坟墓不是你的终结目标 the grave is not your goal

 

耶稣很少提到“死亡”；这个词太人性化了。他更喜欢用“睡眠”或“摆脱”这些更柔和的名字，从而使死亡成为生命的加速器，或将其比作从束缚到自由的胜利进军。对耶稣来说，“死阴幽谷”也不是一个陌生的地方。他知道它所有的秘密，所有的曲折。这是他自己的领地，他的意志至高无上。

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复活节的早晨敲响了新的音节，音乐继续演奏，虽然音调较高，但音调相同，旋律也相同。人类的生命也是如此。”

“坟墓不是我们的终结目标。”随着凡人获得永生，条件和环境必然会改变，但生命本身将是同一种生命，在这里是可见的和暂时的事物，在那里是无形的和永恒的事物。

Jesus did not often speak of "death"; that was too human a word. He preferred the softer names of "sleep" or "exodus," thus making death the quickener of life, or likening it to a triumphal march from bondage to liberty. Nor was "the Valley of the Shadow" to Jesus a strange, unfamiliar place. He knew all its secrets, all its windings. It was His own territory, where His will was supreme. 

the Easter morning struck a fresh bar, and the music went on, in the higher spaces, it is true, but in the same key and in the same sweet strain. And just so is it with all human life"; 

"The Grave is not our goal." Conditions and circumstances will of necessity change, as the mortal puts on immortality, but the life itself will be one and the same life, here amid things visible and temporal, and there amid the invisible and eternal.

resurrection truth

Whilst no one can turn back the time for the dead, for those who are still alive and perhaps grieving, you may want to know more about resurrection. Resurrection from the dead is part of the doctrine of the first principles of Christ. It is an essential foundational truth of Christianity. The teaching of the resurrection is the one essential truth that separates Christianity from all other religions of the world. (Hebrews 6:1-3) Every man will live forever. Some will live with God; some will live apart from God, but all will live forever.

The Bible records ten supernatural resurrections that returned the dead to human life. In addition to Jesus’ own resurrection, and “many bodies of the saints (believers) who had died were raised; and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many” (Matthew 27:51-52). The remaining eight resurrections are recorded in
1 Kings 17:17-24; 2 Kings 4:32-37; 13:20-21; Luke 8:49–56; Luke 7:11-17; John 11:1-44; Acts 9:36-42; 20:7-12.
Jesus predicted his own resurrection: Matthew 17:22-23, “The Son of Man is going to be handed over to the power of men, and they will kill him. And on the third day he will be raised to life again.” This greatly distressed the disciples. (PHILLIPS)
Jesus resurrected just as He said. (Matthew 28:1-20; Mark 16:1-20; Luke 24:1-52; John 20:1-21:25)
Jesus Himself raised people from the dead: e.g. Lazarus (John 11:1-44), Jairus' Daughter (Luke 8:49–56) and Widow of Nain's Son (Luke 7:11–17).
Important truth concerning Jesus’ resurrection:

1. Paul says that the fact that Jesus was resurrected is the proof that He is the Son of God. Romans 1:4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead…" (KJV)
2. And the fact that Jesus was raised from the dead is our guarantee that we have eternal life through Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 6:14 And God both raised up the Lord and will also raise us up by His power. (NKJV)
3. Apostle Paul also said that the Holy Spirit was given to us as a deposit to guarantee our eternal life.  2 Corinthians 1:21-22 It is God who enables us, along with you, to stand firm for Christ. He has commissioned us, 22 and he has identified us as his own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the first installment that guarantees everything he has promised us. (NLT)

Jesus’ teaching on the facts of resurrection: Luke 20:34-38 (NKJV)
34 Jesus answered and said to them, “The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage. 35 But those who are counted worthy to attain that age, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry nor are given in marriage; 36 nor can they die anymore, for they are equal to the angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection. 37 But even Moses showed in the burning bush passage that the dead are raised, when he called the Lord ‘the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ 38 For He is not the God of the dead but of the living, for all live to Him.”
The apostles also raised people from the dead:
Acts 9:36-42 (NLT) Apostle Peter resurrected Tabitha (Dorcas).
Acts 20:7-12 Apostle Paul resurrected Eutychus.
Old Testament Prophets raised people from the dead:
Widow of Zarephath's Son raised by the prophet Elijah (1 King 17:17-24); Shunammite Woman's Son raised by the prophet Elisha (2 Kings 4:18-37); an Israelite dead man’s body resurrected by touching prophet Elisha’s bones (2 Kings 13:20–21).  
Finally, there is hope for us as declared by the Apostle Paul in the following verses:
1 Corinthians 15:51-53 (NLT) 51 But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed! 52 It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed. 53 For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies.

1 Thessalonians 5:10 (NLT) Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever.

“It is the Spirit who gives life”

What/who gives life? This is the question today. Jesus told us that “it is the Spirit who gives life.” (John 6:63) He is talking about the Holy Spirit. A Chinese woman had just jumped down from a high-rise building in  a busy prosperous modern city and ended her life. She just came back to work from her maternity leave. She worked  in a big corporation with lots of staff who hardly had time to know each other. She was away for sometime and had just returned to work. She just had a baby. But she suddenly ended her life.

According to some Chinese tradition of ancestors’ worship this is the time of the annual tomb festival and they go to visit their ancestors’ cemeteries and perform their filial rituals there. It is a bit like the All Souls’ Day (Day of the Dead) practiced by some Christians in the West. Although many treat this as a traditional or even cultural event to remember the dead loved ones, there is spiritual implication and influence in the spiritual realm which can manifest in the physical realm and affect lives on earth, as I have written before. The apostles have warned Christians about such evil that affect minds. (James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:8-9; 2 Corinthians 10:3-5; Ephesians 6:10-18; Philippians 4:8)

What should Christians do on such mass celebration of the dead? I believe we can find Bible verses to guide us. Christianity does not focus on the dead. Jesus talks of life and life more abundant. He has given many words about Hi giving life and the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of life, His words are life. He speaks of His resurrection from the dead. He tells us that we shall be resurrected too. Believers of Jesus  shall not remain dead when Jesus returns. We shall not taste the second death the rest of the world will go into. The whole Bible actually focuses on the life that God has given to mankind and the born again life that the Holy Spirit will give to those who believe in Jesus. Jesus speaks of His mission as, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10)

Bible verses: James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:8-9; 2 Corinthians 10:3-5; Ephesians 6:10-18

Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

Philippians 4:4-7
Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

At the end who cannot enter heaven?

Revelation 21:1-8


A New Heaven and a New Earth

1 Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 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. 4 ‘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.”

5 He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

6 He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. 7 Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children. 8 But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”

Revelation 22:12-16

Epilogue: Invitation and Warning

12 “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.

14 “Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. 15 Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

16 “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.”

启 示 录 21:1-8

1 我 又 看 见 一 个 新 天 新 地 ； 因 为 先 前 的 天 地 已 经 过 去 了 ， 海 也 不 再 有 了 。

2 我 又 看 见 圣 城 新 耶 路 撒 冷 由 神 那 里 从 天 而 降 ， 预 备 好 了 ， 就 如 新 妇 妆 饰 整 齐 ， 等 候 丈 夫 。

3 我 听 见 有 大 声 音 从 宝 座 出 来 说 ： 看 哪 ， 神 的 帐 幕 在 人 间 。 他 要 与 人 同 住 ， 他 们 要 作 他 的 子 民 。 神 要 亲 自 与 他 们 同 在 ， 作 他 们 的 神 。

4 神 要 擦 去 他 们 一 切 的 眼 泪 ； 不 再 有 死 亡 ， 也 不 再 有 悲 哀 、 哭 号 、 疼 痛 ， 因 为 以 前 的 事 都 过 去 了 。

5 坐 宝 座 的 说 ： 看 哪 ， 我 将 一 切 都 更 新 了 ！ 又 说 ： 你 要 写 上 ； 因 这 些 话 是 可 信 的 ， 是 真 实 的 。

6 他 又 对 我 说 ： 都 成 了 ！ 我 是 阿 拉 法 ， 我 是 俄 梅 戛 ； 我 是 初 ， 我 是 终 。 我 要 将 生 命 泉 的 水 白 白 赐 给 那 口 渴 的 人 喝 。

7 得 胜 的 ， 必 承 受 这 些 为 业 ： 我 要 作 他 的 神 ， 他 要 作 我 的 儿 子 。

8 惟 有 胆 怯 的 、 不 信 的 、 可 憎 的 、 杀 人 的 、 淫 乱 的 、 行 邪 术 的 、 拜 偶 像 的 ， 和 一 切 说 谎 话 的 ， 他 们 的 分 就 在 烧 着 硫 磺 的 火 湖 里 ； 这 是 第 二 次 的 死 。

启 示 录 22:12-16

12 看 哪 ， 我 必 快 来 ！ 赏 罚 在 我 ， 要 照 各 人 所 行 的 报 应 他 。

13 我 是 阿 拉 法 ， 我 是 俄 梅 戛 ； 我 是 首 先 的 ， 我 是 末 後 的 ； 我 是 初 ， 我 是 终 。

14 那 些 洗 净 自 己 衣 服 的 有 福 了 ！ 可 得 权 柄 能 到 生 命 树 那 里 ， 也 能 从 门 进 城 。

15 城 外 有 那 些 犬 类 、 行 邪 术 的 、 淫 乱 的 、 杀 人 的 、 拜 偶 像 的 ， 并 一 切 喜 好 说 谎 言 、 编 造 虚 谎 的 。

16 我 ─ 耶 稣 差 遣 我 的 使 者 为 众 教 会 将 这 些 事 向 你 们 证 明 。 我 是 大 卫 的 根 ， 又 是 他 的 後 裔 。 我 是 明 亮 的 晨 星 。

how shall we escape?

DO NOT FOOL YOURSELVES. THERE IS NO ESCAPE! (Unless you repent today)

Hebrews 2:1-4

New Living Translation (NLT)

A Warning
1 So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it. 2 For the message God delivered through angels has always stood firm, and every violation of the law and every act of disobedience was punished. 3 So what makes us think we can escape if we ignore this great salvation that was first announced by the Lord Jesus himself and then delivered to us by those who heard him speak? 4 And God confirmed the message by giving signs and wonders and various miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit whenever he chose.

Hebrews 3:12-14 (NIV)


12 See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. 13 But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. 14 We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end.

希 伯 來 書 3:12-14 12 弟 兄 们 ， 你 们 要 谨 慎 ， 免 得 你 们 中 间 或 有 人 存 着 不 信 的 恶 心 ， 把 永 生 神 离 弃 了 。 13 总 要 趁 着 还 有 今 日 ， 天 天 彼 此 相 劝 ， 免 得 你 们 中 间 有 人 被 罪 迷 惑 ， 心 里 就 刚 硬 了 。 14 我 们 若 将 起 初 确 实 的 信 心 坚 持 到 底 ， 就 在 基 督 里 有 分 了 。
希 伯 來 書 2:1-4

1 所 以 ， 我 们 当 越 发 郑 重 所 听 见 的 道 理 ， 恐 怕 我 们 随 流 失 去 。

2 那 藉 着 天 使 所 传 的 话 既 是 确 定 的 ； 凡 犯 悖 逆 的 都 受 了 该 受 的 报 应 。

3 我 们 若 忽 略 这 麽 大 的 救 恩 ， 怎 能 逃 罪 呢 ？ 这 救 恩 起 先 是 主 亲 自 讲 的 ， 後 来 是 听 见 的 人 给 我 们 证 实 了 。

4 神 又 按 自 己 的 旨 意 ， 用 神 迹 、 奇 事 和 百 般 的 异 能 ， 并 圣 灵 的 恩 赐 ， 同 他 们 作 见 证 。

End Times Witnessing: Today it is all about Life

TODAY’S food for thought for watchman: Why ponder over LIFE?

What makes the watchman ponder about life today?
In the past four weeks four persons with whom the watchman had acquainted passed away, all of whom (three men and one woman) died a sudden death, in their 30s, 40s and 50s. All were married with family. The three men came from one church.

The news had been saddening and even shattering for the unprepared.

The oldest man had had remissions from his previous stroke and his family was not prepared as he had recovered his functioning well for a number of years. He left behind his wife, adult children and young grand children.

The youngest man had good report from his yearly medical check-up until the sudden discovery of end stage liver cancer. He decided to join his wife and became a Christian after receiving his medical diagnosis. He left behind his young wife and two young boys.
The middle-aged man had rarely complained of medical illness until he suddenly developed liver ailments. He became a Christian earlier than the other two men did. He and his wife became estranged after years of unresolved family strife. At his death, the wife and daughter had already left him for over a year. His only son came home from another town to handle the funeral on his own.

The woman had heard the Gospel a number of times but had not pursued further. She befriended a devout Buddhist and lately opted to listen to the chanting of Buddhist monk daily until her sudden death (aneurysm in her brain). She left behind husband and two daughters.

Yes, the spirit of death came stealthily in the darkest hour of the night and took their lives unexpectedly.

Seeing death coming in like a flood, taking one life per week within a tiny community of familiar people, makes one notice how fragile the physical part of life can be. Even though he had not seen them for many years, he attended two men’s wake night services. Listening to the usual wake night sermons made him think of the words of Jesus about the meaning of life according to God. Where does life come from? Who can give life? Where does one’s spirit go when life on earth is extinguished?

It is time to read the word of Jesus again, this time, with belief in our hearts. Take heed what we hear today!

Watchman’s advice: You need to believe in the supernatural and spiritual reality to understand this. There is one crucial condition for entry to heaven, as stated below by Jesus, the Son of God Himself:

John 3:3, 5 New King James Version (NKJV)
3 “Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.

Matthew 7:14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. Matthew 10:39 He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it. Matthew 16:25 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.

Luke 10:25 [ The Parable of the Good Samaritan ] And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” Luke 12:15 And He said to them, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.”

Luke 12:22 [ Do Not Worry ] Then He said to His disciples, “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on. Luke 12:23 Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing. Luke 21:34 [ The Importance of Watching ] “But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly.

John 1:4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. John 3:15 that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:36 He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”

John 5:21 For as the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom He will.John 5:24 [ Life and Judgment Are Through the Son ] “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. John 5:40 But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.

John 6:27 Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him.”

John 6:63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.

John 10:10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. John 10:11

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. John 10:28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. John 11:25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Jesus prayed this to the Father (God): John 17:2 as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him. John 17:3 And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.

John 20:31 but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.

_____________________________Word of warning:
Romans 8:5-8 New Living Translation (NLT)

5 Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. 6 So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. 7 For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will. 8 That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God.
____________________________________

Watchman’s comment: Often people do not know what they are worshiping. Letting one’s mind controlled by something (giving inroad to other spirits) that is not God leads to death. Very sad indeed. If you do not know God, seek to know Him. Meanwhile stay away from all forms of spirits (including spiritual philosophy).

Spiritual realm is real. God is real. Do not ignore this truth. Your family needs you. God loves you and wants you to have eternal life through His Son, who gave His life for you. Seek the true God who gives life now!