The Ultimate Answer to Life, the Universe and Everything is...

 "42!"  ~~According to 'Deep Thought,' the computer who thinks about this question for seven and a half million years in Douglas Adams' Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy...

“Forty-two!" yelled Loonquawl. "Is that all you've got to show for seven and a half million years' work?"
"I checked it very thoroughly," said the computer, "and that quite definitely is the answer. I think the problem, to be quite honest with you, is that you've never actually known what the question is.”  - link

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Douglas Adams is a brilliant humorist with hundreds of entertaining books.  He presents an interesting twist to the search for the meaning of life.  We all search for purpose in our lives.  Why do we get up each day?  We go to work, make money, come home, eat, sleep, just to do it all again the next day.  Sometimes it's like we're hamsters in a wheel, spinning but going nowhere, and we wonder if there is any point at all.  We seek to know if we have a purpose and how to fulfill that purpose.

In the Bible Job had good reason to question God.  God singled him out as a God-fearing and righteous man.  Then God allows Satan to test him, taking away all his many blessings-- even his children and health.  Job in his anguish regrets being born.  He asks why God is punishing him and wonders why God gave him life at all-- 

"But I desire to speak to the Almighty and to argue my case with God." (Job 13:3)

"If the only home I hope for is the grave, if I spread out my bed in the realm of darkness...where then is my hope—who can see any hope for me? Will it go down to the gates of death? Will we descend together into the dust?” (Job 17:13, 15-16)

Job was questioning the point of life, wondering 'why was I even born?'  He explains that one person has a wonderful life, always having what he needs, while another lives a bitter life, having none of the good things.  Yet they both end up dead and buried, so what does anything matter in the end?

Then the Lord spoke to Job out of the storm. He said: “Who is this that obscures my plans with words without knowledge? Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me. “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand. Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it? On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone—while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy?  (Job 38: 1-7)

Then Job replied to the Lord: “I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted. You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my plans without knowledge?’ Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know. “You said, ‘Listen now, and I will speak; I will question you, and you shall answer me.’ My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.” (Job 42:1-6)

I picture it like this-- Job is sick of his friends all giving him 'helpful' advice and telling him what he should do.  He stands up from the dirt and looks up to heaven, 'God, aren't you good and righteous?  How can you judge me and punish me?  What is the point of it all?  Why give life if this is how you treat it!'  Then God comes in thunder and wind, whipping the dust into a tornado that lifts Job off his feet.  It's better than one of those 360 degree theaters at Epcot as God marches the galaxy past him in an all-encompassing panorama and bass pumping surround-sound.  God shows how he set the stars on their courses and the Earth at just the right distance and tilt for seasons and life.  He formed the planet, lifting up the continents and mountains, sending forth the crashing waves and roaring waterfalls.  He dedicated to each animal a unique role in the ecosystem from the great whales of the deep to the tiny bumblebees that flit across the flowers.  

Job falls prostrate in the dust before God, humbled at his insignificance before the wonders of the cosmos and the God who rules all.   He recognizes his insignificance like a grain of sand on the beach next to the overarching greatness of God and the intricate plan of His Creation!

God brings Job low, and then brings him up again.  His fortune is restored with twice as much as he had before, including seven new sons and three daughters.  He lives 140 years to see his children and grandchildren to the forth generation. (Job 42)

Pastor Chuck Swindoll explains, "God did not answer Job’s question of “Why?”—He instead overwhelmed Job and his friends with the truth of His majesty and sovereignty. Job came away with a deeper sense of God’s power and splendor, trusting Him more...Instead of asking where God is in the midst of your pain, the book of Job affirms God’s control and asks us, “Where are we in our pain? Are we trusting our Creator, even though we cannot understand our circumstances?”  -link

"And so Job died, an old man and full of years." (Job 42:17)  So we do good, we try hard, raise our children right, try to make the world a better place...and then we die.  Is that it?  Is that the end?  Are we left like the writer of Ecclesiastes saying "What do people gain from all their labors at which they toil under the sun? ...What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun....I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind." (Ecclesiastes 1:3, 9, 14)

If we keep searching, in the Old Testament we see foreshadowing of the hope to come, even in the great times of darkness...

There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered. Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt.  Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever. (Daniel 12: 1b-3)

Daniel speaks clearly that we will live forever.  God does have a plan and we are part of it.  This is one of the first mentions of the Book of Life.  We are to be wise and shine God's light, teaching others about God's righteousness.  Through the prophets God warns about ultimate judgement for evildoers and everlasting reward for those who fear God.  And he foretells of The One who would fulfill both judgement and hope for redemption.

In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed. (Daniel 7: 13-14)

We will continue from here next time, exploring our part in God's plan, which gives us purpose and hope for an everlasting future in the light of His Love.

What will we be like after the Resurrection?

 
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What will we be like in the ever after?  (By 'we' I mean true believers and followers of the Lord Jesus Christ.)  The Bible gives several tantalizing hints.  It is worth exploring; remember Paul's encouragement---"our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us." (Romans 8:18)  So the descriptions of life after death are meant to encourage us to press on to the end.  Also recall when Jesus was giving signs of the end times (Matthew 24: 9-14), he warned there would be persecution of Christians and false prophets deceiving them.  This would cause many to turn away and denounce Christianity rather than suffer-- Christians only so far as it is comfortable.

"The love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved."  We must press on to run the race before us, keeping a heavenly perspective of the big picture.  We know that this world and its suffering will not last.  Our joy in heaven with Christ will be everlasting.  So what will we be like?  

First, what will happen...  

Resurrection of the Body

A time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out—those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned. (John 5:28b-29)

For 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. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. (1 Thes 4: 16-17)

After that we go to the 'wedding feast,' the great celebration to commemorate the union of Jesus Christ with his church.  But I've wondered this, why do the dead in Christ need to be raised up?  Weren't they already with Christ?  Where have they been since they died?  Were they 'asleep' in their graves? Did they fall out of space-time and fast forward to the Second Coming of Christ?

Remember the thief on the cross-- Jesus told him that "today you will be with me in paradise." (Luke 23:43b)  This statement indicates that he would experience real space-time in heaven today!  So why would the dead need to rise from the grave at the end times?  

When we die our suffering ends as our spirits leave our bodies and go to heaven.  Then at the trumpet call our spirits reunite with our bodies which are transformed into their permanent glorified state.  Remember Christ's triumph over the grave and death?  This will be proven again as we take part in the bodily resurrection after the trumpet sounds!

See a great article by Pastor Jared Webb of Lakeview Wesleyan Church of Indiana here: Bodies Rising from the Grave—Spooky, Kooky, or…Holy?

Glorified Spiritual Bodies

In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul explains the triumph of the resurrection starting in verse 12.  He says that without the truth of the resurrection we have no hope and then goes on--

But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him....The last enemy to be destroyed is death. For he “has put everything under his feet.” (1 Corin 15:20-27)

This is saying that Jesus Christ was the first to be resurrected, then those who belong to him will be resurrected in the same way!  Paul goes on to describe how this will come about, saying that to grow a plant, a seed must first die, and that the type of plant depends on the type of seed.

So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. (vs. 42-44)

So our new bodies will not die, will be powerful and glorified and will be of the spirit.  As a wheat seed grows a wheat plant, so our new bodies will have a 'type' according to our physical bodies, but will be quite different as well.  (The most important seed differentiation is Christian vs. non-Christian, which impacts whether we raise to life or the second death of hell.)  Remember that the disciples recognized Jesus after the resurrection, though they often didn't know him at first.  Mary Magdalene thought he was the gardener until he said her name! (John 20:11-18)  Doesn't that bring to mind that "sheep follow him because they know his voice"? (John 10:4b)

Since Jesus was the 'firstfruits' of the resurrected, we can look to him as an example of what to expect.  

See also Our glorified bodies October 17, 2019 By Rob Phillips.

Jesus' Resurrected Body

So like Jesus, our new forms will probably look different, and yet still recognizable as human-shaped and as ourselves.

Of special note, Jesus twice appeared to his disciples while they were in a locked room; He disappeared after talking to the two disciples in Emmaus; Jesus rose up into the clouds and will return in the same way.  This indicates that His glorified body was not limited as our physical bodies are by the laws of physics.  Recall Paul promise of a future spiritual body.  As resurrected beings, we won't necessarily be subject to gravity, acceleration, momentum, speed of sound and light, etc!  Will we still be subject to the plodding progression of time?  God already knows the future and is somehow outside the dominion of time.  Perhaps we will be also as we thrive on in eternity at Christ's side.

While resurrected Jesus could appear and disappear at will, he also clearly had a physical presence.  He showed his disciples that he was not an ephemeral ghost or spirit.  To prove to Thomas that it was really Jesus, he had Thomas touch His scars.  He also cooked a breakfast of bread and fish for the disciples on the beach and ate with them.  (John 20:19-31, John 21, Luke 24:13-32, 36-43)  Therefore, while we will not have to obey the laws of physics, we will still be able to affect the physical world and enjoy things.  We will celebrate and enjoy food, drink, beauty, music and community.  Revelation describes how beautiful the restored Earth and new Jerusalem will be.  We will partake of the Tree and River of Life and sing, dance and play instruments to God without limitations!

See also Will we have physical bodies in Heaven?

More fun parts

For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. (1 Corinthians 13: 12)

We will be face to face with God and Jesus and we will know the whole plan!  We will understand it all!

Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. (Romans 8:17)

We are joint heirs with Christ, who rules over everything!

But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (Isaiah 40:31)

Obviously our human bodies do get tired, so Isaiah is giving a promise of hope for the future.  Our future bodies will not get tired!  Imagine all the exhilaration of running with none of the pain or weariness!  You can climb a mountain without shortness of breath!  For me, I plan to swim around the whole world just for the fun of it!

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:37-39)

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘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....The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there. The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it. Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” (Revelation 21:3-4, 23-27)

It will be a whole new world, no night or darkness.  Sin will not have a stronghold, so there will be no more sorrow.  Isaiah prophesied that the predators would eat plants instead of meat; lambs, children and babies would not fear dangerous animals because "the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord." (Isaiah 11: 6-9) With nothing to fear, we will continue in Christ's love forever! 

Death Where is Your Sting?

Let's go back to the encouraging words of Paul.  He spoke with such conviction by the Spirit!

Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”

“Where, O death, is your victory?
    Where, O death, is your sting?”

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. (1 Corin. 15: 51-58)

Come and receive the Free Gift!

The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life. (Revelation 22:17)

 

 

 

Does God Really Judge People? Part 2

It seems hard to believe that a God who loves and cares for us, who made us each special to him, would want us to perish.  But he doesn't.  He desires for each of us to come to a saving knowledge of his grace, repent of our shortcomings, and put our faith in Jesus Christ.

So why does he judge people?  Why will he judge the whole world in the end?  It is because he is holy and good.  He cannot allow injustice to continue unchallenged, or he would not be the Good Father.  He cannot let sin continue to rule the world; selfishness, pride, greed, lust, evilness cannot continue unchecked.  Instead he gives each of us a choice.  We have to choose either self or God, we cannot serve both.  We choose God and the redemption of the precious blood of Christ.  We choose the narrow path toward righteousness with the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

He will judge the world and separate the goats from the sheep.  The goats will be sent to torment to answer for the wrongs that they committed.  The sheep will join in the celebration as Jesus Christ establishes his rule of peace forever as the Good Shepherd.  He will not permit evil to remain, but we will rule with him in a world set to right.  No more taking advantage of the weak or poisoning the earth.  No more killing or sickness.  With evil gone forever, only good will remain.  And God wants all of us at the party.  What excuse is there?  I'm too busy, I'll seek God later...I'm doing just fine on my own...I don't want God meddling in my life.... Why would anyone reject the invitation?  He's knocking at the door, we need to open it and let him into our lives today!  Realize that what he has planned is so much better than the selfish plans and desires we cling to!

What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? (Matt 16:26a)

 

https://commonmansbiblejourney.wordpress.com/2012/02/26/
going-to-a-wedding-with-nothing-to-wear-matthew-221-14-120/wedding-feast/

 

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Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come, but they refused to come.

“Then he sent some more servants and said, ‘Tell those who have been invited that I have prepared my dinner: My oxen and fattened cattle have been butchered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet.’

“But they paid no attention and went off—one to his field, another to his business. The rest seized his servants, mistreated them and killed them. The king was enraged. He sent his army and destroyed those murderers and burned their city.

“Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited did not deserve to come. So go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find.’ So the servants went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find, the bad as well as the good, and the wedding hall was filled with guests.

“But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes. He asked, ‘How did you get in here without wedding clothes, friend?’ The man was speechless.

“Then the king told the attendants, ‘Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

“For many are invited, but few are chosen.” (Matt 22:1-14)