Judgment for False Teachers

Like Jesus and Paul, Peter warned about false prophets.  In II Peter 1:21-2:2 he reminds us that God directed the prophets, but that false prophets teach contrary to what God said.  “For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.  But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.  And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.”

He prophesied that there will be false prophets in every organization, teaching things that go squarely against what God has said, even to the point of denying that Christ is God’s son, or that he is able to pay for man’s sin.  Unfortunately, they will draw away a lot of people and cause Christianity to be rejected both for their ungodly teachings and the constant fighting among the different groups.   As we look at modern Christianity, it easy to see how completely Peter and Paul’s prophecies have been fulfilled. 

Peter goes on to explain that to these false prophets Christianity is just a way of making money, playing on people’s emotions and lusts, not understanding that God’s judgment is coming, as II Peter 2:3-11.  “And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.  For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly; And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly; And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;) The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.  Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord.” 

We can look back in history and see where God Judged the entire world for their wickedness in Noah’s day, or Sodom and Gomorrah in Abraham’s day, while sparing Noah and Lot and their families.  He knows how to save the righteous and destroy the wicked, and will destroy those who just think they can do as they please.  Like a bunch of animals, they destroy things they don’t understand never realizing that their actions will cause their own deaths.  They are quite proud of their ability to fool real Christians and consider them as mugs to be taken advantage of, as II Peter 2:12-16 tells us.  “But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption; And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you; Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children: Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet.”

Like Balaam, they have gotten caught up in the earthly rewards and get involved in sexual sin, ripping people off, and deliberately misleading people.  Before long their wickedness is apparent to those around, like Balaam’s was to his donkey.  While they sound very spiritual and exciting, they have nothing of real value to offer the Christian, as II Peter 2:17-22 warns.  “These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.  For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.

While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.  For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.  For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.  But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.”

While they make great promises about What God can do, and have been deeply involved with the church and gotten their lives straightened out for a time, there is no underlying change.  They revert to their old attitudes and behaviors when they get a chance.  Hebrews 6:4-6 warns, “For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,  If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.” 

When they have been that involved, seeing God’s power so clearly, then turn their backs on it, never accepting God gift of salvation as good enough, there is nothing that will ever change their minds, and God will not make a special way of salvation for them.  Like Judas Iscariot, they have made their choice, and can’t even use ignorance as an excuse.  Other people still have the possibility of turning to God.    

Why Do The Prophecies Matter?

Death is a fact of life on earth.  The primary premise of Christianity is that God loves us, and has given us his son so that we might have eternal life, as John 3:16-18 tells us.  “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.  He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” 

While we can see the things happening on earth right now, we cannot see into the future to understand what that eternal life will be like.  Prophecy gives us a glimpse of what we can look forward to in eternity, but it also warns us about things that will happen in this life and our role here on earth.  Paul prophetically warned Timothy of dangers of false prophets and modifying our teaching to fit the times, in I Timothy 4 and II Timothy 3-4.

Peter shared Paul’s concerns, reminding us that one day we will be rewarded for our service for God, in I Peter 5:1-7.  “The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.  And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.  Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.  Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”

Those who are in leadership positions are responsible for seeing that their people are taught the principles God has laid down, as Jesus commanded in Matthew 28:20.  “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”  If we will make that effort, we will please God, as Paul told Timothy in I Timothy 4:6.  “If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.”

Paul stressed the need to focus on the scriptures as being god’s word, in II Timothy 3-4. Peter makes a similar statement, in II Peter 1:16-18.  “For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.  For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.  And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.” 

The Apostles message was not some story they made up, but was what they had observed for themselves.  They literally heard God say from Heaven that Jesus is God’s son.  They and countless others saw the miracles and heard what Jesus taught.  Matthew, John, Peter, James, and Paul were all Apostles.  Mark and Luke became Christians later, and their writings recount what other people who were there at the time told them.  While there are differences in their accounts, the basic story and teachings are the same.  The differences indicate that the various books were written independently, and were not copied from one another. 

Peter then went on to state that the prophecies are equally dependable, in II Peter 1:19-21.  “We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.  For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”

In II Timothy 3:16, Paul said all scripture, including the prophecies is given by inspiration of God.  While God is perfect, the human languages in which the scriptures are expressed are not.  As a result, we cannot interpret passages solely on what the passage itself says, but must compare it with other passages to be sure what it actually means.  As languages change over time and new versions of the Bible are printed this becomes increasingly important.  A proper understanding and that the prophecies are true is crucial, because as Paul said in I Corinthians 15:19, “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.”  We have given up much that the world offers in the belief that we will earn greater rewards, and if it is not true, or if we have done the wrong things, we have wasted our time. 

Facing Changing Times

In Matthew 24:10-12, Jesus warned. “And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.  And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.  And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.”

Paul warned Timothy about the false prophets and how they would use traditions, satanic doctrines and distortions of scripture to mislead people in I Timothy 4, setting their own standards, and focusing on physical health and activities rather than on spiritual things.  In II Timothy, he warns him that over time the moral standards will change, and these changes will even creep into the church. 

II Timothy 3:1-7 describes the attitudes that will develop.  “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.  For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.  For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.”

As Paul says, things will become dangerous because people become increasingly selfish, wanting what others have.  They will become proud, bragging about things and tearing down others to make themselves look better.  They will have little respect for their parents or appreciation for what they have.  They will be immoral and not develop natural relationships.  They will have little loyalty and think nothing of lying about people.  They will lack self-control, being cruel and hating those who have a moral standard.  They will betray those closest to them without hesitation, convinced they are smarter and more deserving.  Even those who are religious will place their own pleasure ahead of obedience to God.  They will practice religious traditions, but not actually believe them.  Unfortunately, these attitudes can seem very exciting and attractive to the immature and those who just go along with the crowd without thinking things through, bouncing from teacher to teacher and never really settling on what is true.

We need to avoid these popular attitudes and teachers, because they are standing against the truth, as Paul tells us in II Timothy 3:8-9.  “Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.  But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.”  Before long it will be obvious that they are not of God because as Matthew 7:20 tells us, “Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.”  Just watch what they produce. 

Paul directed Timothy to compare what these people do with what he had done to see how things should be, in II Timothy 3:10-12.  “But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.  Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”  Just because something is popular does not prove it is from God.   

Many will turn to other teachings, but we are not to let those attitudes and behaviors influence us, but are to stay true to the scriptures as II Timothy 3:13-4:3 instructs.  “But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.  But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.  I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.”

It is critical we focus on the scriptures, because as Jesus said, in Matthew 24:12, “…because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.”  II Timothy 4:3-4 warns, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.”

We must not allow ourselves to be drawn into the attitudes and beliefs of those around us, even when it leads to conflict with other people.  II Timothy 4:3 commands, “But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.”  We still need to share the gospel and do the things God has commanded. 

Prophecy About False Teachers

Throughout the Old Testament, most of the prophecies were to warn people about what was coming, whether as a result of their sin, or to encourage them to remain faithful giving hope for the future.   The same is true of the prophecies in the New Testament.  While Jesus made numerous prophetic statement s about the future, most of them were warning about persecution they would face and that tere would be false teachers who tried to lead people away from the truth.  Only when asked specifically about where should they focus did he spend much time teaching about the end times so that future generations would understand what was going on. 

In I Corinthians 15 and I Thessalonians 4 and 5 Paul used prophecy to encourage us that there is hope for the future even for those who die.  In II Thessalonians 2, he warned us to not get upset and distracted by prophetic teachings and forget to serve the Lord day by day, reminding us that the Lord’s coming would not happen until after the Antichrist sets up his empire.   

Timothy was young man, just starting as a minister, and Paul would use prophecy to warn him of the dangers of false prophets and his responsibility to warn his hearers of the danger they posed,  In I Timothy 4:1-8.  “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;  Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;  Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.  For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.  But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.  For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.”

As he warned, there would be teachers in the future who would try to get them to accept satanic teachings, deliberately lying to them and encouraging immoral acts such as homosexuality, adultery, or abortion.  Others would forbid their followers to marry, insisting it was wrong even though God sanctioned it from the very beginning, in Genesis 2:21-24.  “And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.  And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.  Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.”   Still others would forbid their followers to eat pork, or adopt a Vegan life style, forbidding them to eat any animal products even though God had said they were all acceptable, in Genesis 9:3.  “Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things.”

If a pastor is to do a proper job, he must teach the people not to be misled by such false teachings but to focus on what God actually said.  He must not get wrapped up in traditions or worldly philosophies, or even like the Greeks of his day, caught in sports and physical fitness.  Instead of teaching such things, we are to teach people what it means to be godly, to walk in the spirit, rather than trying to serve God in the flesh by keeping a bunch of rules.  Galatians 3:21-22 tells us that there are no rules that can make us righteous, saying, “…if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.  But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.”

Such teachings cause conflicts between different churches and groups, even when there seems to be some scriptural support for the practices such as those described in I Corinthians 10:1-11:16.  Romans 16:17-18 warns that those who are focused on these things are not serving God,.  “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.  For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.” 

We need to keep our focus on God and his word rather than human ideas of what is right if we are to please God.  We must not allow false teachers to distort the gospel and distract us from the truth. 

Satan Cannot Come To Power Until God Allows It

For the Christian who is trying to serve god, prophecy ought to be a source of comfort as he sees the things that go on in this world and remembers that God warned about what is happening and that it is going according to his plan.  Unfortunately, prophecy teachers frequently misuse prophecy to manipulate people, whether through fear or pride.  For example, in the 1700’s, John Nelson Darby used the idea of the pre-tribulation rapture to convince thousands of Irish Catholics to join the Church of England so they wouldn’t have to go through the Tribulation.  Later, he split with the Church of England and helped start the Plymouth Brethren.   He developed the doctrine of Dispensationalism based on the seven churches in Revelation 2-3 to convince people to leave other churches and join the new group. 

Modern pastors and “evangelists” use these same doctrines and others to get people to give vast amounts of money or bring large numbers of people to their meetings.    Like John Nelson Darby, they focus on the horrors of the Tribulation period, creating fear in the hearts of Christians.  Paul addressed this problem in II Thessalonians 2:1-2.  “Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. “  He says that we are not to allow such preaching to upset us regardless of the supposed qualifications of the preacher or evangelist. 

Politicians and “medical experts” have played on people’s fears during the Corona virus pandemic to cause conflicts, changing our culture and damaging our economy in ways that we may never recover, possibly even resulting in another depression or civil war.     Prophetic teaching that plays on people’s fears can have equally devastating effects on churches and the lives of individual Christians. With that in mind, II Thessalonians 2:3-5 tells us what has to happen before it takes place.  “Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.  Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?” 

Paul was quite specific that the Lord will not return until after the Antichrist is revealed.  Jesus said we didn’t need to worry about it until the Antichrist was revealed, in Matthew 24:14-21.  “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.  When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.  And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!  But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day: For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.”

Satan has been working throughout history to take over the world, but has been restrained and will be unable to take over until the proper time.  For all these centuries, God’s people have been protected from him.  He cannot bring the Antichrist to power until the being that holds him pack is taken away, as II Thessalonians 2:6-7 tells us.  “And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.  For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.”  Daniel 12:1 speaks of that event,  “And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.”

When Michael the Archangel steps aside and stops restraining Satan, he will be free to set up his world government and under the Antichrist, and attack God’s people, as II Thessalonians 2:8-10 describes.  “And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.”

The tribulation period is designed especially for Israel.  They will see the evil of the Antichrist’s kingdom and be forced to make a choice whether to serve God or Satan, as will the rest of the world.   The Gospel message of John 3:16-20 will be preached everywhere,  “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.  He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.  And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.  For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.”

While many will come to Christ during that time, many others will not, preferring the evil Satan offers.  God will enable those who make that choice to  convince themselves that they are right even when Satan is losing control,  much like the Nazi’s who continued to believe they would rule the world right up until Hitler committed suicide.  II Thessalonians 2:11-12 describes this.  “And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”  Even seventy five years after World War II, former Nazi’s like George Soros, and their descendants still cling to those delusions. 

Knowing Satan cannot come to power until God allows it is comforting, especially as we see what is going on in the world around us. 

Prophecy As A source Of Comfort

Death is an integral part of life on earth.  While most religions have a belief in some kind of after life, there are some who believe we just cease to exist at death.  Ultimately, such a belief leads to the conclusion that life is without meaning and value.  Solomon addresses such an outlook in Ecclesiastes 1 and 2.  If that philosophy is true then it really doesn’t matter what we do while we are alive, because it is all frustrating and meaningless. 

Prophecy gives us assurance that our life here has meaning and value.  In I Thessalonians 4:13-18, Paul wrote, “But 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.”

Here Paul repeats what he said in I Corinthians 15, about both those believers who have already died and those who are still alive being gathered together to meet the Lord in the air, with no preference for one group or the other, just as Jesus illustrated in the parable of the workers in the field in Matthew 20:1-16.  Believing the Lord is coming back and we will spend eternity with him provides a level of comfort those who do not believe do not have. 

At the same time, we need to understand that we have not been told when he will return because he wants to surprise those who do not take him seriously, as we see in I Thessalonians 5:1-3.  “But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.  For 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 cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.” 

Knowing that the Lord will return, we can concentrate on what he has commanded us to do.  If we are obedient, we will be prepared whenever he comes and will not be caught goofing off, as I Thessalonians 5:4-8 tells us.  “But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.  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.  For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.  But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.”

Too often, prophetic teaching has been used to try to get people out soul winning in a desperate effort to prove they’ve been doing the Lord’s work, while neglecting the last part of the great commission in Matthew 28:20.   “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”  God wants us to do the whole job, so that there will be people serving him whenever he comes, not just if he happens to come when they predicted it. 

If we knew when Christ is coming, most of us would procrastinate until the last moment before getting busy, and as a result, the job would never get done.  By not telling us when he is coming, he encourages those who really believe him to be faithful so that he will be pleased when he returns   I Thessalonians 5:9-11 reminds us, “For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.  Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.”  Not only are we to comfort each other with the promises God has made, but we are to strengthen and build up one another. 

A New, Eternal Body

If Christ was not resurrected, there is no point in being a Christian, as I Corinthians 15:29-32 points out.  “Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?  And why stand we in jeopardy every hour?  I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.  If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die.” 

Why be baptized in the name of Christ if he is just another dead body and no one will be resurrected?  Why would anyone risk their lives to teach about Christ if they have no hope for the future?  Paul himself repeatedly risked his life in shipwrecks and robbers, besides being arrested and forced to fight animals in the Roman arena for his beliefs.  Why would he do that if he knew Christianity was not true?

Parents quickly learn that their children’s friends influence their attitudes and behavior.  Unfortunately, many adults do not realize how much their associates influence their attitudes and actions.  Association with teachers and religious leaders who question the accuracy of the scriptures may weaken the faith of even the most dedicated Christian, and lead them into sin, as I Corinthians 15:33 warns.  “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.”  To avoid getting caught up in the attitudes and sin of those around us, we need to focus on what God has said, realizing that even some of those in the churches do not know the Lord as I Corinthians 15:34 states.  “Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.”

Those who do not believe will frequently challenge our beliefs with leading questions that are intended to make us look foolish and unsure of what we believe.  I Corinthians 15:35 illustrates one such question which is intended to make one question the Lord’s return.  “But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come?”

Frequently, questions designed to entrap people are intentionally designed to be very impossible to answer in a straight forward manner, often implying the basic premise is false.  Paul pointed out that the question was foolish, overlooking obvious facts, in I Corinthians 15:36-41.  “Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die: And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain: But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body.  All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds.  There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another.  There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory.” 

It is obvious that a seed is different than the plant which grows from it, and that different kinds of animals have different bodies.  Even the sun, the moon and the planets are different from one another, so the idea that one would be changed when they are resurrected seems obvious, as I Corinthians 15:42-50 tells us.  “So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.  And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.  Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.  The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.   As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.  And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.  Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.”

Cells in our human body begin dying as soon as we are born, and eventually more cells are dying than are being reproduced, resulting in death.  To live eternally requires that the death rate can never exceed the creation of new cells, which will require major changes in our body.  Sin is the cause of that constant dying process, and must be changed if we are to survive in Heaven. 

Fortunately, God has made provision that even the bodies of those who are alive when he comes will have the necessary changes.  I Corinthians 15:51-57  is very clear about this.  “Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.   For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.  So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.  O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?  The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.  But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

The Old Testament Law called attention to mankind’s sin, so that it could not be discounted.  Fortunately, as  Romans 8:1-2 tells us, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.”  That changed spirit is free from the old attitudes and practices of sin, and will not corrupt the new body.  As a result, we don’t have to worry about messing up and losing our salvation and missing out.   We can be sure that we will receive the rewards God has promised, as I Corinthians 15:58 declares.  “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”