Redemption

Redeemed from a Life of Sin and Death
Ultimate Redemption

Redeemed from a Life of Sin and Death

Redeemed from the Old Life
Giving up the Old Life
The New Life

Redeemed from the Old Life

The moment of Salvation is an instantaneous transition from spiritual death to Spiritual life, from the domain of darkness to the Kingdom of Light, from slavery to Satan to freedom in Christ.  The unbeliever has no hope other than to be saved.  The believer has hope of Eternal Life with great blessing in Heaven beyond the imagination.  However, the problem for the new believer is turning loose of the old life and living the new Spiritual life.

Even though the believer is provided with a new Spiritual life at Salvation, living that life is a very steep uphill climb.  Although God has provided everything in Grace, the tug of the Old Sin Nature and old habits hold the believer down.  Even under good teaching, which is rare, a new believer is like a baby who is full of emotional ups and downs and making a mess of everything.  The new believer will be under strong discipline from the Lord.  His first two challenges are to orient to his Salvation and learn to overcome his Old Sin Nature through the filling of the Holy Spirit.  Most Christians never get beyond the baby stage.

Next comes Spiritual Growth through doctrinal instruction.  Without learning Bible Doctrine it is impossible to live the new Spiritual life.  Then there are three areas of testing along the way to Spiritual Maturity.

  1. Separation from the world
  2. Spiritual Warfare
  3. Suffering
If these tests are passed, the believer will be promoted to Spiritual Maturity, which is the beginning of the adult Spiritual life.  The believer in Spiritual Maturity has an Edification Complex of the Soul.  There are rooms in that ECS for the Lord Jesus Christ, the Right Man or Right Woman, categories of doctrine, and blessings.  At Spiritual Maturity the Spiritual Gifts become operational so the Christian can fulfill his calling.

The Spiritually Mature believer has a mature understanding of the Spiritual life, but he lacks the power and rapport with God that the Bible promises.  In Spiritual Maturity he is living the Spiritual life, but he doesn't see the forest for the trees.  He must defeat Satan and die to the world in order to become a winner believer in Spiritual Rapport.  Satan can be defeated by the Grace of God, and the believer who dies to the world can live for the Lord.

Spiritual Maturity is the first strategic objective after Salvation, and Spiritual Rapport is the second.  Spiritual Maturity is a paradigm shift in which Bible Doctrine is more real than anything else in life.  The Spiritually Mature believer has an Edification Complex and executes the Spiritual life.  The believer in Spiritual Rapport goes to the mountain of God to have fellowship with the Lord Jesus Christ.  This comes through faith with the Lord Jesus Christ at home in his soul (Eph 3:17).

The believer first meets Jesus Christ at Salvation.  When he completes the Edification Complex of the Soul at Spiritual Maturity, Christ has a home in the soul (Eph 3:17; Gal 4:19).   In Spiritual Rapport when the believer has fellowship with Jesus Christ through faith, it is like the Angelic Kings of Arms in the presence of the Lord around the Throne in Heaven.  The Lord Jesus Christ is such a powerful presence that all of the cares of this world fade away.  His Love and Light, and Power are so awesome that one immediately falls down to worship Him.  He is so all-consuming that He captivates the mind and heart, and there is no one else.  He is all that the Apostles implied and more.  He is not seen with the eyes but perceived by faith through the Spirit.

We were redeemed for the new Spiritual life in the sphere of Christ Jesus.  The new life is real beyond the imagination, but, unfortunately, we are beset by a multitude of problems that hinder us from fully attaining it.  The old life is a real dog, and the new life is amazingly wonderful; but a dangerous and death-shadowed valley separates the two.  There is a path to the new life, but it is fraught with trials and tribulations that hinder the journey.   Those who are faithful will see the glory of the new Spiritual life above this vale of tears.

Giving up the Old Life

At the cross the Lord Jesus Christ redeemed us "from every lawless deed" (Tit 2:14).  Lawless deeds are our sins that were Judged on the cross.  Our sins are part of our old life.  Paul gave a dramatic testimony of his old life and the cross.
Galatians 2:20 Crucified with Christ
I have been crucified with Christ.  Now I no longer live, but Christ lives within me; and the life which I now live in the body, I live by the faith in the Son of God who Loved me and delivered Himself up on behalf of me.
"I have been crucified with Christ."   This is Paul's version of Retroactive Positional Truth, which means we died with Christ because He died as a substitute for our sins (Rom 6:6; Gal 5:24; 6:14; Eph 4:22; Col 3:9).  Paul is saying that his old life went to the cross with Christ.

"Now I no longer live."  This means Paul's life is subordinate to Christ, who lives through him.  Since Paul is subordinate to Christ, His will is being accomplished in him.  Like Paul, we are living for Christ.

"But Christ lives within me."  This refers to fellowship with Christ.  It is true that Christ indwells the body, but this is not indwelling.  This is fellowship with Christ through faith.

"And the life which I now live in the body, I live by the faith in the Son of God."  This is the new life, which is lived "by the faith."  "By the faith" is the preposition ejn (en) + pivsti" (pistis) = "by the faith."  Since "faith" is anarthrous, it calls attention to the quality of the noun.  So it is translated "the faith," referring to the body of faith, or doctrine, that is applied to the genitive, "Jesus Christ."  So, this is "faith" as a noun of action with the objective genitive "Son of God."  This is translated "the faith in the Son of God."

Fellowship through "the faith in the Son of God" is possible when Jesus Christ is at home in the ECS or when the door of the soul is opened through knocking at the door discipline (Rev 3:20).

Ephesians 3:17 Christ at Home in the ECS
so that Christ may be at home in your hearts through doctrine, when you have become firmly rooted and established in the sphere of reciprocal Love.
Christ is at home in the heart through doctrine in the ECS.  Being at home is the Greek katoikevw (katoikeo), which means to live, dwell, reside; therefore, to be at home.  When the room for Jesus Christ is completed in the ECS, then He will dwell there and be known by faith.

Based on the tree analogy, "firmly rooted" refers to the separation from world phase of Spiritual life.  "Established" refers to the tree trunk supported by strong roots in the Spiritual Growth phase of the Spiritual life.  "Reciprocal Love" is the believer's response to Divine Love.

Therefore, "I live by the faith in the Son of God" is fellowship with Christ based on Christ being at home in the ECS.  This is Christ-centered thinking in which Christ is the focus of attention and the believer is subordinate to Him.  It is occupation with Christ.  "The faith" is the doctrine that gives us Divine viewpoint of Christ.  "I live by the faith" refers to living the new Spiritual life.  Living the new Spiritual life is a Christ-centered, personal love relationship with Christ, our Lord and Savior.  "Son of God" is a title for Jesus Christ in Hypostatic Union with emphasis on His Deity.

"Who Loved me" – Jesus Christ Loved Paul and us with Divine Impersonal Love for all mankind.  Jesus Christ fulfilled the Royal Law in His Love for us (Jas 2:8).  He Loved us enough to die for us (Jn 15:13; Rom 5:7), and He accepted all our sins along with the Judgment for them.

"And delivered Himself up on behalf of me."  Here the Greek uJpevr (huper) (on behalf of) + ejgwv (ego), genitive = on behalf of me, as a substitute for me.  Jesus Christ went to the cross as a substitute for Paul and us.  His substitutionary death on the cross was entirely personal in that He bore our sins, and our relationship with Him after Salvation remembers the cross.

Galatians 5:24
Now, those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh (OSN) with its passions and desires.
"The flesh" refers to the Old Sin Nature, which resides in the cells of the body.  Crucifying the OSN means using Rebound to keep the OSN in check with the filling of the Holy Spirit.  It means giving up the sins that were Judged on the cross and leaving the old life behind.
Philippians 3:13
Brethren, I do not evaluate myself to have attained (not yet on the high ground); but one thing I do, forgetting what is behind (old life of sin) and constantly advancing toward the front (Spiritual Rapport),
After Paul reached Spiritual Maturity, he had not yet reached the goal of Spiritual Rapport in the new Spiritual life.  He continued to press on "forgetting what is behind" (the old life of sin).
Philippians 3:14
I keep on advancing toward the goal of the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Paul kept advancing toward the goal of Spiritual Rapport in the new Spiritual life.  The prize is the reward of the Crown of Righteousness, which Paul will receive in Spiritual Rapport.  The "call of God" refers to the life that God called Paul to live, the Divine purpose of his life, referring to the final objective.  The call of God is "in Christ Jesus" because the work of Christ made the new life possible and Paul is subordinate to Jesus Christ in the new life.
1 Peter 2:24
He Himself carried our sins in His own body on the cross that we might die to sin and live to Righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed.
Because Jesus Christ was Judged for our sins on the cross, we should "die to sin."  We should give up the old life of sin and "live to Righteousness," which is the new Spiritual life with the Divine Righteousness of God.

The New Life

Jesus Christ died in order to live a new life in a resurrection body.  He died as a substitute for our sins so that we could have a new Spiritual life and also receive a resurrection body.  In order to receive the new Spiritual life we must give up the old life of sin and death.
Romans 6:3 Retroactive Positional Truth
Or do you not know that all who have been baptized into Christ Jesus, into His death have been baptized?
This is not water baptism.  Although the ritual of water baptism is a good analogy, this is the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, which enters the believer into union with Christ at Salvation.  "Baptize" is a transliteration of the Greek baptivzw (baptizo), which means to baptize; dip, immerse.  The Baptism of the Holy Spirit includes identification with Christ in His substitutionary spiritual death for our sins.  This is Retroactive Positional Truth – we died when Christ died.
Romans 6:4 New Spiritual Life
Therefore, we have been buried with Him through baptism into death in order that just as Christ was raised out from the realm of  the dead through the glory of the Father; thus, we also, by means of the new Spiritual life may strategically advance.
"We have been buried with Him through baptism into death."   This is Retroactive Positional Truth – we died when Christ died.

"Just as Christ was raised out from the realm of  the dead through the glory of the Father."  Jesus Christ was resurrected by the power of God the Father and the Holy Spirit.  Jesus Christ was resurrected by the Divine power of God the Father (Acts 2:24; Rom 6:4; Eph 1:20; Col 2:12; 1 Thess 1:10; 1 Pet 1:21) and the Holy Spirit (Rom 8:11).  The glory of Christ's resurrection body glorified the Father.

"We also, by means of the new Spiritual life may strategically advance."  "New" is the Greek kainovth" (kainotes), which means newness, with the connotation of something extraordinary (a star); new in kind; a new paradigm.  The is a new kind of life in contrast to the old.  The old life includes spiritual death, soulish control, darkness, the flesh, and the Mosaic Law (Rom 7:6).  The new life includes Eternal Life, the new Spiritual life, Light, and the resurrection body.

"Strategically advance" is the Greek peripatevw (peripateo), which means literally to walk around, go about, and figuratively to behave, to  strategically advance (Rom 13:13; Eph 2:2; 4:1; Phil 3:17; 1 Jn 2:6).  The analogy here is that just as Jesus Christ was resurrected from the dead and walked around on the Earth, we have been given a new Spiritual life to walk around on the Earth and advance strategically.  The Resurrection life of Jesus Christ is analogous to the new Spiritual life of the Church Age Believer.  The power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead is available to every believer in the new Spiritual life (2 Cor 5:15; Eph 1:19-20).

Romans 6:5 Resurrection
For you see, since we have been permanently united with Him (Christ) in the likeness of His death, certainly, we also shall be united with Him in the likeness of His Resurrection.
"We have been permanently united with Him (Christ) in the likeness of His death."  This is retroactive positional truth - we died when Christ died.  Therefore, we died to sin.

If we died in the likeness of Christ's death, it follows that we will also receive a resurrection body like Him.  We will receive our resurrection bodies at the Rapture (1 Cor 15:52; 1 Thess 4:17).  This is Ultimate Redemption.

Romans 8:2 New Spiritual Life
For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the Law of sin and of death.
The "law of the Spirit of life" refers to the new Spiritual life in the Church.  The new life is "in Christ Jesus."  The new life was paid for by Jesus Christ on the cross, and the new life is lived in union with Christ.  The Church is the Body of Christ and the Royal Family of Christ.

The new Spiritual life is in contrast to the old life under the Mosaic Law.  The old life did not have the power of the filling of the Holy Spirit.  Therefore, the old life under the Law was a life of sin that led to spiritual death.  In the new life the filling of the Holy Spirit provides Spiritual Freedom from the power of sin and spiritual death.

2 Corinthians 5:17 New Spiritual Species
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new Spiritual species; the old paradigm has passed away; behold, a new paradigm (kind of things) has come.
"In Christ" refers to the born again Christian, who is in union with Christ.  "New Spiritual species" is the Greek kainov" (kainos, new in kind, new paradigm) + the Greek ktivsi" (ktisis, creation).  The new kind of creation is the new Spiritual species, which is the Church Age Believer, who is created by the Holy Spirit at Salvation (2 Cor 5:17; Gal 6:15; Eph 2:15; 4:24; Col 3:10; Tit 3:5).

"The old paradigm has passed away; behold, a new paradigm (kind of things) has come."  The old paradigm of the old life of sin and death has passed away, and the new paradigm of the new Spiritual life has come into being.  The struggle for the new believer is to give up the old life and live the new Spiritual life.

Ephesians 2:10 New Creation
For we are His (God's) creation (new Spiritual species), having been created in Christ Jesus for Good of intrinsic value works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
"We are His (God's) creation (new Spiritual species)."  Church Age Believers are created at Salvation by God the Father.  "Creation" is the Greek poivhma (poiema), which means creation, only used of the works of Divine creation.  God's creation is the new Spiritual species of Church Age Believer.  We were "created in Christ Jesus."  "Created" is the Greek ktivzw (ktizo), meaning to create, used of God's creative activity (Eph 4:24; Col 3:10).  "Created in Christ Jesus" means were created based on the work of Christ.  We are in union with Christ in his Body and as his Royal Family.  And we share His destiny.

We were created with the new Spiritual life "for Good of intrinsic value works," i. e. Divine Good production.  This production was Designed in Eternity Past – Antecedent Grace (Eph 1:4).  The Divine Good is produced in Time in the new Spiritual life.

Ephesians 4:22 The Old Life
that according to your former way of life, you lay aside the old man, which is being seduced with the lusts of deception,
"Your former way of life" refers to the life of sin and death before Salvation.  "The old man" is the old self who existed before Salvation.  Unfortunately, that old man comes back out when we sin.  The old man under the control of the Old Sin Nature is seduced by the lusts of deception.  These are lusts from the lust pattern of the OSN (Tit 2:12; 3:3; 2 Tim 3:6) which deceive the person and lure him into sin.
Ephesians 4:23
but that you may be renewed by the Spirit in the sphere of your thinking,
In contrast to living the old life under the power of the OSN, the believer should be "renewed."  "Renewed" is the Greek ajnaneovw (ananeoo), meaning to become renewed (Rebound), reinvigorated (recovery of the filling of the Holy Spirit), refreshed (resumption of the Spiritual life).

The new life is to be lived "by the Spirit in the sphere of your thinking."  "By the Spirit" refers to the filling of the Holy Spirit.  "In the sphere of your thinking" is the Greek nou'" (nous), locative, which means way of thinking; in the sphere of your thinking; thinking as an attitude.  The new Spiritual life is lived by thinking doctrine in the power of the Holy Spirit.  The new life is not emotion.  Working up the emotion is not worshipping God but the lure of the devil into the Cosmic System.  The filling of the Holy Spirit is not an emotional binge or a feeling that can be aroused.  Obedience to the Holy Spirit requires application of Bible Doctrine by thinking.

Ephesians 4:24
and put on the new man, which in accordance with God has been created in Righteousness and true Holiness.
"Put on the new man" is the analogy of putting on the new Spiritual life as putting on new clothes.  "New" is again the Greek kainov" (kainos), meaning new in kind, a new paradigm.  And "created" is the Greek ktivzw (ktizo), meaning to create.   This refers to Spiritual regeneration at Salvation and the creation of the new Spiritual species (2 Cor 5:17).

The new man, like the essence of God, is created in Righteousness.  "Righteousness" is the Greek dikaiosuvnh (dikaiosune), which is Divine Righteousness.  God gives His Righteousness to the believer in Grace at Salvation.  The Christian has God's Righteousness, and he will never lose it.

"True Holiness" means sanctified, set apart to God.  This is Positional Sanctification.  "True Holiness" emphasizes the purity of God's Holiness.  True Holiness is in contrast to being in the Cosmic System, which is not in true holiness.

Colossians 3:9 Stop Lying
Stop lying to one another, since you have stripped off the old man with its evil deeds,
"Stop lying to one another" is a Greek imperative of prohibition, which means stop doing something you are doing.  Lies are characteristic of the old life in the Cosmic System (Psa 116:11).  Satan is the father of lies (Jn 8:44; Eph 4:25; Re 21:8, 27 22:15).  His lies are the commonly accepted wisdom of the world (1 Cor 1:20-21; 3:19; 2 Cor 1:12).

Believers should stop lying because they "have stripped off the old man."  This is an aorist participle that precedes the action of the main verb.  Stripping off the old man occurred at Salvation when the new Spiritual life was given after the old man had died on the cross.  Stripping off the old man is analogous to taking off a dirty garment.

The old man must be stripped off "with its evil deeds."  The word, evil, is not in the verse but it is certainly implied.  The deeds that must be stripped off are the sins and corresponding production of the old life (Rom 8:13).  Stripping off the old man requires Rebound and living the new Spiritual life.

Colossians 3:10 New Spiritual Man
and have put on the new man, who is being renewed into epignosis knowledge according to the prototype of his Creator (image of the One who created him).
"And have put on the new man."  Here the word "new" is the Greek nevo" (neos), for new, as in young.  "New" stresses the beginning of the new life, or new paradigm, in distinction from the former, old person and old life, before Salvation.

"Who is being renewed into epignosis knowledge."  "Renewed" is the Greek ajnakainovw (anakainoo), from (ajnav, up, back, again) + (kainovw, to make new, innovate) = to renew (2 Cor 4:16).  This is the new Spiritual life, which is growing in newness of life according to the new paradigm.  "Epignosis knowledge" is the Greek ejpivgnwsi" (epignosis), from (ejpiv, over, beyond) + (gnw`si", knowledge), which means spiritual understanding, knowledge of doctrine.  Epignosis is true doctrine in the ECS, which opposes the lies and idols of the Cosmic System.  Being "renewed into epignosis knowledge" refers to the daily metabolization of Bible Doctrine by which doctrine for the new life is added to the ECS.

"According to the prototype of his Creator" – here "prototype" is the Greek eijkwvn (eikon), which means icon, image, standard (Eph 4:13).  This could be translated "according to the image of the One who created him."  However, this is referring to the prototype of Jesus Christ, who first used the new Spiritual life that we have.

"Creator" is the aorist participle of the Greek ktivzw (ktizo), meaning creator.  "Creator" is a reference to the creation of man in the image of God (Gen 1:26-27; 2:7).  Jesus Christ is the Creator (Jn 1:3; Col 1:16; Heb 1:10).  "According to the image, or prototype, of his Creator" refers to the prototype Spiritual life of the Creator, who is Jesus Christ in Hypostatic Union.  The believer is being made into a new creation which is based on the standard of the Lord Jesus Christ in Hypostatic Union.

The new Spiritual life is a truly unique opportunity to glorify God.  The new Spiritual life provides the power to execute the Spiritual life and become a winner against all the opposition of the Cosmic System.  The new Spiritual life is provided in Grace.  In it there is equal opportunity to succeed regardless of race, gender, or social status (Rom 10:12; 1 Cor 12:13; Gal 3:28; Col 3:11).   In the Church Age the common man has the opportunity to become an invisible hero and impact human history.

Ultimate Redemption

Ultimate Redemption and Sanctification
The Transfiguration
Resurrection of Christ
Resurrection Analogies
The First and Last Adam
The Resurrection of the Church
Redemption from Death
Looking Forward to the Resurrection Body
Resurrection of Old Testament Saints

Ultimate Redemption and Sanctification

Ultimate Redemption is receiving our resurrection body along with our  eternal inheritance and rewards.
Ephesians 1:14
who (Holy Spirit) is the down payment of our inheritance for the redemption of God's possession, to the praise of His glory.
The indwelling of the Holy Spirit is the down payment for our inheritance as members of the Royal Family of God.  This guarantees that we are God's possession, and He will redeem us and give us our eternal inheritance, which includes being members of the RFG forever.

Redemption of the body and receipt of the eternal rewards and inheritance occurs at the Rapture, Evaluation Throne of Christ, in the Millennium, and in the Eternal State (Heaven).  Ultimate Redemption in all of its phases is closely associated with Ultimate Sanctification.  Sanctification follows redemption.  For example, after the body is redeemed at the Rapture, it is sanctified, which means set apart as holy and consecrated to God.  The clothing of the resurrection body is sanctification.

Ephesians 4:30
Furthermore, stop grieving the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed with reference to the day of redemption.
The Holy Spirit seals every Church Age Believer as if with a signet ring with a bar code that identifies him as Royal Family of God.  The Holy Spirit puts His signature on us at Salvation so that the mortal body of every believer will be redeemed at the resurrection of the Church.  This is like a quality seal to ensure that each believer receives his unique resurrection body.

The day of redemption is the Rapture.

Grieving the Holy Spirit means being in a state of sin without Rebounding (Isa 63:10).  Living in sin either in legalism or lawlessness grieves the Holy Spirit, who "intercedes for us with groaning too deep for words" (Rom 8:26).

Romans 8:23
And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body.
Because of the curse of sin in the body, we long to be free from it, especially since we have a taste of the Holy Spirit, who fills us.  We eagerly wait for our "adoption as sons."  This refers to the Roman custom of adopting a son to receive the family inheritance in place of a son that was less qualified.  Here, it is further explained by "the redemption of the body."  This refers to Ultimate Redemption – receiving a resurrection body at the Rapture.  So, "adoption of sons" refers to being received into the Royal Family of God in our resurrection body and receiving our eternal inheritance.

The Transfiguration

The preview of the resurrection was the Transfiguration of Christ.  Peter and the two brothers, James and John, sons of Zebedee, were invited to see the Transfiguration.  Six days before, Jesus had prophesied His return at the Second Advent in a resurrection body.
Matthew 16:27-28
27  For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels; then He will reward each one on the basis of his deeds.
28  Truly I say to you, there are some of those who are standing here who shall not experience death until they see the Son of Man coming in His Kingdom.
Jesus explained that He would return at the Second Advent in the glory of the Father with His angels to establish His Millennial Kingdom.  At that time the Old Testament saints would receive their rewards.  He said that some of those present would not die before they saw Him coming in His Kingdom.  Six days later Jesus took Peter, James, and John up on a high mountain, which is believed to be Mt. Tabor.Transfiguration
Matthew 17:1-2
1  Then, six days later Jesus took with Him Peter, James, and John his brother, and brought them up to a high mountain by themselves.
2  And He was transfigured before them; and His face shined like the Sun, and His garments became as white as light.
Jesus selected Peter, James, and John from among the disciples and took them up the mountain to pray (Lk 9:28).  While Jesus was praying, He was transfigured before them.  His face shined like the Sun, and His clothing became very white and radiant.  "Transfigured" means that the appearance of Jesus was changed to be like a resurrection body.  It was not the real resurrection body, but it appeared like it.  This was a preview of Jesus in His resurrection body as He would be at the Second Advent.

The face of Jesus shined like the Sun.  It was radiant with light.  This was a brighter glow than the glow of the Holy Spirit in the face of believers.  Those who look carefully can see the glow in the face of Christians, but the glow of the face of Jesus was much brighter.  The flesh can glow because the human body is made of light and the Spirit of human life also transmits light.  However, the resurrection body is much brighter because it is sanctified and not darkened by sin and evil.

The garments of Jesus were very white, as no launderer could make them (Mk 9:3).  This white color is whiter than snow.  It is beyond any white on this Earth.  The angels wear garments like these (Matt 28:2-3).  The clothing also radiated light (Mk 9:3).  The radiant light is the Greek ejxastravptw, (exastrapto), from (ejk, out from) + (ajstravptw, lightning flashing) = to flash or gleam like lightning.  It means radiant or flashing light.  This is the appearance of light dancing or dazzling all around an object.  A waterspout in the clouds at Sunrise sometimes appears like this.  Or a light shining through a mist of fog may resemble this.  The Holy Spirit may also reveal this around other people.  It differs from the aura in that it is radiant and dazzling.

So, the resurrection body is brighter than the Earthly body.  And the clothing of the resurrection body also gleams with radiant light.  The resurrection body will be a body that has been redeemed and sanctified, and the clothing of the resurrection body will symbolize sanctification.  Both will be made of light.  The colors and insignias on the clothing will signify rank and rewards.

Matthew 17:3
And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him.
Then Moses and Elijah appeared with Jesus.  The two symbolize witnesses.  From the Luke account we know they were talking to Jesus about His departure from the Earth.  This would be His death at Jerusalem.
Luke 9:31
who (Moses and Elijah), appearing in glory, were speaking of His departure which He was about to complete at Jerusalem.
Moses and Elijah appeared "in glory."  This means they were in interim bodies of light.  They were ghosts, who had come up from Paradise.  They appeared with Jesus because in the Tribulation they will be heralds of the Second Advent (Rev 11:3).  The appearance of ghosts also symbolizes that Jesus is about to be a ghost, i.e. He will have an interim body in Paradise for three days before He receives His resurrection body.

This was a rapturous experience that was too much for Peter.  His arrogance popped in and he interrupted the heavenly preview.

Matthew 17:4
Then Peter answered (butted in) and said to Jesus,  "Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, I will make three tents here, one for You,  one for Moses, and one for Elijah."
Peter, wishing to do something to celebrate the occasion, offered to make three tents (dwellings), one for the Lord, Moses, and Elijah.
Matthew 17:5
While he was still speaking, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and behold, a voice out of the cloud saying, "This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; you listen to Him!"
While Peter was running his mouth, a bright cloud suddenly overshadowed them.  The cloud covered Jesus, Moses, and Elijah.  Then the voice of God came from the cloud saying that Jesus was His beloved Son in whom He was well-pleased, and Peter should shut up and listen to Jesus.  This frightened Peter, James, and John out of their wits.
Matthew 17:6
And when the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were extremely afraid.
Peter, James, and John were afraid for their lives from the reprimand of God following Peter's arrogant interruption.
Matthew 17:7
And Jesus came to them and touched them and said, "Get up, and stop being afraid."
Jesus went over and touched the disciples and told them to get up and stop being afraid.  They could not concentrate in their fear.  They had seen what they needed to see and would later understand it.  They recorded what they saw in the scripture, so we could also know how the Lord Jesus Christ will appear at the Second Advent and what the resurrection body will be like.

Later, Peter wrote about the Transfiguration in an epistle.

2 Peter 1:16
For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty.
Peter was an eyewitness of the preview of the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ at the Second Advent.  Therefore, he had given an accurate account of the event without resorting to "cleverly devised myths."
2 Peter 1:17 Transfiguration – Empirical Prophecy of the Second Advent
For when He received honor and glory from God the Father, such a Voice as this was transmitted to Him by the Majestic Glory, "This is My beloved Son with whom I am well-pleased."
In the Transfiguration, the Lord Jesus Christ received honor and glory from the Father.  And the Voice of the Father said, "This is My beloved Son with whom I am well-pleased."  Peter left out the rest of the reprimand.  Peter was a witness of the Transfiguration, which was an empirical prophecy of the Second Advent.
2 Peter 1:18  Empirical Verification of the Second Advent
Furthermore, we heard this Voice which was being transmitted from Heaven when we were with Him on the Holy mountain.
Peter recalls that he and James and John heard the Voice of God which spoke to the Lord Jesus Christ on the Holy mountain.  Hearing the Voice of God was an empirical verification of the Transfiguration that prophesied the Second Advent.

The mountain is called "Holy" because it was set apart as a meeting place of God.  Just as Moses and Elijah visited the Lord upon a mountain, so did Jesus Christ.  Such a mountain is a high (holy) place for worship.

2 Peter 1:19  Peter's Epignosis Knowledge of Second Advent
Yet, we possess a more reliable prophetic doctrine, to which you do well to pay attention, as a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns, and the Morning Star arises in your hearts.
Here Peter is saying that in spite of being an eye witness to the Transfiguration, which prophesied the Second Advent, the "prophetic doctrine" (scripture) is more reliable.  Bible Doctrine is more real that empirical evidence (Heb 2:2-3).

Therefore, we would do well to pay attention to the revelation of Bible Doctrine which is like "a lamp shining in a dark place."  "A lamp shining in a dark place" refers to the revelation of the Gospel at the First Advent (Isa 9:2; Matt 4:16; Luke 1:78-79; Eph 5:8).

"Until the day dawns" refers to the glory of the Lord on Mt. Zion at the Second Advent (the Day of the Lord) (Is 60:1; Mal 4:2).   The day dawning also symbolizes enlightenment, understanding the doctrine.  It symbolizes the enlightenment of Christ in the heart of the believer (Rom 13:12-13; 2 Cor 4:6; Eph 5:14; 1 Thess 5:5; 1 Jn 2:8).

"And the Morning Star arises in your hearts."  The Morning Star symbolizes Jesus Christ at the Second Advent (Rev 22:16).  The Morning Star in the believer's heart symbolizes harmonious rapport with Christ.  The Morning Star is also one of the decorations of the winner-believer of the Church Age (Rev 2:28).

Resurrection of Christ

Jesus Christ was resurrected by the power of God the Father (Acts 2:24; Rom 6:4; Eph 1:20; Col 2:12; 1 Thess 1:10; 1 Pet 1:21) and the Holy Spirit (Rom 8:11).  He was resurrected on the third day after His death, where the number, 3, stands for the Justice of the Holy Spirit.  The resurrection body is a spiritual body.  The body of Christ was not left in the grave to undergo decay but was redeemed from the grave and sanctified (Psa 16:10; Acts 2:27; 13:35, 37).

Upon His resurrection, Jesus Christ received a new title, "King of kings and Lord of lords" (1 Tim 6:15; Rev 17:14; 19:16).  He received this highest designation in all of Creation due to His great victory on the cross.  Subsequently, the Lord Jesus Christ was seated at the right hand of the Throne of God as Sovereign over all Creation.  He is the Royal King, and the Church is being called out to be His Royal Family.

Jesus Christ was the first and only person to be resurrected.  Others have been brought back to life, which is resuscitation.  And some have appeared as ghosts, but He is the only one who has been resurrected.

1 Corinthians 15:20
But now, Christ has been raised out from the dead, the firstfruit of those who have fallen asleep.
In His resurrection Christ is called the "firstfruit" because He is the first of many to be resurrected.
1 Corinthians 15:23
But each in his own order:  Christ, the firstfruit, next, those who belong to Christ at His coming.
The orders of resurrection follow Christ.  The Church will be the next order to be resurrected after Christ.  The Church will be resurrected at the Rapture – "at His coming."
Order of Resurrection
1 – Christ (Matt. 28; Mk 16; Luk 24; Jn 20-21; Act 2:31-34)
2 – The Church at the Rapture (Jn 14:1-3; 1 Cor 15:51-57; Phil 3:20-21; 1 Thess 4:13-18; 1 Jn 3:1-2)
3 – Old Testament saints and Tribulation martyrs at the Second Advent (Isa 26:19; 27:12-13; 66:14; Dan 12:2; Hos 13:14; Lk 20:37-38; Jn 5:28-29; 11:24; 1 Cor 15:21)
4 – Millennial believers at the end of the Millennium.
1 Corinthians 15:24
Then comes the end, when He delivers over the Kingdom to God the Father, when He has abolished all rule and all authority and power.
After the Rapture comes the end of the Tribulation when Christ will return and make his enemies His footstool.  He will conquer all the enemies of Israel and cast all unbelievers into Hades.  He will abolish all rule, authority, and power on the Earth, which includes the rulers of the Earth and Satan and his demons.  Satan and his demons will be removed from the Earth for the Millennium.

Then the Lord Jesus Christ will deliver the Kingdom to God the Father, and the Father will give it back.

1 Corinthians 15:25 Millennium
For He must reign until He has put all enemies under his feet.
The Lord will reign for 1,000 years on the Earth (Millennium).
1 Corinthians 15:26
The last enemy that will be abolished is death.
Death is the result of sin.  But death and suffering have no place in Heaven.  So death must be removed.  Some mortals, who are subject to death, will still be alive on the Earth during the Millennium.  Those who reach age 100 without accepting Salvation will die (Isa 65:20).  All unbelievers who are dead will have to be Judged at the Great White Throne and be cast into the Lake of Fire.  This is required to abolish death.
1 Corinthians 15:29
Otherwise, what shall those do who are being baptized as a substitute for the dead? If the dead are not actually raised up, why then are they being baptized as a substitute for them (the dead)?
Baptism symbolizes identification with Christ in His death and resurrection (Rom 6:4; Col 2:12).  Being raised up out of the water in baptism symbolizes the resurrection.  The point of the rhetorical question is:  If there is no resurrection of the dead, why are people still being baptized?  If there is no resurrection, we may as well eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die (1 Cor 15:32).

Resurrection Analogies

Plant Growth Analogy

The growth of a plant from a seed symbolizes the resurrection.  People will ask, "How are the dead raised, and what kind of body do they have?" (1 Cor 15:35).  By the plant analogy, a plant comes to life from a seed that dies (1 Cor 15:36).  The seed that dies is like a dead body, and the plant that grows from it is like a resurrection body (1 Cor 15:37-38).

Heavenly Body Analogy

Heavenly bodies also symbolize the resurrection.  Heavenly bodies, like the Sun, Moon, planets, and stars, differ in glory from Earthly bodies, like people and animals (1 Cor 15:40).  The heavenly bodies differ from each other in glory.1  For example, the Sun shines brighter than the Moon and stars (1 Cor 15:41).  The heavenly bodies are analogous to resurrection bodies.

1 Corinthians 15:42-43
42  So also is the resurrection of the dead.  It is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption; 43  it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power;
Combining the plant and heavenly body analogies, a mortal body is buried in corruption, but it is raised with a resurrection body of incorruption.  It is buried in dishonor, but it is raised in glory.  It is buried in weakness but raised in power.
1 Corinthians 15:44 Physical and Spiritual Bodies
It is sown a physical body; it is raised a spiritual body.  Since there is a physical body, there is also a spiritual body.
The physical body is buried, but the body that is raised in resurrection is spiritual.  The physical body is made of Earthly elements, but the resurrection body is spiritual.  It exists in the spiritual realm and is not tied to the Earth.

The First and Last Adam

The first Adam is contrasted to Jesus Christ, who is called the Last Adam.
1 Corinthians 15:45
So also it is written, "The first man, Adam, became a living soul."  The last Adam became a Life-giving Spirit.
The first Adam had soul life, and all the descendants of Adam have soul life.  However, the Last Adam, the Lord Jesus Christ, became the source of Spiritual life for mankind.
1 Corinthians 15:47 First and Last Adam
The first man is out from the Earth, made of earth; the second man is out from Heaven.
The first man came from the Earth and was made of Earthly elements, but the Last Adam came from Heaven.
1 Corinthians 15:48 Earthly and Heavenly
As the dust of the Earth, such are those who are of Earthly origin; and as that which is Heavenly, such also are those who are of Heavenly origin.
Mankind is of Earthly origin and contains Earthly elements.  But Jesus Christ is of Heavenly origin, and those who belong to Him have Heavenly characteristics.
1 Corinthians 15:49 Human and Resurrection Bodies
And just as we have borne the image of the Earthly (human body), we shall also bear the image of the Heavenly (resurrection body).
Just as we had human bodies that were Earthly, we will have resurrection bodies that are Heavenly.
1 Corinthians 15:50
Now I confirm this, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption.
Flesh and blood cannot live in the Kingdom of God, nor can corruption (our mortal body) inherit incorruption (body of immortality).

The Resurrection of the Church

The Church will be resurrected at the Rapture at the end of the Church Age and before the Tribulation.
1 Corinthians 15:51
Behold, I communicate to you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
This is the mystery doctrine of the resurrection.  "We shall not all sleep."  Sleep refers to Christians who have died.  Not everyone will be dead at the Rapture.  The mystery here is how a person can receive a resurrection body without dying.  The plant analogy involved a seed dying.  The answer to the mystery is that those who are alive at the Rapture will receive their resurrection bodies without dying.
1 Corinthians 15:52 Rapture
in a moment, in the blinking of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
The resurrection of the dead and living at the Rapture will occur in an instant, "in the blinking of an eye."  "Blinking" is the Greek rJiphv (rhipe), meaning winking, blinking; any rapid movement, e.g. flapping a wing.

RaptureThe resurrection will occur with a trumpet signal.  The trumpet sound is understood in light of the Feast of Trumpets, which Israel celebrated on the first day of the seventh month (Tishri, September/October) (Lev 23:24; Nu 29:1).  The people were called to the Holy Assembly by the blast of a trumpet, which was a shophar, made from a ram's horn.  This was the beginning of a significant month that symbolized a Sabbath, or sabbatical month.  It symbolized Grace and categorical completion.  The Great Day of Atonement was celebrated on the 10th to atone for all of the sins of Israel for a year.  And the Feast of Tabernacles was celebrated five days later.

So, the last trumpet at the Rapture will be a command for the Church to assemble in dress uniforms, resurrection bodies, in the presence of God.

As the Lord returns, He will be accompanied by the Archangel and other angels.  The Archangel is probably Michael, since he deals with the dead (Jude 1:9).  However, Gabriel is also an Archangel, who is an herald and is associated with the Church, while Michael is the Archangel associated with Israel.

1 Thessalonians 4:16 Rapture
For the Lord Himself shall descend from Heaven with a shout, with the voice of the Archangel, and with the trumpet of God; in fact, the dead in Christ shall rise first.
There will be verbal commands and trumpet commands.  The Lord will shout.  This is a command to the dead to arise as taught in principle in John 5:25 about the resurrection of the Old Testament saints.  He will command the dead to arise as He called Lazarus from the grave (Jn 11:43).  The voice of the Archangel refers to the commands given by Michael (or Gabriel) to the other angels to meet the rising believers in resurrection bodies and lead them into the column to follow the Lord back to Heaven.  The dead will be rising from all over the globe, and they must join the column that is following the Lord.

There will also be the sound of the trumpet, which is likely blown by an Elect Angel.  The trumpet is used for signaling the vast army of angels and to herald the resurrected believers to assemble before God.  The trumpet signal at the Rapture is called "the trumpet of God."  This is because God the Father also plays a part in the Rapture because the dead in Christ will be in Heaven in interim bodies (1 Cor 6:14).  God the Father will have to command the interim bodies to meet their resurrection bodies rising from the graves.  The Holy Spirit will work the miracle to create the resurrection body to replace the interim body.

The Holy Spirit will also create resurrection bodies for those who are alive on the Earth.  They will receive their resurrection bodies to replace their Earthly bodies without dying.

1 Thessalonians 4:17
Then we who are living, who remain (on Earth) will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.
The dead and living will suddenly rise in resurrection bodies into the sky to meet the Lord Jesus Christ, who is in the air.  He will circle the globe, and all the resurrected believers will be corralled to meet Him. They will bow before Him, and the long column of believers will follow the Lord back to Heaven.
Philippians 3:20
For our citizenship is in Heaven, from which we also eagerly await for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,
"Citizenship" is the Greek polivteuma (politeuma), meaning the rights and privileges of citizenship in a free state; or the corporate body of citizens resident in a foreign country.  It means being a foreigner in another country.  Many Romans lived in Philippi, including retirees.   Philippi was in Macedonia nine miles from the Aegean Sea.  Just as Rome was the homeland and Philippi the place of residence, Heaven is our home and Earth is our colony.

Every Church Age Believer has citizenship from God in Heaven with rights and privileges of citizenship which are related to God forever.  These rights give us the privilege of being Royal Ambassadors.   Because we are citizens of Heaven, we eagerly wait for the return of our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Philippians 3:21
who (Christ) will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory (Christ's resurrection body), according to the power that enabled Him to bring also into subjection all things to Himself.
When Christ returns at the Rapture, He will transform our body into conformity with His resurrection body.  We will have a resurrection body like His (1 Jn 3:2).  Our bodies will be like the Transfiguration of Christ.  The power that transforms us will be the Divine power that enabled Christ to subject all things to Himself.  He must rule until all things are put under His feet (Heb 1:13; 1 Cor 15:27, 28).  In our resurrection bodies, we will rule and reign with Christ and be His Royal Family and Priesthood forever.

Redemption from Death

The resurrection is redemption from death.
1 Corinthians 15:53 Immortality
For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
"Corruptible" and "mortal" refer to the human body.  "Incorruption" and "immortality" refer to the resurrection body.  Mortals are redeemed from death, and the corruptible are sanctified from corruption.
1 Corinthians 15:54 Redemption from Death in the Resurrection
Now when this corruption shall put on incorruption and this mortal shall put on immortality, then the doctrine which stands written will come to pass, "Death has been swallowed up, resulting in victory."
Putting on "incorruption" and "immortality" refers to receiving resurrection bodies.  Immortality is redemption from death, and incorruption is sanctification.

"Death has been swallowed up, resulting in victory."  The resurrection is redemption from death.  It is victory over death.  Death comes to an end.  It is swallowed up (Isa 25:8).

1 Corinthians 15:55 Victory Over Death
Oh Death, where is your victory?
Oh Death, where is your sting?
Resurrection is the end of death.  Resurrection robs death of its prey and its victory.  Resurrection takes away the sing of death. "Sting" refers to sting of a venomous snake.

In this verse Paul quotes from Hosea 13:14 with a few words changed.

Hosea 13:14 Redemption from Death
From the power of Sheol I will ransom them!
From death I will redeem them!
Where are your plagues, O Death?
Where is your destruction, O Sheol?
A change of mind will be hidden from My eyes.
The Lord described redemption from death in very strong language.  Of course, it could not be fully understood until the resurrection of Christ.  The Lord promised to redeem Israel from the power of Sheol (the grave and the underworld) and death.  Thus, there would be no deadly plagues that could keep a person in death, and there would be no destruction in Sheol.  The body would not undergo decay.

Finally, the Lord said He would not change His mind.  This is a strong statement that means this doctrine will stand.  The Lord will not change His mind (Nu 23:19; 1 Sam 15:29; Psa 110:4).  This is the Hebrew <j^n{ (nocham), which means to change the mind, not repent.

1 Corinthians 15:56
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the Law.
"The sting of death is sin."  "Sin" in the singular refers to carnality, the OSN, and the state of unrighteousness apart from God in the Cosmic System.  Sin is like the sting of venom that results in death (Jas 1:15; Rom 5:12; 6:23; 8:22).  The Law defined sin (Rom 3:20; 4:15; 7:8), which leads to death (Rom 6:23).
1 Corinthians 15:57  Victory Over Death through Christ
but thanks be to God, who gives to us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ won the victory over death on the cross.  His victory was our victory because He died as a substitute for us (Rom 6:5, 6).  We died when Christ died; therefore, His victory is our victory through faith in Him.

God in His Sovereignty determines the time (Job 14:5; Eccl 3:2), place, and manner of death (Job 30:23; Heb 9:27).  The victory over death on the cross gives the believer the victory of Christ at the time of death.  Death is God's victory through Christ, and the believer shares that victory.

God gives life, and God takes away life (Job 1:21; Eccl 5:15, 12:6-7).  The circumstances of a person's death are a testimony of God's Righteousness in the Angelic Conflict associated with Satan's Appeal Trial (Psa 116:15; Rom 3:4).  Circumstances include:  Astrological signs (Death Chart), weather signs, historical events, relationships of family and others.  Divine viewpoint of death will be revealed to doctrinal believers.  Since death is God's victory, it must be understood Spiritually to have closure (1 Cor 15:54-57; Rev 1:18).

Looking Forward to the Resurrection Body

The human body is a house for the soul.  The soul is immortal, but the body is mortal.  The soul without a body is a ghost.  When a soul goes to Heaven, it is given an interim body.  Eventually, the soul will be given a resurrection body as a permanent home.
2 Corinthians 5:1
For we know that if our house on Earth, which is our tent, is torn down, we have a permanent building from God, a house not made with hands (a resurrection body), eternal in Heaven.
The human body is analogous to a house, or tent, on Earth.  The body is a house for the soul.  If the house (or tent) for the soul is torn down, we have a permanent building in Heaven.  The permanent building is our resurrection body, which is eternal.
2 Corinthians 5:2-3
2  For indeed in this house we groan, longing to be clothed with our dwelling from Heaven, 3  inasmuch as having put it on, we shall not be found naked.
Paul said that in this present house for the soul we groan and long to be clothed with our dwelling (resurrection body) in Heaven.  We groan because of the curse of sin in the body.  After man sinned, he came under the curse of "dying spiritually you will die physically" (Gen 2:17).  At physical death the soul leaves the body, and the soul is left naked.  Therefore, after the man and woman sinned and accepted the redemption solution, the Lord made for them clothes, so they would not be naked (Gen 3:21).  The clothes symbolized the resurrection body.

We look forward to being free from the body's curse of sin and being resurrected like Christ (Rom 6:5; 8:23; 1 Pet 1:3).  In the resurrection body our soul will not be naked.  A soul without a body is naked.  It is a ghost.

2 Corinthians 5:4
For indeed, while we are in this tent, we groan, being burdened, because we do not want to be unclothed (a soul without a body, a ghost) but to be clothed (with our resurrection body), in order that our mortal body may be swallowed up by resurrection  Life.
While we are in this tent (our body), we groan and are burdened because we do not want our soul to be unclothed (without a body).  We want our soul to be clothed with our resurrection body.  We want our mortal body to be swallowed up by Resurrection Life. The resurrection body has Eternal Life.
2 Corinthians 5:5
Now He who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave to us the Spirit as the down payment.
God has prepared all believers for the resurrection body because He gave them the indwelling of the Holy Spirit as a down payment (Eph 1:14).  The body is God's possession.  It is the temple of the Holy Spirit.  The mortal body will be replaced by the resurrection body, which will be a permanent home for the Holy Spirit.
2 Corinthians 5:6
Therefore, be always of good courage, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord –
We should always have good courage while we are at home in the body even though we are absent from the Lord.  This is Divine viewpoint as explained by the parenthesis in verse 7.
2 Corinthians 5:7
For we walk by faith, not by sight.
Walking by faith means executing the Spiritual life by application of Bible Doctrine.  It means having Divine viewpoint instead of physical sight.  We don't see the resurrection body yet, but we know by faith that we will receive it.
2 Corinthians 5:8
Therefore, we are of good courage and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home face-to-face with the Lord.
From the Divine perspective it is better to be absent from the body and at home with the Lord in Heaven.  The resurrection body in Heaven will be far superior to the mortal human body on Earth.
2 Corinthians 5:9
Therefore we also consider it an honor, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him.
Whether we are "at home" in the mortal body or "absent" (in Heaven), it is an honor to be pleasing to the Lord.
2 Corinthians 5:10 Evaluation Throne of Christ
For we must all appear before the Evaluation Throne of Christ that every one may be rewarded for the things which were done through the body, whether good or worthless.
"Evaluation Throne" is the Greek bh'ma (bema), which based on Latin, means Evaluation Throne, tribunal of a magistrate (Rom 14:10). Following a battle, the Roman commander would set up a table from which he would deliver a speech and evaluate the troops.  Those who excelled received decorations, and those who failed were executed.

After the Rapture all Church Age Believers will stand before the Evaluation Throne of Christ in Heaven.  This is sometime erroneously translated Judgment Seat.  There will be no Judgment for believers.  However, all of their deeds in this life will be evaluated, and their dead works will be burned.  This is the only time there will be shame in a resurrection body (1 Jn 2:28).  The Divine Good production will be rewarded.  Winner believers will be promoted.  They will be given rank for all eternity.

Each believer will give an account for his deeds, " whether good or worthless."  "Good" is the Greek ajgaqov" (agathos), for good of intrinsic value (Eph 6:8), Divine Good.  "Worthless" is the Greek fau'lo" (phaulos), meaning worthless to the point of being evil.  Divine Good corresponds to gold, silver, and precious stones, and worthless deeds correspond to wood, hay, and straw (1 Cor 3:12).  Deeds will be tested by fire (1 Cor 3:13).  The Good deeds will survive the fire and be the basis for rewards (1 Cor 3:14).  The worthless deeds will burn up, but the believer will be saved, "yet so as through fire" (1 Cor 3:15).

Romans 14:10
You there! Why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you regard your brother with contempt?  For we will all stand before the Evaluation Throne of God.
Since we will all be judged by God, we should not judge other believers.  God will judge them.  If we judge them, then we will answer for presuming to have the authority of God (Matt 7:1-2).
Romans 14:11
For it stands written,
"As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me,
And every tongue shall acknowledge to God."
This is a quotation from Isaiah 45:23 that has been applied by Paul to the Rapture.  We will meet the Lord in the air (1 Thess 4:17), and every knee will bow (Phil 2:10), and "every tongue shall acknowledge Jesus as Lord" (Phil 2:11).
Romans 14:12
So therefore, each one of us shall give an account concerning himself to God.
Every believer will give an account of his own deeds when he stands before the Evaluation Throne of God.  The Lord Jesus Christ will perform this evaluation for the Father.  Old Testament saints will be evaluated in the same way at the Second Advent (Matt 12:36; 16:27; 1 Pet 4:5).
1 Peter 1:7
In order that the verification of your doctrine, which is more precious than gold that perishes, even though validated through fire, may be discovered to result in the praise, glory, and honor at the time of the revelation of Jesus Christ.
The testing of the doctrine that we have learned in this life will be reviewed at the Evaluation Throne of Christ.  The reward will be more valuable than gold, which will not survive to eternity.  Even how we handled Fire Testing2 will be evaluated.  Passing the tests to validate Bible Doctrine in the soul will result in "praise, glory, and honor" at the Evaluation Throne.  "At the time of the Revelation of Jesus Christ" refers to the Rapture.  "At the time of" is a translation of the Greek preposition e*n (en, at) in the temporal context.
1 Peter 1:8 Love for Christ
Although you have never seen Him, you Love Him; and though you are not visibly seeing Him now, yet believing, you exult with Happiness inexpressible and clothed with glory.
Peter's congregation had never seen Jesus Christ in person; yet they Loved Him with reciprocal Love.  They also had Divine Happiness, and they were "clothed with glory."  This is the Greek doxavzw (doxazo), which is an idiom meaning to clothe in glory.  It means divine radiance as in the Transfiguration (Matt 17:2; Mk 9:2; Lk 9:29) in resurrection body.  "Clothed with glory" describes the believer in his future resurrection body.  The believer is also glorified in this life, but the ultimate glorification will come in the resurrection body.

Resurrection of Old Testament Saints

The resurrection of the Old Testament saints and Tribulational martyrs will occur at the Second Advent.  They will be resurrected after the Lord returns and destroys His enemies and incarcerates Satan and his demons.  They will come out of their graves all over the world, receive their resurrection bodies, and return to Jerusalem.  There they will be evaluated by the Lord and held accountable for the deeds done on Earth.  They will receive their rewards and go into the Millennium.  Jews will live in Israel, and Gentiles will go to their home country.  Unbelievers will be removed from the Earth in the Baptism of Fire.

The Doctrine of Resurrection was known in the Old Testament.  Abraham was willing to offer his son Isaac because he believed that God would raise him from the dead (Heb 11:17, 19).  Jesus explained to the Sadducees, who did not believe in the resurrection, that what the Lord said from the burning bush revealed the existence of the resurrection.

Luke 20:37-38
37  But that the dead are raised, even Moses showed, in the passage about the burning bush, where he calls the Lord the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.
38  Now He is not the God of the dead but of the living; for all live with respect to Him.
If God is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, they must be alive and not dead as the Sadducees would claim.  Therefore, the dead are resurrected.

Isaiah taught about the resurrection of Israel, and other prophets who studied his writing also taught the resurrection (Dan 12:2; ref. Hos 13:14).

Isaiah 26:19
Your dead will live;
Their corpses will rise.
Awake and shout for joy, you who lie in the dust!
For your dew is the dew of Lights,
And the Earth shall bring forth the ghosts (dead).
The dead in Israel will live.  They will be resurrected.

"For your dew is the dew of Lights."  "Lights" refers to the Light of Life (Job 33:30; Jas 1:17).  This Light gives life to dead bodies as dew to plants.  This "dew of Lights" gives new life to the bones that are buried in the ground (Isa 66:14).

"The Earth shall bring forth the ghosts (dead)."  This indicates that the departed spirits in Sheol, or Paradise, in the heart of the Earth will rise.  "Ghosts" is the Hebrew <ya!p*r+ (repha'im), for manes, shades, ghosts.

Isaiah 27:12 Second Advent
It will come to pass in that day the LORD will beat out the grain from the flowing stream of the Euphrates to the brook of Egypt, and you will be picked up one by one, O sons of Israel.
The boundaries from the Euphrates to the brook of Egypt were the boundaries of the land of Israel as promised to Abraham (Gen. 15:18; 1 Kings 8:65).  The beating out of the grain and picking up the grains one by one is an analogy for the resurrection of the dead.
Isaiah 27:13
It will come about also in that day, a great trumpet will be blown, and those who were lost in the land of Assyria, and who were outcasts in the land of Egypt will come and worship the LORD on the holy mountain at Jerusalem.
Assyria and Egypt are the lands into which Israel was cast out into captivity.  The dead in those lands will also be resurrected, and a signal from a great trumpet will call them back to worship the Lord on the holy mountain at Jerusalem.

Redemption of the Diaspora

The diaspora, who are alive on the Earth and scattered abroad, will be redeemed from the lands in which they are scattered, and the Lord will bring them back to Israel (Isa 56:8; Zeph 3:10; Zech 10:6).

Isaiah 11:11 The Second Redemption
Then it will come to pass on that day that the Lord
Will again stretch out His hand a second time to redeem
The remnant of His people, who shall remain,
From Assyria, Egypt, Pathros, Ethiopia, Elam, Shinar, Hamath,
And from the islands of the sea.
The redemption from Egypt was the first redemption of the nation of Israel (Isa 51:10).  The redemption of the diaspora from all over the world will be the second redemption.  Thus, the first redemption symbolized the Second Advent when the Lord will redeem the diaspora a second time from the lands in which they are scattered.  At the time of writing, Israel had never been scattered into all the lands mentioned by Isaiah.  This is prophetic of the Second Advent when the Lord will again redeem the people of Israel for the second time since their slavery in Egypt.
Isaiah 11:12
And He will lift up a standard for the nations
And assemble the outcasts of Israel,
And will gather the dispersed of Judah
From the four corners of the Earth.
The diaspora will be called back to Israel with a signal (Isa 18:3; 49:22; 62:10).  They will cover the vast distances under the escort of the Elect Angels.
Isaiah 62:10 Return of the Diaspora
Go through, go through the gates,
Clear the way for the people;
Build up, build up the highway,
Remove the stones; lift up a standard over the peoples!
"Go through the gates" refers to the diaspora returning from the cities of the world.  The throngs of people returning to Israel would require highways.  Actually, the Elect Angels will escort them overland.  There will be a signal, or standard, to call the people to return.
Isaiah 62:11
Behold, the LORD has proclaimed to the end of the Earth,
Say to the daughter of Zion, "Lo, your salvation comes;
Behold His reward is with Him, and His recompense before Him."
The message broadcast to all the Earth to the diaspora is that their salvation is coming.  Their salvation comes from the Lord, their Savior.  The Lord will be bringing the rewards and recompense for those who have been resurrected as well as the diaspora, who will populate Israel in the Millennium.
Isaiah 62:12
And they will call them, "The holy people,
The redeemed of the LORD;"
And you will be called, "A resort, a city not forsaken."
The diaspora who return to Israel will be called "the holy people" and  "the redeemed of the LORD."  Holy people means they are sanctified, set apart and consecrated to the Lord.  Redeemed means they have accepted the redemption solution, and they have been redeemed from the nations of the Earth.  Jerusalem will be called "a resort," which is the Hebrew  vr^D* (darash), Qal passive participle, meaning to resort to, seek – a resort.  Jerusalem will no longer be a city forsaken.

The Two Resurrections

Jesus taught about resurrection.

John 5:25  Resurrection
Truly, truly, I say to you, the hour is coming and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God, and they that hear shall live.
"Hour" refers to the period of the Hypostatic Union when Jesus was on Earth.  "The dead" are those in the tombs, like Lazarus, whom Jesus called back to life (resuscitated) (Jn 11:43-44).

"They that hear shall live" – this is the principle of resurrection, the dead bodies will be given life.  This was symbolized by the raising of Lazarus even though Lazarus was resuscitated and not actually resurrected.  This was also symbolized by the ghosts who came out of the tombs when Jesus was crucified (Matt 27:52-53).

John 5:26
For just as the Father has Eternal Life in Himself, even so He gave to the Son also to have Life in Himself;
The Humanity of the Son has the same Eternal Life as the Father because the Father has given Eternal Life to the Son (1 Jn 5:11-12).
John 5:27
and He (the Father) gave Him (Christ) authority to execute judgment, because He is the Son of Man.
Jesus Christ has the authority to Judge the living and the dead.  He will separate the sheep from the goats at the Baptism of Fire (Matt 25:31-46), and He will condemn unbelievers to the Lake of Fire at the Great White Throne Judgment (Rev 20:11-15).
John 5:28-29
28  Stop being amazed at this; for the hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs shall hear His (Christ's) voice,
29  and shall come out; those who have done intrinsic Good (faith in Christ) to a resurrection of life; they who have practiced evil to a resurrection of judgment.
The voice of Christ (Jn 5:25) will raise the dead at the Second Advent and at the Great White Throne at the end of the Millennium.  Those who have done "intrinsic Good" are believers, who produce Divine Good.  "Intrinsic Good" is the Greek a*gaqov" (agathos), for intrinsic Good, or Divine Good.  Those who practiced evil are unbelievers.  Unbelievers will be in the second resurrection at the Great White Throne Judgment (Rev. 20:11-15).

Jesus Raises Lazarus

After Lazarus died, Jesus went to visit Martha, his sister.  Martha said if Jesus had been there, her brother would not have died (Jn 11:21).  Jesus told her, "Your brother will rise again." (Jn 11:23).  Martha replied that she knew he would be in the resurrection on the last day of the Jewish Age (Jn 11:24).  Then Jesus explained the doctrine of resurrection to Martha.

John 11:25-26
25  Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me, even if he dies, will live,
26  and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die.  Do you believe this?"
Jesus said, "I am the resurrection and the life."  Jesus Himself is the source of resurrection and life.  He is the Creator of all things and the Sovereign over all Creation.  He controls life and death (Rev 1:18).

"He who believes in Me" – the one who believes in Jesus Christ has Eternal Life.  Even if the person dies, he will have resurrection life.  The person who believes in Jesus Christ will have Eternal Life, and therefore will never die.

Jesus went to the tomb of Lazarus and asked the people to remove the stone that was sealing it.  Martha protested because Lazarus had been dead for four days, and there would be a stench (Jn 11:39).

John 11:41-42
41  So they removed the stone. Then Jesus raised His eyes (looked upward), and said, "Father, I thank You that You have heard Me."
42  "I knew that You always hear Me; but because of the crowd standing around I spoke, in order that they might believe that You sent Me on a mission."
Jesus prayed audibly so those in the crowd would hear and know that the miracle was being worked at His request.  When they understood that He was sent by the Father, then they could believe in Him and receive Eternal life.
John 11:43
Having spoken these things, He cried out with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!"
Jesus called for Lazarus to come out of the tomb.  Lazarus heard His voice and came out wrapped in grave clothes.  This demonstrated what Jesus had foretold earlier in John 5:25 about resurrecting the dead.  However, Lazarus was not resurrected.  He was only resuscitated.  He later died, but he will be in the resurrection at the Second Advent.

NextNext

References

1.  Larry Wood.  Biblical Astrology, "The Planets," Jan. 17, 2011.
2.  Larry Wood.  Fire Testing, Aug. 15, 1998.

Author:  Larry Wood,   Released - Apr. 7, 2014

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