5 Minute Lessons on the Kingdom of God
A Sad Day in My Life
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After almost 30 years of marriage and 3 children, I found myself lying on the couch next to my wife in a hospital bed knowing that her life on earth would be ending soon. It is painful to write about this even after these many years.
I got up from the couch at 6:00 a.m. to check on her. She looked up into my face and said, "Aren't you going to work?" I replied, "No, Honey I am staying here with you." I went back to the couch and fell asleep. After a short time I awoke. I looked over at the bed where my wife was lying. I knew she was gone. I will never forget the look on her face as she lay there lifeless.
The Bible tells us that death is an enemy of mankind. It is the last enemy that God shall destroy (1 Corinthians 15:26).
I remember as a child going to my grandfather's funeral. As his body lay there in the casket I could see the overwhelming despair and grief on my grandmother's face. Then she walked up to him and said, "OK, don't talk to me then!" The pain of her loss was affecting her mind.
A wonderful Christian man that I knew, at the time of his death, looked up at the ceiling and said, "Lord, it's so beautiful!" then he was gone. The angels had come to take him away (Luke 16:22).
The Bible states that the hope of the Christian is the resurrection of the dead (Acts 4:2; Acts 17:18, 32; Acts 23:6; Acts 24:15, 21). But for the unbeliever it will be a time of judgment and despair (Acts 24:25). The Apostle Paul said,
Jesus said,
These are interesting verses. First of all, the time is coming (in the future) in which ALL that are in the graves shall hear His voice, and come forth; they that have done good (aorist tense), and they that have done (aorist tense) evil. The aorist tense means "as a whole."
I believe what Jesus is saying is this: At this time of resurrection, two kinds of people come forth from the grave. Those who as a whole have practiced good, that is, they have repented, turned to God and His ways which is righteousness. Are they perfect? No, but as a whole they practiced righteousness. Then there are those who have as a whole practiced evil. It is not that they could not do any good things, but as a whole they practiced evil. We could say these 2 people groups are those that have repented and turned to God and those who have not.
Jesus says there will be 2 destinations:
The next appointment on God's calendar is resurrection and judgment. Will you be ready? It is an appointment that you must keep!
I got up from the couch at 6:00 a.m. to check on her. She looked up into my face and said, "Aren't you going to work?" I replied, "No, Honey I am staying here with you." I went back to the couch and fell asleep. After a short time I awoke. I looked over at the bed where my wife was lying. I knew she was gone. I will never forget the look on her face as she lay there lifeless.
The Bible tells us that death is an enemy of mankind. It is the last enemy that God shall destroy (1 Corinthians 15:26).
I remember as a child going to my grandfather's funeral. As his body lay there in the casket I could see the overwhelming despair and grief on my grandmother's face. Then she walked up to him and said, "OK, don't talk to me then!" The pain of her loss was affecting her mind.
A wonderful Christian man that I knew, at the time of his death, looked up at the ceiling and said, "Lord, it's so beautiful!" then he was gone. The angels had come to take him away (Luke 16:22).
The Bible states that the hope of the Christian is the resurrection of the dead (Acts 4:2; Acts 17:18, 32; Acts 23:6; Acts 24:15, 21). But for the unbeliever it will be a time of judgment and despair (Acts 24:25). The Apostle Paul said,
"...It's no light thing to know that we'll all one day stand in that place of Judgment. That's why we work urgently with everyone we meet to get them ready to face God." (2 Corinthians 5:11 The Message Bible)
Jesus said,
"28Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, 29And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation." (John 5:28‑29 King James Version)
These are interesting verses. First of all, the time is coming (in the future) in which ALL that are in the graves shall hear His voice, and come forth; they that have done good (aorist tense), and they that have done (aorist tense) evil. The aorist tense means "as a whole."
I believe what Jesus is saying is this: At this time of resurrection, two kinds of people come forth from the grave. Those who as a whole have practiced good, that is, they have repented, turned to God and His ways which is righteousness. Are they perfect? No, but as a whole they practiced righteousness. Then there are those who have as a whole practiced evil. It is not that they could not do any good things, but as a whole they practiced evil. We could say these 2 people groups are those that have repented and turned to God and those who have not.
Jesus says there will be 2 destinations:
- A resurrection resulting in immortality, deathlessness, an everlasting life.
- A resurrection resulting in damnation, condemnation and punishment. The purpose of their resurrection is to be raised to meet their sentence (John 5:28‑29 Amplified Bible).
"And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment" (Hebrews 9:27 New Living Translation)
The next appointment on God's calendar is resurrection and judgment. Will you be ready? It is an appointment that you must keep!
Questions
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Read 2 Timothy 1:10 (Today's English Version)."but now it has been revealed to us through the coming of our Savior, Christ Jesus. He has ended the power of death and through the gospel has revealed immortal life." ‑ 2 Timothy 1:10 (Today's English Version)Through the gospel God has brought us:
- immortality
- everlasting life
- deathlessness
Answer -
Read Luke 20:36."Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection." ‑ Luke 20:36The children of the resurrection (the true believers in Christ) can:
- never die again
- die a second time
Answer -
Read Romans 2:7‑8 (New Living Translation)."7He will give eternal life to those who keep on doing good, seeking after the glory and honor and immortality that God offers. 8But he will pour out his anger and wrath on those who live for themselves, who refuse to obey the truth and instead live lives of wickedness." ‑ Romans 2:7‑8 (New Living Translation)What 2 kinds of people are described in Romans 2:7‑8?Answer
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Read Hebrews 9:27."And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment." ‑ Hebrews 9:27Are you ready for the resurrection and judgment? Are you ready to meet God?
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