2 Corinthians 1:8

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We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life [they realized that martyrdom was a real possibility].

Οὐ γὰρ θέλοµεν ὑµᾶς ἀγνοεῖν, ἀδελφοί, ὑπὲρ τῆς θλίψεως ἡµῶν τῆς γενοµένης ἐν τῇ Ἀσίᾳ, ὅτι καθí ὑπερβολὴν ὑπὲρ δύναµιν ἐβαρήθηµεν, ὥστε ἐξαπορηθῆναι ἡµᾶς καὶ τοῦ ζῆν·

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Explaining the pressure and suffering Paul and his team faced in Ephesus.

Acts 19:23-24, “And about that time there was not a small stir [idiom for a great catastrophe] about the Way [a reference to Christianity]. (24) For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith who made silver shrines for Artemis which brought a fantastic profit [no small gain] for the craftsmen.”

Demetrius was the head of the silversmith’s union, and the silversmiths had been making a great profit from manufacturing and selling these silver figurines of Artemis (the Greek for Diana), and since Paul’s ministry was having a negative effect on their business Demetrius wanted to wipe it out. 

Just why were this goddess and her figurines so popular?  Well, the Latin equivalent of Artemis is Diana, the goddess of the hunt, but in Ephesus she was worshipped more as a goddess of love and sex for approximately 5000 dancing priestesses served the goddess for that purpose. (The Temple of Artemis being 425 feet long and 270 feet wide with a beautiful statue of Diana in its center was burned down in the same year in which Alexander the Great was born. The story went like this: Artemis had traveled to Macedonia to celebrate the birth of Alexander and so in her absence and unable to protect her temple, a person seeking approbation and notoriety burned it down.)

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Acts 19:25-26, “whom [the silversmiths] he [Demetrius] called together with the workman of the related industries and said, ‘Men, you know that by this craft we have our wealth. [The union of the silversmith contained not only the artisans, but those who prepared and molded the silver as well.] (26) Moreover, you see and hear that, not alone in Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia [the Roman province of Asia], this Paul [well known person] having persuaded [by clear presentation of the gospel, many have responded], he has turned away [from purchasing these silver figurines etc.] many people [by teaching the Word to the new converts, and by the application of doctrine, many are no longer buying the shrines], saying that there are no gods made with hands [Apparently, Demetrius listened to a few messages himself].”

Demetrius explained the crisis that faced all of those involved in making these silver shrines of Artemis (Diana) and of her temple. Many of these members have heard Paul’s gospel messages which they had rejected. However, many others have responded to Paul’s messages and have believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, and after learning doctrine from their own decisions have cut themselves off from the activities of Artemis and those things related to her.

Acts 19:27-28, “And not only is this dangerous to us, our share [a reference to their craft] coming into dispute [the discrediting of our silver shrines will cause us to lose a lot of money], but also the temple of the great goddess, Artemis will be counted for nothing, and her magnificence is also about to be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worship. [The speech of Demetrius was designed to arouse their emotions.] (28) And when they heard [these things], and having become full of anger [the weapon used to form mob violence], they kept shouting out, saying, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians””.

Demetrius knew what he was doing. He wanted to stir them up emotionally and was successful. The craftsmen, the dupes of Demetrius in anger kept on shouting in emotional outrage.  (When the emotions take over, one cannot think.  Many of the ancients especially in this part of the world were great thinkers. However, in a mob this ability is lost.)  Demetrius very cleverly has converted these individuals into an irrational mob. However, though five weapons (organization, emotion, religion, mob violence and shouting slogans: a form of self-hypnosis) were used against Paul and his ministry, it did not succeed.

Summary statement: Demetrius first of all recognized the effectiveness of Paul’s teaching, and the loss of business. Apparently, he went to the meetings, but could not argue down the words of Paul. So, Demetrius decided that mob violence, an under handed tactic was the only solution left to him.

Acts19:29, "And the whole city was filled with confusion, and having seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians, traveling companions of Paul, they rushed with one accord into the amphitheater [where they kept the wild animals]."

It appears that they intended to feed these men to the animals in the arena for such an arena did exist in Ephesus.  1 Corinthians 15:32, “If from human motives [not based upon the divine understanding of an eternal future] I fought with wild beasts at Ephesus, and let’s assume I had [a debaters first class conditional sentence: to assume something true for the sake of an argument] what does it profit me [there would be no profit]? If the dead [Christians who have died] are not raised [in resurrection bodies], let us eat and drink [let us consider only the moment] for tomorrow we die [with no eternal future].” 

Paul pictures himself in the arena at Ephesus to illustrate the point of danger for though he is writing from Ephesus he is not in the arena at Ephesus. This is an illustration because whenever they threw a Christian into the arena it meant he was in constant danger. He was in danger until he came out alive or until he went to be with the Lord. The resurrection provides motivation for facing the vicissitudes of the Christian life. Neither Paul nor any other normal believer would go into the arena with a relaxed mental attitude apart from complete confidence in the doctrine of resurrection.

During the entire month of May, the people in Ephesus celebrated the goddess Artemis which was called ‘Artemisiam.’ This explains why the entire city was thrown into confusion.  Demetrius cleverly used this month in which to attack Paul.

All effective mobs are created by a small organized group who use a mob as a weapon of violence against their opposition. However, nothing honorable or lasting is ever accomplished by a mob. Rather, all true problem-solving involves thinking, not emotion.  Group, city and national problems etc. must be discussed and debated. (This is why England became great politically for issues were always debated in Parliament.) There must be rational, logical, incisive debate. Mob activity forestalls any such activity, but only produces mass hysteria. In hysteria, mobs destroy property, privacy and lives. Mobs are anti-freedom, and their cause no matter how just becomes evil.

It appears that Demetrius led the mob to the home of Priscilla and Aquila where Paul was resting or sick in bed in hopes of seizing and murdering him.  At that point, it appears that Priscilla and Aquila went out from their home and faced down the mob to save the life of Paul. “Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus who for my life, risked their own necks to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the gentiles.” (Romans 16:3)

Acts 19:30-31, “And Paul intending to appear before the mob, but his disciples did not allow him, (31) and some of the chief men of Asia, being his friends, sent to him, begging him not to venture into the amphitheater.”

Apparently, when Paul heard that some of his traveling companions had been seized and dragged into the amphitheater, he wanted to do something to help even if it meant losing his life. In fact, there was nothing that Paul could have done. Rather, the Lord used the city government that is the city mayor to rescue the companions of Paul and to bring the individuals in the mob back to reason.

Acts 19:32, “Then indeed some shouted one thing and others shouted another thing for the assembly was confused, and most of them did not know why they had come together.”

As the mob went down the streets, many got swept up into it without even knowing why the mob formed in the first place. This demonstrates just how ridiculous and irrational mobs can be. 

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Acts 19:33, “Then, the Jews [the Jews not associated with Paul] pushed Alexander, a lawyer to the front of [out from] the mob [the crowd], they [the Jews] instructed him as what he should say. Then, Alexander motioning with his hand for silence, desired to defend [these Jews] before the mob [He wanted to disassociate these Jews from Paul and his team].”

Many Jews were in the amphitheater and could see and hear that the mob was becoming anti-Semitic. This lawyer and these Jews were not associated with Paul and didn’t want to be associated with him and his ministry. So, they pushed forward a Jewish lawyer by the name of Alexander in hopes of disassociating from Paul and his ministry and by so doing preventing any anti-Semitic hostility toward them.  

Acts 19:34, “But when they recognized that he [Alexander] was a Jew, they all in unison [with one voice] for about two hours, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” 

This demonstrates just how insane a mob can get. These irrational beings shouted for two straight hours! After they had exhausted themselves, the city mayor stepped forward.  

Acts 19:35-39, “And when the city mayor [of Ephesus] had silenced the crowd, he said, “Men, Ephesians! For which of you does not know that the city of the Ephesians is the official place for the worship of the great goddess, Artemis, and of the image that fell down from Zeus. (36) Therefore, since these things are undeniable [cannot be contradicted], you ought to be quiet and to do nothing rashly. (37) For you have brought these men, who are neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of your goddess. [Paul did not denounce the temple of Artemis or the sex orgies that took place within the temple. Paul just taught the Word of God.] (38) Therefore, if Demetrius and those craftsmen with him have a matter against any man, the court days are kept [the law is open], and there are proconsuls. Let them [Demetrius and the craftsmen] plead [bring charges] against that person [Paul: this Greek word allelon many times is not reciprocal.  In this case, if Demetrius and his craftsmen were to bring charges against Paul, and Paul then would have the right to defend himself.] (39) If there is anything further, you would like to bring up, it must be settled in a legal assembly.”

Government is not a Christian institution, but a divine institution for believers and unbelievers. Its laws are to protect all within its jurisdiction. In this case, it was a brilliant mayor, an unbeliever who allowed the crowd to exhaust itself through shouting, and then he delivered a rational speech explaining the system of law and order, and in so doing protected these two individuals from this lawless mob.

Acts 19:40-41, “For we are in danger of being accused [by the Roman government] of a riot [revolt, rebellion] concerning today’s events since there being no cause by which we may give an account for this unruly gathering [this mob activity]. (41) And saying these things, he dismissed the assembly.”

The Roman Government was tough and did not permit rioting. If the Ephesians had rioted without cause, they would have been punished severely by the Roman government, and this is what the mayor feared.

Jurisprudence:

Jurisprudence refers to the body or system of laws, or the science of law. Jurisprudence functions in a court where the function of jurisprudence is designed to determine innocence or guilt. Under the concept of freedom, a person should be considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

The American system of jurisprudence is based on the jurisprudence of Israel developed by Moses and Anglo-Saxon Law. As such, the prosecution must prove guilt beyond all shadow of a doubt. Under this system of jurisprudence, both judge and jury are responsible for determining guilt or innocence on the basis of the laws of evidence. This means that no one should ever be found guilty on the basis of hearsay, the public lie, sociology, social activism, racial prejudice, crusader arrogance, power lust, or any form of self-righteous arrogance.

The laws of evidence as per Exodus 23:1-3, “You shall not carry a false rumor [into a court]; do not join your hand with an evil person to be a malicious witness. [This is hearsay. Hearsay is testimony given by a witness based on what he has heard from someone else. Hearsay is never evidence. Hearsay is often evil slander, vicious gossip, or the creation of the public lie. (2) Do not follow the crowd in doing evil when you give testimony in a lawsuit. Do not pervert justice by siding with the crowd. (3) Do not show favoritism to a poor man in a lawsuit.” Exodus 23:7, “Have nothing to do with a false charge, and do not put an innocent or honest person to death, for I will not acquit the guilty.” The supreme court of heaven does not let anyone get away with anything. Genesis 50:20, “As for you [Joseph’s brothers], you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good to accomplish what is now being done to preserve many people alive.” The supreme court of heaven overrules evil against believers.

The Word of God specifies that legal procedure and lawsuits be based on a strict system of evidence. Evidence must prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that the defendant is guilty under the principle that the person is innocent until proven guilty. The laws of evidence demand investigation of each accusation. Legitimate evidence is based on two or three witnesses being interrogated independently without collusion. If the information obtained from these separate interrogation, is in agreement, this establishes bona fide evidence. Deuteronomy 19:15-21, “A single witness shall not rise up against a person on account of any iniquity or sin which he has committed; on the evidence of two or three witnesses a matter shall be confirmed. (16) If a malicious witness shall rise up against a person and accuse him of wrongdoing, (17) then, the two people involved in the dispute shall stand before the Lord, before the priests and the judges who will be in office in those days. (18) The judges must investigate thoroughly; and if the witness proves to be a liar, giving false testimony against his fellow Israelite (19) then, you shall do to him just as he intended to do to the other party. Thus, you shall purge the evil from among you. (20) And the rest will hear and be afraid, and they will never again do such an evil among you. (21) Thus, you shall not show pity: a life for a life, an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, a hand for a hand, a foot for a foot.”

2 Corinthians 1:9

Indeed, we ourselves had been sentenced to death [literally: had the sentence of death in ourselves: apart from divine intervention, they were on their way to martyrdom]. This happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead [Raising the dead in resurrection logically is much more difficult than preventing death. So, if God can raise the dead logically quite difficult and he can, then he can prevent someone’s untimely death which is logically quite simple.]

ἀλλὰ αὐτοὶ ἐν ἑαυτοῖς τὸ ἀπόκριµα τοῦ θανάτου ἐσχήκαµεν, ἵνα µὴ πεποιθότες ὦµεν ἐφí ἑαυτοῖς ἀλλí ἐπὶ τῷ θεῷ τῷ ἐγείροντι τοὺς νεκρούς·

We suffer in order to learn to depend upon the Lord, for ultimately all undeserved suffering in the Christian life is designed to teach us to orient to grace and to depend upon the Lord. When you in helplessness are in a suffering situation which is totally hopeless, God demonstrates His love by providing the solution.

Resurrection:

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Outline:

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1. Resurrection must not be confused with resuscitation:

2. Details leading up to and including His Resurrection:

3. The Power involved in His Resurrection:

4. The Lord’s Resurrection guarantees our Resurrection:

5. Our Resurrection is the Lord's Victory:

6. There are two general resurrections namely the First and the Second:

7. Old Testament applications related to Resurrection:

8. Though the Resurrection of Christ is part of the Gospel-Message, it is not a necessary part:

9. The Importance of Resurrection as it relates to Salvation:

Resurrection must not be confused with resuscitation:

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Resuscitation defines a person who has died and then is brought to life in the body in which he died. For example, Lazarus was resuscitated by Jesus [brought back to life in his mortal body and subsequently died]; Paul resuscitated a boy [returned life to his mortal body] who fell out of a window; two boys in the Old Testament were resuscitated [life was returned to their mortal bodies], and Elijah and Moses residing in their interim bodies in heaven will return to the earth in the last half of the Tribulation. After their ministries on the earth will have been completed, they will be murdered by Abaddon. However, they will be resuscitated and ascend into heaven with their interim bodies. Then, at the 2nd Advent, these interim bodies will be transformed into eternal resurrected bodies: corruption will become incorruption]. On the other hand, resurrection means to be given an eternal body which does not corrupt or die.

Details leading up to and including His Resurrection:

First Fruits occurred on the first Sunday after the Passover as per Leviticus 23:9-12, “Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, (10) ‘Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them, 'When you enter the land which I am going to give to you and reap its harvest, then you shall bring in the sheaf of the first fruits of your harvest to the priest [Sunday, 18 Nissan, a sabbath]. (11) 'He shall wave the sheaf before the Lord for you to be accepted [based on resurrection]; on the day after the sabbath the priest shall wave it. (12) 'Now on the day when you wave the sheaf, you shall offer a male lamb one year old without defect for a burnt offering to the Lord.” This feast portrayed the resurrection of our Lord who is the First Fruits, the first member of the human race to receive a resurrection-body.

After the physical death of Jesus, his body went into the grave, his human spirit went into the presence of God the Father and his soul went to Hades in the care of God the Holy Spirit, and this is why he said to the dying thief in Luke 23:43, "Today shalt you be with Me in Paradise," and his human spirit went to God the Father in the 3rd heaven. 1 Peter 3:18-20, “For Christ also died [paid the penalty for sins] for sins once and for all, the righteous one as a substitute for the unrighteous ones [we are all sinners], so that He might bring us to the God [the Father via reconciliation], having been put to death in the flesh [in his human body], but made alive by means of the Spirit [the omnipotence of the Holy Spirit participated in the resurrection of Christ]; (19) By means of whom [the Holy Spirit] also He [the Lord Jesus Christ possibly in an interim body] went and made a proclamation [a short well defined declaration] to the spirits in prison [the fallen angels in Tartarus as per Jude 6; 2 Peter 2:4]. (20) who [the fallen angels in Tartarus] once were disobedient [by cohabitating with human females and so producing the Nephilim (half angel and half human as per Genesis 6:1-11], when the patience of God kept waiting in the days of Noah [God waited 120 years for these half human, half angel to believe in Jesus Christ before the flood], during the construction of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight souls [because it is the soul that is saved], were brought safely through the water.”

When the work of salvation was finished, our Lord said to the Father, in Luke 23:46, "Father, into Your hands I dismiss My spirit," and so his human spirit traveled billions of light years of space into the presence of God the Father. After three days, the omnipotence of the Father sent our Lord's human spirit through billions and billions of light years of space back to His body in the tomb. Simultaneously, the omnipotence of the Holy Spirit returned His human soul from Hades to His body. Now rejoined in the resurrection body, our Lord walked through the stone. Later on, an angel rolled away the stone so that the world could see and verify the resurrection. The power that resurrected Christ was made possible by means of the omnipotence of God the Father and the omnipotence of the Holy Spirit.  

Additional documentation: Acts 2:27, “Because you will not abandon my soul to Hades [the Holy Spirit will return his soul to his body in the grave], nor allow your holy one to undergo decay [the body of Jesus did not suffer decay in the tomb, a quote from Psalm 16:10].”  Acts 2:31 clarifies this statement, "He [David] looking ahead spoke of the resurrection of Christ, that He was neither abandoned in Hades nor did His flesh see decay." Ephesians 4:8-10, “Therefore, it says [in Psalm 68:18] when He ascended into the third heaven up on high, He led a host of captives [to exhibit prisoners in a triumphal procession: in this context, it is not prisoners but the Old Testament saints who were transferred from Abraham’s Bosom to heaven] in triumphal procession [an analogy to the Roman Triumphal Procession] from a state of captivity [by analogy to Abraham’s Bosom in Hades] and He [Christ] gave spiritual gifts to men [to Church Age believers in celebration of his triumph as the Imperator or a triumphal general gave gifts to their soldiers]. (9) (Now, this doctrine that He ascended, what does it imply [mean] that He [His soul upon spiritual death] went down [descended] into the lower regions [Hades] of the earth. (10) Jesus who descended is the same one also that ascended up higher than all the heavens, that He might bring to completion all things.)”

Matthew 28:1-2, “Now, after the Sabbath [the normal Saturday Sabbath], as it began to dawn into the first day of the week [Sunday: the feast of the First Fruits also a Sabbath], Mary Magdalene and the other Mary [the wife of Clopas, the mother of Joseph and James the Lesser and others not mentioned here] came to see the sepulcher [they traveled at sunrise]. (2) And behold, a great earthquake occurred [to alert people that the resurrection had occurred]! For an angel from the Lord had descended from Heaven and came [after Jesus had passed through the boulder] and rolled back the stone [in order that others may look in] and sat on it [while waiting for the ladies].”

Matthew 28:3-8, “His countenance [the angel who rolled back the stone] was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. [Angels possibly are constructed out of something similar to light, but can travel much faster than the speed of light.] (4) And the guards shook from fear of him [the angel] and became like dead [passed out]. (5) And the angel answered and said to the women [Mary Magdalene, Mary, the wife of Clopas and the other women], ‘You yourselves, stop fearing [stop looking confounded and astonished: a normal response since they were facing something beyond their frame of reference], for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. (6) He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying. (7) And go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead. And, behold, He goes before you into Galilee. There you shall see Him. Lo, I have told you [The angel has followed his orders from God].’ (8) And having departed quickly from the tomb with awe [occupied with Christ] and with great joy [sharing the happiness of God], they [Mary Magdalene, the wife of Clopas, Joanna, and others] ran [in good condition] to announce [the resurrection] to His disciples [Luke 24:9].”

The first appearance of the resurrected Christ was to Mary Magdalene, John 20:1-18, “Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene [along with Mary, the wife of Clopas] came early to the tomb, while it was still dark [early Sunday morning], and saw the stone already taken away from the tomb. (2) So, she [Mary Magdalene is singled-out since she will be the first one to see the resurrected Jesus] ran and came to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved [John], and said to them [these two were considered the two spiritual leaders], ‘They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we [Mary Magdalene and Mary the wife of Clopas and other women] do not know where they have laid Him [his body].’ (3) So [after hearing this message from the ladies], Peter and the other disciple went forth, and they were going to the tomb. (4) The two were running together [followed by Mary Magdalene who still desired to locate the body]; and the other disciple [John] ran ahead faster than Peter and came to the tomb first; (5) and stooping and looking in, he saw the linen wrappings lying there; but he did not go in. (6). And so, Simon Peter also came, following him [John], and entered the tomb; and he saw the linen wrappings lying there [but no angels], (7) and the face-cloth which had been on His head, not lying with the linen wrappings, but rolled up in a place by itself. (8) So, the other disciple [John] who had first come to the tomb then also entered, and he saw and believed [in the resurrection; the first one to do so]. (9) For as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead. (10) So, the disciples [Peter and John] went away again to their own homes [but Mary Magdalene remained behind]. (11) And Mary [Magdalene] was standing outside the tomb weeping; and so, as she wept, she stooped and looked into the tomb; (12) and she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had been lying. (13) And they [the two angels] said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him [His body]. (14) When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus. (15) Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing Him to be the gardener, she said to Him, “Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you have laid Him, and I will take Him away [His body away for burial]. (16) Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to Him in Hebrew, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). (17) Jesus said to her, “Stop clinging to Me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to My brethren [all the believers known to her] and say to them, ‘I ascend to My Father and your Father, and My God and your God.’” (18) Mary Magdalene came announcing to the disciples, “I have seen the resurrected Lord and that He had said these things to her.”

Matthew 28:9-10, “And behold, Jesus met them [the ladies minus Mary Magdalene; this would be His 2nd resurrection-appearance], saying, “Hail [greetings]! And they [Mary the wife of Clopas, Joanna etc.] came and held Him by the feet and worshiped Him. (10) Then, Jesus said to them, “Do not remain in this state of awe [don’t get so excited]; go tell My brethren [the eleven disciples that you have seen the resurrected Jesus and] that they should go into Galilee, and there, they will see Me [first these women along with Mary Magdalene reported to the disciples regarding the empty tomb; now these ladies minus Mary Magdalene are to report that they have seen the resurrected Christ and to repeat the instructions to meet the Lord in Galilee]. ”

Other passages telling this story:

Luke 24:1-12, “On the first day of the week [Sunday], very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. (2) They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, (3) but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. (4) While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men [apparently two angels who reiterated the message of the angel who had rolled back the stone] in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. (5) In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? (6) He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee, (7) saying that the Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again. (8) Then, they remembered his words. (9) When they [Mary Magdalene, Mary the wife of Clopas, Joanna and others] came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. (10) It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles. (11) But they [a reference to “to all the others”] did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense. (12) Peter, [and John and apparently Mary Magdalene followed for she still desired to locate the body] however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened.”

Mark 16:1-8, “When the Sabbath was over [a reference to the Passover which occurred on Wednesday], Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices [during Thursday and Friday] so that they might go to anoint Jesus' body [This intention was never fulfilled]. (2) Very early on the first day of the week [Sunday], just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb (3) and they asked each other, "Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?" (4) But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. (5) As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side [apparently the angel who had rolled away the stone], and they were alarmed. (6) "Don't be alarmed," he said. "You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. (7) But go, tell his disciples and Peter, 'He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.' " (8) Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.”

The Power involved in His Resurrection:

Jesus had the authority to lay down his life and to take it up again as per John 10:18, “No one has taken it [his life] away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative [“Father, into your hands, I commit My spirit”]. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from My Father.” Although Jesus Christ Himself had the power to bring Himself back from the dead, he relied upon the omnipotence of God the Father and of God the Holy Spirit.  Therefore, during the period of His physical death [the three days in the grave], Jesus Christ in conformity to the concept of Kenosis] did not exercise His omnipotence to benefit Himself, to provide for Himself, to raise Himself from the dead, or to glorify Himself in any way.

This authority or power came from the omnipotence of God the Father, who restored our Lord's human spirit to His body, and from the omnipotence of the Holy Spirit, who restored our Lord's human soul to His body. At that moment, the human spirit and soul of our Lord rejoined His body in the grave: mortal became immortal in resurrected body via the agency of both omnipotence of God the Father and God the Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians 6:14, "Now God [the Father] has not only resurrected our Lord, but He will raise us up through His power [He will provide resurrection bodies for all those Christians who will have died before the Rapture of the Church]." Romans 8:11, "Now if the Spirit from Him [God the Father] who raised Jesus from the dead indwells you [and He does], He [God the Father] who raised Jesus Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who indwells you [God the Holy Spirit will provide resurrection bodies for all those who will be alive at the Rapture]." 1 Peter 3:18, “For Christ also died as a substitute for our sins once and for all, the righteous for the unrighteous so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh [his physical death], but made alive [given a resurrection body] by the Spirit.” 

The identical omnipotence of God the Father and omnipotence of the Holy Spirit that raised Christ from the dead is the same power that has been provided for us in our spiritual lives. The omnipotence of God the Father is available to you in the mechanics of the Protocol Plan of God and in the promises and guarantees in our Portfolio of Invisible Assets. The power of the Holy Spirit is understood through Common and Efficacious Grace, Baptism of the Spirit, Regeneration, Indwelling, the giving of spiritual gifts, Sealing and the phenomenal enabling power of the Filling of the Spirit. Furthermore, the omnipotence of Jesus Christ is available to you as well for He not only holds the universe together but at the same time controls and perpetuates human history one day at the time. Never before in history has so much divine omnipotence been available to so many believers for the glorification of God through the execution of His will, His plan, and His purpose.

1 Peter 1:3-8, "Worthy of praise and glorification [because of his character, plan and function] is the God even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who on the basis of his mercy has caused us to be born again to a living confidence [based on our spiritual life taken directly from our Lord’s spiritual life and the confidence based upon resurrection] through the resurrection of Jesus Christ out from the dead [the power that raised Christ has been given to us], (4). resulting in an inheritance [a reference to Escrow Blessings] which is imperishable [eternal] and undefiled [not stained by the sin nature] and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you. (5). who are guarded [in a garrison on this earth] by the power of God [wall of fire; guardian angels; spiritual life] through faith [we walk by faith and not by sight] resulting in deliverance [via the faith rest drill explained in the next verse] ready to be revealed [the bride is unveiled at the 2nd Advent] in the last time [at the 2nd Advent]. (6) In this [inheritance] you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have distresses from various testing [undeserved sufferings]; (7) that [purpose clause] the testing [for approval] of your faith [faith rest drill], of greater value [the testing of faith under suffering] than gold which is perishable [spiritual assets do not perish], even though tested through fire [the tests associated with the levels of spiritual growth] may be found [having passed the tests] to result in commendation and glory and honor [rewards] at the revelation of Jesus Christ [the Rapture]; (8) and though you have not seen Him, you love [occupation with Christ], and though you do not see Him now, but believe [ faith perception to maintain their love], you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible having received glory [from the execution of the spiritual life].”

Philippians 3:10, “That I [Paul] may come to know Him, and the inherent power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His suffering, being conformed to His death.” Paul wanted to understand the omnipotence of Christ as it relates to human history and to experience occupation with Christ; he wanted to understand the power that was involved in the resurrection of Jesus.  Since both the Holy Spirit and the Father used their power in providing the resurrection-body for Christ, it was this power to which Paul was referring.  He wanted to understand thoroughly the power of the Holy Spirit especially the enabling power; he wanted to understand the Father’s power as it relates to His plan. Paul wanted to experience undeserved suffering in his spiritual life just as Christ experienced undeserved suffering in his spiritual life, but of course not at the same degree.  Christ was victorious in his death; Paul wanted to be victorious in his death.

The Lord’s Resurrection guarantees our Resurrection:

1 Thessalonians 4:13, “But we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, about those who are asleep [the body sleeps as it were until the believer resurrects, gets up from his sleep], that you may not grieve as do the rest [the unbelievers] who have no confidence [regarding eternity].”

Ignorance is the greatest problem with Christianity today, and it is not an easy problem to solve especially since most Christian do not think that learning the Word of God is important.

1 Thessalonians 4:14-16, “For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and we do. So, in the same manner, the God [the omnipotence of God the Father] will bring with Him those [in interim bodies] who have fallen asleep [died] by [the will of] Jesus (15) for this we communicate to you by the word of the Lord, that we [Paul identifies himself with the Rapture generation] who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord [at the Rapture], will not precede [in meeting the Lord in the air at the Rapture of the Church] those who have fallen asleep [died]. [There will be one generation of believers who will be alive when the resurrection takes place.]. (16) because the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a command [will give a command through Gabriel], with the voice of the archangel [for mortality to receive immortality, a reference to those alive at the Rapture] and with the trumpet of God [the Father’s trumpet command for the corruption of the interim body of those who have died before the Rapture to become the incorruption of an eternal body], in fact, the dead in Christ [those having died before the Rapture] will rise first [in their resurrection bodies].” 

Notice that at the resurrection there are two commands. The voice command of the archangel is for the resurrection of Christians alive on the earth, mortal becoming immortal, from having a mortal body to having a resurrection body. There is also a trumpet command of God the Father which command is blown for the resurrection of those believers who will have died before the Rapture: the corruption of the interim body will be transformed into the incorruption of the Resurrection body.

Since both God the Father and God the Holy Spirit provided the humanity of Christ with his resurrection body so will they provide the resurrection bodies of Church Age believers at the Rapture of the Church.  The Father will use his power in providing the resurrection bodies of those who have already died, whereas God the Holy Spirit will provide the resurrection bodies of those who will be alive at the Rapture.

1 Corinthians 15:50-54, “Now this I affirm, brethren, that flesh and blood [the mortal body] cannot inherit the kingdom of God [in the sense of the eternal state], nor does corruption [the interim body] inherit incorruption. (51) Behold, I teach you a mystery: [the resurrection of Church Age-believers about which there is no prophecy in the Old Testament] we shall not all sleep [in this analogy, sleep applies only to the physical body (not to the soul). The body “sleeps” because the soul and spirit are absent from that body in an interim body waiting for the resurrection.], but we shall be changed [receive a resurrection body], (52) in a moment, in the winking of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead [those in interim bodies] will be raised incorruptible, and we [Church Age believers alive at Rapture] shall be changed [mortality becomes immortality]. (53) For this perishable [the interim body of those Christians who will have died before the Rapture] must put on imperishable [an eternal body], and this mortal [the mortal body of those alive at the Rapture] must put on immortality [eternal body], (54) but when this perishable [the believer in his interim body] shall have put on the imperishable [resurrection body], and this mortal [the believer alive at the Rapture] shall have put on immortality [resurrection body], then will come about the saying that is written, “Death is swallowed up in [as a result of] victory [All Christians both the evil and the great will receive a resurrection body and live with God for all eternity]”

1 Thessalonians 4:17-18, “Then, we [Paul identifies himself with those who will be alive at the Rapture] who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. (18) Therefore, comfort one another with these words.”

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These doctrines are a source of comfort when you have lost Christian loved ones since the separation is only temporary. They are in heaven in their interim bodies waiting for the Rapture just as you. These doctrines are a source of blessing as you face the adversities of life and realize that there is something far beyond this life, and that God will provide for you an eternal body to be enjoyed in both the Millennium and in the eternal state, a permanent body that will never experience pain or deterioration in any possible way.

The Promise of the Rapture: John 14:1-3, “Do not let your heart [the mentality of the soul] be troubled [addressing future Church age believers]; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you [addressed to the apostles but applies to future Church Age believers]; for I go to prepare a place for you [the groom prepares a home for his bride]. If I go [ascension] and prepare a place for you, I will come again [Rapture] and receive you [the Church, his bride] to myself [the ceremony: the bride is presented to the groom], that where I am, there you may be also.”

1 John 3:2-3, “Beloved, now we are the children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears [at the Rapture], we will be like Him [a resurrection body similar to that of Jesus] because we will see Him just as He is. And everyone [the believer with momentum] who keeps having this confidence [from doctrine in the soul] in him purifies himself [by advancing in fellowship] just as that one is pure [the humanity of Christ remained in fellowship with God during the 1st Advent].”

James gives us an admonition in James 5:7-8, "Therefore, brethren, have patience until the coming of the Lord [Rapture]. The farmer waits with anticipation for the valuable production of the soil, constantly being patient until it has received the early and the latter rains. Have patience!  Furthermore, all of you become stabilized in your stream of consciousnesses because the coming of the Lord [Rapture] has approached with the result that it is drawing nearer and nearer."

Titus 2:13, "Waiting with keen anticipation for that blessed hope [Rapture], even the appearance of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus."

Three times in Revelation is the phrase, "I am coming soon" Revelation 22:7, 12, 20.  Remember that, to the Lord, a day is as a thousand years and a thousand years is as a day. This statement was made in A.D. 96, and this is now A.D. 2024. Therefore, "soon" connotes imminency (meaning that there is no intervening prophecy before the Rapture], not immediacy [not a time concept]. God the Father has not made known to us when the Rapture is to take place. However, if we should know when the 2nd Advent should occur, but we don’t as per Matthew 24, we could merely subtract seven years and so ascertain the date of the Rapture.

Matthew 24:36, “But concerning that day and hour [of the 2nd Advent] no one knows, not even the [elect] angels of heaven nor the Son [a reference to the humanity of Christ], but the Father alone [in other words, only the Godhead knows].”

The Significance of Resurrection as the Lord's Victory:

In John 11:25, Jesus said to Martha, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me shall live [in resurrection-bodies forever] even if He dies." 

So, why are you weeping and wailing about the death of Lazarus! Just as the death of the believer is the Lord's victory, so the resurrection of the believer is the Lord's victory. The resurrection of the believer is the wise and sovereign decision of God. This means that the believer's volition, cognition, and individual merit are not factors in the resurrection of the Church. Winners and losers alike will receive a resurrection body equally. So, resurrection is strictly the Lord's victory. For just as we have no control over the manner or time of our death, so we have no control over the manner or time of our resurrection.  This is completely a matter of the wisdom and sovereignty of God.

There are two general resurrections namely the First and the Second:

The Resurrection of Christ is the Pattern for the First Resurrection which is pictured as a battalion pass-in-review, and therefore, is divided into four echelons, Alpha Company, the resurrection of Christ at the end of the great power experiment of the Hypostatic Union. Secondly, Bravo Company, the resurrection of the royal family of God at the end of the great power experiment of the Church Age. Third, Charlie Company, the resurrection of the Old Testament believers and martyrs of the Tribulation at the Second Advent. Finally, Delta Company, the resurrection of the millennial saints at the end of the Millennium. The Second Resurrection is for unbelievers only. They will be resurrected to face the Great White Throne Judgment. After which, they will be cast into the Lake of Fire forever.

Old Testament applications related to Resurrection:

Though those in the Old Testament did not know about the Church Age and its culmination at the Rapture, the doctrine of resurrection was well known by the greats of the Old Testament. As examples, we will use Daniel, Job and Joseph although there are many others that we could have cited.

Daniel 12:2, “And many of those who sleep [who have died] in the dust of the ground will awake [analogous to receiving a resurrection body], those to everlasting life [at the 2nd Advent], and that is the First Resurrection, but others to disgrace and everlasting shame [to those who reject the gospel message].”

Job made application to the doctrine of resurrection in the time of his suffering,

In Job 19:25-26, Job turned to the doctrine of resurrection for comfort in his suffering, “And as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives [resurrection after the redemptive work on the cross], and at last, He will take His stand on the earth [2nd Advent]. (26) Even after my skin is destroyed [for that is all that is left], yet out from my flesh, I [in my resurrection body] shall see God.”

Joseph ordered, while he was dying, that his bones (body) be taken to the land promised by the Lord.

Hebrews 11:22, “By faith, Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the exodus to the sons of Israel and gave orders concerning his bones.”

Genesis 50:24-26, “And Joseph said to his brothers, ‘I am about to die, but God will surely take care of you, so that He will take you up from this land [Egypt] to the land which He promised on oath to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob.’ (25) Then, Joseph made the sons of Israel take an oath, saying, ‘God is going to deliver you. Therefore, you will carry my bones up from this place.’ (26) So, Joseph died at the age of one hundred and ten years; and he was embalmed and placed in a coffin [above ground] in Egypt.”

His coffin remained above ground for over four hundred years as a testimony that he knew he would be resurrected and so wanted to be resurrected from the Promised Land. In Exodus 13:19, we see that Joseph’s coffin went with the Jews as they left Egypt. For forty years, it was carried through the desert as a testimony of the faithfulness of God in bringing them into the Land of Promise and the certainty of resurrection.

In Joshuah 24:32, “Now they buried the bones of Joseph, which the sons of Israel brought up from Egypt, at Shechem, in the piece of ground which Jacob had bought from the sons of Hamor the father of Shechem for one hundred pieces of money, and they became the inheritance of Joseph’s sons.”

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Though the Resurrection of Christ is part of the Gospel-Message, it is not a necessary part:

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1 Corinthians 15:3-4, “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died [a substitutionary spiritual death] for our sins [propitiation, reconciliation and redemption] according to the Scriptures, (4) and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures [Even though the Corinthians had rejected the entire concept of resurrection, they were saved. So, after salvation as Christians, Paul had to teach them this important doctrine].”

Most unbelievers know very little about propitiation, reconciliation, redemption and in most cases know nothing about the resurrection of Christ when they express their faith in Him. All the same, they are saved. However, some unbelievers will not believe apart from understanding something about resurrection. For example, James the half-brother of Christ obviously heard the gospel clearly presented many times, but it was not until he saw the resurrected Christ that he believed [faith alone in Christ alone]. Other unbelievers hear only the story about Nicodemus and believe in Christ and are eternally saved; still others are told only that Jesus bore the punishment of their sins on the cross and so believe in Him. They do so and are eternally saved. So, although the unbeliever needs some information, it does not take much information for the Holy Spirit to convince the unbeliever to make a decision. Of course, the more information one gives to the unbeliever, the better.

John 16:8, “And when that one comes, he will convince the world concerning sin [the sin of rejecting Christ as savior; sometimes understanding Christ’s resurrection will help to prevent this rejection] and concerning righteousness [the need for imputed righteousness, a perfect righteousness] and concerning judgment [if you should not respond to the good news, you will be condemned and judged just as Satan was].” 

There are two major points regarding good news in John 16:8 namely the need to believe in Christ and the need for God’s righteousness which God provides at salvation.

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The Importance of Resurrection as it relates to Salvation:

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1 Corinthians 15:12-14, “Now, if Christ is proclaimed that He has been raised from the dead [in resurrection body], how do some among you say that there is no resurrection out from the dead? (13) But if there is no resurrection of the dead, not even Christ has been raised, (14) and if Christ has not been raised, then our communication is in vain, your faith also is in vain [for if there is no resurrection, there is no eternal life].”

2 Corinthians 1:10

He has delivered us [Paul and his team] from such a deadly peril [deliverance in living], and he will deliver us [in dying]. On him we have set our confidence that he will continue to deliver us [in eternity],

ὃς ἐκ τηλικούτων θανάτων ἐρρύσατο ἡµᾶς καὶ ῥύσεται, εἰς ὃν ἠλπίκαµεν καὶ ἔτι ῥύσεται,  

The key word in this verse is the Greek verb ruomai which occurs three times. It means to deliver from a difficult or hopeless situation as Paul’s situation in Ephesus. It was used to snatch from drowning, to be delivered from a situation that was hopeless, to drag out of danger. In other words, it means to rescue. We have deliverance in living, deliverance in dying, and deliverance in eternity.

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Many Christians learn the importance of team-prayer in suffering. The need to pray for other believers experiencing suffering and vice versa. Therefore, a very important function in prayer is to pray for others especially in one’s private prayers.  

2 Corinthians 1:11

You [many members of the Corinthian Church] also joining [as team members] in helping us through your prayers so that thanksgiving may be given by many persons [literally through the faces of many persons: in other words, many Christians thanked God for the deliverance of Paul and his team] on our behalf for the gracious gift of deliverance toward us through the prayers of many.

συνυπουργούντων καὶ ὑµῶν ὑπὲρ ἡµῶν τῇ δεήσει, ἵνα ἐκ πολλῶν προσώπων τὸ εἰς ἡµᾶς χάρισµα διὰ πολλῶν εὐχαριστηθῇ ὑπὲρ ἡµῶν.

God has designed the Christian life for us to be winners; we were never designed to be losers. One of the ingredients of victory is prayer for others, that team operation which leads to deliverance, orientation to the grace of God, and the capacity to respond to God with thanksgiving.

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Prayer:

Sequence for Private Prayer and to some extent to public prayer:

1. Recovery Procedure: If we name [acknowledge] our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins for our benefit and to purify us from all wrongdoing [which the Christian produces when functioning out of fellowship]. (1 John 1:9)

Use of the Recovery Procedure is the first and most important consideration. If I regard wickedness in my heart, The Lord will not hear. (Psalm 66:18)

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2. Thanksgiving: Thanksgiving is appreciation and gratitude for all that God has done in grace (freely given and undeserved).  The more you love God and the more you appreciate Him, the greater is your “attitude of thanksgiving.” In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

3. Intercession: Intercessory prayer is praying for others. This aspect of prayer is a ministry of Christian service in which you provide a barrage of support for those in need. (Many of these prayers will need to be private)

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Ephesians 6:18–19, “With all prayer and petition, pray at all times in the [power of the] Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints. (19) Also, prayer on behalf of me (Paul), in order that doctrine might be given to me [that the Holy Spirit would pull out of his memory that he needed to apply], in the opening of my mouth with confidence to communicate the mystery pertaining to the Gospel.”  

Prayer for others falls into two categories: believers and unbelievers. When you pray for unbelievers, it is primarily for their salvation.

Romans. 10:1, “Brethren, the motivation [desire] of my heart [stream of consciousness] and my prayer to God [the Father] on behalf of them [unsaved Israel] is for their salvation.”

Paul had a tremendous tenderness of soul for those who were unsaved and so directed prayer in that direction. At the same time, Paul recognizing that prayer cannot coerce or overcome the freewill of anyone did not ask the Father that his brethren be saved, rather Paul’s prayer to the Father expresses his volition and desire, not the volition of the people for whom he is praying. Regarding these Jewish unbelievers for whom he prayed Paul used every opportunity available to him to witness. 

Regarding believers in the ministry, there are several categories for which you can pray. Pray for those who have certain spiritual gifts of communication such as pastors, evangelists, and missionaries. Comparatively few believers actually possess these communication gifts, but all believers are in full-time Christian service and can share in these ministries through prayer.

Sometimes even prevailing prayer is necessary and bona fide. Although prevailing prayer is bona fide, it must be performed in faith.

Acts 12:5-7, “So Peter was kept in the prison, but prayer for him was a constant extended one [the Greek adverb ektenos from the verb ekteino] by the church to God [some were praying and believed that Peter would be delivered; others though praying for Peter, did not believe that he would be delivered]. (6) On the very night when Herod [Agrippa] was about to bring him forward [to have him executed], Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and guards in front of the door were watching over the prison. (7) And behold, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared and a light shone in the cell; and he struck Peter's side and woke him up, saying, "Get up quickly." And his chains fell off his hands.”

These Christians though praying for Peter, did not believe that he would be delivered. Acts 12:12-16, “And when he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John who was also called Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying. (13) When he knocked at the door of the gate, a servant-girl named Rhoda came to answer. (14) When she recognized Peter's voice, because of her joy she did not open the gate, but ran in and announced that Peter was standing in front of the gate. (15) They said to her, ‘You are out of your mind!’ But she kept insisting that it was so. They kept saying, ‘It is his angel.’ (16) But Peter continued knocking; and when they had opened the door, they saw him and were amazed.”

It is quite clear that there was no faith function in these prayers. In other words, they didn’t believe that the Lord would deliver Peter even though this appears to be what they were praying for. Long prevailing prayers lasting an entire night do not imply success. It is quite clear that the Lord delivered Peter in spite of this group’s failure in prayer. 

Pray for those in positions of authority in the church. Pray for those who work in the church. Pray for those who are ill. Pray for missions. Pray for loved ones and friends (Acts 21:5). Pray for those in the military, the police, and the fire department. You also are mandated to pray for those who despitefully use you, for those who seek to do you harm and hurt, whether they be believers or unbelievers. Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. (Luke 6:28; cf. Matthew 5:44) You also are mandated to pray for the nation and its leadership. Moses made some of the greatest intercessory prayers in history for the reversionistic nation of Israel.

The following was said after the evil creation and worship of the Golden Calf:

Exodus 32:9-13. The Lord said to Moses, ‘I have seen this people, and behold, they are an obstinate people [extremely arrogant]. (10) ‘Now then let Me alone, that My anger [anthropopathism] may burn against them and that I may destroy them [all at once including the children]; and I will make out from you a great nation [out from your loins].’ (11) Then, Moses entreated the Lord his God, and said, O Lord, why does Your anger burn against Your people whom You have brought out from the land of Egypt [for a purpose] with great power and with a mighty hand? (12) Why should the Egyptians [and other peoples as well] speak, saying, with evil intent He brought them out to kill them in the mountains and to destroy them from the face of the earth? [Most of the Egyptians who remained behind in Egypt were not interested in the gospel message. So, who cares what they thought. However, Moses realized that it would not be beneficial to give them and other peoples as well, a reason for maligning the truth and hindering evangelization.] Turn from Your burning anger and change Your thinking about doing harm to Your people [as a whole; most of the adults will be executed over a period of time and Moses understood this, but the children will go into the Land]. (13) Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, your servants to whom You swore by Yourself, and said to them, I will multiply your descendants [this could not have been done through Moses from the tribe of Levi alone] as the stars of the heavens, and all this land of which I have spoken I will give to your descendants including all the tribes, and they shall inherit it forever [Furthermore, if this had been done through Moses, the Jewish entrance into the Land would have been delayed for at least 400 years].  

Numbers 14:12–19 follows the Jewish military’s refusal to enter the Land, “I will smite them with pestilence and dispossess them [all at one time], and I will make you into a nation greater and mightier than they, (13) but Moses said to the Lord, ‘Then the Egyptians will hear of it, for by Your strength You brought up this people from their midst, (14) and they will tell it to the inhabitants of this land. They have heard that You, O Lord, are in the midst of this people, for You, O Lord, are seen eye to eye, while Your cloud stands over them; and You go before them in a pillar of cloud by day and in a pillar of fire by night. (15) ‘Now if You slay this people as one man, then the nations who have heard of Your fame [the Ten Plagues in Egypt] will say, (16) 'Because the Lord could not bring this people into the land which He promised them by oath, therefore He slaughtered them in the desert.' (17) But now, I pray, let the power of the Lord be great, just as You have declared, (18) 'The Lord is slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, forgiving iniquity and transgression; but He will by no means clear the guilty [the reversionistic Jewish adult believers will die in the desert; they will not go into the Land], visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generations.' (19) Pardon, I pray, the iniquity of this people according to the greatness of Your lovingkindness [allow the next generation to enter the Land], just as You also have forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now."

Paul’s intercessory prayer for Philemon in verse 6, “[And I pray: elaborating on the phrase, ‘making mention of you’ in verse 4] that the fellowship [koinonia] of your [singular: Philemon’s] doctrine might [Paul in using the subjunctive, recognizes Philemon’s volition] become effective [usable energy] by means of the metabolized knowledge [epignosiV] of every good [doctrine] which is in us [plural: in the souls of Philemon & Paul; good manuscript support for the translation, “in us”, also the context: verses 1, 4, 5] directed toward Christ [occupation with Christ] [In this prayer, Paul does not ask God for anything; rather he states his desire for Philemon namely that Philemon continue to execute the spiritual life.].”

In 2 Chronicles 7:14, we are commanded to pray for our nation. “And My people [the spiritually advanced believers in the client nation] who are called by My name humble themselves and pray, and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways [their involvement in the Cosmic System], then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

4. Petition or praying about your needs: In such a prayer, a Problem-Solving Device must be used such as the Faith-rest Drill, the Divine Decree, Logistical Grace etc. We all have personal needs or problems of one kind or another which God the Father has already provided a solution in the Divine Decree possibly because of a prayer or more than likely because He wants to give us “far more abundantly beyond all that we could possibly ask or think.”

Hebrews 4:16a may apply, “Let us therefore draw near with confidence [based upon a Problem-Solving Device/the spiritual life] to the throne of grace.”

Petitions, address those particular circumstances for which there is no direct statement or solution from Scripture. (If provision for your own needs or solutions to your problems are found in the Word of God, do not petition for those things. For example, we are Filled with the Spirit automatically when we use the Recovery Procedure. Therefore, do not pray a meaningless prayer by saying, “Fill me with the Spirit.” Since we are protected under the doctrine of Logistical Grace, you don’t need to ask for protection. However, you may state in prayer to God the Father that you appreciate His protection of you.

As you learn Bible doctrine and advance to maturity in the spiritual life, you will understand both the constraints and the fantastic opportunities of your prayer life. In spiritual maturity, you will reduce the number of your personal petitions while expanding your capacity for intercessory prayer.

2 Corinthians 1:15

Because I was confident [in the midst of the misunderstanding of Paul by the Corinthians] of this [Paul knows that he was doing the will of God], I planned to visit you [face to face] first so that you might have gracious benefit twice [through his teaching, but that did not work out. It will be through his writing instead. God wants Paul to write again namely 2 Corinthians, a second gracious benefit, not only to the Corinthians but to every generation of believers].

Καὶ ταύτῃ τῇ πεποιθήσει ἐβουλόµην πρότερον πρὸς ὑµᾶς ἐλθεῖν, ἵνα δευτέραν χάριν σχῆτε,

Paul doesn’t fall apart because of this pressure; he is totally relaxed. His relaxation is based on his occupation with the person of Christ; he understands the principle of doctrine that God in His grace can take any personal situation and turn it into a blessing situation.

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2 Corinthians 1:16

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I planned to visit you on my way to Macedonia and to come back to you from Macedonia, and then to have you send me on my way to Judea [Paul’s visit was delayed; instead, he wrote 2 Corinthians which Titus took back to Corinth].

καὶ δι’ ὑµῶν διελθεῖν εἰς Μακεδονίαν, καὶ πάλιν ἀπὸ Μακεδονίας ἐλθεῖν πρὸς ὑµᾶς καὶ ὑφ’ ὑµῶν προπεµφθῆναι εἰς τὴν Ἰουδαίαν.

2 Corinthians 1:17 

When I planned this, did I do it lightly [when he didn’t arrive]? Or do I make my plans in a worldly manner [no I don’t] so that in the same breath I say, "Yes, yes" and "No, no" [instability and great vacillation]?

τοῦτο οὖν βουλόµενος µήτι ἄρα τῇ ἐλαφρίᾳ ἐχρησάµην; ἢ ἃ βουλεύοµαι κατὰ σάρκα βουλεύοµαι, ἵνα ᾖ παρ’ ἐµοὶ τὸ Ναὶ ναὶ καὶ τὸ Οὒ οὔ;

The Lord overruled Paul’s intentions as per 1 Corinthians 16:5, “But I will come to you after I go through Macedonia [but he didn’t], for I am going through Macedonia;” Instead Paul writes 2 Corinthians in lieu of his going to Corinth and teaching them. Paul will then send Titus who will deliver and teach 2nd Corinthians.  

Paul’s critics in Corinth claimed that he was unstable and subsequently had no integrity for they were hurt by what they considered Paul’s lack of attention when he had failed to come to them as per his promise. It never occurred to them that it was the Lord who had overruled Paul’s plans. Being hurt, they had become critical of him. The Lord wanted these Corinthians to realize that it was they who were unstable and lacked integrity. This they could more easily realize through written material.

2 Corinthians 1:18

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But as surely as God is faithful, our message to you is not "Yes" and "No." [We are not unstable; It was God who prevented Paul from going to Corinth].

πιστὸς δὲ ὁ θεὸς ὅτι ὁ λόγος ἡµῶν ὁ πρὸς ὑµᾶς οὐκ ἔστιν Ναὶ καὶ Οὔ.

2 Corinthians 1:19

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For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by me and Silas and Timothy, was not "Yes" and "No" [was not maybe this or maybe that], but in him it has always been "Yes" [doctrine must be taught dogmatically by someone who is accurate].

ὁ τοῦ θεοῦ γὰρ υἱὸς Ἰησοῦς Χριστὸς ὁ ἐν ὑµῖν δι’ ἡµῶν κηρυχθείς, δι’ ἐµοῦ καὶ Σιλουανοῦ καὶ Τιµοθέου, οὐκ ἐγένετο Ναὶ καὶ Οὔ, ἀλλὰ Ναὶ ἐν αὐτῷ γέγονεν.

Paul reminds the Corinthians that when Paul and his team explained the gospel message to them it was with accuracy and with dogmatism.

2 Corinthians 1:20

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For no matter how many promises God has made [regarding experiential sanctification], they are "Yes" in Christ [accurate and dogmatic]. And so, through him the "Amen" [the promises are to be believed] is spoken by us to the glory of God.

ὅσαι γὰρ ἐπαγγελίαι θεοῦ, ἐν αὐτῷ τὸ Ναί· διὸ καὶ δι’ αὐτοῦ τὸ Ἀµὴν τῷ θεῷ πρὸς δόξαν διí ἡµῶν.

Just as the gospel must be taught accurately with dogmatism so must the promises and doctrines related to the spiritual life. The promises of God are just as dogmatic as the gospel; since there is no lack of faithfulness on the part of the Lord in these things, they are to be believed; we are to believe these things to the glory of God.

2 Corinthians 1:21

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Now, God confirms us [confirmed or established into the royal family of God through the Baptism of the Spirit] with you in Christ [positional sanctification] and has anointed us [Church Age believers are given the Filling of the Spirit to execute his plan which does not call for either hypersensitivity or vindictiveness], 

ὁ δὲ βεβαιῶν ἡµᾶς σὺν ὑµῖν εἰς Χριστὸν καὶ χρίσας ἡµᾶς θεός,

Current Positional Truth taught in Galatians 3:25-28, “But now that faith has come, we are no longer under the authority of [have need of] a school bus [A pedagogue was not the teacher but was the slave who escorted the children to school so that they would not be kidnapped. The Law was our school bus that took us to Christ. The Law couldn’t save us but the Law could take us to Christ.]. (26) For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. (27) For all of you who were baptized into Christ [identified with Christ through union with Him] have clothed yourselves with Christ. (28) There is neither Jew nor Greek [no racial distinction], there is neither slave nor free man [no social or economic distinction], there is neither male nor female [no gender distinction]; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. [All Christians have the same privileges and opportunities to execute the spiritual life.]”

Current Positional Truth, Elaborated:

In the Church Age, Current Positional Truth establishes our relationship with Christ as opposed to religion. It refers to the Church Age believer in union with Christ and is the key to understanding the Church Age and how the royal family came into being. Therefore, it is the basis for distinguishing between Christianity and religion. Christianity is a relationship with God without merit whereas religion is a system of works to gain the approbation of God. Never shall the twain meet!

The mechanics of Current Positional Truth is the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, whereby the Spirit enters us into union with Christ.

1 Corinthians 12:13, "For also by agency of the one Spirit we are all baptized [identification resulting in becoming a new spiritual species] into one body [in union with Christ], whether Jews or Greeks [racial distinctions are removed], whether slave or free [class and economic distinctions are removed], even all were made to drink [the aorist passive, the voice of grace] the one Spirit [The Holy Spirit did not ask us whether we wanted to be put into union with Christ or not]."

Ephesians 4:5, "One Lord [becomes our Lord positionally at Salvation], one faith [faith alone in Christ alone; Acts 16:31], one baptism [Baptism of the Holy Spirit takes place at salvation]."

Current Positional truth guarantees that there will be no judgment for believers in eternity,

Romans 8:1, "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."

Thus, the condemnation which occurred at the first birth was removed at the 2nd birth. As a result of being born with the sin nature and the imputation of Adam’s Original Sin, we were condemned to the Lake of Fire for all eternity, but now that has been removed.

Romans 5:12, "For this reason just as through one man [Adam] the sin [nature] entered into the world [through procreation], and so spiritual death through the sin [the imputation of Adam’s Original Sin to the sin nature], and so spiritual death spread to all mankind, because all sinned when Adam sinned [since we were all genetically in Adam when he sinned, we will receive Adam’s Original Sin]."

However, at our spiritual birth, the 2nd birth, our pre-salvation sins were all forgiven including Adam’s Original Sin. After which, the Spirit entered us into union with Christ where there is now no condemnation (Romans 8:1). 

Current Positional truth qualifies the believer to live with God forever. To live with God forever, the believer must have eternal life and God’s perfect righteousness.

1 John 5:11-12, "And this is the deposition [testimony] that the God [the Father] has given to us, eternal life, and this life is in his son [Since we are in union with Christ, we share this life.]. (12) and he who has the son [a relationship with the Son] has the life [eternal life] and the one who does not have the son of God [relationship with the Son] does not have the life [eternal life]."

2 Corinthians 5:21, "And He [God the Father] made Him who knew no sin [perfection] to be a sin offering [to be judged for all the sins of the world] as a substitute for us so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him [current positional truth]."

To live with God forever means we must have His life, and we must be as righteous as He is. Positional truth guarantees the believer’s eternal security,

Romans 8:38-39, "For I am persuaded that neither death [nothing in death] nor life [nothing in life] nor angels nor principalities [ruling angels] nor powers [human organizations] nor things present nor things to come (39) nor height [nothing in heaven] nor depth [nothing in Hades] nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from the love of God [Eternal life in Christ is for all eternity!] which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Positional truth belongs to all categories of believers whether they be apostate, mature, immature, spiritually adult, or carnal. Since Current Positional Truth occurs at the point of salvation before experience in the Christian life begins, it doesn’t depend on that experience.

1 Corinthians 1:2, "to the church of God which is in Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus [at salvation], called saints together with all who call upon the person of Our Lord Jesus Christ [an expression for believing in Christ], their [Lord] and ours."

So, even though you may be carnal or in reversionism, you still have positional truth. Being in union with Christ has nothing to do with what you do [in your experience; not a part of experiential righteousness], or don’t do [failure to execute God’s plan]. Current Positional sanctification is completely the work of God the Holy Spirit and so is not based upon our volition, but on the sovereign decision of God. We make the decision to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, but we don’t make the decision to enter into union with Christ “all were made to drink the one Spirit” as per 1 Corinthians 12:13. God the Holy Spirit graciously did that for us and so it cannot be undone.

Current Positional truth creates a new spiritual species in Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:17, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ and he is, he is a new spiritual species. The old things have lost their power; behold, new things have come to pass."

You become a new spiritual species at salvation by being put into union with Christ. It is what God does for you, and therefore it is grace. It is not what you do after salvation, such as the self-righteous works of legalism. The “old things” have to do with spiritual death and those things related to that death; the “new things” refer to things you receive at salvation such as the 40 assets and the unique spiritual life. 

Positional truth should motivate the production of divine good and a pattern of life compatible with royalty as per the following verse.

Ephesians 2:10, "For we are his creation, having been created in Christ Jesus [a new spiritual species with many assets] for the purpose of divine good production [via experiential sanctification] which the God [the Father] has prepared in advance [in eternity past, God the Father provided election and predestination as part of our Portfolio of Invisible Assets], that we in the sphere of them [election and predestination] may pattern our lives."

Even though a Christian may die the Sin unto Death, he will not lose his position in union with Christ (1 John 5:18-20), and so cannot lose his salvation.  In order for a believer to lose his position in Christ, he would have to sin in that status, but since the believer cannot sin in union with Christ, he cannot lose his position in Christ and so cannot lose his salvation. Thus, it is comforting and reassuring to a believer to know that even though a loved one may have died the ‘sin unto death’, he has not lost his salvation. 

The Anointing “and has anointed us” is taught in the passage below:

1 John 2:20, 27, "But you have an anointing [the Filling of the Spirit] from the Holy One [Jesus Christ], and all of you know [the truth]. (27) As for you, the anointing [the Holy Spirit related to his teaching ministry] which you received from him [Jesus Christ cf. v. 20 ] resides in you [indwelling of the Spirit], and you do not have need that anyone be teaching you [caused to teach you], but as his anointing [The Holy Spirit under the concept of Filling] teaches you [the Holy Spirit teaches through the gift of the Pastor-teacher] about all things [related to God’s word] and it [as that anointing] is true, not a lie, just as he [the anointing: the Holy Spirit] has taught you, remain in him [in fellowship with the Son which implies also fellowship with the Father: verse 24 ]."

Oil illustrates the power of the Filling of the Holy Spirit “And has anointed us”. The seven points below were taken from one of the Colonel’s messages.

1. Oil lubricates. Friction is removed from machines by oil, just as the Holy Spirit removes friction between people.

2. Oil heals and is used for medicine. The Holy Spirit heals breaches among believers.

3. Oil lights. The Holy Spirit illuminates the teaching of doctrine.

4. Oil propels. The Holy Spirit provides the thrust to maturity.

5. Oil invigorates. The Holy Spirit stimulates production.

6. Oil warms. The ministry of the Holy Spirit warms the life of the believer in relationship to the Lord and other believers.

7. Oil adorns. The Holy Spirit provides inner beauty.

We are in the plan of God together. It doesn’t call for instability, it doesn’t call for judging people, it doesn’t call for being vindictive or hypersensitive.

2 Corinthians 1:22

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The Holy Spirit who also sealed us [at salvation; the culminative aorist participle which emphasizes the results as listed below] and gave us the guarantee of the spirit [having a human spirit guarantees that we are children of God] in our hearts [in our souls],

ὁ καὶ σφραγισάµενος ἡµᾶς καὶ δοὺς τὸν ἀρραβῶνα τοῦ πνεύµατος ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις ἡµῶν.

Regarding the Sealing ministry of the Holy Spirit:

Ephesians 1:13, "In whom also, when you heard the message of truth [a reference to Common Grace] the gospel of your salvation in whom also when you had believed [a reference to Efficacious Grace], you were sealed [with a signature guarantee at the point of Efficacious Grace] by the Holy Spirit with reference to the promise [of eternal salvation],"

Ephesians 4:30, "Furthermore, stop grieving [offending, irritating, insulting] the Holy Spirit, the God [the genitive of apposition] by agency of whom you have been sealed [the Culminative Aorist: the signature guarantee of the Spirit guarantees eternal security.] to the day of redemption [which takes place at the Rapture of the Church]."

The culminative aorist tense views the events in their entirety, but regards them from the viewpoint of their existing results. The entirety is the guarantee of the Spirit that the believer has been sealed. The sealing ministry of God the Holy Spirit is His signature guarantee of five different things.

1.  The guarantee of efficacious grace

2.  The guarantee of eternal life

3.  The guarantee of eternal security

4.  The guarantee of your very own Portfolio of Invisible Assets

5.  The guarantee that you will have a resurrection body forever

Verses regarding the human spirit:

1 Corinthians 2:10-16, But God [the Father] has revealed [his plan for the Church Age believers] to us for our benefit through the Spirit [the teaching ministry of the Holy Spirit] for the human spirit [through the Filling of the Spirit] investigates all things even the deep things from God [revealed in Scripture], (11) for what man understands [who among men has known] the things [thoughts and ideas] of man except the frame of reference of man [by building knowledge upon knowledge via his human I.Q.] which is in him [the soul with the frame of reference via human I.Q.]. So even the things [thoughts] of God no one has known except the Spirit of God [The Holy Spirit teaches our human spirit through His power and authority via the Filling of the Spirit]. (12), Now, we have not received the world’s frame of reference, but [we have received] the spirit [human spirit] from the source of God in order that we may know the things [doctrines] graciously given to us for our benefit by God. (13) which things we communicate not by the teachings taught from human wisdom, but by the teachings taught by the Spirit [Holy Spirit]; we are explaining spiritual things [bringing together spiritual truths] to spiritual apparatuses [to believers with human spirits]. (14) But the soulish man [the unbeliever without a human spirit] does not acquire knowledge of the doctrines [not able to receive spiritual truths] from the Spirit [Holy Spirit] of God for they [spiritual truths] are absurd [senselessness] to him, and he is not able to acquire knowledge [spiritual truths] because they [the doctrines]  are discerned from the source of the human spirit [are discerned in a spiritual manner: the Holy Spirit takes the pastor’s accurate teaching and makes it understandable to the human spirit]. (15) But the spiritual [the growing believer] discerns all things [of the Word of God], but he is judicially examined by no one [the privacy of the priesthood], (16) for who has known the thinking of the Lord [title for deity] that he should instruct him [no one], but we have the thinking of Christ [in the Bible].”

Job 32:8, “But it is the human spirit in man [the believer] and the Spirit of the Almighty that gives perception [The Holy Spirit teaches the human spirit.].”

Romans 8:16, “The Spirit Himself testifies together [bears witness] with our [human] spirit, that we are the children of God.” [If you are ever going to be related to reality as a believer, Bible doctrine must come into your life. It must be related to your life, not as an academic subject but as a part of your life.]

The human spirit is the area of refreshment as per 2 Corinthians 7:13, “For this reason, we have been comforted, and besides our comfort, we rejoiced even much more for the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all.”

Philemon 25, “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ [be] with your [the Colossian Christians] spirits.” [Paul strongly encourages the Colossian believers to learn and apply the grace of God.  This grace comes from the Father’s plan and the work of the Lord Jesus Christ (Philemon 3). The Christian’s relationship with God is through his human spirit, which God gives to every believer at the moment of salvation.]

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2 Corinthians 1:23

Moreover, I call God as my witness that it was in order to spare you [Paul would have confronted them and possibly caused an even greater reaction; rather God had Paul write 2 Corinthians that they might be more objective as Titus would teach it to them] that I did not return to Corinth.

Ἐγὼ δὲ µάρτυρα τὸν θεὸν ἐπικαλοῦµαι ἐπὶ τὴν ἐµὴν ψυχήν, ὅτι φειδόµενος ὑµῶν οὐκέτι ἦλθον εἰς Κόρινθον.

It seems that Paul did go to Corinth some time after having finished this epistle according to his promise in 1 Corinthians 16:6. Paul probably remained in Corinth during the winter for three months as per

Acts 20:1–3, "After the uproar had ceased [in Ephesus], Paul sent for the disciples, and when he had exhorted them and taken his leave of them, he left to go to Macedonia. (2) When he had gone through those districts [as far as Illyricum] and had given them much exhortation, he came to Greece [Corinth], (3) and there he spent three months, and when a plot was formed against him by the Jews as he was about to set sail for Syria [It appears that the Judaizers intended to assassinate him on the ship leaving the Corinthian port for Syria], he decided to return through Macedonia."

2 Corinthians 1:24

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Not that we lord it over your faith [Paul cannot dictate a solution, but can only encourage them to use their volition correctly], but we work with you [team work] for your happiness [from doctrine], because it is by faith [in truth] you stand firm [if you are going to be spiritually self-sustaining].

οὐχ ὅτι κυριεύοµεν ὑµῶν τῆς πίστεως, ἀλλὰ συνεργοί ἐσµεν τῆς χαρᾶς ὑµῶν, τῇ γὰρ πίστει ἑστήκατε.

Faith-rest Drill:

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Living by Faith, a Drill producing Tranquility:

Walking by faith is a drill which must be practiced. This drill of applying God’s word to one’s difficulties and pressures produces tranquility in the soul. When the believer lives by faith, he applies biblical promises, principles and doctrines by faith to his experience. Living by faith is trusting in God’s thinking, not one’s own false thinking. If the believer is able to trust God regarding all matters in his life, his soul will be in a state of tranquility, namely a soul free of mental agitation caused by emotional sins. 

For example, God is perfect justice and as such he can only be perfectly fair to all of his creatures. Moreover, he is perfectly fair to them all the time. If this is true and it is, then God is perfectly fair to you every second of every day. If that is the case, then why do you say, in your self-pity, "People and life are unfair to me?" Don't you realize that if a person treats you unfairly, God can discipline that person and provide extra blessing for you?

When the believer applies God's word to his problems and pressures, he will possess tranquility in his soul. Tranquility means two things: complete confidence in God and freedom from mental agitation caused by emotional sins. When the believer is controlled by such emotional sins as fear, worry, anger, hatred, jealousy, bitterness, self-pity etc., he will have stress in his soul. For example, if he worries about his family problems, stress will occur (problems + emotional sins = stress).  Stress produces an agitation in the soul, whereas living one’s life by faith produces a phenomenal tranquility (problems + walking by faith = tranquility).

Living by Faith has always been a part of the believer's spiritual life. Abraham was promised a great progeny by God through his wife, Sarah who was at the time barren. At first, Abraham did not have the spiritual strength to believe this promise and in discouragement assumed that his progeny would come through Eliezer (Genesis 15:2-3). Even when Abraham was 86 years old, he still did not believe that God could manufacture a progeny through his wife, Sarah (Genesis 16:1-3, 16). The Lord certainly would not have encouraged Abraham to produce his progeny through adultery (Genesis 12:2; 13:16).

This promise was initially given to Abraham when he was still residing in his hometown, the 3rd Dynasty of Ur (Ur of the Chaldees).

Genesis 12:1-2 states, “Now, the Lord said to Abram, ‘Go forth from your country [the 3rd Dynasty of Ur], and from your relatives, and from your father’s house to the land which I will show you, and I will make you a great nation [obviously through his wife since God does not condone adultery], and I will bless you.”

Then, though he was commanded to go to a new land in Canaan he went instead to Haran, a city to the east of Carchemish on the Euphrates. After his father died [a forced separation], he at age 75 departed Haran (a city his father Terah had named after his son, Haran who had died in the 3rd Dynasty of Ur) for the new land which God had promised him (Genesis 12:4). After arriving in the new land, it still took Abraham more than 24 years in the Levant, in Canaan to accumulate enough Bible doctrine in his soul to believe that he would have a son through Sarah.