Where does eternal life reside?
(John 6:38-40; 14:1-3; 1 Cor. 15:12-19, 51-55; 1 Thes. 4:13-18) Blog Nov. 13-19, 2022
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: When Adan chose death for the human race, Jesus stepped in between the sinner and God’s justice, thus giving humanity another chance at immortality. The hope of victory over death encouraged God’s people in the Old Testament and was the faith of New Testament believers also. When Jesus came he conquered death by suffering and dying the second death for all men. In this way he brought immortality to all who would believe in him. As proof of his victory, he rose again the third day and many saints also arose when he did and ascended with him to heaven.
Christ’s Promise
1. What did the gentiles not have before they came to Christ? The gentiles had no hope before they came to Christ (Eph. 2:12).
2. What is there about Jesus that brings us hope? It is the life, death, & resurrection of Jesus that brings us hope for in them is the power of God revealed (Rom. 1:16-17; 1 Cor. 15:19-22).
3. In John 14, what did Jesus promise to those who believed in him? Jesus told his disciples that he would go to his Father in heaven, prepare a place for them in God’s household, & come again to take them there to forever dwell with him (John 14:1-3).
4. When comparing himself to the mana that came down from heaven, what did Jesus promise to those who believe in him? Jesus promised resurrection & eternal life to those who believe on him (John 6:38-40).
5. Where does this eternal life reside? Eternal life is in Jesus, the Son of God (1 John 1:1-2; 5:11-12).
Paul’s Hope
6. How did the Apostle Paul express his hope in Romans 5? In Romans 5 Paul wrote that his (& our) hope was in the glory of God (Rom. 5:2).
7. In Colossians what does Paul include in the glory of God? Paul says that the glory of God includes our perfection, with Christ’s character fully formed within us (Col. 1:27-28).
8. What does Paul say is the source of our hope? Paul says that the Scriptures, the Gospel, & the Holy Spirit is where we get our hope from (Rom. 15:4, 13; Col. 1:5, 23).
9. When appearing before the Sanhedrin and Roman judges, of what hope did Paul say he was accused? Paul said he was accused of believing in the hope of Israel in which all Pharisees believe: the resurrection of the dead (Acts 23:6-8; 24:15; 26:6-7).
10. To whom in Rome did Paul repeat the idea that the central hope of God’s people was resurrection from the dead? Paul repeated to the chief Jews in Rome that resurrection was the central hope of God’s people (Acts 28:17-20).
11. On what basis do Peter and Paul say that we have hope that God will raise the dead? The basis of our hope that God will raise the dead is that Jesus rose from the dead (1 Cor. 15:12-20; 1 Pet. 1:3).
12. Where does Paul say that our hope is kept? Paul says our hope is laid up in heaven & will be made sure by Christ’s ministry in heaven’s Most Holy Place (Col. 1:5; Heb. 6:18-20).
13. In light of what Paul writes about our hope, what should we conclude? We should see that Christ risen & seated at the right hand of the Father is himself our hope (Col. 3:4; 1 Thes. 1:3; 1 Tim. 1:1).
Christ’s Return
14. What misunderstanding was common in the church at Thessalonica? The Thessalonian believers thought that only the living saints would participate in Christ’s second coming, so were greatly troubled when one of their company died (1 Thes. 4:13-14).
15. With what hope did Paul desire to encourage the Thessalonian believers? Paul wanted the Thessalonians to understand that those who had died in Christ still had the hope of eternal life for God would raise them up (1 Thes. 4:13-14).
16. At what time does God promise to raise the dead? Just as God raised Jesus from the dead in the past so at Christ’s second coming God promises to raise the dead who believe in him (1 Cor. 15:22-23).
17. In what sense “will God bring with him” the sleeping saints at Christ’s second coming? When a person dies their “spirit” (DNA record, character, & personality) returns to God & is held on file in the book of life until the resurrection & reintegration of that person into a living soul. In this sense God will bring them with him: that is the record of those who have died in Christ (Eccl. 12:7; Matt. 24:31).
18. What evidence does Jesus give, showing that the resurrection of the righteous dead is not a secret rapture? Jesus says that his sign appears in the heaven where all can see him coming “in power and great glory” & that there will be a great sound of a trumpet when he gathers his elect (Matt. 24:30-31).
19. What additional evidence does Paul give, showing that the resurrection of the righteous dead is not a secret rapture? Paul says that the Lord shall descend from heaven with a shout, the voice of the Archangel & with the trump of God at the resurrection & the second coming & that the living saints will join the resurrected saints in the air (1 Thes. 4:15-17).
20. In First Corinthians what does Paul say will take place at the last trumpet blast? Paul says that in a moment the dead will be raised incorruptible & the living shall be changed & given immortality (which we now have only in Christ) (1 Cor. 15:51-54; Col. 3:4).
21. How are we who have the hope of resurrection and glorious perfection to spend our time while waiting for the fulfillment of our hope? While waiting for the fulfillment of our hope we are to purify ourselves & abound in the work of the Lord (1 Cor. 15:58; 1 John 3:3).