The Resurrections

Focus: Resurrection of the Dead Part 3: The Resurrections

Greetings Sons of God:

Revelation 20:4-6: And I saw thrones and they sat upon them and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the soul of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.  But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.  Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

By examining this Scripture we see there are two resurrections but two different consequences depending upon which resurrection you are a part of.    Now many people have only heard of the resurrection spoken of in Thessalonians but few speak of the second resurrection for those that are not found in the Lamb’s Book of Life and will be judged at the Great White Throne Judgment.  We will discuss the various judgments when we talk about Eternal Judgment.  So when do these resurrections happen?  

The first resurrection happens when the Lord returns to the Earth.  For the sake of time, these Scriptures are found in 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18.  Now notice in this resurrection, this is the resurrection of the saints, not the sinners.  If you die in Christ then your soul and spirit goes to be with the Lord.  This is why the Scriptures say that all those that died in Christ Jesus, shall God bring WITH HIM.  When the Scripture says He is riding on a cloud.  This is not the cloud we know in the sky it is the cloud of Witness who in died in Christ.  Now if you go and read our Scripture above in Revelation it speaks that the second death has no power over those of the first resurrection but also notice it says that those of the first resurrection shall reign with Christ for a thousand years.  Of course, this is the Millennial Reign of Christ.  Only the saints are resurrected from the dead to be a part of this.  Now let’s look at the second resurrection!

Now the second resurrection is for all those who did not die in Christ and they shall be judged at the Great White Throne Judgment.  Now notice in our Scripture in Revelation it says that the rest of the dead did not live until AFTER the thousand year reign.  Who is the rest of the dead?  All those who did not die in Christ.  It is at the Great White Throne Judgment that God judges those and anybody not found in the Lamb’s Book of Life are thrown in the Lake of Fire. 

The sons of God shall be resurrected in the first resurrection.  Take comfort in these words.

Peace, Love and Grace,

Calvin Calhoun, Jr.

Resurrected Lifestyle

Focus: Resurrection of the Dead Part 2: Resurrected Lifestyle

Greetings Sons of God:

James 26:11 says the body is dead without the spirit.  Now this is consistent with our faith. When you were born you were condemned to death (no Holy Ghost).  But when you became a Kingdom citizen and a believer (Holy Spirit living in your spirit) now you will live eternally upon the return of the Lord.  How do we live the resurrected life?

Romans 8:11: But if the Spirit of Him that raised Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken you mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.  Therefore brethren we are debtors not to the flesh to live after the flesh for if you live after the flesh ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live

First we know that we are resurrected because of Spirit of Christ that quickens or gives life to our mortal body by the dwelling of His Spirit within us.  Now Paul admonishes us to live after the Spirit and not the flesh.  To live after the Spirit is to yield your body and soul to the voice and rule of the Spirit.  If we do not then we will die. 

Romans 6:4: Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in the newness of life. 

The newness of life is as the new creature in Christ, a son of God.  There is a new image and likeness that we put on display but in putting that on display we put on display the Creator in the Earth and in reflecting that glory the true order and government is restored to the Earth.  The creation no longer groans but rejoices.  When we were ouside of the House of God (Ephesians 2:2-6) we walked according to the order of this world according to the rule of Satan that works disobedience within mankind but being resurrected and seated in Christ, we now walk after the Spirit and not the flesh.

Romans 6:5,6 – The Likeness of His Resurrection

Now when we look at the word likeness it simply means we will be like him in the resurrection.  The same way Jesus was raised, so shall we.  So how was Jesus raised from the dead?  First, you have to understand the when you lost the Holy Spirit in the garden, the body became subject to time and space and was no longer eternal.  This was punishment for disobedience because the Kingdom of Heaven has no sin and knows no unrighteousness because it is Holy itself.  Now because your body is now subject to time and space and sin, your body is subject to death.  This is why Ecclesiastes 12:7 testifies to the body being returned to the dust of the earth and the spirit returning to God.  But when we look at Jesus it says that God raised Him from the dead and put Him back in the body and raised him in immortality.  Now here is the kicker!  He proved it was the same body because he asked His disciples to touch and feel the scars from the crucifixion.  But what was unique about the body was now the body was able to function in two realms, time and space and eternity.  Please understand this point.  In other words, the body can function in Heaven and on Earth.  This is why Jesus was on the Earth functioning AFTER the resurrection for over 40 days.  And remember in Acts 1 it said then a cloud received him out of their sights.  This was the ascension of Christ back to the Father in the same risen body.  So just like Christ, when we who are in Christ, born again believers, are resurrected from the dead our spirits and souls will return to a body that is incorruptible, immortal and can function in both time and eternity.  This is a very powerful concept.  The body you have now will die because it has been corrupted, but when God raises you, this same body will be raised in immortality and incorruption. 

This is why we have to understand the resurrection because science and other religions will question this and try to disprove Jesus resurrection but the only way that they will know He has risen is that your life tells them.  Because if He has been raised in you and you have been baptized OF THE SPIRIT then you have power from On High through the Holy Ghost to allow the good works of the Father to be made manifest through you to the unbelievers.  Let’s live like we know Jesus is alive and start acting like we are dead to sin. 

      

Peace, Love and Grace,

Calvin Calhoun, Jr.

Resurrection of the Dead Part 1

Focus: Resurrection of the Dead Part 1

Greetings Sons of God:

The resurrection of the dead is the most important part of our doctrine from the standpoint had there been no resurrection, all of this, Jesus and His ministry was in vain (verse 14).  But a great question that many believers are asked is how do we know that Christ is risen?  What evidence do we have that Christ is risen from the dead? Let’s look back at the apostles and what happened after the resurrection of Christ. 

First we need to establish that this is the truth and truth is not a thing but a person.  Jesus said I am the way, the TRUTH, and the life.  So He is the original and the creator of what we see on the visible world.  But what proof is there that he is the living God. Well let’s see how this was answered by the apostles in Acts 2.

Now in this scripture (Acts 2:29-36) we see the sermon Peter gave and in His sermon he said that all of them are witnesses to the resurrection of Christ. Now when we look at Scriptures we see that Jesus shows himself on the Earth to a number of people.  1 Corinthians 15 says he showed himself to Cephas, the 12 apostles and another 500 brethern.  So, they are witnesses of the resurrection but what good is that to us today?  Thank God for Him being Him seeing the beginning to the end.  Jesus made a way, by the gift of the Holy Spirit in power and spiritual gifts to show and be a witness unto His resurrection and the power He had on Earth.  So in other words, your life and your destiny is the evidence of the resurrection of Christ.  See the apostles were blessed to see Christ in the flesh and were are blessed to receive the gift of the risen Christ within us, The Holy Spirit. 

This is why in order to receive the gift of the risen Christ, you must have believed that God raised Him from the dead!  If you do not believe that, then you are not His and are still condemned to death and hell.  If there was no resurrection then there is no believer and no living God.  This is why the foundation of our faith is in the living God and know that he was resurrected from the dead and have given us the opportunity to live and reign with Him in immortality. 

Now there is more to this doctrine and in the next message we will discuss living the resurrected life.

Peace, Love and Grace,

Calvin Calhoun, Jr.

Gifts of the Spirit

Focus: Doctrine of Baptisms: Baptism of the Spirit – Gifts of the Spirit

Greetings Sons of God:

Ephesians 4:7,8: But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Wherefore he saith, when he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive and gave gifts unto men.

Now being baptized of the Spirit empowers the saints to fulfill their destiny and assignment.  Now, God grants you special gifts from Heaven in order for you to do your job.  Let’s look at the scripture for understanding.

When we start reading we see that there is a strong foundation of understanding that we are in one body, by one spirit.  Then there is One Lord, one faith, one baptism.  Now in verse 7 we see that each one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.  So the gifts of the Spirit come from Jesus Christ to the Holy Spirit and are delegated to the saints.  But the measure depends upon your maturity.

These are gifts given by the Spirit to you for maturity for the work of the ministry (Ephesians 4:11-13).  Now we are not just talking about the doma or governmental gifts I Ephesians 4:11.  We are talking also about the spiritual gifts listed in 1 Corinthians 12:27-31.  Keep in mind the spiritual gifts are given from God to accomplish His Will and not for us to show off and promote our personal ministries.  Spiritual gifts are for the glory of God and are revealed at the appointed time of the Father. 

In the next message we will examine the doctrine of the laying on of hands.

Peace, Love and Grace,

Calvin Calhoun, Jr.