Question #1:
Dear Bob
Thanks for keeping me informed of recent postings; for sure I'll study this lesson right now and I wanna ask you a question about the memory in the Heaven. Will we forget all about our life here in the earth? My pastor says yes we'll not have memory in the Heaven but in the Hades they'll remember all about the life here and the sins. So I am studying and searching answers about this. I'm not sure about this, because how do we receive the reward of faith if we don't have memory about the life and who we were here? Do you have studies on this topic?
Best wishes for a wonderful spring too, and I'll keep my prays for you in Jesus Christ our Savior
Response #1:
Thanks for your prayers!
As to your question, it is inconceivable to me that we will not remember everything in heaven, and in this I think I have the Spirit. After all, we will be judged (for reward) at the bema of Christ wherein all of our prior actions, thoughts and words will be evaluated of little meaning if we don't remember. Also, we hope to win rewards for what we have done for Christ "his way" on this earth are we not to remember why/how we won them? The rich man in Hades recognizes Abraham in paradise and Abraham remembers Moses and also knows about Lazarus' difficulties even though he did not experience them himself. The martyrs of the Great Tribulation in Revelation 6 & 7 petition the Lord to be avenged for their deaths so surely they remember these events. One could on. Virtually every mention of the eternal state and life after death in the Bible presupposes memory of this life. I will say that we will not be pained by these memories in any way; our perspective in eternity will be quite different from what it is now, so that the things we may wish to forget will not be a problem to have in memory then although we may almost never "call them to mind". That, I think, is the true meaning of this verse your pastor probably has in mind:
For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; And the former things will not be remembered or come to mind.
Isaiah 65:17 NASB
I.e., by comparison with all that is coming, we will not spend our time in eternity dwelling on the past. That does not mean that remembering will be either impossible or never happen. For anyone who wants to get overly technical about this verse, it may be noted that the verbs of the second part are imperfects and can be translated "will not [repeatedly] be remembered nor [continually] be coming to mind" a rendering which fortifies what I have said above.
Finally, Jesus Christ has already died for us in this life, this time, this world. The cross is the foundation of all things and the smallest part of what our Lord did for us in dying for us in Calvary's darkness is bigger than innumerable universes or anything and everything a human mind could ever conceive. Please don't tell me I'm not going to remember the blood of Christ. Eternity is not long enough to praise Him for what He has done for us.
In Jesus our dear Lord and Savior,
Bob L.
Question #2:
Hi Bob,
Thank you so much for your reply, I don΄t have words to say how grateful I am. My English is limited to express my gratitude, thank you for spending time answering my e-mails; your words clarified my doubts about what my Pastor says. I want to learn more of God΄s Word and your studies and your dedication are helping me a lot. I want to know more and more about our Master and Savior and about the Kingdom of Heaven. At the risk of being repetitive the Ichthys daily study gave me a new perspective of our Lord and his kingdom.
When I heard my Pastor teaching this about the memory I thought "it's impossible" and in the same time I thought " DR. Bob can help me for sure" so I wrote to you. Thanks a lot Bob for elucidating this point. I don΄t want forget the blood of Christ and his mercy and grace. Despite the tears and pain that we suffer here I want to remember the grace of our Lord and thank all eternity for the price paid on the cross.
Muito obrigado Dr. Bob, thanks a lot
Em Nosso Senhor e Salvador Jesus Cristo
PS: I never had English classes, just learned by reading books and watching movies so sorry for my errors.
Response #2:
You're most welcome!
Thanks much for your good and encouraging words.
And by the way your English is better than that of many of my American university students.
Keep fighting the good fight of faith in Jesus Christ our Lord!
Bob L.
Question #3:
Hi Bob,
I'm concerned that this will happen during the millennium:
(1) I will read a great book.
(2) I will want to ask someone where can I speak to the author.
(3) I will be told that the author is dead.
(4) I will infer that therefore the author is in Hell.
Will this be capable of disturbing us in the resurrection?
Sincerely,
Response #3:
I guarantee you nothing will disturb us after we pass from these corruptible bodies:
"They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat; for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."
Revelation 7:17 NIV"And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away."
Revelation 21:4 NIV
Our knowledge in resurrection will be more extensive than we can presently comprehend (cf. 1Cor.13:12), so we will no doubt know who is who and who is where at that point. Unbelievers will not be in "hell" in the sense of the lake of fire until after the Millennium (they will be in Torments after departing this life, awaiting the judgment). And we will all be present to watch the last judgment wherein it will be made very clear in each case that all who are bound for the lake of fire really wouldn't have it any other way: they want eternal life, but without God and that is impossible. We will know all these things, but that knowledge will not be able to take away the smallest part of the eternal bliss we shall experience in the presence of our dear Lord and Savior Jesus Christ forevermore.
In anticipation of that blessed day.
Yours in our dear Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
Bob L.
Question #4:
Hello Dr. Luginbill,
I hope all is well with you and your ministry, for it has been a blessing for me whenever I want to grow in the knowledge of the Lord.
I can't remember where I heard or read this, but someone had stated that the reason why the planets in our universe are inhabitable is partly because of the fall. It was also said that in the Eternal State, we will served God in an endless new universe inhabited by new life forms. God will continue to create after the new heavens and the new earth, while we serve Him in ways we are not now aware of. When I hear this, I don't know of any passage in scripture that states this. I only know of what it written in Revelation with regards to the eternal state, but then it doesn't say more about eternity than that. I know we will served God in new bodies that will never grow weary or tired, I just don't know what else is beyond that. I know that God has promised us eternal joy and I may want to leave it at that. Your replies are always helpful, and thank you in advance!
God Bless,
Response #4:
All I know about the eternal state is what is found in Revelation, and that is written up in Coming Tribulation part 6 at the link: "New Jerusalem and the Eternal State". It's enjoyable to speculate about these things, and I for one would not be surprised if we will be able to zip back and forth across the universe in eternity Jesus rose from earth to the third heaven in a resurrection body, and we are promised one just like His (1Jn.3:2). However, God the Father and our dear Lord Jesus will be in New Jerusalem. That will be the center of the universe and the best place with the best fellowship and the place of our inheritance. Whatever might or might not be happening in the rest of the universe and whether or not it will be ours to explore and enjoy, the best part has already been revealed: being in the presence of the Father and the Son in the perfect place designed just for us and built by God Himself.
In anticipation of that glorious day to come!
Bob L.
Question #5:
Hello,
I have read all of SR and CT and I'm now working my way down Bible Basics. I'd like to thank you again, Ichthys has expanded my knowledge on scripture and history.
I was recently listening to "I Can Only Imagine" by MercyMe, and it made me think; how will we react to the 2nd Advent? Will it be an explosion of overwhelming human emotions, or God forbid, possibly underwhelming? It's an interesting thought, how we will react to seeing our very creator face to face. I'd like to think it's similar to an adopted child, as an adult finally seeing his biological mother for the first time, but multiplied by a million! Will boredom exist in the eternal state with God? If the universe is finite, will there be a point when you have experienced everything there is to experience? How will we continue to have things to do for eternity? I can't wrap my head around it.
Thanks,
God bless your fruitful ministry.
Response #5:
Hello Friend,
You're very welcome, and thanks much for your kind words. As to your questions, we will be resurrected at the time of the second advent. That will have enormous repercussions about which we can now only guess. We won't be emotionally unstable and we won't be capable of unhappiness in any way much less boredom. What eternity will be like for us is only hinted at in scripture, but we know enough to be able to say with confidence that it is "much better by far" to be with Christ even before the resurrection (Phil.1:23).
But as it is written:
"Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,
Nor have entered into the heart of man
The things which God has prepared for those who love Him."
1st Corinthians 2:9 NKJV
Yours in our dear Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
Bob L.
Question #6:
As for the resurrection of the soul Paul says these body of flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, and he taught that. The resurrection body is spiritual. When Jesus was resurrected, I see he could eat fish and put on clothing and interact with his contemporaries for those 40 days or so. Does it mean that the Spiritual body, our resurrected bodies, will be characterized in a way that we can thirst or hunger? Even revelation 22 shows the same .
Response #6:
The resurrection body will be "more" in every way and not "less" in anyway. It is much to be anticipated and is the foundation of our hope: the resurrection of the dead. The term Paul uses in 1st Corinthians chapter fifteen, "spiritual body", has often been terribly misconstrued. It doesn't mean that our eternal body will not be substantial. It does mean that it will not be corruptible. It will be a real body and incorruptible, one "attuned to our spirit" in a way not true of our present corruptible body because of the current interference of the sin nature. But as you rightly demonstrate from a comparison with our Lord's new body, there will be no lack of physicality, merely a lack of temporariness and of sin. Here are two important links for this:
Keep running the good race, my friend! There is much to look forward to when our Lord rewards us on that great day to come.
In Jesus our dear Savior,
Bob L.
Question #7:
Hullo Bob, how are you all?
I have been busy doing an online Bible course with Living Stream Ministries, originally from Watchman Nee. I found it an excellent way of studying and uncovering truths. I am never happy unless unveiling Scripture! Awhile ago I discovered 1Corinthians 15:45 " the first Adam became a living soul, the second Adam became a life giving Spirit " , then 2 Corinthians 3:17 " the Lord is the Spirit, where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty " .. The ministry teachings are that after resurrection the Lord became the life giving Spirit...after the processes of incarnation, human living, crucifixion resurrection and ascension the Lord is now, pneuma, the breath. Through all these processes Christ is now able to get into the human spirits of the believers as the life giving Spirit! Romans 1:4 says " who was designated the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness out of the resurrection of the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord " the power to the Spirit of holiness was so great, to transform the humanity of Christ to the divine life giving Spirit of the Lord Jesus.. In other words He should become humanly divine !
Bob, I really feel I've been " done in the eye" by Christianity. These truths have been unveiled to me after nearly 30 years of Christianity! I realise I am not alone in this wonderful unveiling and have decided to write a book on the truths of the life giving Spirit being the key to open our hearts to the Spirit of God. I still feel I don't know enough ! I need to know, to EAT the whole Bible before I can spread the word further. I would so like your opinion on the ministry and what you think about my writing a book about my experiences. Could you let me know your thoughts on this please? How is your family?
Greetings to you all in our precious Lord Jesus.
Response #7:
Good to hear from you, my friend. I have been keeping you in my prayers day by day. Me and mine are hanging in there, endeavoring to persevere.
Here is what I read in scripture:
Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.
1st John 3:2 NIV
Christ is our role model in all things and our precursor in resurrection. We will be resurrected precisely as He was only without any delay in glorification. Since that is what this verse above says directly and since that is what is affirmed elsewhere in scripture wherever the subject of the resurrection comes up, we can be confident that Paul's reference in 1st Corinthians 15:45 is meant along the same lines, and is referring to the difference in body between those of the first and last Adams (once resurrected): our first body is psychikon adapted to the earthly life (and corrupt since the fall); our second, resurrection body is pneumatikon adapted to the eternal life we will have with our Lord forever. But it too is a genuine, real, tangible body, just as we see our Lord enjoying after He rises from the dead (only without any delay in glorification for us, as mentioned above). Here is something from *Transmutation, Resuscitation, and Resurrection (from response #2, point #4):
4. "Life giving spirit" this refers precisely to the "spiritual body" mentioned later; the problem for this person's interpretation is the assumption about what "materiality" and "spirituality" are. Angels are "spiritual" but yet they exist within the "material" universe. And even though our present existence is centered on and in the material earth, we human beings also have spirits in addition to our bodies (and thus will it ever be). Clearly then, the traditional misunderstanding of these two categories cannot be pressed into service as a proof in and of itself. What we can say is what I have said above, namely that our bodies change in resurrection to be more in tune with the heavenly or spiritual side of our nature in contrast to the present state of things where they are more in tune with the earthly or material side of our natures. But we will still always have real bodies in resurrection, only better ones like Jesus.
I also have a lot more on these subjects at the following links:
Yours in our dear Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
Bob L.
Question #8:
Hi Dr. Luginbill,
The holidays are upon us and I hope you have a most groovy and safe time!
My question to you is: how difficult is it for our spirit to leave our body?
Recently a close relative passed. He had stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer and the only thing that could be done was to make him comfortable as possible. Watching him pass was the most difficult thing I think I have ever done! We of us were holding him at that moment and he was shaking and struggling ( not convulsing necessarily ) maybe shuddering hard . Until his last breath. Watching his eyes was painful as he struggled to leave. Ive had some other relatives pass, but I was never present. This time I sure was shook up. Death, this time, really hit home. Does the Bible have scripture to tell us? Other than the ones where the demons are told to depart and they scream, holler and shake.
You truly are a blessed man Dr. Luginbill, may the Lord keep you safe!
Response #8:
I'm very sorry to hear of your loss.
You are correct that the spirit leaving the body constitutes death from a biblical perspective (just as there is no "human life" per se until God places the spirit into the body at the point of physical birth). However, I don't know of anything in scripture which would indicate that the spirit's departure is a troubling or painful thing. We all return to the Lord at the exact right time of His choosing, and we may be assured that it is all working out for good for those of us who love Him (Rom.8:28).
Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints.
Psalm 116:15
The Lord's provision of grace to us when we die is something Christians may count on. Clearly, if we are also absolutely certain of our eternal future, we will be able to comfort those who are present to comfort us, filling them with hope when they see the courage with which we face the end because we have no doubt whatsoever that it is "better by far to be with Christ" (Phil.1:23).
None of us can know about all of these matters to the degree that we would like this side of heaven, but I feel confident in saying that whatever physical difficulties we have in the process of going home to be with the Lord, even though these may be very painful, such pain and trouble is connected with this earthly body and this present, temporary world alone. Directly on the other side we will be blissfully happy forevermore.
"He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death' or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."
Revelation 21:4 NIV
Thanks for your good words and good wishes. Here's wishing you and yours a blessed happy time this Christmas as well!
Yours in our dear Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
Bob L.
Question #9:
Hi Bob. Have just got up to your most excellent reading on " Angelic pre-history " really really just the very thing I have been studying. Witness Lee teaches that we humans all have an organ called a " human spirit " specially given to us so that we can communicate with God. He also teaches from 1Corinthians 15:45b that " the second Adam became a life giving Spirit " and 2Corinthians 3:17 " now the Lord is that Spirit and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty " I found those Scriptures 5 years ago and must say they are wonderful in that the Lord , being the Spirit, is now able to get into man for his salvation. Which if He had still been in the flesh, would not have been possible. I realise in His ascension His humanity has become divine and is thus Spiritual? Be glad of your comments on this and if required you could put my letter out for discussion? Thank you for your wonderful work. Love in Him,
Response #9:
All human beings do indeed have a human spirit; this is the "us" inside and contains the image of God (see the link: in BB 3A, "The Creation of Adam"). Until we are born again and receive the Spirit, however, it is not possible to know "the things of God". Why? Because "they are spiritually discerned" (1Cor.2:14), that is, by means of the Holy Spirit communicating to our human spirit (this is all covered in BB 5 at the links: "Gospel Epistemology" and "Spiritual Growth Epistemology")
Thanks for your good words, my friend!
Yours in our dear Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
Bob L.
Question #10:
Hi Bob,
After your email about hell and the fate of unbelievers, I was reading the account of Lazarus and the rich man, when I noticed that in verse 22 it states that the angels had to carry Lazarus to Abraham's side.
This seems to imply that one is transported by angels to wherever one's eternal destination is. Do you have more information?
Sincerely,
Response #10:
It's a very interesting detail which is often overlooked so good for you for noticing it. Yes, it seems that until we have our resurrection bodies, being brought to heaven by angels is a necessity (the interim body does not have the same capabilities as the resurrection body will have). I'm not aware of any other passages which shed any additional light on the verse in question. However, the third heaven is only a temporary destination. Our eternal future will be focused on the earth, the new earth, in the New Jerusalem with the Son and the Father after His advent at the end of history.
Yours in our dear Savior Jesus Christ,
Bob L.
Question #11:
I also wanted to ask you about the resurrection body. I have read your email postings on the subject and have a decent grasp of it. I wonder if it is appropriate for a believer to think of the resurrection body as something to look forward to, as a part of our reward? Our bodies here are imperfect, subject to illnesses, injuries. Of course vanity and pride always need to be kept in check, we shouldn't just think of being healthy and beautiful in eternity, but it would surely be a joy to be free of all the problems that we face in this world. Also, since it is clear from the scripture that our resurrection body will be in some ways similar to our earthly body, I have also been wondering if any current problems can be inherited from it also.
Response #11:
About the resurrection body, it is absolutely the focus of our hope; our hope is to have life forever, to be resurrected, to be with the Lord forever, seeing Him face to face. The new body is essential to all that, and will be the basis of our ability to enjoy all the wonderful things that "God has prepared for those who love Him" (1Cor.2:9; cf. Eph.2:7). It is, so to speak, the foundation upon which our eternal life and rewards will be built (so that scripture actually calls the resurrection "the possession": Eph.1:14; 1Thes.5:9; 2Thes.2:14; cf. Acts 20:28; Heb.10:39; 1Pet.2:9).
In my reading of what scripture has to say about this, everything to be anticipated is wonderful, and no problems or troubles of any kind will be found in eternity especially not in our perfect new bodies. We have nothing to fear and everything to joyously anticipate. I also believe it will all be far better that we can possibly have any idea at present.
In longing for that great day to come in Jesus Christ,
Bob L.
Question #12:
Hello Dr. Luginbill,
Thank you for sharing your knowledge of scripture with me. I don't think I've ever learned so much about the bible from anyone else but you, and for this I am very grateful. I am now better prepared to defend the Word of God more than ever. I was reading the bible when I came across this verse that piqued my interest:
"For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. (2 Corinthians 5:1)"
When Jesus said that he goes to prepare a place for us, was He referring to a heavenly body? And will our rewards have something to do with our glorified body? The bible tells me that all believers will be clothed with immortality, but I often wonder if each person's glorified body will have different capabilities based on their rewards, to better help serve the Lord. Are there biblical prooftexts for this?
God Bless,
Response #12:
It is true that our inheritance in the New Jerusalem and the perfect, eternal body we shall have are not to be seen as separate things, nor as essential differentiated from the rewards scripture promises to those who fulfill the missions the Lord has for us here in this life (for the details, please see the link: "The Judgment and Reward of the Church").
There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead.
1st Corinthians 15:41-42 KJV
As explained at the link, there are twelve gates to the New Jerusalem each representing a different order of achievement having to do with the three crowns of reward given for success in spiritual growth, progress and production. The rewards we win in this life are eternal, meaning that they are ours forever. So while I know of no verse which details different abilities in eternity (we will all have a perfect eternal body which is just like Jesus Christ's; see the link: "The Resurrection"), we will all be clearly distinguished one from another by what we have achieved through the rewards and residences and "new names" we shall have as a result. I would not be surprised to find out that this entails all manner of distinction in privileges (rather than abilities), but scripture leaves out most of those details no doubt for good reason or we would probably think about little else. As it is, we have to apply these truths with determination in our daily walk with the Lord in order to keep up the legitimate (and necessary) "reward motivation" to see us through.
Thank you for all your kind words,!
Keeping you and your family in my prayers day by day.
In Jesus Christ our Lord,
Bob L.
Question #13:
Hi Bob,
Bob, in the millennium and in the new world, it will be a physical world, correct? If that be the case, what form will the angels have since they are spiritual, and what would be their duties?
Response #13:
Always good to hear from you, my friend! Hope you are doing well.
While we aren't told, I would imagine that there will be plenty of involvement of elect angels in the world after all, there is today (we just cannot see it). Since the fallen angels will all be imprisoned during this time, there will be less for the elect angels to do on the score of protection (no satanic attack, anyway), and of course the Millennium will be safer (no attacks by wild animals and minimal crime), but guardian angels will still have their specific duties we may imagine. We will certainly be able to see the elect angels after being resurrected; doubtful, however, if those living out their physical lives during the Millennium will be able to do so. We are told that we will "judge angels" (1Cor.6:3), which I take to mean that believers in resurrection will be directing the elect angels who come under their authority (and that will depend in turn on the rewards we earn in this life).
As to the whole "physical/spiritual" dichotomy, this is a standard Aristotelian way of looking at things which at least since Augustine has colored the way Christian theologians have seen these issues. However, angels, while not possessing physical bodies as we do (every human being having a spirit within a tangible, visible body), they do have something which it is hard not to call a "body", even though it is not material in the sense that ours are. After all, they are confined to one place at a time, and have a definite one might almost say "physical" appearance which does not appear to change they are recognizable as who they are. They have to navigate from place to place in what is no different from what we would call a "physical" way, even if they do use supernatural means to do so. And they can interact and affect physical things, appearing as visible from time to time, moving stones, sending down fire, preventing things from happening, etc. So they do have "something" within which they have their existence, and that "something" is definitely confined to time and space just as our bodies and spirits are. Whatever the "spiritual nature" of angelic forms is, therefore, it is decidedly different from God who is "spirit" and who is not confined to time and space (which He invented and created). There is more about all this at the following link: "The nature of angels". See also "Satan's Fall from Grace".
Trust you are enjoying some good spring weather out there in the west (of KY, anyway).
Your friend in Jesus Christ,
Bob L.
Question #14:
Hello Dr. Luginbill, I pray all is well with you and your ministry.
I was going over a few Biblical studies on the topic of Angels, and I began to wonder how it was possible for the Angels in Genesis 6 to have fathered children and mate with human women, if Angel's bodies are spiritual in nature? On one side of the equation, I see that the Angels can interact with our world (e.g. eating, cooking, fighting) and on the other side, they seem to lust and long for bodies to host (e.g wondering spirits and human & animal possession).
So my questions are:
1) What is the difference with the bodies that we humans have and the spiritual bodies that the Angels have?
2) Was it just the Angels of Genesis 6 that lost their abode and became spirits without bodies? (e.g the Demons that pleaded to Jesus to enter the swine)
3) How will the birth of the Anti-Christ differ from the miraculous birth of the Jesus?
4) In what way was the Theophany of Jesus different from his resurrected Body?
5) What was it about physical bodies that Satan and his Angels became so obsessed with?
Thanks as always!
Response #14:
Hello Friend,
Always good go hear from you. As to your questions, as I have often pointed out the distinction in medieval theology between "spiritual and physical" is very misleading, not biblical, and, in this case, quite unhelpful. Angels are "spirits" but their "spiritual bodies" are not "immaterial" in the way that God is spirit and immaterial. They have definite shapes, can affect the material world, can only be in one place at a time, etc. Clearly, their "bodies" are different from ours and not nearly as limited as ours, but ours have some advantages too. People always seem to want what they don't have, and if they reject God's authority in going after it, they become obsessive about it (= your Q #5). I can't tell you precisely why Satan and company find the prospect of closer interaction with the material world so appealing, but I can say that it seems to be the case; and I note that many human beings lust after all manner of things they don't have or can't have without great cost or can't have without violating God's will or man's law. Angels are psychically similar to us, so it stands to reason that they would be capable of obsession in similar ways. We can't really appreciate what it is not to smell, taste and touch through an earthly human body because we have one. Angels have bodies too, but they are different; they can only be termed "immaterial" in the sense that they are not tangibly earthly and visible as ours our. When our Lord appeared before the incarnation, it was just that, an appearance (no angelic body). When He was born into this world, He took on a human body and a human nature just as we have except without sin and just as He and we always will have as a result. Antichrist and all of the nephilim are not truly human nor entirely angelic; they are hybrids of the two. Christ's human nature was perfectly formed by the Holy Spirit (and God after all is the originator of human beings in the first place, it needn't be said). The beast will have a human body in one half of his nature but an angelic one in the other (fathered by Satan on a willing human mother, just as in the case of the nephilim). The phrase in Jude 1:6 KJV "kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation" is referring to the rebellion detailed in Genesis chapter six. The imprisonment in Tartarus of the fallen angels involved in the devil's attempted destruction of the human race through such corruption is the result of their rebellion; this same punishment has apparently been handed out also at other times, and the demons still at large are terrified of being so incarcerated (cf. Lk.8:31). Many if not all will be loosed temporarily during the Tribulation. But as for us, we will forever enjoy a body just like our Lord's. It will be better in every way than what we now possess and not less in any way. The delights of the New Jerusalem outlined in the book of Revelation are tangible in every way, and we will enjoy them in a physical fashion only without sin or death or tears or any our present limitations.
I believe this addresses all of your questions, but let me give you a couple of key links for further detail:
The nature of angels.
The nature of the resurrection.
Christ's incarnation and virgin birth.
Antichrist's paternal origin.
Satan's attack on the human line (the nephilim).
Satan's revolutionary platform.
Do feel free to write me back about any of this, especially if I've overlooked or misunderstood any of your concerns (a lot of ground covered here).
Yours in our dear Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
Bob L.
Question #15:
I'm not clear about Thiessen's point on the constitution of the resurrected body:
Some details may be mentioned from 1 Cor.15 (1) It will not be composed of flesh and blood (vss. 50f.). Christ took on him flesh and blood (Heb 2:14), but after his resurrection he speaks of his body as composed of flesh and bones (Luke 24:39).
So on the one hand Paul says that "flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God", and on the other our Lord had "flesh and blood" after His resurrection. Thiessen, if I understand this correctly, seems to contrast "flesh and blood" with "flesh and bones", but it's a contrast I find difficult to understand.
Response #15:
It seems clear to me that when Paul says this in 1st Corinthians 15:50 he means "[this present] flesh and blood" or "flesh and blood [as we all clearly have it now]". For as he says in the second half of the verse, "nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable". I'm not sure how else Paul was supposed to say this, namely, that the body we will have will be different from the one we now have. It is very clear from our Lord's resurrection appearances that He has a real body (however we want to characterize it). He is not a ghost nor is He an angel He, in His humanity, remains human in every way, only without the perishable limitations of the present body we still inhabit and with the wonderful additional benefits of the resurrection body. Whether that body will have actual blood or not seems to me to be a point of no particular moment. It's plainly impossible to tell from what scripture says about it. The passages quoted don't rule that either in or out, but it clearly has nothing to do with the wonderful future we are given to anticipate by what scripture does have to say. There is much we do not yet know. But we know all we need to know to help us motivate ourselves to perseverance and persistence in growth, progress and production for the Lord.
Question #16:
Hi Dr.
I hope all is well. I am doing some studying and one of my cross reference mentioned Heb 11:34-38. I read the passages and understood it all the way to verse 40. It doesn't seem to flow to me.
v.39 And all these, "though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, v.40 since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect. (ESV)
Can you expound on 40b "apart from us they should not be made perfect"? I take 40a to mean that apart from the Cross the OT believers were not made perfect even though they were believers. They can only be made perfect once the finish work of Christ was done. If that is the case for 40a, what does apart from us mean in 40b?
Thank you very much and God bless you in Christ our Lord.
Response #16:
I take this to be a reference to the resurrection and the attendant rewards/inheritance to which all believers look forward in anticipation. If the OT believers had been resurrected and rewarded already, where would that leave us? As it is, the entire Church must be completed until that glorious day when this flesh takes on immortality and we stand before the Lord to be rewarded for "the things done in the body" (2Cor.5:10).
In eager anticipation of that wondrous day to come.
In Jesus our dear Lord.
Bob L.
Question #17:
Dr. Luginbill: Hello from Tucson...It has been some time since we have had a chance to fellowship via 'cyberspace'. I would like your spiritual knowledge concerning the verse from Romans pasted below. Paraphrasing you....*'the fallen angels will be replaced by saved and redeemed mankind.' (hope I didn't mess that up). Would that have anything to do with your revelation*; and could you explain the gist of what the Apostle Paul meant by his revelation concerning the 'manifestation of the sons of God'?
For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God." Rom 8:19
Thank you for your blessed website and dedication to the knowledge and understanding of our God and His wonderful Son Jesus. Sincerely,
This website below is the source of the PDF file attached.
http://www.great-commission-ministries.org/gcmo/ John Roy Bohlen (author)
Note: I would like your opinion.
Response #17:
It's good to hear from you. I hope you and yours are doing well.
As to your question, the phrase in Romans 8:19, "manifestation of the sons of God", is explained later in the context in verse twenty-one: "the glorious liberty of the children of God" (KJV) wherein our adoption comes to full fruit and our bodies are redeemed in other words, the resurrection which occurs at Christ's return. Here is how I have translated these verses in context:
(18) For I do not consider these present hardships in any way comparable to the glory destined to be revealed for us [at the 2nd Advent]. (19) For all creation eagerly awaits the revelation of the sons of God. (20) For the created world is now subject to futility not of its own choosing, but because of Him who subjected it [as a consequence of Adam's sin] but not without hope. (21) For [at the 2nd Advent] the created world will be liberated from its enslavement to decay at the glorious liberation of the sons of God (i.e. our resurrection). (22) For we know that the whole creation has been experiencing intense pain and agony right up until this present time. (23) And not only the created world, but we too who have received the Holy Spirit as a foretaste [of the good things to come] agonize within ourselves as we eagerly await our adoption, that is, the redemption of our body (i.e. resurrection). (24) This is the hope with which we were saved.
Romans 8:18-24a
So as is easily seen from viewing this passage in its context, Paul is speaking here about the resurrection. That is the hope in which we are saved; that is when we, the Church, will be revealed (along with the revelation of our Lord); that is when we will be liberated from this present body of sin and decay and receive the experiential fulfillment of our adoption when this corruption puts on incorruption.
As to the replacement of fallen angels by saved human beings, that is an interpretation of the scriptures not a revelation no one today is being given independent communication of truth from God which is not already present in scripture for all to discover with the same hard work and help from the Spirit. But I don't see any direct commonality between that development and this passage you ask about.
As to the file you attached, I can't give you much guidance (I only perused it quickly) except to say that I was several pages into the document and still didn't see that they provided any answer to the question they posed (i.e., what does this phrase mean?); nor did I find a clear answer later on as I scanned the middle and jumped to the end (nothing that had anything to do with the actual answer, at any rate: this passage refers to the resurrection clearly enough from the context). This is typical of sermons (and cults). So my only advice would be to studiously avoid all those who attempt to make things look appealing and interesting but who never allow you to do much more than catch a glimpse of the "secret wisdom" they possess. In all such cases, there is no actual wisdom there at all.
Yours in our dear Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
Bob L.
Question #18:
Dr. Luginbill-I hope I don't appear to be as Paul teaches....*
Eph. 4:14 so that we may no longer be children, *tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Eph. 4:15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ...
I accepted the Lord Jesus Christ at 5 years old at the first Baptist church and even though I strayed from the Lord at times through the years, I became a student of the bible and always sought sound doctrine, because I read the source of all 'truth', which is God's word....the bible. However, from time to time I run across publications like the one sent to you and thank God I haven't' been swayed or deceived by them. But to the unbeliever, or one who hasn't diligently searched the scripture, it can be fatal, but I know that you speak the truth in love. I am blessed in as so, from time to time I can consult you on these spiritual matters.
Thank you for your reply Robert. Here, there or in the air....In Him,
p.s., I often wondered later on if the 'second and third' baptist churches were inferior to the 'first'.
Response #18:
You're very welcome, my friend.
As to unbelievers: God provides the truth for all who are truly interested in receiving it, and no one can out-persuade or out-clarify the Holy Spirit.
In my opinion, first, second or third are all equal equally problematic, that is.
In Jesus Christ our dear Lord and Savior,
Bob L.
Question #19:
For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to human standards in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit.
1st Peter 4:6
Why were the righteous in Abraham's Bosom, "Judged according to human standards," as opposed to God's standards?
Response #19:
The "dead" in this passage are unbelievers physically alive (but spiritually dead); the gospel is preached to them in order that they may feel "conviction" while they still have an opportunity to turn to the Lord and so "live through God's grace by the saving instrumentality of the Holy Spirit". Here is a link to where the details are explained: "Gospel preached to 'the dead'". This is one of the most widely misunderstood passages in scripture (which is saying a good deal), so please do have a look at the link, especially if this brief reply doesn't make the correct interpretation seem patently obvious after the fact. One last thing. Believers who go to be with the Lord today (as in Peter's day) go into the presence of the Lord in heaven, now that all sin has actually been atoned for (see the link: transfer of believers from the paradise to the heaven at the ascension).
Yours in our dear Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
Bob L.
Question #20:
On page 337 when distinguishing between physical, spiritual and eternal death, Thiessen writes:
Spiritual death is that spiritual state in which one finds oneself before salvation. It is spoken of as being "dead" in trespasses and sins (Eph. 2:1, 5). Jesus said, "Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear shall live" (John 5:25).
So it seems that Thiessen takes John 5:25 as referring to the point of salvation rather than resurrection - do you agree with such an interpretation?
Response #20:
It almost seems as if he picked the wrong verse (maybe by accident)? Clearly, John 5:25 has nothing to do with living unbelievers, namely, those who are now physically alive but not spiritually alive, not having been born again.
Question #21:
Ok, understood. But this has prompted me to ask you about explanation of John 5:25 - could you clarify it? Some propose that it is not about resurrection, but about the resuscitation of those who came to life after the crucifixion of our Lord. I'm also not clear about what is meant by "those who hear", as if not everyone was able to hear.
Response #21:
It's definitely talking about the resurrection which will take place when our Lord returns.
Question #22:
But why does He say "those who hear"?
Response #22:
At the resurrection "the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first" (1Thes.4:16 NIV). So the call will go out verbally, but only those dead who are saved will hear and come to life (i.e., have their spirits reunited with a transformed body in resurrection) so I take the "hearing" in John 5:25 to be the same thing but put from the standpoint of those resurrected instead of the Lord and His archangel giving the command/call to rise up. I wouldn't rule out an interpretation here which concluded that only those who were willing to "hear" in this life are going to be raised at our Lord's return. I do think that is certainly the implication, but the passage is about the resurrection.
Question #23:
Hi Bob,
The Old Testament says that Elijah ascended to heaven, however, according to Christian theology, all deceased believers lived in Paradise before Christ.
Sincerely,
Response #23:
Elijah's physical body was preserved "in heaven" (as Moses' had been); his spirit was taken to paradise where he resided in an interim body before the ascension of Christ.
Elijah was removed from the presence of Elisha by the fiery chariot which went up "heavenward" or into the sky; but he did not reach the third heaven before Christ (2Ki.2:12 doesn't say that he did). For more on the word "heaven" and the "three heavens" see the link.
Yours in our dear Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
Bob L.
Question #24:
Deut 34:6 "And Moses the servant of the Lord died there in Moab, as the Lord had said. 6 He buried him in Moab, in the valley opposite Beth Peor, but to this day no one knows where his grave is." ESV translation.
Why did God bury Moses body and then have the Archangel Michael move his body? I am just curious why God did not move the body himself to his resting place prior to his resuscitation. Just a thought that came in my mind when reading your CT section on the two witness.
Response #24:
It depends on what is meant by "bury". I take it that the bodies of the two witnesses are "buried" in heaven. The Hebrew word here is qabhar, and it means more "to entomb" than to "bury in the dirt"; that is something we are wrongly implying since the English word carries the connotation of placing something below ground (body or not), whereas this Hebrew root means to protect (the body) within an enclosure. When we are speaking of God, that "enclosure" does not need to be on the earth nor made of physical material but given the importance of Moses' return it is understandable that the evil one would wish to cut short that process of safeguarding Moses' body.
Question #25:
Bob, when it comes to our resurrected bodies during the Millennium am I understanding correctly that along with the 144 hundred thousand of every tribe, there is an innumerable body of the redeemed of the Lord that will share in the government of Jesus our savior, meaning we will be working to share the HIS Word, to those who come through the tribulation not believing?
Response #25:
Yes, that is correct. The Church in resurrection will share Christ's millennial rule. Just what we will be doing is not spelled out in detail, but because the passages which talk about this speak of ruling (rather then spiritually ministering) this most likely means that we will be the elite "civil service" of the Messiah's worldwide kingdom (see the link in CT 6: "The Millennial Rule of Jesus Christ", and specifically thereunder "The Millennial Administration"). While it is true that those who initially populate the Millennium will few in number, the population explosion which is going to take place under the conditions of perfect environment and perfect government will be astounding (this has happened before in human history after Eden and after the flood, but now conditions will be even more conducive to maximizing the speed at which the earth repopulates). So I expect that there will be more than enough for us to do, both in terms of administration of the Messiah's kingdom and also in terms of ministry to the world.
Question #26:
Bob,
Who is the Prince in Ezekiel 45:7 is this David?
Thank you, really looking forward to HIS reign.
Response #26:
There will be a highly hierarchical rule in the Millennium. First, the Messiah will be "king" over the entire world (Ps.2:6); second, David will rule "as king" over Israel (e.g., Jer.30:9); third, since there will be a need for some separation between those whose status is eternal (us and the angels) and those still living a physical, earthly life, there will also be a non-resurrected element to the administration, and this is seen in "the prince" who will rule Israel as the deputy (so to speak) of king David. He is the one who is discussed in this section of Ezekiel (note that he has "sons" who are born during the Millennium, so that this cannot be David himself: Ezek.46:16-18).
Our hope is definitely in all the wonderful things to come, not in the ephemeral things of this transitory life!
In Jesus Christ our Lord and our God,
Bob L.
Question #27:
Why are the measurements of the New Jerusalem 1400-1500 miles in length, width, and height? Why are there gates that will never be shut? Who or what is living on the outside of the New Jerusalem? What is the New Earth like on the outside of the New Jerusalem? Why do we need a New Jerusalem, if we are going to be receiving a New Earth? For the this question, I was wondering if God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit knows that someone is going to rebel, again? And He is treating the New Jerusalem like the Garden of Eden (What was the Earth like, outside of the Garden of Eden, before Adam and Eve sinned? If Adam and Eve did not sin, could the Garden of Eden hold billions of people, or were they going to move out of the Garden of Eden anyway to 'replenish the Earth'?)? Or maybe the question should be the following: What was the purpose of the Garden of Eden? Was the world outside of the Garden of Eden not fit for immortal man (at the time, man was immortal)?
Response #27:
Most of these questions are answered in the Coming Tribulation series, but I will have a go for you here. The New Jerusalem will have the same proportions as the holy of holies in the temple. It will be in fact the equivalent of God's temple for all eternity because that is what a temple is, the holy residence of God. The wall and gates are to memorialize the sanctity of God and to show the limits of the place of His inner habitation, but there is no need to shut the gates (equivalent to the veil of the temple being split) because only "righteousness will dwell" there in the new heavens and the new earth (2Pet.3:13). Having a place in the city will be blessed and the best place by far, because nothing could be better than being close to the Lord (the most highly decorated angels, the cherubs, have the closest place to Him, e.g.). The Church, the Lamb's Bride, will have their primary residence in the city; the Friends of the Bride, the numerically equivalent number of believers from the Millennium, will have their primary residence outside but will be regular visitors to the inside of the city (only unbelievers will be "shut out"). The new earth is not covered much in scripture, but since the New Jerusalem is much bigger proportionally than any prior city (its height is particularly noteworthy), and since the river of living water will flow forth from the city (in the same manner as we see the waters flow from Eden and later from the millennial temple), we are right to assume an increased size along with an amazing fecundity of the new earth (cf. Rev.21:24). The New Jerusalem will be the ultimate Eden, the last paradise in a series of seven (see the link), and the quintessential quality of paradise is the presence of God and our fellowshipping with Him which will be the case in the final Eden beyond anything previously seen. Being with Him is the best blessing; that doesn't mean that He hasn't provided for more blessing than we can imagine not only on the new earth, but throughout the universe of the new heavens as well. We are not given the details, but knowing God we know that it will be perfect in every way once our imperfections and sins, already washed away by the blood of Christ, are no longer an issue.
p.s., the Garden of Eden was paradise as well, but it had the potential of ending and so it did and no man or woman who has ever lived would have failed to fail and eat the fruit of the tree of knowing good and evil sooner or later. Thus the garden and time/human history has as its purpose the working out of the plan of God through His gracious provision to us of free will, the image of God, so that we may self-select for our eternal future and, in the case of all those who wish to live with Him forever, the level of rewards we will enjoy through choosing for Him in growth, progress and production. See the link: "The Plan of God".
Question #28:
Hello Dr. Luginbill,
I've been doing a lot of thinking about Eternity and I have some questions regarding service in the Eternal State. One passage is about kings entering into Heaven, and this makes me wonder. Do the kings mentioned in Revelation refer to earthly rulers such as Presidents? If this is the case then I'm confused because this would mean that their status stays the same in Eternity? In Revelation it says that we are made kings and priests unto God, and I wanted to know if the kings mentioned in Rev. 1:6 are the same kings mentioned in Rev. 21:24. Jesus also spoke about the saved inheriting the Earth.
And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. (Revelation 1:6)
And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it. (Revelation 21:24)
Thank you in advance and have a Blessed Christmas and New Year.
God Bless you and your ministry,
Response #28:
I hope you are doing better and that things are going better for you family.
As to your question, the verses you adduce are very helpful to understanding this issue (nice job!). The "kings and nations" of Revelation 21:24 are indeed resurrected believers who live outside the city of New Jerusalem. The Church, the Bride of Christ, all believers from Adam and Eve until the end of the Tribulation, will have our place within the New Jerusalem. Therefore these "kings and nations" are those who were saved during the Millennium (the "Friends of the Bride" as I describe them Christ's "double portion"), who are resurrected at the end of history (they are the sheep in the sheep and goats judgment. This is all discussed at the link in CT 6 "The Interior of the City". But as to status, that is being determined by what we do in this life in terms of our response to the Lord and His truth, so that many who are poor and powerless now will be exalted on that day, whereas many who are rich and powerful now will be at the end of the line then (e.g., Matt.19:30; Mk.10:31).
Please have a look at the link and do write me back if you have any questions.
I wish you and your family a blessed Christmas filled with the love of Christ and all godly reconciliation.
In Jesus our dear Lord,
Bob L.