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Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 1 Peter 1:3-5
The Hope of the Christian Person is this: For the Christian, when the body dies, their soul will be together with the Lord Jesus Christ. (Not necessarily if the person committed murder of him or her self to accomplish this meeting.) Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. 2 Corinthians 5:5,6 (for more detail of this verse, see Detail)
The basis for this belief is the trust in this Reality. The facts are these: 1. Jesus was crucified and died. 2. Jesus became alive after three days of being dead. 3. Jesus, in His real flesh body, ascended into heaven with many people watching Him. 4. All who believe in His Name, His character, Who He is, who have surrendered their sin, hearts and lives to Him are His adopted children and have this future also. Christians, like all other people, will die a physical death. But the Christian's soul will immediately arrive into the presence of the Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ. When the time comes for our death, which the Lord God Almighty has determined, our bodies are changed to being like Jesus’ and we live together with Him forever and ever in Heaven. Facts - Crucifixion - Matt 20:17-19, Matt 27, Mark 15, Luke 23, John 19, Alive again - Matt 28, Mark 16, Luke 24, John 20 Goes up into the clouds into heaven – Matt 28, Mark 16, Acts 1 God's Children have the same future – Jn 1, Jn 3, Romans 8:23, Romans 9:4, Ephesians 1:5 He predestined us to be adopted as His sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will— Because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by Him we cry, "Abba, Father." The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. Romans 8:14-17
The reason Christians are different is that we are made acceptable to God by the Atonement, the sacrifice for our sins that the Lord God Almighty has set as the only one acceptable sacrifice for all sins. It is a free gift, not of our own works, lest anyone boast of themselves. (For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Eph 2:8-10 But, "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord." 2 Corinthians 10:17 )
This is the basis for a Christian’s hope and joy! And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us. You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by His blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through Him! For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through His life! Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through Whom we have now received reconciliation. Rom 5:5-11 We are at peace in our relationship with God because of Jesus Christ's Atonement. That fact, makes our hope certain and sure in that after our death we will be forever with God, Who is Love. We are secure in this because God's Word promises this.
Our Prayer for you - For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and His incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of His mighty strength, which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under His feet and appointed Him to be head over everything for the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him Who fills everything in every way. Eph 1:15-23
Historical moments - Jesus’ resurrection from the dead- When Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene. Mark 16:9 We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him. 1 Thessalonians 4:14 God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact. Acts 2:32 He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen—by us who ate and drank with Him after he rose from the dead. Acts 10:41 But God raised Him from
the dead, and for many days He was seen by those who had traveled with Him from
Galilee to Jerusalem. They are now His witnesses to our people. Acts
13:30,31
Jesus ascended up to heaven in His bodily form - After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, He was taken up into heaven and He sat at the right hand of God. Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed His Word by the signs that accompanied it. Mark 16:19,20 Jesus said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by His own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." After He said this, He was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid Him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as He was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. "Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, Who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen Him go into heaven." Acts 1:7-11
Hope that does not end, a hope for every need… - Please pray these aloud and personally to the Living God for the full effe God hears you and you need to hear yourself in your own relationship with the living Lord God Almighty.
Need Hope? But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in You.” Psalm 39:7 Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God. Psalm 42:5 Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. Psalm 42:11 Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God. Psalm 43:5 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 1 Peter 1:3 Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him. Psalm 62:5 We have put our hope in the living God, Who is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe. 1 Timothy 4:10 But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise You more and more. Psalm 71:14 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the Reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 1 Peter 3:15 The widow who is really in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day to pray and to ask God for help. 1 Timothy 5:5 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, Who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 1 Timothy 6:17 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23 May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope is in You. Psalm 25:21 No one whose hope is in You will ever be put to shame, but they will be put to shame who are treacherous without excuse. Psalm 25:3
Understanding of today - I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. Romans 8:18-25
The Holy Spirit Gives Hope - And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, Whom He has given us. Romans 5:5 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 But by faith we eagerly await through the Spirit the righteousness for which we hope. Galatians 5:5
God’s Word Gives Hope - Guide me in Your Truth and teach me, for You are God my Savior, and my hope is in You all day long. Psalm 25:5 Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD. Psalm 31:24 Do not snatch the Word of Truth from my mouth, for I have put my hope in Your laws. Psalm 119:43 You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in Your Word. Psalm 119:114 Know also that Wisdom is sweet to your soul; if you find it, there is a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off. Proverbs 24:14 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1
God is Worthy of being Hoped Upon - A faith and knowledge resting on the hope of eternal life, which God, Who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time, Titus 1:2 But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear Him, on those whose hope is in His unfailing love, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine. We wait in hope for the LORD; He is our help and our shield. In Him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in His Holy Name. May Your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD, even as we put our hope in You. Ps 33:18-22 I will praise You forever for what You have done; in Your Name I will hope, for Your Name is good. I will praise You in the presence of Your saints. Psalm 52:9 You answer us with awesome deeds of righteousness, O God our Savior, the Hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas,… Psalm 65:5 The LORD delights in those who fear Him, who put their hope in His unfailing love. Psalm 147:11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11 The prospect of the righteous is joy, but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing. Proverbs 10:28 There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off. Proverbs 23:18 Jesus withdrew from that place. Many followed Him, and He healed all their sick, ... This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: In His Name the nations will put their hope." Matt 12:15-21 While we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, Titus 2:13
Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him. According to the Lord's Own Word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words. 1Thess 4:13-18
AND ... In Him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of Him Who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of His glory. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the Word of Truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, Who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession—to the praise of his glory. Ephesians 1:11-14
Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. We live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So we make it our goal to please Him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. 2 Cor 5:1-10
Bring me to Hope or For A Christian or Practical Methods for Living After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, Who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as He said. Come and see the place where He lay. Then go quickly and tell His disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see Him.' Now I have told you." Matt 28:2-7 On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; He has risen! Remember how He told you, while He was still with you in Galilee: 'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.' " Then they remembered His Words. Luke 24:1-8 Jesus said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by His own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." After He said this, He was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid Him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as He was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. "Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, Who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen Him go into heaven." Acts 1:7-11 To Him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by His blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve His God and Father—to Him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen. Look, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of Him. So shall it be! Amen. "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "Who is, and Who was, and Who is to come, the Almighty." Rev 1:5-8 I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose Rider is called Faithful and True. With justice He judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on His head are many crowns. He has a name written on Him that no one knows but He Himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and His Name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following Him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Out of His mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. "He will rule them with an iron scepter." He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On His robe and on His thigh He has this Name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. Rev 19:11-16 |
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