The Resurrection IS the Gospel!

The Shroud of Turin-Frontal View

 

"...I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you...wherein ye stand; by which also ye are saved...unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures...how say some among you that there is no resurrection from the dead? But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen. And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are all men most miserable."  1 Cor. 15:1-4, 12-19

The gospel is identified here by Paul as the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. This is what he received from the Lord, and this is what he preached to all others. The resurrection is an essential truth of the gospel of Christ. By His resurrection, Christ accomplished great things for all men. Without the resurrection, Christ would not have accomplished the very thing that His Father sent Him to do. There would be no point in the Christian faith, as Paul wrote. Even our sins would still remain, though He died on the cross, without the overcoming power of the resurrection. Paul goes on to say:

"But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first fruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive."  v. 20-22

Because of Christ's resurrection first, all who are in Him, also share in resurrection, escaping the hold of death that came through Adam.

The resurrection of Christ also became the necessary foundational event to His rule and reign in heaven and on earth:

"...Christ the first fruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. For he must reign till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death."  v. 23-26

While we view the resurrection as a New Testament event, included in what Paul wrote regarding the gospel of the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, is the fact that all of these things happened "according to the scriptures". By that Paul is referring to what we call the Old Testament. Jesus also taught that the promise of that resurrection event and its deliverance from death, can be found in "Moses and the prophets" (Lk. 16:19-31).

Christ came in the flesh so He could die, and be raised again. Not only did his death, burial and resurrection destroy death, but also the fear of death, which enslaves men. His resurrection also accomplished the destruction of Satan:

"Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them that through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage."   Heb. 2:14-15

Jesus identifies Himself as One who was dead, and then alive, with the authority over death:

"...Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and behold, I am alive for  ever-more, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death."   Rev. 1:17-18

We have had many first-hand reports from those who experienced death, and miraculously returned from it. The Apostle Paul also related his own return from death. Yet there are may who still do not listen to the message. On the other hand, there are many who, as with the treasure hidden in a field, as with the pearl of great price, have given all that they have to posses this gospel (Mt. 13:44-46), and others who have given all to preach this gospel, and bring it to us. We are also called to be witnesses to the gospel: the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. If men are quiet, even inanimate objects are ordained to spread the gospel. The stones cry out, the mountains and hills sing. All of the trees of the field clap their hands. Though man clings to unbelief, and his own understanding, God warns that His thoughts are not our thoughts, and His ways are not our ways. He sends those witnesses to bring us the glorious gospel, to tell us to forsake wickedness and unrighteousness. Regardless of man's thoughts, God has assured that His Word and His Truth shall not return to Him empty, but will accomplish and prosper in all that He pleases (Isa. 55:4-12).

In the same vein, Paul wrote to the Galatians of the evidence of the crucifixion that they have seen with their own eyes (Gal. 3:1). Since the Galatian church was founded in another country years after the crucifixion, to what visible evidence could Paul be referring? In another place, Paul describes a dim, mirror image, as written in the Greek, that we presently see (1 Cor. 13:12). The visible evidence of the resurrection that fits these descriptions from Paul, and found in other scriptures as well, is the Shroud of Turin. Not only has it been given to us to see with our own eyes, but it accurately recorded in its fibers all that the scriptures relate pertaining to the suffering, crucifixion, and resurrection of Christ.

Dr. Kenneth Stevenson, a witness to this evidence, has given all that he has, and devoted decades of his life to personally handle, research, and study the Shroud, and record the findings in several books, as a testimony to the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ.

We can receive his witness and the witness of many others, and become witnesses ourselves to the gospel of Christ. If we are silent, the stones will cry out in our place.

 

To Contact/Support/Submit Prayer Request/To Order and Support the book "NAZAH":

https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8

http://endtimeschool.com/"

To arrange a presentation in person by Dr. Stevenson regarding the gospel, the Shroud of Turin and the book, NAZAH",

and

To watch Dr. Stevenson's complete message:

https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8

 

Prayer of Salvation for all who desire to receive Jesus as their Savior: Lord Jesus, I desire to know You, and to know Your salvation. I believe that You died for me, and that You were resurrected for me. Forgive me of my sins. Come into my heart, change me, fill me with Your righteousness. Inscribe my name in the Lamb's book of life. Baptize me in Your Holy Spirit, so that I can learn the truth of Your Word and ways, and be strengthened in my walk all the days of my life. You are the hope of my life, and You are my eternal life. I place my trust in You, Lord, for myself, and my whole household. Use me to do the will of the heavenly Father, Who sent You, in Whose name You came. In Your name, and in thanks and praise I pray, Amen.

 

 

 



Be Thankful in the Midst of the Storm

 

 



Prayer in the Middle of Fire

 

I the link above, we witness a family escaping in their vehicle through the fire in California, where many have lost their lives, and many are still missing. In the video, while the husband drives, the wife is praying to God for safety through the midst of the fire that surrounds their car. Prayer and thanks to God can deliver us out of every calamity.

Scripture tells us to be thankful to God in and through every circumstance. We are in the Thanksgiving season, and it is a time of year that reminds us of this spiritual truth that we often neglect as we are caught up in the day to day problems of life:

"Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."  1 Thess. 5:16-18

The apostle Paul identifies rejoicing, prayer, and thanks in every circumstance as the specific will of God for each of us. Thanksgiving is an essential element in our relationship with our Father, Creator, and Savior.

 

Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.

Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.

Know ye that the LORD he is God:

It is he that hath made us and not we ourselves; we are his people and the sheep of his pasture.

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him and bless his name.

For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

Psalm 100, a psalm of praise

 

Embedded into our praise and thanksgiving is an acknowledgment of the LORD God as our Creator, our Shepherd through all, and His enduring, eternal mercy towards us. It is by thanksgiving that we enter through the gates of His courts, and into His presence, and leave behind all things that would attempt to overcome us. He promises to be there for us in our praise and thanks. He is enthroned upon the praises of His people. Psalm 106 begins: Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. We rely upon His promise of unending mercy that flows to us through our praise and thanksgiving to Him.

Thanks and praise to our God have become rare in the times in which we live. In fact, it is discouraged by secular society. However, as man turns away from acknowledging God, and giving Him the thanks that He has instructed us to give, the thanks that should be in our hearts towards Him, the very heart of man becomes darkened:

"Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to become wise, they became fools."   Rom. 1:21-22

We are clearly seeing this effect of thanklessness all around us. Those who belong to Christ, however, are to be changed inwardly, not conforming to the attitudes of the world around us, but putting on "as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercy, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering...And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body, and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do...do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and Father by him."  Col. 3:12-17 (pt.)

Since the body of Christ is called to be "one body", as scripture tells us above, why aren't we praying and praising, and thanking God until that peace of God rules in our hearts and overflows to fill the whole earth? If you want to be filled with that promised peace, begin to praise Him, begin to thank Him, especially in the midst of the fire, in the midst of the storms of life.

In heaven, praises, glory, blessing, honor and thanksgiving are given to the Lamb Who sits on the throne. The praise is so powerful in the Spirit, that all creation hears it, and joins in (Rev. 5). This is the worship to which we are called and to which we are to be conformed. This is the new song that we are to hear in our spirits, and sing ourselves. Let us join the holy praise (click the link below):

 

"TO HIM WHO SITS ON THE THRONE"

 

To Contact/Submit Prayer Request/Support the Ministry/To order the book, "NAZAH":

https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8

http://endtimeschool.com/

To Watch Dr. Stevenson's Complete Message:

https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8

 

Prayer of Salvation for all who desire to receive Jesus as their Savior:Lord Jesus, I desire to know You, and to know Your salvation. I believe that You died for me, and that You were resurrected for me. Forgive me of my sins. Come into my heart, change me, fill me with Your righteousness. Inscribe my name in the Lamb's book of life. Baptize me in Your Holy Spirit, so that I can learn the truth of Your Word and ways, and be strengthened in my walk all the days of my life. You are the hope of my life, and You are my eternal life. I place my trust in You, Lord, for myself, and my whole household. Use me to do the will of the heavenly Father, Who sent You, in Whose name You came. In Your name, and in thanks and praise I pray, Amen.

 

The Kingdom Purpose of Unity

 

Our nation is deeply divided, and we see destructive effect of that disunity daily. We formed a union of diverse states in our beginning, because we knew that a union was the only hope for our strength, prosperity, and our future. Our nation's motto reflects this determination to be unified: EPLURIBUS UNUM, "Out of many, one".
We can easily see that the Church is divided also. We are divided over social issues, politics, doctrines, denominations. However, Christ taught this truth: "Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand." (Mt. 12:25). The Lord called the Church to unity, not just for unity's sake, but for a specific purpose, which we shall see.
The apostle Paul taught the role that unity plays in our maturing in Christ:
"And he (Christ) gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect (completeness, maturity) man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ."   Eph. 4:11-13
Our knowledge of God, our perfecting, and our growth into the fullness of Christ must come out of a unity of faith. Each individual member of the Body of Christ supplies something that is needed for completion, and unity brings all of the individual members together (v. 16). The Body achieves this by speaking the truth in love. Jesus spoke of this truth also, and defined the truth this way: "Thy word is truth." (Jn 17:17). Speaking, teaching and preaching the truth, which is the Word of God, unifies us in that truth.
Too often, the Church unites itself with the world, instead of with the Word. In Genesis, the world unified itself in wickedness and rebellion against God. In seeing this unity in purpose, God said, "Behold, the people is one...and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do." (Gen. 11:6). God had to confuse their language, and physically scatter them in order to break apart their destructive unity in rebellion. The unity of the world created a powerful rebellion against God, but the unity of the Church in Christ accomplishes the exact opposite even more powerfully. Jesus brought this revelation in His final prayer to His Father for His disciples before His crucifixion:
"They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me."   Jn. 17:16-23 (excerpt)
In Jesus' prayer above, we see again, the perfecting that results from the Church's unity in Him and the Father. This unity is so important that Christ gave us the glory that He had received from His Father in order to achieve it. Christ in us is the hope of glory (Col. 1:27)- not only our own hope, but the world's hope in glory also. The importance of our unity, besides our own perfecting in him, is that the result of that unity or oneness in Christ, attests to the world the truth of God, and the purpose of His kingdom. Jesus knew that the unity of the Father, Son, and the believers impacts the world, and its salvation.
The purpose of the kingdom of God is not for us to be united with the world, but for the world to receive the saving knowledge of Christ though our unity with each other in Him. For this reason, Jesus has called the Church to be "one".

To Contact/Submit a Prayer Request/Support the Ministry/To Order the Book, "NAZAH":
https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8
http://endtimeschool.com/
To Watch Dr. Stevenson's Complete Message:
https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8

Prayer of Salvation for all who desire to receive Jesus as their Savior:Lord Jesus, I desire to know You, and to know Your salvation. I believe that You died for me, and that You were resurrected for me. Forgive me of my sins. Come into my heart, change me, fill me with Your righteousness. Inscribe my name in the Lamb's book of life. Baptize me in Your Holy Spirit, so that I can learn the truth of Your Word and ways, and be strengthened in my walk all the days of my life. You are the hope of my life, and You are my eternal life. I place my trust in You, Lord, for myself, and my whole household. Use me to do the will of the heavenly Father, Who sent You, in Whose name You came. In Your name, and in thanks and praise I pray, Amen.


Esse Non Videri

The meaning of the Latin words used in the title of this entry is, "To be, not to seem". It was the motto of a US Air Force Academy class. The cadets of that class felt that it was not enough just to have the outward appearance of an officer, but to also exercise the honorable behavior expected in an officer of the US Air Force. The Air force academy embraced this "whole man" concept of an officer, and enforced an honor system of behavior, after noting the behavior of Nazi officers in WWII, who thought their duty began and ended in obeying all orders, even those orders that were evil and immoral.
In the same manner, the LORD, and His living Word, expect us not to have an outward appearance of Christianity only, but the inward reality as well. We read in scripture that in these last days,there will be those who will not be genuine in their faith, those who will teach false doctrine, and those who will be eager to accept that false doctrine. We see this increasingly in the Church now as the return of Christ draws near. More and more, those who call themselves Christians are rejecting the truth of God's word, and embracing those things that God has called unacceptable. Paul warned that the day of Christ's return "shall not come, except there be a falling away (apostasy, defection from truth, repudiation, divorcement, cause to withdraw, incite to revolt) first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition..." (2 Thess. 2:3). Those who had once seemingly embraced the gospel, will abandon it, and incite others to do so also. Paul explained why this would happen:
"And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause, God shall send them strong delusion (wandering, straying, error, leading into error, wrong opinion), that they should believe a (the) lie: that they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness."   v. 10-12
These who had seemed to be in the faith will fall away because they do not value the truth, and the lie is more appealing to them. This lie challenges the truth of God's Word, as Satan did originally in Gen. 2. Choosing to believe the lie leads them into continuing in the pleasure they find in unrighteousness. Because of that choice to believe the lie, God will send strong delusion upon them. Isaiah also prophesies of a delusion sent by God:
"I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not."  Isa. 66:4
Our choices determine our destiny in God. Even now, there are those in the Body of Christ who encourage, teach, and celebrate unrighteousness as being acceptable to God. However, we are not called to just seem to be followers of Christ, but to BE followers of Christ and His Word.
Paul exhorts us to be genuine in faith and in righteousness, to stand fast by the Word: "God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ."   2 Thess. 2:13-15
Our sanctification is a transforming work, a renewing of the mind, by the Holy Spirit through the Word of Truth, as we offer ourselves sacrificially to the proving of the will of God in our spiritual service and worship (Rom. 12:1-2). It is a continuing process of sanctification resulting in a perfect man, a unity of faith, and the growing into the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, speaking the truth in love (Eph. 4:11-13,15). Not only is the individual believer perfected in this spiritual transformation, but the whole Body of Christ is also perfected by its members. Those who refuse this transforming and renewing process by the Holy Spirit and the Word of Truth "walk in the vanity of their mind, having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: ...have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. But ye have not so learned Christ...put off (cast off, lay aside)...the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and that ye put on (sink into like a garment) the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness."  v. 17-24
This process of "being, rather than just seeming" requires us to put away lying and lies, receive truth for ourselves, and speak the truth to others (v. 25). Put on the whole armor of God, which defends every part of our body, soul, and spirit in the truth of God's Word and His salvation, righteousness, and peace, against the spiritual wickedness that would try to cause men to fall away from truth and life to their destruction and damnation (Eph. 6:10-17).
Pray always and diligently, for yourself, and for all the saints of God, especially in these days of lies and strong delusions. It is time to be, and not to seem.

To Contact/Submit Prayer Request/Support the Ministry/To Order the book, "NAZAH":
https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8
http://endtimeschool.com/
To Watch Dr. Stevenson's Complete Message:
https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8

Exciting to be sharing my recently launched book, NAZAH: White Linen and the Blood of Sprinkling Thursday Nov 8th at 2 PM CST with @Morgan JamesPub ! Register to join us here : http://www.MorganJamesBookLaunch.com .

Prayer of Salvation for all who desire to receive Jesus as their Savior:Lord Jesus, I desire to know You, and to know Your salvation. I believe that You died for me, and that You were resurrected for me. Forgive me of my sins. Come into my heart, change me, fill me with Your righteousness. Inscribe my name in the Lamb's book of life. Baptize me in Your Holy Spirit, so that I can learn the truth of Your Word and ways, and be strengthened in my walk all the days of my life. You are the hope of my life, and You are my eternal life. I place my trust in You, Lord, for myself, and my whole household. Use me to do the will of the heavenly Father, Who sent You, in Whose name You came. In Your name, and in thanks and praise I pray, Amen.