Posts

Showing posts with the label His Resurrection

Firstborn of the Dead

Image
The vision of the “ Son of Man ” in the Book of Revelation is preceded by “ greetings ” from the “ One who is, who was, and who is coming ,” the “ Seven Spirits before His Throne ,” and from Jesus Christ, the “ Faithful Witness ” and the “ Firstborn of the Dead .” In his death, he gave faithful testimony, and God vindicated his sacrifice by raising him from the dead.  Moreover, his resurrection is the precedent for the future resurrection of his followers, therefore, he is the “ Firstborn of the Dead ,” the first of many over whom the “ Second Death has no power . ”

The Ends of the Ages

Image
In his letters, Paul links the start of the “ Last Days ” with the death and resurrection of the Son of God. The time of fulfillment arrived, and all God’s promises now find their “ yea and amen ” in the risen Nazarene. Similarly, the Letter to the Hebrews declares that “ in these last days ,” God has “ spoken ” His definitive “ word ” in His Son who now reigns at the “ right hand of the Majesty on High .” Paul’s position is not unique among the documents that make up the New Testament.

Rescued From this Evil Age

Image
In his  Letter to the Galatians , Paul declares that he was called as the Apostle to the Gentiles by the same God who raised Jesus from the dead and thereby “ delivered us FROM THIS EVIL AGE .” This statement anticipates his response to certain Jewish believers who were operating in Galatia as if the old era was still in effect. This same Jesus is the one who visited and commissioned Saul of Tarsus to proclaim the “ Good News ” to the Gentiles.