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Conspiracies of Faith: The Resurrection
January 19, 2019

 

 

Conspiracies feed the paranoia of many people; conspiracies do exist. Conspiracies of faith are no different. Why is it the church of today, practices and beliefs, is so much different than the time of the apostles? Those who do not see the differences are unaware of the many conspiracies of faith. Eternal life is promised to those who believe, die in the faith, and whose names are found in the Book of Life. But exactly when does one become immortal? Whren exactly is a person resurrected? Is it at the time of death as so many believe, or is immortality given at another time? The difference between what the Bible shows and what people believe reflect yet another conspiracy of faith. Paul writes extensively about the resurrection, and we will see how the conspiracy of the resurrection is linked to the conspiracy regarding The Lord's Day, and how one conspiracy and falsehood leads to another.

1 Corinthians 15:12-19
Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.

Paul made it very clear there is a resurrection of the dead, and those who do not believe in the resurrection of the dead do not believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Some think these verses show an immediate resurrection at death, but do they? To find out, all we need to do is continue to read what Paul wrote thousands of years ago. Paul goes on to show it was through Adam that man was introduced to death and through Jesus Christ, man is introduced to the resurrection. Paul then explains three times when resurrection to eternal life occurs. Jesus is the first to be resurrected. At the time of the second coming of Jesus those who have died in the faith and whose name is written in the Book of Life will be resurrected to eternal life. The third and final group to be resurrected to eternal life will be those whose name are written in the Book of Life and who are physically human when the Kingdom of God is established on earth and the final enemy, death, is defeated.

1 Corinthians 15:20-28
But 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 Christ's at his coming. Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.

Paul shows that when we are resurrected we will no longer be flesh and blood and then goes on to show us a mystery. Not all will die, but those who do die will be resurrected at the last trumpet. In the Bible, we see the Feast of Trumpets, and we see the trumpet plagues of Revelation with the last trumpet being the seventh trumpet. It is at this time, the seventh and last trumpet, that the dead in Christ are resurrected to immortality with victory over death belonging to Jesus.

1 Corinthians 15:50-58
Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I shew 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. 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.

The Bible shows there will be a resurrection. For those who believe, they will be resurrected at the return of Jesus, and not immediately at the time of their death. Chapter 11 of the Book of Revelation shows the seventh and last trumpet to sound after the work of the two witnesses who preach during a very scary and yet future time of earth's history. It is also shown that those who are dead are not perished, but described as sleeping. While this could be a metaphor, it could also describe a lower level of consciousness with less awareness much like the dreams we have while sleeping. We will have to wait to find out if Paul is using a metaphor. Until then, there is much work to be done, and more conspiracies of faith to discover.

All verses are from the King James Version.
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