We are continuing our walk through the physics of immortality in our Bible study. This is the cornerstone of our Christian faith. Without the resurrection there is no hope of eternal life. Eternal life means that each of us, one day will have an immortal, incorruptible body just like our Lord!
Philippians 3:20-21: For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
We studied John 20:19-31 this morning, revealing how Jesus resurrected from the dead, met Mary in the garden, ascended to heaven, as our great High Priest, taking his blood atonement to be poured out upon the mercy seat. At the same time, he emptied paradise, taking the resurrected Old Testament saints with him. Ephesians 4:8-10
While in his earthly ministry, Jesus took on the role of Prophet. Matthew 13:52-58
He is currently fulfilling the role of High Priest, making intercession for us. Hebrews 4:14-16; Romans 8:34
Ultimately, he is going to return as Messiah King at the 2nd Advent. Revelation 19:11-16
Messiah King Jesus is truly Prophet, Priest, and King!
In reading John 20, we saw how Thomas was merely exercising the Exodus 4 mentality that had been drilled into the hearts and minds of all Jews for generations. All the disciples operated on the “believing is seeing” system of Jewish faith. That is why Thomas said what he said. He had to see the risen Lord himself! All of the apostles doubted and feared until they saw the risen Lord. Then, they knew he had risen from the dead, just as he prophesied he would in Matthew 12:38-40. Jesus commended Thomas for believing what he saw, but he praised those who would come after believing without seeing. That is what the Dispensation of the Grace of God is all about. We believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, based upon what we read in the Bible. The writings of the Paul, Peter, John, etc, give us all that we need to be saved and grow in our relationship with Christ.
Acts 16:31: Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved…
Romans 10:17: So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
2 Corinthians 5:6-9: Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.
Next Sunday, we will walk through Romans 8:16-32, the companion scripture to 1 Corinthians 15 concerning the resurrection. It will be awesome to compare scripture with scripture. I look forward to seeing you then!