WHY CHRIST ROSE FROM THE DEAD

By Wally Winner

Why was Jesus resurrection necessary?

THINK about it. If only Jesus body died from the rigors of His crucifixion, but the real He or His soul was still alive, why was it necessary for His body to be resurrected three days after His death and burial? Why would He need his body if, when He died, He was already an immortal soul? After Jesus fulfilled His mission, why did it - the body - have to be brought back to life if ones immortal soul can live apart from the body, what need is there of a resurrection to life? For that matter, why are Christians to be resurrected out of their graves as Jesus was if they are already alive apart from their bodies? If their immortal souls have already gone to heaven or paradise when they die, why do Christians need to be resurrected in order to live again? Before we discover why it was needful for Christ to rise from the dead, we must first understand why He was put to death. When God created the first human beings, He gave them a choice symbolized by two fruit-bearing trees. One tree represented obedience, its fruit leading to eternal life. The other tree represented disobedience, its fruit leading to death for all eternity. God said to the first man, Adam, In the day that thou eatest thereof [the tree that symbolized selfishness and disobedience] thou shalt surely die (Gen. 2:17). In other words, the day man sinned, he came under the penalty of eternal death. God didnt say Adams body would die and that his soul would continue to live somewhere. Adam wasnt a body with an immortal soul inside. Adam the living, physical being was a soul. When God breathed the breath of life into his nostrils, man became a living soul (Gen. 2:7). As a result of Adams sin, Adam a soul received the death sentence. Of course, for the Bible declares elsewhere, The soul that sinneth, it shall die (Ezek. 18:4). This important truth is repeated in verse 20. How can the Bible be any clearer than that? Adam sinned and came under the death penalty. But where does that leave the rest of us? We are in the same boat as Adam, because we all - every human being who has ever lived - have also sinned - transgressed Gods law (1 John 3:4). Wherefore, as by one man [Adam] sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men. . . . Why did death pass upon all men? Continue, for that all have sinned (Rom. 5:12). All human beings are consequently under the sentence of death. God will not compromise with His law. How then could God fulfill His purpose for human beings?

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To work out His plan, God had to rest of the verse: but [on the other hand, by provide some way to redeem, to forgive, to contrast to death] the gift of God is eternal save people from sin. Someone had to bear life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Eternal the penalty of sin - to die - in their stead so life is not something we already have but they could be forgiven. It would have to be seek (Rom. 2:7). We do not possess someone who was without sin so that his immortality. It is a gift of God to those who death would substitute for everyone elses repent. Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise sins. It would have to be someone whose perish, declared Jesus (Luke 13:3, 5). life was worth more than the lives of all The penalty of sin is deaththe human beings put together. cessation of life. That is the penalty Jesus Jesus Christ died in paid when He poured out our stead (1 Peter 18, 19; his soul [his physical, mortal Acts 20:28). If we repent of life sustained by his blood] The Greek our sins (that means to stop unto death (Isa. 53:12). sinning and begin to obey The death and word here Gods laws), if we ask for resurrection of Jesus was translated forgiveness, we can foretold in Old Testament hell receive the gift of eternal prophecies centuries life rather than the penalty beforehand. In one of those merely of eternal death. That is, prophecies are reflected the means the not this first physical death words of Jesus to his Father we all die, but the second concerning the ordeal of His grave. death from which there will crucifixion. My flesh, said never be a resurrection Jesus, talking about His (Rev. 20:6, 14, 15). fleshly body, shall rest in hope: [why would This is explained so well in John 3:16. his flesh rest in hope?] because thou wilt not Perhaps no other verse in the New leave my soul [his fleshly body] in hell (Acts Testament is quoted as often and understood 2:26-27). so little. For God so loved the world, that he The use of the English word hell in the gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever King James Bible has caused some believeth in him should not perish, but have misunderstanding. The Greek word here everlasting life. Jesus did not say everyone translated hell merely means the grave - a already has everlasting life - an immortal hole in the ground. Even the old English soul - and faces either spending that word hell originally meant no more than a everlasting life in hell fire, or in heaven. Thats hole or place of hiding. Farmers used to not what this verse says at all! speak of putting their potatoes in hell for Its a question of either acquiring the winter! immortality or not having it; of either living Jesus soulhis fleshly bodywas forever as Gods gift, or of dying - perishing. placed in a hole in the ground, more There is nothing said here about an immortal precisely, a tomb hewn out of the rocky side soul. of a hill. Jesus himself foretold where He We read in Romans 6:23 that the would spend the time between His crucifixion wages of sin is death. Notice, however, the and resurrection. He stated that He would
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be three days and three nights in the heart of the earthsurrounded by earth (Matt. 12:40). Not up in heaven, not off somewhere else, but in an earthly grave, a hole in the ground. So said Jesus. He ought to know. There is no mistaking that the Bible differentiates between a persons soul physical life and bodyand his spirit (Heb. 4:12). Jesus said at his death, Father, into into thy hands I commend my spirit (Luke 23:46). While the pagan idea of a conscious immortal soul, within man is not biblical, nevertheless the Bible here and elsewhere reveals there is a spirit in man (Job 32:8). This spirit is not conscious by itself, His spirit departs, he returns to his earth; in that very day his plans perish (Ps. 146:4, RAV). When a person dies, then shall the dust [the physical body, the soul] return to the earth as it was: and the spirit [breath of life Gen. 2:7] shall return unto God who gave it (Eccl. 12:7). Jesus referred to this important truth when, just before He died, he cried: Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost [spirit breath of life] (Luke 23:46). That it was not a conscious, living spirit that Jesus committed to the Father is proved by John 20:17, where, after his resurrection, Jesus said that He - the conscious Jesus - had not yet ascended to the Father! Once dead, Jesus was put in the grave where it remained for three days and

nights. He was Cut off out of the land of the living (Isa. 53:8). All life and conscious thought stopped, for the dead know not any thing (Eccl. 9:5). He was asleep, as are all those who have died (Dan. 12:2). His resurrection made him the firstfruits [the first to be resurrected immortal, to eternal life] of them that slept (1 Cor. 15:20). Why was Jesus brought back to life in a resurrection out of that stone sepulchre? For two reasons. One, Jesus was not worthy of death. He had never sinned. Two, if Jesus were not brought back to life as a glorified, immortal being all the dead in Christ would remain dead forever. They could never live again. And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep [they are not alive up in heaven, or somewhere else they are asleep in their graves] in Christ are perished - never to be brought back to life (1 Cor. 15:17-18). But the fact is, Christ was raised from the dead. Because He lives we have the glorious hope [not yet the reality] of eternal life (Titus 3:7) For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality (1 Cor. 15:53). When? At the resurrection and not before (verses 42, 5054). That is the plain teaching of the Bible!

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WHAT WE BELIEVE
1. There is One God, Who is the Creator and Father of all mankind. Isa. 44:6-8; Eph. 4:6; I Cor. 8:6 2. Jesus Christ is the Son of God, that he died for our sins, was buried and rose again from the dead. John 20:31; Acts 8:37; I John 5:5 3. The Holy Spirit is the power of God working in believers through Jesus Christ. Rom. 8:9,14 4. The Bible is Gods inspired Word which shall be the guide and practice of the Christian. I Pet. 1:21; II Tim. 3:16,17 5. Man is wholly mortal and only through Christ can man receive the gift of immortality. I John 5:12; Rom. 5:12; Rom. 6:23 6. Gods love and grace offers to man a plan of salvation through Jesus Christ including complete forgiveness of sin and immortality at the return of Jesus Christ. John 3:16; Phil. 3:20,21; John 1:7-9 7. Mans response to God through Jesus Christ will be: believe the gospel, confession of faith, baptism by immersion in the name of Jesus, growth in Christian life. Rom. 6:4-6; Acts 2:38 8. Jesus Christ is coming again to resurrect the dead, bestow the gift of immortality upon all believers, and establish the Kingdom of God. I Thess. 4:13-18; I Cor. 15:51-57; Rev. 11:15

To preserve, publish, proclaim, plant, protect and propagate the Abrahamic Faith. A publication of the Carolina Conference of the Churches of God of the Abahamic Faith. Find us on the web at www.thesoundofthetrumpet.info Address correspondence to: The Sound of the Trumpet 405 Guthrie Grove Church Road Pelzer, SC 29669 Page 6

A THOUGHT
In the kingdom of tomorrow There shall be no gloom of night When the saints by His own glory Pass from darkness into light. Yes, the flowers of His Kingdom Will be larger, fresh and fair. We will find relief from sorrow And an end to all our care. So, I say to you, my brothers, As you journey down lifes way, It is worth a mighty effort, So, prepare for it today.

-Claude D. HousePage 7 Page 3

The Second Coming of Christ

By Delbert A. Jones

THE BIRTH of Jesus was an important event in world history. It would have little importance to you and to me, however, if it were not for the assurance of His second coming. Why is Jesus coming again? What does it mean to you and to me? The world lost much of its beauty when Adam and Eve transgressed in the Garden of Eden. It was a beautiful garden in which God placed Adam. However, man soon made the slums for himself. Adam listened to his wife and ate of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Adam willingly ignored the words which God had spoken, Of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die (Gen. 2:17). Because of Adam and Eves transgression, the ground was cursed: there were thorns and thistles for the first time. It was necessary for Adam to toil and sweat before he could eat. We have seen evidences of the result of this curse. Nature is constantly going on rampages which did not occur in the Garden of Eden. Man sweats and toils, but he is not assured of bumper crops. Indeed, in many sections of our world, man does not have the ability to produce sufficient calories to carry on life at the high level which we have in the United States. Christ died to free men from the curse which God placed upon sinful man. Sometime in the future, we know not the day nor the hour, the earth will be refreshed. There will be no floods, no droughts, nor pestilences or any kind. repent ye therefore, and be converted,

that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; and he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began (Acts 3:19-21). Notice in the foregoing verses that the heaven must receive Jesus until the time that the earth will again be restored to its Edenic beauty. The prophets never tired of telling about the restoration because it meant so much to them. Isaiah 35:1, 2 is an example. The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing: the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon, they shall see the glory of the Lord, and the excellency of our God. The deserts and the wilderness have never produced abundant crops, nor have they seen the glory of God; but they will in the future, when the Kingdom of God is established upon the earth. Jesus is coming again to establish the Kingdom of God. The people of Israel have longed for that Kingdom for centuries. It is little wonder that in the exemplary prayer which we call the Lords Prayer, we are taught to pray, Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven (Matt. 6:10). Yes, we earnestly pray that Christ will come again to establish the Kingdom. Page 8

The apostles questioned Jesus about the establishment of the Kingdom on various occasions. Just before He ascended to His Father they, asked, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? Jesus did not tell them when it would be established, as it was not given to them to know. The Kingdom was not established then, nor has it been established even to this day. The people of Israel bear the name of God within their name. They are truly Gods people, but because of their rebellious and stubborn way, their kingdom was taken from them. The government of Israeli is not a kingship, neither will they have a king over all of Palestine until Christ comes and establishes the Kingdom and takes the crown for Himself. We read in Ezekiel 21:25-27, Thou, profane wicked prince of Israel, whose day is come, when iniquity shall have an end, thus saith the Lord God; Remove the diadem, and take oft the crown: this shall not be the same: exalt him that is low, and abase him that is high. I will overturn, overturn, overturn, it: and it shall be no more, until he come whose right it is; and I will give it him. We pray earnestly for Christs Kingdom to comethe day in which God will give the crown to Christ. Matthew 24 is an important chapter to the Bible student who is interested in the coming of Christ. The entire chapter is devoted to questions which the disciples asked Jesus concerning the time of His coming and the end of this age. It is important to note that the exact time of His return cannot be stated. Jesus said, Of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only (Matt. 24:36). We are given vital and pertinent statements, however, concerning the time of His coming. Paul wrote to the Thessalonian brethren, Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober (1 Thess.

5:5, 6). If we are of light, we must spend time each day studying from Gods Word so that we will know His Word and recognize world events which show His soon return. We hear much about the United Nations being the hope of the world in bringing peace. It is a noble thought to those who place their trust in princes and the power of nations. Nations may say, Peace, but there is no peace. Yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction corneth upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape (1 Thess. 5:2, 3). Whether we are ready for His return or no, we know that individuals as well as nations will be judged by Him When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: and before him shall be gathered all nations; and he shall separate them one from another as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: and he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left (Matt. 25:31-33). Christ is not now seated upon His own throne, but He is seated at the right hand of His Father. Christ will be given His throne when the Kingdom of God is established on the earth. Peter and John wanted to know what they would receive as a reward for following Jesus. Jesus told them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel (Matt. 19:28) This event will take place in the regeneration, or in the age when all things are made new. Christ is coming again to receive His throne, and to reward those who are faithful to Him. Everyone who has put Christ first shall inherit eternal life. Putting Him first means literally first. He must come first in our thoughts and actions. Our love for Him

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must be greater than our love f or our relatives - husband wife, or children - or our land if we want to obtain immortality. We read that we cannot serve God and rnammon. Our love for Christ and His Father must be supreme. Jesus is coming again to resurrect the dead. Paul wrote to the Corinthians, Now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 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 Christs at His coming (1 Cor. 15:20-23). Before the resurrection of Christ no one had been granted immortality. He was tru1y the firstfruits of them that slept. Death is called a sleep numerous times in Gods Word. Because of Adams transgression, death came into the wor1d; but because of Christs sinlessness and His willingness to take upon himself the sins of the world, we have the assurance that in Christ all shall be made alive and the faithful will be granted immortality. Immortality will be given by Him at his coming. There is not one promise that immortality will be given sooner than at His coming. All of the faithful saints of all ages will be granted the great gift on the same day with a fraction of a moments difference in time. The Thessalonians were told, I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 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. Wherefore comfort one another with these words (1 Thess. 5:13-18). What a comforting thought it is that Matthew, Paul, Peter, and the saints of all ages are asleep in Jesus awaiting His call to meet Him in the clouds. Jesus died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him (1 Thess. 5:10). Isaiah, prince of the prophets, said concerning the Kingdom, The inhabitant shall not say, I am sick: the people that dwell therein shall be forgiven their iniquity (Isa. 33:24). Read Isaiah 35 for a beautiful picture of the Kingdom of God which will be established on earth. The entire chapter portrays the blessings which will come upon man if he serves God. Today the hospitals of the world are filled. People are in pain. They are blind, deaf, and crippled. It will not be so in the Kingdom. Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert (Isa. 35:5, 6). Jesus will heal all who are afflicted in any way. There will be no infirmities when Christ rules from Jerusalem. The second coming of Christ will mark the return of beauty throughout the world. The desert will blossom like the rose when Christ reigns. The Kingdom will be established, with Jerusalem as the capital of the; world. The dead in Christ will be called forth from the grave by our Master, and He will grant physical perfection to all who are in Him. So live that when He returns He will say to you, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou has been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

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HOPE
Memorize Psalm 146: 5.

Hope is a firm expectation of all promised good things (Cruden). Worldly hope is always uncertain. There is so much of infirmity and deceit in all means used to obtain human desires that success is always more or less doubtful. Divine hope is distinguished from carnal hope by its cleansing and purifying power (1 John 3:3). In what other ways is hope in Gods promises different from hope in mans promises? Name practical ways in which divine hope is of benefit in everyday living. What is Israels hope (Acts 28:20; John 1:41)? Messiah and Christ mean anointed (Jer. 14:8). What is the hope of the church (1 Tim. 1:1; Titus 2:13)? In what way is Christ the hope of the church? Resurrection, immortality, and all good things come through Christ. Is there more than one hope (Heb. 7:19)? It is interesting to note that Paul makes many comparisons in his letter to the Hebrews. In 7:22 there is a better covenant; in 8:6, better promises; in 9:23, better sacrifices; in 10:34, better substance; in 11:16, a better country; in 11:35, a better resurrection; and in 11:40, better things. In chapter one Christ is shown to be better than angels; in chapter three, better than Moses; in chapter four, better than Joshua; in chapter seven, better than Aaron; and in chapter ten, better than the law. It is by this better hope that we draw nigh to God (Heb. 7:19). How is it done (1 John 3:3)? How was cleansing done under the law (Num. 19)? How are we cleansed and purified (1 Peter 1:14-1 6; 1 Cor. 3:16, 17; 2 Cor. 7:1; Jas. 4:8; Eph. 5:26; Heb. 12:1; Matt. 5:48), Without the hope described in this lesson it is impossible to live a truly Christian life. Why? At the same time, hope is not alone sufficient to bring salvation. Name the distinguishing features of faith and hope; show the differences between them, using your own ideas and concrete illustrations and not the dictionary definitions; tell what produces each of them.
*THIS IS LESSON SIX FROM THE BEREAN BIBLE STUDIES SENIOR SERIES BOOK THREE (GODS KINGDOM). BEREAN BIBLE STUDIES SENIOR BOOK NUMBER ONE (THE GOSPEL PLAN) AND BOOK NUMBER TWO (LIFE AND IMMORTALITY) ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FOR $5 EACH. EACH BOOK CONTAINS A YEARS WORTH OF WEEKLY LESSONS. THEY MAY BE ORDER FROM: THE CAROLINA CONFERENCE, 403 GUTHRIE GROVE CH. RD., PELZER, SC 29669. Page 11

Ju Fu st n Fo Pa r ge
NEHEMIAHS PRAYER & VIEWING THE WALL
(NEHEMIAH 1:1-2:20)
9 ACROSS O Lord, I pray, please let Your ear be attentive to the _____ of Your servant, and to the prayer of Your servants who desire to fear Your name. NEHEMIAH 1:11 11 ACROSS Nehemiah asked about the Jews who had escaped, who had _____ the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem. NEHEMIAH 1:2 3 DOWN And they said to him, The _____ of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates are burned with fire. NEHEMIAH 1:3 1 DOWN Nehemiah said, So it was, when I heard these words, that I sat down and _____, and mourned for many days; I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven. NEHEMIAH 1:4 2 DOWN Nehemiah was the kings _____. NEHEMIAH 1:11 6 DOWN The king said to me, Why is your face _____, since you are not sick? This is nothing but sorrow of heart. NEHEMIAH 2:2 8 ACROSS I said to the king, If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, I ask that you send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers tombs, that I might _____ it. NEHEMIAH 2:5 5 DOWN Furthermore I said to the king, If it pleases the king, let _____ be given to me for the governors of the region beyond the River. NEHEMIAH 2:7 4 ACROSS Nehemiah writes, So I came to _____ and was there three days. NEHEMIAH 2:11 7 DOWN He writes, I went out by night through the Valley Gate to the Serpent Well and the Refuse Gate, and _____ the walls of Jerusalem which were broken down and its gates which were burned with fire. NEHEMIAH 2:14 10 ACROSS So they said, Let us rise up and build. Then they set their hands to do this good _____. NEHEMIAH 2:18