John 11:1-24God's love, God’s compassion, and the glory of God; God’s Friends; No “soul sleep”; “believe”;

“Why does God allow good things to happen to bad people?”

The fantastic weather continues! The view from Eagle River Valley. Brent Reynolds Photography

John 11:4, The Glory Of God, God's Love

• NAU John 11:4 But when Jesus heard this, He said, "This sickness is not to end in death, but for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified by it."

John 11:4, The Glory Of God, God's Love

• Why God Lets Friends Die, By Glenn Durham, “…The Bible clearly teaches that God delights to glorify himself. That truth is the only rock that holds firm when storms of suffering slam against us. But (and do not miss the other half) God's glory is the only thing which will make me infinitely and eternally happy. Both of these truths come to light in John 11, in the person of Jesus Christ. Pain, suffering, death of dear friends - these miseries of a fallen world combine to cast doubt on God's love. But Jesus steps into our world to show us both the power and purposes of God - and to deliver us from errors and attitudes which threaten hope and joy. To get there, first... 1. We Must Remain Certain of God's Love (John 11.3,5,36)…”

John 11:6• John 11:1 Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of

Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha… 6 So when He heard that he was sick, He then stayed two days longer in the place where He was.

• Moody said, “A great many people wonder why it was that Christ did not come at once to Martha and Mary, whom He loved, whenever He heard of their affliction. It was to try them, and it is the same with His dealings toward us. If He seems not to come to us in our affliction, it is only to test us.” Dwight Lyman Moody (February 5, 1837 - December 22, 1899)

John 11:11, God’s Friend?

• NAU John 11:11 This He said, and after that He said to them, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I go, so that I may awaken him out of sleep."

• Exodus 33:11 Thus the LORD used to speak to Moses face to face, just as a man speaks to his friend…

• NAU Genesis 18:17 The LORD said, "Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do,

• NAU 2 Chronicles 20:7 …Your people Israel and give it to the descendants of Abraham Your friend forever?

• NAU James 2:23 …ABRAHAM … was called the friend of God.• On a package of Fisherman's Friend(R) throat lozenges: • "Not meant as a substitute for human companionship."

John 11:11, Fallen Asleep=Death

• NAU John 11:11 …Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I go, so that I may awaken him out of sleep."

• The Bible often uses the euphemism “sleep” for death;• NAU Psalm 13:3 … I will sleep the sleep of death,• NAU 1 Corinthians 15:20 But now Christ has been raised from the

dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. 21 For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead… 51 Behold, I tell you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we 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 imperishable, and we shall be changed.

• NAU 1 Thessalonians 4:13 …about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve, as do the rest who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus.

Death / Sleep• Leon Jaworski says “Death for the Christian is a turning

off the light because the dawn has come.”• Ps. 121:4• Isa. 14:18• Jer. 51:57• Dan. 12:2• 1 Co. 11:30• 1 Co. 15:51• Eph. 5:14• 1 Thess. 4:14• 1 Thess. 5:6-7, 10

John 11:11, No “soul sleep”

• NAU John 11:11 …Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I go, so that I may awaken him out of sleep."

• The Bible never uses the euphemism “sleep” or death for “soul sleep.”

• The body sleeps or dies, never the soul, the soul is eternally conscious;

• NAU 2 Corinthians 5:6 …while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord—… 8 … prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord. 9 … whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ…

John 11:11, No “soul sleep”

• NAU Luke 16:23 "In Hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torment, and saw Abraham…

• NAU Matthew 17:3 And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him.

• NAU Philippians 1:23 But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better;

• Acts 2:27…YOU WILL NOT ABANDON MY SOUL TO HADES…

• Ps 121:4…He who keeps Israel Will neither slumber nor sleep.

John 11:15“believe” Not “faith”

• NAU John 11:15 and I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, so that you may believe; but let us go to him.”

• John uses (English)“believe” 49 X’s, and does not use “faith” even once in the NAU.

• Jesus did not say He was glad that Lazarus died. But that He was not there, “so that”. Even in this terrible tragedy God has a better plan (Romans 8:28). He was glad for the opportunity to build faith.

Question: “Why does God allow good things to happen to bad people?” gotquestions.org

• Answer: This question is similar to its opposite: "Why does God allow bad things to happen to good people?" Both questions refer to what seems to be the perplexing injustice we witness every day. The 73rd Psalm is our answer to the very same questions that also tormented the psalmist. Finding himself in terrible distress and agony of soul he writes, “But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked” (Psalm 73:2-3).

• The writer of this Psalm was a man named Asaph, a leader of one of the temple choirs. Obviously, he was not a wealthy man, but rather one who had dedicated his life to serving God (see 1 Chronicles 25). But, like us, he had experienced some difficulties and questioned the injustice of it all. He watched the evil people around him living by their own rules, enjoying all the wealth and pleasures of the world and collecting riches. He complains, "They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong. They are free from the burdens common to man; they are not plagued by human ills" (Psalm 73:4-5).

• Asaph was looking at these people who didn't have problems. They could pay their bills. They had plenty to eat and plenty of luxuries. But poor Asaph was stuck with directing the choir and trying to live godly. And to make things worse, his choice to serve God didn't seem to be helping him. He began to envy these people and even to question God as to why He would allow such a thing to happen!

• How often do we find ourselves relating to Asaph? We dedicate our lives to serving God. Then we witness the wicked, ungodly people around us get new possessions, luxurious homes, promotions, and beautiful clothes, while we struggle financially. The answer lies in the rest of the psalm. Asaph envied these evil people until he realized one very important thing. When he entered the sanctuary of God, he fully understood their final destiny: “When I tried to understand all this, it was oppressive to me till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny. Surely you place them on slippery ground; you cast them down to ruin. How suddenly are they destroyed, completely swept away by terrors! As a dream when one awakes, so when you arise, O Lord, you will despise them as fantasies” (Psalm 73:16-20). Those who have temporary riches on earth are in reality spiritual beggars because they do not have true riches—eternal life.

• There are many times when we do not understand what is happening to us, nor do we understand how providence works. When Asaph entered the sanctuary of God, he began to see that there was no need for him to be envious of the prosperity of the wicked because their prosperity is an illusion. He began to comprehend that the ancient deceiver, Satan, had used lies to distract him from the reality of God. Upon entering the sanctuary, Asaph realized that prosperity is a fleeting fulfillment, like a pleasant dream that pleases us only for a little while but, when we awaken, we realize it was not real. Asaph rebukes himself for his own stupidity. He admits to being “senseless and ignorant” to envy the wicked or to be jealous of the perishing. His thoughts then returned to his own happiness in God when he realized how much more joy, fulfillment, and true spiritual prosperity he had in the Creator.

• We may not have everything we want here on earth, but we will one day prosper for all eternity through Jesus Christ our Lord. Whenever we are tempted to try the other road, we should remember that the other road is a dead end (Matthew 7:13). But the narrow road before us through Jesus is the only road that leads to eternal life. That should be our joy and our comfort. “Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you. But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge . . .” (Psalm 73:25, 27-28)

• We need not concern ourselves when good things seem to happen to bad people. We only need to keep our focus on our Creator and enter into His presence every day through the portal of His holy Word. There we will find truth, contentment, spiritual riches, and eternal joy.

NAU John 11:21 Martha then said to Jesus, "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.

Don't squint! The complete article follows after the THE END slide.

Sleep orInsomnia

• John 11:13 Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that He was speaking of literal sleep.

John 11:22, Whatever You Ask

• John 11:22 "Even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You."

• John 14:13 "Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

• Most Christians expect little from God, ask little, and therefore receive little, and are content with little. A. W. Pink

John 11:22, Whatever You Ask

• Mark 6:23 And he swore to her, "Whatever you ask of me, I will give it to you; up to half of my kingdom.“

• I asked God for a bike, but I know God doesn't work that way.

• So I stole a bike and asked for forgiveness.

John 11:24, OT Resurrection

• NAU John 11:24 Martha said to Him, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.”

• Resurrection was believe by the Pharisees, but denied by the Sadducees;

John 11:24, Resurrection & The Sadducees

• NAU Luke 20:27 Now there came to Him some of the Sadducees (who say that there is no resurrection),

• The three major parties in Israel were the Pharisees, the Sadducees, and the Essenes.

• The Sadducees rejected the oral tradition, all of the Old Testament except the Pentateuch, for which they were very zealous.

• NAU Acts 23:8 For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor an angel, nor a spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all.

• The bodily resurrection is clearly taught in the Old Testament…

Where Had God Given An OT Promise of a Resurrection?

• Job 14:14 If a man dies, will he live again? All the days of my hard service I will wait for my renewal to come.

• Dan 12:13…you will rise to receive your allotted inheritance.

• Ps 16:10 because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay.

Bodily Resurrection In The Old Testament

• NAU Isaiah 26:19 Your dead will live; Their corpses will rise. You who lie in the dust, awake and shout for joy, For your dew is as the dew of the dawn, And the earth will give birth to the departed spirits.

• NAU Job 19:26 "Even after my skin is destroyed, Yet from my flesh I shall see God; 27 Whom I myself shall behold, And whom my eyes shall see and not another. My heart faints within me.

• NAU Daniel 12:2 "Many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt.

John 11:24, The Resurrection

• NAU John 11:24 …the resurrection …• Gloria Gaither said, “The world has never been

stable. Jesus Himself was born into the cruelest and most unstable of worlds. No, we have babies and keep trusting and living because the Resurrection is true! The Resurrection was not just a one-time event in history; it is a principle built into the very fabric of our beings, a fact reverberating from every cell of creation: Life wins! Life wins!”

• NIVO Ecclesiastes 3:11 …He has also set eternity in the hearts of men…

John 11:24, NT Resurrection• Jesus very clearly taught about two resurrection’s; • NAU Luke 14:14 …at the resurrection of the righteous.”• NAU John 5:29 and will come forth; those who did the good deeds to

a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment.

• The first resurrection is a category• The second resurrection is an event, • NAU Revelation 20:4 “…I saw the souls of those who had been

beheaded because of their testimony of Jesus and because of the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received the mark on their forehead and on their hand; and they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. 5 The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were completed. This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection…”

THE FIRST RESURRECTION IN REVELATION 20Professor Matt Waymeyer

• “…The most common objection to this view is that the Bible elsewhere teaches a single, general resurrection in which the righteous and the wicked will be raised at the same time (Dan 12:2; John 5:28–29; Acts 24:15)…

• In response to this objection, Daniel 12:2, John 5:28–29, and Acts 24:15 do not actually preclude the possibility of two distinct resurrections separated by a period of time. …3 This is especially clear in John 5:29 where Jesus speaks of two different physical resurrections: “a resurrection of life” and “a resurrection of judgment.”…

• In the same way, when it comes to the future resurrection, what the earlier writers of Scripture seemed to depict as a single resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked (Dan 12:2; John 5:28–29; Acts 24:15) must now be recognized as involving two resurrections, a resurrection of the righteous and a resurrection of the wicked a thousand years later (Rev 20:1–15)…” http://www.tms.edu/m/TMS-Spring2016-Article-01.pdf

Question: "How will our resurrection body be different from our current body?", GotQuestions.org

• Answer: In his first letter to the church in Corinth, Paul discusses the great differences between our earthly bodies and our resurrected bodies (see 1 Corinthians 15:35-54). Contrasting our earthly bodies with the splendor of our heavenly (resurrected) bodies, Paul says, “The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it israised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body” (vv. 42-44, emphasis added). In short, our resurrected bodies are spiritual, imperishable, and raised in glory and power.Through the first Adam, we received our natural bodies, perfectly suited to an earthly environment. However, they became perishable as a consequence of the Fall. Due to disobedience, mankind became mortal. Aging, deterioration and eventual death now affect all of us. From dust we came, and to dust shall we return (Genesis 3:19; Ecclesiastes 3:20). Our resurrection bodies, on the other hand, will be “raised imperishable.” They will never experience sickness, decay, deterioration, or death. And “when the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable… then the saying that is written will come true: ‘Death has been swallowed up in victory’” (1 Corinthians 15:54).As a result of the Fall, we are “sown in dishonor.” We were originally made perfect and in the image of God (Genesis 1:27), but sin has brought dishonor. Yet believers have the promise that our imperfect and dishonored bodies will one day be raised in glory. Freed from the restrictions imposed by sin, our resurrected bodies will be honorable and perfectly suited for pleasing and praising our Creator throughout eternity.Our current bodies are also characterized by weakness and debility. Our earthly “temples” are undeniably fragile and susceptible to the plethora of diseases that ravage mankind. We are also weakened by sin and temptation. One day, though, our bodies will be raised in power and glory, and we will no longer be subject to the flaws and fragility that pervade life today.Lastly, our resurrected body will be a spiritual one. Our natural bodies are suited for living in this world, but this is the only realm in which we can live. “Flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God” (1 Corinthians 15:50). After the resurrection we will have a “spiritual body,” perfectly suited for living in heaven. This does not mean that we will beonly spirits—spirits do not have bodies—but that our resurrected bodies will not need physical sustenance or depend on natural means of supporting life.We get a glimpse of what our resurrection bodies will be like when we recall Jesus’ post-resurrection appearances. He still had visible wounds, and His disciples could physically touch Him, yet He was able to travel effortlessly and appear and disappear at will. He could go through walls and doors yet could also eat and drink and sit and talk. Scripture informs us that our “lowly bodies” will be just “like His glorious body” (Philippians 3:21). Indeed, the physical limitations imposed by sin that hindered our ability to fully serve Him on earth will be forever gone, freeing us to praise and serve and glorify Him for eternity.Recommended Resources: Heaven by Randy Alcorn and Logos Bible Software.

Don't squint! The complete article follows after the THE END slide.

Sequence Of The First Resurrectiongracethrufaith.com

• Q. A post-trib believer is demanding Scriptural proof from me that the first resurrection really is divided into several phases. If you can lead me to the Bible passages I need to share with him, I’d be most grateful.

• A. The Bible teaches a span of time between the beginning of the First Resurrection and it’s conclusion exceeding 2000 years, and requiring three different events.

• Paul wrote that Jesus was the first fruits of the first resurrection, and Matt 27:53 shows that others came out of their tombs at the same time. Rev. 20:4-6 describes its end, involving those who will have been martyred for their faith during the Great Tribulation, following the Lord’s return to Earth.

• In between are two other mentions of a resurrection event, one in 1 Thes. 4:16-18 and the other in 1 Cor 15:51-53. The one in 1 Thes 4 says it will take place concurrent with

Sequence Of The First Resurrectiongracethrufaith.com

• the Rapture of the Church under circumstances that can not be compared to Rev. 20:4-6 so it has to have occurred sometime prior. 1 Thes. 4:16 is for all the dead in Christ and takes place at the same time as living believers are raptured. Rev. 20:4-6 is specific to martyrs from the Great Tribulation and does not include the rapture of the living. It also takes place after the 2nd Coming, too late for the rapture.

• Also in 1 Cor. 15:51 Paul said the announcement of this resurrection was something that had been a secret until then. But Job 19:25-27 and Daniel 12:1-2 both describe a resurrection at the end of the age and were written centuries earlier, so again Paul had to have been speaking of a different event.

• Put it all together and it’s clear that the First Resurrection began with Jesus, continues at the Rapture and is completed after the 2nd Coming with the Tribulation Martyrs (Rev. 20:4) and Old Testament believers (Daniel 12:1-2).

• http://gracethrufaith.com/ask-a-bible-teacher/sequence-of-the-first-resurrection/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Gracethrufaith+%28GraceThruFaith%29

Christianity Stands On The Resurrection Of Christ

• Christianity begins where religion ends- with the resurrection of Christ. Unknown

• A very learned man once said to a little child who believed in the Lord Jesus, “My poor little girl, you don’t know whom you believe in. There have been many christs. In which of them do you believe?” “I know which one I believe in,” replied the child. “I believe in the Christ who rose from the dead.” Unknown

The Rapture

The Resurrection• Charles Swindoll has said, “The benefits [of the

resurrection] are innumerable. To list a few: Our illnesses don’t seem nearly so final; Our fears fade and lose their grip; Our grief over those who have gone on is diminished; Our desires to press on in spite of the obstacles is rejuvenated… Our identity as Christians is strengthened as we stand in the lengthening shadows of saints down through the centuries, who have always answered back in antiphonal voice: “He is risen, indeed!”

Happy Father’s Day

In conclusion,

THE END

Question: "Why does God allow good things to happen to bad people?” gotquestions.org

• Answer: This question is similar to its opposite: "Why does God allow bad things to happen to good people?" Both questions refer to what seems to be the perplexing injustice we witness every day. The 73rd Psalm is our answer to the very same questions that also tormented the psalmist. Finding himself in terrible distress and agony of soul he writes, “But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked” (Psalm 73:2-3).

• The writer of this Psalm was a man named Asaph, a leader of one of the temple choirs. Obviously, he was not a wealthy man, but rather one who had dedicated his life to serving God (see 1 Chronicles 25). But, like us, he had experienced some difficulties and questioned the injustice of it all. He watched the evil people around him living by their own rules, enjoying all the wealth and pleasures of the world and collecting riches. He complains, "They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong. They are free from the burdens common to man; they are not plagued by human ills" (Psalm 73:4-5).

• Asaph was looking at these people who didn't have problems. They could pay their bills. They had plenty to eat and plenty of luxuries. But poor Asaph was stuck with directing the choir and trying to live godly. And to make things worse, his choice to serve God didn't seem to be helping him. He began to envy these people and even to question God as to why He would allow such a thing to happen!

• How often do we find ourselves relating to Asaph? We dedicate our lives to serving God. Then we witness the wicked, ungodly people around us get new possessions, luxurious homes, promotions, and beautiful clothes, while we struggle financially. The answer lies in the rest of the psalm. Asaph envied these evil people until he realized one very important thing. When he entered the sanctuary of God, he fully understood their final destiny: “When I tried to understand all this, it was oppressive to me till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny. Surely you place them on slippery ground; you cast them down to ruin. How suddenly are they destroyed, completely swept away by terrors! As a dream when one awakes, so when you arise, O Lord, you will despise them as fantasies” (Psalm 73:16-20). Those who have temporary riches on earth are in reality spiritual beggars because they do not have true riches—eternal life.

• There are many times when we do not understand what is happening to us, nor do we understand how providence works. When Asaph entered the sanctuary of God, he began to see that there was no need for him to be envious of the prosperity of the wicked because their prosperity is an illusion. He began to comprehend that the ancient deceiver, Satan, had used lies to distract him from the reality of God. Upon entering the sanctuary, Asaph realized that prosperity is a fleeting fulfillment, like a pleasant dream that pleases us only for a little while but, when we awaken, we realize it was not real. Asaph rebukes himself for his own stupidity. He admits to being “senseless and ignorant” to envy the wicked or to be jealous of the perishing. His thoughts then returned to his own happiness in God when he realized how much more joy, fulfillment, and true spiritual prosperity he had in the Creator.

• We may not have everything we want here on earth, but we will one day prosper for all eternity through Jesus Christ our Lord. Whenever we are tempted to try the other road, we should remember that the other road is a dead end (Matthew 7:13). But the narrow road before us through Jesus is the only road that leads to eternal life. That should be our joy and our comfort. “Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you. But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge . . .” (Psalm 73:25, 27-28)

• We need not concern ourselves when good things seem to happen to bad people. We only need to keep our focus on our Creator and enter into His presence every day through the portal of His holy Word. There we will find truth, contentment, spiritual riches, and eternal joy.

Question: "How will our resurrection body be different from our current body?", GotQuestions.org

• Answer: In his first letter to the church in Corinth, Paul discusses the great differences between our earthly bodies and our resurrected bodies (see 1 Corinthians 15:35-54). Contrasting our earthly bodies with the splendor of our heavenly (resurrected) bodies, Paul says, “The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it israised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body” (vv. 42-44, emphasis added). In short, our resurrected bodies are spiritual, imperishable, and raised in glory and power.Through the first Adam, we received our natural bodies, perfectly suited to an earthly environment. However, they became perishable as a consequence of the Fall. Due to disobedience, mankind became mortal. Aging, deterioration and eventual death now affect all of us. From dust we came, and to dust shall we return (Genesis 3:19; Ecclesiastes 3:20). Our resurrection bodies, on the other hand, will be “raised imperishable.” They will never experience sickness, decay, deterioration, or death. And “when the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable… then the saying that is written will come true: ‘Death has been swallowed up in victory’” (1 Corinthians 15:54).As a result of the Fall, we are “sown in dishonor.” We were originally made perfect and in the image of God (Genesis 1:27), but sin has brought dishonor. Yet believers have the promise that our imperfect and dishonored bodies will one day be raised in glory. Freed from the restrictions imposed by sin, our resurrected bodies will be honorable and perfectly suited for pleasing and praising our Creator throughout eternity.Our current bodies are also characterized by weakness and debility. Our earthly “temples” are undeniably fragile and susceptible to the plethora of diseases that ravage mankind. We are also weakened by sin and temptation. One day, though, our bodies will be raised in power and glory, and we will no longer be subject to the flaws and fragility that pervade life today.Lastly, our resurrected body will be a spiritual one. Our natural bodies are suited for living in this world, but this is the only realm in which we can live. “Flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God” (1 Corinthians 15:50). After the resurrection we will have a “spiritual body,” perfectly suited for living in heaven. This does not mean that we will beonly spirits—spirits do not have bodies—but that our resurrected bodies will not need physical sustenance or depend on natural means of supporting life.We get a glimpse of what our resurrection bodies will be like when we recall Jesus’ post-resurrection appearances. He still had visible wounds, and His disciples could physically touch Him, yet He was able to travel effortlessly and appear and disappear at will. He could go through walls and doors yet could also eat and drink and sit and talk. Scripture informs us that our “lowly bodies” will be just “like His glorious body” (Philippians 3:21). Indeed, the physical limitations imposed by sin that hindered our ability to fully serve Him on earth will be forever gone, freeing us to praise and serve and glorify Him for eternity.Recommended Resources: Heaven by Randy Alcorn and Logos Bible Software.

Sequence Of The First Resurrectiongracethrufaith.com

• Q. A post-trib believer is demanding Scriptural proof from me that the first resurrection really is divided into several phases. If you can lead me to the Bible passages I need to share with him, I’d be most grateful.

• A. The Bible teaches a span of time between the beginning of the First Resurrection and it’s conclusion exceeding 2000 years, and requiring three different events.

• Paul wrote that Jesus was the first fruits of the first resurrection, and Matt 27:53shows that others came out of their tombs at the same time. Rev. 20:4-6describes its end, involving those who will have been martyred for their faith during the Great Tribulation, following the Lord’s return to Earth.

• In between are two other mentions of a resurrection event, one in 1 Thes. 4:16-18 and the other in 1 Cor 15:51-53. The one in 1 Thes 4 says it will take place concurrent with the Rapture of the Church under circumstances that can not be compared to Rev. 20:4-6 so it has to have occurred sometime prior. 1 Thes. 4:16 is for all the dead in Christ and takes place at the same time as living believers are raptured. Rev. 20:4-6 is specific to martyrs from the Great Tribulation and does not include the rapture of the living. It also takes place after the 2nd Coming, too late for the rapture.

• Also in 1 Cor. 15:51 Paul said the announcement of this resurrection was something that had been a secret until then. But Job 19:25-27 and Daniel 12:1-2 both describe a resurrection at the end of the age and were written centuries earlier, so again Paul had to have been speaking of a different event.

• Put it all together and it’s clear that the First Resurrection began with Jesus, continues at the Rapture and is completed after the 2nd Coming with the Tribulation Martyrs (Rev. 20:4) and Old Testament believers (Daniel 12:1-2).

• http://gracethrufaith.com/ask-a-bible-teacher/sequence-of-the-first-resurrection/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Gracethrufaith+%28GraceThruFaith%29

• Question: "Why is the resurrection of Jesus Christ important?"

Answer: The resurrection of Jesus is important for several reasons. First, it witnesses to the immense power of God Himself. To believe in the resurrection is to believe in God. If God exists, and if He created the universe and has power over it, He has power to raise the dead. If He does not have such power, He is not a God worthy of our faith and worship. Only He who created life can resurrect it after death, only He can reverse the hideousness that is death itself, and only He can remove the sting that is death and the victory that is the grave’s (1 Corinthians 15:54-55). In resurrecting Jesus from the grave, God reminds us of His absolute sovereignty over life and death.

Second, the resurrection of Jesus is a testimony to the resurrection of human beings, which is a basic tenet of the Christian faith. Unlike all other religions, Christianity alone possesses a founder who transcends death and who promises that His followers will do the same. All other religions were founded by men and prophets whose end was the grave. As Christians, we take comfort in the fact that our God became man, died for our sins, and was resurrected the third day. The grave could not hold Him. He lives, and He sits today at the right hand of God the Father in heaven.

In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul explains in detail the importance of the resurrection of Christ. Some in Corinth did not believe in the resurrection of the dead, and in this chapter Paul gives six disastrous consequences if there were no resurrection: 1) preaching Christ would be senseless (v. 14); 2) faith in Christ would be useless (v. 14); 3) all the witnesses and preachers of the resurrection would be liars (v. 15); 4) no one would be redeemed from sin (v. 17); 5) all former believers would have perished (v.18); and 6) Christians would be the most pitiable people on the earth (v. 19). But Christ indeed has risen from the dead and “has become the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep” (v. 20), assuring that we will follow Him in resurrection.

The inspired Word of God guarantees the believer's resurrection at the coming of Jesus Christ for His Body (the Church) at the Rapture. Such hope and assurance results in a great song of triumph as Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 15:55, “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?”

How do these concluding verses relate to the importance of the resurrection? Paul answers, “...you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain” (v. 58). He reminds us that because we know we will be resurrected to new life, we can suffer persecution and danger for Christ’s sake (vv. 29-31), just as He did. We can follow the example of the thousands of martyrs through history who gladly traded their earthly lives for everlasting life via the resurrection.

The resurrection is the triumphant and glorious victory for every believer. Jesus Christ died, was buried, and rose the third day according to the Scripture. And, He is coming again! The dead in Christ will be raised up, and those who remain and are alive at His coming will be changed and receive new, glorified bodies (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). Why is the resurrection of Jesus Christ important to salvation? It demonstrated that God accepted Jesus’ sacrifice on our behalf. It proves that God has the power to raise us from the dead. It guarantees that those who believe in Christ will not remain dead, but will be resurrected unto eternal life. That is our blessed hope!

Recommended Resources: The Case for the Resurrection of Jesus by Gary Habermas and Logos Bible Software.• GotQuestions.org via icontactmail1.com

John 11:22, The Staff Of God

• Exodus 4:20 So Moses took his wife and his sons and mounted them on a donkey, and returned to the land of Egypt. Moses also took the staff of God in his hand.

• Exodus 7:9… 'Take your staff and throw it down before Pharaoh…• 7 X’s after Exodus 4:20 the NASU refers to “your staff”. Only in

Exodus 17:9 is “the staff of God”• How would you like to have “The Staff Of God”?• John 15:16 "You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed

you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you.

• 1 John 5:15 And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him.

John 11:22, The Staff Of God

• Mark 10:35 James and John, the two sons of Zebedee, came up to Jesus, saying, "Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask of You." 36 And He said to them, "What do you want Me to do for you?“

• John 14:13 "Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

BIBLE IN FIVEPastor Dave KooyersValley Bible FellowshipBox 433Boonville CA 95415http://www.slideshare.net/dkooyers www.ValleyBibleFellowship.org

(707) 895-2325God bless you as you examine His Word,Your servant in Christ, 2Cor. 4:5

These Microsoft PowerPoint presentations are provided "for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ" (Ephesians 4:12-15). To help Christians to "to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ." So that "we are no longer...tossed here and there...by every wind of doctrine." They may be downloaded and modified free of charge.

Matthew 10:8 …Freely you received, freely give.

Resurrection Of Old Testament Believers• Resurrection Of Old Testament Believers• Thursday, May 29th, 2014End Times• Great Tribulation• Prophecy• Resurrection• Q. I was reading a post “Who Goes Where And When” and you gave the reference (Daniel 12:1-2, Rev. 20:4) to show that the Old Testament saints

would be resurrected at the 2nd coming. It has been my understanding that all people before Christ will sleep through the thousand years and I did not see anything indicating differently. What am I missing?

• A. Daniel 12:1-2 says, “At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered. Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt.”

• The phrase “at that time” refers to the time of the anti-Christ’s unsuccessful attempt to gain world dominance (Daniel 11:36-45). Four things will happen then; Michael will come to the aid of the Jewish people, the believing remnant of Israel will be delivered, there will be a time of distress such has never been seen before, and there will be a resurrection of Jewish people.

• The phrase “There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then” was quoted by Jesus in Matt. 24:21 to describe the Great Tribulation. This confirms the timing of these things.

• Then the angel told Daniel “Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt.” This is the Bible’s first reference to two resurrections; the resurrection of believers which will take place at the time of the Great Tribulation, and the resurrection of unbelievers that will take place at the end of the Millennium, 1,000 years later (Rev. 20:11-15).

• The angel made two references to “your people” indicating he was speaking of Daniel’s people, the Jewish nation.• http://gracethrufaith.com/ask-a-bible-teacher/resurrection-old-testament-believers/?

utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Gracethrufaith+%28GraceThruFaith%29