Power in the Hope: The Final Victory

December 2003

Power in the Hope: The Final Victory

The Two Things to learn from this teaching are:
    1) The revealed mystery benefits us today.
    2) The revealed mystery will benefit us in the future.

What is the Mystery?

Ephesians 3:1-6 - For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, 2 If ye have heard of the dispensation [administration] of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: 3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, 4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) 5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; 6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:

The mystery was hidden from the ages before Jesus Christ came.  It had to be hidden or the adversary would not have crucified him.  When Christ gave his life and was raised from the dead and seated at the right hand of God, it gave access for anyone and everyone to be born again of God's holy spirit.  The mystery had been concealed until Christ ascended and the believers manifested the evidence of the new birth on the day of Pentecost.  We are now fellow-heirs with Jesus Christ of God's inheritance.  We can have Christ in us, the gift of holy spirit and eternal life!

How it benefits us Today
I Corinthians 15:1 - “Moreover, brethren, I declare [make known] unto you the gospel [good news of the mystery] which I preached unto you. Which ye [also] have received, and wherein ye stand; [in which ye stand also.]”

This verse instructs us not only to receive the good news, the hope of Christ’s return, but also to “stand” and live the mystery today as we walk with the power of Christ in us.

How it benefits us in the Future
I John 2:28-29 - “And now, little children, abide [remain] in him [Jesus Christ]; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and be not ashamed before him at his coming.”

“If ye know that he [Jesus Christ] is righteous, ye know that everyone that doeth righteousness is born of him.”

Jesus Christ is returning someday. We have that hope.
Hope [in the bible] refers to something that is not presently available. (still future.)
Believing, however, refers to something that can be seen immediately.

Who is Jesus Christ returning for?

I Thessalonians 4:13-18 - “But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him.

For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent [precede] them which are asleep.

For the Lord [Jesus Christ] himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the Archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”

This is the truth of the return of Jesus Christ written plainly from the Word.  Those who are born again and have died will be raised again.  Those of us who are still alive will be caught up together with Christ and will live eternally with him.

I John 3:1-3 - “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew Him not.”

“Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and [but] it doth not yet appear what we shall be [future]: but we [do] know that, when he [Jesus Christ]; shall appear, we shall be like him for we shall see him as he is.”

“And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he [Jesus Christ] is pure*.”   
* Greek word hagnos- “to keep lustrous.”

When Christ returns, there will be no more death, no more evil.

Revelation 21:4 - “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”

Death is an enemy, never a friend.  Your life is so precious to God, to your family, to your friends.  God's will is for you to live, and live abundantly!  When we are born again we have the assurance of eternal life!

I Corinthians 15:26 - “The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.” (death will be no more.)

We have the immediate victory of Christ in us when we become born again.
We have the ultimate victory when Christ returns and death shall be destroyed.

I Peter 3:12-15 - “For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and His ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.

And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?

But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;

But sanctify (set apart a special place for) the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear (respect.)”

We have power immediately and ultimately as we believe the truth of God's Word.

God Bless You!