THE CROSS, THE PROOF, AND THE RETURN — WHY THE DEATH HAD TO BE SO, AND WHAT COMES NEXT
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King James Version
The Risen Lord — The Foundation — KJV Bible Study
THE CROSS, THE PROOF, AND THE RETURN — WHY THE DEATH HAD TO BE SO, AND WHAT COMES NEXT
Foundational Biblical Doctrine — the Gospel of Jesus Christ
OPENING WORD
Why did Jesus have to die? What did the empty grave prove? What happens when he comes back? This study takes those three questions to the Bible, and lets the Bible answer them in the Bible's own words.
This study covers why the blood had to be shed. This study covers how far down he came, and what the cross cost him. This study covers the Father calling the Son God and Lord. This study covers the LORD who spoke to David's Lord. This study covers Christ risen from the dead, and Christ living in the people he saved. This study covers his return, and the choice that lasts for ever.
THREE QUESTIONS THIS STUDY ANSWERS:
1. Why did the death of Jesus have to be by blood, and not something easier?
2. How could David call his own son his Lord in Psalm 110:1?
3. What did the resurrection prove, and what happens when Jesus comes back?
OPENING ANCHOR
1 Timothy 2:5Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; (6) Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
ONE GOD + ONE MEDIATOR BETWEEN GOD AND MEN, THE MAN CHRIST JESUS.
(My personal thoughts: A mediator (one who stands between two separated parties to bring the two parties back together) must belong fully to both parties, or he cannot serve as a mediator. Look at what 1 Timothy 2:5 says the mediator is: "the man Christ Jesus." Jesus Christ has to be a man, or he cannot stand where human beings stand and die a human death. Look at what 2 Corinthians 5:19 says was true inside that death: "God was in Christ." Jesus Christ has to be God, or his death is just one more man dying, providing no salvation (rescue from sin and the penalty of sin) for anyone. This is why the answer to "who is Jesus" is not a side question for scholars alone. The whole doctrine of salvation depends on the answer to that question.)
1. H. WHY THE DEATH HAD TO BE SO — THE BRIDGE BACK TO GOD
2. H1. THE PROBLEM, STATED PLAINLY
Isaiah 59:2Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.
YOUR INIQUITIES HAVE SEPARATED BETWEEN YOU AND YOUR GOD.
ALL HAVE SINNED, AND COME SHORT OF THE GLORY OF GOD.
3. H2. WHY BLOOD, AND NOT SOMETHING EASIER
Hebrews 9:22Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.
WITHOUT SHEDDING OF BLOOD IS NO REMISSION.
Leviticus 17:11Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.
THE LIFE OF THE FLESH IS IN THE BLOOD --> IT IS THE BLOOD THAT MAKETH AN ATONEMENT FOR THE SOUL.
Hebrews 10:4Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.
IT IS NOT POSSIBLE THAT THE BLOOD OF BULLS AND OF GOATS SHOULD TAKE AWAY SINS.
(My personal thoughts: Place these three verses together and the whole ancient sacrifice system explains itself. Life is in the blood. Sin costs a life. In ancient times, animal sacrifices provided atonement (a temporary covering for sin that restored a person's standing before God) day after day, for hundreds of years. Hebrews states plainly that animal sacrifices could never take sin away. What were all those animal sacrifices for, then? The animal sacrifices kept the debt of sin visibly unpaid. The animal sacrifices were a long, repeated, daily reminder that a life was owed. The animal sacrifices held that reminder in place until the one death that could pay the debt of sin fully.)
4. H3. HOW FAR DOWN HE CAME
Philippians 2:5Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: (6) Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: (7) But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: (8) And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
BEING IN THE FORM OF GOD --> TOOK UPON HIM THE FORM OF A SERVANT --> OBEDIENT UNTO DEATH, EVEN THE DEATH OF THE CROSS.
(My personal thoughts: Notice the sequence of descent in Philippians 2:6-8. Jesus was in the form of God. Jesus was emptied of reputation. Jesus took the form of a servant. Jesus took on the likeness of men. Jesus became humble. Jesus became obedient. Jesus died. Paul then added two more words that the sentence did not strictly need: "even the death of the cross." Simply stating that Jesus died was not enough for Paul. The specific manner of the death of Jesus is part of Paul's point.)
5. H4. WHAT IT ACTUALLY COST HIM — SAID BEFOREHAND, AND SAID AGAIN AFTERWARD
Isaiah 50:6Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting.
I GAVE MY BACK TO THE SMITERS --> I HID NOT MY FACE FROM SHAME AND SPITTING.
Psalm 22:16Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet. (17) I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me. (18) They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.
THEY PIERCED MY HANDS AND MY FEET --> THEY PART MY GARMENTS AMONG THEM, AND CAST LOTS UPON MY VESTURE.
Matthew 27:35Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.
THEY CRUCIFIED HIM, AND PARTED HIS GARMENTS, CASTING LOTS --> THAT IT MIGHT BE FULFILLED.
John 19:34Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.
A SPEAR PIERCED HIS SIDE --> FORTHWITH CAME THERE OUT BLOOD AND WATER.
(My personal thoughts: David wrote about pierced hands and feet in Psalm 22. David wrote about soldiers dividing up clothing in Psalm 22. David wrote this a thousand years before anyone in Israel had ever seen a crucifixion. David was not describing anything that had happened to him personally. Matthew wrote centuries later, after the crucifixion of Jesus happened. Matthew writes down that the soldiers did exactly what Psalm 22 described. Matthew states why the soldiers did this: "that it might be fulfilled." Read the two accounts together. David wrote his account looking forward in time, with no way of knowing the crucifixion would happen. Matthew wrote his account looking back at the crucifixion, with no way of denying that the crucifixion happened.)
6. H5. WHAT THE DEATH WAS FOR — A BRIDGE, NOT A TRAGEDY
Romans 5:8Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (9) Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. (10) For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
WHILE WE WERE YET SINNERS, CHRIST DIED FOR US --> WE WERE RECONCILED TO GOD BY THE DEATH OF HIS SON.
2 Corinthians 5:18Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; (19) To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. (20) Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. (21) For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
GOD WAS IN CHRIST, RECONCILING THE WORLD UNTO HIMSELF --> HE HATH MADE HIM TO BE SIN FOR US, WHO KNEW NO SIN.
7. H6. THE SNAKE ON THE POLE — AN OLD PICTURE HE APPLIED TO HIMSELF
Numbers 21:8Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live. (9) And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.
EVERY ONE THAT IS BITTEN, WHEN HE LOOKETH UPON IT, SHALL LIVE.
8. DIFFERENT VIEW, SAME SCENE — the pole in the desert, and the cross on the hill
John 3:14Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: (15) That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. (16) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (17) For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
AS MOSES LIFTED UP THE SERPENT IN THE WILDERNESS, EVEN SO MUST THE SON OF MAN BE LIFTED UP --> WHOSOEVER BELIEVETH IN HIM SHOULD NOT PERISH.
(My personal thoughts: This connection between Numbers 21 and John 3 is not a connection this study invented. Jesus stated this connection directly and out loud, about his own identity. Dying people in the desert were not told to fix themselves. Dying people in the desert were not told to be brave. Dying people in the desert were not told to earn a cure. Dying people in the desert were told to LOOK at what God lifted up on the pole. Dying people in the desert who looked lived. Now hold the two scenes together and notice the strange part. The bronze serpent lifted up on the pole was shaped like the very thing that was killing the people who looked at it. Paul states a similarly strange truth about the cross. Paul says Jesus was MADE to be sin for us, though Jesus knew no sin (2 Corinthians 5:21). The cure was lifted up in the same shape as the curse.)
9. THE FATHER HIMSELF CALLS THE SON "GOD" AND "LORD"
1.Hebrews 1:1Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, (2) Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; (3) Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
HE HATH SPOKEN UNTO US BY HIS SON + BY WHOM ALSO HE MADE THE WORLDS --> THE BRIGHTNESS OF HIS GLORY, AND THE EXPRESS IMAGE OF HIS PERSON.
2.Hebrews 1:5Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son? (6) And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.
UNTO WHICH OF THE ANGELS SAID HE AT ANY TIME, THOU ART MY SON? --> LET ALL THE ANGELS OF GOD WORSHIP HIM.
(My personal thoughts: The whole first chapter of the book of Hebrews makes one long argument. The argument is that the Son is not an angel and never was an angel. This point is worth noticing in a study that has just spent many pages on a figure called "the angel of the LORD." The Hebrew word malak names an errand. God's own Son ran that errand at times in the Old Testament. But the writer of the book of Hebrews will not let anyone classify the Son among the created angels. The angels are told to worship the Son.)
3.Hebrews 1:8Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. (9) Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. (10) And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands: (11) They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment; (12) And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.
UNTO THE SON HE SAITH, THY THRONE, O GOD, IS FOR EVER AND EVER --> THOU, LORD, IN THE BEGINNING HAST LAID THE FOUNDATION OF THE EARTH.
(My personal thoughts: Read the first five words of Hebrews 1:8 again: "But unto the Son he saith." This sentence is not the opinion of the writer of the book of Hebrews about Jesus. This sentence records God the Father speaking directly to the Son. God the Father calls the Son "O God." God the Father then calls the Son "Lord." God the Father then credits the Son with making the earth and the heavens. If a person wants to argue that the Son is never called God in Scripture, that person must address this verse, where the Father calls the Son God.)
10. DIFFERENT VIEW, SAME SCENE — a song written for a king, and the Father quoting it to his Son
Psalm 45:6Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre. (7) Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
THY THRONE, O GOD, IS FOR EVER AND EVER --> GOD, THY GOD, HATH ANOINTED THEE WITH THE OIL OF GLADNESS ABOVE THY FELLOWS.
Psalm 102:25Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands. (26) They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed: (27) But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end.
OF OLD HAST THOU LAID THE FOUNDATION OF THE EARTH --> THOU ART THE SAME, AND THY YEARS SHALL HAVE NO END.
(My personal thoughts: This is a place where reading two passages side by side does real work. Psalm 45 is a wedding song. Psalm 102 is the prayer of a man in trouble. In Psalm 102, those words are addressed to the LORD, the God of Israel, who made the world. Both psalms were written centuries before the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. Hebrews 1 quotes both psalms. Hebrews 1 presents both psalms as the words of God the Father. Hebrews 1 applies both psalms to the Son. Notice the small differences in wording between the original psalms and the quotations in Hebrews 1. The Bible does not hide these small differences, and this study does not hide them either. What does not change between the psalms and Hebrews 1 is the identity of the person the words are about.)
11. J. THE LORD SAID UNTO MY LORD — THE VERSE THAT ENDED THE ARGUMENT
1.Psalm 110:1Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. (2) The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies.
THE LORD SAID UNTO MY LORD, SIT THOU AT MY RIGHT HAND --> UNTIL I MAKE THINE ENEMIES THY FOOTSTOOL.
(My personal thoughts: This one line in Psalm 110:1 carries more meaning than a first reading shows. In English, both words are printed as "Lord." The only clue to the difference is the capitalization. The first word is printed in capital letters, LORD. The second word is not printed in capital letters. Underneath the English, these are two different Hebrew words. The first Hebrew word is the covenant name of God, Yehovah (H3068). Capital letters in the KJV always mean the underlying Hebrew word is Yehovah. The second Hebrew word is adown (H113), a word for a master or a ruler. The form of adown used here reads "my Lord." David, writing this psalm, records God speaking to someone David calls his own Master. Now consider the plain question. David was the king of Israel. Who was his Master? The answer becomes stranger when you remember that God promised the Christ would come out of David's own family, generations later. A man does not usually call his own great-grandson "my Lord.")
12. J2. HE ASKED THEM ABOUT IT HIMSELF, AND NOBODY COULD ANSWER
Matthew 22:41Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, (42) Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The Son of David. (43) He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying, (44) The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool? (45) If David then call him Lord, how is he his son? (46) And no man was able to answer him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions.
IF DAVID THEN CALL HIM LORD, HOW IS HE HIS SON? --> AND NO MAN WAS ABLE TO ANSWER HIM A WORD.
(My personal thoughts: Jesus did not tell the Pharisees the answer to his own question in Matthew 22:41-46. Jesus asked the question and left the question unanswered. The question remains unanswered even now, and the question still has only one answer that fits. The Christ is David's son according to the flesh. The Christ is David's Lord according to what he was before David was born.)
13. J3. PETER USED THE SAME VERSE ON THE DAY THE CHURCH BEGAN
Acts 2:32Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. (33) Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. (34) For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, (35) Until I make thy foes thy footstool. (36) Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
DAVID IS NOT ASCENDED INTO THE HEAVENS --> GOD HATH MADE THAT SAME JESUS, WHOM YE HAVE CRUCIFIED, BOTH LORD AND CHRIST.
(My personal thoughts: Peter's argument in Acts 2:29-36 is short. Peter's argument does not need any cleverness. David wrote about someone sitting down at God's right hand. David never went up to sit at God's right hand. A person could go and look at David's grave, Peter says a few verses earlier. The psalm was therefore not about David. Peter then names the person the psalm was about. Peter names this person with no softening at all: "that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified." Peter calls this person "both Lord and Christ.")
14. J4. THE SAME PSALM SAYS ONE MORE THING — AND HEBREWS BUILDS A WHOLE ARGUMENT ON IT
Psalm 110:4Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.
THE LORD HATH SWORN, AND WILL NOT REPENT --> THOU ART A PRIEST FOR EVER AFTER THE ORDER OF MELCHIZEDEK.
Hebrews 5:5Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee. (6) As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
CHRIST GLORIFIED NOT HIMSELF TO BE MADE AN HIGH PRIEST --> THOU ART A PRIEST FOR EVER AFTER THE ORDER OF MELCHISEDEC.
Hebrews 7:3Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.
NEITHER BEGINNING OF DAYS, NOR END OF LIFE --> ABIDETH A PRIEST CONTINUALLY.
Hebrews 7:24Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. (25) Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
HE CONTINUETH EVER + HATH AN UNCHANGEABLE PRIESTHOOD --> HE IS ABLE TO SAVE THEM TO THE UTTERMOST.
(My personal thoughts: One short psalm contains a great deal. Psalm 110 names someone David calls his Lord, seated at God's right hand. Psalm 110 names a king ruling out of Zion. Psalm 110 names a priest for ever, of an order older than the priesthood of Israel, sworn to by God with an oath God will not take back. In ancient Israel, the law kept the office of king and the office of priest separate. A man was not allowed to hold both offices under that law. Psalm 110 gives both offices to one person. The book of Hebrews spends several chapters explaining who that person is.)
15. K. RAISED FROM THE GRAVE — AND LIVING IN YOU
16. K1. THE FACT ITSELF, AND HOW IT WAS DELIVERED
1 Corinthians 15:3Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; (4) And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
CHRIST DIED FOR OUR SINS ACCORDING TO THE SCRIPTURES + HE WAS BURIED + HE ROSE AGAIN THE THIRD DAY.
1 Corinthians 15:20Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.
CHRIST IS RISEN FROM THE DEAD, AND BECOME THE FIRSTFRUITS OF THEM THAT SLEPT.
17. K2. WHAT THE RESURRECTION PROVED ABOUT HIM
Romans 1:3Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; (4) And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:
MADE OF THE SEED OF DAVID ACCORDING TO THE FLESH --> DECLARED TO BE THE SON OF GOD WITH POWER, BY THE RESURRECTION FROM THE DEAD.
(My personal thoughts: Paul places both halves of the answer in one sentence again, in order, in Romans 1:3-4. Jesus came from David's family, in the flesh. Jesus was declared the Son of God with power, by coming out of the grave. Any person can claim to be the Son of God. Only Jesus has ever had that claim proved by rising from the dead.)
18. K3. THE OLD TESTAMENT SAID IT FIRST
Psalm 16:10Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. (11) Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
THOU WILT NOT LEAVE MY SOUL IN HELL --> NEITHER WILT THOU SUFFER THINE HOLY ONE TO SEE CORRUPTION.
Acts 2:29Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. (30) Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; (31) He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.
DAVID IS BOTH DEAD AND BURIED --> HE SEEING THIS BEFORE SPAKE OF THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST.
19. K4. AND NOW — HE LIVES IN THE PEOPLE HE SAVED
Romans 8:11Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
THE SPIRIT OF HIM THAT RAISED UP JESUS FROM THE DEAD DWELL IN YOU --> HE SHALL ALSO QUICKEN YOUR MORTAL BODIES.
Galatians 2:20Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
I AM CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST --> NOT I, BUT CHRIST LIVETH IN ME.
Colossians 1:27Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
THIS MYSTERY = CHRIST IN YOU, THE HOPE OF GLORY.
John 14:23Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
IF A MAN LOVE ME, HE WILL KEEP MY WORDS --> WE WILL COME UNTO HIM, AND MAKE OUR ABODE WITH HIM.
(My personal thoughts: Follow the whole line of this study to its conclusion. Jesus was with the Father before anything was made. Jesus appeared to men in the Old Testament, and those men lived. Jesus was born of a woman in a small town. Jesus was killed on a hill, on wood, outside a city. Jesus came out of the grave. The Bible now says Jesus lives IN people. This conclusion is where this study has been heading the whole time. The point of this study was never to win an argument about who Jesus is. The point of this study is that the one who is all of this wants to live inside you. Notice John 14:23 as well: "we will come." The plural voice that opened the Bible in Genesis 1:26 is still present here.)
20. HE IS COMING BACK — AND THE CHOICE THAT LASTS FOR EVER
21. L1. HE IS COMING, AND EVERY EYE WILL SEE HIM
Acts 1:9Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. (10) And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; (11) Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
THIS SAME JESUS SHALL SO COME IN LIKE MANNER AS YE HAVE SEEN HIM GO INTO HEAVEN.
Revelation 1:7Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.
EVERY EYE SHALL SEE HIM + THEY ALSO WHICH PIERCED HIM.
1.2 Thessalonians 1:7Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, (8) In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: (9) Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; (10) When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.
IN FLAMING FIRE TAKING VENGEANCE ON THEM THAT KNOW NOT GOD, AND THAT OBEY NOT THE GOSPEL --> WHEN HE SHALL COME TO BE GLORIFIED IN HIS SAINTS.
(My personal thoughts: Read 2 Thessalonians 1:8 slowly. 2 Thessalonians 1:8 names two groups, not one group. The first group does not KNOW God. The second group does not OBEY the gospel. Knowing and obeying are named together in the same verse. Notice 2 Thessalonians 1:10 as well, which is part of the same sentence. The same coming of Jesus that is fire to one group is glory to the other group. This is one single event. Which side of that event a person is on is decided now, not later.)
2.Revelation 19:11Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. (12) His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. (13) And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
HE THAT SAT UPON HIM WAS CALLED FAITHFUL AND TRUE --> HIS NAME IS CALLED THE WORD OF GOD.
Revelation 19:16Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
(My personal thoughts: Notice one small line in Revelation 19:12. Jesus had a name written that no man knew, but he alone knew that name. The names this study IS given appear in the same passage. Those names are Faithful and True. The Word of God. King of kings, and Lord of lords.)
22. L4. THE BOOKS OPENED
Revelation 20:11Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. (12) And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. (13) And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. (14) And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. (15) And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
THE BOOKS WERE OPENED + ANOTHER BOOK WAS OPENED, WHICH IS THE BOOK OF LIFE --> WHOSOEVER WAS NOT FOUND WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF LIFE WAS CAST INTO THE LAKE OF FIRE.
(My personal thoughts: Two kinds of books appear at the throne in Revelation 20:12. One kind of book records what people did. The other kind of book records names, called the book of life. Revelation 20:12 does not say anyone was saved by what was written in the books of deeds. Revelation 20:15 says the one thing that decided the outcome was whether a person's name was written in the book of life.)
23. L5. THE CHOICE, SAID AS PLAINLY AS THE BIBLE EVER SAYS ANYTHING
John 3:18Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
HE THAT BELIEVETH NOT IS CONDEMNED ALREADY.
John 3:36Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
HE THAT BELIEVETH ON THE SON HATH EVERLASTING LIFE.
Romans 6:23Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
THE WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH --> THE GIFT OF GOD IS ETERNAL LIFE THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD.
(My personal thoughts: Romans 6:23 is the central verse of this whole study. Romans 6:23 is one short sentence with two halves. Sin has a payment owed for it, and that payment is death. That payment gets made in one of two ways. Either a person makes that payment personally, for ever, or a person takes what Jesus already paid, as a gift. That is the entire choice. Nobody escapes making that choice, because not choosing is the same as choosing the first way. Everything in this study, from "let us make man" in Genesis 1:26 all the way to the throne in Revelation 20, has been building toward that one decision. There is still time to make that decision. Jesus is still calling.)
1.Acts 4:12Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
NEITHER IS THERE SALVATION IN ANY OTHER --> THERE IS NONE OTHER NAME UNDER HEAVEN GIVEN AMONG MEN, WHEREBY WE MUST BE SAVED.
CLOSING
Revelation 22:17Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
THE SPIRIT AND THE BRIDE SAY, COME --> WHOSOEVER WILL, LET HIM TAKE THE WATER OF LIFE FREELY.
John 3:17Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
GOD SENT NOT HIS SON INTO THE WORLD TO CONDEMN THE WORLD --> THAT THE WORLD THROUGH HIM MIGHT BE SAVED.
(My personal thoughts: The last invitation in the Bible costs nothing. The last invitation in the Bible is offered to anyone. The word used is "whosoever." The word "whosoever" leaves nobody out, on purpose. This includes the worst person reading this study. This includes the person who has already said no for years. Jesus, who is all of this, is the one saying Come. All a person has to do is come and take the water of life.)
PRACTICE QUIZ
1. Hebrews 9:22 — And almost all things are by the law purged with blood:
a) For the life of the flesh is in the blood
b) and without shedding of blood is no remission
c) for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul
2. Romans 5:8 — But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners:
a) we shall be saved from wrath through him
b) we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son
c) Christ died for us
3. Hebrews 1:8 — But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever:
a) a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom
b) the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre
c) and the government shall be upon his shoulder
4. Psalm 110:1 — The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand:
a) until I make thy foes thy footstool
b) rule thou in the midst of thine enemies
c) until I make thine enemies thy footstool
5. 1 Corinthians 15:20 — But now is Christ risen from the dead:
a) and become the firstfruits of them that slept
b) and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures
c) neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption
6. Revelation 1:7 — Behold, he cometh with clouds:
a) and a cloud received him out of their sight
b) and every eye shall see him
c) and to be admired in all them that believe
7. 2 Thessalonians 1:9 — Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord:
a) and from the glory of his power
b) which is the second death
c) and for the glory of his majesty
ANSWER KEY: 1-b, 2-c, 3-a, 4-c, 5-a, 6-b, 7-a
HOW THIS STUDY BRANCHES
--> How the words matter: one English word "Lord" represents two different Hebrew words in Psalm 110:1. The two Hebrew words are Yehovah (H3068) and adown (H113). The whole argument Jesus made in Matthew 22:45 rests on that difference.
--> How this applies to you: Jesus is not only the one who came. Jesus is not only the one who is coming. Jesus is the one who wants to live in you now (Colossians 1:27, Galatians 2:20).
--> What this means for eternity: the wages of sin is death. The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 6:23). Those are the only two ways a person ever pays the debt of sin.
--> Rabbit trail: Psalm 110:4 and the book of Hebrews chapter 7 open onto the whole doctrine of the priesthood of Melchizedek. This doctrine describes a king and a priest combined in one man, older than the law, sworn to by an oath God will not take back. This doctrine deserves its own full study.
--> Rabbit trail: 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10 and Revelation 19:11-16 open onto the whole doctrine of the return of Jesus. This doctrine includes the certainty of the return of Jesus, the suddenness of the return of Jesus, and the command to watch for the return of Jesus. State plainly: Scripture states the certainty of the return of Jesus and refuses to give the schedule of the return of Jesus (Matthew 24:36, Acts 1:7). This ministry refuses to give the schedule of the return of Jesus either.
AN OPEN INVITATION — WHOEVER YOU ARE, KEEP READING
You do not have to be a Christian to read this study. Many things may have brought you here. A search may have brought you here. An argument may have brought you here. A question you have carried for years may have brought you here. Curiosity about somebody else's faith may have brought you here. Everything on this website is yours, free of charge, in your own language. We never ask your name. We never ask your country. We never ask what you believe. One study cannot fully describe Jesus. We gave this question everything we had, and this study still only walked one road through the Bible. Jesus existed before the beginning. Jesus exists now. Jesus is coming back. No single page can finish describing all of that. More studies are waiting here. Studies on mercy are waiting here. Studies on wisdom are waiting here. Studies on knowledge are waiting here. Studies on patience are waiting here. Studies on godliness are waiting here. More studies are coming. Read these studies in any order you like. Check our sources as you go. Every verse in these studies is printed out in full, on purpose. You never have to take our word for anything. You can weigh every verse yourself.
One more invitation follows this one. We will not pretend that invitation is hidden. That invitation is the study on what a person must do to be saved. Read that study now if you want to read it now. Read something else first if you would rather read something else first. Nobody is counting. The door stays open either way. Paul spoke the words below in a city full of altars to gods that were not his own God. Paul spoke these words to people who had not asked Paul to come to that city:
Acts 17:26Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; (27) That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:
HATH MADE OF ONE BLOOD ALL NATIONS OF MEN --> THAT THEY SHOULD SEEK THE LORD, AND FIND HIM + HE BE NOT FAR FROM EVERY ONE OF US.
GREEK KEYWORDS
These are the keywords for this study. Tap any dotted word in the verses above to see its meaning here.
“reconciled” — G2644 katallasso — to change from enmity to friendship; to bring back into favour
Katallasso names the whole reason for the cross, in one word.
“reconciliation” — G2643 katallage — the restoring of favour; the bringing back together of two parted sides
Katallage comes from the same root as katallasso above. Katallasso names the act of reconciliation (the restoring of friendship between two who were separated). Katallage names the result of that reconciliation.
“remission” — G859 aphesis — a sending away; a release; a letting go; forgiveness
Without the shedding of blood, there is no sending away of sin.
“mystery” — G3466 musterion — a secret; something once hidden and now told
In the Bible, a mystery is never a puzzle to be solved. A mystery in the Bible is a secret God decided to tell.
“vengeance” — G1557 ekdikesis — that which proceeds out of justice; a full righting of wrong
Ekdikesis is the word used in 2 Thessalonians 1:8. Ekdikesis does not mean uncontrolled anger. Ekdikesis means justice carried out completely.
“firstbegotten” — G4416 prototokos — firstborn; first brought forth
The Father says "let all the angels of God worship him" about the Son.
HEBREW KEYWORDS
“LORD” — H3068 Yehovah — the covenant name of God, written in the KJV as LORD in capital letters
Wherever LORD appears in capital letters in the Old Testament, Yehovah is the Hebrew name underneath the English word LORD.
“Lord” — H113 adown — lord; master; owner; one who rules
In Psalm 110:1, the form of adown reads "my Lord." Adown is a different Hebrew word from Yehovah, the LORD who is speaking to David's Lord in that verse.
