- Aug 28, 2010
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There are some that believe those that die in “good favor” or with a “good report“ with God immediately go to be with Him at the moment of their death. To them I have this question, “Just how did that work for Lazarus, or any of the others that were born, died, was brought back to life AND died again; whether in the OT or NT?”
Let’s think about it for a moment……let's see if it makes sense!
They were ALL born flesh and blood, BUT.......
When they died they became a "spirit being"; something they HAD to become to be in the presence of God, “…Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption…” THEN......
God put them BACK into a corruptible flesh and blood body to bring them back to life, to live hear on earth just to die again, THEN.......
They went back to being a "spirit being" when they died the SECOND time?
Think about it…..what was once a corruptible body was made perfect when they died. Then it was made a corruptible body again, just to be made perfect again? Does that make sense?
Now if the above is true, how is it that the scriptures says that Christ is the firstborn from the dead? Let’s read it…..
Rom.8
[29] For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Col.1
[15] Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
[18] And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
It would seem that whoever was the first that was raised from the dead should claim that title before Christ, but yet the scriptures says that Christ was the first born of many brethren.
Something just does not add up here, UNLESS........
Christ did something that was DIFFERENT from ALL of those others that was raised from the dead or have died with a good report!!!
Jesus resurrection HAD to be different!!!!!
Let’s read about some saints that ALL died with a good report but are yet waiting for the promise of eternal life…..
Heb.11
[39] And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:
[40] God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.
And just who were these saints that died with a good report but have NOT received the promise of eternal life and their incorruptable bodies? Let’s read a few names Paul mentions……
Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sara, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Rahab, Gedeon, Sampson, Jephthae, David, Samuel, and of the prophets…..just to name a few.
Now let’s read if any of the above received the promise of eternal life. Let‘s read if ANY of those that died with a “good report“ have yet received their immortal, or incorruptible bodies. Again let’s read Heb.11:39-40.
Heb.11
[39] And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:
[40] God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.
Now before going any further let’s again go over just a few names Paul said…..
ENOCH, ABRAHAM and MOSES!
Now why did I single these out? Because I know there are those that will TRY to use these names to justify what THEY think is the truth! Let’s look at each one.
ENOCH - There are those that will say, “But the bible says, “…Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.”, so doesn’t that mean he is has his immortal body? Well, let’s read what Paul said about the statement above AND about Enoch’s current state.
Heb.11:[5] By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
So Paul knew the story of Enoch and how he was translated and that God took him. But what did Paul say next? Let’s read it again…
Heb.11[39] And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:
[40] God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.
So NO!!! Enoch does NOT have an immortal or incorruptible body yet. Do I know where Enoch is? Of course not! But I do know what Paul just told us. Next…
ABRAHAM - There are those that will say, “But didn’t Jesus say, ‘…that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom…’. Doesn’t that mean Abraham is now with the Lord?”
Let’s first find out what type of story Jesus was telling.
Mark 4
[2] And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine,
[33] And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear it.
[34] But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples.
So we understand that Jesus TAUGHT by parables. Jesus used parables as tools to convey His doctrine. And we find that Jesus ONLY used parables when He spoke around those other than His disciples. Now let’s find if the story of the beggar and Abraham was a parable or not.
To find if the story Jesus told was a parable we must go to the previous chapter; Luke 15. Let’s read…
Luke 15
[1] Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him.
[2] And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.
[3] And he spake this parable unto them, saying,
So we know who was around listening to Jesus. Now let’s go into the next chapter….
Luke 16
[1] And he said also unto his disciples, There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods.
We find Jesus is STILL talking in parables. Now let’s read who ELSE was there listening….
[14] And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him.
Now let’s read His next LESSON…..
[19] There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:
[20] And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,
So there we have it. Jesus ONLY spoke in parables when there were others around listening to Him speak. The story of the beggar and Abraham was just that…A STORY!!
And besides, Paul tells us, “…And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:
So NO!! Abraham does NOT have an immortal or incorruptible body yet. Next…..
MOSES - And finally there are some that will say, “But didn’t Moses appear with Jesus?” Well let’s read that account.
Matt.17
[1] And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,
[2] And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.
[3] And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.
So yes! Moses did appeared with Jesus. But was it real? Let’s read….
[9] And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead.
Jesus said, “…Tell the VISION to no man…”. So what the apostles saw was simply a vision. Just as Paul, John and many others throughout the entire bible have had.
And again we have the writings of Paul telling us…“…And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:”
So NO!!! Moses does NOT have an immortal or incorruptible body either!!
And last, but not least, we have the “Other” scripture that will try to be used to get loved ones with the Lord…
2 Cor.5
[8] We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
Now why is it no one ever reads the next verse? WHEN will we be present with the Lord? Let’s read it…
[10] For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
First we ALL must appear before the judgment seat. Now does that happen in a corruptible body? NO! That happens when we have a perfect body
And when will we become perfect or incorruptible (not capable of DYING)?
At the same time Paul and ALL the other saints that died with a good report get theirs….
1 Cor.15
[52] In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
[53] For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
[54] So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
[55] O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
Was death swallowed up when the saints died? Was death swallowed up when loved ones died?
Death was NOT swallowed up or ended when Lazarus or ANY others were brought back to life, for ALL of them had to die again. Nor were any that died with a good report given an eternal, incorruptible, immortal, perfect body.
But when Jesus was raised from the dead he was given a "spirit body", an “immortal body”, an “incorruptible body”, one that would NOT return to being flesh and blood!
Jesus received something NO flesh and blood body has EVER received!!!
This is why the scriptures are correct when they say;
Rom.8
[29] For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Col.1
[15] Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
[18] And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
Jesus resurrection WAS different!!!
JESUS CHRIST.......THE ONLY "FIRST BORN from the dead"!!!!
.
Let’s think about it for a moment……let's see if it makes sense!
They were ALL born flesh and blood, BUT.......
When they died they became a "spirit being"; something they HAD to become to be in the presence of God, “…Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption…” THEN......
God put them BACK into a corruptible flesh and blood body to bring them back to life, to live hear on earth just to die again, THEN.......
They went back to being a "spirit being" when they died the SECOND time?
Think about it…..what was once a corruptible body was made perfect when they died. Then it was made a corruptible body again, just to be made perfect again? Does that make sense?
Now if the above is true, how is it that the scriptures says that Christ is the firstborn from the dead? Let’s read it…..
Rom.8
[29] For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Col.1
[15] Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
[18] And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
It would seem that whoever was the first that was raised from the dead should claim that title before Christ, but yet the scriptures says that Christ was the first born of many brethren.
Something just does not add up here, UNLESS........
Christ did something that was DIFFERENT from ALL of those others that was raised from the dead or have died with a good report!!!
Jesus resurrection HAD to be different!!!!!
Let’s read about some saints that ALL died with a good report but are yet waiting for the promise of eternal life…..
Heb.11
[39] And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:
[40] God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.
And just who were these saints that died with a good report but have NOT received the promise of eternal life and their incorruptable bodies? Let’s read a few names Paul mentions……
Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sara, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Rahab, Gedeon, Sampson, Jephthae, David, Samuel, and of the prophets…..just to name a few.
Now let’s read if any of the above received the promise of eternal life. Let‘s read if ANY of those that died with a “good report“ have yet received their immortal, or incorruptible bodies. Again let’s read Heb.11:39-40.
Heb.11
[39] And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:
[40] God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.
Now before going any further let’s again go over just a few names Paul said…..
ENOCH, ABRAHAM and MOSES!
Now why did I single these out? Because I know there are those that will TRY to use these names to justify what THEY think is the truth! Let’s look at each one.
ENOCH - There are those that will say, “But the bible says, “…Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.”, so doesn’t that mean he is has his immortal body? Well, let’s read what Paul said about the statement above AND about Enoch’s current state.
Heb.11:[5] By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
So Paul knew the story of Enoch and how he was translated and that God took him. But what did Paul say next? Let’s read it again…
Heb.11[39] And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:
[40] God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.
So NO!!! Enoch does NOT have an immortal or incorruptible body yet. Do I know where Enoch is? Of course not! But I do know what Paul just told us. Next…
ABRAHAM - There are those that will say, “But didn’t Jesus say, ‘…that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom…’. Doesn’t that mean Abraham is now with the Lord?”
Let’s first find out what type of story Jesus was telling.
Mark 4
[2] And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine,
[33] And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear it.
[34] But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples.
So we understand that Jesus TAUGHT by parables. Jesus used parables as tools to convey His doctrine. And we find that Jesus ONLY used parables when He spoke around those other than His disciples. Now let’s find if the story of the beggar and Abraham was a parable or not.
To find if the story Jesus told was a parable we must go to the previous chapter; Luke 15. Let’s read…
Luke 15
[1] Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him.
[2] And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.
[3] And he spake this parable unto them, saying,
So we know who was around listening to Jesus. Now let’s go into the next chapter….
Luke 16
[1] And he said also unto his disciples, There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods.
We find Jesus is STILL talking in parables. Now let’s read who ELSE was there listening….
[14] And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him.
Now let’s read His next LESSON…..
[19] There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:
[20] And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,
So there we have it. Jesus ONLY spoke in parables when there were others around listening to Him speak. The story of the beggar and Abraham was just that…A STORY!!
And besides, Paul tells us, “…And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:
So NO!! Abraham does NOT have an immortal or incorruptible body yet. Next…..
MOSES - And finally there are some that will say, “But didn’t Moses appear with Jesus?” Well let’s read that account.
Matt.17
[1] And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,
[2] And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.
[3] And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.
So yes! Moses did appeared with Jesus. But was it real? Let’s read….
[9] And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead.
Jesus said, “…Tell the VISION to no man…”. So what the apostles saw was simply a vision. Just as Paul, John and many others throughout the entire bible have had.
And again we have the writings of Paul telling us…“…And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:”
So NO!!! Moses does NOT have an immortal or incorruptible body either!!
And last, but not least, we have the “Other” scripture that will try to be used to get loved ones with the Lord…
2 Cor.5
[8] We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
Now why is it no one ever reads the next verse? WHEN will we be present with the Lord? Let’s read it…
[10] For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
First we ALL must appear before the judgment seat. Now does that happen in a corruptible body? NO! That happens when we have a perfect body
And when will we become perfect or incorruptible (not capable of DYING)?
At the same time Paul and ALL the other saints that died with a good report get theirs….
1 Cor.15
[52] In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
[53] For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
[54] So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
[55] O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
Was death swallowed up when the saints died? Was death swallowed up when loved ones died?
Death was NOT swallowed up or ended when Lazarus or ANY others were brought back to life, for ALL of them had to die again. Nor were any that died with a good report given an eternal, incorruptible, immortal, perfect body.
But when Jesus was raised from the dead he was given a "spirit body", an “immortal body”, an “incorruptible body”, one that would NOT return to being flesh and blood!
Jesus received something NO flesh and blood body has EVER received!!!
This is why the scriptures are correct when they say;
Rom.8
[29] For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Col.1
[15] Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
[18] And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
Jesus resurrection WAS different!!!
JESUS CHRIST.......THE ONLY "FIRST BORN from the dead"!!!!
.