It's about time

Is this a new phenomenon? Are these times signaling a new era of doom? Are we marching ever closer to what many perceive as the end? Is the combination of a potential economic meltdown, along with our ever-increasing slide into morally bankruptcy, flagging the demise of planet earth? Is the message of the Gospel too weak to overcome the cesspool of sin that is bearing down on the Church? Most answer these questions with an emphatic “Yes”, due in part to what I believe is confusion concerning the Apostle Paul’s intended target audience in his second letter to Timothy.

Few would argue that Paul is writing directly to Timothy (not 21st century believers) but yet many seem to disregard the near-term first century applicability of Paul’s prophetic words. Even though people concede the letter was written to Timothy, in their view the brunt of the expected fulfillment was still thousands of years future. Therefore the term “last days” loses context when we insert it anywhere we think the sinful attitudes spoken of by Paul fit the times–as if there’s ever been a generation since time began where sinful passions were the exception. How can it be that the “last days” is considered to span a longer period (2,000 years) than the entire Mosaic economy (1,600 years)? Does this make sense to you? It didn’t to me but for most of my Christian life I went with it because I had no better interpretation.

How do we attempt to deal with this issue regarding prophetic fulfillment of the NT? Many admit that Paul was speaking directly to Timothy but I believe we wrongly assume that there’s some sort of an expected “double-fulfillment” (partially fulfilled “then” but really fulfilled in the distant future). What precedent do we use to treat NT prophecy in this manner? I can’t find any because it seems as though it’s controlled solely by presupposition.

This 2X (double fulfillment) interpretational approach is not based upon sound hermeneutics (science of interpretation) but more on a willingness to make the Bible fit the expectations of our beliefs. You may say, “Wait just a minute! How can you make such an emphatic statement?” Old Testament texts foreshadowed that which was to come in the person and work of Christ. On the other hand, the New Testament was given to reveal the mysteries of the OT. That which was clandestine and shadowy, was fulfilled by Christ and His Kingdom. Old Covenant types were fulfilled in the anti-types of the New Covenant. The NT is not foreshadowing anything future since Jesus Christ was (is) the fulfillment. (Col 1:26-27; Col 2:2; Rom 16:25; 1Cor 2:5-8; Eph 6:19; Heb 8:5; Heb 10:1; 2Cor3)

The Old Testament is the New Testament concealed. The New Testament is the Old Testament revealed. This, in my opinion, is an extremely crucial concept to comprehend and friend, Brian Martin’s Behind the Veil of Moses, brings clarity to this issue.

As an aside, if you aren’t familiar with my writing, you may not know of my unwavering commitment to the inspiration and inerrancy of Scripture and its relevance for daily living. Where else are we to turn for the words of truth? However, it’s vitally important to note, although the Bible was written for our benefit, It was not written directly to us. This must be taken into consideration, especially when reading prophetic texts like the one to follow. If we don’t concern ourselves with the intent of the author and the relevance to the direct recipients, we do ourselves a grave disservice. So please consider the time period of the writings. Paul’s second epistle to Timothy was written in the mid to late 60’s AD and both Peter and the writer of Hebrews made it clear they were living in the “last days“. (Acts 2:16-21; Heb 1:1-2)

• But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. 2 For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy… 13 But evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 2Tim 3:1-2, 13

Ripped from it’s first century context, this passage seems to mirror that which is taking place in twenty first century America. Was Paul speaking to us or to them (early Church)? What you believe about the time-frame of the “last days” will dictate whether you believe there’s a solution for today’s moral woes. If we presume Paul was speaking directly to Timothy (I believe he was) about things that are about to befall their generation (at the end of the Jewish age), then the 2008 church is not chained to a “bad to worse” expectation. Do you see the point? Do you understand why this is such a crucial issue. What you believe concerning the timing of the “last days” is of vital importance.

The majority of pastors today place 2Timothy 3 within present day confines. They ignore audience relevance (the Word was relevant to the audience at hand) and the historical context. If we don’t choose to develop sound conclusions based upon careful study, the matter will be decided for us. Matter of fact it already has been hoist upon us unless and until we take action. The wheels of doom and gloom are already in motion and we will continue to pay dearly for it. And sadly, it’s considered heretical to even question the sacrosanct things we’re talking about. How dare anyone suggest that the “last days” was a first generation time period culminating in the abolition of the Jewish age (Old covenant temple sacrifices and adherence to the entire body of 613 laws etc). But it’s never too late to reverse the train of expected defeat, toward a Gospel of hope, reconciliation and redemption. It will take tremendous effort but it can and ultimately will be done. I just hope it’s our generation that changes the course.

Videos like the one below speak of our near-term annihilation and the rapture’s escape route. (As if God has ever employed this “get out of life free” card–see the lives of the apostles and prophets) Ask yourself if these ideas accurately reflect the Scripture or are they merely a worn out “Groundhog’s Day” refrain? Are we so naive to believe that we live in perilous times never to be repeated. The Black Plague pandemic of the 14th century took the lives of 75,000,000! It’s estimated that the Plague reduced the European population between 25-60%. They undoubtedly thought the end had come upon them and in many ways it did.

For a sobering perspective of the lives lost in wars and related oppression, click this LINK. You will be disgusted but it will provide a much needed frame of reference. Estimated deaths due to armed conflicts since the 8th century equaled 350,000,000. The non-combatant fatalities due to severe oppression were approx. 288,000,000. Genocidal mortality was approx. 59,000,000. Lastly, the death toll for man-made famines and human sacrifices were 61,000,000. Combined there were more than three quarters of a billion deaths! And we have the audacity to bring Jesus’ reference to “wars and rumors of wars” into modern focus. I don’t mean to be harsh, but it seems to me that we have an incredibly limited scope of understanding. Until I began to study I certainly did.

We’ve become so myopic that we can hardly see the forest’s Kingdom through the trees of despair. I’m not implying that most of us are suicidal but I do think there’s an underlying anticipation of moral decay that we’ve come to expect. Why? Because we believe we’re living in the last days. We cannot escape our eschatological conclusions. However, God’s sovereign plan of victory will not be thwarted by uncooperative believers. His purposes will prevail. We serve a mighty King and we will not be defeated because we are citizens of His Kingdom and God will not fail. For the Kingdom is not of flesh and blood but by the power of God!

Just as Christ said, “The poor will always be with you“, it appears that this “Left Behind” message (which only rose to prominence in the mid 1800s) espoused in the below video, will also forever be with us until it’s countered by diligent Bible study and sound teaching. What difference does eschatology make? Why do I stay the course on this issue?

One look at the below video should answer those questions. I believe this eschatology of hopelessness has sold us into the slavery of pessimism, unwittingly denying the essence and hope of the Gospel. Since times are worsening (they always are in someone’s view) and we only have a short time left (or so we are constantly told), what’s the use in being faithful ambassadors? How can we be effective salt spreaders and light givers if it will all be for naught. Is our job to make disciples or merely throw a few fish into the boat before the elements melt with fervent heat? Are we not supposed to make a difference in all areas of life? Should the Gospel of the Kingdom not pervade all things including the environment? Stewardship has to do with caring for that which God has graciously given to us. (This 3 minute video may take 20-30 secs to load)

When I first entered the financial services industry in 1980, interest rates were skyrocketing, topping out at more than 20% in ‘81, the economy was in a tail spin and national confidence was extremely low. The Middle East situation was tenuous at best and the anticipatory return of Christ was reaching feverish levels.

Gary North and crew, along with gold guru Howard Ruff and all the gloom and doomers, were predicting gold prices of $3,000/oz from the less than $300 it stood at the time. (Incidentally, Ruff’s now back at it again after a 23 year hiatus—I presume his long disappearance from public view was due to his plethora of failed predictions) Due to the “massive debt” (not by today’s standards!) and by inflation run amuck, gold did soar to nearly $800/oz. But by the end of ’81 gold had retreated to $275. Today, economically things seem bleaker than ever with gold up to $976/oz today and gas prices affecting almost everything. Yet, we worship a sovereign God who’s working all thing according to the counsel of His will. His unseen Kingdom, that can only be tapped by faith, has initiated billions since Christ walked the earth. And it’s not about to stop now no matter the economic conditions we face.

However, in spite of being cognizant of God’s management of this world, it should be noted that His sovereign plan has never been void of human suffering. We oft pay the consequences for not only our sins but also the wayward acts of others including our elected leaders. Just consider the past 150 years of U.S. history. We’ve endured civil wars, world wars and economic hardship beyond anything this generation has experienced or can even imagine. Everything negative is always “a sign of the times“. We’re always “nearing the end“. When will we wake up? Jesus’ prophetic Olivet Discourse (Mt 24; Lk 21; Mk 13) pertained to the “this generation” of the first century. Not us!

• “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake.” Matthew 24:9 (ESV)

Is this prophetic Word still future? When I consider the fact that John the Baptizer and 10 out of the 12 apostles were ruthlessly murdered (in accordance with the prophecy), it’s quite obvious that neither the first century Christ followers nor today’s Christians two millennia removed, were/are shielded from the pain and suffering that result from living in a fallen world. Matter of fact, trying to wrap the idea that it was God’s plan for Peter to glorify His Father in the manner of his death, is almost unfathomable for the westernized twenty first century Christian. But aren’t health, wealth and prosperity the marks of a believer? Not my idea of the John 10:10 abundant life preached by the likes of Osteen and Schuler. (Their attitudes are infectiously positive—if they only saturated their positive mindset with the truth of the Gospel…How can you be saved from your depravity if you are unaware of your sin problem?…but that’s for another time)

Is earth supposed to one day be void of human suffering? Is this truly Biblical? One need look no further than the last chapter of the Bible for the answer. This is a picture of our world today. Inside the unseen New Jerusalem that is from above, there is peace, security, redemption and relationship with Jesus. Outside are those that do not yet know Jesus as savior. God has enrolled us in the task of inviting the lost sheep to King’s dining table. How blessed are we that are entrusted with such a sobering mission.

• “Blessed are those who wash their robes [believers], so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates. ¹⁵ Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. ¹⁶ “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.” ¹⁷ The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price. Revelation 22:14-17 (ESV)

What a marvelous invitation for those who do not know Christ. Come, all who are thirsty to drink of the eternal water of life. For Jesus said:

• Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, ²⁶ and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:25-26 (ESV)

The comfort and solace I draw is in knowing that whatever God’s plan is, there is one. And I can say with confidence that the message of the Gospel is not one of defeat. Those that taste life shall never die! If this were not so, Christianity would not have survived the first century. People will not give their lives for something unless they are convinced it’s truth.

Faith to me is trusting God in spite of the sometimes menacingly uncertain outlook, confident that His redemptive plan will not be thwarted. Our massive national debt, $8/gal gas or a Middle East chaos brought on in part by the Christian Zionists will not disrupt God’s redemptive plan. These are not the signs of the end. How can I be so certain? Because we have the historical record that many Christians are unaware. There’s proof that every Jesus predicted, everything, happened in the exact time frame predicted. (I challenge you to listen to the 10 sermons by Pastor David Curtis. Go to www.charlescoty.com/audio2.html and scroll down to Olivet Discourse 2007. Each sermon is complete with a transcript. You will not be disappointed. Challenged, yes, disappointed, no)

As the tribulation began in the spring of AD 66, it didn’t look too promising for the home team. The new spiritual Kingdom, which began as a mere trickle of water through the ministry of the incarnate Christ and a handful of young, often confused recruits, was continually losing its most devout leaders to prison and/or death. How did Christianity survive the first century? How could this subversive movement thrive when their leadership was continually eliminated? Were those days, when the Gospel was spreading like wildfire, less taxing that what we face today? We get exercised over dropped mobile phones call when the first century faithful were joyfully accepting the plundering of their goods for the sake of the Gospel. (Heb 10:33-34)

Why was the early church so successful? God’s sovereign plan is the short answer. But more specifically, I think it was the hope of the Gospel that not only secured their heavenly future, but also gave them a clear vision through their call as ambassadors—to effect change within the context of their earthly responsibilities. They were not so heavenly minded that they were of no earthly good. Actually quite to the contrary. They were so heavenly minded they were of immense earthly value. I think herein lies the difference between first century and twenty first century believers. They forsook life and limb for the propagation of the Gospel. For the Apostle Paul, living or dying was a win-win proposition.

• Philippians 1:21-26 (ESV) “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. 24 But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.”

It absolutely boggles my mind when I hear people say that since the days of Noah we’re living in history’s worst times. Making this kind of statement seems to uncover a poor comprehension of the historical record or a need to conform Scriptural interpretation to our paradigm. Weren’t all believers who lived in the transition period (AD 30—AD 70) in danger of losing their lives? Being baptized came at great cost. Identifying with the “way” at best came at a cost of social alienation and worse was a death sentence. Is this the prevailing condition of the 21st century?

Consider how far the Kingdom has come! How wonderful is the matchless grace of Jesus! From a mere trickle of water emanating from Temple to rivers of water too deep to traverse—the Gospel has had a massive worldwide impact.

Ezekiel 47 sums it all up. Instead of this “woe is me” attitude of defeat and the short term mentality created by an ill-fated eschatology, we need to rise above the negative chatter and proclaim the victory of our Savior through the Gospel. Yes, things may appear hopelessly headed down the path toward a cataclysmic end. But if we take a step back from our myopic “can’t see the forest from the trees” view, we recognize that nothing could be further from the truth! No one should be pleased with the condition of today’s Church and our pathetic influence on society, (or should I say society’s influence on the Church) but in the panoramic view of history we can easily observe the Gospel’s revolutionary affect on every culture with which it has permeated.

Hopefully in the near term, armed with a victorious Gospel proven by an eschatology of spiritual conquest, we will begin to make inroads into the psyche of the Church. Pessimillennialism strikes at the heart of our goal to bring the waters of the Spirit to every nook and cranny of planet earth.

Time and again, either through conversations or reading the musings of bloggers, I see passages from Titus and 2Timothy (referenced earlier) offered as proof that we are living in the hopelessness of the last days. As I have noted in prior articles, It Depends What the Meaning of ‘Is’ Is; Hermeneutical Principles—Reading the Bible with First Century Glasses; Audience Relevance in the Olivet, this kind of interpretation ignores such hermeneutical principles as audience relevance, the analogy of faith (interpreting Scripture in light of Scripture) and a Biblical understanding of time. I believe the anemic Gospel (where the earthly Church loses to satan) espoused by many, should be boldly countered with Scripture and replaced with the hope of a Church sold out and submitted to the Lordship of Christ and the power of the Gospel. According to the Apostle John we truly are overcomers. Many of us just don’t know it yet. Just think what could be if we actually believed what we read in Scripture…

• 1 John 4:4 (ESV) Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
  

• Hebrews 2:14-15 (ESV) Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, ¹⁵ and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.

• Colossians 2:13-15 (ESV) And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, ¹⁴ by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. ¹⁵ He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.

I’m writing this as much as a wake-up call to myself than for the rest of you. It’s easy to become entangled in pessimism when a fill-up is more than $60 and job security is so fragile. It’s more evident to me than ever that I have to continually renew my mind with truth, being cognizant of the vital hope in our New Covenant promises?

As gas prices continue to float skyward and as the ensuing economic misery sets in, may we not lose heart, knowing that our God does indeed reign. We must lead the way. We’ve got to be the forward-thinkers. We must be the glass-half-full Christians because the Gospel should produce nothing less. I believe we must become positive difference-makers like self-help guru Joel Osteen, but instead of preaching self actualization and a vacant syrupy Gospel, we, armed with the sword of the Spirit, should boldly proclaim the power of the cross and an eschatology of victory. Let me leave this with you from the prophet Ezekiel. Read the whole chapter if you have a chance. This is a picture of God’s growing unseen Kingdom.

• Ezekiel 47:5-9 (ESV) “Again he measured a thousand, and it was a river that I could not pass through, for the water had risen. It was deep enough to swim in, a river that could not be passed through. 6 And he said to me, “Son of man, have you seen this?” Then he led me back to the bank of the river. 7 As I went back, I saw on the bank of the river very many trees on the one side and on the other. 8 And he said to me, “This water flows toward the eastern region and goes down into the Arabah, and enters the sea; when the water flows into the sea, the water will become fresh. 9 And wherever the river goes, every living creature that swarms will live, and there will be very many fish. For this water goes there, that the waters of the sea may become fresh; so everything will live where the river goes.”

As I listened to the sermon Sunday morn, I was immediately struck by the impact and foreshadowing of the following verse:

• And it had been revealed to him [Simeon] by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. Luke 2:26 (NKJV)

Just as the Holy Spirit revealed to Simeon that he would not taste death before witnessing the advent of Christ, Jesus, near His ministry’s end, through the revelation of the self-same Spirit, made a similar prognostication regarding the certainty that some of His devout followers would not die until they witnessed His return.

• For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works. 28 Assuredly, I say to you, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.” Matthew 16:27-28 (NKJV)

Although Jesus made it clear that He was unaware of the exact day or hour of His return, (Mt 24:36; Acts 1:7) He made certain to warn His followers of the season. He employed time referents (Mt 24:34) as well as the analogy of childbirth (Mt 24:8; 1Thes 5:3), thus readying them (not us) for the last day’s events (Acts 2:16-21; Heb 1:1-2; James 5:3; 2Pet 3:3) that would befall that sinful and adulterous first century generation (Mt 23:34-36).

The Gospel of Mark recorded it this way:

• For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels. And He said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that there are some standing here who will not taste death till they see the kingdom of God present with power.” Mark 8:38-9:1 (NKJV)

I’ve read the commentaries and I’ve perused my Reformation Study Bible’s footnotes. I’ve listened to the explanations that Jesus is supposedly referencing His transfiguration, His ascension, the Spirit’s outpouring at Pentecost or all three. Saying they wouldn’t die for the next 6 days (transfiguration) to two months (Ascension and then Pentecost) seems that this profound proclamation could hardly be worthy of Jesus’ “Assuredly I say to you” emphasis. Not much of a stretch to make such an emphatic statement that only some of them would still be alive for another 60 days! The reality is that all but Judas were still very much alive many years after the inauguration of the Church at Pentecost. (At this point it may be noteworthy to consider the fact that Christ’s entourage consisted of about 100 and was rarely confined to the twelve)

I never cease to be amazed how strong paradigms can be. It seems that only hardened presuppositions can force such weak interpretive conclusions. But I don’t cast stones here. I was in the same boat for 33 years before I allowed these passages to penetrate my defense mechanisms. The Word is clearly active and alive and pierces to the core of our very being—and if we allow it, it will reform our minds—even possibly causing us to come to some unpopular conclusions. (Jn 15:18; Heb 4:12; Rom 12:2) Truth will indeed set us free but it may also set us apart from the majority whose mission seems to be conformation to the status quo and to the “private interpretations” of man. It should be a mark of the spiritually mature that a passionate pursuit of truth can coexist within the context of peace and unity. But I digress.

Comparing Matthew 16:27-28 with the Olivet Discourse

The above two texts state that Jesus was to come in glory, with His angels, with rewards (judgment) and with power in His Kingdom. Compare this to the Olivet Discourse passages of Matthew 24, Mark 13 and Luke 21. You may be amazed to find out that all the constituent elements of the Olivet are contained in these “some standing here will not taste death” passages. Therefore, as long as reason triumphs over presupposition, it is logical to assume that Matthew 16:27-28 refers to Jesus’ return. Coming to this realization may put us in a very uncomfortable situation, where we recognize that our paradigm may be in conflict with Scripture.

So now what are we to do? This changes the equation a great deal and Scriptural reorientation takes time. But don’t lose heart. Truth will not only bring us closer to Jesus, but it will yield the peace of God in due time. Throughout the Gospels, Jesus seems to be more concerned with our reaction and acquiescence to the truth when it is presented than the fact that for a season we may have languished in error.

We are emboldened by the faith of Simeon and yet those (yours truly) that by the same faith in the Spirit’s revelation, who believe that Jesus was faithful to do exactly as He promised, are considered outside the mainstream. How have we traveled so far? Why don’t we take Jesus at face value, and why are those that do, considered to be in error or worse, heretical? Could it possibly be because we misunderstand the New Covenant promises in much the same way as the first century Jews, who mistakenly developed expectations of the Messiah becoming their physical earthly deliverer? The Kingdom was not and is not flesh and blood but much of the verbiage identifying the New Covenant promises seems to be erroneously translated into the physical realm i.e. “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.” (Rev 21:4)

Jesus did not offer clandestine words about his parousia and the consummation of that which was inaugurated at His death/resurrection. He told His followers that He would come within a generation (Mt 24:34) before His disciples had finished going through all the cities of Israel (Mt 10:23) and before they all died (Mt 16:28). As the generation wore on after Jesus’ ascension, and as the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70 became ever so imminent, we see the language intensify with time phrases like “at hand” (1Pet 4:7), “soon” (Rev 1:1,3), “in a very little while” (Heb 10:37-38) and “it is the last hour” (1John 2:18). Why would these time texts grow in this sense of near term inevitability if they were not pointing to an impending event but one that was yet thousands of years future?

In the Bible’s last chapter of the last book we see this sense of imminence ever so clearly in the following phrases: “things which must soon take place” (Rev 22:6); “I am coming soon” (Rev 22:7); “for the time is near” (Rev 22:10); “Behold I am coming soon” (Rev 22:12); “surely I am coming soon” (Rev 22:20). Peter, in dealing with the last days scoffers who apparently were causing the faithful to lose heart (2 Pet 3:3-4), felt the dissension caused by those that insisted that Jesus’ “delay” (37 years from Jesus’ “This Generation” proclamation) was entirely too long. What did he tell them? How were they comforted in their distrees? “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness…” In other words, Jesus was right on schedule. Matter of fact, 2Pet 3:9 implies exactly the opposite of what has been traditionally reasoned—as though by one stroke of the pen, Peter renders his own and all other time references, irrelevant.

My Dream for the Next Quarter Century

My hope is that within the next 20-25 years, we will begin to appropriate the New Covenant promises that were still future to the NT authors and recognize the timely faithfulness of our Savior. Today it’s in vogue to believe the promises given to the first century faithful are finally imminent. But why now, if Jesus’ return was supposed to be within a generation of His crucifixion? After nearly 2,000 years how can shortly all of a sudden mean shortly? Is it possible for something to be “at hand” in every generation since the promise was given? Please excuse my facetiousness but are some of Jesus’ disciples still living today?

Believe it or not, the Mormon church combines two passages from Scripture, Matthew 16:28, “there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom“, and Jesus’ statement in John 21:23 “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?“, with two from their documents, one in the Book of Mormon (3 Nephi 28:4-6, 28-31) and the other from Doctrine and Covenants (Section 7:1-3), into the belief that the Apostle John is still alive today.

Bill McKeever from the Mormonism Research Ministry, dedicated to the task of challenging the claims of Mormonism since 1979, made the following observations:

McKeever continued:

How these mere men could maintain this longevity is explained in verses 37 and 38. Here, the writer inquires of the Lord how these three are able to live so long. Verses 38-40 state:

“Therefore, that they might not taste of death there was a change wrought upon their bodies, that they might not suffer pain nor sorrow save it were the sins of the world. Now this change was not equal to that which shall take place in the last day; but there was a change wrought upon them…And in this state they were to remain until the judgment day of Christ.”

Although I find this belief so bizarrely consistent with other facets of Mormonism, I do however, commend them to the degree that they at least attempt to synthesize the Biblical text. John 21:23 cannot be used as a proof text that he (John) survived until the parousia, but I do find the exchange between Peter and Jesus rather interesting since it must have at least been plausible that the disciple whom Jesus loved might live to witness Jesus’ cloud coming return.

Instead of today’s typical belief in a 2,000 year gap, separating the date of Jesus’ prophesies from His anticipated return, this text seems to be consistent with the expectation that some of Jesus’ hearers would live to “see” His coming. “Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him. So it is to be. Amen.” (Rev 1:7) And lest we lose sight of this verse’s context, it should not go without notice that verse one and three of Revelation’s first chapter set the tone for all that was “soon” to take place, for the time was “near”:

• The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants, the things which must soon take place; and He sent and communicated it by His angel to His bond-servant John, Revelation 1:1 (NASB)

• Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near. Revelation 1:3 (NASB)

I trust that we will eventually approximate the faith of Simeon. How can we begin to gain this kind of confidence in the Lord? I think faith is incremental and cumulative. First, by believing that Jesus was faithful to the direct recipients of the “this generation” promises. Realizing that the “timing” of His coming dictated the “nature” of His coming, is a giant step forward. Allow the full weight of the imminent language to begin to crush and rebuild your paradigm. Is it possible that we, like the first century Jews, have mistaken the nature of the parousia (return with a consequential presence) because we choose to ignore or trivialize His timing?

Based upon my experience, I realize that presuppositional reconstruction can be unnerving and disorienting but I can say with assurance that it will ultimately lead to peace and provide greater confidence in the inspired Word of God. For we can be certain that the One who was faithful to “them” will be forever be faithful to us.

If we are to encourage one another to know God’s will, we must know His Word and be dedicated to the truth of it regardless where it leads or how uncomfortable it makes us feel. As the body of Christ continues to go through the maturing process, I hope that we will, to a greater degree, commit to “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.” (2Tim 2:15) Sadly, theology is oftentimes viewed with disdain as though diligent study’s only byproduct is division. True, it surely can separate because truth is by its very nature divisive, but without it we will never truly know God and therefore be the kinds of ambassadors we are called to be.

I trust you will continue to hide these things in your heart as I humbly submit these thoughts.

If you’d like to see Matthew 16:27-28 exegeted in detail, Michael Sullivan of www.TreeOfLifeMinistries.info, does a masterful job—you may be surprised how solid the evidence really is.

• So Pilate said* to Him, “You do not speak to me? Do You not know that I have authority to release You, and I have authority to crucify You?” 11 Jesus answered, “You would have no authority over Me, unless it had been given you from above; for this reason he who delivered Me to you has the greater sin.” John 19:10-11 (NASB)

• “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm.” John 18:36 (NASB)

• Now I say this, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 1 Corinthians 15:50 (NASB)

• Now having been questioned by the Pharisees as to when the kingdom of God was coming, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed; 21 nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or, ‘There it is!’ For behold, the kingdom of God is in your midst.” Luke 17:20-21 (NASB)

• Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1 (NASB)

• However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural; then the spiritual. 47 The first man is from the earth, earthy; the second man is from heaven. 1 Corinthians 15:46-47 (NASB)

• Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, 14 or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right. 15 For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men. 16 Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God. ¹⁷ Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king. 1 Peter 2:13-17 (NASB)

• Jesus answered, “The foremost is, ‘Hear, O Israel! the Lord our God is one Lord ; 31 and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart , and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength .’ 31 “The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself .’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:29-31 (NASB)

Was God’s Garden death sentence physical, spiritual or both? Answering this question is of extreme importance if we are to properly understand the death spoken of in 1 Corinthians 15 and Romans 5:12ff. Consider the following statement from Jesus just before He raised Lazarus from his 4 day encounter with physical death. Was Lazarus’ physical resurrection a shadow of things to come?

• Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:24-26 (ESV)

Those who die “shall live” and those alive “shall never die”. Both the living and those that have passed on are made alive in Christ. Jesus is most certainly speaking of spiritual life and therefore the common denomenator between the physically alive and dead, is “spiritual birth”. With that as a background let’s move to the sequence of events that brought us to the place of the cross.

What took place that fateful day in the Garden of Eden on,

April 15, 0081 A.M. (Anno Mundi—a running clock from the beginning) that forever plunged man into the abyss of oppressive wickedness, thus requiring this regeneration required to commune with God? Actually we truly have no clue as to the first transgression’s date or year but in honor of what may be the most despised day in the U.S., I thought it was only fitting to tie sin’s origination with income tax day. 🙂

• So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. Genesis 3:6 (ESV)

There is virtually no theological misunderstanding regarding Adam’s original edict-breaking decision (at least not that I am aware of), but there is a great deal of controversy relative to the nature of the death that was to befall Adam and Eve. It is this “death” that I will attempt to address. Was the nature of “the death” physical or spiritual? If we don’t correctly identify the precise consequence then we will incorrectly apply the solution.

There’s no doubt that the desire to make autonomous choices was at the heart of this original sin. That very special fruit that hung on the tree in the middle of the garden, apparently looked irresistible, tasted like the most heavenly desert and was promised to bring wisdom on par with the Creator. So what else is new? Aren’t these one in the same temptations we daily succumb to that evidence our link to Adam’s “sin nature”?

I used to wonder why the demonstration of our faith was so important to God. I’d say to myself, “Self, I thought God’s ultimate desire was for my obedience?” Even obedience outside the context of faith is apparently of little value to the Lord. We are told that “without faith it is impossible to please Him” (Heb 11:6a) The Apostle Paul wrote, “For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.” (Rom 14:23b) I believe the reason God covets faith is because it violates the autonomous nature that feeds our fleshly desires.

Utter dependence on God, believing that He alone is sovereign, runs against every molecule of our Adamic nature. Becoming like a child, totally dependent upon God, mocks our seeming independence. Even the most popular soteriology of our day, arminianism, is consistent with the belief that we are self-sufficient determinative creatures. We say, how dare God tell us what to do! I can choose or not choose Him as I see fit! Ah, but this idea stems from a misunderstanding of the very nature of our condition. I’m forever writing a paper entitled, “Dead Men Can’t Jump”. It typifies the total depravity of the human race, launched by that notorious garden couple.

What were the immediate and ultimate consequences of Adam and Eve’s violation of God’s law? I believe a misstep in our understanding of the Garden crime’s commensurate punishment, has created a great deal of confusion resulting in some rather faulty presuppositions.

This heinous act was a willful and premeditated contravention of God’s only law. As a point of emphasis it should be recognized that man was created outside the lush surroundings of Eden.

• The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and keep it. Genesis 2:15 (ESV)

At this juncture it is not my intention to deal with man’s mortality or the origination of evil but it should be duly noted that the both the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil predated Adam’s insertion into this paradise. I think this speaks to the very nature of man’s originally sinless longevity.

• And out of the ground the Lord God made to spring up every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Genesis 2:9 (ESV)

The Commandment

Let’s look at the composition of the entire body of law that existed during the first millennium of God’s creation. As opposed to the 612 laws that would eventually be instituted, there was but one command.

• And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, 17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” Genesis 2:16-17 (ESV)

Consider the details of this edict. It is here where I think an errant presupposition has been inserted—and as such it is not confirmed by the text. To properly understand the Scripture, I believe it’s an absolute necessity to learn to take out of (exegesis) and not read into (eisogesis) the text. Man need only obey one simple command and his disobedience produced a rather obvious result—death. Spiritual or physical?

The Punishment

What was the retribution for violating this decree? Was it physical death? The above passage clearly states that they were to “surely die”. Simple, right? This is where we need to check our assumptions at the cover of the Word.

In Genesis 2:17, did God say, “…the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for if you eat of it you shall surely die”? Read this statement again. It seems to be that most interpret the verse in the manner in which I restated it. As Michelangelo is credited as saying, “the devil is in the details”, and in this instance the details of God’s first law are of monumental significance.

What was the punishment for this atrocious crime of desiring to usurp God’s sovereignty and be a god unto themselves? I ask it again. Was the punishment physical death? I’m being redundant at this juncture because I think it is incumbent upon us not to be blinded by presupposition.

In the above reading of Genesis 2:17 did you miss anything? I did. Unlike our current penal system, God’s punishment was to be every bit as swift as it was certain. There was no trial. There was to be no appellate process. The verdict was final and the transgressors experienced the immediacy of the consequences. I ask again, did God say, “if you eat of it you shall surely die”? Absolutely not! If we add to or remove from God’s Word we end up in a world of chaos. I intentionally left out a key prepositional phrase that’s found in the passage quoted above.

For God said, “in the day” you eat you will “surely die”. Yes, they were to die but the death was to be “in the day”, not hundreds of years future. Retribution for eating the fruit of this special tree was not to be carried out at some future indeterminate time but was to be immediate—it was to happen the same day. Would you agree?

God did not say that man would die 800 or 900 years after the offense (we are told that Adam lived 930 years). This is absolutely crucial. God specifically told Adam and Eve that their death sentence for disobedience would be carried out the very day they ate from the forbidden tree. So at this point the question on the table is: was God faithful to this promised same-day judgment?

Keeping this query simmering, let’s move on to the interaction between the Mr. Ed of reptiles and the original first lady.

By contrast what did the serpent tell Eve?

• But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. Genesis 3:4 (ESV)

As a sidebar, I think it’s rather interesting to note that the serpent’s plan of attack went through the woman who was not directly and specifically given the directive by God (at least that is recorded in Scripture). Clearly Adam must have passed down God’s command to Eve (she was obviously accountable) because with only a minor addition regarding touch, she quoted God’s command verbatim back to the rowdy reptile. As we know, the serpent attempted to use a little misdirection by including all the trees of the garden as part of God’s rule, but the key here is in the serpent’s reply to Eve. “You will not surely die”.

At this point we have an obvious challenge to God. This wicked creature told Eve that she would not die, while God had made it abundantly clear that she and Adam would not only die but their death would occur the very day they partook. This to me is the epicenter of this issue and it must be dealt with if we are to reach the heart of the sin problem.

The theological conclusions of many today unwittingly side with the serpent. On what basis do I make this claim? When Adam and Eve violated the law who correctly identified the consequences? Was it God or the conniving serpent? Asking this question may seem rather presumptuous but it’s entirely valid and germane to the issue at hand relative to the conclusions that many people have drawn. Certainly we know that God cannot be in error, so if our conclusions say that he is, then we must be forced to adjust our ill-conceived ideas.

We all know the outcome of this Peyton Place scene but let’s look at it more closely while attempting to discard presuppositional bias. I ask again. Was God’s death sentence immediate? Let’s look at the text. (I would consider reading Genesis 2 and 3 for context)

• So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. 7 Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths. Genesis 3:6-7 (ESV)

• The Lord God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, cursed are you above all livestock and above all beasts of the field; on your belly you shall go, and dust you shall eat all the days of your life. Genesis 3:14 (ESV)

Their eyes were opened and shame flooded their very being. The violation of God’s law was swift and it was sure but was it meted out by physical death? Did Adam or Eve breathe their last breath the day they ate?

According to the chronology below who was cursed first? The serpent was told of the enmity that would exist between him and Eve’s offspring. What were the specific and pertinent punishments for the human violators of God’s law or in the case of the cunning mercenary that challenged others to transgress?

• I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.” 16 To the woman he said, “I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children. Your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you.” 17 And to Adam he said, “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you, ‘You shall not eat of it,’ cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life; 18 thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field. 19 By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” Genesis 3:15-19 (ESV)

The Penalties:

1. The Serpent: was to crawl on his belly and eat dust (doesn’t quite sound like the super-being assumed today—that’s another can of worms that should be addressed—it’s much less messy to blame all evil on some external dragon without considering the accountability of our own depraved condition)

2. The Woman: would feel the utter pain in childbearing; and her husband was to rule over her. (Adam probably saw Eve’s 2nd punishment as the silver lining in the very ominous cloud! Just kidding…)

3. The Man: God cursed the ground. Toil would be certain as man attempted to cultivate this new unhealthy thistle-laden work environment (a few verses later we find that the man was banished from the perfect Edenic conditions)

Was the “return to the ground” part of Adam and Eve’s punishment? Sure it was, or I should say most think that it was. Is this truly what the text implies? Without presupposition, I believe one would conclude that “till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken” was part of the natural process. How can this be? Surely most of us assume that physical death is part of sin’s curse. This is something for a latter time but I think it is worth pondering.

I believe it is of value to draw a distinct contrast between God’s command and what the serpent told Eve. God said, “the day you eat of it you shall surely die” while the serpent said, “you will surely not die”. If the current theological paradigm (punishment equating physical death) is allowed to stand, who was telling the truth—God or the serpent? Did Adam and Eve physically die the very day they ate of the forbidden fruit? Do you see the problem? Physical death was not realized for hundreds of years after the transgression.

At this point the ensuing argument usually resides in the proposition that they “began to die” that day. This is not what the text says or even implies. This conclusion is assumption driven. The text does not say, “the day you eat of it you shall surely begin to die”. We must be precise with God’s Word.

Adam lived at least 800 years after this supposed immediate death sentence. A year after his conviction, had his death decree been carried out incrementally by 1/930th? With each passing year was he that much closer to realizing the full weight of God’s punishment or was God’s vengeance to be realized immediately?

Back in the late 70’s I worked at the Reception Medical Center (RMC), a prison intake facility in north Florida. I flipped the switch that night that allowed Ted Bundy to shuffle through the iron-barred doors of RMC. This notorious murderer was quickly classified and in a short while was shipped out to Florida State Prison’s infamous death row, where Bundy would live out the remaining years of his life.

At 7:06 a.m. local time on January 24, 1989, Ted Bundy was electrocuted in FSP’s “Old Sparky”, after being sentenced almost 10 years prior. Stay after stay, many were outraged that this sadistic sexual deviant’s execution was so long coming after his initial death sentence.

Here’s the point. Let’s compare Bundy’s “swift and certain” (at least that’s the way it’s supposed to be) death sentence with Adam’s. Bundy lived 10 years after sentencing while Adam lived more than 800 years! As slow as our justice system is in executing those who await their final rest, how does that stack up against God’s punishment of Adam, if in fact physical death was the death that God spoke of in Genesis 2:17. And if physical death was the intended consequence why didn’t God make a salt statue out of each of them the day they realized their nakedness?

Consider this. If the serpent had been given the opportunity to speak with the women he deceived, what would have been his unequivocal statement had physical death been God’s expected method of punishment? “See I told you, you weren’t going to die and you clearly didn’t die, did you? God is the liar I told you He was”. Clearly this conversation never took place nor could it have because I do not believe physical death was the anticipated punishment.

After Adam realized that his physical life was spared, wouldn’t Adam have thought, “I guess God wasn’t all that serious about ‘the day you eat of it you shall surely die’.” Isn’t this like telling one of our children, “If you do that one more time I’m going to send you to your room for the rest of your natural born life!” It’s only going to take 2 or 3 times before little Johnny begins to suspect that we don’t really mean what we say?

Adam and Eve each received the immediate and expected punishment which included something not yet mentioned in the Scripture passages quoted above—banishment from the garden. God “drove man out of the garden”. Why? Because in it was the tree of life. His removal was the evidence that he was forever separated from His Creator.

Punishment was spiritual

The sin problem created by Adam was not physical but spiritual. And without the miraculous intervention of God through Christ, Adam’s sin could never have been atoned for. God knew from the beginning that the blood of bulls and goats would never be enough. For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. Hebrews 10:4 (NASB) One physical act of disobedience (which was calculated and volitional) led to spiritual death—not physical death. Adam and Eve were separated from God the very day they ate of the fruit. They were forever banished from the garden. As per verse 24 above, in its midst was the tree of life which was basically a fountain of youth. Apparently in it was immortality and that’s why God was forced to guard the tree with a special detail of angelic beings—the fleshly state of Adam was overtly mortal.

• For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. 1 Corinthians 15:21-22 (NKJV)

In Adam all that are dead spiritually will return to the dust of the earth and forever be separated from God. But how glorious it is that through Christ we are alive! Born dead spiritually in the condition of Adam but made alive through Christ. We are born again. Though alive in the flesh we are born in the spirit. And that which is made alive shall never die.

What physical death accomplishes for the believer is to pass Christ-followers directly into the presence of God. Death has no sting because our spirit has already been raised with Christ. This is why Jesus told Nicodemus that his physical birthright was of no eternal consequence. His physical Jewishness was of no value because although alive physically he was dead spiritually.

• Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3 (ESV)

The issue for Nicodemus, and for that matter all men, is that we are all still-born spiritually. As in the Princess Bride classic (one of my all-time favorites), men are not “mostly dead” but “all dead”. As Paul points out, it’s rather preposterous to think that a dead man can seek God. To me this is what the entire plan of redemption is about. Though we are alive physically we are dead spiritually, not to be raised out of our Adamic bondage apart from a saving faith initiated by Christ. Being physically alive does not constitute spiritual life and being spiritually alive does not preclude one from dying physically. The beating of the human heart tells us nothing about our eternal spiritual condition. Following is a rather dismal commentary on the reality of man’s condition apart from Christ.

• as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one; 11 no one understands; no one seeks for God. 12 All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.” 13 “Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive.” “The venom of asps is under their lips.” 14 “Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.” 15 “Their feet are swift to shed blood; 16 in their paths are ruin and misery, 17 and the way of peace they have not known.” 18 “There is no fear of God before their eyes.” Romans 3:10-18 (ESV)

• The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. Genesis 6:5 (ESV)

• The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? Jeremiah 17:9 (KJV)

Adam, and all that will continue to forever follow, are at enmity with God from their very birth. We aren’t sinners because we sin; we sin because we are born sinners. Yes, we are free moral agents. We can choose to sin or we can choose to sin. This is the Baskin Robbins of only one flavor. However, through justification by faith the walls of separation are torn down and we are freed from the chains of sin. This is God-initiated grace where we finally have peace with God. (Rom 5:1).

The following passage contains some exquisitely clear language regarding justification. By the one (Adam) we are all condemned, but by the ONE (Christ) we are made righteous. There are only two states of being. We are either in Adam or in Christ.

• If, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ. 18 Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. 19 For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous. 20 Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, 21 so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.Romans 5:17-21 (ESV)

Concluding Thoughts

Looking back to the garden we must know that God’s righteous punishment for Adam and Eve was immediate and it was certain. We know that God was in fact telling the truth and that the serpent was a deceitful desperate liar. The day Adam ate of the fruit he died. He didn’t begin to die. It was a spiritual death and the gravestone read, “Today you transgressed My law. Today you died forever.” It was separation from the Creator because with this sin barrier in place God could no longer fellowship with man as He once did. On that very day God’s rather laborious eschatological plan of redemption was launched and was to be consummated at the end of the “last days”.

We know that the serpent was found wanting. For if the consequential death prescribed by God had been physical, the serpent would have been truthful—because Adam and Eve didn’t physically die the day they ate but yet remained alive on earth for at least 800 years after the entrance of sin. Adam lived under his spiritual death sentence for the bulk of his 930 years, knowing that the day he breathed his last would in fact be his last—never to see God again.

How did I miss the difference between Adam’s physical and spiritual death for 33 years? Presupposition. I assumed by what I had been told, that physical death was the ultimate enemy that must be conquered. However, physical death merely finalizes our eternal state—either eternal life with God for the believer or eternal separation from God for those who do not by faith choose Christ. I believe this seemingly small issue has caused innumerable interpretational problems.

Physical death is not the enemy of those that know Christ. However, for those who have not yet believed in the name of Jesus Christ, physical death seals their eternal doom. Every human being will eventually be put to rest. “And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, 28 so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.” Hebrews 9:27-28 (ESV) It is the unseen removal of sin that is of eternal value. Matter of fact, the New Covenant blessings are spiritual in nature only “seen” through the faith of our spiritual eyes.

• Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1 (ESV)

• For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, 1 Peter 3:18 (ESV)

We know that Christ enjoyed a resurrection of both body and spirit. Hundreds witnessed the physical results of His resurrection. Was Thomas so unlike us all?

• So the other disciples told him [Thomas], “We have seen the Lord.” But he [Thomas] said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.” John 20:25 (ESV)

How much more though is it of value to God for those who daily trust Christ without physical eyes? For those who recognize that His return was not intended to be physical–for the Kingdom did not come “with signs to be observed”…nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There!’ for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.” (Luke 17:20-21)

• Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” 28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” John 20:27-29 (ESV)

Christ accommodates our spiritual weakness but yet extols the virtue of those that live lives propelled by faith.

It was the resurrection of Jesus’ spirit that forever conquered the bondage of sin. However, had Jesus not been raised bodily there would have been no proof that He had been raised spiritually. Lazarus was raised as well but yet we can reasonably assume that he eventually returned to the earth. In his case the conquering of physical death was temporal, for from the dust we come to the dust we will return. Paul tells us that our carbon-based bodies cannot exist in the life hereafter. Therefore the corruptible must put on the incorruptible. (1Cor 15:35-49)

The ultimate resurrection is of the spirit, for we know that we have been translated from death into the Kingdom (Col 1:13) through the blood of Lamb that was slain before the foundation of the world (1Pet 1:19; Rev 3:8). By faith Lazarus looked forward to the parousia, which was the resurrection on the last day. As Paul was proclaiming the Gospel to Felix we are struck by the nearness of the resurrection which was to occur at the shattering of the holy people. (Dan 12:2;7) By presupposition most translators omit the impact of the little Greek word, “Mello” which means “about to be”. It’s a word of imminence but sadly quite often its impact is neutered from the text. Occasionally the Young’s Literal Translation gets it right and we gain a glimpse of what we may have missed.

• having hope toward God, which they themselves also wait for, [that] there is about to be [mello] a rising again of the dead, both of righteous and unrighteous; Acts 24:15 (YLT)

• Elders who [are] among you, I exhort, who [am] a fellow-elder, and a witness of the sufferings of the Christ, and of the glory about to be [mello] revealed a partaker, 1Peter 5:1 (YLT)

It is not the intent of this study but should you like to learn more about the impact this word should have click Greek: Mello. When I’m reading the NT I can smell a “mello” a mile away!

And so it was, although God’s plan of redemption was conceived before the foundation of the world, it was initiated and inaugurated at the cross and consummated 40 years later at His parousia. Through faith in the finished work of Christ the Adamic problem was forever remedied for those who put their trust in Christ and Christ alone. He truly is THE way, THE truth and THE life and no man can come to the Father apart from the shed blood of Christ. With confidence we look back at the cross as the greatest day in human history, for without it our Adamic sin-laden body of death could never be raised to life. The New Covenant of Christ’s death and resurrection forever solved man’s utterly depraved and abundantly miserable state.

Let’s close with this from these wonderful words from the Apostle Paul:

• There is, then, now no condemnation to those in Christ Jesus, who walk not according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit; 2for the law of the Spirit of the life in Christ Jesus did set me free from the law of the sin and of the death; 3for what the law was not able to do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God, His own Son having sent in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, did condemn the sin in the flesh,that the righteousness of the law may be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. 5For those who are according to the flesh, the things of the flesh do mind; and those according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit; 6for the mind of the flesh [is] death, and the mind of the Spirit — life and peace;

• because the mind of the flesh [is] enmity to God, for to the law of God it doth not subject itself, 8for neither is it able; and those who are in the flesh are not able to please God. 9And ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God doth dwell in you; and if any one hath not the Spirit of Christ — this one is not His;

• 10and if Christ [is] in you, the body, indeed, [is] dead because of sin, and the Spirit [is] life because of righteousness, 11and if the Spirit of Him who did raise up Jesus out of the dead doth dwell in you, He who did raise up the Christ out of the dead shall quicken also your dying bodies, through His Spirit dwelling in you.

• 12So, then, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh; 13for if according to the flesh ye do live, ye are about to [mello] die; and if, by the Spirit, the deeds of the body ye put to death, ye shall live; 14for as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God; 15for ye did not receive a spirit of bondage again for fear, but ye did receive a spirit of adoption in which we cry, `Abba — Father.

• 16The Spirit himself doth testify with our spirit, that we are children of God; 17and if children, also heirs, heirs, indeed, of God, and heirs together of Christ — if, indeed, we suffer together, that we may also be glorified together. 18For I reckon that the sufferings of the present time [are] not worthy [to be compared] with the glory about to be [mello] revealed in us; Romans 8:1-18 (YLT)

What was lost in Adam has been retrieved in Christ. We who are “in Christ” have become Abraham’s seed according to the promise. (Gal 3:16;28) Once we were at enmity with God, dead in our transgressions (alive physically), yet Christ plucked us out of the bondage of the law of sin and death. Does this New Covenant freedom give us license to violate the law of Christ? May it never be! For in verse 12 we read, “So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh— 13 for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. Romans 8:12-13 (NASB)

Adam lived the majority of his 930 year stay on earth in the deadness of his separation from the God who created him. He died the very moment he took that infamous crunchy chomp. His physical death only sealed that which had already been determined by his spiritual departure.

I am just beginning to “see” with spiritual eyes because it is only by the spirit that we communicate with God. (John 4:21-24) It seems to me that we put such a premium on the literal/natural when Jesus was constantly moving His sometimes faithful followers forever to the spiritual. Hopefully this short study will open your eyes (as it did mine) to see which death Paul was referring to in 1Cor 15, because “flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God”. We must constantly change our gaze from the physical to the spiritual.

However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural; then the spiritual. 1 Corinthians 15:46 (NASB) My challenge is to be forever mindful of God’s order. This is why it is absolutely absurd to believe that Jesus again will leave Heaven, return to earth and set up some sort of utopian physical Kingdom. But that’s yet another story for another time.

I’ll leave you with this parting thought. Resurrection takes place the day you enter the Kingdom. Just as Adam died the very day he violated God’s law, we are raised with Christ the very day we partake of His life-giving spirit.

• But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. Romans 8:11 (NASB)

While perusing a friend’s blog, I found the following comment posted by an anonymous author. It regards the continued conflict between Arabs and Jews and conforms to what I have found to be a rather stereotypical response among Christians. He writes:

“I’ve heard it “said” that Muslims descended from Ishmael (son of Abraham and Hagar). Is this true? If it is true, in Genesis 16:12, it is said of Ishmael”:

“He will be a wild donkey of a man; his hand will be against everyone and everyone’s hand against him, and he will live in hostility toward all his brothers.”

“Does Genesis 16:12 only refer to Ishmael, or does it in some way, foreshadow the continual conflict between Muslims and Jesus’ followers?”

Is this assumption valid? Are those that trace their lineage back to Ishael still bound by this decree? Has anything changed in history that could potentially alter God’s pronouncement? Are Jews and Arabs (many of whom are Muslim) or Arabs and Christians destined for eternal strife and foreordained to an acrimonious relationship simply due to heredity? Is this truly an irreversible Hatfield/McCoy byproduct of genetic predisposition?

One might think so were it not for the New Testament’s divinely inspired commentary on the Old Testament. Too often we read the Old Testament without the benefit of New Testament revelation. At this point it may be of some value to consider the thoughts of the Apostle Paul since he was painfully aware of the division of Jew and Gentile. He was both persecutor and persecuted. Did Paul believe that differences were irreconcilable?

Consider the following New Testament passages that provide the backdrop for understanding the nature of the New Covenant. Let’s look at our world through the lens of this inspired NT author.

For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body— Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:13 (ESV)

We are all of one spirit. In Christ we are clearly homogenized.

For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. Romans 10:12 (ESV)

There is no racial distinction.

Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all. Colossians 3:11 (ESV)

In this New Covenant world, genetics do not divide.

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise. Galatians 3:28-29 (ESV)

God has leveled the playing field. Who is Abraham’s offspring? Those born according to the flesh? Physical Israel? Absolutely not. Those who are “in Christ” by faith are Abraham’s offspring. Jews and Gentiles alike become “heirs according to promise” by a faith decision.

Paul even takes this a step further. In this New Covenant economy God has wiped the slate clean. Clearly, God has erased artificial barriers between both races and sexes. Any existing racism or sexism is not God-ordained but man maintained. Faith is the only dividing characteristic between people. There are believers and non-believers. However, is this division supposed to be an obstacle that separates?

I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. 1 Corinthians 1:10 (ESV)

Clearly the Apostle Paul is exhorting believers to be united, but this is not merely to those inside the Church but more so an extension of God’s mind for all. Through our faith in Christ we are to love all equally, not treating any people groups with preference. Our call is to preach the Gospel to all. We love Jews and Arabs alike. We aren’t to favor one over the other any more than we are to divide based upon skin color. At any moment, through faith in Jesus Christ’s shed blood, one can move freely from non-believer to believer. From a position of enmity with God to everlasting peace with God. How cool is that!

So may it never be said that this long-standing feud between Jews and Arabs, Christians and Arabs or Christians and Jews has anything to do with the ordinance of God. Its roots are in the depravity of man. (Rom 3:9-18) Racism of any kind is not condoned nor is tolerated by God—and neither is it inevitably destined to continue into perpetuity. Peace will abound when both Jews and Arabs alike meet the Messiah!

And lest there be any doubt we need look no further Jesus’ parable of the Samaritan. This came on the heals of Jesus issuing the summation of the law in the two greatest commandments: “love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.”

So who is our neighbor? Jesus used the example of the Samaritan since they were utterly despised by His own race. They were considered less than human, much lower than a Gentile. Jesus was leaving no doubt as to His conviction regarding racial barriers. There were to be none! Further testimony came while Jesus engaged the Samaritan woman at well. Clearly, Jesus did not consider ethnicity a valid dividing factor. Jesus, of the lineage of David, was pronoucing to the world that this New Covenant economy was a new order where all could be brothers based upon their relationship with Him.

Let’s plunge deeper into the New Covenant. If we want to see how this relationship between Sarah and Hagar played out in history we need turn no further than the book of Galatians. In his allegorical analysis, Paul does a masterful job of untangling this perceived web of intrigue between Arab and Jew. What was going to be the disposition between these supposedly “irreconcilable”people groups?

What I found extremely interesting was the angle of the Apostle Paul’s argument. He didn’t trifle over who the father was e.g., Abraham, but instead totally focused his attention on the mothers. Through the illumination of the Holy Spirit, Paul asks the simple question, “Who’s your momma?” The religious leaders of Paul’s day proudly proclaimed their heritage to father Abraham. Yet, as we shall see in a moment, Paul rather abuptly made the rather shocking judgment that physical bloodline was no longer of consequence.

As John the Baptizer began his public ministry he greeted his fellow countrymen rather offensively. (I don’t believe he’d ever read Dale Carnegie’s, “How to Win Friends and Influence people”!)

But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath [about] to come? 8 Bear fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. Matthew 3:7-9 (ESV)

The Jews were beginning to find out early on, that genetics were of no value in this New Covenant Kingdom. Without faith it was impossible to please God. (Heb 11:16) (I might add that it has always been about faith, but God was no longer working through nations to mete out that faith—Gal 3:6) So in Paul’s day which people group was the representative of Hagar and her son Ishmael? Paul turns Genesis 16:12 upside down!

For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave woman and one by a free woman. 23 But the son of the slave was born according to the flesh, while the son of the free woman was born through promise. 24 Now this may be interpreted allegorically: these women are two covenants. Galatians 3:22-24

These women and their offspring represent two covenants—the Old Covenant and the New Covenant. In this New Covenant world the relationship between Sarah and Hagar is treated allegorically. Notice which of the two represent the physical Jews of Paul’s day. It may shock you if you haven’t yet considered the ramifications of this passage. Those born physical Jews are from Sarah, right?

One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; she is Hagar. 25Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia; she corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. 26 But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother. Galatians 3:24-26

Are you kidding me! Hagar, the slave woman is the representative from ARABIA and she corresponds to then “present Jerusalem” which was “in slavery” according to God’s economy. This threw me for a loop! The Jerusalem above is free (New Jerusalem) and Sarah is our mother. Not to be overly repetitively redundant 🙂 but in this New Covenant order, Hagar is the representative of the Jews not the Arabs. This was a monumental revelation to me.

For it is written, “Rejoice, O barren one who does not bear; break forth and cry aloud, you who are not in labor! For the children of the desolate one will be more than those of the one who has a husband.” 28 Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise. 29 But just as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so also it is now. Galatians 3:27-29

Who is the “desolate one”? Sarah and her offspring. And who does Sarah represent in this new equation? The Church—those “born according to the Spirit” who were being severely persecuted by the Jewish non-believers. But who was actually being persecuted? Until Paul took the message of Christ to the Gentiles (many years after his coversion) it was predominantly Jews persecuting Jews. Those adhering to Judaism and those that had committed their lives to Christ. The Jews who denied the Savior, thinking that their religiosity would give them Kingdom rights, were “in slavery” while the Jewish believers (and eventually Gentiles by faith alike) would be part of this New eternal Kingdom.

But what does the Scripture say? “Cast out the slave woman and her son, for the son of the slave woman shall not inherit with the son of the free woman.” 31 So, brothers, we are not children of the slave but of the free woman. Galatians 4:30-31 (ESV)

So what’s the disposition of the physical Jews? What was to come of them? They were to be cast out just as it was predicted by Jesus prior to His Olivet Discourse.

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not! 38 See, your house is left to you desolate. Matthew 23:37-38 (ESV)

So in this new Kingdom there is neither Jew nor Gentile, Arab nor Jew. The only distinction in this New Covenant regards our faith choice—those who are with Christ and those who have not yet chosen Christ.

We need to become peacemakers knowing that God does not ordain genetic barriers. It is only through the redemptive blood of Christ that frees us from these racial chains. Is there hope for peace in the Middle East? Absolutely. But if Christians continue to divide people groups based upon non-Biblical parameters, there will always be strife. It’s up to us. So let’s stop practicing racism and begin to love all people equally, knowing that both Jews and Arabs need Jesus.

God is interested in the condition of one’s heart not the pigment of one’s sin. The cross of Jesus Christ is the historical dividing line. On Nisan 14, 0030, the landscape forever changed. Three days and three nights later God’s New Covenant economy was inaugerated. Through faith in Yeshua HaMashia, those born according to the lineage of Ishmael can forever be redeemed and those who consider themselves Israelites can enter the eternal Kingdom as brothers in Christ. And the current Kingdom dwellers offer all who live outside the Kingdom the opportunity to come dine with the King of Kings! (Rev 22:14-15, 17)

Is there potential for peace? You bet there is!