There are two main attacks against the Apostolic teaching of the resurrection. I will deal with one of them now.
Over and over Preachers tell us the mass of scripture that teaches
THE DEAD are given life at resurrection is only talking about
DEAD BODIES AND NOT THE DEAD THEMSELVES.
Take
1 Cor. 15. Paul goes into great detail teaching us about when we are made alive. When we are given immortality. Its all about the
GOOD NEWS. The GOSPEL and the good news are one.
Lets think on this scripture:
32: If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if
the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die.
1 Cor. 15:32
How could Paul say this if he thought his "immortal soul" automatically went to be with Jesus at death?
Why would he say the Christian message would have no advantage if it were not for
THE RESURRECTION?
But Paul! Dont we go to Heaven
WHEN WE DIE? Are we not rejoicing and praising the Almighty at the throne?
Isnt the resurrection just a
SECONDARY EVENT that really adds little to the great eternal life we receive at death?
Friends Paul said IF
THE DEAD RISE NOT.
This "rising"is THE RESURRECTION PLAINLY.
He says
APART FROM THE RESURRECTION we might as well eat and drink and have fun.
Pauls
HOPE was the
RESURRECTION.
14: But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:
15: And have
hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a
resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.
Acts 24:14-15
How could Paul say there is no advantage to being a Christian if
the DEAD RISE NOT if indeed there are those who have been enjoying their eternal life and immortality right now in Heaven?
Why was not Pauls
HOPE in the fact he would have instant Heaven and eternal life at death? It obviously was not if it was
THE RESURRECTION.
Its obvious that most think THAT experience is a far greater hope than the resurrection.
See it?
There would most
CERTAINLY be advantage in being a Christian if as soon as we die we have eternal life.
But here Paul seems to not even be aware of such a thing!
He is preaching to them the
GOSPEL (good news) that he believed in.
The whole chapter he is telling us about the resurrection of THE DEAD not merely dead bodies.
What great thing would we be gaining if we had been alive in Heaven for 2000 years and then we gained a body? What were we doing in Heaven those 2000 years without one? And how would having one add anything to us when we are already immortal beings with eternal life?
If the
DEAD RISE NOT let us go party!
In this whole chapter dedicated to telling about
THE GOOD NEWS ( the gospel) there is not one word about anyone having eternal life
BEFORE THE SECOND COMING WHEN THE DEAD ARE RAISED!
There is the deception.
People are preaching
ANOTHER GOSPEL!
Pauls gospel is all about the
RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD!
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