Kind of foggy on where you stand on the “Immortality; Here & Now!” Question?
I dare say that most people never even guessed that there was a question about “Immortality, Here & Now”… Most of us have been taught that immortality is something you receive AFTER you die. “Once you die, then you don’t have to die anymore…” It seems like “immortality” is something for the soul… after you die!
I remember, while in the depths of my orthodox intoxication, squawking “the spirit is dead, but when you meet Jesus, your spirit comes alive, then it lives forever.” My question now looking back on that view is; “how can an alive person be indwelt by a ‘dead spirit’. Spirits don’t die. Jesus said that “souls and bodies” die. Spirits are begotten by a spirit, and are deathless.
God is spirit = John 4:24
Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. John 3:6
So the spirit is begotten by it’s Father. Then bodies are, of course, grown from a seed. I invite you to read more about “spirits”. The whole subject has been thoroughly confused during this long, dark, night.
But immortality for the human body, here and now? Who ever heard of THAT? It is obvious that everyone MUST DIE, right?
Of course, we have all been indoctrinated with the one – AND ONLY – verse in the Bible that can be bent to say that we are supposed to die:man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment…
Heb 9:27It is true that once someone dies, they will face judgement, but the only reason why we are “destined to die” is because of our own love for and willingness to follow the devils plan, rather than the ways of The Father of LIFE…!!!
If you are willing to “shake the carpet – of creed” and hear the words of a LOVING FATHER, inviting His children to simply listen and obey;”I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.
I have read Brother Dahl suggesting that a person seeking a deeper relationship with Jesus may do well to read and meditate on this particular verse of scripture a minimum of 100 times – until the voice of our Father is heard therein… “he has crossed over” sounds like the present and continuous, eh? “from death to life” still sound vague? Try this;”Here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which a man may eat and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.”
“I tell you the truth, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.” John 8:51
“I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:25,26
It sounds there like He has plans for 2 groups of people; 1. those who “die” and 2. those who “live”. 1. “will live, even though he dies” is second place; whereas 2. “whoever lives and believes in me will never die” is winning the prize.
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. Joh 10:27, 28
Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death–that is, the devil– Hebrews 2:14
It has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. 2 Timothy 1:10
I also know that the “company line” is to INTERPRET the above passages to mean that you wouldn’t have to die AGAIN, but always ASSUMING that we must die the first time. But if you are honest with yourself, and are willing to let Jesus “say what He means and mean what He says” then you will agree that another tare-seed-lie is about to be uprooted – to him who has an ear to hear!
The “key” to understanding here is the fact that Jesus had already entered into immortality – He had converted His standard issue human body into that of an undying, ongoing, free-from-death immortal. THAT was what He would regularly freak the Pharisees out with; but they refused to believe that this 30 year old had attained a status of “non-aging” immortality.The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life–only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”
In other words, if Jesus had not allowed them to poke holes in His skin and drain His blood out (into the earth), then He would not have died. He could have / would have lived on for these last two thousand years, not being affected by age, and able to defend Himself from any life-threatening enemy. The most amazing enemy overcome being old-age..
Then He went on to say;Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.”
“I tell you the truth, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.” John 8:51
Does it feel like the path is getting narrower? But, not to lose hope! For we now have evidence that someone DID take Him for His word… Please take a moment to read about the 2 fellows who fullfilled Jesus’ words;”I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste deathbefore they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”
He WAS telling the truth. Read about it at www.dadsdayoff.net/twowitnesses.htmland be PROVOKED!
And NOW The Lord is calling a new group to follow in His footsteps. A group of individuals who will “follow the Lamb wherever he goes”. These are the ones who will have made themselves ready before the midnight hour.
Our church leaders tell us that ALL the Christians will be raptured away, while the non-christians will be left to endure the tribulation. Less than half the truth on that one…
Russell Dibird
Originally published 2002
