Johann
Member
- Joined
- Oct 26, 2022
- Messages
- 380
Revelation: We Have God’s Truth (4:13, 15a)
How can mortal man penetrate beyond the grave and
find assurance and peace for his own heart? From Old
Testament days till the present, mankind has tried to
solve the riddle of death and the afterlife. Philosophers
have wrestled with the question of immortality.
Spiritists have tried to communicate with those who
have gone beyond.
In our modern world, scientists have investigated
the experiences of people who claimed to have died and
returned to life again. They have also studied occult
phenomena, hoping to find a clue to the mystery of life
after death.
Paul solved the problem when he wrote, “For this
we say unto you by the word of the Lord” (1 Thess.
4:15). We Christians need not wonder about death or
life after death, for we have a revelation from God in
His Word. Why substitute human speculation for
divine revelation?
It is important to note that the revelation concerning
death and the afterlife was not given all at one time.
Many cults use verses from the Psalms and Ecclesiastes to
“prove” their false doctrines. These verses seem to teach
that the grave is the end, or that the soul “sleeps” till the
resurrection. We must keep in mind that God’s revelation
was gradual and progressive, and that it climaxed in the
coming of Christ “who abolished death and brought life
and immortality to light through the gospel” (2 Tim.
1:10 nasb). We look to Christ and the New Testament
for the complete revelation concerning death.
God gave Paul a special revelation concerning the
resurrection and the return of Christ (see 1 Cor.
15:51–54). What Paul taught agreed with what Jesus
taught (John 5:24–29; 11:21–27). And God’s revelation is based on the historic fact of Christ’s
resurrection. Since our Savior has conquered death, we
need not fear death or the future (1 Cor. 15:12ff.). The
authority of God’s Word gives us the assurance and
comfort we need.
Wiersbe
See, short.
How can mortal man penetrate beyond the grave and
find assurance and peace for his own heart? From Old
Testament days till the present, mankind has tried to
solve the riddle of death and the afterlife. Philosophers
have wrestled with the question of immortality.
Spiritists have tried to communicate with those who
have gone beyond.
In our modern world, scientists have investigated
the experiences of people who claimed to have died and
returned to life again. They have also studied occult
phenomena, hoping to find a clue to the mystery of life
after death.
Paul solved the problem when he wrote, “For this
we say unto you by the word of the Lord” (1 Thess.
4:15). We Christians need not wonder about death or
life after death, for we have a revelation from God in
His Word. Why substitute human speculation for
divine revelation?
It is important to note that the revelation concerning
death and the afterlife was not given all at one time.
Many cults use verses from the Psalms and Ecclesiastes to
“prove” their false doctrines. These verses seem to teach
that the grave is the end, or that the soul “sleeps” till the
resurrection. We must keep in mind that God’s revelation
was gradual and progressive, and that it climaxed in the
coming of Christ “who abolished death and brought life
and immortality to light through the gospel” (2 Tim.
1:10 nasb). We look to Christ and the New Testament
for the complete revelation concerning death.
God gave Paul a special revelation concerning the
resurrection and the return of Christ (see 1 Cor.
15:51–54). What Paul taught agreed with what Jesus
taught (John 5:24–29; 11:21–27). And God’s revelation is based on the historic fact of Christ’s
resurrection. Since our Savior has conquered death, we
need not fear death or the future (1 Cor. 15:12ff.). The
authority of God’s Word gives us the assurance and
comfort we need.
Wiersbe
See, short.
