Resurrection Life of Jesus Church

THREE END POINTS
Scripture reveals a distinct future for those who are born again. At death, the believer’s body and soul are separated, and three destinations come into view, each tied to a specific phase of God’s redemptive plan.

The first destination is the present heaven, where every believer will appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ to give an account of their life.

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.” (2 Corinthians 5:10-11)

The second stage begins at the return of Jesus, when He sets up His millennial kingdom on earth.

“And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.” (Revelation 20:4)

The final destination is the new heaven and the new earth, where all believers are gathered to live in God’s presence for eternity.

“And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.” (Revelation 21:1-3)

DEALING WITH SIN
When a person is born again, all their sins (past, present, and future) are covered by the blood of Jesus.

“Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?

Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” (Acts 2:37-38)

“Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.” (Acts 3:19)

“For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:

Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others;

For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.

And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” (Hebrews 9:24- 28)

A correct understanding of salvation is essential. When a person is born again, he is washed in the blood of Jesus Christ, and every sin has been paid by the God-man.

While salvation removes condemnation, it does not remove responsibility. Christians are accountable for how they live after that moment and each believer will give an account of their life.

WALKING IN THE LIGHT
It is impossible to live a sinless life because of the Adamic sin nature in our soul, but that does not mean we condone sin or yield to it.

“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” (1 John 1:7-10)

I am conscious of my sin nature and watch myself to ensure I am not actively sinning. Many times, I feel that I am doing good since I have not rejected Christ, exhibited unbelief, or engaged in sexual immorality. Idolatry, murder, violence, and theft have no place in my life.

It is easy to drop the big sins, but the attitude sins in relation to other people are what causes most people to stumble. Lying, gossip, anger, poor attitude, grudges, unforgiveness can require daily repentance.

You can repent when the Holy Spirit brings conviction or harden your soul and refuse to apologize.

“For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.” (1 Corinthians 11:31)

In nearly six decades of ministry, I have learned not to accumulate sins, but to deal with them as they are made known by the Holy Spirit. In the early years, I was not that careful and this was used by the demonic world to afflict me.

It is easy to justify attitude sins when we are angry and disgusted by people, particularly, when they are unthankful, but we need to remember the words of Jesus.

“Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?

Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.” (Matthew 18:21-22)

The apostle Paul suffered a lot of injustice, but he chose to focus on the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit in his life.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.” (Galatians 5:22-26)

I do not show anger most of the time when interacting with other people. I keep it bottled up inside in an effort to control myself. The Holy Spirit lets me know that I was upset and angry and this has created resentment in my soul. Usually, I do not let the person who irritated me know what transpired when I ask God to forgive my attitude sins.

It is also not necessary to correct every person I meet. This has spared me a lot of unnecessary conflict. I will share Jesus with the unsaved, but it is not my job to straighten out every person I meet.

When people want to speak with me, I give them time to share their story without interruption. If I do not have an answer to a question, I ask people to let me think, investigate, and/or pray over a matter before providing an answer.

If a person has a different viewpoint and is not open for a discussion, I just drop the whole matter. What is the point of entering into a discussion with someone that only leads to an endless argument?

As a pastor, I am approached by people with grievances against another person in the congregation. I am not open to discussing what takes place in a counseling session.

Bringing a private matter into the open is nothing short of gossip. This is a frequent problem as people need to share what they have learned from a situation. I do not condone such behavior and will walk away.

RESOLVING CONFLICT
When two Christians have a conflict, the tendency is to find a sympathetic person to side with one party. Each person tries to rally as many supporters as possible and sometimes the whole church gets involved. Jesus laid out the three steps to conflict resolution.

“Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.

But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.

And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.” (Matthew 18:15-17)

DAILY RECKONING
I am actively preparing myself for the time when I am summoned to the Judgment Seat of Christ. Every night when I finish my day with prayer, I thank God for all the blessings I received during the day and ask the Holy Spirit to search my soul for any unconfessed sins.

If I am shown that I hurt a person, I repent and contact that person the next day to seek their forgiveness. When it is my turn to be judged, I want to stand righteous before Jesus.

REWARDS
There are different ranks among the holy angels and this how it is going to be for born- again believers as we receive different ranks and positions in the millennial kingdom and later in the new creation.

The technology that exists in the spirit world is far more advanced that what we have now. God is not developing new things in the spirit world because everything is as advanced as it can be; there is simply nothing to improve.

This does not hold true on earth. The world was low-tech after the creation of Adam and Eve and labor was to be done with rudimentary tools. God allowed the human race to develop the knowledge of electricity in the 17th century, but practical application did not begin until the early 19th century.

If Adam and Eve could return and see how people live in the 21st century, they would have a hard time grasping how modern technology works and why we live in homes with running water, toilets, central heat and air conditioning, kitchens, etc. We travel around in automobiles and airplanes, watch global television, and everyone has a computer and a cell phone.

God has no interest in setting up an education program so that humanity can adopt the technology from the spirit realm. The knowledge God has provided serves to master the Bible and control our attitudes.

When God told Moses to construct the mobile tabernacle, he was given specific instructions on how it was to be manufactured. The Israelites had been slaves in Egypt and did not possess much in the way of technical skills; nevertheless, God selected men and imparted supernatural knowledge for the fabrication of the tabernacle.

This knowledge was downloaded to their soul brains and they effortlessly fashioned the tabernacle parts. This is precisely how God is going to give us the technical skills to use the most advanced technology in the new creation.

“And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

See, I have called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah:

And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship,

To devise cunning works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass,

And in cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of timber, to work in all manner of workmanship.

And I, behold, I have given with him Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan: and in the hearts of all that are wise hearted I have put wisdom, that they may make all that I have commanded thee.” (Exodus 31:1-6)

COURT DATE
Upon arrival in heaven, each believer in Christ has a confirmed court date at the Judgment Seat of Christ. Two matters will be addressed at this hearing before Jesus. First, the believer’s life will be examined with respect to unconfessed and unrepented actions committed after salvation. Second, eternal reward and position will be determined according to faithfulness in this life.

“For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.

And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.

Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.

And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.

But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money.

After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.

His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.

His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” (Matthew 25:14-23)

Jesus is not measuring status, but judging the soul. A janitor’s work may appear simple when compared to that of a brain surgeon; but both will be evaluated by the same standard – faithfulness in the work they were given.

1. Were they diligent? Did they go an extra mile to ensure that what they did was beyond expectation?

2. Did they put in extra time to make sure that what they produced was excellent?

3. Was there any grumbling when they worked? Did they complain when they did more than what the job required?

4. Did they trash talk their supervisor?

5. Did they ever complain about not being paid enough for their work?

6. Were they envious that others received more pay?

7. How well did they get along with co-workers?

8. Did they steal time from their employers?

9. Were they happy and content in their work?

Jesus is seeking faithful people – free from grumbling, envy, and gossip – men and women who take joy, satisfaction, and quiet pride in the work entrusted to them.

God is seeking humble people who are content with what they have and willing to serve beyond what is required. The abilities needed for service in heaven will be granted by Jesus; they will not be acquired through study or striving, but received as part of His perfect provision.

SUMMARY
Faithfulness, loyalty, and a willingness to go beyond what is required is what Jesus seeks. Life on earth is the only season in which spiritual growth takes place, and every believer bears responsibility for how that season is lived. Once the body dies, growth ceases. Eternity does not bring spiritual advancement, only the continuation of what has already been formed.

Spiritual maturity is shaped in a world of resistance, where Satan and his minions oppose growth and seek to hinder obedience. The level of maturity a believer possesses at death is the level that will remain forever.

Unrepentant actions committed after salvation will be addressed at the Judgment Seat of Christ. Forgiveness is secured, but accountability remains, and a loss of rewards inevitably follows unfaithfulness. What could have been gained through obedience will be forfeited.

Eternity is shaped now. Preparation must be made while there is still time to grow, obey, and serve on earth.