Blessed Hope Bible-Presbyterian Church
500 Upper Bukit Timah Rd, Singapore 678106
It is needful that the believer understands the power of God unleashed in raising the dead up. He will seek to enlighten the believers concerning the resurrection of the dead at the rapture. This is a great mystery that he will unravel to show how the dead in Christ is but asleep and will be awakened when God will reconstruct for the dead in Christ a glorified body. Mind boggling truth!
The Apostle John said in 1 John 2:29 If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him. All that is truly born of God will be awakened to the filth of sin and seek earnestly to live holily.
William MacDonald observed well, “The Corinthians should not be deceived on this score. Evil company corrupts good habits. Paul is referring to the false teachers who had come into the church at Corinth, denying the resurrection.”
The opposition and severe persecution which came to him in Ephesus as likened to being thrown into a den of wild beasts and be torn apart. These beasts are a reference to evil men who sought to take his life and thwart the work of the gospel.
He speaks here of the dangers that he was exposed to daily that is life-threatening. Despite these dangers, he was courageous and trusted in God to accomplish the gospel work. He rejoices over the spiritual conversions and progress made in the spiritual lives of the Corinthian church.
The Apostle Paul preached the gospel without apology, boldly declaring the truth, often facing great persecution. He acknowledged that it took courage on his part to persevere. God’s grace sustained him. He lived a life often hanging by thread, facing great dangers because of his persecutors.
William MacDonald said well, “At the time Paul wrote, there was fierce persecution against those who took a public stand for Christ. This persecution was especially vicious at the time of their baptism. It often happened that those who publicly proclaimed their faith in Christ in the waters of baptism were martyred shortly thereafter. But did this stop others from being saved and from taking their place in baptism? Not at all.”
This world seemed to be running amok. There is a sense that things go out of control, out of order. We hear of wars and rumours of war. There seemed to be no true peace. The day is coming when Jesus Christ has to return to bring order to His created world. For all who know Him as Saviour, it will be a day of rejoicing. But for those who do not know Him, it is a day of wailing.
Christ by His resurrection from the dead overcome the curse of God upon the creation of man after his fall. It was a process of great length that the Father has to send the Son to accomplish the victory over the last enemy, namely, death. From prediction to fruition and the final consummation spans the entire history of mankind since his creation and to the end of the age.
The Apostle Paul described death as the last enemy that shall be destroyed with the resurrection of the dead in the consummation of the age. Death has been the greatest impasse for mortal men since the fall of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Death was first defeated at the cross when Jesus Christ suffered and died for the sins of men and rose from the dead three days later.