We are continuing to look at the 6 elementary principles referred to in Hebrews 6:1-3. “Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection (completion), not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of the resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment”.
The study of “End Times” or what will occur at the end of this age can be a complicated topic. Complicated not because of what will happen, but the timing of events. 1. The second coming of Christ 2. The “taking up” or Rapture of the believers 3. The Tribulations on the earth 4. The Final Judgment of the living and the dead. 5. The new Heavens and new EarthShow More
Theologians refer to the study of “End Times” as the study of Eschatology. We learn much about the end-times from the following books of the Bible- Daniel 12, Matthew 24, 1 Thessalonians 4, and of course the book of Revelation. There are many other verses scattered throughout the Bible that speak about future events.
Before we speak about “the Resurrection” it is important to put things in context. In particular the relationship between the Natural and the Spiritual. Keep in mind that both the Old and New Testament are the inspired Word of God and neither should be neglected. However, as you read the Old Testament (or Old Covenant) keep in mind that the Old Covenant is the shadow of the light found in the New Covenant.
The Old Covenant was for the Jews under the Law of Moses. Whereas, the New Covenant is for Christians under Jesus Christ.
The Apostle Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15:46, that we start in the physical and end up in the spiritual”. This is a pattern you will see as you compare the Old and New Covenants. The Old Covenant is about the natural while the New Covenant is about the spiritual.
The natural shows us our inability to follow the Law perfectly and so, we fall short of God’s righteousness that’s called sin. The spiritual enables us to walk in righteousness by virtue of God’s Holy Spirit.
The Old Covenant or Testament is about the Law of Moses and the Nation of Israel. The New Covenant or Testament is about Jesus Christ and the Church.
Here is a list of eight examples of the “natural first then the spiritual” principle. Hopefully some of them will resonate with you. Time limits my ability to spend much time with each of them at this time.
1. the Old Testament was about the physical Kingdom of Israel vs the New Testament focus on the Spiritual Kingdom of Heaven on earth. 2. The Old Testament is about the coming of a Messiah an earthly king, the Jews were looking for a physical flesh and blood King to rule them vs the New Testament is about the coming of the Christ or Messiah a Spiritual King to rule His Church. 3. The Old Testament (Covenant of Law) focus is on the natural- doing the Law vs New Testament (New Covenant) focus is on being led by the Spirit of God. 4. Moses led the people of Israel out of physical bondage in Egypt vs Jesus led us out of the spiritual bondage of Satan and sin. 5. Moses received the message of the Law (legalism) vs Jesus received the message of Grace (spiritual). 6. In the Old Testament the Tabernacle or the Temple was the physical place where God was vs In the New Testament you are the temple of the Holy Spirit, God lives in you. 7. Under the Law, righteousness was obtained by obeying the Mosaic Law vs Under Grace the righteousness of Christ is credited to us by faith. 8. Finally, Natural birth vs Spiritual birth (Born-again). Here is a useful expression: if you are born once you will die twice, if you are born twice you will die once. Let me explain- if you are born once, a natural birth, you will die a physical death and then a spiritual death. Whereas, if you are born twice, natural birth, and then Born-again, then you will die once a physical death and then live forever with God.
In our next post we will look at what the Apostle Paul had to say about the resurrection in, 1 Corinthians chapter 15. His teaching is on the certainty of the resurrection of Jesus and therefore the confidence we can have for our own resurrection.
