Nature of Things

Before I start I have a question for you to think about: “Can you name three people in the Bible who Jesus raised from the dead?” Oh, don’t answer yet, I’ll put the answer below my signature. No peeking! As you think on it, think on the Scripture’s that answer the question, not just saying three names.

To start off this short topic, let’s first look at a Scripture from Hebrews 9:23-24, “It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into Heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:”

Plain Talk Bible says it like this, “It was necessary, then, for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ did not enter a man-made sanctuary that was only a copy of the true one; He entered Heaven itself, now to appear for us in God's presence.”

"There are many things in my kingdom." When customers visit a thrift store they are often aghast at the wide variety of things available for sale. My home sometimes seems the same as the thrift store. Stuff as old as dirt and as new as today. It is getting better, I think. My favorite thing to do at the “junk shop’s” as some call them, is to see value in what is rejected or undervalued. Might as well admit it I'm addicted to things! Human beings are adept at producing earthly things, they lie around in abundance all over the place.

This Verse refers to things made out of earthly elements as shadows of other things in Heaven. Hum, interesting, more things for my holy junk pile? God commanded men and women to build a place for Him to live out of stuff lying around on and in the earth. He dwelled in the place made with hands for a season in order to accomplish a certain purpose, leading the Israelites through the wilderness to the Promised Land. Earthly elements, also known as things, are decaying due to impurity. When man and women make stuff out of the earthly elements the things made are impure. In order for God to dwell in a place made by human hands out of earthly elements the dwelling has to be purified regularly. Why? When earthly meets Heavenly something has to happen. God, in His wisdom, came to earth to dwell in a tent made by human hands that had to be purified regularly. All human beings know that cleaning is a daily chore no mater how neat a person is, stuff always gets dirty and needs a good shining. After completing the lesson and fulfilling the promises God came to earth again in a different way. This time He came in a dwelling not made by human hands. When Jesus came into this world as a baby He entered earthly things in a body made of Heavenly and earthly elements put together by God. God created Himself in a form that brought His Kingdom into the earth.

Mark 1:15, “And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and Believe the Gospel.” Luke 17:21, “Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.”

The Talk: Mark 1:15 "The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!" Luke 17:21 "nor will people say, 'Here it is,' or 'There it is,' because the kingdom of God is within you."

George Eldon Lad proves the point in his book called "A Theology of the New Testament". When God came in human flesh He brought the Kingdom of God with Him so that all that Believe that Jesus is God enter into His Kingdom. Such a person is a citizen of a God's Kingdom dwelling in a foreign land. (earth) When Jesus died on the Cross and rose from the dead He returned to His Heavenly dwelling after establishing His presence on this earth and establishing a Kingdom outpost something like the Embassy of a foreign country. All who receive Him as Lord and Savior enter under His protection into His Kingdom.

"Christ did not enter a man-made sanctuary that was only a copy of the true one; He entered Heaven itself, now to appear for us in God's presence." God revealed an aspect of His personality and character to the world in a way that human beings could understand. He combined Himself with earthly elements, lived a life without stain, a life unsoiled by sin, went to the Cross as a sacrificial lamb, shed His blood so that the earthly part of Him died. In this way He used earthly things to create an entrance to His Kingdom so that all could enter into Fellowship with Him cleansed and purified of all earthly decay. Now there is no need to sacrifice any more animals for sin, there is no need for a ritualistic program. Now Christ, the aspect of God that overcame the separation between earthly things and Heavenly things, is recognizable to human beings and accessible.

“Almighty and Everlasting Father, I believe that because You have adopted me into Your Family, that death will never claim me. Help me live with new vigor and confidence knowing that satan cannot have me and death cannot claim me because I am Yours through Jesus, Your Son and my Lord, risen from the dead. In the Name of my precious Redeemer I pray. Amen.”

Dagwood944@comcast.net

“Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and He will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring Salvation to those who are waiting for Him.” Hebrews 9:27-28 (NIV)

(the widow from Nain)
John 11 - restored Lazarus

A final thought from Scripture, John 11: 25 reads like this, (Jesus said,) "I am the resurrection and the life. He who Believes in Me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and Believes in Me will never die. Do you Believe this?" Or depending which version copy you look at, Verse 26, “Whoever lives and Believes in Me will never die. Do you Believe this?"