Bible Study Seattle

Many apparent bible contradictions can be solved by adding the element of time.

“but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.” 2 Timothy 1:10

If Jesus abolished death at the cross why are people still dying?

“The last enemy that will be abolished is death.” 1 Corinthians 15:26

So we see that death may have been destroyed at the cross but its elimination will be delayed till the end.

Is something else necessary to the elimination of death? Are there smaller sacrifices needed in addition to Jesus’ foundational sacrifice? That does seem to be the case as patterned in the Temple sacrifices.

“you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” Peter 2:5

Is Jesus immortal?

“For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself.” John 5:26

“but is now made manifest by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:” 2 Timothy 1:10

“Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.  For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.” 1 Corinthians 15:51-53

“No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.” John 10:18

Do these scriptures answer yes? What about these:

“Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.” 1 Timothy 1:17

“I direct you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who testified the good confession before Pontius Pilate, that you keep the commandment without fault or reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which He will bring about at the proper time—He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen.” 1 Timothy 6:13-16

Do these scriptures answer no? If we seek to harmonize the most contradictory scriptures (John 5:26 and 1 Timothy 6:16) the only solution is time. 1 Timothy 6:16 declares that only God the Father is immortal and was written after Jesus rose back to the Father in heaven. Therefore, at that time he was not immortal. But it is possible that at some future point God will confer immortality to Jesus and his followers (John 5:26 & 1 Corinthians 15:51-53). Time will tell!

2,000 years ago it was a dangerous thing to say that Jesus is Lord. Caesar was Lord and that was official policy. It is a difference similar to worshipping the creation not the creator. Many even in the church today make the same mistake. Pantheism is a useful tool for Satan. The extremes of the environmental and climate change movements are the same. They are excuses to give Caesar (the government) more power. We are not to worship Caesar. Those that want government to solve everything (including conservatives) will always be disappointed. Jesus really is Lord even if we don’t see him. “And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do?  And he answered, Fear not; for they that are with us are more than they that are with them.  And Elisha prayed, and said, Jehovah, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And Jehovah opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.” 2 Kings 6:15-17

“If He were to pass by me, I would not see Him;
Were He to move past me, I would not perceive Him.” Job 9:11

“Behold, I go forward but He is not there,
And backward, but I cannot perceive Him;
When He acts on the left, I cannot see Him;
He turns to the right, but I cannot see Him.
But He knows the way I take;” Job 23:8-10

“Behold, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is the one who stays awake and keeps his clothes, so that he will not walk about naked and people will not see his shame.” Revelation 16:15

Is there second death in heaven? This scripture suggests no:

“Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of the Messiah, and they will reign with Him for 1,000 years.” Revelation 20:6

But what about judgement?

“For we must all appear before the tribunal of Christ, so that each may be repaid for what he has done in the body, whether good or worthless.” 2 Corinthians 5:10

“For the time has come for judgment to begin with God’s household.” 1 Peter 4:17

Judgement involves the possibility of condemnation. How do we square these scriptures? One possibility is that the phrase ‘the second death has no power over them’ was inserted later than the apostles’ time. Another possibility is that the 1,000 years is referencing the 1,000 year Jubilee after the 1,000 year Sabbath.

We think Revelation 20:6 was altered. God went out of his way to warn the scribes:

“I testify to everyone who hears the prophetic words of this book: If anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book. And if anyone takes away from the words of this prophetic book, God will take away his share of the tree of life and the holy city, written in this book.” Revelation 22:18-19

Revelation was tampered with before the 300s so there is no manuscript proof. But at the resurrection we will learn who and what was changed.

“Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20

Many Christians are frustrated at the apparent ineffectiveness of their witness to friends and family. They think that this life is it and if a person is not converted they’re lost. Imagine their surprise when everyone comes back from the dead including non believers!

Now imagine a new conversion situation. Word is that the trees of life have reappeared in Israel (and heaven(?)) People are allowed to eat providing they follow the Lord’s instructions at the Temple. Conversion now becomes a matter of life or death. But everybody has a choice. The onus of conversion is suddenly on each individual. “The person who sins is the one who will die. A son won’t suffer punishment for the father’s iniquity, and a father won’t suffer punishment for the son’s iniquity. The righteousness of the righteous person will be on him, and the wickedness of the wicked person will be on him.” Ezekiel 18:20

When a person dies today, we are sad. There’s nothing we can do to stop death. But not in the next life. How different that will be! Imagine reverse aging! Our current life is 35ish years of looking ahead and 35ish years of decline. But that next life can be thousands of years or infinite years of looking ahead. Imagine having the zest of a 25 year old at 400?! Yet it has happened in the past. Methuselah lived 969 years. I doubt he was old and haggard at 99. And let’s not think it will be boring. The New Creation is coming bringing new things that we can’t even imagine today. Will there be new colors? New smells? Imagine the powers we might have. Will we be able to fly? Teleport? Will we be able to have thousands of children? Will we understand the angelic realm? “Don’t you know that we will judge angels—not to mention ordinary matters?” 1 Corinthians 6:3

“The same day some Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came up to Him and questioned Him: “Teacher, Moses said, if a man dies, having no children, his brother is to marry his wife and raise up offspring for his brother. Now there were seven brothers among us. The first got married and died. Having no offspring, he left his wife to his brother.  The same happened to the second also, and the third, and so to all seven. Then last of all the woman died.  In the resurrection, therefore, whose wife will she be of the seven? For they all had married her.” Matthew 22:23-28

This is actually an excellent question. Jesus skips right to the final resurrection in the new creation where marriage is no longer in operation. But we know that many people will come back in human form first. “But I know my living Redeemer, and He will stand on the dust at last. Even after my skin has been destroyed, yet I will see God in my flesh.” Job 19:25-26

“Therefore, prophesy and say to them: This is what the Lord God says: I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them, My people, and lead you into the land of Israel.  You will know that I am Yahweh, My people, when I open your graves and bring you up from them.” Ezekiel 37:12-13

The answer to the Sadducees’ question is that the man will be married to all seven former wives. The times of Jesus’ 1,000 year reign will still be messy with sin. It is an intermediate time where Jesus cleans the world to a point where it can pass God’s test and enter into the promised land of God’s new creation. But not all will enter. Some will choose death – like Pharaoh. We get a picture of those who are forbidden to enter Jerusalem on account of their unrepentant sin:

“Blessed are those who wash their robes [the repentant], so that they may have the right to the tree of life and may enter the city by the gates.  Outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices lying.” Revelation 22:14-15

Perhaps the extra wives of a man will be able to marry a new man so that it is one man to one woman. Think of Solomon! 300 wives and 700 cucumbers! Is it really equitable that a woman should have to compete with 999 others? No way! God has better things for us in Jesus’ 1,000 years. In heaven it may be different. The goal of the church is to marry Jesus. There is probably some way we can’t understand that Jesus can satisfy thousands of wives. But Jesus’ attendants in heaven may have a more standard marriage in the heavenly realm. Who knows? We will have to see when we get there. In any case someone is going to have lots of babies, either on earth or in heaven.

“Rejoice, childless one, who did not give birth;
burst into song and shout,
you who have not been in labor!
For the children of the forsaken one will be more
than the children of the married woman,”
says the Lord.
“Enlarge the site of your tent,
and let your tent curtains be stretched out;
do not hold back;
lengthen your ropes,
and drive your pegs deep.
For you will spread out to the right and to the left,
and your descendants will dispossess nations
and inhabit the desolate cities.

“Do not be afraid, for you will not be put to shame;
don’t be humiliated, for you will not be disgraced.
For you will forget the shame of your youth,
and you will no longer remember
the disgrace of your widowhood.
Indeed, your husband is your Maker—
His name is Yahweh of Hosts—
and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer;
He is called the God of all the earth.
For the Lord has called you,
like a wife deserted and wounded in spirit,
a wife of one’s youth when she is rejected,”
says your God.
“I deserted you for a brief moment,
but I will take you back with great compassion.
In a surge of anger
I hid My face from you for a moment,
but I will have compassion on you
with everlasting love,”
says the Lord your Redeemer.
“For this is like the days of Noah to Me:
when I swore that the waters of Noah
would never flood the earth again,
so I have sworn that I will not be angry with you
or rebuke you.
Though the mountains move
and the hills shake,
My love will not be removed from you
and My covenant of peace will not be shaken,”
says your compassionate Lord.

“Poor Jerusalem, storm-tossed, and not comforted,
I will set your stones in black mortar,
and lay your foundations in sapphires.
I will make your fortifications out of rubies,
your gates out of sparkling stones,
and all your walls out of precious stones.
Then all your children will be taught by the Lord,
their prosperity will be great,
and you will be established
on a foundation of righteousness.
You will be far from oppression,
you will certainly not be afraid;
you will be far from terror,
it will certainly not come near you.
If anyone attacks you,
it is not from Me;
whoever attacks you
will fall before you.
Look, I have created the craftsman
who blows on the charcoal fire
and produces a weapon suitable for its task;
and I have created the destroyer to cause havoc.
No weapon formed against you will succeed,
and you will refute any accusation
raised against you in court.
This is the heritage of the Lord’s servants,
and their righteousness is from Me.”
This is the Lord’s declaration.” Isaiah 54

“Turn to Me and be saved,
all the ends of the earth.
For I am God,
and there is no other.
By Myself I have sworn;
Truth has gone from My mouth,
a word that will not be revoked:
Every knee will bow to Me,
every tongue will swear allegiance.” Isaiah 45:22-23

“As I live, says the Lord,
every knee will bow to Me,
and every tongue will give praise to God. So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.” Romans 14:11-12

“For this reason God highly exalted Him
and gave Him the name
that is above every name,
so that at the name of Jesus
every knee will bow—
of those who are in heaven and on earth
and under the earth—
and every tongue should confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:9-11

Those in heaven will bow? Are there currently some in heaven that refuse to bow?? Who all are in heaven? Is it a mixture of good & evil like earth? Will Satan himself confess Jesus is Lord? Evidently no one will be ignorant of who the Messiah is in due time. There will be no excuse.

“Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy way will be guilty of sin against the body and blood of the Lord. So a man should examine himself; in this way he should eat the bread and drink from the cup. For whoever eats and drinks without recognizing the body, eats and drinks judgment on himself. This is why many are sick and ill among you, and many have fallen asleep. If we were properly evaluating ourselves, we would not be judged, but when we are judged, we are disciplined by the Lord, so that we may not be condemned with the world.

“Therefore, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for one another.  If anyone is hungry, he should eat at home, so that when you gather together you will not come under judgment. And I will give instructions about the other matters whenever I come.” 1 Corinthians 11:27-34

The meaning of communion is lost on most Christians. It is a ritual involving eating a wafer and wine (or grape juice). That’s about it. Communion really is Passover. It was eaten right before the Hebrews marched out of Egyptian slavery before the crack of dawn of Abib 14 (or Nisan 14). It represents our coming out of the slavery of sin. In the second part of our life when we come back from the dead in the millennial reign of Christ, its meaning will become apparent.

“Then all the survivors from the nations that came against Jerusalem will go up year after year to worship the King, the Lord of Hosts, and to celebrate the Festival of Booths.  Should any of the families of the earth not go up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the Lord of Hosts, rain will not fall on them.  And if the people of Egypt will not go up and enter, then rain will not fall on them; this will be the plague the Lord inflicts on the nations who do not go up to celebrate the Festival of Booths.  This will be the punishment of Egypt and all the nations that do not go up to celebrate the Festival of Booths.” Zechariah 14:16-19

Will the nations also be required to go to Jerusalem to celebrate Passover? “Then He said to them, “I have fervently desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” Luke 22:15-16 If they eat the Passover meal in a unworthy manner will they be prohibited from eating of the trees of life?

This is where the rubber meets the road. God has told us that those that refuse to go to the Feast of Booths will have no rain. Their crops will fail and they will ultimately die if they persist in resisting the Lord’s commands. How different this is from the current situation! (circa AD 2023)

Something amazing will happen to those who are fit to eat from the trees of life: “then his flesh will be healthier than in his youth,
and he will return to the days of his youthful vigor.” Job 33:25

But people will not be able to eat of the trees of life whenever they see fit, only when in season, yet these trees will blossom every month: “All kinds of trees providing food will grow along both banks of the river. Their leaves will not wither, and their fruit will not fail. Each month they will bear fresh fruit because the water comes from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be used for food and their leaves for medicine.” Ezekiel 47:12

The effects of sin will be reversed! The way to eternal life will be open to all who would choose Life!

How is it that Jesus celebrated the Passover meal one evening, then became the Passover sacrifice himself the next day? The answer is that the observance of Passover changed through the centuries. Passover was initially celebrated at homes but was later moved to the Temple. Jesus celebrated the Passover meal at the beginning of Abib 14; the Temple sacrifices started at 3pm – the end of Abib 14. Here is an excellent article:

https://www.bibletools.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Topical.show/RTD/cgg/ID/19888/Two-Passover-Observances-at-Time-Jesus.htm