MALACHI'S MESSAGE OVERALL

 Malachi's Message 

The prophet Malachi is very much for us today

                          

MALACHI  A PROPHET FOR YESTERDAY AND  TODAY

by  Keith Hunt

The prophet Malachi is a fine example of the DUALITY of

prophecy. His book contains messages that were for his day and

people, then at the same time there are messages that are

unquestionably for our day and beyond, to the end of the age. His

book is an example of how his day prophecies and our day

prophecies can blend from one to the other without warning. It is

an example of how a prophetic message can have a dominant end

time fulfilment, with messages for the prophets day that were

specific to the problems at that time. An end time prophetic

message with parts that were meant for his day only.

                         BACKGROUND

     The following information on the background is taken from

the NKJV Personal Study Bible.  Malachi means "My Messenger."  

A forthright preacher who addressed the religious shortcomings of

the POSTexilic community. The circumstances of the people suggest

a time period to the reforms of Ezra and Nehemiah. A commonly

accepted date is between 460 and 450 B.C.

     The people who returned from the 70 year captivity had

slipped into a haphazard practice of their religion. They had

ceased to live separate lives from the practices of their

ungodly neighbors. Truth had to be restored to God's people.

     The people had also become disillusioned because the high

hopes with which they returned home from captivity had not been

fulfilled. An apathetic attitude towards religion and the true ways 

of the Eternal had taken over most of the people.

                     FOR MALACHI'S DAY

     The prophet pulls no punches with the priests, the religious

leaders of his day. He begins to correct them in chapter 1 and

verse 6. He tells them they are really despising God's name.

Notice how this was being done in verses 7-8. The animals to 

be offered to the Lord in sacrifice were to be unblemished - the

best, but they taught the people that the castoffs were just as

good and acceptable to God. Their religion had become "well it

does not matter how you worship God" or "come as you are and 

stay as you are, it's acceptable to the Lord." and/or "do your own

thing as long as it is done towards the true God, it's okay."  

     Read verses 8-14 in a modern translation for more of the same

discourse.

     Chapter 2.  God says He will deal with the priests who teach

and practice this false hypocritical religion(verses 1-3). Verse

4, "Then you shall know that I have sent this commandment to you.

That My covenant with Levi may continue" (NKJV). God gave the

priesthood and its service to that tribe. Correction may be

necessary to purify the tribe so they can continue in that

priesthood covenant. The covenant had been instituted through

Phinehas, the grandson of Aaron (see Numbers 25:10-13). Life

(perpetual covenant) and Peace - both mentioned in Num.25. 

God's part was life and peace, his part "fear" - which the Levites

did (see Deut.33:8,9). Verse 6, the law of truth was in his mouth

etc. The Livite tribe did under Moses serve God in holiness and

righteousness. The ministers of the Lord are to teach the law and

judgments of God in truth (see Deut.33:10; 17:8-11; 19:15-21).

They are to turn people AWAY from sin (I Jn.3:4; Rom.7:7; 6:1)

Verse 7 is instruction as to how the priests of God are to live

in word and attitude of mind. For he is to be used by God as an

instrument to work through.

     The priests during the days of Malachi had "departed from

the way; You have caused many to stumble at the law. You have

corrupted the covenant of Levi...." (verse 8).  They had been

doing the very opposite from the duty that God gave Levi to

perform, the covenant He established with Levi, and which he did

carry out faithfully as Moses recorded (Deut.33:8,9). The covenant

just mentioned in verses 5-6, was performed well by Levi, but not

so with the priests here. Malachi is in effect saying "Amen" and

"I second it" to what Neh.13:29 said. Punishment was to come upon

the priests for being unfaithful to their called duty.

     Verse 9. The promise of "peace" in the covenant with Levi

(IF they honored their function and carried it out well, Num.25:11-13), 

was to be taken away. They had not been God's faithful mouth piece, 

they had been "partial" in the law. The Hebrew is literally, "you have 

accepted, or exalted, faces or persons." They were practicing a religion 

of what was expedient depending on whom (persons) they were 

dealing with. One set of religious norms for one person and another 

set of norms for another person etc.

     Malachi then begins to zero in on two large sins the priests

were allowing and sanctioning. Adam Clarke I believe puts it

very succinctly in his commentary: "Verse 10......From this verse

to ver.16 the prophet censures the MARRIAGES of ISRAELITES

with STRANGE WOMEN, which the law had forbidden, Deut.7:3. 

And also DIVORCES, which seem to have been multiplied for the 

purpose of contracting these prohibited marriages......" (emphasis his).

     Other  practices of worshipping God, thinking they were in

good standing with Him, are related to be false in chapter 3. He

tells them the day will come when they will clearly know the

difference between those who are righteous and those who are the

wicked. He ends by telling his readers the fate of the wicked,

and that they are to remember the laws, statutes and judgments

given under Moses. 

                                  

                        MALACHI FOR TODAY

     I have said this is a very real prophecy for our day. A number 

of sections in chapters three and four prove this to be so. 

     The very first verse of chapter one also gives proof that

this prophecy is for another time other than just during the days

that Malachi lived.

     We are told this is the "burden of the word of the Lord TO

ISRAEL by Malachi." A key to remember in understanding the 

Major and Minor prophets, is that Israel is the house of Israel 

(the ten tribes of the Northern Kingdom), sometimes it could 

include ALL 13 tribes. Judah is just that, Judah (the people we call 

Jews today).  The prophets were predominately sent to those two

Kingdoms of people - The house of Israel with it capital and line

of kings, sometimes called Samaria or Ephraim (see Hosea), and

Judah with it's capital at Jerusalem and its line of kings.

     Malachi was NOT SENT TO THE "CHURCH" (although 

lessons can be taken from any book and be applied to us, if the 

"shoe fits wear it" principle).  He was sent with a message to ISRAEL.  

But the Kingdom of Israel had gone into captivity about 300 years

earlier, from which they NEVER (except for some individuals)

RETURNED. 

     This message is for the END TIME peoples of Israel, living

up to the coming of the prophetic "great and dreadful day of the

Lord" (chap.4:5),  and the "Elijah to come" just before that time,

who will "restore all things" as Jesus foretold in Mat.17:10,11

(John the baptist being the first fulfilment, verses 12,13).

   

     The peoples of the house of Israel did not stay as captives

to the Assyrians but eventually moved north to the Black and

Caspian sea area. From there they slowly moved into and across

Europe, and settled finally in the countries of Northwestern

Europe and the British Isles. From those lands they came to the

New World (North America) and formed the British Commonwealth 

of nations. All this can be found in many books one being "Judah's

Sceptre and Joseph's Birthright" by Allen (an old classic).

     Now to Malachi's message for the nations of Israel TODAY.

God chose Jacob (who had his name changed to Israel) over

Esau (chap.1:1-2). Verses 3-5 is a prophecy against modern Esau

and what will befall them in the latter days (see also Ezek.35;

Obediah; and Isa.11:1-16). The message moves to the religious

teachers and leaders (priests) of Israel in verse 6-14. How do we

understand it for today?  In a nut shell, religious leaders

teaching anyone can worship God "as they please."  Just choose

the "church of your choice" whatever is your personal fancy as to

how YOU want to worship God, for it does not matter. The Lord

will accept ANYTHING, and whatever a person wants to believe and

practice. So, today we have churches that teach and accept anyone

who not only believes in abortion on demand, but also practices

it, as quite Christian. Then we have churches (with their leaders)

who accept as Christian, those who believe and practice

homosexuality and lesbianism. You can believe and practice just

about anything today and there will be a so called Christian

church that will accept you. To accept the laws, commandments,

precepts, statutes, and judgments of the Lord today is "weariness" 

to many religious leaders. They are fulfilling the prophecy of 

Ezek.22:17-31. They put no difference between the holy and profane. 

They say "thus says the Lord, when the Lord has not spoken."

     Malachi goes on to speak to the modern religious leaders of

Israel in chapter 2. God will deal with them in no uncertain

manner. Dung will be thrown on them and they will be taken into

captivity and thrown out as dung. This will be done so the

covenant and responsibility of teaching the truths of God

correctly (as instituted originally by God with Levi, as His mouth

piece and representatives) will be cleaned up and continue in

purity. God gave a high responsible job to Levi because of his

fear and righteousness that he exhibited (verses 1-6).  He was

then given the job of teaching Israel the law and commandments

and judgments of the Eternal. That is the pure commission of

religious leaders. But those that teach Israel today have not

kept true knowledge, nor have they searched for the law to

expound it correctly. They have departed from it, they have

preached what is pleasing to men (2 Tim.4:2-4), they hold to some

points of the law while "doing away" with other points. They have

corrupted the covenant that God made with religious leaders under

Moses (Levi, the tribe chosen to teach, was to uphold the law and

truths of God). The modern teachers are the replacement of Levi,

and should follow the same covenant as he, but they are not doing

so (verses 7-10).

     The prophecy then moves to Judah specifically in verse 11. 

That section was for Judah in Malachi's day, and not for them

today, although some Jews could feel it has some modern

fulfilment in the fact that many Jews have given up their faith,

married outside their faith, intermingled with the Gentile

nations around them.

     Chapter 3 is a prophecy very much for today and beyond.

Verse one is talking about the Elijah to come mentioned at the

end of chapter 4. The Messiah is to come as a refiner. The

religious leaders will be purified. Then Judah and Jerusalem will

again be restored and the restitution of all things will start,

including a new temple (Ezek.temple, chap.40-48), with the

re-establishment of the sacrificial system. (verses 1-5).

     Because God WILL fulfil His plan with Israel, they are not

consumed by their enemies, but will return and be built again.

God knows their nature of wandering from Him. He tells them to

return to Him at this time of the close of this age and the

coming of the Messiah. Notice HOW He tells them to return. Did He

choose the Sabbath as an example, or the holy days, or the 7th

commandment, or the first one?  No!  He chose TITHING!  Of all

things to pick at the end time as an example of how to return to

God, He chose "tithing." Why you may ask?  Well here is one

reason.  In my experience if someone is going to be faithful in

giving 10% of their goods to God. If they are careful in

doing that, they will usually be careful in other matters of the

Lord. They will certainly want to seek out where and who is doing

the work of God, so they can give to it. If the President of the

USA called for everyone to tithe to God, it would be a very good

way to get people thinking about the Eternal in a serious way.

People tend to get serious when it comes to their pocket book.

     Malachi hits them again in verses 13-18. Showing the

teaching they receive is "it does not matter, you are saved by

grace, keeping the law is earning your salvation" or "once saved

always saved" and a number of other excuses to set up teachers

that while they promise them liberty they are the servants of

corruption (2 Peter 2:19).

     But God knows who are His, they are written in the book of

life. They encourage each other, they are the jewels of the Lord.

The time will come when the people of Israel will return from

their punishment and shall see clearly to be able to discern

between the righteous and the wicked (verses 16-18).

     For the day will come when the wicked will be punished for

their unrepented wickedness, and the righteous shall grow and

flourish (chapter 4:1-3).

     A final call for the people of Israel and Judah to remember

the laws, statutes and judgments given under Moses (much like the

admonition in Luke 16:29-31 - must live by every word of God -

Mat.4:4). 

     God promises at least one more final witness of truth will

be given to them before the end of this age and the coming of the

Messiah in glory as the refiner of gold and silver. As John the

baptist came just a few years before the Messiah's first coming

to fulfil this dual prophecy of the Elijah, so just before the

great and dreadful day of the Lord comes, one will come in the

spirit and power of Elijah to preach the pure truth of God and

restore all things (Mat.17:9-13).

              SO IT IS WRITTEN, SO SHALL IT BE !

     

     Your servant in the work of the Lord,

     Keith 

     

DEATH---- RESURRECTION #3

 The RESURRECTIONS #3

The FIRST Resurrection

From an old Ambassador College study paper (1973/74)

     WHAT is the real hope of the true Christian? Will he spend

eternity lounging in idleness and ease? Or will the resurrected, 

newborn Christian spend eternity in happy, but productive, 

activity - faithfully serving his Creator?

     Most professing Christians have a  rather foggy idea of what

future life in the Kingdom of God will be like. They know very

little about biblical teaching concerning the "resurrection of

the dead" - yet this is one of the basic doctrines of the Bible

(Heb-6:2).

     But do you realize you can know what it will be like in the

next life? The Prophet Isaiah wrote: "Since the beginning of the

world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath

the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him

that waiteth for him" (Isa.64:4).

     But the Apostle Paul explained that a Christian can

comprehend what God has prepared for those that love Him - 

"But God hath revealed them unto us [true believers] by his Spirit:

for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God"

(I Cor.2:9,10). Many scriptures speak of this "mystery" (Rom.

16:25; Eph.3:3,5,9; Rev.10:7).

     Satan has deceived the whole world on this all-important

subject of the resurrection of the dead (Rev.12:9). Many

scriptures reveal that the whole world is in darkness, igno-

rance and superstition.  

    The plain Bible teaching on the subject of the resurrection(s)

has been submerged in darkness for many centuries. There are no

Bible commentaries or dictionaries to which you can go to get the

truth on this subject. Invariably, you are given a noxious

mixture of truth and error - light and darkness - and wind

up confused if you believe what the so-called authorities tell

you. But it is high time for professing a Christians to go

directly to the Word of God to learn the real, unadulterated truth.    

     How deceived has the world become on this vital subject of

the resurrections?

     A common misbelief is expressed in the 1972 edition of The

World Book Encyclopedia: "Most Christians believe that on the

last day of the world all the dead will come to life. They call

the day, Judgment Day, because God will judge everyone"

("Resurrection," XVI, p.245).

     Some believe that at death their "souls" go immediately to

heaven, purgatory, limbo or hell.

"The Westminster Shorter Catechism (question xxxvii.) states the

doctrine that the bodies of the dead rest in their graves till the 

resurrection, but that their souls do immediately pass into

glory [heaven]. This was the view of the Reformers" ("Death," The

New Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge, 1911, 

p. 382).

     According to this teaching the "body" must rest in the grave

till the "soul" can be reunited with it at the resurrection.

     If the righteous are already in heavenly bliss, is it logical to 

think that they would be made to return to this earth to be reunited 

with their earthly "bodies"?

     It is time to strip off the scales of paganism from our eyes

and look at the plain truth revealed in the Bible.

     There are numerous references in the Old Testament to the

resurrection, but only the Prophet Daniel begins to hint that

there might be more than one resurrection.

     Daniel wrote: "And many of them hat sleep in the dust of the

earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, ad some to shame and

everlasting contempt [or abhorrence]" (Dan.2:2).

     This verse does not say that those resurrected to

"everlasting life" and those resurrected to "shame" will both

come up at the same time - in the same resurrection. That is what

many have mistakenly assumed.

Jesus Christ said: ". . . The hour is coming, in the which all

that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come

forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life

[eternal]; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of

damnation [judgment]" (John 5:28,29).

     But note that Christ did not say that those who had done

"good" would be resurrected at the same time with those who 

had done "evil."

     The Apostle Paul, when he was speaking before Felix, the

governor of Judea, said that he had "hope toward God" of a

resurrection, in which, affirmed Paul, the Jews also believed. 

He plainly told Felix "that there shall be a resurrection of the

dead, both of the just and unjust" (Acts 24:15). As Paul

"reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come,"

the unjust Felix trembled (verse 25). Paul did not say the just

and the unjust would rise up at the same time.

     This same apostle wrote at length regarding the

resurrection(s) in 1 Corinthians 15. "For as in Adam all die,

even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his

own order. Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are

Christ's at his [second] coming. Then cometh the end..." (verses

22-24).

     Now if one turns to the twentieth chapter of Revelation, he

can see what is meant by "the end." Paul was referring to the end

of the one-thousand-year reign of Christ and the saints on this

earth. It will not be until sometime after the thousand years are

over that the second resurrection occurs (see Rev.20:7-12).

     Jesus Christ is depicted in Revelation 19:11-21 as coming on

"a white horse' and then "he shall [in the future] rule them [the

nations] with a rod of iron" (verse 15).

     The resurrected saints (joined by the living saints) will be

caught up to meet Christ in the air at His second coming, and

they as kings and priests will "reign on the earth" (Rev.5:10).

To these saints Christ promises: "He that overcometh, and keepeth

my works ... to him will I give power over the nations: and he

shall rule I them [under Christ] with a rod of iron ..." 

(Rev. 2:26, 27).

The Time Element

     But when and how will these glorified, then-made immortal

saints rule with Christ? And for how long?

     The Apostle John was inspired to give the answer: "And I saw

thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto

them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded ...and they

lived and reigned [ruled] with Christ a thousand years" 

(Rev. 20:4).

     John, in vision, saw those who had been beheaded now

resurrected (at Christ's triumphal second coming) and given

governing positions or "judgment."

     Paul gives more details of this glorious resurrection of the

saints: "For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even

so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.... For

the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the

voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead

in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain

shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the

Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord" 

(1 Thes. 4:14-17).

     Note that it does not say the saints will go to "heaven" to

meet Christ, but that He will come (probably billions of miles)

from "heaven" to the atmosphere of this earth, and the saints

will rise to meet Him "in the air."

     Now notice a prophecy back in Zechariah which shows where

Christ and the saints will go-after this rendezvous in the air:

"And his feet [the Lord's - verse 1] shall stand in that day upon

the mount of Olives..." (Zech.14:4).

     At this time will Christ be alone? "...And the Lord my God

[wrote Zechariah] shall come, and all the saints with thee"

(verse 5). But where will Christ go? Back to heaven with the

saints? "And the Lord shall be king over all the earth: in that

day shall there be one Lord, and his name one" (verse 9).

     It should not amaze us to find the Christ will return to

stand on the Mount of Olives. Nearly two thousand years ago, 

His angels told the disciples that Christ would return to this earth

just as He left it - and He had been standing talking with His

disciples atop Mount Olivet just before this promise was given

(Acts 1:4-12).

     The Apostle Paul also spoke of Christ's coming at the "last

trump" - the time when He will gather His saints unto Himself.

"Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit

the kingdom of God, neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we

shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at

the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall

be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this

corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put 

on immortality" (1 Cor.15:50-53).

     These and other scriptures show that it is only the just,

the righteous (dead), who are resurrected at Christ's second

coming.

     John shows that those who had been martyred will be raised

to life and to a position of rulership during the thousand-year

rule of Christ. But the unjust dead will not be resurrected until

the end of this period: "But the rest of the dead lived not again

until the thousand years were finished. This [referring to those

martyred - verse 4] is the FIRST resurrection. Blessed and holy

is he that hath part in the first resurrection, on such the second 

death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and

of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years" 

(Rev.20: 5, 6).

     Then, after the thousand years are expired, Satan goes out

to stir up more trouble on this earth. And it is still some time

later before the Great White Throne Judgment takes place - at

which the others who are still dead (years after the millennium

has ended) are made to "stand before God" in the SECOND

resurrection - when they will have their first chance.

Your Guarantee. 

     What is your guarantee that you will be resurrected when

Christ returns to this earth? How can you make sure you will be

in the first resurrection to immortality?

     It is "they who are Christ's at his coming" who will be in

the first resurrection (I Cor.15:23).

     But who are "Christ's"? Paul said: "Now if any man have not

the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his" (Rom.8:9).

     It is only those who are filled and led by the Spirit of God

who will be in the first resurrection. "For as many as are led by

the Spirit of God, they are the [begotten] sons of God" (verse

14).

     God's Spirit in us is like a seed that is developing into

godly character.

     Paul continues: "But if the Spirit of him that raised up

Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from

the dead shall also quicken [make alive] your mortal bodies by

[the power of] his Spirit that dwelleth in you" (verse 11).

     There it is! If we have the indwelling presence of the Holy

Spirit in us when we die, then we will be resurrected through the

power of that same Spirit - at the second coming of Jesus Christ.

Paul then explains that we are earnestly waiting for that time

when we shall be born as spiritual beings into the family of God.

     Remember, Christ said: "Ye must be born again" (John 3:7).

Paul explained this soon-coming new birth: "For the earnest

expectation of the creature [man] waiteth for the manifestation

of the sons of God" (Rom.8:19). That is what the true Christian

waits for - earnestly longing for the time when he will be born

into the family of God - as a divine, glorified son of God.

     He continues: "... Even we ourselves groan within ourselves,

waiting for the adoption [sonship], to wit [in other words], the

redemption of our body" (verse 23). 

     What did he mean by "the redemption of our body"? Paul

begins to explain in the book of Philippians. By way of

background he mentions that he gave up everything in order to    

serve Christ and became willing to suffer "the loss of all

things" (Phil.3:7,8). Why? "That I may know him, and the power 

of his resurrection ... If by any means I might attain unto the

resurrection of the dead" (verses 10,11).

     He then went on to explain that "our conversation

[citizenship] is in heaven ..." (verse 20).

     And it is from there - from heaven - that we "look for the

Saviour." Who [meaning Christ] shall change our vile body, that

it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the

working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto   

himself" (verses, 20,21).

     This redemption of the body - this change from mortal flesh

to a spiritual body - is the only hope held out to the Christian.

What Will We Be Like? 

     What kind of bodies will we have in the resurrection? We

will be divested of our "natural" bodies and will put on

"spiritual" bodies. "It is sown a natural body; it is raised a

spiritual body" (I Cor.15:44).

     But what will "a spiritual body" be like?

     If we can know what kind of body Christ had after His

resurrection, then we can also know what kind of a spiritual 

body we will have in the resurrection.

     The Apostle John tells us: "Beloved, now are we the

[begotten] sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall

be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him;

for we shall see him as he is" (I John 3:2).

     What kind of body did Jesus have after His resurrection?

He appeared repeatedly after He was risen. " .. He showed 

himself alive after his passion [suffering] by many infallible 

proofs, being seen of them forty days ..." (Acts 1:3). He was 

seen by Peter, by the twelve, and by "above five hundred brethren 

at once .... After that, he was seen of James; then of all the

apostles," He was seen by numerous women, and lastly by the

Apostle Paul (I Cor.15:5-8).

     After His resurrection, Christ was, generally speaking,

easily recognized. Christ met with the two Marys. "And they 

came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him" (Matt.29:9).

     Doubting Thomas even felt Christ's side and the nail prints

in His hands to prove to himself that Jesus was real - and not an

apparition (John 20:24-29).

     On another occasion He appeared suddenly in the midst of the

disciples: "But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed

that they had seen a spirit. And he said unto them.... Behold my

hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a

spirit bath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have" (Luke

24:37-39). Christ had a glorified, spiritual body, but He was not

"a spirit."

     Then the disciples gave Christ "a piece of broiled fish, and

of an honeycomb. And he took it and did eat before them" (verses

42, 43).

     Notice also that Christ spoke of drinking in the soon-coming

Kingdom of God: "I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until

the kingdom of God shall come" - (Luke 22;18).

     So Jesus Christ manifested Himself in a physical form after

His resurrection. He could suddenly appear to the disciples when

they were assembled behind closed doors (John 20:19). He could

also just "vanish" out of their sight (Luke 24:31).

     Furthermore, Christ could travel astronomical distances at

lightning speeds - probably at the speed of thought. It was on

the first day of the week that Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene,

but she was commanded: "Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended

to my Father..." (John 20:17).

     Later that same day, the two Marys did touch Him ("held him

by the feet" - Matt. 28:9), thereby proving that He had travelled

to heaven and back that same day.

     If human beings were able to travel at the speed of light

(186,000 miles per second), it would take them more than four

years to travel to the nearest star. (And the Bible implies that

heaven is further away.) Yet Christ could flash to heaven and

back - undoubtedly at the speed of thought - annihilating time

and space!

     How can spiritual beings travel through space at such

fantastic speeds? We simply do not know. But they can,

nonetheless.

     Once the saints have been glorified by a resurrection from

the dead, they will not have to eat for sustenance; but just as

Christ ate after His resurrection, so will the saints. Why will

they eat? Probably solely for pleasure.

     Let us notice further what we will be like in the

resurrection. The Sadducees "which deny that there is any

resurrection" asked Christ a trick question: "Therefore in the

resurrection whose wife of them is she? For seven [brothers] 

had her to wife" (Luke 20:33).

     Christ answered: ". .. They which shall be accounted worthy

to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither

marry, nor are given in marriage" (verse 35).

     He didn't say that there would not be sex differences in the

appearance of "men" and "women." But there will be no sexual

function of reproduction in the resurrection.

     Can those who are resurrected be killed? "Neither can they

die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the

children of God, being the children of the resurrection" (verse

36).

     Where did the Sadducees go wrong in their reasoning? Christ

told them: "Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power

of God" (Math.22:29).

     If people really understood the Word of God better, and if

they understood how powerful God is, then they would realize that

it is very easy for Him to resurrect "all that are in the

graves."

     In the resurrection we shall be "as the angels of God in

heaven" (verse 30). Christ did not say we would be angels, but we

will be like angels in that we will be immortal and will possess

powers and glory now only shared by God and the holy angels.

(I must add here, that when we say the angels are immortal, as Christ

said we would never die but be equal to the angels, we are NOT saying 

that angels have "inherent" immortality. God is the only one that has

immortality as part of His very being, inherent [you may like to look 

up that word in your dictionary]. Immortality is part of the very nature

of God, He did not find it, have it given, it is part of Him as much as

holiness and perfectness is, it belongs to Him in His very being. It is true

to say that God CANNOT "will" Himself to die or into destruction, He 

cannot  kill Himself. Immortality is inherent in God, He is from everlasting 

to  everlasting. But God can WILL that other beings He creates can live 

forever, never die. He has so willed that the angels shall never die; in that 

sense they are immortal. God could have willed Himself to destroy them, 

some day, or any time He sees fit. But no, God has not willed Himself to 

do that, He did will Himself that angels once created, would live forever. 

So we must differentiate between having immortality "inherent" like God 

has, and  immortality given to others by God. Angels and us humans fall 

into the latter category, immortality was given to angels at their creation, 

immortality will be given to us the saints in a resurrection or instant

change as 1 Corinthians 15 and 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 teaches. God is

the only one with inherent immortality - 1 Timothy 6:16. So Jesus taught

us that in the resurrection we humans would be equal to the angels in that 

we would never again die - Keith Hunt)

     No, we will not be angels, but we will be the literal "children of God." 

The Bible shows that angels are sons of God  by creative fiat but they 

are not and can never become the actual begotten and finally born sons 

of God. But we are to be born of God - born into His family. 

Then the resurrected, glorified, immortalized saints will live in eternal 

happiness for ever and ever: "And God shall wipe away all tears from 

their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, 

neither shall there be any more pain ..." (verse,l).

     These sons of God, then born into the very God family, will

"inherit ALL THINGS: and I will be his God, and he shall be my

son" (verse 7). Will never have to suffer any more evil trials? 

"And there shall be no more curse ... and his servants shall serve him" 

(Rev.22:3).

     What will they do throughout eternity? Just sit back and

bask in idleness, ease and luxury, and lapping up never-ending

rivers of pleasures?

     No, they will be busy. "...And they shall reign [rule or

govern[ for ever and ever" (verse 5). And remember. "his servants

shall serve him" - throughout all eternity (verse 3). Then will

came to pass the inspired words of Hebrews 2:8: "Thou hast put

all things under his [man's] feet. For in that he put all in

subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him."

     We should strive to be in the "first resurrection" (Rev. 20:6).

     It is spoken of as "a better resurrection" (Heb.11:35).

Those who rise in that resurrection will be wonderfully blessed

of God!

                           .....................

Entered on this Website January 2008

Next is "The Second Resurrection."