Dead Men Walking

The phrase “dead man walking” refers to an inmate sentenced to death on his way to be capitally punished. The Scripture speaks of mankind in the same way...

“...even as through one man sin entered into the world, and through sin death, and thus death passed through into all mankind.” (Romans 5:12)

Mankind has been sentenced to death and so we are all “dead men walking”…but there is good news!

“For since, in fact, through a man came death, through a man also, comes the resurrection of the dead...you died, and your life is hid together with Christ in God.” (1 Corinthians 15:21; Colossians 3:3)

Senator John James Ingalls of Kansas once said...

“In the democracy of the dead all men at last are equal. There is neither rank nor station nor prerogative in the republic of the grave".

I am convinced by the study of Scripture that all dead men walking will again walk in newness of life – all equal in the eternal Republic of God.

“...we rely on the living God,Who is the Savior of all mankind...for even as, in Adam, all are dying, thus also, in Christ, shall all be vivified...that God may be All in all.” (1 Timothy 4:10; 1 Corinthians 15:22-28)

So, in light of that, stop worrying about how unrighteous you are...your life is "hid together with Christ in God" - your are safe in Christ Jesus!

"Do not worry about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God, and the peace of God, that is superior to every frame of mind, shall be garrisoning your hearts and your apprehensions in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7)

Land of the Living

"I am still in the land of the dying; I shall be in the land of the living soon." – John Newton

He knew his bible...

"As in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive...I am the resurrection and the life…Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and the grave... and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away." (1 Corinthians 15:22; John 11:25; Revelation 1: 17-18; 21:4)

Jesus Is Not a Substitute

"For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sin according to the Scriptures" (1 Corinthians 15:3)

"He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross..." (1 Peter 2:24)

The bible does not say sin is a debt that needs to be paid to God, but a result of bad behavior. All die as the result of sin - there are no exceptions, not even Jesus. But Jesus did not die for his own sin, but “for our sins". He “bore our sins in his body on the cross". Jesus IDENTIFIED himself with sinful men to demonstrate God’s love for sinners.

"God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8).

In the resurrection of Jesus God has revealed that the death of a sinner will be "swallowed up in Victory" when resurrected - a free gift.

"The wages of sin is DEATH but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our LORD.” (Romans 3:23) 

Almost all Christian theologians teach that when Jesus died on the cross it was as our "substitute" to "pay" for our sin. No, he "bore" the sin of Adam and everyone else, and died "for" Adam's sin and everyone else's, because he had no sin of his own to die for. We will all "die" like Jesus, and be "made alive" like Jesus.

"For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive...The last enemy to be destroyed is death...so that God may be ALL in ALL....death has been swallowed up in Victory." (1 Corinthians 15:22-29,53)

Death To The Wicked

“Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked declares the Sovereign LORD? Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live?” (Ezekiel 18:23)

God takes no pleasure in enforcing the wages for sin – death. And the death of the sinner settles all wrongs. But in the death, burial and resurrection of Christ Jesus God demonstrated his love as only a loving omnipotent Father can do. He reveals the rest of the story, the resurrection of the sinful child to make him brand new!

“So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body….just as we have borne the image of the earthly man, so shall we bear the image of the heavenly man…for the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds. These, then, are the things you should teach.” (1 Corinthians 15:42-49; Titus 2:11-15)

Mankind has a fatal disease, sin. Not all of us are wicked, but all of us are sinners, and the prognosis for sin is death. But God is not through with us when death comes. Those in Christ will be raised to bear the "image of the heavenly man", "zealous for good deeds". 

As you know from reading this blog, I believe the Scripture teaches us that all mankind are "in Christ" just as all of mankind are "in Adam". Most Christians are taught that only Christians are "in Christ" as a result of some decision they made. Nevertheless, the Scripture says all "in heaven and earth, and under the earth" will confess the Lord and be reconciled to God.

"As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive...the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord...God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their transgression to them...For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven...have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure..." (1 Corinthians 15:22; Romans 6:23; 2 Corinthians 5:19; Colossians 1:19-20;Philippians 2:4-13)

I am all for the death of the wicked, the sooner the better, yet I know it is God's "good pleasure" to make them brand new.

Never See Death?

"Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins...truly I tell you, whoever obeys my word will never see death" (John 8:24, 51)

So what did Jesus mean when he said “you will die in your sins” and “whoever obeys my word will never taste death”?

First let’s be honest and admit that even believers “die”. All those who believed and followed Jesus during his earthly ministry died.

Jesus was simply saying that it was sin for the Jewish leaders he was addressing NOT to believe that he was sent by God as their Messiah. And since they did not believe this, when they died they would die in that sin of unbelief.

Now look at verse 51 when Jesus says to them “I tell you, whoever obeys my word will never see death”.

Again, be honest and admit that none who heard him say that are still alive, even his followers.

So what did Jesus mean when he said “whoever obeys my word will never see death”?

It has always been true that if it were possible to ALWAYS obey his word, then we would not die. It was true for Adam and Eve and it is true for us.  However, let me ask you, do you always obey his word? 

Neither did any of them, so we ALL see death as the Bible says...

“All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God...the wages of sin is death” (Romans 3:23; 6:23).

And we know that salvation from death is a matter of the "grace" of God…

“By grace are you saved through faith…not of works” (Ephesians 2:8-10).

And when will this salvation which we now have faith in become actual eternal life. Correct, at our resurrection after we die. It is a free gift to all who were born in Adam…sinners...

“For the wages of sin is death but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord…the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, and the dead in Christ shall rise…For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive...we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye…the dead shall be raised…death is swallowed up in victory.” (Romans 6:23; 1 Thessalonians 4:16; 1 Corinthians 15:22, 52-54)

Most die in their sins like those Jewish religious leaders without believing that Jesus is their Messiah and Savior.  And all of us will experience death because no one can obey all of God's word.  But the gospel is the good news that we will all be saved out of death, into eternal life, as a free gift, when Jesus returns to raise the dead.  

That is what a Savior does.

Kept Blameless, How?

“May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.” (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24)

Kept blameless, how is this possible?

Some say it is because of a choice we make. But I think it is because of a choice God made to send his Son into the world to save it, not just to offer salvation, nor just try to save…but to actually SAVE all “ungodly” “sinners”.

“Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world…the Father sent his Son to be the Savior of the world…you see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly…God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us…Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners…we have set our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, and especially those who believe…” (John 1:29; 1 John 4:14; Romans 5:6, 8; 1 Timothy 1:15-16; 4:9)

Faith is believing the gospel and it is the means by which mankind can enjoy the good news. But whether sinners have faith in this life or not, God will save all according to the Bible it seems clear to me. 

Maybe the confusion is that some people do not know what they are to be saved from. That too is pretty simple to me. We will be saved out of death, the result of sin, when Jesus returns to resurrect the dead.

“The wages of sin is death...The last enemy to be destroyed is death…Behold I show you a mystery…the trumpet shall sound and the dead will be raised…death has been swallowed up in victory.” (Romans 6:23; 1 Corinthians 15:26, 51-54)

Very few Christian leaders agree with me, but nevertheless it is my conviction that the Bible is clear in teaching the ultimate salvaton of all mankind.  

So what about being "kept blameless"? We are kept that way because after we are "transformed" we in fact will be blameless citizens of heaven, just like Jesus.

"But our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to subject all things to himself, will transform our lowly bodies to be like his glorious body." (Philippians 3:21)

Called Out - Independence Day

"You are the Christ, the Son of the living God...on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it." (Matthew 16:16-18)

"Hades" (hell in the KJV) is the state of people after death. It means “unseen” or “grave”. The word "church" is the Greek word “ecclesia” and means “called out ones”. Christ Jesus is the first to die and be called out of death never to die again, the “rock” or foundation stone of our faith. And he has promised to return and resurrect mankind (call people out of death).  So what the above verse says to me is that DEATH will not prevail for we will be CALLED OUT of death at the resurrection.

“If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also....For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout...and the dead in Christ will rise...Therefore comfort one another with these words” (John 14:3; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18)

Our Independence Day!

The Sequel

"Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison" (2 Corinthians 4:16-17)

All of us have an outer shell that is decaying. In other words, it is dying. And as we grow older our "outer man" will suffer all kinds of aches and pain. But it will only seem a "light affliction" when we receive what has been promised in the next.  The promise of this "sequel" enables us not to lose heart as we see loved ones suffer, or experience affliction ourselves.

"No trial has taken you except what is human. Now, faithful is God, Who will not be leaving you to be tried above what you are able, but, together with the trial, will be making the sequel also, to enable you to undergo it." (1 Corinthians 10:13 CLNT)

So we just have to suck it up and trust that it is necessary to suffer now in order to appreciate our future Glory in God's grand Sequel!

"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us." (Romans 8:18)

If A Man Dies, Will He Live Again?

The question of all questions...asked by Job

"If a man dies, will he live again? All the days of my struggle I will wait Until my change comes." (Job 14:14)

Jesus gives the simple answer...“I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in me shall never die.” (John 11:25-26)

The simplicity of those words are overwhelming to me. And the fact that almost all Christians fail to see the simple truth is equally overwhelming. But they read into those simple words the idea that one must believe in Jesus before the resurrection in order to be among those who never die after the resurrection. The Bible says no such thing.

“I am the resurrection and the life”

Jesus says that the life mankind receives after resurrection is from him.

“He who believes in me, though he may die”

Jesus says that those who believe in him now will die.

“And whoever lives and believes in me shall never die”

All that believed in him at that time are now dead, so he was talking about "whoever lives and believes" after they die.  All of us believers today will also die for "it is appointed unto men once to die” (Hebrews 9:27).

So, how many people will be resurrected to life after they die? ALL if the Bible is true.

“As in Adam all die, even so in Christ, shall all be made alive…that God may be All in all.” (1 Corinthians 15:22-28)

Since everyone is to be resurrected, how many of them will believe in Jesus at that time?ALL if the Bible is true.

“Look to me and be saved, ALL the ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other. I have sworn by myself, the word has gone forth from my mouth in righteousness and will not turn back, that to me EVERY knee will bow, EVERY tongue will swear allegiance.” (Isaiah 4522-23)

“…as I live, says the Lord, EVERY knee shall bow to me, and EVERY tongue shall give praise to God." (Romans 14:11)

“For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus EVERY knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that EVERY tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:9-11)

“Come, let US bow down in worship, let US kneel before the Lord our maker” (Psalm 95:6)

“Then I heard EVERY creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and ALL that is in them, saying: To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!" (Revelation 5:13)

Do not allow the teachings of men to rob you of the simple truth that Jesus is "the resurrection and the life" and he has promised that "death shall be swallowed up in Victory"...for Jesus is the Savior of the World that God loves.

Victory For All

“The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:56-57)

What does that mean?

“The sting of death” simply means that the cause of death is sin. Paul puts it this way in his letter to Rome…

“For the wages of sin is death…” (Romans 6:23a)

“…the strength of sin is the law” simply means that the law of God is the reason we all sin.

If God had not given any laws to obey, there would be no sin. And if no sin, there would not have been any death. Paul is saying that the responsibility for sin lies squarely on God. For he created us the way we are and He created the law which we could not keep. Paul puts it this way in his letter to Rome…

“I would not have come to know sin except through the Law…for apart from the Law sin is dead. I was once alive apart from the Law; but when the commandment came, sin became alive and I died; and this commandment, which was to result in life, proved to result in death for me; for sin, taking an opportunity through the commandment, deceived me and through it killed me… Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death? THANKS be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Romans 7:7-24)

The word “THANKS” above is the Greek word “charis” which is usually translated GRACE!

So what Paul is saying is that we are all sinners and we cannot help it. God made us this way.  However, God has a remedy for sin and death.  We are to be delivered from sin and death, in His GRACE, by our resurrection to eternal life. 

That is what we are to have faith in, what we are to believe. God has promised to deliver sinners from this fleshly sinful dying mortal body and make us alive again, a new creation, finished in an immortal, spiritual, glorious body liken unto that glorious resurrected body of Jesus.

“For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive…Our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of his glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself...the free gift of God is eternal life...” (1 Corinthians 15:22; Philippians 3:20-21; Romans 6:23b)

A Really Good Thing

“This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. “For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. “But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God.” (John 3:19-21)

There once was a vicious evil predator who did all manner of horrible crimes against humanity. He eventually was arrested, tried, sentenced to death, executed and his body cremated and returned to the dust out of which that body was formed.

Death is a good thing.

Out of the ashes came forth a new creation, immortal and full of love, grace and mercy who will spend all of eternity doing all manner of good for all that he would encounter. Those horrible but temporary crimes having been drowned out by the wonderful and eternal good of a life redeemed.

A redeemed life is a good thing.

“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away. And He who sits on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new." (Revelation 21: 4-5)

“Then he showed me a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb...On either side of the river was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations…and they will reign forever and ever… and he said to me, “These words are faithful and true”…”I am coming quickly.”…The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.” (Revelation 22:1-20)

Grace freely given to sinners is a really good thing.

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life...” (Romans 6:23)

Death Is A Thief

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10)

Death is a thief that robs mankind of life and joy. It is the result of sin and all of us sin. Jesus did not come into the world to start a religion. He came to reveal God’s plan to give abundant life, after death, to mankind.

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23)

The Promise of the Spirit

“Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law…so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith” (Galatians 3:13-14)

What is the curse of the Law?

“…sin is the transgression of the law...the wages of sin is death” (1 John 3:4: Romans 6:23)

The curse of the law is DEATH and we all will eventually face and experience that curse.

But Christ Jesus came and has "redeemed us from the curse".  Therefore we will not stay dead but will "receive the promise of the Spirit". 

So what is the promise of the Spirit?    LIFE...Abundant, Everlasting LIFE.

"The Spirit gives LIFE; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you--they are full of the Spirit and LIFE....the letter kills, but the Spirit gives LIFE..The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have LIFE, and have it abundantly." (John 6:63; John 10:10; 2 Corinthians 3:6)

It really is that simple. Mankind are sinners and the wages of that sin is death, but nevertheless, sinners have been "redeemed" from that curse as the free gift of God.  When resurrected, we will "receive the promise of the Spirit"...Abundant and Eternal LIFE.

“For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive...For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is ETERNAL LIFE in Christ Jesus our Lord" (1 Corinthians 15:21-23; Romans 6:23)

So what does he mean when he says we receive the promise "through faith"? Is it "faith" that seals the deal?  

NO, the grace of God seals the deal. Eternal life is a "free gift of God".  Faith is the means of enjoying "the promise of the Spirit" until it becomes a reality.

For now, the "promise of the Spirit" is just that - a PROMISE. And we can only receive the promise if this life by believing it is true.  We can have the JOY and PEACE of knowing that after we die, the SPIRIT will give us abundant, eternal life.

None Shall Perish - All Come to Repentance

“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9)

It appears obvious to me that the word “perish” as used in Scripture simply refers to a person staying dead after becoming deceased. If there is no resurrection then death wins and nothing follows. However, the above Scripture says that the Lord is “not willing that any should perish” and that all “come to repentance”. There will be "victory" over death, our "last "enemy.

So, what is God saying in the above verse? He says that NONE will perish and that ALL will come to repentance….because it is the WILL OF THE LORD as Paul tells Timothy...

“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for ALL…For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior; WHO WILL HAVE ALL MEN TO BE SAVED…For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for ALL...” (1 Timothy 2:1-6)

There is a term for those who do not agree with what God says in Scripture…the term is “unbeliever”, and there are many unbelievers,even those with their names on various church roles. 

Yet though they do not believe now, they will, when in fact God has seen to it that none “perish” and that all have “come to repentance” at the "resurrection of  both the righteous (believers) and unrighteous (unbelievers)" as Paul explains…

“And I (Paul) have a hope in God…that there is going to be a resurrection, both of the righteous and the unrighteous…” (Acts 24:15). “…we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people…” (1 Timothy 4:10). “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ the Lord” (Romans 6:23). “For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive….The last enemy that will be abolished is death…so that God may be all in all…when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, “death is swallowed up in VICTORY.” (1 Corinthians 15:22-54)

Wings Like Eagles

“Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable. He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power. Though youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly, yet those who wait for the LORD will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.” (Isaiah 40:28-31)

I am reminded daily of my mortality through various aches and pains that were not there when I was a “youth”. And I am reminded in the Scripture that one day I must go “the way of all the earth”.  As King David's time to die drew near, he said to his son…

"I am going the way of all the earth. Be strong, therefore, and show yourself a man….” (1 Kings 2:2)

Good advice for our sons and grandsons.  And in the book of Hebrews the writer reminds each of us of our salvation at the return of Christ…

“And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once…so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin.” (Hebrews 9:27)

There is a new beginning for us all. One where sin is no longer doing its work of death in our mortal bodies. It is a promise of immortality. You and I will indeed “mount up with wings like eagles”, we will “run and not get tired” and “walk and not become weary”.  We can and should draw comfort from the promises of God which keeps us informed and peacefully resting in the hope of the resurrection…

“But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.” (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)

Life is Glorious

“For what was glorious has no glory now in comparison with the surpassing glory. And if what was transitory came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which lasts!” (2 Corinthians 4:10-11)

This life we have is “glorious” even with all its “troubles”, but this glorious life fades away and death will come to all of us. When I was younger I did not think about this much. I knew it to be true but it seemed so far away that it was easy to ignore. But as I approach 65 and retirement I have become more thankful for a knowledge of Scripture. This life is glorious, but the next “far outweighs” the glory we have in this life.

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)

“Outwardly” I am wasting away, looking older each time I look in the mirror. But at the same time “inwardly” I am refreshed day by day with the knowledge of the “eternal glory” which has been promised me by God. And so, as I grow older, I focus my eyes “NOT on what is seen, but on what is unseen”. This life is temporary, the next is “eternal” and I am content and at peace with that promise from God.

“I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:11-13)

Lazarus is Sleeping

“Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I go, so that I may awaken him out of sleep…Now Jesus had spoken of his death…Martha then said to Jesus, Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died...” Jesus said to her “Your brother will rise again…” (John 11:1-25)

My mother-in-law Joy Juanell Estes died on Wednesday. She will be missed. Before her stroke two years ago she had always been full of life and loved living, talking with people, and teaching piano to her students for more than 50 years. She could talk to anyone and never met a stranger. She was always active and on the go. She especially loved her grandchildren. She played the piano at her church in California for over 55 years. She was loved by all who knew her. I especially admired her after she and Ernie had lost their teenage daughter Sandra in a car wreck and yet maintained her faith in and faithfulness to God. She was in the hospital or nursing home all of the two years after the last stroke unable to walk or communicate much to her family during that time. Aging and health issues are part of life and it is heartbreaking. Life is such a precious gift from God - but death is also a precious gift, especially for those like Juanell and her family who know what will follow! 

Jesus called death SLEEP. And Juanell was finally given the GIFT of sleep, and her next conscious moment will be, for her, just a mere “twinkling of the eye”, and she will awake from sleep with all of her loved ones around her in the very presence of God and her Lord Jesus Christ, all of us full of abundant, never ending immortal LIFE. 

Many of you have or are experiencing similar heartache but you learned in the experience, down deep in your heart…the sleep of death is a gracious GIFT from God for those who are suffering…and it gives you peace and comfort…

“…for I would not have you uninformed about those who are asleep, so that you do not grieve like those who have no hope…for the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, and the dead in Christ shall rise first, then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words… He that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And He said unto me, Write, for these words are true and faithful” (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Revelation 21:5)

Spin Doctors

At the end of the ages I find that the Bible teaches that ALL are saved and justified...

“So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to ALL MEN, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to ALL MEN.” (Romans 5:18)

 And I find that ALL are alive and reconciled to God...

“For as in Adam ALL DIE, so also in Christ ALL WILL BE MADE ALIVE...and through Him to reconcile ALL THINGS to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.” (1 Corinthians 15:22; Colossians 1:20)

 And I find that there is no more death or sin when ALL are immortal and God is ALL in ALL.

“...our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel...at the consummation of the ages He has been manifested to put away sin...the last enemy that will be abolished is death. For He has put ALL in subjection under His feet...then the Son Himself also will be subjected to the One who subjected ALL to Him, so that God may be ALL IN ALL.” (2 Timothy 1:10; Hebrews 9:26; 1Corinthians15:26-28)

We are not told in the Bible what God has done prior to creating the ages nor what will happen after the ages come to an end. We are simply told that these are...

“...things which eye hath not seen and ear has not heard, and which HAVE NOT entered the heart of man...” (1 Corinthians 2:8-9)

Religious spin doctors of Christian institutions over the past 1700 years have managed to hide most of the glorious truth about the ages by adding their own doctrinal “spin”. Their commentaries will be burned up with this present world but the Word of God will endure for the "olam va'ed” (as far as we can see...and BEYOND).

“But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed… but the word of the Lord remains forever. And this word is the good news that was preached to you.” (2 Peter 3:10; 1:25)

So just read the Bible and trust in its good news.  You do not need help from me or the spin doctors...you are the object of this glorious good news - the salvation and redemption of sinners - REJOICE!

Power To The People!

“He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength...those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:29-31)

Use common sense when you read verses like the above. Look around and observe your personal experience with life. It is our experience to grow old, get weaker, suffer from that condition, and then die. None of what Isaiah says becomes permanent in this life. Some suffer more than others, and often it is the very best and most faithful to God that suffer the most like Paul…

“…in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, and I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked.” (2 Corinthians 11:23-27)

He suffered all this for sharing the good news that Jesus is the Savior of All, and will reconcile all creation to God, and that God will become All in All (1Timothy 4:10; Colossians 1:20; and 1 Corinthians 15:28). And when Paul prayed to God for deliverance from his suffering God told him…

"My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9)

So WHEN will the weak get power and gain strength? When will the young who become old and weak have their failing strength renewed? And when will Paul’s weakness become perfect strength?

NOT IN THIS LIFE, common sense tells us that aging, weakness, and death is the plan of God for us all in this Age, and the Hope of all is the "resurrection of the dead"…

“But if there is no resurrection of the dead, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain. 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.” (1 Corinthians 15:13-15)

From Death To Victory

The bad news…

"…the dead know not anything …" (Ecclesiastes 9:5).

"… there is no work, or device, or knowledge, or wisdom in the grave where you are going" (Ecclesiastes 9:10).

"The dead praise not the LORD…" (Psalm 115:17).

"In death there is no remembrance of Thee: In the grave who shall give Thee thanks?" (Psalm 6:4-5).

The good news…

“…for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed…then will come about the saying that is written, “DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP in victory.” (1 Corinthians 15:50-54)

All die, that is the result of sin, but death is to be swallowed up in the victory of immortal life.