Resurrection
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The resurrection and born again experience is not something that is merely written in books but rather upon the hearts of men.
This resurrection of Jesus Christ was the culmination and crescendo of the entire plan of redemption for mankind.
It was, I would say the most important and significant events that this world has ever seen....without which there would be no redemption therefor no hope.
It was the very peak of the plan of God and the completion and victory over Death, Hell and the Grave.
Without it, no one would be saved
This was the final victory or the final conquest to be gained in the plan of God for the redemption of mankind.
It is that central moment in human history that serves as the foundational doctrine of Christianity.
His very resurrection validates his identity as the divine Son of God.
It is the very truth and proof of who he is.....
It is what secures both our present Salvation and future physical resurrection of believers.
The resurrection of the dead was not a strange concept to the Jewish people…on the contrary, they wholeheartedly believed it.
The book of John gives us a bit of insight when it comes to the significance of the resurrection of Christ in the story of Lazarus.
Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house.
Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.
Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.
Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.
Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
Though they believed in the resurrection of the dead, they didn’t realize that Jesus was speaking of himself.
He was speaking in a spiritual sense and of the new covenant…
He was not speaking of a resurrection of the dead in the last day as she understood it but rather, a new birth experience.
Though this event was prophesied many times in the old testament…the Jewish people did not fully understand Christs role in this event.
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.
But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
This Christ which was to come was not merely a prophet or a common man that was used for a purpose but rather, he was the very God of glory come down to dwell among us. The only “one of a kind”
God in the flesh....That would save his people from their sins.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
The word “word” in the Greek is Logos....
In a number of cases in the NT, logos is used to express the idea of divine revelation. Most important for such a discussion are its uses in John 1. In John 1:1, the logos is identified with God and as God; later in that chapter, the logos takes on flesh (John 1:14). The Gospel shows that Jesus is this logos, and is, therefore, the ultimate divine revelation, plan and intent of God from the beginning.
Therefor, the very word of God spoken of in the beginning would be manifested in the created flesh or the begotten flesh (the only one of a kind and unique from any other or unlike any other) distinctly different, and would become the very revelation of the plan and intent of God.
And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
The manifested plan of God in redemption for all of mankind is seen in the Savior Jesus Christ which would be the representation of the invisible god.
He would be the very power of God and the only one true eternal spirit
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
He was the begotten of the Father or the uniquely created of the Father, the very Logos or word of God…the plan and intent of God was fulfilled through Jesus Christ.
Jesus says in the bible that no man cometh unto the father but by me meaning: through me
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: And the government shall be upon his shoulder: And his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
The bible also tells us Christ’s purpose....that Christ came into this world to specifically destroy sin.
To claim victory over the grip of sin that was upon mankind and to be the final power and authority
He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
This is saying that the Son of God was manifested meaning:
created or made in the likeness of something. He was the manifestation or visualization of the invisible God.
The very spirit of God with us.
For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
So we see that he was created in the likeness of sin that he might destroy sin in the flesh.
He was not, in particular, sinful flesh but was rather in the likeness of sinful flesh....or in the likeness of mankind.
He was saying that the destroying of sin could not be left in the hands of sinful man.....sin cannot destroy sin but righteousness can through the perfect lamb of God....the perfect man made in the likeness of flesh.
When Jesus entered Jerusalem the bible says that they threw down their cloakes and palm branches before him.
The Jews would often throw down palm branches before a conquering hero or a victory of some sort.
They were waving palm branches, and throwing them in front of Jesus to celebrate their “conquering hero,” who was going to set them free from Roman oppression.
this was the idea they had initially but their understanding and expectations where a bit off from God’s plan.
they where going from their preconceived notion of what they wanted to happen or what they thought should happen.
If they would have known the law....they would have understood
They also shouted “Hosanna to the Son of David”....
David was know as a man with blood on his hands…he was a conqueror and had shed much blood in his reign....
This would fall in line with the fact that they looked at Jesus as a conqueror that would set them free from Roman rule and authority through force.
Jesus Christ was indeed the conqueror but not in the way that they thought…He came to set them free from sin and not from Roman power
For sin was the unpassable barrier for mankind and was the purpose and plan from the beginning....to save his people from their sins.
As we see though, this celebration was short-lived. The same Jews who had waved palm branches to celebrate their king who would set them free, shouted out “crucify Him” just a few days later (Mk 15:13-14)(Lk 23:21)(Jn 19:6).
Jesus had indeed come to give the Jews “victory,” however, it was not “victory” over the Romans, but it was “victory” over sin.
When the crowd cried out “Hosanna!” (Jn 12:13)(Mt 21:9), which means “God saves,” they didn’t realize that Jesus came to “save” them from “sin.” The Romans were not the problem, sin was the problem!
Sin has always been the problem....God destroyed every living things from off the face of the earth for this very thing.
He destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah for sin
Jesus was not the king, or Messiah, or liberator that the Jews expected, therefore they turned on Him.
The bible clearly states who Jesus was in many different places.
He was the Messiah
the ever lasting father
the prince of peace
the Lamb of God
the alpha and omega....the beginning and the ending
The bible also states clearly what his purpose was here on earth
To gain victory over death, hell and the grave
To restore the relationship between God and man
To bind up the brokenhearted
To proclaim liberty to the captives
The opening of the prison to them that are bound
Primarily: TO SET US FREE
There was indeed only one way to do all this and that was through the shedding of blood.
And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.
This is why the bible says that he came not to destroy the law but to fulfill it.
Blood had to be shed for remission of sins and God provided the only possible solution to the problem.
So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
The writer was referring to the prophecy that was given by Isaiah:
He will swallow up death in victory; And the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces; And the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: For the Lord hath spoken it.
There is therefor, as it was in the days of Noah....an ark that is before us.
Not one that cannot be touched but rather, one that must be entered into
Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
We have a door that stand before us....and a gate
The word “strait” means “Narrow Place” and narrow means precise or restricted.
This way is an exact way and is restricted to those who are born again…that are covered by the blood of Jesus
Ones that have come through Christ and are not attempting to come in another way.
This is related to the story in Matthew 22.11 about the man that had not a wedding garment on
He was bid to the wedding but failed to have on the proper garment…He tried to come in a different way that was not appropriate for the occasion.
He didn’t have on the proper garment....
In this, the bible says that we are to put on Christ.
Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.
All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.
I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
Jesus Christ has become that door to eternal life.
Through his blood, we can be made whole and heirs to the kingdom…Joint heirs with Christ.
The promise and hope that we now have is his return.
The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,
Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:
To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:
And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.
For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?
And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.
And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;
Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
The bible says that we are to occupy until he comes....meaning we are to be about our Fathers business and his purpose for mankind.
Once the new dispensation had been established and the plan of God had been preached…it is now our responsibility to spread the gospel to every living creature....
Jesus Christ didn’t give his life so just those that where alive at the time could have eternal life....his plan was that all come to repentance and that all would be born into the family of God
The bible says that whosoever will, let him come and drink from the wells of salvation freely.
And in that day thou shalt say, O Lord, I will praise thee: though thou wast angry with me, Thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortedst me.
Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: For the Lord JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; He also is become my salvation.
Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.
And in that day shall ye say, Praise the Lord, call upon his name, Declare his doings among the people, Make mention that his name is exalted.
Sing unto the Lord; for he hath done excellent things: This is known in all the earth.
Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion: For great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee.
Our old history ends with the cross; our new history begins with the resurrection.
Watchman Nee