Tag: jesus

WHAT IS “FULL PRETERISM”?

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” Main views on the end times generally divide into four primary schools of interpretation regarding the timing of prophecy: Preterism, Futurism, Historicism, and Idealism. These views are often intersected with millennial viewpoints—Premillennialism, Postmillennialism, and Amillennialism—which determine the nature and timing of Christ’s return and reign.” AI

Preterism

  • Definition: From the Latin preter (past), this view holds that most or all prophecy was fulfilled in the first century AD, particularly surrounding the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD.
  • Full Preterism: Teaches that all prophecy, including the second coming (Parousia), the resurrection of the dead, and the final judgment, was completed in 70 AD.
  • Partial Preterism: Believes most prophecies (e.g., the tribulation, the rise of the “Beast,” often identified as Nero) were fulfilled in 70 AD, but maintains that a future second coming, resurrection, and final judgment are still to occur.

Other Major Views

  • Futurism: Interprets Revelation 4–22 as largely future events, including a literal seven-year tribulation and millennial kingdom, a dominant view in modern evangelicalism.
  • Historicism: Views Revelation as a symbolic panoramic map of church history, from the first century through to the end of time.The Reformation leaders considered the sea beast in Revelation to be the Pope.
  • Idealism (Symbolic): Interprets the imagery as symbolic of the ongoing, timeless battle between good and evil rather than specific historical or future events. 

Millennial Perspectives

  • Premillennialism (Historic & Dispensational): Jesus returns before the millennium to rule on earth.
  • Postmillennialism: The world is progressively christianized, bringing about the kingdom before Jesus returns.
  • Amillennialism: The 1000-year reign is symbolic of Christ’s current reign in heaven and through the Church, with no future literal earthly kingdom. 

Here is a great chart on full preterism.’

Full preterism is based on Jesus’ 4 predictions that He would return within the lifetime of those he was speaking to: Matthew 10:4; 16:27-28 (where it even says that He is “about to come” (mello which always in the NT means “about to be” and it also says that some whom he was talking to would still be alive when he would come); 24:30-34 he would come before that generation he was talking to would pass away (generation: genea which in the NT always means a 40 year period or the people living in a 40 year period, just like we use the word for baby boomer generation, Gen Z, etc.); 26:64. There are no other predictions by Jesus of any other “coming” after that generation. The apostles and other NT writers also predicted an imminent 2nd coming: James 5:7 the coming of the Lord is near. Hebrews 10:37 He who is coming will come in a very little while and will not delay. Jesus did return in 70 AD using the Romans to judge the Jews and to destroy the temple and the city of Jerusalem. That was his “2nd coming”. There would also be a resurrection of the dead of the OT at the end of the Jewish age in 70 AD as predicted by Daniel 12:1-3. Paul even said that resurrection was “about to happen” (mello again) when he spoke. Peter said that the “end of all things was at hand” in 1 Peter 4:7. If he was predicting an imminent end of the world, then he was a false prophet since that did not happen. What he was predicting was the end of the Law of Moses and the end of the “old heavens and earth” (which is the Jewish system). Hebrews 8:13, written in 60 AD, said that the old covenant was “ready to disappear”, and it did disappear in 70 AD when the temple was destroyed. There has been no temple, animal sacrifices, or priesthood since 70 AD so the Law of Moses and the Jewish system ended in 70 AD. The new covenant of Jesus and the “new heavens and earth” would take the place of the old covenant after 70 AD (Hebrews 12:25-29; 2 Peter 3). The Jews were God’s holy nation and chosen people in the old covenant but that kingdom was taken from them and given to a new spiritual nation, the church (Matthew 21:43) which is made up of Jew and Gentile Christians. The old covenant priesthood was replaced by the priesthood of all believers (1 Peter 2:6-9) who offer up spiritual sacrifices and not animals. Jesus predicted that the kingdom was at hand but he also said that kingdom would not be a physical kingdom like the kingdom of David (John 18:36). It would be a spiritual kingdom, the church, established in Acts 2 and full consummated in 70 AD. There was a transition period from 30-70 AD as the transition was made from the old to the new covenant, just like we have a transition period between the election of a president and the inauguration. The people living in that 40 year transition period already had spiritual blessings, but immortality would only be officially given in 70 AD when Jesus destroyed death (1 Corinthians 15). The book of Revelation was about things to happen “soon” after the time of writing (Rev 21:1-3; 22:5-10). It was written during the reign of the 6th emperor of Rome. Rev 17 says 5 emperors had fallen, i.e. died, and “one is” at the time of writing. That 6th emperor would be Nero who died in 68 AD so the book was written before 70 AD. The book is predicting the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD. The theme is God avenging the blood of the apostles, prophets, and saints that was shed by the ungodly, rebellious Jewish harlot nation all through their history (Rev 18). The famous “1000 year millennium” of Rev 20 was just figurative of the 40 year period from 30 AD to 70 AD that ended when the devil was released to get God and Magog (the Romans) to surround and destroy the holy city of Jerusalem (Rev 20).

Now go back and look at the details in the chart above. It should make more sense now. Why does it matter? It probably doesn’t for most sincere Christians. They love Jesus and live for him regardless of their views on eschatology. But understanding preterism helps confirm our faith in all the NT eschatological predictions. It helps us defend Jesus when Jews, Muslims, and atheists say that he is a false prophet b/c his predictions of an imminent 2nd coming did not come to pass. It keeps us from being mislead by false teachers saying that our current events are the fulfillment of prophecy. Jesus said in Luke 21:21-25 that “all things that are written (i.e. written in the OT) would be fulfilled within that generation (Luke 21:32) which would be at the destruction of the temple in 70 AD. Thee are no future predictions in the Bible of things to happen after 70 AD.

Whether. you believe full preterism is correct or not, at least I hope that you better understand what it is now and how logical it is.

PETER’S LADDER OF VIRTUES

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2 Peter 1:1 Simon Peter, a bond-servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ: 2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, 3 for His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. 4 Through these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world on account of lust.” Those saved in Christ have the precious and magnifient promise of eternal life, but it is conditonal. Hebrews 6:4-6 discusses the fate of those “who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 and then have fallen away.” It says that it is impossible “to restore them again to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame.” Sounds like you can fall from grace, doesn’t it? That refutes Calvinism’s “P” perserverance of the saints (i.e. it is impossible to fall from grace if you are the elect).

So how do we make sure that we receive those magnificent promises? Hebrews 6:11 And we desire that each one of you demonstrate the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end, 12 so that you will not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and endurance inherit the promises.” The Greek word for “diligence” is spoudé: Diligence, earnestness, zeal, effort. It is the same word that Peter then introduces the need to zealously, earnestly, diligently, make every effort to attain the qualities in the growth “ladder” that will keep one from being “ineffective or unfruitful”. 2 Peter 1:5 Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence (spoudé), in your faith supply (epichorégeó: To supply, to provide, to furnish abundantly) …. (and then he gives the qualities). Here is a great image from plumblineministries.org

The progression of these qualities can be looked at in two ways. 1) The “progressively successive view”. You need to achieve success in each step, beginning with the first step, in order to proceed to the next step. You must learn to walk before you can run. You must pass Math 101 before you can take Math 102. In this view, the first thing you should make effort to add to your initial saving faith is moral excellence, (i.e. stopping your patterns of sinful behavior and doing virtuous things). Once you have success in moral excellence, you should add the next step which is knowledge of Christ and His will (i.e getting to know Christ in a more personal relationship than just initial knowledge of how to be saved). Once you have success in that step, add self-control (which can be difficult and takes great effort). Once you have success in that step, add perseverence (i.e. proving that your faith is real by being faithful under trials over a long period of time). Once you have success in that step, add godliness (i.e. becoming more Godlike in your devotion and reverence to God). Once you have success in that step, add brotherly love (philadelphia: Brotherly love, love of brothers, mutual affection between others in your new spiritual family). Once you have success in that step, add love (agapé: Love: affection that doesn’t depend on affection from the recipient, the kind that as a Christian you have for your enemies, the kind that Jesus had when he died for sinners). It is plausible that a Christian would first learn to have affection for fellow believers before he grows to be able to love his enemies which is much harder to do! So there is some merit to this first view. 2) The “soup view”. These qualities are just ingredients to put in a soup of virtues that will make you effective and fruitful and it doesn’t matter in what order you add them. A soup recipe might say, “add peas, corn, ground beef, potatoes, green beans, tomatoes, broth; stir the ingredients and heat for one hour at 325 degrees”. It wouldn’t matter what order you put the ingredients in a bowl. So this 2nd view just lists the virtues but it doesn’t matter what order you attain them You might become very loving toward your spiritual family long before you learned to control your temper or lustful thoughts. This view has merit also!

It doesn’t matter which view is correct. What matters is that we zealously, sincerely make “every effort” to add these virtues to our initial saving faith so that we won’t be “ineffective or unfruitful” Christians. Jesus said that we, as branches on a fruit tree, must bear fruit or we will be cut off and burned (John 15). The parable of the soils had a 3rd soil where the seed was sown among the thorns. A plant grew but b/c of the weeds (worries, riches, and pleasures of this world) the plant was unfruitful. It was only the 4th good soil that produced fruit (some good soil plants produced more fruit than others). Colossians 1:10 mentions bearing fruit in every good work. Galatians 5:22-23 lists the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control).

Peter then adds, 2 Peter 2:9 For the one who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins. 10 Therefore, brothers and sisters, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choice of you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble; 11 for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.” The Greek word for “short-sighted” is muópazó: To be short-sighted, to see dimly but it means “near-sighted” (can’t see far off). “By choosing this rare word (used only once in the NT), Peter invokes the plight of spiritual nearsightedness: a believer whose vision is restricted to present impulses and earthly concerns, forfeiting the larger horizon of salvation history and future glory.” (AI) The problem with his spiritual eyesight is that he has forgotten his former purification from sin and has lost the gratitude he should have for Jesus’ dying for him. All Christians are excited when they first got saved and want to show gratitude to Jesus by zealous Christian living. But often as time goes on we often are more focused on earthly things and lusts instead of eternal life. We lose our “diligence” and don’t give our best “effort” to grow spiritually. We become complacent spiritually. We “stumble’, maybe even fall from grace. BTW another refutation of Calvinism in these 3 verses. In Calvinism, “U” is “unconditional election”, i.e. a certain number, the elect, have been chosen, preordained, predestined, and called. There are no conditions to be met on their part. The Spirit will come upon them and enable them to believe and find out that they are the elect. They can’t fall from grace after that. If Calvinism were true, there would be no “be diligent to make certain about His calling and choice of you” and there would be no “practice these things so you will never stumble”. In Calvinism, His calling would be certain without any effort of our part. It doesn’t sound like Peter is preaching Calvinism, does it?

So as you finish reading this article, look at those virtues on that ladder. In the progressively successive view, are you stuck on the 3rd step and can’t go higher b/c you are not growing in the virtue on that 3rd step? In the soup view, which one(s) of the virtues are really weak in and need to make more effort to grow in that virtue? Make a more diligent effort. Ask the Spirit to help you.

JESUS ABOLISHED DEATH: WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

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1 Adam and Eve were told, Genesis 3:17 but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for on the day that you eat from it you will certainly die.” On the day they sinned, they died spiritually b/c sin separated them from fellowship with God. They also began to die physically b/c they no longer had access to the tree of life. They eventually died physically. 1 Corinthians 15:20 But the fact is, Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. 21 For since by a man death came, by a Man also came the resurrection of the dead.” This passage says that physical death came b/c of Adam’s sin. So Adam’s sin brought spiritual and physcial death into the world.

2 Romans 5:12 “Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all mankind, because all sinned.” All people after Adam would sin just like Adam did and would die spiritually. They do not die b/c they inherit Adam’s sin (called “original sin”) as many teach, but b/c they make free will choices to sin. They also die physically as a result of Adam’s sin. So Adam’s sin caused both physical and spiritual death.

3 Satan was allowed by God to get Adam and Eve to sin, so he is said to have the power of sin and death (both spiritual and physical death) (Hebrews 2:14). Jesus came to “free those who through fear of death (physical death) were subject to slavery all their lives”. They fear the “second death” of Revelation 2:11; 20:6, 14; 21:8. That second death is the eternal separation from God after physical death of unbelievers. While some interpret this as eternal conscious torment, others interpret it as total annihilation of the wicked. The wages of sin is “eternal death” (ceasing to exist or eternal conscious torment) and eternal separation from God (Romans 6:23). 

4 Jesus came to destroy Satan who had the power of death (Hebrews 2:14). 1 John 3:8 The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil.” Romans 16:20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.” That is a reference to 70 AD when the Law as a source of sin disappeared (Hebrews 8:13). Believers have grace and continual forgiveness of sins by the blood of Jesus (1 John 1:7). There is no condemnation for sin for a believer covered by grace. Thus Satan cannot touch the believer even though the believer still sins. 1 John 5:18 We know that no one who has been born of God sins; but He who was born of God keeps him, and the evil one does not touch him. 19 We know that we are of God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.”” Satan’s power and works have been destroyed.

5 Jesus abolished death. 2 Timothy 1:10 but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.” 1 Corinthians 15:25 For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. 26 The last enemy that will be abolished is death.” 15:54 But when this perishable puts on the imperishable, and this mortal puts on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written: “Death has been swallowed up in victory. 55 Where, O Death, is your victory? Where, O Death, is your sting?” 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the Law.” That happened in 70 AD when the temple was destroyed and the Law disappeared (Hebrews 8:13).

6 But that does not mean that Jesus would cause physical death to cease on earth. Even believers still die physically. Neither is it talking about an event that is still in our future where Jesus will abolish physical death at some final resurrection. Paul said that some of those he was writing to in 1 Corinthians 15 would still be alive when the dead would be raised and both the dead and the living would be given immortality. 1 Corinthians 15: 51 Behold, I am telling you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53 For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality.” So Jesus would abolish death within their lifetime at 70 AD at His 2nd coming.

7 Daniel 12:1-2 had predicted a resurrection of the righteous and the wicked at the end of the Jewish age (in 70 AD). Paul had said that a resurrection of the dead was “about to happen” in his lifetime. Acts 24:15 having a hope in God, which these men cherish themselves, that there is about to be (the Greek work is mello which always means “about to be”) a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. So in 70 AD all the dead of the Old Testament that were in hades would be raised and given their eternal sentencing: either immortality and eternal life or eternal destruction. But in 1 Corinthians 15 he also addresses what kind of a body they would be riased with. He makes it clear that the dead would be raised with spiritual, not physical, bodies. 1 Corinthians 15:35 But someone will say, “How are the dead raised? And with what kind of body do they come?” 42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. 44 it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. 50 Now I say this, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God. The dead of the Old Testament would be raised with spiritual bodies in 70 AD. That is not something visible to the naked eye so it would not have been seen or reported by people. The believers would be given immortality in 70 AD: again, that is spiritual and not something visible to the naked eye. After 70 AD, all believers receive their immortal spiritual resurrected body when they become Christians. That immortal spiritual body will live on eternally after physical death.

8 So how did Jesus abolish death. Two ways. 1) He abolished spiritual death for believers who have been raised from the dead spiritually. Ephesians 2:5 even when we were dead (spiritually) in our wrongdoings, made us alive (spiritually) together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” He did not abolish spiritual death for all sinners whether they believe in Jesus or not. That is “universalism”, that everyone will be saved b/c spiritual death has been abolished and can’t hurt anyone. That is a false teaching. Jesus only came to abolish spiritual death for believers and give immortality to believers. 2) He abolished the consequences of physical death for believers. John 11:25 “Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; the one who believes in Me will live, even if he dies (physically), 26 and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die (eternally).” Believers will still die physically, but physical death will not be the end for them. That have immortality and will live forever after physical death.

9 So we are not waiting for Jesus to return some day to destroy death. Death has been destroyed for believers. We have eternal life now on earth. 1 John 5: 13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.” John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life.” When we die physically, we will all just move into another phase of our eternal life. Evangelicals are taking away from the finished work of Christ when they teach that death (they mean physical death) has not been completely defeated until Jesus comes back in our future in some earthly kingdom where believers will get eternal physical bodies to live on earth forever.

10 So do you want to live eternally? Believe in Jesus. Be buried with Him in baptism and raised with a new eternal, immortal spiritual body. When you face death, you don’t have to afraid or uncertain about your fate after death. As you body deteriorates with age or has physical problems, you can. rejoice that one day that simply won’t matter any more. Your eternal spiritual body after you die won’t have any of the physical problems we face when we are alive. Fight through the pain and sickness knowing you have something eternally better right around the corner. When you die, you won’t have to “sleep” until some future 2nd coming judgment and resurrection. You will go immediately into eternal life in heaven. You will have all the spiritual body that you need to spend eternity there. Why would you need to someday get your old physical body raised since you don’t even need it to be with Jesus forever after you die? Why would you need to have a judgement someday to determine your eternal fate since you are already enjoying eternal life in heaven?

“Praise the Lord for the Eternal Impact this will make for the KINGDOM.”

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After a recent donation I made for EEM (they print Bibles and Bible story books), the lady there said thanks and included this: “Praise the Lord for the Eternal Impact this will make for the KINGDOM.” I thought about the significance of that statement. The gift would hopefully put a children’s Bible story book in the hands of a child in the Ukraine or one of the other 30 countries that EEM works for. A child that has very little or nothing, and that child will read that book and learn Bible stories that might lead them to become Christians later. Or the gift might put a Bible (translated into his native language) in the hands of a person in an very poor ex-Communist country in Europe who has no Bible. One lady said that her family had no books whatsoever, and the Bible EEM gave her was the only book in her house. That might lead to that person becoming a Christian and sharing the word with others in his family or community.

All of that might lead to someone having eternal life through faith in Jesus who died for them. Printing and distributing those Bible story books and/or Bibles will make an “eternal impact” for the kingdom of Jesus, which is the church. It will lead to many being saved and added to the church of Jesus Christ. That made me ask myself, “Am I doing things that will make an eternal impact of the life of anyone?” I need to use my money to support my family, but am I generously using my money to store up treasure in heaven? Jesus said, Matthew 6:19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; 21 for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” You accomplish that by using your money, energy, and time to help others in need in the name of Jesus and to help spread the good news of salvation in Jesus here and abroad. A large % of the world’s population is still “unreached” with the gospel. When you help others you are storing up treasures “for yourself”, assuring yourself of a place with Jesus and his believers forever in heaven (wherever that is). You are not earning salvation by your good deeds, but you are showing that your faith in sincere and real. Faith that has no action is not sincere faith and will not be rewarded. We are saved by grace, not works, but we will be “rewarded”. Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for the one who comes to God must believe that He exists, and that He proves to be One who rewards those who seek Him.” As believers we already have eternal life, but when we die we will get a special reward of eternity in heaven without all the stuff we have to live with in this life. No more tears, no more pain, no more sadness when our loved ones die, no more living in a world full of violence and hate, no more worry, no more fear, no more stress I don’t know what that will be like exactly. One person, said “I sure hope there will be chocolate in heaven: I can’t live without chocolate!” Maybe, who knows. It will be Disneyland times one million and more.

So, today, ask yourself: “Am I spending most of my time, energy, and money on things that have no eternal impact for me or for others or for the kingdom?” Most of your time is spent on your job and sleeping, but what do you do with the rest of your time? What are you pursuing: money and things that money can buy for yourself or for your hobby, or shopping for clothes that you don’t even really need?

Something to think about.

THE HOPE OF ETERNAL LIFE

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Key Bible Verses on the Hope of Eternal Life

  • Titus 1:2 (ESV): “In hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began”.
  • John 3:16 (ESV): “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life”.
  • Romans 6:23 (ESV): “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord”.
  • John 17:3 (ESV): “And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent”.
  • 1 John 5:11 (ESV): “And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son”.
  • Romans 8:24-25 (ESV): “For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope… But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience”.
  • 1 Peter 1:3 (NLT): “…Now we live with great expectation, and this is because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead”.
  • John 10:28 (ESV): “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand”.
  • 1 John 2:25 (ESV): “And this is the promise that he made to us—eternal life”.
  • Titus 3:7 (ESV): “…so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life

What will it be like if there is no life after death? I recently talked to a very nice man in his 30’s with a wife and 3 teenage children. He said that he was not into talking about life after death. I told him that I wanted to live eternally with my family and that was important to me. I told him that I did not want to simply die and cease to exist for eternity. He said, “we didn’t exist for millions of years so it’s no big deal if we cease to exist for eternity after we die.” The idea of ceasing to exist didn’t bother him. He had no hope of anything good after death. He added, “If there is life after death, I have been a pretty good person and that will be enough.”

I feel bad using that conversation b/c it might seem that I am trying to capitalize on it to do a blog article. But the conversation impacted me a lot. I gave a mini testimony to the man, which he said did not offend him, about the hope of eternal life for those who trust in Jesus’ death for our sins and belief that He was raised from the dead to give us eternal life. I pray that God will open the man’s heart so we can talk more.

The conversation got me thinking about my hope of eternal life. My children believe in Jesus and have the hope of eternal life. We all hope that one day we will all be together in heaven (wherever that is) enjoying eternal life with God, Jesus the Lamb, and other believers in Jesus. I look forward to seeing my mom and dad there, and my wife’s dad. Her mom is stil living at 96.

Read all those verses above. Add 1 John 5:13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.” Those living before Jesus defeated spiritual death in 70 AD were still living for the “hope of eternal life” b/c the fulfillment of that hope was still in their future. After Jesus defeated spiritual death in 70 AD, believers after that have eternal life. Now look at John 8:21 Martha then said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother (Lazarus) would not have died. 22 Even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You.” 23 Jesus *said to her, “Your brother will rise from the dead.” 24 Martha *said to Him, “I know that he will rise in the resurrection on the last day.” 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; the one who believes in Me will live, even if he dies, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?” 27 She *said to Him, “Yes, Lord; I have come to believe that You are the [i]Christ, the Son of God, and He who comes into the world.” There was a resurrection in the future when Jesus said this, but notice closer what Jesus said. Jesus said that the resurrection and living eternally was not just about some judgment day and resurrection day. He himself is the resurrection. Believe in Him and you will live even if you die physically. You will never die again spiritually. Some part of you will receive an eternal spiritual body when you become a Christian and you will continue to live eternally with God and Jesus after you die.

1 Corinthians 15 tells us a lot about immortality and eternal life. First of all Paul tells us that our resurrected body will be spiritual not physical. I am amazed at all the Bible scholars who say that someday we will be raised with an eternal physical body. Paul taught just the opposite of that. Secondly Paul tells us that some of those that Paul was writing to would still be alive when the resurrection woud happen. Thirdly Paul tells us that whether dead or alive when that resurrection would happen that all believers would receive immortality, which is the same as eternal life. Paul said that Jesus would destroy spiritual death which would allow for believers to have immortality. Now I believe that resurrection happened in 70 AD just as Daniel predicted in Daniel 12:1-2. All the Old Testament dead, whether wicked or rightesous would be raised to receive their eternal fate of immortality or of destruction. Paul had said in Acts 24:15 that there was “about to be” a resurrection at the time he was speaking. But even if you think the resurrection is still in our future at some point, the lesson in 1 Corinthians 15 is still the same. Believers receive immortality today when they accept Jesus and become Christians. Ephesians 2:1-3 says that they are raised from the dead and made alive spiritually.

The thought of dying still scares me, I must admit, although it shouldn’t. When doubt arises, I try to think about Jesus’ resurrection. The same power of God that raised Jesus from the dead will give me an eternal, immortal part that will live on after death. I hope that those reading this article have that hope. The only way to get that hope is to believe in Jesus (John 3:16). He died to give you that hope. Don’t reject him.

COULD JESUS HAVE BEEN CRUCIFIED ON A DAY OTHER THAN GOOD FRIDAY? COULD HE HAVE BEEN RAISED ON SATURDAY NIGHT OUR TIME?

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Here is the argument for the traditional Good Friday crucifixion of Jesus.

Arguments for the Traditional Friday Crucifixion:

Jewish Time Reckoning: In the first century, any part of a day was often counted as a full day. Therefore, Friday (day 1), Saturday (day 2), and Sunday (day 3) fulfill the “three days” requirement

“Preparation Day” Definition: The Gospels identify the day of crucifixion as “Preparation Day” (John 19:31), which is commonly understood to mean the day before the Sabbath (Friday).”

Is it possible that Jesus was raised on Saturday evening (our time which would be Jewish first day of the week) instead of early Sunday morning? AI: “Yes, there is a prominent theological and chronological argument that Jesus was resurrected on Saturday evening (our time), rather than Sunday morning. This theory hinges on a strict, 72-hour interpretation of Jesus’ prophecy that he would be in the “heart of the earth” for “three days and three nights” (Matthew 12:40), combined with Jewish sunset-to-sunset timekeeping. 

Here is the breakdown of that view based on the search results: The “Saturday Night” Argument

  • Jewish Timekeeping: In the first century, days started at sunset, not midnight. Therefore, “the first day of the week” (Sunday) began at sunset on Saturday.
  • The 72-Hour Count: To have 72 hours, three full nights (Wed, Thu, Fri) and three full days (Thu, Fri, Sat), Jesus would have needed to rise around sunset on Saturday—the very beginning of the first day of the week.
  • Tomb Evidence: When the women arrived at the tomb early Sunday morning, it was already empty (John 20:1). This indicates the resurrection happened sometime before their arrival, potentially Saturday night.
  • Wednesday Crucifixion: To align with a Saturday night resurrection, proponents believe Jesus was crucified on a Wednesday, not a Friday. In this scenario, Thursday was a “high day” Sabbath (Passover), Friday was a day of preparation, and Saturday was the regular weekly Sabbath.” In other words, there was a “high day” Sabbath in the last week that did not fall on the weekly Saturday Sabbath, and then there was the weekly Sabbath also mentioned which was on a Saturday That helps clear up what looks like a conradiction in the gospels.

BTW, if you use a strict 72 hour count then the 72 hours ends on Saturday evening at 6pm (Jewish time) and he had to be raised shortly after that. Otherwise, if he were raised, let us say, early Sunday morning our time, then he would be in the tomb more than 72 hours. That would be inconsistent with insisting that the 72 hours was exactly 72 hours. So this view would necessitate that Jesus was raised Saturday evening our time which would be the Jewish first day of the week.

Does it matter? Of course not, except for one thing. If Jesus meant 72 hours when he said “3 days and 3 nights” then he would have been mistaken if he was only in the tomb less than a full 72 hours. Some say that the 3 days and 3 nights could just mean part of 3 days and just two nights. I mean, when we say we are going to the beach for 3 days, that would only include 2 nights. If, as many believe, Jesus was crucified on Friday, he would only be in the tomb a couple of hours on Friday before 6pm Saturday began, and all day Saturday, and then several hours on Sunday: thus parts of 3 days and 2 full nights. The Jewish use of day and night is more specific than that. When the terms day and night are used together, it always refers to a 12 hour day and a 12 hour night (as in Genesis on day 1). So the full 72 hours in the tomb makes more sense.

All this is based on Jesus being raised on the first day of the week (Jewish time). Yes the women came to the tomb early on Sunday, the first day of the week, but it doesn’t say that he was raised on Sunday morning our time. Luke 24:1 the women came on the first day of the week to the tomb. Jesus is walking and talking with the 2 men on the road to Emmaus that same day. Then in 24:21 one of the men said that “it is now (Sunday) the third day since these things (i.e. the trial and crucifixion of Jesus) happened.” Does he mean that Sunday was the 3rd day since Jesus was crucified or does he meant that on that Sunday 3 full days that had passed since Jesus was crucified or does he mean that it was the 3rd day since the sealing of the tomb which happened probably on the day after the crucifixion. A lot hinges on how to interpret what the man said .

Many believe that Sunday was indeed the 3rd day since he was crucified, which is actually what 24:21 says. If so, that gives credibility to the view that Jesus was crucified on Good Friday. Here is that view:

AI: “In Luke 24:21, the first day of the week (Sunday) is considered the “third day” because of inclusive reckoning, a common first-century Jewish idiom where any part of a day is counted as a full day. Crucifixion on Friday our time (Day 1), burial on Saturday our time (Day 2), and resurrection Sunday morning our time (Day 3) constitutes three days. That would be the parts of 3 days and 2 full nights view.

How the 3rd Day Calculation Works: This view used Roman time and our time with a day beginning at. 12 am.

  • Day 1 (Friday): Jesus was crucified and buried before sunset. This portion of Friday counts as the first day.
  • Day 2 (Saturday/Sabbath): Jesus remained in the tomb for the entirety of Saturday.
  • Day 3 (Sunday): Jesus rose early in the morning, making Sunday the third day of the sequence. 

This inclusive method meant that the partial time on Friday, the whole day of Saturday, and the early hours of Sunday were recognized together as three days, rather than a strict 72-hour period. The disciples in Luke 24:21 were counting Sunday as the third day since the events of Friday.” That view makes sense also if it doesn’t have to be a full 72 hours.

Using this same inclusive method, some have even argued that Jesus was crucified on Thursday our time before 6 pm, and, using our time, thus was in the tomb Thur, Fri, and Sat nights and that would mean he was only in the tomb 2 full days (Friday and Saturday our time) but that Sunday was the third day since his death, which is what the man on the road said (Luke 24:21). That view makes more sense that the crucified on Good Friday view to me, but it still would mean that he was not in the tomb a full 72 hours, (instead, 3 full nights and parts of 3 days). Here is that view:

AI: “Yes, it is historically and biblically possible that Jesus was crucified on a Thursday rather than a Friday. This view argues that a Thursday crucifixion provides a full 72 hours (“three days and three nights”) to fit the “sign of Jonah” prophecy (Matthew 12:40), allowing for a Thursday burial and a Sunday resurrection. 

Key Arguments for a Thursday Crucifixion:

  • Three Full Days and Nights: A Thursday death allows for three full nights (Thursday/Fri, Fri/Sat, Sat/Sun) in the tomb before rising on Sunday, addressing the limitation of a Friday crucifixion, which only covers two nights.
  • Two Sabbaths Theory: Proponents argue that a “special Sabbath” (First Day of Passover) occurred on Friday, followed by the regular Saturday Sabbath. The women could have purchased spices on Friday in between the two Sabbaths.
  • Timing of Passover: A Thursday crucifixion aligns with the view that Jesus was killed at the same time the Passover lambs were being prepared on Nisan 14. 

Back to the crucified on Wed Jewish time before Thursday Jewish time began at 6pm

If Jesus was raided shortly after Jewish first day of the week began at 6pm Saturday Jewish time, then start there and back up 72 full hours. That would take you back to crucifixion on Wednesday Jewish time, in the tomb that night Thursday night Jewish time, Thursday day, Friday night, Friday day, Saturday night, Saturday day (all Jewish times) which be right at 72 full hours in the tomb. But how would we reconcile that the man in Luke 24 said that Sunday was only the 3rd day since the crucifixion. Some interpretations suggest that the “third day” refers not to the crucifixion itself, but to the finalization of the sealing of the tomb (which happened probably on the morning after he was crucified). So if that is so, then backing 3 days from Sunday would be from Friday Jewish time, Saturday Jewish time, and then Sunday the 3rd day since the sealing of the tomb on Thursday Jewish time.

I’m still not sure which view to take? What about you? The main thing is that he was crucified for our sins, buried, and raised on the 3rd day. But the timing of all that is debated a lot, and you can see why. After writing this article, I remembered why I have not spent much time in the past studying this topic. Every time I do, I can’t come up with a definitive view. The fact that Jesus specified 3 days and 3 nights does make me want to study it more closely!

Just something to think about as we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus.

WHAT IS LEGALISM AND WHAT IS IT NOT!

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We hear the words “legalism” and “liberalism” tossed out a lot in religious discussions nowadays. Usually it is implied that it is bad or unscriptural to be a “legalist” or a “liberal”. What do these two terms even mean? The definition of these two terms can differ even among sincere interpreters of the Bible, but here is a slide from the Borger Church of Christ that I think really nails it on what legalism is and what it is not.

WHAT LEGALISM IS. Let’s discuss these points. 1) Mattew 23:23 The Pharisees stressed tithing even if they were hypocrites in their hearts. They would tithe even of garden spices that they grew, and yet they neglected mercy and compassion. So legalism includes hypocritically keeping laws of God. You are a legalist if you think that keeping God’s laws can save you even if you are an insincere hypocrite.

2) Mark 7:6-7 The Pharisees condemned Jesus’ disciples for not washing their hands before eating based on their traditions that they had added to the Law of Moses. Jesus said that their worship was vain b/c they taught as doctrine the commandments of men (i.e. their tradition and commandments that they bound on others). Actually, tradition itself is not necessarily bad. In 2 Thessalonians 3:6 Paul called the teachings he had given them “tradition received from us”. Taking the Lord’s Supper every week becomes a tradition based on the commands of Jesus. Even traditions not based on the commands of the Bible are not necessarily bad. Many churches had a weekly tradition of 2 songs, a prayer, another song, and then the sermon every Sunday week after week. Nothing wrong with that. Tradition becomes wrong when, like the Pharisees, someone or some church binds its way of doing things on others, judging and condemning those who don’t follow their example. The Jehovah’s Witnesses have a long standing doctrinal tradition of “no blood transfusions”. They legalistically condemn those who use blood transfusions medically. They don’t allow their members to use them. I would call that legalism. If someone chooses not to have a blood transfusion, that is their choice based on their interpretation of the Bible, but they should not bind that on others.

3) Romans 14:1-3 Paul is discussing differences among believers on eating meats or not, and observing special days. Some say that was just different opinions and not doctrine, but Paul gave a clear doctrine about eating meats (or eating anything). In 1 Timothy 4:1-4 he said that a Christian can eat anything that he wants as long as he gives thanks for it. Paul even said that eating meats offered to idols is not wrong unless it causes someone to stumble by their eating and violating their conscience. But even if there is a clear doctrine about eating meats, Paul said that two believers who disagreed on that should not judge each other and should not withdraw fellowship from one another over that issue. That issue is not a “heaven/hell” issue. God’s grace covers many doctrinal misunderstandings or else none of us would make it to heaven b/c no one understands every single Bible doctrine or teaching perfectly. There are a few “heaven/hell” doctrines like the Deity of Jesus, salvation by grace through faith in the sacrifice of Jesus, loving one another, and obeying God’s moral laws (with right and wrong being defined by God). These are discussed in 1 John as tests of walking in the light and of fellowship with God and other believers. But almost all issues that believers divide over are not heaven/hell issues. Eating meats or not, observing special days (Lent, Sabbath observance), having and eating in kitchens in your church building, using one cup or many cups in the Lord’s Supper, etc. are not heaven/hell issues. Someone might claim they have Bible verses on each of those issues, but that it not the point. The point is that even if someone disagrees with you on the issue, you should not judge them or withdraw fellowship from them b/c those are not heaven/hell issue. Even if you think that you are the one with the correct understanding of the doctrine in question, you still should not condemn those who disagree. I realize that we might even disagree of what the heaven/hell issues are but we should be very reluctant to not make a non heaven/hell issue or doctrine to be a heaven/hell one that we bind on others, causing division.

4) Acts 15 was the conference to decide if circumcision should be demanded of Gentile Christians which is what some Jewish Christians were doing (the Judaizers). The conference, using the inspired testimony of Paul and others, decided that circumcision should not be bound on Gentile Christians. Paul said that circumcision was not a heaven/hell issue in itself, but that binding the practice on others causing division becomes a heaven/hell issue (Galatians 5:1-4). It’s okey to have your opinion about any and all doctrines and issues. Follow your conscience. But if its not a heaven/hell issue then don’t bind your opinion on others, judging and condemning others and causing division.

5) Luke 18:9-14 The Pharisee bragged in his prayer about how he tithed and fasted. He bragged how he was not a sinner like the publican who prayed “God be merciful to me the sinner”. The Pharisee was self-righteous. You are a legalist if your keeping the Laws of God makes you feel superior to others who don’t keep God’s laws as you interpret them. If you do that, you are acting like you own keeping of laws of God saves you, like you are earning your salvation which is legalism in its worst form. You are no longer giving full credit to the grace of God in your salvation and you will probably not be compassionate toward others.

6) 3 John 1:9-11 John condemned Diotrephes harshly. In 3 John, John told the Christians to receive evangelists who came to them teaching the truth about Jesus. Diotrephes claimed to be first among his church. He disagreed with John and those sent out by John on doctrines (mainly the Deity of Jesus), so he unjustly accused John with malicious words and refused to help those sent by John. Not only that, he forbade any other church members from helping them: he even put those who helped them out of the church. This Diotrephes is the kind of church leader whom Paul warned about, those who cause dissension and division, who try to be dictators of others in the church (Romans 16:17). Many such men have split churches time and time again.

WHAT LEGALISM IS NOT. Luke 6:46; John 14:15; Matthew 7:21-23; Rom 6:17. Someone keeping the laws of God as they interpret them is not legalism. They might even have some really strict law keeping that you think is unnecessary in you opinion. A lady thinks she should wear a little covering in the assembly. She should follow her conscience on that, just don’t condemn those who don’t wear it. You can abstain from alcohol completely, just don’t condemn those who drink in moderation. You can choose to not eat pork, just don’t condemn those who do. Over and over the Bible stresses obedience to God’s commands. Someone who tries to keep all of God’s commands in the strictest, most literal sense is not a legalist. He can be a strict keeper of God’s law and yet still trust in the grace of God for salvation and not in his own law keeping. So we should not call him a a legalist and mock him b/c he is such a strict law keeper One final note. Today, if I insist on following a literal interpretation of Paul’s passages where he condemns homsexuality, then some will say that I am a “legalist”, that I am more interested in laws than love. That is not Biblical. If the Bible clearly condemns a practice, then I am nto a legalist if I boldly denounce that practice. If the issue is a heaven/hell issue, like LGBTQ or the Deity of Jesus or universlaissm, then I am not a legalist for condemning such things

HEBREWS 13 THE END OF A “BRIEF” LETTER?

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THE CLEAR MESSAGE OF THE BOOK OF HEBREWS The message of the book of Hebrews is clear. The author is telling the Jewish Christians not to leave their faith in Jesus. Don’t be decieved by their non-Christian Jewish brethren who will reveolt agaisnt the Romans in a few years. Don’t go back to trusting in the Law of Moses. In Christ, you have a better messenger than angels, a better deliverer than Moses, a better high priest than Aaron, a better covenant than the old one, a better sacrifce than animals, and a better way of faith. Don’t let the mockers (2 Peter 3) discourage you to think that Jesus’ prediction of his imminent 2nd coming is not going to happen: Hebrews 10:37 He is coming soon and will not delay”. In 30 ADJesus had predicted that He would come within that generation (Matthew 24:30-34) and that was going to be fulfilled in 70 AD which would still be within that generation. The old covenant is about to disappear (Hebrews 8:13), and it did in 70. AD. God is about to (mello) judge the Jews in 70 AD and, if you leave the faith, you will be judged also b/c you have “trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace? ” (Hebrews 10:26-31). God is going to shake the heavens and earth (a great judgment) one more time in 70 AD, removing the old heavens and earth (the Jewish system) and replacing it with the new heavens and earth, i.e. the Messianic new covenant system (Hebrews 12:18-24).

THE 10 PRACTICAL INSTRUCTIONS TO THE RECIPIENTS OF THE LETTER Having made that message clear, how would you close this letter if you were the author of Hebrews? The message has been about not losing their faith, about not quitting. But not a lot of specific Chrsistian duties. So the book closes with some generic Christian duties for them to practice. 1) Love your fellow Christians. 2) Practice hospitality.for Christians whom you don’t know who need assistance. 3). Remember those in prison b/c of their faith. 4) Be faithful to your marriage vows. 5) Don’t love money. 6) Imitate the faith of those who led you to Christ. 7) Don’t be led astray by those trying to get you to go back to trusing in the old covenant. 8) Continue to offer up spiritual sacrifices of praise, doing good and sharing. 9) Obey your leaders. 10) Pray for us (i.e. those teeaching the Word). These are so practical. The general message in the book is directed to the Jewish Christian who are discouraged and tempted to leave the faith, but chapter 13 had practical admonitions that apply to all Christians of all times. So look at those 10 things and see how you are doing.

THE BENEDICTION AND MYSTERIOUS CLOSING REMARKS The Hebrews author closes the book with a neat benediction: Hebrews 13:20 Now may the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, that is, Jesus our Lord, 21 equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.” Notice the specific mention of the “blood of the eternal covenant” which of course is the blood of Jesus, but the author wants to emphasize again the new covenant. He/she also says, 13:22 But I urge you, brothers and sisters, listen patiently to this word of exhortation, for I have written to you briefly.” 13 fairly long chapters is brief? He/she adds, 13:23 Know that our brother Timothy has been released, with whom, if he comes soon, I will see you.” No one knows where and when Timothy was in prison so as to be released. How was Timothy’s release going to help the author to be able to visit the recipients of the letter? Again, no one knows. Finally, 13:24 Greet all of your leaders and all the saints. Those from Italy greet you.” Does this mean that the author wrote the letter from Italy, or simply that some ex-patriots from Italy were with him/her when he/she wrote the letter? Again, no one knows. Interesting mysterious ending to the letter.

JACOB’S FAITH: YOU DON’T HAVE TO HAVE PERFECT FAITH TO PLEASE GOD

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EVERY PROFESSIONAL SPORT HAS A HALL OF FAME Almost every professional sport has a “hall of fame”. Prominent North American Sports Halls of Fames:  
Baseball (National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum): Located in Cooperstown, NY, this museum honors MLB history, famously considered one of the strictest to enter.
Pro Football Hall of Fame: Situated in Canton, OH, this hall houses bronzes busts of inductees.
Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame: Located in Springfield, MA, the birthplace of basketball.
Hockey Hall of Fame: Based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, dedicated to the history of ice hockey.
NASCAR Hall of Fame: Located in Charlotte, NC, featuring interactive exhibits and racing simulators.
International Tennis Hall of Fame: Situated in Newport, RI.
International Boxing Hall of Fame: Located in Canastota, NY.
National Soccer Hall of Fame: Located in Frisco, TX.
National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum: Located in Stillwater, OK.

GOD HAS HIS OWN HALL OF FAME BUT IT IS REALLY A HALL OF FAITH Every Old Testament character listed in Hebrews 11 is indeed famous, but only famous b/c of his/her faith. Hebrews 11:2 For by it (i.e. faith)the people of old gained approval.” Some like Noah, Abraham, Joseph, Moses, and David really stand out for their faith, but even those were not perfect. Noah got drunk which led to the curse on Ham, Abraham lied twice (same lie) that Sarah was his sister to avoid being possibly killed, Joseph mistreated his brothers when they came to Egypt accusing them of being spies even puting one of them in prison before he eventually forgave them, Moses fled Egypt and then made excuses at the burning bush for not wanting to obey God’s command to go tell Pharoah to let Israel go, David committed adultery with Bathsheeba and had her husband Uriah killed, and Samson chased Philistine women which led to his death. So even the best examples of faith had major flaws. What does that tell us? It tells us that we don’t have to have perfect, flawless faith Thank goodness for that!

JACOB ONLY HAS ONE MENTION OF HIS FAITH IN HEBREWS 11 AND THAT IS WHEN HE IS DYING! But one of the heroes in the hall of faith in Hebrews 11 has always gotten my attention. Hebrews 11:21 By faith Jacob, as he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff.” One act of faith out of 147 years of life, and that act of faith was while he was dying. Did Jacob have no other great moments or deeds of faith during his 147 years? Let’s review the main events of his life.

1) AT BEERSHEBA. He took advantage of his hungry brother Esau, getting Esau to give Jacob his birthright, a very valuable thing, for a bowl of stew. So Jacob starts off selfish and unloving. Did you ever take advantage of your siblings?

2) AT HEBRON. He joins his mother Rebekkah in lying to Jacob’s blind aged father Isaac to steal a blessing that Isaac had intended for Esau. Selfish, greedy, lying even to his father. Did you ever lie to your parents? That might be the worst lie possible! Was favoritism ever a problem in your family? It certainly contributed to Jacob’s bad actions early in life.

3) AT BETHEL. As he flees Canaan to escape the wrath of Esau, he spends the first night and has the dream of the ladder to heaven. He awakes and names the place Bethel, “House of God”. God tells him that He will be with him on his journey to Haran and back to Canaan. Jacob expresses no faith, but proposed a deal. Genesis 28:20 Jacob also made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me and will keep me on this journey that I take, and give me food to eat and garments to wear, 21 and I return to my father’s house in safety, then the Lord will be my God. 22 And this stone, which I have set up as a memorial stone, will be God’s house, and of everything that You give me I will assuredly give a tenth to You.” In other words, “If you protect me God on this journey, then I will accept You as my God and give a tenth to you.” It’s a wonder God didn’t ditch him right there! God is patient.

4) IN HARAN. After 20 years of serving Laban and battling wits with a deceptive Laban over wives for Jacob and flocks, God told Jacob to return to Canaan. Jacob tells Rachel and Leah, Genesis 31:5 “the God of my father has been with me. 6 You know that I have served your father with all my strength. 7 Yet your father has cheated me and changed my wages ten times; however, God did not allow him to do me harm.” Jacob had tried to outwit Laban and had been successful, but here it seems that he finally realized that it was God protecting and blessing him and not his own cunning. This statement from Jacob is more an epiphany of realizing what God had been doing for him during the 20 years than an act of faith. He never acted out of faith during those tough 20 years with Laban, always relying on his own cunning.

5) AT PENIEL. On returning from Haran to Canaan, he is told that Esau is coming with 400 men to meet him. Jacob was “greatly afraid and distessed”. The last time he had seen Esau 20 years earlier was when Esau was wanting to kill Jacob. To his credit, Jacob speaks to God, reminding Him of the promise God had made to protect Jacob, asking Him to save him from Esau. But as usual, He relies on his cunning to divide his people into 3 groups to consecutively meet Esau with Rachel and Joseph in the last group. His plan is that if Esau starts killing Jacob’s family, than Rachel and Joseph can escape. He sends everyone and all his animals across the river and spends the night alone (out of fear?). He wrestles with a man who appears, and after wrestling all night realizes that the man is an appearance of God himself. He names the place Peniel, “face of God” b/c he had seen God and lived. Typical Jacob, he demands a blessing from the man before he will let the man go, as if the man couldn’t get away if he wanted to since he had already dislocated his thigh. The man (God) changes Jacob’s name to Israel, “he who wrestles with God”. The next day Jacob goes out to meet Esau and Esau runs to hug Jacob, kisses him, and they both weep. Esau had forgiven him and Jacob had nothing to fear from Esau. It’s amazing how we worry about things that never happen! Later Jacob and Esau would bury Isaac when he died at age 180. I don’t know if you would call this an incident of Jacob’s faith, but at least he did ask God to save him from Esau.

6) AT SCHECHEM. Jacob came to the city of Shechem which is in Canaan. To his credit he built an altar to God there. But then his daughter Dinah was raped by a prince named Shechem who then asked to marry Dinah. Jacob does nothing and says nothing. Simeon and Levi deceive the men of Shechem, getting them to be circumcised on the pretense that Shechem could marry Dinah if they did so. Then Simeon and Levi killed all the males while they were recovering from being circumcised and took all their flocks, wealth, and families. Where was Jacob during all this? Silent. He finally spoke, Genesis 34:30 Then Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, “You have brought trouble on me by making me repulsive among the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites and the Perizzites; and since my men are few in number, they will band together against me and attack me, and I will be destroyed, I and my household!” 31 But they said, “Should he treat our sister like a prostitute?” Jacob is more concerned about his own safety than he was about the rape of his daughter. No faith there. Maybe if Jacob had led in faith the resolution of the rape then Simeon and Levi would not have done what they did. But Jacob’s cowardice in this incident is obvious.

7) AT HEBRON. Jacob continued the practice of favoritism with his childen as he gave Jospeh the coat of many colors and preferential treatment which led to Joseph’s brothers selling him to slavery in Egypt. Later, during the 7 years of famine, he only cared about the safety of his other favorite son by Rachel, i.e. Benjamin, when he refused to send Benjamin with the other brothers to Egypt to get food. On their 2nd trip he finally allowed them to take Benjamin as Joseph had demanded, but again his only concern was what might happen to Benjamin and not the safety of the other 10 brothers or the brother in prison in Egypt.

8) IN EGYPT. After Joseph revealed himself to his brothers, he had Jacob’s whole family of 70 brought to Egypt to survive he famine. Joseph brought his father Jacob to meet Pharoah. Pharoah asked Jacob how many years he had lived. Jacob replied, Genesis 47:9 “The years of my living abroad are 130; few and unpleasant have been the years of my life, nor have they attained the years that my fathers lived during the days of their living abroad.” What a terrible summary of his life spoken to a stranger he had never met. The truth is that his life had been unpleasant for the most part b/c he had always wrestled with God, trying to control circumstances and get wealth and safety by his own cunning instead of fully trusting in God. That could probably be said of me and many of you reading this article.

9) IN GOSHEN. After 17 years in Egypt, Jacob was dying and Joseph brought his 2 sons, Ephraim and Manasseh for a final blessing from Jacob. Jacob blessed the younger Ephraim to be greater than the older Manasseh, which displeased Jospeh. Jacob then blessed Joseph, saying Genesis 48:15 ““The God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who has been my shepherd all my life to this day, 16 the angel who has redeemed me from all evil.” An epiphany that God had always been his shepherd his whole life, protecting and blessing him, in spite of Jacob’s wrestling with God to control circumstances. I know personally that I can relate to what Jacob said. I have tended to worry and try to control things instead of fully trusting in God. I did obey God and went where I felt like God wanted me to go be a part of his plan just like Jacob did. But I often wrestled with God for control of my life and did not always enjoy the peace that comes wiht fully trusting God. A lot of worrying and a lot of fear. Jacob, as he was dying, finally could look back at his 147 years and see how God had used him to be a part of the plan to make a great nation, Israel. I hope that I can relax and have a similar epiphany when it is time for me to die.

10) IN GOSHEN. Then comes that one mention of the faith of Jacob out of all his 147 years of living. Hebrews 11:21 By faith Jacob, as he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff.” By blessing Joseph’s sons, Jacob was showing his faith in the promises of God to bless his family in the future. He told his sons to bury him back in Canaan in the cave of Machpelah where Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, and Rebekah were buried. That’s faith that the promise God made to Abraham in Genesis 15 that after slavery the chosen family would come out of Egypt and go to the promised land. Picture his last moments. He “worshipped” God as he leaned on his staff for support by the side of his bed, unable to stand on his own strength. That’s the only mention of Jacob ever worshipping God in 147 years. He then “drew his feet into the bed and breathed his last, and was gathered to his people.”

I have not tried to discredit Jacob and his faith, just to point out the facts. I can’t judge his heart or his faith. But I know that, in spite of Jacob’s weaknesses and lack of faith for almost all of his life that he is in God’s hall of faith. In other words, we dont’ have to have perfect faith to be in God’s hall of faith. We do have to obey God, and Jacob always obeyed God. Abraham left Ur to go to Canaan out of great faith. Jacob returns to Canaan mainly out of fear of Laban, not out of faith. I can relate to that since I went to a school of preaching after getting my engineering degree mainly out of fear, but God blessed me anyway. Abraham dies satisfied with his life (Genesis 25:8) but Jacob summarized his life as “unpleasant”, at least at the age of 130. But God used both of them to carry out his plan to make a great nation of Israel and lead them to the promised land. I want this article to give you hope. Your faith does not have to be perfect to be pleasing to God. Many of the patriarchs in the hall of faith had dysfunctional families, but God blessed them anyway. Did you come from a dysfunctional family? God can bless you anyway if you have faith. Does your faith waver at times? God can still use you. The grace of God and the blood of Jesus will cleanse you from your sins and mistakes. I feel like the man who told Jesus, “I believe. Help my unbelief.”

Here is a great map of Jacob’s journeys.

BY FAITH ENOCH WAS TAKEN UP AND DID NOT DIE

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Hebrews 11:5 By faith Enoch was taken up so that he would not see death; and he was not found because God took him up; for before he was taken up, he was attested to have been pleasing to God. 6 And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for the one who comes to God must believe that He exists, and that He proves to be One who rewards those who seek Him.”

ENOCH WAS PLEASING TO GOD. What does that mean? Paul said: “So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. (2 Corinthians 5:9)”. “Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more. (1 Thessalonians 4:1).” Who do you most want to please? When we admire someone, we want to please them. Jesus said, “The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him” (John 8:29). When we admire and revere God, we want to do whatever pleases Him, whatever brings Him joy and pleasure. We know what pleases Him and we try to do that. For example, the Lord is also pleased when we are generous and share with those in need: “But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased” (Hebrews 11:16). We don’t just live to please ourselves.

AN ILLUSTRATION FROM MARRIAGE: From GotQuestions.org “The concept of pleasing God can be compared to a marriage. A woman accepts a man’s proposal and becomes his wife because she loves him and he loves her. They are as married and in love as two people can be, yet they seek ways to continue pleasing each other. He brings her flowers, not so that they will remain married, but because he delights in pleasing her. She gives him a backrub and wears the perfume he likes, not so that he will love her but because she loves him. Likewise, once we’ve entered into a spiritual relationship with God, we want to do things that honor and delight Him.”


ENOCH HAD FAITH IN GOD. Pleasing God begins with faith in God. Without faith it is impossible to please God. We don’t know how much special revelation Enoch had from God. Had God spoken to him often? “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God’ (Romans 10:17) so surely God had spoken to him. He was a descendent in the line of Seth, the godly line, so surely he would have been taught about the one true God through oral tradition. The most basic thing that someone coming to God needs is to believe that God exists, of course. One might possibly believe that God exists and yet not want to come to God, but if you do want to come to God you must believe that God exists in order to be pleasing to God.

HAVE YOU EVER DOUBTED THE EXISTENCE OF GOD? Have you ever been an atheist who denies that God exists? Or maybe a skeptic who doubts that God exists? Or maybe an agnostic who says that we can’t really know if God exists? Do you ever have moments of doubt where you kinda wonder how this omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent, spirit that fills the universe can really exist? I think most of us have those moments. A friend of mine said that when he has such a moment of doubt, he goes to the mirror and looks at his eye! He is thinking about all the complex steps required to see: steps and parts that could not have randomly formed by atheistic evolution. The eye is designed by God. The whole human body with its many systems is designed by God. All the systems have to be present and working for the body to be alive and function (irreducibal complexity). The over 30 physics constants in the universe are finely tuned (such as the “G” gravitational constant in the equation F=Gm(1)m(2)/r^2, or the “C” speed of light in the equation E=mc^2). The periodic table is arranged by atomic numbers with each succeeding element in the table having one extra proton and electron. Atheists say the universe started with an explosion of a few elements (although they can’t say where the elements or the explosion came from). How could a few elements evolve randomly into the precision of the periodic table? Atheists say that the universe began from nothing, but the first law of thermodynamics says that, if there was ever nothing, then there would still be nothing. You can’t get something from nothing. As Hebrews 3:2 says, “every house has a builder”. You would never think that a house just popped into existence from nothing. Atheists say that life had to come from non-living chemicals at some point in evolution, but the law of biogenesis says that you can only get living things from living things. Scientists like Redi and Pasteur showed that spontaneous generation doesn’t happen. Before that, it was thought maggots could come from dead meat (they come from flies laid on the meat which is what Redi showed). I could go on, but the bottom line is that there is no other believable view as to how the universe and well designed life came to be if there is no God. It might take faith to believe that there is a God who created everything, but that is more plausible that not believing in God. There must be a supernatural force outside of nature that created it all, and we call that “God”. Romans 1:20 says that we can see God’s invisible power by what he created and that there is no excuse for not bellieving that there is a god. That is called “natural revelation”. That doesn’t tell us what that God is like. It takes “special revelation” where God speaks through prophets to tell us what God is like and what His will is for us. God has done that also in His Word, the Bible. You can see why David said, “The fool has said in his heart that there is no God.”

If you have faith and are pleasing to God like Enoch, you probably won’t get carried up into heaven before you die. But one day when you do die, you will be carried up into heaven to be with Jesus forever. You can meet Enoch and talk about his life and his faith. Won’t that be fun?