The Resurrection - 1 Cor. 15:12-34
The Resurrection • Sermon • Submitted
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· 16 viewsThe Christian faith and the future of Christians rest on the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Notes
Transcript
Good morning and welcome to BCC or maybe BCC online! I Hope you have your Bible’s and open them with me to
As you know we work thru books of the Bible and plan our message accordingly sometimes months in advance
What a time to ask these questions?
Hope or no hope
Self -preservation or self sacrifice
Living for today - Living on mission
Trump motivated the country this week, how? We’re on a mission, those who were once bickering trials have that their political squabbling are simply unimportant.
As Believers in Jesus Christ we declare we have a living hope, a secure destiny, A Savior of our soul and Lord over our lives.
Last week we look at the gospel and the proof of the Death or our Lord and the proof of the Resurrection.
Why is that so important?
Where Jesus has gone, there will His people go: To a grave or to a kingdom!
To a grave: No Hope -self preservation and live for today
To a kingdom: Hope - a life a self-sacrifice for the sake of a mission, all bringing glory to our risen Lord and Savior.
3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,
Paul never loses sight of the main question he is addressing, and nor should we.
Can we know that we will be bodily resurrected and be together with our Lord?
12 Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. 15 We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.
20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. 24 Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 27 For “God has put all things in subjection under his feet.” But when it says, “all things are put in subjection,” it is plain that he is excepted who put all things in subjection under him. 28 When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things in subjection under him, that God may be all in all.
29 Otherwise, what do people mean by being baptized on behalf of the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized on their behalf? 30 Why are we in danger every hour? 31 I protest, brothers, by my pride in you, which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die every day! 32 What do I gain if, humanly speaking, I fought with beasts at Ephesus? If the dead are not raised, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” 33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” 34 Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning. For some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame.
He is arguing for the certainty of the future bodily resurrection of all the Messiah’s people. - NT Wright
The Christian faith and the future of Christians rest on the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The Christian faith Rests on the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The Christian faith Rests on the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
12 Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. 15 We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.
Prayer
V.12-13 two critical questions
12 Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised.
What if there is no bodily Resurrection?
Physical versus spiritual - Jehovah’s witnesses - spiritual Ress only appeared to be human.
That some Corinthians, deeply dependent on the general dualism of Greek thought, probably denied the resurrection on the grounds of some form of a realized eschatology that misunderstood what it is to be “spiritual.”
The better question is a theological question
What if Christ has not been raised?
14 And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. 15 We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised.
v.14 - If not - the content of all our gospel proclamation is useless - faith is without effect
v.15 - All the witnesses are not only wrong but are misrepresenting God.
Seven realities If Jesus had not been raised
(1) the apostles’ preaching would be useless; (The content more than preaching)
Vain = empty - without effect - no advantage
(2) the Corinthians’ own faith would be in vain; and - v.14b
Faith is used in two ways in Scripture: personal faith and the faith - personal faith
Preaching = “The faith” useless
(3) the apostles (We + 500) would be false witnesses. -v.15
Ex: TBN Prosperity preaching deceive people and misrepresent God
All the witness have misrepresented God and deceived people to believe a lie.
V.17-19 - The list continues…
17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.
Paul added that (4) the Corinthians’ faith would be futile;
Futile =fruitless - devoid of a real point
(5) the Corinthians would still be in their sins;
Justification is still required, and this would be no longer available in Christ, for his sacrifice would bring no atonement, no forgiveness, and no freedom from bondage, which things are directly related in Paul’s theology to the resurrection (; cf. ; ; ; ).
This is getting to the hopeless part.
(6) those who had fallen asleep [died] in Christ would be lost forever; and
Perished: to go out of existence - destined for fertilizer
But if there is no resurrection, then there is entry into death and a state of destruction (see 1:18; 8:11).
(7) believers should be pitied more than all men. -v.29
Thus, v. 19 functions as a powerful summary.
Paul returns to the fundamental truth of his argument, a truth he declares four times in these verses:
The resurrection of the believing dead and the resurrection of Jesus Christ cannot be segregated from one another.
The logic is simple. If Christ was raised from the dead, it follows that there must be such a thing as the resurrection of the dead.
It is utterly pitiable to think of believing in Christ only for this life since all believers then have is a dead Christ.
A dead Savior is no Savior
The resurrection of Jesus is inseparable from the resurrection of his people, for believers are united to Christ; thus his destiny is also theirs.
The logic is simple. If Christ was raised from the dead, it follows that there must be such a thing as the resurrection of the dead.
The Christian faith Rests on the Resurrection of Jesus Christ and:
The Future of Christians Rests on the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The Future of Christians Rests on the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The Future of Christians Rests on the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The Future of Christians Rests on the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
In Fact = Right now in this present moment! He is alive!
Present suffering -yes
Present injustice -Yes
Present affliction -Yes
But right now Jesus is alive and on His throne therefore there is:
Future Glory (and Future Living) - Now & not yet to both
Future Glory (and Future Living) - Now & not yet to both
20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. 24 Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 27 For “God has put all things in subjection under his feet.” But when it says, “all things are put in subjection,” it is plain that he is excepted who put all things in subjection under him. 28 When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things in subjection under him, that God may be all in all.
- Jesus the firstfruits
20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
Christ is the firstfruits that is he is representing the destiny of all those who belong to him.
In the Spirit is the firstfruits, securing the future redemption of the body
23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.
Paul drew an analogy between Christ’s resurrection and the Old Testament ritual of firstfruits.
Firstfruit was the first and the best
Ex: Gardening: The first tomatoes, cucumbers, okra
The firstfruits were the first portions of the harvest, and they were given as offerings to God ().
Part of the firstfruits offering specifically involved a “burnt offering to the Lord” that had to be a “male lamb … without blemish” ( ESV ).
The firstfruits indicated that the entire harvest was soon to follow.
His entry into the “newness of life” (, NASB) was the firstfruits representing much more to come—the resurrection of all believers who have died.
Ex: Tithing or firstfruits? We practice firstfruits - Grateful hearts together. give generously because we trust our Lord to take care of us
Christ is the firstfruit and the church, his harvest!
- First fruits + Typology
21 For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.
V.21-22 - The first Adam pointed to and greater second Adam
Paul is about to enter the realm of representational theology as he speaks of Adam and Christ.
unity of the human race
26 And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place,
In Adam we have a Unified problem: all human beings (in Adam all die) need forgiveness of sins and life since they are destined to die because of their union with Adam.
- Read V.12 - v.17-19
Adam was humanities firstfruits and represented all that would follow him.
12 Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned— 13 for sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where there is no law. 14 Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sinning was not like the transgression of Adam, who was a type of the one who was to come.
15 But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man’s trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many. 16 And the free gift is not like the result of that one man’s sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brought justification. 17 For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.
18 Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. 19 For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous.
Adam was humanities firstfruits and represented all that would follow him. He died, so all die.
By analogy Adam too functions as the representative head of all human beings. He died, so all die.
Only resurrection can deal with this, and it too has come through a man, Christ.
Adam’s death was long ago, but its result is ongoing death, hence Paul’s use of the present tense “die” (ἀποθνῄσκουσιν).
23 But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ.
V.23 - The term firstfruits suggests a certain order.
Resurrection will happen to each in his own turn.
(1) Christ as the firstfruits has already been resurrected.
(2) Christ’s “coming” also has strong and clear kingly connotations.
Paul speaks of Christ’s “coming” (παρουσία) only here and in 1and 2 Thessalonians (; ; ; ; , ).
Second, those who belong to him—those who have exercised saving faith in Christ—will be raised along with Christ.
(3) Those who belong to him—those who have exercised saving faith in Christ—will be raised along with Christ.
The resurrection will occur when he comes in the second advent
The resurrection of God’s people happens at Christ’s “coming,” as the kingdom is delivered to God. All others who claim to have dominion, such as the imperial Roman authorities, will be destroyed.
Christ’s “coming” also has strong and clear kingly connotations. Paul speaks of Christ’s “coming” (παρουσία) only here and in 1and 2 Thessalonians (; ; ; ; , ).
Paul speaks of Christ’s “coming” (παρουσία) only here and in 1and 2 Thessalonians (; ; ; ; , ).
24 Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power.
(4) After Christ returns, then the end will come.
After Christ returns, then the end will come.
It will be time for the final judgment and the new creation.
(5) Christ will give over the kingdom to God the Father.
This handing over to the Father will occur only after Christ has destroyed all dominion, authority and power.
It will be time for the final judgment and the new creation.
15 For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.
15 For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep.
21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.
V.25-26 - The end of death
21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.
also makes it clear that God has indeed subjected all things to Jesus and his rule.
27 For “God has put all things in subjection under his feet.” But when it says, “all things are put in subjection,” it is plain that he is excepted who put all things in subjection under him. 28 When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things in subjection under him, that God may be all in all.
V.25-26 - The end of death
25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death.
Now & not yet - to Christ rule and reign
The elimination of death is the last great work of Christ.
when the dead in Christ are raised we are raised to a future of no death and no disease
14 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.
Paul had just set forth a complex scenario that pointed to Christ as the firstfruits:
Christ’s resurrection
then believers’ resurrection
then the destruction of authorities, and death itself and
The deliverance of the kingdom to the Father.
Just as Scripture promised:
- Paul applied this psalm to Christ, since Christ is the great and final son to sit on David’s throne ().
1 The Lord says to my Lord:
“Sit at my right hand,
until I make your enemies your footstool.”
Future Glory &
V.27-28 - Creation is completely restored and handed to the Father and even the Son subject himself to the Father rule.
Future Living
Future Living
Future Living
Future Living
29 Otherwise, what do people mean by being baptized on behalf of the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized on their behalf? 30 Why are we in danger every hour? 31 I protest, brothers, by my pride in you, which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die every day! 32 What do I gain if, humanly speaking, I fought with beasts at Ephesus? If the dead are not raised, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” 33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” 34 Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning. For some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame.
V. 29 - Baptism has to do with new life and resurrection (cf. ; ; ).
Baptism has to do with new life and resurrection (cf. ; ; ).
To deny the resurrection makes this practice of baptism for the dead redundant and even foolish superstition.
The fact is that we have no certain idea as to what practice Paul was referring, and there is no attempt in the text to explain it.
Proxy baptism was condemned by church fathers.
30 Why are we in danger every hour? 31 I protest, brothers, by my pride in you, which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die every day! 32 What do I gain if, humanly speaking, I fought with beasts at Ephesus? If the dead are not raised, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.”
V.30-32 - Why would we suffer all this?
He and they are in constant danger. Hyperbole, “every day I die”
- Paul list a life filled with suffering and trials
In Paul’s day Nero was using Christian to light up his garden.
Paul made it plain that he would never have endured such a trial for merely human reasons—without the goal of resurrection in mind.
- Paul made it plain that he would never have endured such a trial for merely human reasons—without the goal of resurrection in mind.
Following Jesus won’t make you rich but it will give you scars!
Paul I would not do it if Jesus Was not alive!
1 And it happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the inland country and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples. 2 And he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they said, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” 3 And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They said, “Into John’s baptism.” 4 And Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus.” 5 On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying. 7 There were about twelve men in all.
8 And he entered the synagogue and for three months spoke boldly, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God. 9 But when some became stubborn and continued in unbelief, speaking evil of the Way before the congregation, he withdrew from them and took the disciples with him, reasoning daily in the hall of Tyrannus. 10 This continued for two years, so that all the residents of Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.
11 And God was doing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, 12 so that even handkerchiefs or aprons that had touched his skin were carried away to the sick, and their diseases left them and the evil spirits came out of them. 13 Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists undertook to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “I adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul proclaims.” 14 Seven sons of a Jewish high priest named Sceva were doing this. 15 But the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?” 16 And the man in whom was the evil spirit leaped on them, mastered all of them and overpowered them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. 17 And this became known to all the residents of Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks. And fear fell upon them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was extolled. 18 Also many of those who were now believers came, confessing and divulging their practices. 19 And a number of those who had practiced magic arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted the value of them and found it came to fifty thousand pieces of silver. 20 So the word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail mightily.
21 Now after these events Paul resolved in the Spirit to pass through Macedonia and Achaia and go to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.” 22 And having sent into Macedonia two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia for a while.
23 About that time there arose no little disturbance concerning the Way. 24 For a man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought no little business to the craftsmen. 25 These he gathered together, with the workmen in similar trades, and said, “Men, you know that from this business we have our wealth. 26 And you see and hear that not only in Ephesus but in almost all of Asia this Paul has persuaded and turned away a great many people, saying that gods made with hands are not gods. 27 And there is danger not only that this trade of ours may come into disrepute but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis may be counted as nothing, and that she may even be deposed from her magnificence, she whom all Asia and the world worship.”
28 When they heard this they were enraged and were crying out, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” 29 So the city was filled with the confusion, and they rushed together into the theater, dragging with them Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians who were Paul’s companions in travel. 30 But when Paul wished to go in among the crowd, the disciples would not let him. 31 And even some of the Asiarchs, who were friends of his, sent to him and were urging him not to venture into the theater. 32 Now some cried out one thing, some another, for the assembly was in confusion, and most of them did not know why they had come together. 33 Some of the crowd prompted Alexander, whom the Jews had put forward. And Alexander, motioning with his hand, wanted to make a defense to the crowd. 34 But when they recognized that he was a Jew, for about two hours they all cried out with one voice, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”
35 And when the town clerk had quieted the crowd, he said, “Men of Ephesus, who is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is temple keeper of the great Artemis, and of the sacred stone that fell from the sky? 36 Seeing then that these things cannot be denied, you ought to be quiet and do nothing rash. 37 For you have brought these men here who are neither sacrilegious nor blasphemers of our goddess. 38 If therefore Demetrius and the craftsmen with him have a complaint against anyone, the courts are open, and there are proconsuls. Let them bring charges against one another. 39 But if you seek anything further, it shall be settled in the regular assembly. 40 For we really are in danger of being charged with rioting today, since there is no cause that we can give to justify this commotion.” 41 And when he had said these things, he dismissed the assembly.
1 After the uproar ceased, Paul sent for the disciples, and after encouraging them, he said farewell and departed for Macedonia.
Future glory effects your preset living!
V.32 - Why wouldn’t we live like the pagans?! - -In that passage the Israelites were suffering under the siege of the Assyrians, but they still refused to repent as the Lord had demanded.
If Jesus isn’t risen of course we should stock pile food and only look after ourselves and effect our survival and let others fend for themselves.
There we should live lives of missional sacrifice because we have future and glory and a future life.
But in fact, Jesus is Risen & and have future glory effects how we live today and tomorrow whatever it holds.
- Stop being influenced by people who live only for this life.
33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” 34 Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning. For some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame.
V.33-34 - These associates probably advocated Greek philosophy, not only denying the resurrection, but also influencing some Corinthians to pursue worldly wisdom.
2 And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed.
So What?
How should we live in light of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ?
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
We either live fighting with a living hope
or
We live as if we have not future glory and no future life.
How can we fight for hope and live the Resurrected Life?
Next week: Hope in the midst of depression.
Our future Life!
- Our Future living
We lost child, she died in Christina womb - that’s not natural
Right now in some countries a single mother is being driven off her land and strangers live in her house and sleeping in her bed.
Right we have to bury our parents
Right there is COVid-19 - and children dying of preventable diseases all over the world.
17 “For behold, I create new heavens
and a new earth,
and the former things shall not be remembered
or come into mind.
18 But be glad and rejoice forever
in that which I create;
for behold, I create Jerusalem to be a joy,
and her people to be a gladness.
19 I will rejoice in Jerusalem
and be glad in my people;
no more shall be heard in it the sound of weeping
and the cry of distress.
20 No more shall there be in it
an infant who lives but a few days,
or an old man who does not fill out his days,
for the young man shall die a hundred years old,
and the sinner a hundred years old shall be accursed.
21 They shall build houses and inhabit them;
they shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit.
22 They shall not build and another inhabit;
they shall not plant and another eat;
for like the days of a tree shall the days of my people be,
and my chosen shall long enjoy the work of their hands.
23 They shall not labor in vain
or bear children for calamity,
for they shall be the offspring of the blessed of the Lord,
and their descendants with them.
24 Before they call I will answer;
while they are yet speaking I will hear.
25 The wolf and the lamb shall graze together;
the lion shall eat straw like the ox,
and dust shall be the serpent’s food.
They shall not hurt or destroy
in all my holy mountain,”
says the Lord.
- Some 800 years or so after Isaiah John records
1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
5 And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” 6 And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. 7 The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son. 8 But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”
1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
5 And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” 6 And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. 7 The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son.
Hope in the midst of depression.
These things are assured to us today because Jesus is alive.