Saturday, August 30, 2008

In 3 Days, After 3 Days, or Both?

In my last post, I suggested that the spiritual awakening that is going on right now in the hearts of a few believers in every nation around the world was directly linked to the resurrection of Christ. I compared the resurrection story, according to the gospels, linking to the scripture in 2 Peter 3:8-9,
But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
We are seeing the signs of the end of the age being fulfilled all around us. At the same time an amazing spiritual awakening is touching the hearts of a remnant of believers throughout the world, all at once. The church is considered "the body of Christ", and we are in the early hours of the third millennial "day" since Christ died, and so I concluded that this awakening was a "resurrection of the Body of Christ". I have found that the best subjects to write about are researched in reverse: where you have an idea that strikes you suddenly, and then do some homework to check it out, and get a resounding confirmation that you're thinking on the right track. The last post was like that. I had assumed that the Nicene Counsel had written the Apostles creed, but when I found out the truth (that the apostles creed was written in the 1st century with "resurrection of the body" and the Nicene Creed was written 200 years later, when the Holy Spirit anointing was gone, the term "body" changed to "dead")...when I found that out, the concept I had made even more sense.

Recently, Thomas brought up Jesus' words in Matt 12:40
"For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth."
He pointed out that if Jesus was talking about his resurrection, than my concept was a thousand years ahead of us, and not going on right now, because we are in the early hours of the "third day" since Jesus died. Thomas raised a good point. but when he brought it up, I had just finished a long and difficult exchange with Dan, and was feeling attacked, so my quick responses didn't completely explain what that verse is talking about, and how my teaching could be considered valid. If I am teaching in a way that contradicts the overall story of the scripture, then my teaching is worth nothing. But thankfully, the Bible is full of explanations.

The most important way to find answers to the deep questions we have, is to seek out those answers ourselves, and to remain in prayer. Thankfully, the truth is available to all who will seek it. Seeking the truth is hard work, but it's not an impossible task. You don't have to know everything in order to recognize the truth. And the more of it you do know, and embrace it, the more free you become from the influence of deceivers (so it's worth the effort). Also the more truth you encounter, the more love you have for it.

First, I will reinforce the concept of God's remnant and Jesus raising up in the third day, and then we will read what is supposed to happen after the third day. Thomas was correct in pointing out Matt 12:40, and asking the needed question. That verse is a "technicality", in that it is "a detail meaningful only to a specialist". However, we are called to study the scriptures in order to show ourselves approved to God, so we should all be studying the scriptures continuously, looking to the scriptures (and prayer) directly as the best resources for finding answers to our questions.

I will use the gospel of Matthew and the book of Hosea to plead my case, but there are certainly more verses that discuss this topic, buried like gems throughout the scriptures. Matt 16:21,
"From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day."
This verse introduces the concept of the personal resurrection of Jesus would happen in the third day, not after the third day. (but something will certainly happen after the third day). Matt 17:22-23,
Now while they were staying in Galilee, Jesus said to them,“The Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men, and they will kill Him, and the third day He will be raised up.” And they were exceedingly sorrowful.
Again, this is saying that the resurrection will happen in the third day, not after. Now as far as the Passover Sabbath goes, I have done a little homework (thanks to leads given by Sandra and Thomas), and found that Passover is the holiday which comes immediately before the week-long Feast of Unleavened Bread. Jesus was not betrayed on the passover, because his conspirators were afraid that the people would riot against them. Matt:26-2-5 starts with Jesus telling his disciples:
“You know that after two days is the Passover, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified.” Then the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders of the people assembled at the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas, and plotted to take Jesus by trickery and kill Him. But they said, “Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar among the people.”
In the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the first and the last days are considered Sabbaths. The days in between are not. Although they are part of the celebration, work can be done. This is significant. The conspirators needed to get rid of Jesus, but they were afraid of the people. What better time to strike than when the people were mostly pre-occupied with the week long feast of Passover? They couldn't do it on the opening feast day, because no one was allowed to work that day (neither Judges, nor Chief Priests, nor Elders). But they could do it after sun set on that day, in the middle of the night, while most of Jerusalem was sleeping. Matt 26:17 makes it clear that the Last Supper was on that day.
Now on the first day of the Feast of the Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying to Him, “Where do You want us to prepare for You to eat the Passover?”
The rest of Matt 26, gives the account of Jesus' betrayal. Matt 27 opens up the next morning, and it is on that day that Jesus is sentenced by Pilot and crucified. Jesus died in the "9th hour" of that day, which is three hours before the beginning of the "day of preparation". The Jews counted their days from evening to evening. Matt 27:57 says that when Jesus was crucified, he was buried that evening, and the next morning the elders and priests convinced Pilot to place a seal on his grave. The next day was the Sabbath. Since the Last Supper was shared on the special Sabbath of the Unleavened Bread Feast, and he was crucified the next day, it would be impossible for the Sabbath before his resurrection to be a double sabbath.

So he was buried and sealed in one day, he remained in the grave for the next day (the sabbath), and his resurrection was discovered the morning of the third day after his death. Now, it should be noted that none of the gospels give an account of the actual resurrection. All of the accounts are of discovering the empty tomb. But even though no one knows the hour of his resurrection, and none of us were there to witness it personally...there is no doubt in my mind that Jesus was alive again before the 72 hours of "three days and three nights" were up, and that he was dead for two full days, before being resurrected within the third day after his death. In that case, since Jesus wasn't a liar, he must have been talking about something else in Matt 12:40, when he says that "the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth".

My view is that Christ wasn't talking about his resurrection in that passage, but was instead talking about the future of the church, and his own future. Since we are flesh, and come from the "dust of the earth", and Jesus is in the hearts of his believers, he has been in "the heart of the earth" since he died, and will continue to be there even after he returns to rule the earth for 1000 years of peace. So that prophecy will not be fulfilled until after that 1000 years is over. We have an extra day ahead of us, where the body of Christ will be resurrected, and both head and body will remain in the heart of the earth, to rule together...this I believe to be "the last day" that Jesus spoke so much about. Hosea 6:1-3 also has a great promise for God's people. That is the promise that I shared in my last post.
Come, and let us return to the LORD; For He has torn, but He will heal us; He has stricken, but He will bind us up. After two days He will revive us; On the third day He will raise us up, That we may live in His sight. Let us know, Let us pursue the knowledge of the LORD. His going forth is established as the morning; He will come to us like the rain, Like the latter and former rain to the earth.
So the restoration will come after two days. Then for a thousand years, Satan will be bound, Christ will rule this earth, and there will be peace and joy like never before. After that thousand years Satan will be loosed, there will be one more war, and then this heaven and this earth will be judged and done away with (and replaced with a new heaven and a new Earth).

Please read through Revelation 20-21 to confirm that this is what the scriptures teach will happen. In Mat 12, Christ is talking about the days leading up to final judgment. The sign that will be given to those who demand a sign is this: the presence of Christ in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights. (the entire history of the real church, including the next 1000 years). Judgment will come for all immediately after that appointed time. Matt 12:38-42
"Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered, saying, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from You.” But He answered and said to them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. The men of Nineveh will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and indeed a greater than Jonah is here. The queen of the South will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and indeed a greater than Solomon is here.
Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. After his death, his mind and his spirit have lived on in those who belong to him. This will continue, even in the earth's new state of existence, after Jesus the head comes back to the Earth, for the next day and the next evening. Only after three days and three nights will the final judgment come. But we are eagerly awaiting what is happening now, because it signals the deliverance of the church, and victory that was promised for the last day.

8 comments:

faithful forever said...

This is an amazing post and has a very timely message for me - our redemption draweth near. I can barely wait and I really mean can barely wait. The Lord's timing is perfect in all things and His ways are just as perfect, and I will hang on to my faith no matter come what may, but these days are very trying. It appears that there is some kind of renewed attack on His people that is not tangible, but exists just the same. I cannot readily define it, but I feel it within myself as well. It has become easy to doubt again, easy to dismiss, and easy to look away as the rest of the world is able to do.

I wanted to discuss the Russian/Georgian war with someone the other day and their first reaction was 'what war are you talking about?' and their second response was 'that's happening over there and therefore did not concern us.' Nothing could be further from the truth...as usual. I see why America's destruction will come swiftly.

There was an advertisement for an upcoming documentary on LinkTV and it was showing that the whole world is watching the US and the election, but why is America not watching the rest of the world which is on fire?

I am still somewhat saddened and bewildered over Matt_333 and what that was all about, and Sandra's departure is not something I can easily understand either. My love, thoughts and prayers go out to you both in a really big way.

As always when I feel the imprisonment a little more acutely, I turn to the comforting words of the Lord in the Bible and He is renewing my strength and I know that He is with me. I am thankful that He is so strong even when I am at my weakest.

...He will come to us like the rain. Amen, gently but steadily filling us up.

Beautiful writing, young brother, and we must find encouragement and hope in His promises always and forever. Thank you for the blessings and your continuation in furthering the Kingdom of the Lord. I send you my love and holy kisses my dear brother in Christ; keep fighting the good fight. As you said, it is so worth it in so many ways and we can never give up.

Prayers for patient endurance while we patiently wait on the Lord. Come Lord Jesus, come.

young brother said...

You just confirmed what I suspected, that there has been a renewed attack lately. I feel it to, and the pull is strong, but we must resist. My heart breaks for Matt_333 and the tremendous sense of guilt that he seems to be experiencing. We need the Lord to help us survive, because the worst is even still ahead of us. But thankfully, he knew how tough it would be for his followers, and he has promised relief. Jesus said, "In the world you will have tribulation, but do not be afraid, for I have overcome the world". What a relief! Thank you for your continued contributions and help. I agree that it is very surreal to see people's denial of the seriousness of what's going on in Georgia.

faithful forever said...

All of Jesus' words strengthen and comfort. "He who is in us is greater than he who is in the world.'

Thank you young brother for your continued contributions and help.

Gustav could hit as a Cat 5 they are now predicting and it is expected to spawn tornadoes in Florida later today. Very trying times indeed, but His people will prevail because of Him and I will resist the deceitfulness of the serpent with all that God has made me.

Keep looking up and never give up the faith.

young brother said...

FF,

Did you hear that the New Orleans city government is implimenting Continuation of Government plans as a response to this hurricane? I saw a news conference this morning with the mayor, and that phrase came out several times. The National Guard is getting involved. This hurricane evacuation is a great practice drill for what might happen if a nuclear or biological weapon should devastate an American city before this next election and "force" George Bush to remain in office. The rulers of the world today aren't just heartless, they are truly evil, and very few understand what they are willing to do for power. For the most part, people are too busy arguing and fighting with each other to take notice of our real, collective enemy.

I hope to keep writing at a faster rate until 9-11-08. There are a lot of topics to discuss, and I really think that destruction is coming soon. You are, of course, always welcome to bring up other topics and continue contributing as you have been so faithfully. I would hate to be in here, like an empty room, and I really love it when you start to preach the good news, FF. Even if it's just us two here, we can hope that the spirit of the Lord is here with us.

Anonymous said...

"End of the world due in nine days" ?????

I believe, no matter what, playing God will have consequences that the world would ultimately has to suffer eventhough God doesn't let things to go according to human's plan.

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/features/article1630897.ece

The days ahead are indeed interesting with the war of words are being discharged from Middle East to Russia and America; quakes becoming a commonplace; and the hurricanes destract the fake and destracting election; the Aisan market in a melt down, nothing but shouting on the roof top seems the only thing that is left.
http://finance.yahoo.com/intlindices?e=asia

Stay blessed and keep looking up!

With heaps of love to ya all.

Annon

faithful forever said...

With heaps of love to you Annon. There will be three of us gathered here in His name.

New Orleans evacuees also received barcoded bracelets before being kicked out. All were told that since there was such a concerted effort to evacuate them, that if you stay behind you will receive no assistance. How's that for compassion? How's that for freedom? Young Brother, I heard that 15,000 national guard were down there, but I had not heard about the 'Continuation of Government' being implemented. They certainly think they have it all figured out, don't they? Hah, what a surprise that is in store for them.

What if someone refused to wear the barcoded bracelet?

September 'thee' 11th is quickly approaching and I will be ever more thankful for the vigilence of the few. The kind words and the love that is put out for all who enter here make me feel rich beyond compare. His people are priceless gifts and I praise Him for both of you more than ever.

Still missing everyone else...

Going to check out Annon's articles and as we approach what we have been preparing for, whatever is revealed, know that I love and cherish our time together; the love and support have been a tremendous blessing and we will meet again; of this I am certain.

Looking forward to all your insight Young Brother.

Love and prayers, and more love and prayers.

Sandra said...

YB,
I want to apologize for overreacting in the last post. If you will notice it was after Dan made a remark. I let it get to me and for that I am sorry. I also feel bad because I knew that Matt_333 was going off the deep end with this numerology and I kept quiet about it and in some ways I feel I encouraged him. I try to stay away from numerology and I was beginning to get interested in it. On your other blog site Matt_333 mentioned he got involved in the Ojai board before some of his postings and I knew he was dealing with areas that you have to stay away from.

I also was trying to temper your outburst with Thomas and I felt I failed in that regard. I don't feel Thomas as a threat to the body of Christ because he asks questions and does not buy into Christian dogma. When Dan was attacking you I felt the need to come to your defense even though to be honest with you I don't believe as you do. I believe that the environment we live in and what we are exposed to through the media, books and internet plays a part in our sexual orientation. I have a niece who is gay but she was molested by her father when she was a child. She insists that is not the reason she is that way but I believe it is and I am angry that it was done to her. I don't believe she is damned because I know our loving Father in heaven understands all that we go through in this world. I do get angry with men who dress as women in makeup and dress. I feel it mocks women and totally disagree with it and want no part of accepting it.

I just felt I needed to help you understand where I was coming from and I do believe you have a gift but you do need to get your temper in control. The Lord is sending people your way to help you control your temper and for you to learn to listen to what they say without taking it personal. You do have a gift and I have been blessed to know you and your vision.

Yours in Christ

young brother said...

Sandra,

Thank you for that explanation. I understand about my temper, it plagues me. It just gets under my skin when people take a bold, "prove it" kind of stance. There are answers in the scriptures. I guess I was just hoping that by studying them directly, Thomas would have been able to answer his own question. But I could have been more gracious.

Truthfully, Dan shook me up more than I was willing to admit.

As far as the issue of homosexuality, you are allowed to have your stance. I'm glad you were able to feel open enough to share your view. Because to me, the difference in view doesn't matter nearly as much as the heart of the matter. You have your piece of the pie, and I have mine. None of us holds a monopoly on the truth. It's part of being human. We shouldn't spend our time trying to convince each other of our own stance, but instead we should work towards the common goal of learning how to be more loving to a world that can be difficult to love. That is the ultimate "heart of the matter".

My stance is that there are perversions of sexuality everywhere, for both gays and straights. I believe that straight people can choose to experiment with homosexual behavior, and I agree that there is a disregard for the almighty when people have a "nothing is sacred" attitude about sex.

However, there are also people who have a deep and passionate love for God, who also have an innate attraction to members of the same sex. You can't change that, they can't change that. These people are Christians just as much as we are.

Gay people can resist their sexual urges just as straight people can, but it doesn't make them "ex-gay". And straight people probably have just about as many adulterous thoughts. To judge people based on that; to condemn them for being born a little different from most people; to demand that they change something that God created about them...that is asking too much, and that is what the Christian right is preaching to the gay community, and it is why there won't be a more significant showing of repentance.

I just hope that God's mercy is truly as wonderful as I believe it is.