by Rick Marin | Dec 28, 2022 | Life & Death
Will the righteous be forever delivered from condemnation and corruption?
(Isaiah 25:8; 65:17-25; 2 Peter 3:13; Rev. 21:3, 22; 22:3-5) Blog 25-31 Dec. 2022
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: Before sin arose in heaven there was no death, sorrow, or pain. When Adan chose Lucifer’s lie, death, sorrow, and pain came to the human race. Jesus came to be the new Representative of humanity offering escape from death, sorrow, and pain to all who believe in him.
Corruption and Condemnation
1. Besides the moral corruption that is the lot of every child of Adam born into this world, what legal inheritance do babies receive from Adam? Besides moral corruption, all children of Adam are born condemned to eternal death (Rom. 5:12, 18; 1 Cor. 15:22).
2. How many human beings have not inherited moral corruption and legal condemnation to eternal death? Only one baby born in this world did not inherit moral corruption & legal condemnation. Although Jesus inherited degenerate human nature after four thousand years of sin, he was not born with our moral corruption nor our legal condemnation (Eccl. 7:27-28; Luke 1:35; Heb. 2:14, 17).
3. If Jesus did not inherit our sinfulness why did he die the second death? Jesus died the second death as a Substitute for humanity for he was counted as being a sinner when he was not a sinner so that we who are not righteous may be counted righteous (Isa. 53:12; 2 Cor. 5:21).
4. How does the Bible describe the process of overcoming our corruption of nature? The Bible teaches that those who accept Jesus as their Lord & Saviour are given God’s Holy Spirit to indwell & help them fight against their sinful natures & that in cooperation with the Spirit, Christians are to purify themselves in a process called sanctification (John 14:16-17; 16:13; 2 Cor. 7:1; Gal. 5:17; 2 Thes. 2:13).
5. When will the process of sanctification be complete? Sanctification is the work of a lifetime & only reaches completion in glorification which takes place just before Jesus returns for the living or at resurrection for the dead in Christ (Rom. 8:17-23; 2 Thes. 1:10).
6. When do people pass from condemnation to death unto justification of life? While Jesus purchased justification of life for all humanity, that blessing only becomes the property of those who believe in him (John 5:24; Rom. 5:1, 18).
7. Is it possible for a person who has passed from death unto life to revert back to condemnation? It is possible for a true believer to turn from Christ his righteousness & come back under condemnation (Eze. 18:24; 1 Tim. 4:1; 2 Pet. 2:20-22).
8. What will finally determine if a believer has remained in justification and not fallen from grace? In the pre-advent, investigative judgment God will examine the lives of all who have ever believed in Jesus to determine if they continued in faith unto the end (Eccl. 12:13-14; Matt. 24:13; 2 Cor. 5:10).
Cleansing
9. Will God’s final judgment and subsequent glorification of the righteous forever deliver them from condemnation and corruption? Yes, when the sins of God’s people are blotted out in the investigative judgment & their sinful natures are removed in glorification then they will be forever free from condemnation & corruption (Acts 3:19-21; 1 Cor. 15:50-53; Heb. 10:17).
10. When rebellion arose in heaven how did God eliminate it? Rebellion was eliminated from heaven after a serious battle was fought. Then Satan & his angels were cast out of heaven (Isa. 13:12-13; Rev. 12:7-9).
11. Will Satan and his angels live forever on this earth? No, While Satan & his angels are the sole inhabitants of earth during the millennium God with the redeemed will judge them & then they will be cast into the lake of fire & finally annihilated, never to live again (Rev. 20:1-4, 11-15).
12. What will become of all the human beings who joined Satan in his rebellion against God? After their millennial judgment, all those who joined Satan in rebellion against God will also be cast into the lake of fire & be eternally destroyed (Rev. 20:15).
13. What will become of all the pollution and destruction that sin has caused to the environment? God will create a new heavens & a new earth in which no trace of sin will remain. There, animal & human life will live in perfect harmony with each other & with nature (Isa. 65:17-25; 66:22-23; 2 Pet. 3:13; Rev. 21:1-5).
Perfection
14. What do Isaiah and John say will not exist in the new earth? Isaiah & John say that God will wipe away all tears & there will be no more death, sorrow, or pain in the new earth (Isa. 25:8; Rev. 21:4).
15. What name does the book of Revelation give to the bride of Christ? In Revelation the bride of Christ is called the Jerusalem (Rev. 21:9-10).
16. How is the perfection of the bride of Christ described in Revelation? The bride of Christ is clothed in the Sun of Righteousness, having the glory of God & perfectly square (Rev. 12:1; 19:8; 21:11, 16-17).
17. What will the saved be doing throughout eternity? Throughout endless ages the saved of earth will build houses, eat homegrown food, travel to other worlds, & share the story of their redemption (Isa. 65:17-22; 66:19-23; Matt. 25:21; Rev. 21:24).
18. Who alone will enjoy life with the Godhead forever? Only those found written in the Lamb’s Book of Life will live with God forever (Rev. 3:5; 13:8; 20:15).
by Rick Marin | Dec 21, 2022 | Life & Death
Who will be considered in the investigative judgment?
(Daniel 7:9-14; Malachi 4:1-3; Matthew 12:36-37; 1 Cor. 6:2-3) Blog 18-24 Dec. 2022
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: While in Adan all die, in Christ shall all be made alive. We were all born in Adam, but by faith we may move into Christ. And if we remain in him, we will receive immortality when he comes again. Since immortality is only given to the righteous, the wicked will not burn in hell forever, but rather be consumed, both root and branch.
Its Nature
1. When will God judge the world? Both the Old & New Testament place God’s final judgment in the future & Paul makes clear that it will be at the time of Christ’s second coming (Rom. 2:17; 1 Cor. 4:5; 2 Tim. 4:1).
2. Who will God judge in final judgment? God will judge both the living & the dead, the righteous & the wicked, his people & those who are not his people (2 Chron. 6:23; Eccl. 3:17; 1 Peter 4:5).
3. What will God’s final judgment include? Judgment will include an examination of a person’s life record to determine whether they are in Christ by faith or still in Adam (Eccl. 12:14; Dan. 7:10; Matt. 12:36-37; 2 Cor. 5:10).
4. What verdict will those found in Christ receive in final judgment? In final judgment God will justify (declare righteous) those found in Christ (in the book of life of the Lamb) (Deut. 25:1; Matt. 12:36-37; John 5:24; Gal. 3:8; Phil. 3:9).
5. What verdict will those in Adam receive in final judgment? In final judgment God will condemn all who are not found in the book of life (Deut. 25:1; Matt. 12:37; John 3:18-19; Rom. 5:18).
6. How is it that an examination of a person’s life record can reveal whether they are in Christ by faith or not? Faith is only revealed by a person’s work, so examining a person’s works will reveal if their faith is in Christ or not (Matt. 7:12; James 2:14-28).
God’s Way
7. What picture of the way God deals with humanity is given in Daniel 5? God’s hand wrote three phrases on Belshazzar’s banquet wall: “Number, number; Weigh; Divide. These three phrases describe God’s dealing with humanity for he keeps record of our lives (numbers); he weighs the record in final judgment; & he gives (divides) the reward in accordance with the evidence (Dan. 5:24-28).
8. How does the book of Daniel refer to the first phase written on the banquet wall? Daniel refers to the agents in the first phase of God’s dealings with people as “watchers” & “holy ones” (Dan. 4:13).
9. Where does Daniel expand on the second phase written on the banquet wall? In Daniel 7 God shows Daniel a judgment scene where books were opened (Dan. 7:9-10).
10. What event does Daniel 7 portray that corresponds to the third phase written on the banquet wall? In the final phase the judgment removes the little horn from power & gives all dominion to “one like the son of man” who shares it with his redeemed people (Dan. 7:13-14, 26-27; Rev. 11:15).
11. When does the judgment that examines books begin in history? Since the book of Daniel has four parallel prophetic prophecies in which the great judgment turning point of history takes place after the fall of the Roman Empire & that of the religious empire that follows it, yet before Messiah takes the throne, then the judgment that examines books must begin near the end of human history but before the second coming of Jesus (Dan. 2:44; 7:18; 8:25; 12:1).
12. Where in time does the book of Revelation place God’s final judgment? Revelation says that when Jesus comes again, he brings the reward for his people with him, therefore they must have been judged prior to that. And Revelation announces that the door to God’s Most Holy Place judgment is opened during the sixth church which corresponds with the 1800s and judgment is announced prior to earth’s harvest at the end of the world (Rev. 3:8; 14:7, 15; 22:12).
Phases of judgment
13. Whose names will be considered in the pre-advent, investigative judgment? The cases of all who have ever professed to serve God will be examined in the pre-advent judgment for they are the only ones who accepted the king’s invitation to the marriage of his Son (Matt. 22:1-14).
14. When will the names of those who have never accepted God’s invitation be examined? The cases of the wicked (both men & angels) will be examined after Christ’s return, during the millennium (Matt. 19:28; 1 Cor. 4:5; 6:2-3; Rev. 20:4, 6, 11-13).
15. What follows after the cases of all the wicked are decided? At the end of the millennium the execution phase of judgment takes place when the wicked receive the results that were determined for each case during the millennium (Psa. 149:9; Rev. 20:14-15).
16. What are the results of the executive phase of judgment for the wicked? All who are not found written in the book of life acknowledge God’s justice & are cast into the lake of fire (which is the second death) & mercifully consumed (Mal. 4:1-3; Matt. 10:28; Rev. 20:14-15; 21:8).
17. What are the results of the executive judgment for the universe? When Satan & all his followers are finally destroyed, rebellion will have been eradicated from the universe, never more to rise again. God will create a new heaven & a new earth & dwell forever with his people (Nah. 1:9; Rev. 21:1-4; 22:3).
by Rick Marin | Dec 14, 2022 | Life & Death
Is the Holy Spirit our Substitute?
(Luke 2:52; Romans 12:2; 1 Cor. 6:19-20; 10:31; 1 John 3:1-3) Blog 11-17 Dec. 2022
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: Adan chose death for the human race, but Jesus came as the new Representative of humanity and opened the door to eternal life for all who believe in him. This hope will be realized when he comes again. Since immortality is only given to the righteous, the wicked will not burn in hell forever, but rather be consumed, both root and branch.
The Body
1. What is the place of the body in Christian living? If we follow Greek or Gnostic thinking, then the body is only a hindrance to true spirituality & godly living. But the Bible gives great importance to the body & how we use it (1 Cor. 3:16-17; 6:19-20, 10:31; 3 John 2).
2. What did Jesus have to say about the body? Jesus warned about our bodies being cast into hell & he compared his body to the temple, saying that he would restore it in three days (Matt. 5:29-30; John 2:21).
3. How does Luke show the importance of the body in Jesus’ childhood? Luke says that Jesus grew in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man, showing that the body, like the mind and soul, are all important (Luke 2:52).
4. During what portion of life does Paul say that the health of the body is important? Paul writes that it is important to preserve our bodies until Christ’s second coming for that is part of our sanctification (2 Thes. 5:23).
5. What must we recognize about our bodies? We must recognize that it is appointed unto humans to die once & that despite all our good health habits, our bodies are continually deteriorating and will end in death unless Jesus returns first (2 Cor. 4:16; Heb. 9:27).
6. What is one reason why the church on earth is so important? The church on earth is very important for it is the body of Christ that he feeds, nourishes, & washes with his Word (Eph. 5:23-30).
The Mind
7. What role does the mind play in living the Christian life? To do good it is necessary for the mind to first know what is good. Therefore, the mind must be educated in the things of God to live a proper Christian life (Rom. 12:2; 1 Pet. 1:23).
8. How does Jesus show the importance of the mind? When asked about the great commandment, Jesus included the mind as part of the way we are to love God (Matt. 22:37; Luke 24:25-27).
9. What kind of mind should the Christian have? Christians should have the mind of Christ, his understanding of righteousness & truth (1 Cor. 2:16; Phil. 2:5).
10. What would “the mind of Christ” be called today? Today “the mind of Christ” would be called a Christian or Biblical Worldview.
11. What should a Biblical Worldview include? A Biblical Worldview would include a correct understanding of origins, destiny, & how we should live in this world (Gen. 1:1; Psa. 119:133; Heb. 9:27-28; 34; 1 Pet. 2:21).
12. What does God promise to write in the mind of a believer? God promises to write his Law in the mind of a believer (Heb. 8:10).
13. What does God’s Law in our hearts help us to do? The Law of God written in our hearts helps us to live godly lives & overcome sin (Psa. 37:31; 119:11, 105).
The Spirit
14. In order to do God’s will, what else does the Christian need besides a functioning body and an informed mind? In order to do God’s will we need the aide of the Holy Spirit who places love in our hearts, guides us in the right way, & teaches us the truth (Psa. 32:8; John 16:13; Rom. 5:5; 1 John 2:27).
15. Who alone receive God’s indwelling Holy Spirit? Those who believe in Jesus are the only ones who receive God’s indwelling Holy Spirit. This truth eliminates all pantheistic ideas that God dwells in everyone or everything (John 7:39; 14:17; Rom. 5:1, 5).
16. Is the Holy Spirit given to Christians as a substitute who lives the godly life in them? No, Jesus is our only Substitute. The Holy Spirit is given to come alongside Christians & help them live godly lives (John 14:16-17, 26; 16:13; Acts 1:8; Rom. 8:14).
17. How does living a godly life prepare us for eternity? Only those who are living a godly life will receive the final outpouring (latter rain) of God’s Spirit & be glorified in preparation for eternity. A mere profession of Christianity does not bring the perfecting Holy Spirit to anyone (Matt. 7:21; Acts 3:19; Rom. 2:10; 8:17; 1 John 3:3).
19. What can we do to keep from losing the salvation we have in Jesus? If we are striving to grow in grace by climbing the ladder of sanctification, we will not lose our salvation but will receive the prize of perfection given at glorification (Phil. 3:12-14; Heb. 10:26-27, 36; 2 Pet. 1:5-11).
by Rick Marin | Dec 8, 2022 | Life & Death
Can our dead speak to us?
(1 Samuel 28:3-25; Matthew 7:21-27; Eph. 6:10-18; 2 Peter 1:16-21) Blog Dec. 4-10, 2022
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: Adan chose death for the human race, but Jesus came to take Adam’s place as the Representative of humanity. By dying and rising again he opened the door to eternal life for all who believe in him. This hope will be realized when he comes again. Until then all who die, remain in their graves, entirely unconscious, for humanity is not naturally immortal. Since immortality is only given to the righteous, the wicked will not burn in hell forever, but rather be consumed, both root and branch.
Sound Doctrine
1. What is a vital necessity for all human beings? All humanity need the Word of God (Jer. 10:23; Rom. 3:1-2).
2. What place should the Bible occupy in a person’s life? The Bible should occupy the position of highest authority in a person’s life (Luke 24:25-27; Eph. 2:11-12; Heb. 4:12-13).
3. What other documents are necessary for living? No other document, apart from the Bible, is necessary for living this life, for it clearly explains how to be saved & how to live a godly life (2 Tim. 3:16-17).
4. What story did Jesus tell to illustrate the supreme importance of living in harmony with God’s Word? By the story of the wise man who built his house upon the rock, Jesus taught the importance of both hearing & doing God’s Word (Matt. 7:21-27).
5. What illustration did Paul use to show the importance of doctrine? Paul compared doctrine to a belt that holds the Christian’s armor on & to a sword with which to overcome Satan’s attacks (Eph. 6:10-18).
6. How does Peter compare personal experience to Scripture? Peter says that inspired Scripture is much more trustworthy than personal experience, even if that experience is a personal encounter with the transfigured Christ or hearing a voice from heaven (2 Pet. 1:16-21).
7. What do people prefer in place of sound doctrine? People prefer fables that cater to their lusts over sound doctrine that points out their sins (2 Tim. 4:2-4).
8. What is it that turns people from being servants of sin to being servants of righteousness? It is doctrine that turns people from being servants of sin to being servants of righteousness (Rom. 6:17-18).
Life after death
9. According to the Bible, is there life after death? Yes, both Job, Isaiah, & Jesus clearly state that there is life after death (Job 14:10-15, 21; Isa. 26:19; John 5:25-29).
10. How long must a person wait for life after death? The person who dies is not immediately transformed into another life form on earth (reincarnation) nor into a new life form in heaven or in hell. Rather, God will resurrect the righteous dead at Christ’s second coming & the wicked dead at the end of the millennium. There is also a special resurrection of some righteous & some wicked just before Christ’s second coming (Dan. 12:2; Luke 14:14; 20:35-36; John 5:28-29; Rev. 1:7; 20:5-6).
11. What kind of life are the dead in Christ not given until their resurrection? Those who die in Jesus are not given incorruption, glory, power, or a spiritual body until they are raised from the dead (1 Cor. 15:42-44).
12. Is it possible for a corruptible human being to live in God’s presence in heaven? No, only the incorruptible may enter heaven. Therefore, those who die in Christ cannot be living with God in heaven until their resurrection in the last days (1 Cor. 15:50).
13. If life after death is only given by God in resurrection, then what happens to the soul of a person when they die? Upon death the soul of a person is fragmented for the breath of life returns to God who gave it & the body decays in the grave. So, a person does not again become a living soul until the breath & body are reunited in resurrection (Gen. 2:7; Psa. 104:29; Eccl. 12:7; Eze. 37:5).
Can our dead speak to us?
14. Is it possible for a dead person to speak to the living? The only way a dead person can speak to the living is by what they said or wrote before they died, or symbolically like the blood of Abel (Gen. 4:10) or that of the martyrs (Rev. 6:9-10), for in death there is no more thought, seeing, hearing, nor speaking (Psa. 115:17; 146:4; Eccl. 9:5-6; 12:7).
15. What is God’s attitude toward mediums who claim to be able to communicate with the dead or to bring up the spirits of the dead? God tells his people not to pay attention to mediums or wizards for he is against all such & they should be eliminated from among God’s people (Lev. 19:31; 20:6, 27; Duet. 18:10-12; Eph. 5:11).
16. Who did King Saul see when he went to the witch of Endor? Saul saw the witch & his companions, but he didn’t see Samuel. Even if some believe that righteous Samuel went to heaven at death, they could not countenance him leaving there at the beckon of a witch nor would God’s prophet seek to discourage the king but rather would call him to repentance (1 Sam. 28:13-20).
17. Who spoke to King Saul when he went to the witch of Endor? Just as an evil spirit spoke through the damsel in Philippi so an evil spirit, impersonating Samuel, spoke to Saul in Endor, for Satan himself is able to appear as a messenger of light (Acts 16:16-18; 2 Cor. 11:14).
18. If Satan and his angels have so much power what is there to prevent them from appearing and speaking to us as if they were our dead loved ones? This they can do if God allows (1 Sam. 28:15-19; Rev. 16:13-14).
19. What does God say will result from listening to evil spirits in the last days? God’s Spirit expressly states that in the last days some will depart from the faith as a result of listening to seducing spirits & doctrines of devils (1 Tim. 4:1).
20. What resources for counteracting evil spirits has God given believers? God has given believers truth, faith, righteousness, the Bible, prayer, & the Holy Spirit for resisting Satan’s attacks (Eph. 6:10-18; Jam. 4:7; 1 Pet. 5:8-9).
by Rick Marin | Nov 30, 2022 | Life & Death
When will glorification take place?
(Malachi 4:1; Mark 9:42-48; Acts 2:34; Jude 7) Blog: Nov. 27-Dec. 03, 2022
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: The death that Adan chose for the human race included both temporal and eternal death. Jesus came to take Adam’s place as the Representative of humanity and by dying and rising again he opened the door to eternal life for all who believe in him. This hope, prefigured in animal substitutes, has encouraged God’s people throughout history, for immortality is not natural, but rather purchased by Jesus.
Hell
1. In Mark 9 when Jesus refers to a millstone, and cutting off one’s hand rather than going to hell, what type of language is he using? In Mark 9 Jesus is using figurative language to make a point (Mark 9:42-48).
2. What is the point Jesus is making when referring to cutting off a body part? Jesus is not recommending self-mutilation as a means of obtaining eternal life, but rather is illustrating the seriousness of ending in hell (Deut. 32:22; Mark 9:43-47).
3. How does Jesus describe hell in Mark 9? In Mark 9 Jesus uses the figurative language of Isaiah 66:24 to describe hell as having unquenchable fire & never dying worms (Mark 9:44-48).
4. To what do “unquenchable fire” and “never dying worms” refer? Unquenchable means that the fire cannot be extinguished & “never dying” means that the destructive forces of nature cannot be stopped. In other words, the worms & fire will accomplish their purpose of total destruction (Mal. 4:1; Mark 9:45-48).
5. Who is described in the Bible as being devoured by worms in hell? Lucifer, when cast into hell, is described as being covered with worms (Isa. 14:11).
6. To what might Jesus be referring when speaking of “everlasting fire” in Matthew 18? There is a sense in which God dwells in everlasting fire, & the everlasting Holy Spirit is represented by fire, & Revelation says that the wicked will be tormented with fire in the presence of the Lamb, so “everlasting fire” could refer to the torment of conscience that the wicked will experience in the presence of Deity (Isa. 4:4; Eze. 1:13; 28:14; Matt. 3:11; 18:8; Rev. 14:10).
7. To what does Jude refer by the term “eternal fire”? Jude says Sodom & Gomorrah suffered the vengeance of “eternal fire,” showing that it was from God who takes vengeance & that when the destruction was complete the fire did not continue burning there by the Dead Sea (Gen. 19:24, 29; Rom. 12:19; Jude 7).
8. To what does the fire of hell refer in the Bible? The fire of hell primarily refers to the torment of conscience that the wicked will experience when they realize what they have lost & also to the physical flames that cause pain & entirely destroy, body, mind, & spirit (Deut. 29:23; 32:20-25; Mal. 4:1; Matt. 10:28; 13:41-42; Rev. 20:14).
Purgatory
9. What is the doctrine of purgatory as taught by the Roman Catholic Church? Purgatory is described as a place where after death a person is purified, “so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church p. 291).
10. Where does the Bible speak of purification of the dead? The Bible nowhere speaks of purification of the dead, rather it continually shows that preparation for heaven must be made in this life, before one dies (Eccl. 9:10; Acts 3:19-21; 2 Cor. 6:2; Heb. 9:27).
11. On what basis can God take imperfect people like, Enoch, Moses, and Elijah to heaven? The only basis upon which anyone can go to heaven is perfect obedience. The perfect obedience of Jesus is credited to all who believe in him. Thus, anyone who God takes to heaven is there by the mercy & grace of God (Rom. 2:13; 3:10, 20, 24; 5:1-2; 2 Cor. 5:21; Eph. 2:8-9).
12. When will God complete the work of sanctification in which Christians have been cooperating? The goal towards which Christians have been striving is the prize they will receive at glorification (Phil. 1:6; 3:12-14).
13. When will glorification take place? Glorification takes place for the living righteous at the voice of God during the seventh plague just prior to Jesus’ second coming & for the sleeping righteous when they are resurrected (Rom. 8:17-23; 1 Cor. 15:42-43, 50-53; Heb. 11:39-40; Rev. 16:17).
The Intermediate State
14. What word does Jesus use to describe those temporally dead? Jesus says that the dead today are sleeping (Mark 5:39; John 11:11).
15. What word does Jesus use to describe those who die eternally? Jesus says that those who die eternally, “perish” (Luke 13:3-5; John 3:16).
16. When will those who die in the Lord be blessed and holy again? Those who die in the Lord wait for their reward & holiness until the first resurrection (Luke 14:14; Rev. 20:6; 22:12).
17. What was Paul’s future hope? Paul was not hoping for his death but rather for the glorious liberty & crown of righteousness that would be given him at the Christ’s appearing (Rom. 8:21; Phil. 3:11; 2 Tim. 4:8)
18. When does Peter say that God’s people will receive their incorruptible inheritance? Peter says that the incorruptible inheritance of God’s people will be received in the last time when salvation is brought to them (1 Pet. 1:3-7).
19. When will the wicked receive their eternal reward? When Jesus comes again, both the righteous & the wicked will receive their reward (Matt. 16:27; Rev. 22:12).
20. If temporal death is like sleep and both the righteous and the wicked await Christ’s second coming to receive their reward, then what is the condition of people between death and resurrection? Between death & resurrection the wicked do not suffer nor do the righteous enjoy heaven, but both rest unconscious in the grave (2 Chron. 34:28; Eccl. 9:5-6, 10; Isa. 38:18; Acts 2:29, 34).
by Rick Marin | Nov 23, 2022 | Life & Death
What condition did Paul NOT hope for?
(Luke 16:19-31; 23:43; John 20:17; Phil. 1:21-24; 1 Pet. 3:13-20; Rev. 6:9-11) Blog Nov. 20-26, 2022
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: Adan chose death for the human race, but Jesus died to give humanity another chance at immortality. When he rose again the third day, immortality was assured to all who believe in him The hope of immortality has encouraged God’s people throughout history and a right understanding of death and immortality is crucial for maintaining a proper Christian experience. Some Bible passages seem to suggest that all humans are immortal by nature. We will consider these here:
The Rich Man & Lazarus
1. How do we know that the story of the rich man and Lazarus is a parable and not a true story of events that took place? How would anyone know what took place after death unless they had been there & observed others & then returned to tell the story? This makes obvious that the story is just a parable meant to teach an important lesson (Luke 16:19-31).
2. What is the important lesson Jesus meant to teach in the parable of the rich man and Lazarus? Jesus’ main point is that the Bible gives sufficient evidence for faith & holy living (Luke 16:27-31; Rom. 1:16).
3. What Scriptures clearly tells us that the dead do not remember events of this life? Psalm 146:4 tells us that when a person dies their “thoughts perish.” And Ecclesiastes 9:5-6 tell us that “the dead know not anything.” (Psa. 146:4; Eccl. 9:5-6).
4. What common tradition do we use today in a way similar to Jesus’ use of common Jewish thinking in his day? In order to illustrate a point about entrance into God’s kingdom we speak of Peter checking peoples’ credentials for entering the pearly gates (for which there is no Biblical basis).
“Today… with me in Paradise”
5. When Jesus told the thief on the cross, “To day shalt thou be with me in paradise,” what did he mean? Jesus was telling the thief that his name was entered into the book of life & that he was accepted as a child of God (Luke 23:39-43; Rom. 10:9).
6. If the adverb “today” is connected to the verb “I say,” how might we understand what Jesus was saying to the thief? That connection would correspond to the idea that Jesus was saying that day that someday they would be together in heaven, for neither of them entered heaven that day (Luke 23:43; John 20:17).
7. If the adverb “today” is connected to the verb “shall be,” how might we understand that the thief entered paradise that day? Since the thief didn’t physically enter heaven that day, it can’t refer to his living soul but could refer to his name being written in heaven, which Jesus highly regards (Luke 10:20).
8. On what basis was the thief given eternal life? Like everyone else who is given eternal life, the thief received it on the basis of perfect obedience, which was accounted his when he believed in Jesus (Matt. 19:17; Rom. 2:13; 4:24).
“To depart, and to be with Christ”
9. How did Paul view his earthly body? Paul viewed his body as a house in which he lived (2 Cor. 5:1).
10. What kind of body did Paul hope one day to have? Paul desired one day to have an eternal, immortal body from heaven (2 Cor. 56:1-4).
11. What condition did Paul NOT hope for? Paul did not desire to be “naked” or “unclothed” by which he was referring to the bodyless, intermediate state between death & immortality (2 Cor. 5:3-4).
12. When did Paul expect to have a heavenly, immortal body? Paul expected to have a heavenly, immortal body at the second coming of Christ when the dead in Christ are raised & given immortality (1 Cor. 15:23, 51-54; 1 Thes. 4:13-17; 2 Tim. 4:8).
13. How are we to understand Paul’s expression, “to depart, and to be with Christ”? Paul wrote the Philippians that to depart & to be with Christ was better for him than to remain in his earthly body, but remaining was more needful for them. He did not equate “departing” with “being with Christ” (notice the phrase “and to”). Since a heavenly body is necessary to be with Christ, his desire was to be translated as Enoch & Elijah were, or like he experienced in vision (2 Cor. 12:1-7; Phil. 1:21-26).
Preaching to the spirits in prison
14. If the dead know nothing and there is no forgiveness for fallen angels, is there any reason to preach to them? There is NO reason to preach to dead people, for they neither hear, nor think, nor have another chance at salvation, nor do fallen angels for they are cast out of heaven & reserved unto judgment (Psa. 146:4; Eccl. 9:5; Heb. 9:27; Jude 1:6; Rev. 12:9).
15. Who does Peter say brought Jesus back to life after his crucifixion and was also the medium he used to preach “unto the spirits in prison”? It was the Holy Spirit that cooperated in Jesus’ resurrection & in preaching to “the spirits in prison” (1 Pet. 3:18-19).
16. Who are the “spirits in prison” to whom the Holy Spirit preached? The “spirits in prison” are antediluvians who were buried in the flood (1 Pet. 3:20).
17. When did the Holy Spirit speak to “the spirits in prison”? The Holy Spirit spoke to “the spirits in prison” during the 120 years that Noah preached to them when they were alive before the flood (Gen. 6:3; 1 Pet. 3:20; 2 Pet. 2:5).
Souls under the altar
18. At the beginning of Revelation what method of instruction was John told that would be used in his vision? John was told that the angel would use symbols (signs) as the means of instruction & Jesus illustrated that at the end of the first chapter (Rev. 1:1, 20).
19. Which Old Testament altar is used as a symbol in Revelation 6:9? The altar of burnt offerings in the outer court of the sanctuary (& not the altar of incense in the Holy Place) is the altar referred to in Revelation 6:9, for it is there that animals were slain (like martyrs) & blood was shed. Just like the blood of Abel that cried from the ground, so, symbolically, these martyrs cry for God to judge (Gen. 4:10; Heb. 11:4; Rev. 6:9-10).
20. Of what is the outer court a symbol and who rest there? The outer court of the earthly sanctuary is a symbol of this earth where all who have died in Jesus, rest from their labors (Psa. 99:5; Isa 66:1; Lam. 5:1; Eze. 10:5; Matt. 5:35; Rev. 6:11; 14:13).
21. Who are the souls under the altar mentioned in Revelation 6? The souls under the altar are the martyrs for Jesus that sleep in their graves on earth while they symbolically cry for God to avenge their blood (Rev. 6:9-11).
