THE CORE MESSAGE OF THE GOSPEL IS RESURRECTION!
Hebrews 6:1-2, "Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of [ONE] repentance from dead works and of [TWO] faith toward God, 2 of the [THREE] doctrine of baptisms, [FOUR] of laying on of hands, [FIVE] of resurrection of the dead, and [SIX] of eternal judgment. "
The Apostle Paul was quite upset with those who were preaching that no resurrection awaits believers.
1 Corinthians 15:12-15, “Now...how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. 14 And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. 15 Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up –– if in fact the dead do not rise.”(NKJV)
Paul allows no middle ground of doubt. Either there is a resurrection of the dead or our faith is in vain and dead.
1 Corinthians 15:16-17, “For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. 17 And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins!”
The departed saved brethren are asleep, awaiting resurrection or our faith is a fantasy, period!
1 Thessalonians 4:13-16, “But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others … 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Hi m those who sleep in Jesus. 15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remainuntil the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.”
All the saved will be raised to life in a new body at the second coming. Those who have PASSED away will rise first, then those who remain alive until the end will rise second.
1 Thessalonians 4:17, “Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.”
During the last trump at Christ’s second coming we all will be resurrected to receive our reward.
1 Corinthians 15:51-54, “[W]e shall 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 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 has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory."
Salvation will come to all believers at the last trumpet call at the second coming of the Messiah.
ETERNAL SALVATION FOCAL POINT INVOLVES THE LAMB OF GOD
All people face eternal judgment –– not eternal judging. All mankind will eventually either accept the Lordship of Christ and the proper use of His sacrifice or no they will longer exist. They will be either ashes or glorious Sons of God. There is no purgatory to get in or out of.
Malachi 4:1-3, “‘For behold, the day is coming, Burning like an oven, And all the proud, yes, all who do wickedly will be stubble… 2 But to you who fear My name The Son of Righteousness shall arise With healing in His wings;… 3 You shall trample the wicked, For they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet On the day that I do this,’ Says the LORD of hosts.”
The wicked are not being actively tortured everyday for all eternity. THEY SHALL BE ASHES and they will no longer be able to make themselves and others unhappy. They and their wicked WAYS are gone forever. All will someday have a chance to appreciate the sacrifice of Christ. Our chance is now and we must learn to appreciate what the Father and Son sacrificed for us! Salvation is a freely given gift from God through His grace to those who obey and follow Christ; Those who learn to appreciate the blood and body of Jesus.
Exodus 12:13, “Now the blood shall be a sign… And when I see the blood, I will PASS OVER you; and the plague shall not be on you…”
The blood of Christ saves our eternal life from the death penalty we all deserve as breakers of God’s law.
1 Corinthians 11:23-24, “For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; 24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, ‘Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.’”
Note that on the same night Jesus was betrayed (the night portion of the 14th of Nisan) Christ and his disciples took the New Covenant Passover. They called it the Passover, note John 13 and other verses. Jesus created something additional for his believers to commemorate our brotherhood with Him –– the BROKEN BODY symbolic of Jesus's suffering. Why? Note what Paul says:
1 Corinthians 11:27-30, “Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in anunworthy mannerwill be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord's body…”
Why did the Father and Son agree upon great suffering for Jesus instead of a quick execution? I believe they wish to demonstrate to us how much they love us. It was not easy for either of the members of the God family. They wanted us to begin to appreciate that sin is costly and painful and thereby help motivate us to hate and resist it. This tremendous sacrifice further shows our need for Christ and that we cannot rely on our sinful selves. His body is for our healing physically and spiritually.
John 6:35, “And Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.’”
During these days of Passover and Unleavened Bread remember to imbibe of Christ’s goodness. Furthermore, salvation will not be available to unrepentant sinners though we do not earn salvation. We all must continue to repent and resist sin. Note II Cor. 6:9-11. In summary, salvation is given by grace but is dependent on obedience with some rewards based on our works. See Matt. 25: 23-27. This salvation process is thus one which entails our continuance in God’s ways until the end.
Matthew 24:13 NKJV 13 “But he who endures to the end shall be saved.”
