Will God Actually Resurrect Israel

WILL GOD ACTUALLY RESURRECT ISRAEL?

SET CHRIST ON DAVID'S THRONE AND REBUILD THE PHYSICAL TEMPLE?

Summer 2006

JESSIE E. MILLS Ph.D.

1729 HWY 79 NORTH

BONIFAY, FL, 32425

INTRODUCTION

Dear Reader:

First, and of great importance, is one question I will ask, especially since this document deals with the fulfillment of prophecy-all prophecy.

Question: Why would God make laws without enforcing them? Why would God choose certain men to foretell his plan of events without fulfilling them? Ponder this question, lay it to your hearts, and then study the documents. Use the following as an example.

Man and wife have one four-year old son. The son is fed for breakfast a bowl of cereal with milk. So, one morning he is tired of this diet. He throws his bowl with milk and cereal on the floor! The father yells at him, "Don't do that again. Next time I will put my belt on your bottom!" The next morning the son refuses to eat, and he throws his food on the floor. Again the father yells, "I told you next time you did that I would whip you!" That's all the father does is yell. Three weeks go by, and the boy throws his food on the floor without any chastisement. By now he knows the father will not whip him, so he does, as he wants to do. The father has not executed the law laid down to him on the first morning.

The point is that God is the designer of creation, the designer of laws, and the designer of prophets who would foretell of his future plan for events to occur.

Christ, from the beginning, was the executor of God's will. It was God's will for these events to be executed according to God's plan. So, months, year, hundreds of years, thousands of years go by without the events being executed is like the parent who did not keep his word! Can the parent be trusted? Can God be trusted?

Dear Reader:

In the introduction that follows, please give the lesson time to develop as you read. I am led to believe that now is the time that God has chosen for doors to be opened that were not opened by the ancients. I am not aware that scholars, teachers, preachers have eaten such spiritual food as to give them interests, determination, and to seek deeper into the scriptural teaching of fulfilled prophecy. I give the praise to the father, the son, and the Holy Spirit for the door of wisdom that has been opened to me. For some forty years I have sought and prayed for knowledge and wisdom to be able to know the mind of God and his completed plan the scheme of redemption. James 1:5 says, "If any of you lack wisdom ask God." I have.

The results contained in the introduction are indubitable, and unequivocally the mind of God exposed. The evidence is credible and pertinent to totally fulfilled prophecy from the Breath of God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.

"Prone to evil"

Exodus 32:1-35 gives a full account of evil committed by the people. Even Aaron begins to lie to Moses when, he is questioned by Moses. Verse 24 says, " And I said to them, who ever has any gold, let them tear it off. So they gave it to me, and I threw it into the fire, and out came this calf."

We are not furnished with the conversation between God and Moses yet we see clearly that God demanded immediate execution of His plan in respect to punishment. In brief, this part of the scheme of redemption must show evidence of fulfillment.

Moses calls for the few who would choose God in righteousness, and who would execute Gods plan of fulfilling His command. Verse 27 says, "Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, every man of you put his sword upon his thigh, and go back and forth from gate to gate in the camp, and kill every man his brother, and every man his friend, and every man his neighbor." Thus the word of the Lord was fulfilled. Not wishing to be redundant as I pursue fulfillment, yet it is most important to recognize that God did not delay, or put off to another time punishment. Why? God was the designer before the foundation of the world was laid, and the designer of the plan for creation of man through the periods of eternity. The pattern for fulfillment of this plan is seen in the rebellion of Adam and Eve. Therefore, fulfillment of the plan was immediate; thus, the presidencies and pattern was established in the garden and shows that God does not and will not change His plan to accommodate man. Neither, will the time frame be changed to accommodate the opinions of man.

Example: 1 Corinthians 10:1-13: The apostle Paul was led by the Holy Spirit, John 14:16, 14:26, 15:26, 16:13. To study the Old Testament to make visible to the churches the examples of God in executing His plan, which included fulfillment of that plan. So says Paul, 1 Corinthians 10:6, "These things happened as examples for us, that we should not crave evil things, as they also craved."

Evil things included "unbelief". In short, not believing God's word as it was posted, rather changing truth for a lie in order to give strength to their opinions in respect to the spoken word. Therefore, two very important elements present themselves even today. They are: (1) Many today are not and will not follow the advice given by Paul and the Holy Spirit in first Corinthians chapter ten. (2) There is a direct connection between First Corinthians Chapter Ten and Exodus Chapter thirty-two. That pattern established in Exodus where men disbelieved and said within themselves God is not here. We can interpret for ourselves what we believe will make us great and what will bring us fame and pleasure. This pattern is present today. Men cannot accept the word of God as it is written. They change truth for a lie as Aaron did. They change the time frame of God's word to accommodate their own personal opinions.

Notice now the importance of one phrase in Exodus 32:34, "Never the less in the day when I punish, I will punish them for their sin." "The day", lay it to heart my friend, you will not find a greater evidence of a time frame or timetable than this Phrase.

On God's calendar denotes prophecy made by God and points to the great and terrible "day" of the Lord in 70 A.D. when Israel would be punished. Their covenant expired in Hebrews 8:13. The Son of God had come and removed the scepter from Judah. In Genesis 49:10 Christ as the executor of God's plan was the only one who could remove the scepter. Christ himself proves that He did indeed remove that scepter and give it to another nation. In Matthew 21:43 it says, " Therefore I say unto you the kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a notion bringing forth fruits thereof." Zechariah 14:1-5 proves to the truth seeker that Christ did come (second coming) in the changing of the kingdom and the nation. After which He is proclaimed, "king over all the earth, and in that day there shall be one Lord and His name the only one." (Zechariah 14:9) This was indeed the day of punishment for Israel and Judah. Incidentally this is the very day in which God spoke to Moses in regards to punishment for this people. Remember Exodus 32:34 says, "Never the less in the day when I punish." All the prophets save Jonah spoke of this day. Was it fulfilled in 70 A.D.? If there is doubt Dear Reader, you have a command to prove what the will of God is, Romans 12:2.

Authority

Jesus being the executor of God's will said in Matthew 24:21, "For then shall be great tribulations, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be." Jesus has reference to the great and terrible day of the Lord. Malachi 4:1-5 says that this day would be greater than the flood of Noah's day. The Holy Spirit has something to say in regard to that day, Acts 2:1-20. In Acts 2:4 the Holy Spirit gave Peter and the others utterances, that is, the Holy Spirit used these men to speak through as is recorded in John 16:13. The people were in awe and begin to accuse them of being drunk! Peter, as an instrument of the Holy Spirit, made it very clear that on this day the prophecy of Joel began its fulfillment. Therefore, the Holy Spirit, not some man, introduced fulfillment beginning on this day the following:

A. The spirit poured out on all flesh

B. In the last days.

C. They shall prophesy.

D. Wonders in the sky above.

E. Signs in the earth.

F. Blood, fire, and vapor of smoke.

G. The sun and moon turned to darkness.

This would begin to happen before the great and terrible day of the Lord "the second coming". Ancient writers, as well as the church fathers, confirm these events taking place prior to Rome utterly destroying Judah and Israel.

Dear Friend, Lay this to heart. The Holy Spirit spoke this message through Peter. The Holy Spirit was the author of all of Acts Chapter Two.

Therefore, to disbelieve what the spirit spoke of in regards to these events including the coming of our Lord, and speak against the message of the Holy Spirit is to commit blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. Dear Friend, there is no forgiveness ever, Matthew 12:32!

Exodus 32:27-34 is expanded in Matthew 24:22-31.

Exodus 32:34 says, "therefore now go, lead the people unto the place of which I have spoken unto thee: behold, mine angel shall go before thee: never the less in the day when I punish I will punish their sin."

In Matthew 24:22 it says, "and except those days be shortened, there should no flesh be saved, but for the elects sake those days shall be shortened."

Since the book of Exodus was written to and about Israel, and no Gentiles considered, and since the book of Matthew was written to and about Israel, it for sure makes the connection of evidence more compelling. First, in Exodus 32:34 God speaks of a day in which He will punish Israel. Matthew 24:22 speak of that day being shortened.

I can spiritually discern, as I think with common sense, that God being angry with Israel all these years would reason that since Israel has not sincerely repented, and there is no sign of future repentance, certainly that would force God's punishment upon Israel sooner than originally planned.

Reasons why the day is spoken of are found in Matthew 24:22, and how it was necessary to fulfill the prophecy of God is found in Exodus 32:34.

Josephus computes the number of those who perished in the siege at one million, one hundred thousand in Jerusalem alone and not counting those who were slain in other places. Josephus Wars of the Jews, Book 6, Chapter 9.

If the Romans had gone on destroying in this manner, the whole nation of the Jews would have in a short time been destroyed entirely: but, for the sake of the elect. Our Lord led the elect out of Jerusalem through the gates and through the encampment of warriors who had the city surrounded without noise and without being seen so that they may not be destroyed, Micah 2:12-13.

For this one reason the days were shortened. However: there still remain other reasons. Some of the reasons were partly through the zeal of the zealots on one hand, and the hatred of the Romans on the other. Also, one reason was partly through the difficulty of the Jews existing in the mountains without houses or provisions, and would in all probability have been destroyed either by starvation or by the sword if the days had not been shortened.

God while writing the whole plan for man could if he chose to, have looked forward into the future and seen what would occur if he did not make provisions for such and event while writing the plan.

The siege helped to shorten those days by their divisions and mutual slaughters, and by fatally deserting their own strong holds where they never could have been subdued for a long time.

But, famine later would have subdued them which in turn would have given longer periods of days rather than to shorten them.

So well was Jerusalem fortified, and so well provided to stand a siege that the enemy without the walls could not have prevailed had it not been for the factions and seditions within.

Titus

When Titus was viewing the fortifications after taking the city, he could not help crediting his success to God. " We have fought," said he, " with God on our side, and it is God who pulled down the Jews out of these strong holds. For what could machines or the hands of men do against such towers as these?" Josephus, Wars of the Jews, Book 6, Ch. 9.

Signs preceding this great punishment foretold by God will be dealt with in the following body of material.

Biblical Foretelling of Prophecy.

Deuteronomy 18:15, describes Moses as a forerunner in Christ in respect to biblical-foretelling of prophecy. The people would listen and believe in Him.

Deuteronomy 18:18, The Lord says, "I will raise up a prophet from among their countrymen like you Moses, and I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I have "commanded him".

Deuteronomy 18:20, states, "but the Prophet who shall speak a word presumptuously in my name which I have not commanded him to speak of which he shall speak in the name of other gods, that prophet shall die. Zechariah 13:3 gives the details of death!

Deuteronomy 18:22, When a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, if that event does not come about, or come true the Lord has not spoken it. You shall not be afraid of him, or listen to him.

The "TRUTH SEEKER" must understand that prophecy made in the Old Testament was long range. However, prophecy within the New Testament by those who were called by and whom he and the Holy Spirit spoke through, as he so stated in Deuteronomy 18:18, "I will put my word in his, or their, mouth is considered scripturally prophecy which is in process of being fulfilled. The time is near. The time is at hand. He is standing right at the door. To shortly come to pass."

For these are the days of vengeance, that all things written may be fulfilled, Luke 21:22.

So, now those who believe in future fulfillment has a pressing need to furnish biblical evidence, which will establish the fact that God did indeed postpone His plan to accommodate mankind. If this is found then we can know that man has power over God, and can control God. Thus we would have no further need of God!

If Christ from the beginning was not the executor of God's plan, then nothing in the Bible is true and man has control. But, it is spelled out throughout the scriptures that Christ was the executor of God's will, and He so states throughout that He came to do God's will, which simply means to execute God's will. Including what is called the "second coming" of our Lord. If He has not come then God's will is null and void. Which leaves the theory of a future coming without legs to stand on.

Question? Has the prophecy of Israel foretold in Deuteronomy 28:15-68 been fulfilled since 606 B.C. to 70 A.D.? If so, then Christ was the executor of that plan. Read Deuteronomy 28:15-68, and answer for yourself as if your salvation depended upon the spiritual and well being my friend, your answer does play a pertinent part of your salvation. For to deny this is to blaspheme the Holy Spirit which there is no forgiveness, Matthew 12:32.

The apostle John records Jesus Christ as saying that the Holy Spirit, when He came from the Father, would guide them, would lead them into all truth, would inform them of what was to come, and decreed to be taught in regards to what was to come. They submitted to being used by the Holy Spirit to speak as the spirit gave them utterances of what He heard from the Father, John 16:13.

Acts 2:1-46 confirms this especially, Acts 2:4. The apostle opened his mouth, and the spirit spoke through him what God the Father had spoken to the spirit and what the spirit hear from the Father.

Matthew 10:20 reminds us of this fact, and is not limited to them being prisoners only. When in need the spirit of their Father who would speak in them and give them words. To a large degree Paul makes this clear in 1 Corinthians 3:16 in Romans 8:6-10, and then in Romans 8:26.

Signs Which Precede the Coming of the Lord.

From Matthew 24:4, "Take heed that no man deceive you. Simply put, the world is full of deceivers, and it is only by taking heed to the counsel of Christ that even His followers can escape being influenced and ruined by them."

From this verse to verse 31 of Matthew 24, " He shall send His angels, His messengers, His apostles, and their successors in the Christian faith and ministry. Such commands does not limit God's selection of those who would be in the ministry the word "successors" clearly includes the early Christian fathers who taught, wrote, and traveled to even far away congregations to help them to firmly establish the truth, and declare the mystery, which was the mind of God and His plan for fulfillment in order that salvation and redemption could be obtained through, and only by obedience to new instructions then His grace was applied.

A classic example is found in 2 Peter 1:13. It says, " Therefore, gird your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ." Prior to His coming grace and salvation was predicated upon what is commonly called the "second coming". Also, in 2 Peter 1:4-5 conformation of this is recorded in Ephesians 2:7-8. Notice, the phrase recorded in verse 7, "From Pentecost this was a part of the plan of God. Peter and the Holy Spirit bound this in Heaven and on earth, and what gives creditability, evidence, and truth is that Peter was given the keys to Heaven and Earth, and that the Holy Spirit, as He gave utterance to Peter, Acts 2:4. Thus, the Holy Spirit as a message from God John 16:13 said in Acts 2:39," For the promise is for you, your children, and those who are yet afar off." That is the bottom line, Matthew 12:32.

Other Signs Which Preceded the Lord's "Second Coming"

False Prophets: Commotions given by our Lord as wars and rumors of war. The fulfillment is seen in Josephus, Antiq. Book 18. Ch. 9, IBID Book 2, Ch. 10.

Pestilence and Famine.

Jesus further indicates the famine foretold by Agabus in Acts 11:28, which is also mentioned by Suetonius, Tacitus, and Eusebius, which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar, and was so severe at Jerusalem that Josephus says in the Ant. Book 10, Chapter 2. Many died for lack of food. Pestilences are usually attended by famines, which produce epidemic disorders.

Earthquakes.

Earthquakes in divers places. There are two distinct meanings for the word earthquakes found here. The word in the Greek MSS and text indicates popular commotions and insurrections that I have already noted but have not indicated those took place over the land of Israel.

We continue it to actual earthquakes. There were several in the times of our Lord to which he also had reference to: especially, one in the reign of Claudius, one at Smyrna, Miletus, Chios, Samos; one at Rome which is mentioned by Tacitus; one at Laodicea, in the reign of Nero that destroyed the city; one at Campania, mentioned by Seneca, and another in Rome during the reign of Galba, also mentioned by Suetonius, and a dreadful one in Judea.

Fearful Portents.

Luke adds that there shall be fearful signs and great signs from Heaven, Luke 11:11. A comet and a sword stood over the city of Jerusalem for a whole year. Chariots and armies were fighting in the clouds. Many more sign and wonders could be mentioned which were recorded by the mass of people. These were mentioned and confirmed by Josephus and other ancient writers that you might believe these events took place as God so decreed that the event would turn the hearts of the people just prior and preceding Christ's " second coming". When He would remove the scepter from Judah. Genesis 49:10, and give it to the Gentile nation, Matthew 21:43.

The evidence of total fulfillment of all prophecy, the signs which preceded His coming; the instructions which would follow. When in disagreement prove what the will of God is Romans 12:2, Ephesians 5:10, Ephesians 5:17, Colossians 1:9.

So now, I give lead and time for Mr. Ice, Mr. Heat, Mr. Roy Oppenheimer, and other futurists to prove by God's written word, not their opinions or their private interpretations, that this document is in error. When they do, I will nation-wide repent. -- Jessie E. Mills

Introduction to Ancient Sources.

Some sources come from translated copies of the writer. Some sources come from the Archives where fragments found in latter years are still being put together as a puzzle. Some sources come from private ownership, heirlooms, and the mention of other writers of ancient source. Others come from Native Americans who left their own sign language carved in huge stones and small stone plates. However, none of this overshadows the direct Word of God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit. One confirms the other.

Yet we must in keeping with the Word of God, and his plan drawn up before the foundation of the world believe that God wrote, and drew up these plans, drew them up to satisfy Himself and not man whom He created at a later date than the beginning. Further, man has never had the authority to make any change in what was written. Neither was man created with such choice that he could deny parts of God's plan, and accept others. God said what He wanted to say, and meant what He said. He said it, and I believe it. I believe it because of what the apostle Peter wrote after having received the message of truth from the Holy Spirit.

"But know this first of all, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter on one's own interpretation." It is inevitable that some today will test God on this issue of thinking, that God will overlook them changing His word to comply with their own interpretation, 2 Peter 1:21-22. Such ideas and thoughts are unthinkable and despicable.

For Peter goes further and says that "no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God." The one statement by the Holy Spirit "men moved by the Holy Spirit." Which scripturally means nothing more and nothing less than Peter opening his mouth and the Holy Spirit speaking through him as an instrument.

Therefore, I can say scripturally and unequivocally that when Mr. Ice, Mr. Heat, or any futurist who believes contrary to the written word, and places future dates on prophecy has violated the written word and violates 1 Corinthians 4:6. But worse; they have denied, spoken slander, influenced others to follow a path of malice against the Holy Spirit and scripturally that is call blasphemy in Matthew 12:32. No forgiveness ever!

In fact such teaching as the futurist in general embraces is ambiguous and repugnant to God, Christ and especially the Holy Spirit. For say He, " and the times of this ignorance God winked at, but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent." (KJV 1816 ed.)

Since this introduction in reference to ancient writing is becoming overloaded, although it is in complete unanimity with all the foregone statements we will move to the main body of evidence; supporting God's view and plan for totally fulfilled prophecy.

Native American Evidence.

Being one of the number of Native Americans who has in the past and in the present studied the Native American sign language, and who has spent time in excavating ancient places which might give evidence of a form of worship to the "Great Spirit." Such evidence that has been found is at the present yet being found. I suppose based upon the large amounts of artifact maintained in their museums, I could say that England, Ireland, and Germany for the most part has the greater amount of artifacts. Some is displayed in the museums in this country. I maintain a few.

So, you ask how does Indian artifacts prove fulfilled prophecy? Remember what the apostle Paul wrote in Acts 24:15? It was not Paul who had this idea, it was indeed the Holy Spirit who spoke to Paul, and the Holy Spirit spoke what he heard from the father, John 16:13. So, the scripture states, "Having a hope in God, which these men cherish themselves that there shall certainly be a resurrection of both righteous and wicked."

In verse 15 there is one word in the verse which has caused a future teaching of the resurrection that word by the English language is the word "shall." This word knows no limits, and has no time frame. The Greek text uses the word "mello", which the original meaning and translation was," About to be." All your original Greek scholars and Greek works recognize the word "mello" as being something in progress of happening. It does not carry a long-range fulfillment and since all our Bibles were at first translated form the Greek MSS as it was first written in the Greek language. So, the Holy Spirit was saying the resurrection is in progress. It is about to be fulfilled. Keep in mind that Paul was not yet dead.

"The whole world" is the inhabited earth. Colossians 1:6 confirms this. Colossians 1:23 confirms that the gospel of Jesus Christ were indeed preached to the inhabited western world, and the people who inhabited this part of the world chiseled in stone what they were taught and what they practiced.

Enclosed is a rough drawing of one such stone dated 250 to 300 A.D. having been cut out after the fact. You will notice the Phoenix bird, which is used from Egypt to every nation under the sun. The story in every nation represents the resurrection. In all the writing on stone that has been collected the message is the same. Past fulfillment, you read the signs they were recorded after the fact. (Museum Cherokee-Cottondale, FL)

We remain in evidence of the resurrection being past. On the ancient history of the Native American I will go no further into their teaching at this time as each tribal nation recorded their Acts; they remain extant, found, or yet to be found. Bottom line. Each, or the whole tribe would suffer death before disobeying that which was delivered to them by the Great Spirit.

Daniel 12:2, "And many of these who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and contempt." But, someone will say, O! But that is yet to be fulfilled the angel gives no time! Usually, some dynamic sweet tongue futurist has influenced those who make such statements.

The fact is that the angel does inform other angels who ask the question in Daniel 12:6. "How long will it be until the end of these wonders?"

Michael who stood above the waters gave the message. "As he raised his right hand and his left toward heaven and swore by Him who lives forever that it would be for a time, times, and a half time." (Three and one half year) "And as soon as they, the Gentiles, finish shattering the power of the holy people."

Who now says that the time was not mentioned? Who will be brave enough to say verse 7 does not mean what it says? The futurist!

God loves those who believe in fulfillment of prophecy, Luke 24:44, and so do I. But, God does not like or approve of teaching matters which He has not received from the Lord to be the spoken word. Therefore, that teacher, or prophet has spoken presumptuously!

Since Jesus began to teach certain groups, followed up by teaching the future resurrection, judgment, as well as the "second coming" when He, Christ, will usher in a new earth!

Now think what God said to Moses in Deut. 18:15-22. In short it is not true, or it would have already come to pass. So, the angel had a message from God, the Holy Spirit delivered that message. The time was when Israel and Judah lost the scepter and their franchise had expired, Genesis 49:10, Hebrews 8:13. Therefore, God sent the Romans to destroy according to His plan, Deut. 28:48-68.

Christ being the executor of God's will, and plan came "second coming" to fulfill God's plan. With Christ coming there would not have been an executor.

Hosea 6:1-2. "Come let us return to the Lord. For He has torn us, but He will heal us; He has wounded us, but He will bandage us; He will receive us after two days; He will raise us up on the third day that we may live before Him."

Did this prophecy not have its fulfillment in Matthew 27:50-53? Yes, it did, and to deny this fact would be nothing less than blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. For according to scripture the Holy Spirit would bring to Matthew's remembrance, and in turn related what truth he was to write. Do we recognize that Matthew did not write the gospel during his travel with Jesus? For the responsibility of the Holy Spirit see John 14:16, 14:26, 15:26, 16:13.

Take a good and sincere look at Rev. 14:3-5. Notice the phrase in verse 3 "who had been," (past tense) "purchased from the earth." As Hosea stated, "On the third day" verse 4, "have not been defiled." (Past tense) "These have been purchased." (Past tense) No one as a child of God has the authority to change the truth into a lie, and deny that resurrection has been fulfilled, than there remains nothing more to be fulfilled.

John 5:27-30, verse 29 says, " And shall come forth; those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life. Those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment."

"And shall come forth." It is necessary to mention that the above phrase if left alone has been and will continue to be used to teach a yet future resurrection. Why? A teacher whose desire is future tense without further study to prove what the will of God is, and to expose His plan for this event.

However, in gathering all the evidence we find that John 12:28 Jesus has used a corresponding phrase that must be considered.

"For an hour is coming." From this phrase regarding resurrection, it is evident that the time frame was not intended to be deep into the future. Indeed the tone of the subject indicates an event in progress of being fulfilled.

In fact, the phrases are clearly qualified as Jesus teaches the Samaritan woman in John 4:23, " But an hour is coming, and now is when the true worshipers shall worship the father in spirit and truth; for such people the father seeks to be His worshipers."

The phrase "hour" in John 6:25 is now qualified in John 4:23, as "the hour is coming and now is." Unequivocally bringing the statement together in full truth, and making the event one that is in progress of a certain time frame.

For another phrase under consideration is, " For such people the father seeks to be His worshipers."

Question: Why and how does such question have anything to do with the event of resurrection?

Simple, sometimes to miss the point that is revealed in the written word is to fail in understanding. The implications of the phrase are, " For such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers."

First John 4:21 Jesus said to the Samaritan woman, "Believe me: then he adds an hour is coming when neither in this mountain, nor in Jerusalem shall you worship the Father." At this particular time Judaism was yet in use; therefore, there was only certain places of accepted worship. But the hour, not day, not weeks, and not months was in progress. But the plan or scheme of redemption was in progress of being fulfilled. The hour spoken of was present. Verse 23 proves that, "But an hour is coming, and now is."

So, God was seeking those who would believe the teaching of Jesus in regards to a covenant change, Hebrews 8:13. Such a covenant change would result in all old and new prophecy being totally fulfilled, and would usher in a new and spiritual dispensation, where in the old things would pass away, and all things would be made new. Therefore, God wanted sincere hearts that would believe in these events, 1 Corinthians 5, Revelations 21:3-6.

Question: Would it not defeat the purpose and plan of God for God to seek people who would not accept His word, and work from His pre-chosen instructions?

Today our Lord seeks those who would accept His word as being inspired not only by the Holy Spirit but, by God who designed the plan, 2 Timothy 3:16.

For no one can change the original meaning to meet the demands of his or her followers without the death penalty being applied, separation from God, Romans 8:5-9, 1 Corinthians 15:12-23.

v. 12 says, "How do some of you say there is no resurrection of the dead?"

v. 13 says, "But if there is no resurrection of the dead, not even Christ has been raised." (Past tense)

v. 14 says, "If Christ has not been raised then our preaching is vain and your faith is also vain."

v. 15 says, "Moreover we are even found to be false teachers and prophets, Deut. 18:15-22"

v. 16 says, "Notice here the general dead is mentioned first. Although they were not raised first, the honorable mention of the dead from Adam to the cross would in fact follow Christ."

Christ being the first, then at that very day, the other dead would be purchased from the earth, Matthew 27:50-53, Revelation 14:1-5, John 5:28-29.

v. 20 says, "Christ has been raised from the dead. Now He becomes the first fruit of those spirits who are asleep."

In thirty-nine manuscripts once held in the private library of Adam Clark 1832 A.D., these MSS show an imminent event continuing from Matthew 27:50-53, until the last of these in bondage were released. All those separated from God by the sentence of death passed down from Adam to the death of Christ had to be resurrected before the new and spiritual covenant could become active. By the act of becoming active the new covenant did at first by promise (Acts 2:39) destroy the sentence of death, and at the same time destroyed him who had power to hold departed spirits; that is the devil, Hebrews 2:14. Jesus indeed destroyed death, and brought life. 2 Timothy 1:10

When resurrection was completed fulfilled then the promise of Acts 2:39 became reality. No wonder the ancient MSS in their original language depicted this resurrection as being imminent, "And at hand".

Question: Please reconcile for me the fact that Paul teaches in 2 Corinthians 5:1-6. The immediate resurrection of Christians after biological death and goes to a place where there is a body not made with hands spiritual which awaits the Christian. On the other hand you have those who say and teach that the resurrection is yet future!

How can the believing Christian who is spiritual and who lived and died under the spiritual covenant be sent away into a place of bondage where you have spirits who live and died under the physical covenant of Moses? How does that work? After all when I deny the fulfillment of prophecy, this is what I am really saying! Where is the scripture? I make a plea for it.

John 11:25, Jesus made a very interesting statement, which should be considered in every study of resurrection made by man. Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the Life; he who believes in me shall live even though he were dead." As usual the one verse does not tell us what we need to know about this mention of resurrection.

Perhaps we may gain insight into John 11: 25. One such scripture is John 10. That states, I am the door if anyone enters through me, he shall be saved." Simply and scripturally what is being said is that believers when obedience is completed are in the body of Christ, and the believer has clothed himself with Christ.

Example, in cold weather we put on heavy coats. Why? It is to protect our bodies from the cold. Likewise when we put on Christ we are in Christ, and therefore, Christ protects those who are in Him.

So, when in Christ we enter the body in the prescribed way, and according to instructions given by the Holy Spirit, we have life. John 6:63, confirms the act of the spirit, and then Jesus announces that He and His words are spirit and life. Therefore, when we move back to the gospel of John in 11:14 it says, "Then Jesus therefore said to them plainly Lazarus is dead." In John 11: 15, it says, "And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there so that you may believe."

STATEMENT:

Are we to suppose that the apostles did not know anything about the resurrection? They may have, and they may have not had the full understanding. They are about to come face to face with reality.

So, in John 11:23, Jesus said to her, " Your brother shall rise again." In verse 24 it says, "Martha said to Him, I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day."

Carefully notice and consider one important phrase by Martha, "I know he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day." The doctrine of the resurrection of the dead was then commonly received and though it was our Lord who fully exemplified it by His own resurrection, yet the opinion was common. Not only among God's people, but also among all those who believed in the God of Israel. The Jewish writings after the captivity are full of this doctrine. 2 Macc. 7, 9, 14, 23, 36, 12:43, 14:46. Book of Wisdom 5:1, 7, 17; 6:6, 7, Josephus and the Targums.

The believers, the pious, and the righteous knew and believed. So, Martha could say, "I know he will rise again on the last day." Incidentally, the word "last day" does not refer to the end of the Christian dispensation. The closing of the Jewish dispensation were in all cases referred to as "Last days".

I see nothing that introduces a day when the heavens and earth will burn. Rather, Jesus and Martha introduces to those who had gathered to mourn, physical and spiritual resurrection. Further this resurrection shows the importance of it being imminent and at hand. Now Lazarus was a believer and in the body of Christ. So, Christ came to give life, and what is so correct and so comforting is that Martha said, "I know he will rise in the resurrection on the last day. Jesus said to her "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me shall live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this? John 11:24-26, 2 Corinthians 5: 1-6 confirms what Martha believed and stated.

The word "day" is in the singular, which makes the difference. In turn I would reply, but by whom shall he arise if he were not a believer in the body of Christ. So, who would effect the cause of his resurrection except Christ himself for He is the author of resurrection?

The Apostolic Fathers

The Epistle of Clement (To the Corinthians)

"Let us understand, dearly beloved, how the Master continually showed unto us the resurrection that shall be hereafter; whereof He mad the Lord Jesus Christ the first fruits, when He raised Him from the dead. Let us behold, dearly beloved, the resurrection which happened at its proper season. Day and night show unto us the resurrection. The night falleth asleep, and the day arises; the day departeth, and the night cometh on." Apostolic Fathers, page 24.

Interesting that Clement does not illustrate the resurrection in terms of thousands of years. Rather, day and night. By the use of day and night, no extended period of time is left for the future resurrection to occur.

The Shepherd of Hermas

Hermas is told, " Trouble me no more about revelations; for these revelations have an end seeing that they have been completed. (Past tense) Page 172.

The Early Christian Fathers, Oxford Univ. Press, pub. 1969.

Irenaeus (late second century)

"Therefore, it is clear that the souls of his disciples for whom the Lord performed this will depart into an unseen region that is set apart for them by God, and will dwell there until resurrection which they await. Then, they will receive their bodies and entire, that is, in bodily form, as the Lord arose, and thus will come into the presence of God." Page 98.

I call the reader's attention to one phrase that Irenaeus made. He said, "They will receive their bodies and arise entire, that is, in bodily form." Bodily form qualifies what is said in regards to receiving their bodies. Bodily form denotes a spiritual body with form and not flesh, 2 Corinthians 6:1-6, 1 Corinthians 15:50.

Ignatius (early second century)

"The ignorance of wickedness was displayed in human form to bring newness of eternal life. Then, what had been completed in the purpose of God began to be enacted; hence, the whole universe was stirred because the destruction of death was being undertaken." page 42.

Ok, so you ask what does this have to do with your subject?

Answer: It has everything to do with the subject of resurrection. Had death not been destroyed there could not have been a resurrection. Why? Simple. When Adam and Eve sinned in the garden, they suffered spiritual death. Spiritual death meant that their spirit was separated from God. Satan was given dominion and power to hold not only their spirit but also, all of their posterity in bondage until God purchased them back by the blood of His son. Satan required that.

However, Satan did not know that he would in the process be destroyed and cast into the Lake of Fire. So, Christ destroyed he who had power over death-Satan, Hebrews 2:24.

Invariably, when the power was taken from Satan, the ransom price was paid and the spirits were set free. Hebrews 2:15 informs us that, " they might be delivered." Delivered where? To God the Father in Heaven. By whom? By Christ himself. Ps. 68:18, Ephesians 4:8. Indeed, this statement by IGNATIUS is pertinent to resurrection. Again, without the destruction of death the ransom being paid, Satan judged, his power being removed. And the spirits set free, no resurrection could have occurred, See 2 Timothy 1:10.

John 12:31, speaks of this event as being now during his early lifetime. "The ruler of the world would be cast out." John 16:11, says that the ruler of this world has been cast out. Cast out during the lifetime of at least some of the apostles.

So, Ignatius offers, indubitable evidence of the freeing of the spirits, and their resurrection before 70 A.D. Further, dearly beloved, you must be aware that the statement made by Ignatius will always remain both legally and scripturally a leading statement. He spoke of death as being destroyed. This statement alone leads the researcher into the end results of death spiritual, and since death had to be abolished before the departed spirits were released, then it naturally leads the researcher into the subject of resurrection remembering that there could be no resurrection without a judgment, Daniel 12:2, John 5:29,30.

Thus, you cannot have a resurrection and a judgment without the "second coming" of Christ for it was appointed him to judge. Luke 19:22, John 5:22, Acts 17:31. The above statement be Ignatius has led us to make the following scriptural observation: The resurrection, the judgment, and "second coming" of Christ is confirmed as occurring prior to 70 A.D. and during the life time of some of the apostles.

History of the Christian Church, By Phillip Schaff, Baker Book House, 1910.

Announcement by Tacitus:

"He bears valuable testimony in the fifth book of his history, together with Josephus from whom he mainly, though not exclusively takes his account to the fulfillment of Christ' prophecy concerning the destruction of Jerusalem and the overthrow of the Jewish theocracy." page 89.

Again, we have a first century witness who makes a leading statement in regards to Christ's prophecy of Jerusalem and the covenant passing of Israel by using the word overthrow, and its fulfillment probably written 65-110 A.D.

Fulfillment and overthrow are the legal and scriptural words we need to investigate. "Overthrow" simply means that Israel and Judah would cease to exist as a nation and would lose their right to the kingdom of God, Matthew 21:43.

Jacob before his death, Genesis 49:10, foretold or prophesied to Judah that the scepter would not pass from between his feet until Shiloh comes.

Christ would come, "Second Coming", he would remove the scepter, and the authority for Judah to remain, and in turn Christ would give the kingdom to the Gentile nation, Matthew 21:43. Therefore, you could not have a war without Christ first coming to remove the scepter and to protect from Judah.

After the removal of the scepter, Judah was then open for invasion by Rome. Jacob foretold Shiloh, Christ coming before the war. Zech. 14:1-9 also gives in detail Christ's coming before or during that war.

So, then to destroy Jerusalem and overthrow Judah's theocracy you must have one to come who has been from the executor of God's will, Genesis 1:1. In order for Christ to fulfill his appointment as executor of the earth He was with God, John 1:1-3, Hebrews 2:9, Hebrews 1:1-3, 1 John 1:1-2. In short, Tacitus confirms what I have said in reference to fulfillment, so this was confirmed by ancient writers, I ask the question what is left to be fulfilled?

We know because history informs us when the war began- February 10, 67 A.D. and ended August-September 10, 70 A.D. Tacitus makes it clear the prophecy was fulfilled and although resurrection is not mentioned the way in which Tacitus makes his claim leads us to fulfillment of all.

Lost Books of the Bible, Collin's World, pub. 1926.

Barnabas

Perhaps it will set the heart right if I first give you a warm welcome to his introduction in chapter three.

"Wherefore it is necessary that searching diligently into these things which are near to come to pass we should write to you what may serve to keep you whole. To which end let us flee from every evil work and hate the errors of the present time that we may be happy in that which is to come: let us not give our selves the liberty of disputing with the wicked and sinners; lest we should chance in time to become like unto them." Barnabas 3:1-3, page 147.

Barnabas 4:9-10, "The prophets having received from him the gift of prophecy spoke before concerning him, but he that might abolish death and make known the resurrection from the dead was content as it was necessary to appear in the flesh that he might make good the promise before given to our fathers and preparing himself a new people, might demonstrated to them while he was upon earth, that after the resurrection he would judge the world." Page 149.

Comment: Please recall other writers who made leading statements, which have now led to the words spoken by Barnabas. To abolish death first, 2 Timothy 1:10, and bring life, then the resurrection, and then the judgment of the world. Page 149, verse 10.

Barnabas 15:10, " For the day is at hand in which all things shall be destroyed together with the wicked one. The Lord is near, and his reward is with Him."

Comment: The original Greek MSS has been researched the word translated "shall" in verse 10 reads in the Greek "mello" which means about to be. Also, 11:2,3 uses the word "shall" where the original is "mello". Mello means as translated from the Greek "about to be". Barnabas declares that the coming of the Lord was "about to be."

Clement of Rome, Elder.

On Resurrection 11:11-20 the resurrection is confirmed as having its fulfillment no later than mid A.D. 70.

Clement 20:2 says, "Look into the holy scriptures which are the true words of the Holy Ghost. Ye know that there is nothing unjust or counterfeit written in them."

Clement 20:2 has been brought forth to show again that the New Testament written by the apostles were dictated to them. They were instruments used by the Holy Spirit to write the New Testament, Page 124.

Therefore, to deny the inspired word, and thus interpret the words of the Holy Spirit to fit our particular agenda is to blaspheme the Holy Spirit. See Matthew 12:32.

Adam Clarke Commentary, 1832 Ed, Vol. 6, 1833, Publisher G. Lane & C. B. Tippett.

The following statement in respect to the resurrection of mankind and the time, Clarke writes, "But now is Christ risen, on the contrary, Christ is raised from the dead and is become the first fruits of them that slept. His resurrection has been demonstrated and our resurrection necessarily follows; as sure as the first fruits are the proof that there is a harvest so surely the resurrection of Christ is proof of ours. (Slept is past tense.)

The Apostle, Sholem Asch, author. Tran. from Heb. and Gr. by Maurice Samuel, pub. by G. P. Putnam, NY 1943.

Evaluation of the book, The Apostle by Sholem Asch, a Jewish person. For many years I was a critic in regards to the above named book. Many times over many years I have read the book, and have sought information in regards to the writer and translator. In the last few years I have found enough information respecting the original author that I am no longer critical, rather I am in awe of some of the things he says here.

Concluding that the original author was indeed a traveler with the apostle Paul, either as a companion or a spy reporter for the Jews at Jerusalem. The reason for reaching this conclusion is that, the record keeper gives intricate details of each place Paul visits. He gives details of the history of the people, the problems Paul was involved in, the sickness of Paul, and he gives names of people who give aid to Paul which the scripture itself confirms. He gives an overview of many of Paul's sermons, and relates their effect on the people. More important, he reports on what the people had already believed in regards to fulfillment of resurrection, the judgment, the second coming of Christ, and the new covenant.

At the same time he relates to all the churches the types and signs leading up to the period of the "last days". "The time is at hand." The day was at hand. "The Lord was coming. The long awaited was about to happen. The people believed and when Paul preached the sermons including these predictions, they were not rejected. That which is recorded is too close to biblical events for anyone who does research to disregard this evidence of fulfillment of all prophecy.

Found by Archaeology and spectators the document lay in ruins until it was translated.

Therefore, I and other modern day critics have found valuable information here in regards to the apostle Paul and what he taught in public.

Here is one saying of the apostle Paul recorded in the book, The Apostle:

Notes recorded from the preacher Rebi Stephan and his sermon in the synagogue. It says, "Who would have believed that the tidings of the Messiah which the simple men of Galilee had proclaimed only a few weeks ago in the temple courts would have spread with such rapidity over the city of Jerusalem?" Page 27.

"Behold the great day is at hand, the day of the great judgment of the eternal God, the mighty King. The wars of Gog and Magog will begin a new. There will be war likewise between earth and heaven and a rain of fire will be sent down from the clouds." page 30.

In the home of Priscilla the meeting place for the believers and their families crowded into a small room. Each one was free to speak. Some told stories and repeated sayings of the Messiah, which they had heard from visitors to Jerusalem. Others spoke as faith move them. There was singing of the sacred Psalms and words of comfort were uttered concerning the imminent advent of the Messiah." page 440.

Comment: It seems reasonable to assume that when the "second advent" is mentioned, it must also include the subject of resurrection and judgment.

"The suffering and the death of the Messiah were foreordained according to the words of the prophets and of the pessimist, King David. He was, moreover, the first to have risen from the dead. His return was imminent and was to be expected at any moment." page 445.

Comment: On the same page, paragraph two, Paul, in the home of Priscilla, Paul requests permission to preach. Rabbi Andronicus appealed to Paul in regard to his preaching. Paul on page 444 has replied to Andronicus saying, "I do not knead my dough with honey. That which God puts into my mouth, that I utter."

"When Paul baptized the household of the wealthy Stephanus." pages 461 continued on page 463. Paul preached and said, when our earthly home is destroyed, we shall yet have the house of God. Which was not made with human hands, and which is eternal in Heaven." Page 463.

During a vision Paul saw Titus and Timotheus placing him on a bed. Then he awoke and made the following statement:

"Even though they in Jerusalem close the gates of their synagogue for me, as well as all the Jews have done, I have built mine own church, with the authority which though didst give me, out of thine own mouth, Lord. The world is my church, and all men are worshippers therein. To them I bring the tidings of the advent, which I have not learned from other men, but through thy revelation of thyself unto me." Page 494.

Priscilla has moved to Ephesus. "The men and women Paul found in the company of Priscilla in Ephesus were not yet wholly convinced Messianists, for they did not yet believe that the Messiah, whose advent they expected momentarily had already come. They were for ever preparing themselves for Him." Page 500.

"Now the congregation of Ephesus had been well prepared, for the revelation of the advent by the work of Apollos of Alexandria whom they remembered with affection." page 501.

Tigellinus

Tigellinus' report to Nero. Nero asks, "Now what is the meaning of his name, Christ?" Tigellinus replies, "I have found it out." page 745.

"Christ, the anointed one, a king, a Caesar, and the fanatical Jews indeed believe that Christ is a king and a Caesar. They believe that their Christ was slain and rose again from the dead, and that one day soon he will return and ascend a throne of Judgment." page 746.

Tigellinus continues to report to Nero. Tigellinus tortures some of his slaves who had confessed to being Christians. Page 746.

"Now more than ever before, they felt the imminence of the judgment day. The first signs had appeared. The first section of prophecies uttered by Peter and Paul had been fulfilled: the heavens had rained down fire, Rome-Babylon, the city of sin was leveled with the dust and above its ruins the figure of the Messiah would shortly appear." page 750.

"The day was at hand! The Lord was coming, and the long awaited day was about to happen!" page 751.

Comment: There are more than one hundred mentions of the "second advent", "resurrection", "judgment", that I have not used. And yet we learn now that there are more than five thousand books in the various archives that go unrehearsed. There is no reason, nor excuse, for the world not to know the truth in regards to fulfilled prophecy. I wish to be kind when I say that it seems to me that futurists do not want to study history and see if any of this has already been fulfilled! They seem to want to believe it is all still future.

Athanasius

Comments about this man, the bishop, and the elder of churches of Christ in the third and fourth centuries. He was a defender of Christian Orthodoxy from A.D. 296 to 373, and said some incredibly interesting things in reference to fulfillment of prophecy and about A.D. 70, the resurrection of the dead, Christ's return, and the full completion of God's revelation.

"For now that he has come to our realm and taken up His abode in one body among His peers, henceforth, the whole conspiracy of the enemy against mankind is checked and the corruption of death which before was prevailing against them is done away. For the race of men had gone to ruin had not the Lord and Saviour of all, the Son of God come among us to meet the end of death." (Athanasius, On the Incarnation of the Word, section 9 verse 4; ff, 1 Corinthians 15:21-26.)

"And this was why Jerusalem stood till then, namely that there might be exercised in the types as a preparation for the realty. From that time forth all prophecy is sealed and the city and temple taken. Why are the Jews so irreligious and so perverse as to see what has happened and yet to deny Christ who has brought it all to pass? What then has not come to pass that the Christ must do? What? What is left unfulfilled?" (Athanasius, On the Incarnation of the Word, section 40 verse 1-8.)

"The devil, that tyrant against the whole world is slain, no more does death reign but instead of death; henceforth, is life. So that everything is filled with joy and gladness, as it written the Lord reigns let the earth rejoice." (Athanasius, The Festal Letter IV, No. 3, 4)

"For He raised up the fallen, healed the sick, satisfied those who were hungry and filled the poor, and what is more wonderful, raised us all from the dead; having abolished death. Where is your victory O death, where is your sting O grave?" 1 Corinthians 15:54-58, we have victory in Christ because he paid the price for us in His death so we can be like live in Him now. John 11:26, "and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this? See Romans chapter 6.

The following question of Athanasius serves well as a conclusion for this study:

"What then has not been fulfilled that Christ must come to fulfill? What is left unfulfilled?" (Athanasius, The Festal Letter IV no. 9-12.)

I don't know how anyone could say it better, nor how any true Christian could dispute it.