The Resurrection

Exodus 12 (King James Version)
King James Version (KJV)
Public Domain

Exodus 12

1 And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron in the

land of Egypt saying,

2 This month shall be unto you the beginning of

months: it shall be the first month of the year

to you.

3 Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel,

saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall

take to them every man a lamb, according to the

house of their fathers, a lamb for an house:

4 And if the household be too little for the

lamb, let him and his neighbour next unto his

house take it according to the number of the

souls; every man according to his eating shall

make your count for the lamb.

5 Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of

the first year: ye shall take it out from the

sheep, or from the goats:

6 And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth

day of the same month: and the whole assembly of

the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the

evening.

7 And they shall take of the blood, and strike it

on the two side posts and on the upper door post

of the houses, wherein they shall eat it.

8 And they shall eat the flesh in that night,

roast with fire, and unleavened bread; and with

bitter herbs they shall eat it.

9 Eat not of it raw, nor sodden at all with

water, but roast with fire; his head with his

legs, and with the purtenance thereof.

10 And ye shall let nothing of it remain until

the morning; and that which remaineth of it until

the morning ye shall burn with fire.

11 And thus shall ye eat it; with your loins

girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff

in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it is

the LORD's passover.

12 For I will pass through the land of Egypt this

night, and will smite all the firstborn in the

land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against

all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I

am the LORD.

13 And the blood shall be to you for a token upon

the houses where ye are: and when I see the

blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall

not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the

land of Egypt.

14 And this day shall be unto you for a memorial;

and ye shall keep it a feast to the LORD

throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a

feast by an ordinance for ever.


Since it is the week approaching Easter Sunday
and the boys are out of school this week, I'll
take this time to have a look at the Easter theme
in scripture, except I'll call it resurrection
week. In the Christian calendar there are two
important events that are unique in the history
of the world, Christmas and Easter; the day of
Jesus' birth and the day of his resurrection.
Given the present course of the discussion, I
have to ask, What are the odds? Well, as I wrote
yesterday, an event that has already occurred has
a probability P=1. It is an absolute certainty.
But it is also a unique, one time event. What
are the odds that it will happen again?

Duplication of a unique one time event has a
probability P=0. It will never happen again.
Instead of being distracted by the unlikelihood
of the event taking place, remember that there
are a number of prophecies surrounding the birth,
death and resurrection of Jesus. It did happen,
and there is ample documentation of the event in
the record of scripture. From behind the
curtain, the Designer directs the stage of
history. He's even given us a copy of the
script.

There is a wikipedia entry:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Easter

They make the observation that 'Easter is linked
to the Jewish Passover not only for much of its
symbolism but also for its position in the
calendar.' That's an excellent observation. In
the passover is a prophetic message of the death
of Jesus -- 'the Lamb of G-d, who takes away the
sin of the world!' John 1:29. The lamb in the
Passover celebration, represents Jesus. Maybe,
it wasn't so obvious at the time, but John very
clearly identified Jesus in the course of his
ministry.

The Lord had commanded Moses to celebrate
specific festivals in perpetuity. The Passover
was one of them. It was no coincidence that
Jesus was crucified during the Passover. It was
a fulfillment of prophecy. But to read the
Gospel accounts, you wouldn't know that anyone
in Jerusalem at the time of the crucifixtion
had any awareness of the prophetic nature of the
event. Not even the disciples were aware of the
significance of the event. Not much different
than the birth of Jesus. Nobody was looking at
the script. So much for the notion of
self-fulfilling prophecy.

It seems to be one lesson of history that as we
participate in the events of history, there are
few who are able to recognize the significance of
the times in which they live. It's all for the
best, I suppose. But those that have any insight
into the nature of events are subject to the
torment of not being able to do much, except
watch in fascination as events unfold. We are
given in scripture, a look at the events yet to
take place, such as the judgement and the destiny
of the souls of men. But how many today pay any
attention to the instruction given in scripture?
I would guess, not that many. We are carried
along by the spirit of the age in which we live.
As is common in the past, men choose to ignore
the message that G-d graciously provides in the
pages of scripture, and the words of his
messengers. You would think that it's not so
hard to notice, but I find that we are all
subject to the seduction of life's vanity. What
a predicament that we find ourselves in.

Romans 7

7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? G-d

forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law:

for I had not known lust, except the law had

said, Thou shalt not covet.

8 But sin, taking occasion by the commandment,

wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For

without the law sin was dead.

9 For I was alive without the law once: but when

the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.

10 And the commandment, which was ordained to

life, I found to be unto death.

11 For sin, taking occasion by the commandment,

deceived me, and by it slew me.

12 Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment

holy, and just, and good.

13 Was then that which is good made death unto

me? G-d forbid. But sin, that it might appear

sin, working death in me by that which is good;

that sin by the commandment might become

exceeding sinful.

14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I

am carnal, sold under sin.

15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I

would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.

16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent

unto the law that it is good.

17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin

that dwelleth in me.

18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,)

dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present

with me; but how to perform that which is good I

find not.

19 For the good that I would I do not: but the

evil which I would not, that I do.

20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I

that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good,

evil is present with me.

22 For I delight in the law of G-d after the

inward man:

23 But I see another law in my members, warring

against the law of my mind, and bringing me into

captivity to the law of sin which is in my

members.

24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me

from the body of this death?

25 I thank G-d through Jesus Christ our Lord. So

then with the mind I myself serve the law of G-d;

but with the flesh the law of sin.


Next week, I'd like to return where I left off on
the creation vs evolution model of origin. This
week, it's appropriate to look at the events
surrounding the resurrection. It's the hope of
every believer.

Corinthians 15 (King James Version)
King James Version (KJV)
Public Domain

1 Corinthians 15
1Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the

gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye

have received, and wherein ye stand;

2By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in

memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have

believed in vain.

3For I delivered unto you first of all that

which I also received, how that Christ died for

our sins according to the scriptures;

4And that he was buried, and that he rose again

the third day according to the scriptures:

5And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the

twelve:

6After that, he was seen of above five hundred

brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain

unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.

7After that, he was seen of James; then of all

the apostles.

8And last of all he was seen of me also, as of

one born out of due time.

9For I am the least of the apostles, that am not

meet to be called an apostle, because I

persecuted the church of G-d.

10But by the grace of G-d I am what I am: and

his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in

vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they

all: yet not I, but the grace of G-d which was

with me.

11Therefore whether it were I or they, so we

preach, and so ye believed.

12Now if Christ be preached that he rose from

the dead, how say some among you that there is no

resurrection of the dead?

13But if there be no resurrection of the dead,

then is Christ not risen:

14And if Christ be not risen, then is our

preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.

15Yea, and we are found false witnesses of G-d;

because we have testified of G-d that he raised

up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that

the dead rise not.

16For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ

raised:

17And if Christ be not raised, your faith is

vain; ye are yet in your sins.

18Then they also which are fallen asleep in

Christ are perished.

19If in this life only we have hope in Christ,

we are of all men most miserable.

20But now is Christ risen from the dead, and

become the firstfruits of them that slept.

21For since by man came death, by man came also

the resurrection of the dead.

22For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ

shall all be made alive.

23But every man in his own order: Christ the

firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at

his coming.

24Then cometh the end, when he shall have

delivered up the kingdom to G-d, even the Father;

when he shall have put down all rule and all

authority and power.

25For he must reign, till he hath put all

enemies under his feet.

26The last enemy that shall be destroyed is

death.

27For he hath put all things under his feet. But

when he saith all things are put under him, it is

manifest that he is excepted, which did put all

things under him.

28And when all things shall be subdued unto him,

then shall the Son also himself be subject unto

him that put all things under him, that G-d may

be all in all.

29Else what shall they do which are baptized for

the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are

they then baptized for the dead?

30And why stand we in jeopardy every hour?

31I protest by your rejoicing which I have in

Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.

32If after the manner of men I have fought with

beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the

dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to

morrow we die.

33Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt

good manners.

34Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some

have not the knowledge of G-d: I speak this to

your shame.

35But some man will say, How are the dead raised

up? and with what body do they come?

36Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not

quickened, except it die:

37And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not

that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may

chance of wheat, or of some other grain:

38But G-d giveth it a body as it hath pleased

him, and to every seed his own body.

39All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is

one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of

beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds.

40There are also celestial bodies, and bodies

terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is

one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another.

41There is one glory of the sun, and another

glory of the moon, and another glory of the

stars: for one star differeth from another star

in glory.

42So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is

sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:

43It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in

glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in

power:

44It is sown a natural body; it is raised a

spiritual body. There is a natural body, and

there is a spiritual body.

45And so it is written, The first man Adam was

made a living soul; the last Adam was made a

quickening spirit.

46Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual,

but that which is natural; and afterward that

which is spiritual.

47The first man is of the earth, earthy; the

second man is the Lord from heaven.

48As is the earthy, such are they also that are

earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they

also that are heavenly.

49And as we have borne the image of the earthy,

we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.

50Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood

cannot inherit the kingdom of G-d; neither doth

corruption inherit incorruption.

51Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all

sleep, but we shall all be changed,

52In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at

the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and

the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we

shall be changed.

53For this corruptible must put on incorruption,

and this mortal must put on immortality.

54So when this corruptible shall have put on

incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on

immortality, then shall be brought to pass the

saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in

victory.

55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is

thy victory?

The Apostle lays it out in a fascinating way. He
begins with a statement of the facts surrounding
the resurrection, listing a detailed eyewitness
account. Then, he states the significance of the
resurrection, with a direct reference to Adam,
which leaves little doubt as to his view of
origins and the significance of the scriptural
account of origins being central to the message
of the Gospel. That is, the nature of original
sin, and the justice of G-d being satisfied as a
requirement of salvation/redemption. He states
the rule of G-d over the course of time and
eternity. The Apostle is familiar with the
script. And in the last part of the passage,
goes into an analogy of what is yet to come, in
the form of an immortal resurrected body.

It's hard to avoid the conclusion that there is
no place for a theory of biological evolution in
the doctrine that the Apostle preached. There is
no place to wedge it into the script. Beside
that, evolution serves no purpose in the doctrine
of scripture and has a probability P=0.