, That from the going forth of the command To restore and build Jerusalem Until Messiah the Prince, There shall be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks; The street shall be built again, and the wall, Even in troublesome times. 26 “And after the sixty-two weeks Messiah shall be cut off, but not for Himself; And the people of the prince who is to come Shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end of it shall be with a flood, And till the end of the war desolations are determined. 27 Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week; But in the middle of the week He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate, Even until the consummation, which is determined, Is poured out on the desolate.” Daniel 9:24–27 (NKJV)

A generally accepted convention for interpreting prophecy is making a day into a year. Below is a breakdown of how the partial preterist position interprets the 70 weeks.

  • 7 weeks (49 years) – 457 BC (the decree of Artaxerxes to rebuild Jerusalem) to 408 BC, during which time were the ministries of Ezra (rebuilding the temple) and Nehemiah (rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem).
  • 62 weeks (434 years ) – 408 BC to the baptism of Jesus in AD 27 (The anointing of the Holy One.) He was baptized and anointed with the Holy Spirit to carry out the work of the ministry.
  • 1 week (7 years)
    • AD 27 to AD 31: 3.5 years – The time from the beginning of Jesus’ ministry until the crucifixion. He is the the Anointed One who was cut off. The Messiah will be cut off, but not for himself, ending the need for any more animal sacrifices. He, the Messiah, shall confirm a covenant – the New Covenant.
    • 31 AD to 34 AD: 3.5 years from the crucifixion to the stoning of Stephen, after which the door was officially opened to the Gentiles and a door of opportunity shut for the Jews.
  • 70 AD: the destruction of the Temple by Titus and the Roman army (the people of the prince), effectively ending all animal sacrifices.

The preterist view does not put a 2000-year gap between the 69th and 70th week. Therefore, Daniel 9 does not predict what will happen at the very end of time just prior to the Second Coming.

We must get that from other places. Therefore, there will not be a rebuilding of the temple or the re-institution of animal sacrifices, unless it comes from Satan as an attempt to distract from the finished work of Christ.

Below is a chart that pictorially summarizes this teaching.

(The above chart provided by isabelshaw.z19.web.core.windows.net)

Gabriel provided Daniel with a precise time for the advent of the Messiah, AD 27, which is when Jesus turned 30 and inaugurated his public ministry by being baptized by John, his cousin. Many people believe that the Magi were descendants of disciples of Daniel who took his prophecy seriously and readily believed in the heavenly star which guided them to the Messiah.

Then after the sixty-two weeks the Messiah will be cut off and have nothing, and the people of the prince who is to come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. And its end will come with a flood; even to the end there will be war; desolations are determined. Daniel 9:26 (NASB95)

The above verse speaks of the Messiah being “cut off” or killed, which would be followed by “the people of the prince” (the Romans) destroying Jerusalem. Both futurists and partial preterists generally agree on this interpretation.

The 70th week is where the preterist interpretation is far simpler and more literal. The futurists insert a 2000-year (or so) gap here to account for what they call the “church age.” The presupposition is that the church is a kind of plan B which went into effect when the Jews rejected their Messiah. This presupposes that the biological Jewish people are the focus of God’s kingdom plans, not the church, to which I vehemently disagree. Partial preterists believe that there is no gap. Halfway into the seven-year period Jesus was crucified, fulfilling verse 27. (Futurists believe the seven-year period of the seventh week is the Great Tribulation.)

“And he will make a firm covenant with the many for one week, but in the middle of the week he will put a stop to sacrifice and grain offering; and on the wing of abominations will come one who makes desolate, even until a complete destruction, one that is decreed, is poured out on the one who makes desolate.”  Daniel 9:27 (NASB95)

Instead of saying, as the futurist interpretation does, that the antichrist accomplishes these things, the context indicates that the Messiah will be the one who “will make a firm covenant with the many for one week, but in the middle of the week he will put a stop to sacrifice and grain offering.”

Jesus did this by offering himself as the Lamb of God and establishing the New Covenant, whereby he “finish[ed] the transgression, to make an end of sin, to make atonement for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness…” (Dan. 9:24)

For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified. 15 And the Holy Spirit also testifies to us; for after saying, 16 “This is the covenant that I will make with them After those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws upon their heart, And on their mind I will write them,” He then says, 17 “And their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.” 18 Now where there is forgiveness of these things, there is no longer any offering for sin.  Hebrews 10:14–18 (NASB95)

Verse 27 is extremely difficult even for Bible scholars to properly interpret; so, I will forego making any further comments on it.

Three and one-half years later was the end of this seven-year period of God’s favor toward the rebellious nation of Israel. Many think that the stoning of Stephen likely marked this end since he pronounced judgment upon the unbelieving Jews just before he was martyred.

You men who are stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears are always resisting the Holy Spirit; you are doing just as your fathers did. 52 “Which one of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? They killed those who had previously announced the coming of the Righteous One, whose betrayers and murderers you have now become;  Acts 7:51–52 (NASB95)

After Stephen’s death, God commissioned both Peter and Paul to take the gospel to the Gentiles more aggressively. About 37 years later Jerusalem was destroyed and the temple obliterated.

One reason it is important for us to consider the partial preterist point of view is because it allows us to think of the end times in an entirely different way from the futurist position. Instead of expecting a restoration of glorified state of Israel what will rule over the nations complete with a functioning temple before Jesus returns, we understand that nothing must happen before his return and that the church is the Israel of God, which includes both Jew and Gentile. He could come at any time, which is precisely what Jesus taught on repeated occasions.

“You too, be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour that you do not expect.”  Luke 12:40 (NASB95)

The originator of modern dispensational theology, which elevates Israel in this way, is generally recognized as John Nelson Darby, who co-founded the Plymouth Brethren. Cyrus Scofield popularized the secret rapture and dispensationalism. He was convicted of political corruption and spent some time in jail for forging checks. He also abandoned his first wife and two children. He seems to have had ties with the Masons as well. All this makes me question the origin of this doctrine.

The reinstatement of the Jewish nation state in 1948 was orchestrated by the Rothschilds (Illuminati) and supported wholeheartedly by Christians who had adopted the questionable futurist dispensational view that predicts that the nation of Israel would be restored to world prominence in the end times. Could it be that we have improperly elevated the nation state of Israel thus overlooking the basic wickedness of its people, who continue to reject their Messiah king?

For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the bondwoman and one by the free woman. 23 But the son by the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and the son by the free woman through the promise. 24 This is allegorically speaking, for these women are two covenants: one proceeding from Mount Sinai bearing children who are to be slaves; she is Hagar. 25 Now this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. 26 But the Jerusalem above is free; she is our mother. 27 For it is written, “Rejoice, barren woman who does not bear; Break forth and shout, you who are not in labor; For more numerous are the children of the desolate Than of the one who has a husband.” 28 And you brethren, like Isaac, are children of promise.  Galatians 4:22–28 (NASB95)

It does seem that God has something special in store for those physical descendants of Abraham who reside in the Jerusalem area at the time of the second coming of Christ, according to prophecy.

And in that day I will set about to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem. 10 “I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace and of supplication, so that they will look on Me whom they have pierced; and they will mourn for Him, as one mourns for an only son, and they will weep bitterly over Him like the bitter weeping over a firstborn.  Zechariah 12:9–10 (NASB95)

But this revelation of Christ will mean that those receiving it will be born again. Paul taught that the true Israel of God are all those who are born of the Spirit, both Jew and Gentile, who have become one body of Christ.

For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to promise.  Galatians 3:26–29 (NASB95)

If we place undue emphasis upon the nation state of Israel, it may influence us to overlook their part in Satan’s schemes. It is noteworthy that Ghislane Maxwell, Jeffrey Epstein’s companion, was the daughter of a Mossad agent, and that Israel pushed the mRNA jab more than any other nation. It could be that the Israeli nation state is the head of the serpent from which Christ will redeem a remnant at the very end. In no way does this justify antisemitism. However, we must not fall into the error of glorifying the natural descendants of Abraham either. We should pray for the peace of Jerusalem and the salvation of the Jewish people.

The partial preterist viewpoint frees us up to understand Daniel’s seventy weeks in a way makes sense historically and prepares us for the imminent return of our Lord. It teaches us to carefully consider how some prophecies have been already fulfilled in many cases, instead of assuming their fulfillment is all in the future. It does not explain everything, but neither do other interpretations. God keeps some things hidden so that we will need to trust in him instead of leaning on our own understanding.

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Chapter 77: The Olivet Discourse

Any study of end time prophecy should properly begin with the words of our Lord and specifically the Olivet Discourse when he answered three specific questions posed by his disciples. Near the end of his time on earth, he visited Jerusalem and prophesied that the temple would be destroyed. His disciples were astonished and asked him a three-part question.

As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”  Matthew 24:3 (NASB95)
  1. When will these things (the destruction of the temple) happen?
  2. When will be the sign of “your coming”?
  3. What will be the sign of the end of the age?

Their question indicates that the disciples thought that the destruction of the temple and the end of the age must be close together. Jesus’ answer can be interpreted in various ways, allowing for differences in opinion regarding the way the end time scenario will play out. Most people are probably familiar with the dispensational view; so, I will cover the partial preterist understanding, the one I think is most plausible.

When Will the Temple Be Destroyed?

The temple was central to Jewish religious life. It was incomprehensible that it would be destroyed, and as yet the disciples did not understand why it should be. Jesus was about to die for our sins as God’s Lamb to fulfill everything the Old Covenant sacrifices foreshadowed.

After his death and resurrection, the Old Covenant would be replaced, and its sacrifices would no longer be required or needed since the true Lamb fulfilled their meaning.

When God speaks of a “new” covenant, it means he has made the first one obsolete. It is now out of date and will soon disappear.  Hebrews 8:13 (NLT)

In addition to the temple losing its significance, the Jews were soon to reject and murder their Messiah, something God the Father would punish severely. Jesus warned them about what was coming.

As a result, this generation will be held responsible for the murder of all God’s prophets from the creation of the world—51 from the murder of Abel to the murder of Zechariah, who was killed between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, it will certainly be charged against this generation.  Luke 11:50–51 (NLT) 

And as for these enemies of mine who didn’t want me to be their king—bring them in and execute them right here in front of me.’ ”  Luke 19:27 (NLT)

Imagine the magnitude of the crime of killing the promised Messiah and the wrath of God that would follow, which came about a generation afterward in 70 AD! Jesus foresaw what was coming and wept.

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones God’s messengers! How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn’t let me. 38 And now, look, your house is abandoned and desolate. 39 For I tell you this, you will never see me again until you say, ‘Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord!’”  Matthew 23:37–39 (NLT)

Those children would be the adults that would experience the horrors of the Roman siege and destruction of Jerusalem.

Within a generation, 40 years, from Jesus’ prophecy, the Roman army under General Titus besieged and starved the city of Jerusalem for four months before entering it, killing its inhabitants, and burning the temple. Josephus recorded that 97,000 Jews were led away into captivity. In AD 135, one last rebellion against Rome was attempted. After three years, the Romans quashed it, killing an additional 580.000 Jews, and disassembled every stone of the temple, plowing up the ground, just as Jesus prophesied. [1]

As Jesus was leaving the Temple grounds, his disciples pointed out to him the various Temple buildings. 2 But he responded, “Do you see all these buildings? I tell you the truth, they will be completely demolished. Not one stone will be left on top of another!”  Matthew 24:1–2 (NLT)

Just after this, Jesus adjourned to the Mount of Olives with his disciples, from which they could observe the temple. It was at this time that they asked for more details regarding what Jesus uttered on the temple grounds. Jesus answered all their questions but did so rather seamlessly, leaving it up to us to parse the meaning.

The partial preterist point of view is that most “end time” prophecies have already been fulfilled over the last 2000 years.

In the following verse, Jesus declared that everything he said prior to this would take place in a generation, about 40 years, which was the time between his words and destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD.

I tell you the truth, this generation will not pass from the scene until all these things take place.  Matthew 24:34 (NLT)

Therefore, everything before this pertains to this event. Since I am not able to cover every detail in his lesson, I will refer you to Victorious Eschatology, if you want to pursue further study. To summarize, many false messiahs arose in Israel following our Lord’s death and resurrection. Wars, famines, and earthquakes took place all over the Roman Empire. Persecutions were instigated by the Jews and Romans in the intervening period, too. Apostasy and false prophets in the form of Judaizers and Gnostics swept many away from the truth of the gospel. According to scripture, the gospel was also preached to the whole world. (Romans 16:25-26 and Colossians 1:23)

The abomination of desolation was the Roman army.

Therefore when you see the abomination of desolation which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), 16 then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains.  Matthew 24:15–16 (NASB95)

The holy place was not the temple but the land of Israel. This is illustrated by a parallel passage.

But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then recognize that her desolation is near. 21 “Then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains, and those who are in the midst of the city must leave, and those who are in the country must not enter the city; 22 because these are days of vengeance, so that all things which are written will be fulfilled.  Luke 21:20–22 (NASB95)

The corresponding reference in Daniel that speaks of desolation coming refers to the people of the prince, meaning the Roman army.

Then after the sixty-two weeks the Messiah will be cut off and have nothing, and the people of the prince who is to come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. And its end will come with a flood; even to the end there will be war; desolations are determined.  Daniel 9:26 (NASB95)

The great tribulation refers to the destruction of Jerusalem and everything that accompanied it.

Other times of tribulation were greater in magnitude regarding numbers, but what happened in 70 AD was intense. A greater percentage of the Jews were killed, and greater atrocities were committed. The Jews trapped in the city were starved and resorted to cannibalism. If any escaped the city to look for food, the Roman soldiers cut off their hands and sent them back into the city. When the Romans entered the city, over 500 men per day were tortured and crucified. They were nailed to crosses in front of the city until there was no more space. Once the city was completely conquered, 97,000 survivors were enslaved or sent to be executed in the Roman theaters. [2]

When the temple was destroyed, it ended the old Jewish religious system. If the partial preterist interpretation is correct, the temple will never be rebuilt, and the great tribulation and many other things associated with the very end have already taken place. The Lord can return at any moment.

What Will Be the Sign of Your Coming?

The disciples who listened to Jesus were not convinced that he was going to die, much less come back again on the Last Day.

Their question would have been understood to ask when he would come into his kingdom.

And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, ...  Matthew 24:30a (NASB95)

My understanding is that Jesus came into his kingdom when he ascended into heaven and sat down at the right hand of the Father, where we are seated with him, making us co-rulers of a sort when we exercise our authority in Christ, even though not in the same fullness as we will later enjoy.

But our High Priest offered himself to God as a single sacrifice for sins, good for all time. Then he sat down in the place of honor at God’s right hand. 13 There he waits until his enemies are humbled and made a footstool under his feet.  Hebrews 10:12–13 (NLT)

For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus.  Ephesians 2:6 (NLT)

This is why I believe that the millennial reign of Christ is being realized now.

The Great Awakening theologian Jonathan Edwards wrote the following:

‘Tis evident that when Christ speaks of his coming, his being revealed, his coming in his kingdom, or his kingdom’s coming he has respect to the appearing in those great works of his power, justice, and grace, which should be in the destruction of Jerusalem and other extraordinary providences which should attend it. [3]

This interpretation may seem odd to those who have only been exposed to the futurist interpretation, but it was predominant among earlier saints.

Just as the outpouring of the Spirit was a sign of Jesus’ enthronement in heaven after his ascension, the destruction of Jerusalem was another sign of his having come into his kingdom in which the church would include both Jew and Gentile in “one new man”.

This Jesus God raised up again, to which we are all witnesses. 33 “Therefore having been exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He has poured forth this which you both see and hear.  Acts 2:32–33 (NASB95)

God’s judgment of Jerusalem and destruction of the temple was a sign or proof that Jesus ruled over all things and God the Father brought justice upon those who murdered his Son, just as Jesus said would happen.

Now let us return to the previous verse.

But immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.  Matthew 24:29 (NASB95)

The partial preterist position interprets this as apocalyptic language. This would understand Jesus to have said that after the destruction of Jerusalem, governing authorities and political powers would be shaken and authority transferred to Christ. The heavens were shaken because Jesus came into his kingdom. [4]

Now Christ has gone to heaven. He is seated in the place of honor next to God, and all the angels and authorities and powers accept his authority (had been subjected to him).  1 Peter 3:22 (NLT)

What Daniel saw in Chapter Seven of his book of prophecies was Jesus coming into his kingdom after his ascension into heaven. This passage is quoted in part by Jesus in his Olivet Discourse.

And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory.  Matthew 24:30 (NASB95)

Great mourning took place among all the Jewish tribes when Jerusalem and the temple were destroyed, which was a declaration of Jesus’ lordship, for all who had eyes to see by faith and revelation. This is not when Jesus returns to earth at the Second Coming. It is apocalyptic language for Jesus’ installation as King.

I kept looking in the night visions, And behold, with the clouds of heaven One like a Son of Man was coming, And He came up to the Ancient of Days And was presented before Him. 14 “And to Him was given dominion, Glory and a kingdom, That all the peoples, nations and men of every language Might serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion Which will not pass away; And His kingdom is one Which will not be destroyed.  Daniel 7:13–14 (NASB95)

Jesus’ coming was not to earth, but he came before the Ancient of Days to receive his kingdom.

Afterward, the angels began gathering the elect from every corner of the earth through the preaching of the gospel.

And He will send forth His angels with a great trumpet and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.  Matthew 24:31 (NASB95)

The church began a time of vigorous growth after Jerusalem fell. [5]

Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near; 33 so, you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door. 34 “Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.  Matthew 24:32–34 (NASB95)

The fig tree is not used to signify Israel. The olive tree is used for that. Jesus said the when the signs he mentioned take place, the judgment of Jerusalem is imminent and will take place before the passing of a generation.

What Will Be the Sign of the End of the Age?

The answer to this question moves us to the “end times.”

Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away. 36 “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.  Matthew 24:35–36 (NASB95)

Terms like “that day,” “that day and hour,” “the last day,” “the Great Day,” and sometimes “the day,” refer to the second coming of Christ and the last judgment. This is the focus of our Lord’s third answer, which is contained in the remainder of the chapter.

Unlike the looming judgment over Jerusalem, which had clear warning signs, the second coming of Christ will come after a long time without warning at an unpredictable time.

This surprise element is found in Jesus’ following parables about the very end.

But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. 44 “For this reason you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.  Matthew 24:43–44 (NASB95)

Not only will his coming be unpredictable, but it will also be at a time when we think it will not be. Therefore, we must always be ready.

Now after a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them.  Matthew 25:19 (NASB95)

In the parable of the talents, as in others, the concept of there being a “long time” before our Lord returns is emphasized. Nevertheless, when he does come it will be a surprise and readiness will be rewarded.

But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne. 32 “All the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats;  Matthew 25:31–32 (NASB95)

In the parable of the sheep and goats, we see that his second coming will include a judgment of all people, not merely Jerusalem and the temple.

[1] Victorious Eschatology, Eberle and Trench, p. 14.

[2] Ibid., pp.44-45.

[3] Ibid., p.53.

[4] Ibid., p.59.

[5] Ibid.,p.62.

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