Resurrection and Judgment “This is our God we have waited for Him”
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Transcript of Resurrection and Judgment “This is our God we have waited for Him”
Resurrection and JudgmentResurrection and Judgment“This is our God we have waited for Him”“This is our God we have waited for Him”
ResurrectionResurrection
“Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body
shall they arise.”
“Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body
shall they arise.”
MankindMankind
In AdamSinners
Constitution of Sin
In AdamSinners
Constitution of Sin
In ChristSaints
Constitution of Righteousness
In ChristSaints
Constitution of Righteousness
Beliefand
Baptism
Righteous Ungodly Enlightened Unenlightened
Resurrected for Judgment
Responsible Responsible Accountable Will not rise
DeathDeathDeathLife
AbrahamIsaac & Jacob
Luke 13:28Daniel 12:3
JudasActs 1:16
Luke 12:47
PhariseesPhariseesLuke 13:28Luke 13:28James 4:17James 4:17
MajorityIsaiah 25:7 26:14
2Thess 2:11
“If the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and sinner appear?”1Peter 4:17,18
Daniel’s Symbolic Death & Resurrection At the Last Trumpet “the dead shall be raised incorruptible” 1Cor 15:52 This “raising” Greek: includes the whole process of rebuilding from awakening to quicken .ing This process is enacted in thr ee stag es in Daniel 10:8-19.
9V Death. Dani “ el in a deep sleep with his face toward the ea ”.rth
10V The first S .tage Awakening seed body Reconstruction & revival of his body from the dust by the Elohi .m It gave him existence but that was a .ll 1 15: 38,45Cor
11V The Second .Stage Anastasis – Standing again. sprout body Still mort ,al Dani “el stood trembling” 1 15:42Cor -44 “Sprouts π inweakness” 16V -17 The Judgment. At this point we “stand before the judgm ent seat of Christ.”
18V -19 The Third Stage Quickening ”Daniel Strengthened” raised body The perfecting of the “Spiritual body”. 1 15: 44,52Cor It i “s Raised incorruptible”
The genesis of a new lifeThe genesis of a new life
My substance (body) was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, embroidered in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance yet being imperfect (one word meaning a wrapped & unformed mass ie an embryo); and in thy book all my members were written - the days they should be fashioned! when as yet there was none of them. How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God… when I awake I am still with thee. Psalm 139:15-18 Translation adapted from Bro J. Thomas Eureka vol1& Rotherham
The restoration of identityThe restoration of identity
“Now the thing to be accomplished in resurrection is the development of a spirit body with the consciousness that the character flashed upon the new body was evolved through an old earthy body in a previous state.” Bro Thomas Anastasis
The restoration of identityThe restoration of identityThe restoration of identity with the deity is neither impossible nor difficult. The dead are historical characters, who lived and moved and had their being in Deity. Hence all their thoughts and actions, constituting their characters, are recorded in Him as in “a book of remembrance”. Their characters inscribed upon the divine page are all that remains of them in the universe. This scroll of record is the broad sheet of spirit, styled by philosophers, ether or electricity, which filling the universe enwraps the world.” All thoughts and action are vibrations excited in this spirit of the creator, by corporeal agents. These subtle vibratory impressions are never obliterated, unless He wills never to revive them. These are the “hidden things of darkness, and the “counsels of the hearts”.
The restoration of identityThe restoration of identityThe dead may be said to be like a man newly aroused from deep and heavy sleep who fails to realise his exact condition; and is in doubt where, what and how he is, being in a quandary. He is like a babe without speech or knowledge and therefore without identity. All that remains for them, is that like Daniel, their lips be touched with the lightning of Divine power. This magic and enlightening touch restored to him the consciousness he lost on falling into a deep sleep. And so with the dead in general. Their histories will be flashed upon their brains from the divine and electrical page upon which they are inscribed. So that truly of the dead it may be said, “they all live to Him”. (Luke 20:38)
Why does God resurrect the dead?
Why does God resurrect the dead?
The Moral power of the Resurrection.John 6:39-40 We abide in Christ.
His commitment to lose none of those given him.
1John 5:10-12 1Peter 1:20-25 He abides in us.
Through the incorruptible word.
The inevitable outcome of a moral transformation.
The Moral power of the Resurrection
The Moral power of the Resurrection
For Christ:– Psalm 16:8-11 God’s Love.– Psalm 71:19:20 God’s Righteousness– Acts 2:24-27 God’s Justice. – Romans 6:4 God’s Glory.
The Moral power of the Resurrection
The Moral power of the Resurrection
For those that are Christ's: – Mark 12:26-27 God’s Identity demands it– Psalm 88:10-12 God’s Praise demands it– Coloss 2:12 God’s Faithfulness demands it– Coloss 3:1-2 God’s Love of His Son demands– Romans 11:15 God’s Love for Israel demands
How?How?
1Cor 15:52 1Thess 4:14-16 The Trumpet shall sound.
Which trumpet? The one of Lev 23:24
John 5:25-28 The dead hear the voice of the Son of God. “They that hear shall live”
“All that are in the graves shall hear his voice.”Which graves? Gk. Mnemeiois memorials.The dead in Christ rise first. Then we which are
alive and remain join them.
How?How?
• 2Samuel 23:4 The sun of Righteousness arises• Isaiah 26:19 The dead come forth as the dew• Psalm 110:3 They come forth, willing - and able.
JudgmentJudgment
Every Knee shall bow and every Tongue confess
Every Knee shall bow and every Tongue confess
The Purpose of Judgment “We shall all stand before the Judgment seat of Christ” Romans 14:10,11
The Purpose of Judgment “We shall all stand before the Judgment seat of Christ” Romans 14:10,11
Man is Humbled “every knee shall bow”
God is Justified “every tongue confess”. In Greek “confess” is
homologeo which means “agree”.
Paul is quoting Isaiah 45 which predicts the fall of Babylon when God would loose the loins of kings and give Cyrus his anointed the “treasures of darkness and the hidden riches of secret places”. Belshazzar’s knees smote together whilst Daniel’s people were saved as Cyrus swept into Babylon (Daniel 5). At the Judgment, as then, every knee shall bow and every tongue agree that “There is no God else beside me; a Just God and a Saviour” Isaiah 45:21-23
Why a judgment?Why a judgment?
• The main tenet of humanism, Darwinism, capitalism etc. is “uniformitarianism”- “all things continue they were…” Peter says such are ignoring God’s “Catastrophism”
• The Athenians gathered to “hear some new thing” with absolutely no intention of an outcome. Paul stood up and said “God hath appointed a day…” Acts 17:31
The Effect of Judgment for the Righteous
The Effect of Judgment for the Righteous
Why would God judge the righteous if He already knows they are going to be granted eternal life?
Highlights UnworthinessOur own utter inadequacy will strike us.Daniel 10:16,17
Refinement & PerfectionNone of us will be perfect. There may be things which we
have not seen about ourselves.“He himself shall be saved yet so as by fire” 1Cor 3:15
Malachi 2:17-3:3 The “God of Judgment - a refiner’s fire & fuller’s soap.”
The Effect of Judgment for the Righteous
The Effect of Judgment for the Righteous
Gratitude“For all things are for your sakes that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God”
2Cor 4:15 Cp Luke 7:47 Psalm 51:12-14
Judgment a PrivilegeNo-one has any right to expect reward from God. We can only regard judgment as a Divinely conferred privilege to account for ourselves and plead God’s mercy. Psalm 103:10
The Criteria for JudgmentThe Criteria for Judgment
A Law of Liberty“So speak ye and so do as they that shall be judged by a law of liberty” James 2:12 For definition: Rom 6:18Matt 5:48 the liberty to “be perfect”
What We Value“A man is to be tried by what he praises” Prov 27:21 (Roth.)“We shall inherit what we have faith in” Bro. J Thomas ‘Elpis Israel’ Page 258
The Criteria for JudgmentThe Criteria for Judgment
Our Relationship to The Father & His Son“This is life eternal to know Thee the only true God and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent” John 17:3 “I never knew you, depart from me, ye that work iniquity” Matt 7:23
Our Attitude to Others“With what judgment ye judge ye shall be judged and and with what measure ye mete it shall be measured to you again” Matt 7:1,2; James 2:13
The Process of JudgmentThe Process of Judgment
Romans 14:10 “We shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ”. The Greek word bema is Christ’s judgment seat” (or tribunal in the Diaglott translation) whereas the thronos is Christ’s kingly seat, as in Matthew 25:31 where Christ sits on the “throne of his glory”.
The Process of JudgmentThe Process of Judgment
Our Words“For by thy words shalt thou be justified and by thy words thou shalt be condemned” Matt 12:37 “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh” Matt 12:34,35Example: Gen 3:10-12; Dan 10:12
Before Our Angel“Say not before the angel it was an error” Ecc 5:6 “Whosoever shall confess me before men him shall the Son of Man confess before the angels of God” Luke 12:8Cp. Dan 10:16; Gen 48:16; Matt 18:10
Resurrection and JudgmentResurrection and Judgment“This is our God we have waited for Him”“This is our God we have waited for Him”
JudgmentJudgment
Every Knee shall bow and every Tongue confess
Every Knee shall bow and every Tongue confess
The Process of JudgmentThe Process of Judgment
Motives Rather Than Actions AloneJudgment is more about assessing attitude than weighing good deeds against evil deeds done. “Until the Lord come who both will bring to light the secrets of darkness and will make manifest the hidden purposes of the hearts and then the praise will be to each one from God” 1 Cor 4:5 DiaglottFor if God counted sins who would stand? Psa 130:3 Not by deeds of law Rom 3:28; Eph 2:8,9
Example: Matt 25:44
The Process of JudgmentThe Process of Judgment
• How do we know whether we will be accepted then?
• Our attitude is what is important to God1John 3:19-24 Are we trying to do the right the thing? Then our heart will not condemn us …and God is greater than our heart.
• How can we be sure about our attitude?• Psalm 66:18 What is our attitude to sin?
The Two BooksThe Two Books
THE BOOKS OF LIVES
“And I saw the dead small and great stand before God and (the) BOOKS were opened and another book was opened which is (the book) of THE LIFE and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in THE BOOKS according to their works” Rev 20:12
This is a sort of “everyday book or journal” in which the lives of all those who are accountable are recorded. It exists in the mind of God.
Example: This analogy is based on the custom of kings of antiquity, Ezra 6:1; Esther 6:1
The Two BooksThe Two Books THE BOOK OF THE LIFE
This is the “other book” referred to in Rev 20:12,15. Whilst the accountable are judged “out of the” first
books, those named in this book are “written to LIFE” numbered amongst the tribes of spiritual Israel.Ezekiel 13:9; Hebrews 12:23 “Written in heaven”It is not any life but the Life, that is The Life of the Lamb. Rev 21:27; 13:8; 17:8; 22:19“At that time shall thy people be delivered, every one found written in the book” Daniel 12:2Names can be added Mal 3:16 Rev 3:5 or deleted from this book - “Whosoever has sinned against me him will I blot out of my book” Exodus 32:33
Our Response to JudgmentOur Response to JudgmentFear or Love - 1 John 4:17,18
Evil Conscience
Titus 1:15
Good Conscience
1 Peter 3:16, 21
Fear
“I was afraid” Gen 3:10
“Fear hath torment” 1 John 4:18
“The fearful” Rev 21: 18
Love
“There is no fear in love but perfect love casteth out fear”
1 John 4:18
Shame
I was ashamed “because I was naked” Gen 3:10; Rom 6:21
Integrity
“Blessed is he that keepeth his garments” Rev 16:15
Concealment
“I hid myself” Gen 3:10
“Fear hath torment” (reticence)
1 John 4:18
Openness
“Herein is our love made perfect that we may have boldness in the day of judgment” 1 John 4:17; Heb 10:19-22
“If our heart condemn us not then have we confidence toward God”
1 John 3:21
The Judgment of Adam & Daniel comparedThe Judgment of Adam & Daniel compared
Adam Genesis 3
In Eden
Fled at the voice of Elohim
Elohim sought him
Fled to hide himself
Challenged by by the angel
Admits fear
Justifies himself
Condemned by his words
Sentenced to return to dust
A defiled conscience
Daniel Daniel 10
By river Hiddekel
“Heard” voice of the angel
Angel “came for his words”
Stands to answer
Called “greatly beloved”
Told he has nothing to fear
Confesses his unworthiness
Commended for his words
Strengthened & made incorruptible
A good conscience
The Unforgivable SinThe Unforgivable Sin
What is it?“Wherefore I say unto you, all manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men; but the blasphemy (against) the (Holy) Spirit shall not be forgiven men… neither in this age nor in the (age) to come” Matt 12:31,32
Blasphemy against the Spirit is the sin. This is the sin the Apostle John describes as being “unto death” which he adds, “I I do not say he shall pray for it” 1 John 5:16
The Unforgivable SinThe Unforgivable Sin
Why is it Unforgivable?The Spirit of God is His executive power. To doubt God’s power is to “blaspheme” it.
The first pre-requisite to pleasing God is belief. Heb 11:6Belief in the power of God to forgive us is essential to salvation. We doubt this power to conquer all when we say,
“I’ll never be good enough to be in the kingdom”“I’m too sinful… I’m not worth saving”, etc
This is something only we can rectify Psalm 66:18
Are We Prepared?A Simple Self Analysis
Are We Prepared?A Simple Self Analysis
Q. Do we justify ourselves?A. Leave that to God.
Q. Do we love God?A. There is no need for fear the one who gave His Son for us.
Q. Do we Believe?A. Our Faith will save us because it gives God control.
Judgment is God’s plan to save - Not induce men to fear Him
1Thessalonians 5:9; Luke 12:32
Judgment a positive experienceJudgment a positive experience
Neh 8:10-12 “Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet and send portions…”
Eccles 9:7 “Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works”.
How can we be Saved?How can we be Saved?
• There is only ONE way.
• God will present us faultless Jude v24
• How?
• By faith
• Faith in God’s righteousness “His righteousness is near” Isaiah 51:5
Romans 3:22
ImmortalityImmortality
Thy Love is better than lifeThy Love is better than life
Why Live Forever?Why Live Forever?
There is no point in immortality without the perpetual interest and joy of a relationship with Yahweh. Psalm 63:3 “Thy lovingkindness is better than life” Psalm 16:11 “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in Thy presence is fulness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.”
There is no point in immortality without the perpetual interest and joy of a relationship with Yahweh. Psalm 63:3 “Thy lovingkindness is better than life” Psalm 16:11 “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in Thy presence is fulness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.”
ImmortalsImmortals
• The immortal saint is “raised” incorruptible, glorious and powerful freed from all those attributes that make our human nature inferior to the nature of the angels. It acquires new qualities which make the prayer of Christ a reality “That they all may be one as Thou Father art in me and I in Thee… and that the love wherewith Thou hast loved me may be in them and I in them.” John 17:21-26.
• The immortal saint is “raised” incorruptible, glorious and powerful freed from all those attributes that make our human nature inferior to the nature of the angels. It acquires new qualities which make the prayer of Christ a reality “That they all may be one as Thou Father art in me and I in Thee… and that the love wherewith Thou hast loved me may be in them and I in them.” John 17:21-26.
What do we have in common with the Angels?
What do we have in common with the Angels?
Appearance Mental capacity Moral Capacity Faculty for emotion- love, veneration,
benevolence Experience of good & evil Sociability
So what is missing?
Appearance Mental capacity Moral Capacity Faculty for emotion- love, veneration,
benevolence Experience of good & evil Sociability
So what is missing?
ImmortalityImmortality
VarietySolomon’s search for variety & escape from boredom. Eccl 1:4“All things new” Rev 21:5 God’s thoughts more in number than the sand Psa 139:17,18
SatisfactionThis life full of dissatisfaction Eccl 5:10 Complete satisfaction in immortality Psa 17:15Appetites not filled Eccl 6:7Fulfillment & Satisfaction in immortality Psa 36:8
Occupations of an ImmortalOccupations of an Immortal
Messengers“I saw Another angel fly in the midst of heaven
having the good news of the age”. Revelation 14:6 Isaiah 52:7
Judges of the nations“to execute upon them the judgment written, this
honour have all His saints” Psalm 149:4-9“The saints shall judge the world” 1Corinth 6:1
Occupations of an ImmortalOccupations of an Immortal
• Kings and Priests– “Thou hast made us unto our God kings and
priests: and we shall reign on the earth” Revelation 5:10
• Artisans– “And Yahweh shewed me four carpenters”
(descriptive of the angels) Zechariah 1:18-21– “honour & majesty are before Him, strength &
beauty are in His Sanctuary Psalm 96:6
Extent of KnowledgeExtent of Knowledge
• Saints still able to learn– We have vast unexploited mental capacity – Like the angels, the saints will not know
everything about the future. Matthew 24:36 1Peter 1:12
– They will work with mortal people who also have ability to behave according to their freewill. They will probably be able to very accurately anticipate human reactions.
The power of ImmortalityThe power of Immortality
• “To eat bread in the sweat of the face is sorrowful; but to work without toil is an element of health and cheerfulness; and is doubtless the rule of life to all the intelligences of the Universe of God.” Man’s Dominion Elpis Israel page 62
• Isa 40:31 But they that wait upon Yahweh shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Cp Gen 19:1
Extent of knowledgeExtent of knowledge
• Heightened Perception“For now we see through a glass poorly but then face to face, now I know in part, then shall I know fully (as by experience) even as also I am fully known. 1Cor 13:11-12
• Full maturity of character“Till we all come in the unity of the faith and of the practical knowledge of the Son of God unto a complete man unto the measure of the age of the fulness of Christ. Eph 4:13
The Diversity of the Divine Family
The Diversity of the Divine Family
• Personality RetainedCharacter unites the family of God, personality distinguishes the individual. “He telleth the number of the stars, he calleth them all by names” Psalm 147:4“And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones.” Revelation 21:19 Cp Jewels of Malachi 3:16“Unity in Diversity the mark of the Divine family” Thirteen Lectures pages 185-186 Bro. R. Roberts
• Will we remember our old life? • Will we be capable of the same feelings and
emotions? • How will this be compatible with immortal nature?• Will we remember events without feeling the pain?
There are important advantages in still being able to sympathize with the frailty of mortality.
• Will we remember our old life? • Will we be capable of the same feelings and
emotions? • How will this be compatible with immortal nature?• Will we remember events without feeling the pain?
There are important advantages in still being able to sympathize with the frailty of mortality.
The Attributes of the saintsThe Attributes of the saints
The Attributes of the saintsThe Attributes of the saints
• Memories retained but not sorrowThe saints, like the angels, will retain the memory of good and bad experiences without the associated sorrow and pain. Genesis 3:17&22 Revelation 21:4
• They are happy without levity“My servants shall sing for joy…He who blesses himself shall bless himself in the God of truth. Isaiah 65:14,16
• Sadness without despair“In all their affliction he was afflicted” Isaiah 63:9
• Disappointment without regret“grieve not the holy spirit” Ephes 4:30 Isaiah 63:10
Attributes of the SaintsThe Elohim of the future will also be
Yahweh’s counselors and and confidants.
Attributes of the SaintsThe Elohim of the future will also be
Yahweh’s counselors and and confidants.
• They exercise volition
In the execution of God’s work the Elohim frequently exercise discretion consistent with His Divine will. For example Genesis 18:21&19:21 Daniel 10:18
• They are privy to God’s counsel
“The secret of Yaweh is with them that fear Him” Psalm 25:14 “secret” = intimate circle, council consultation (Gesenius) translated “assembly” in Ezekiel 13:9
Attributes of the SaintsAttributes of the Saints
• God invites the immortals to confer with Him - they are autonomous
God invites and values the counsel of the immortal saints.
Isaiah 44:26 “he confirmeth the word of His servant and performeth the counsel of His angels” “performeth” - to be friendly to well disposed, to complete, to respond to, “counsel” - advice.
For example 1Kings 22:19
Attributes of the SaintsAttributes of the Saints
If the saints can think for themselves- How is their freewill compatible with sinlessness i.e. won’t they still feel the urge to sin?
• No sin because no temptationThe immortals are not enslaved to the same drives and needs as mortal men, therefore, like God they cannot be tempted. Revelation 7:16 “They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.” James 1:13 “God cannot be tempted”
If the saints can think for themselves- How is their freewill compatible with sinlessness i.e. won’t they still feel the urge to sin?
• No sin because no temptationThe immortals are not enslaved to the same drives and needs as mortal men, therefore, like God they cannot be tempted. Revelation 7:16 “They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.” James 1:13 “God cannot be tempted”
The Joy of ImmortalityThe Joy of Immortality
• Unity with YahwehPsalm 16:11“In thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand are pleasures evermore”
Psalm 63:1 “Thy lovingkindness is better than life” 1Chron 16:27 “Glory and honour are in his presence; strength and gladness are in His place.”
Psalm 111:10;115:17,18 Our praise of Yahweh is a guarantee of immortality- for “His praises are everlasting”.
The Joy of ImmortalityThe Joy of Immortality
• Unity with ChristJohn 17:20,21 “That they may also be one in us”Revelation 14:4 “These are they that follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth”Proverbs 22:11 “He that loveth pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend.”
The Joy of ImmortalityThe Joy of Immortality
• Fellowship - with our brethren & sistersPsalm 133:1“Behold how good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity”The sharing of something special is the mark of true friendship.eg. David & Jonathon 1Samuel 18:1-4
• Building Friendship for eternity1John 3:14 “We know we have passed from death into life - because we love the brethren!” We cannot ignore antipathy now expecting it to be resolved in the kingdom!
Unity of the Divine FamilyUnity of the Divine Family
• We are one family with the angels
Ephesians 1:5 “Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named”
• Our work now co-operates with the angels
2Corinthians 6:1-4 “As workers together with him…proving ourselves as ministers of God”
Revelation 19:10 “And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus”
The Diversity of the Divine Family
The Diversity of the Divine Family
• They differ in rank and responsibility
1Corinthians 15:41 “One star differeth from another in glory” e.g. “Michael one of the rishon sar or chief princes (Daniel 10:13)
Luke 19:17 “Authority over ten cities …authority over five cities
• Our future work continues work begun now2Corinthians 10:6 “Having in readiness to revenge all disobedience when your obedience is accomplished”Matthew 25:21 “Thou hast been faithful over a few things I will make thee ruler over many things”
• Try to live as though already immortal.2Corinthians 4:1,16-18 “We faint not” “We look not the things which are seen but on what is unseen.” 2 Corinth. 6:4-10 “As dying and behold we live!
Unity of the Divine FamilyUnity of the Divine Family