Our Body Swallowed up by LIFE?

©lightwritingmatters 2015

Many people truly have no clue nor hope for the end of their life. They are either not aware of the promises made in the Bible or they do not believe the promises. They jest they will go to hell where their friends are or they believe they decompose and there is nothing at all after death. Some grasp at a number of unproven ‘after life’ destinations or types of existence. But would anyone ever think in terms of their end of life being swallowed up BY LIFE?
Theme Scripture:   “For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life.” – 2 Cor 5:4/1 Cor 15:53
Questions? lightwritingmatters@gmail.com

Tent in the Bible of old for the Israelites referred to the Tabernacle when used as a Holy place of Worship as it moved around and before Solomon’s Temple was built. Of course, tents were used in many ways and were no doubt with multiple designs. But to the Israelites the Tabernacle was inclusive of the covering [tent] and all the spaces and items and services held within the tent. In the Greek scriptures [known to many as the New Testament] Paul’s writings at 2 Cor 5:1  & 5:4 ‘tent’ refers to the believer’s body. The Greek word for ‘Tent’ in 2 Cor 5:1,4 is skēnos/Strong’s # G4636. It translates to ‘Tabernacle’. 

Finally, another way the ‘body’ of the believer is metaphorically identified as a temple.”Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” – 1 Cor 3:16

Lastly, in Paul's words, the word for the believer’s body as a tent/tabernacle above is very different than is used in this context by Paul. It nonetheless refers to the believer’s body as a place of a Holy Dwelling because the Spirit of GOD dwells there.  The Greek word Paul used for ‘temple’ is “naos” and has the following meaning: “metaph. the spiritual temple consisting of the saints of all ages joined together by and in Christ” – Strong’s number G3485 item 3.

You may or may not be familiar with a principle established in the Bible initially in the Hebrew [or Old Testament] in Deut 19:15 and carried through to the Greek scriptures by Jesus at Matt 18:16 and John 8:17. 

The principle is:”At the mouth of two witnesses or at the mouth of three witnesses the matter should stand good…” [Deut 19:15b]

“But if he does not listen, take along with you one or two more, in order that at the mouth of two or three witnesses every matter may be established.” [Matt 18:16]

“Also, in YOUR own Law it is written,‘The witness of two men is true.’ [John 18:7]

To establish the veracity of Paul’s statement about the believer’s body as one witness an additional witness is provided in Peter. The Apostle Peter referred to ‘Tent’ in 2 Peter 1:3 referencing his body using a different Greek word skēnōma/Strong’s #G4638 which also translates to ‘Tabernacle’. In fact if you read vs 4 you see clearly what he means. “Yes, I think it is right, as long as I am in this tent, to stir you up by reminding you, 4 knowing that shortly I must put off my tent, just as our Lord Jesus Christ showed me.”-- 2 Peter 1:3-4

Those reverential of Christ's sacrifice and HIS living Temple then should grasp the idea of how we would follow with reverence for our believing body. In essence as this temporal Tabernacle perishes it is swallowed up by LIFE granted to us by GOD through the living Temple, JESUS, when HE either resurrects or raptures us to LIFE with no end. 

As an aside, the word used in Peter to tent [Strong’s number G3485] in its first meaning has to do with the specific ‘holy’ places of the temple, the Holy and Most Holy areas of the Temple. It is the believer’s privilege and honor to be blessed in this tent to have the Holy Spirit dwell in our hearts influencing our mind and spirit now, and after being swallowed up to LIFE to be with Jesus, our High Priest, where HE is. Remembering to be absent from this body is to be present with the Lord. Glory, Honor and Praise be to our GOD the Father, HIS Son and the Holy Spirit. Let GOD reign sovereign in your tabernacle that you may LIVE to do the same in your incorruptible self then. 

We should prayerfully consider the obligation we have to revere our body now as the ‘temple/tabernacle’ of GOD. 

Christianity is the only religion with an historical record of its founder’s life, ministry, and HIS torturous death and thereafter, HIS resurrection.  HE was seen by many people in the few weeks after HIS resurrection. As a result, HIS followers take their afterlife destination seriously. Believing Christians generally have faith they will be resurrected or raptured to heaven. – 1 Corinthians 15:1-8  

NOTICE: If you are feeling inclined or feeling led to want Jesus as your Savior, your leader, your King, your source of Peace and Joy but are feeling woefully inadequate, uninformed on how best to get to know HIM, or find yourself at wit’s end because you believe yourself trapped and in need of GOD, please know Jesus stands ready to welcome you with HIS Holy Spirit. Believe these words: “16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. “—John 3:16

“Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, 20 and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before, 21 whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.” – Acts 3:19-20

“Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born [a]again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” – John 3:3-8

If you need help, please feel free to leave a comment and I will respond.  †

DISCLAIMER: The thoughts published on this blog, in total, are the opinions, thoughts and considerations of the writer/author of every post. Images are sourced from various places, mostly from travels done by the author and therefore the sole property of the author.

Your Consience v Offending Others

 Did you know being ‘offended’ is part of the composite sign Jesus gave HIS disciples that would attend the end of ‘the age’?

Theme Scripture:   “And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another” – Matthew 24:10

The difference in meaning of words as used in the translation of the Bible from its original languages, but even from earlier ‘english’ translations, is sometimes different from a ‘common’ understanding of the word used in current translations. For instance: “Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake:” –KJV – 1 Corinthians 10:25 → Shambles is translated ‘meat market’ in our parlance. From the ‘New’ King James: “Eat whatever is sold in the meat market, asking no questions for conscience’ sake;”

To our theme scripture, Matt 24:10 “offended” is another one of those cases. As translated more accurately in Young's Literal Translation: “and then shall many be stumbled, and they shall deliver up one another, and shall hate one another.”“Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake.” It appears some believers will see the persecution of Christians being killed and hated by all nations because they are “Christ”ians. Verse 10 starts ‘and then…’one can conclude some Christians are stumbled by seeing their brothers and sisters killed and hated and to save themselves from the same fate they apper to betray and hate one another. Of course, such a conclusion could be incorrect, but we only have to look at the world around us to know how fragile ‘friendship’ is even apart from a Christian perspective. Today, if you disagree on just about anything you are likely to find yourself ‘unfriended’ or way worse. Meanings of words have changed and at such a pace one cannot keep up. Yet, we are not yet in the time period Jesus discusses as an answer to HIS disciples. He actually states in vs 8 that the foregoing are only the beginning of sorrows. Thereafter persecution is mentioned. 

NOTE: https://christswords.com/main/content/matthew-2410%C2%A0and-then-shall-many-be-offended

^ For a breakdown of the vs 10 word by word I found this link helpful. One caveat: I do not find evidence that the author's postulate that Jesus made the disciples laugh by the choice of verbiage. It may have been a play on words that had a deeper meaning then but there is no evidence in any of the gospel accounts suggests humor was an emotion the topic triggered.t

The CREATOR and LIBERATOR, GOD ALMIGHTY, handled the matter of ‘stumbling’ within the Levitical Law given to and agreed upon by the Jewish people, after release from bondage in Egypt for nearly five centuries. We read: “Thou shalt not curse the deaf, nor put a stumbling block before the blind, but shalt fear thy God: I am the LORD.”--Lev 19:14

Sometimes stumbling happens unforeseen. Our mind is elsewhere, our footing misses, twists, the object is obscured from our site, or we may be unable to detect differences in a solid field of the same monochrome color scheme. We would not deliberately place anything where someone could be injured. There are other ways to stumble/offend someone.

The Apostle Paul spared no words when addressing the topic of stumbling someone. 1 Corinthians chapter 10 has much about stumbling, mostly regarding food. See his statement in vs 23 of Chapter 10: “All things are lawful; but not all things are advantageous.” This is a phrase he used a couple of  times. In essence, and in context, just because you may feel no issue with eating meat but someone else’s conscience strictly forbids them,  you are not bound by their conscience if you do not share their conviction, but rather than insisting on your right Paul suggests that the believer forego their own preference in deference to the sensibilities of the other so as not to stumble them. But! And here is the crux of the issue: ““Conscience,” I say, not your own, but that of the other. For why is my liberty judged by another man’s conscience?” Right? Let’s finish the thought to the end. Verses 29-33: “30 But if I partake with thanks, why am I evil spoken of for the food over which I give thanks? 31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 32 Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God, 33 just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.” ← Salvation being the goal of all Christian encounters with all persons we do well to not stumble another to insist on our own will. 

One last but important point: no matter the original to common translation, the intent is present. These are words spoken by THE WORD, Jesus, and so the statement in verse 10 above is truthful and impactful. When read in context, there will be a time when all Christians will be hated by all nations and killed for their faith. Today, in several countries this is already a reality. Countries where Christianity is not the religion of the many — including countries we may feel friendly towards — prosecution/persecution of Christians for  ‘proselytizing’ translates to beheadings, shootings, including children and whole families. In essence kill them by any number of means so long as they are punished for their faith in Jesus There will come a time when this will be the matter of course for all nations.

 In fact, here is a sobering thought for consideration:”And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given to them, and the souls of those who have been beheaded because of the testimony of Jesus, and because of the word of God, and who did not bow before the beast, nor his image, and did not receive the mark upon their forehead and upon their hand, and they did live and reign with Christ the thousand years;”-- Rev 20:4 ← This happens during the Tribulation period of seven years set apart for a time in the future. It is believed by some the Church will have been ‘caught away’ [1 Thess 4:17]or raptured before this happens but those who become Christians after the rapture will see the above statement of beheading as a likely reality due to their faith.

Do some research in your Bible. Search for ‘offend’ and ‘stumble’ to broaden your own thoughts on how best to live a life of conviction in Christ.

Questions? lightwritingmatters@gmail.com 

NOTICE: If you are feeling inclined or feeling led to want Jesus as your Savior, your leader, your King, your source of Peace and Joy but are feeling woefully inadequate, uninformed on how best to get to know HIM, or find yourself at wit’s end because you believe yourself trapped and in need of GOD, please know Jesus stands ready to welcome you with HIS Holy Spirit. Believe these words: “16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. “—John 3:16

“Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, 20 and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before, 21 whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.” – Acts 3:19-20

“Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born [a]again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” – John 3:3-8

If you need help, please feel free to leave a comment and I will respond.  †

DISCLAIMER: The thoughts published on this blog, in total, are the opinions, thoughts and considerations of the writer/author of every post. Images are sourced from various places, mostly from travels done by the author and therefore the sole property of the author.

Whose Hand are YOU Holding?

 If you were in danger, or felt you needed help, which hand would you TRUST MOST?

Theme Scripture:   For I, the LORD your God, will hold your right hand, Saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you.' – Isa 41:13

For the entirety of history humans have lived, they have met with difficult times and many times needed someone other than themselves to resolve important issues. Life saving issues, in particular, require deep consideration of all options and to decide which has the proven record. 

Also since the beginning of history, humans have sought to have power, have control and be the ‘go to’ for all problems. These have manifested themselves as governments, world powers, dictatorships, tyrannical rulers, fairly often the foregoing have been considered governments. Mostly, the ‘seat’ of power. Power over the souls living within their ruling power. Doesn’t matter if it was Nimrod, Pharaoh, Kings of Babylon, Persia, Greece, Rome, Ottoman empire, Emperors, Royalty of any kind, democracies or republics they all assert and require obedience from their subjects, YOU! Of course they see themselves having all the right answers for YOUR troubles. Currently, there is a race to see which block of nations will be able to step up to the Global plate and be the ONE WORLD entity that dictates and wields power over every country on earth.

Asking you again, which hand would you choose? Every world power has gone. Any existing attempt to become the global governance, no matter which of the 2 vying at this writing, as world powers of the past, they too will end. Question is which hand will you be holding when the music stops? When you truly need help? 

I place this topic here in the first half of 2023. It may be old by the time you read it but to be honest, if the ‘catching away’ [or, the rapture] of believing Christians happens sooner than later, should you happen upon this post it is my fervent prayer that you choose the right hand because YOUR life, now and then, depends on it. YOUR eternal life. 

Some current governments try to generally assist their citizens when they fall on hard times. Other governments dispense with the same. The current government type that seems to be gaining worldwide acceptance believes if a person cannot make a contribution to society equal to the resources they consume they should not be living. That would include children, seniors, those with mental health issues, disabilities, diseases, orphans, widows, etc. The current two potential global entities both subscribe to this form of government. There is a time coming when this reality will be frightful to some and considered a lifesaver to others/most.

Benefits of the God’s hand vs Government

• Govt resources are limited

• Resources come with strings

• Resources eligibility are often exclusive to some while incluse to others

• Govt enforcement is heavy handed according to the leader[s] of any govt.

• Persecution by govts of those who are deemed resistant ranges from restrictions of any benefit up to and including death. → in other words: Resistance is futile. You will be assimilated. Not just a syfy ideology. 

• As already stated, ALL former ‘global’ governments are now history. Any global government now will end the same – so where do you go then?

This list is in no way complete. But the reader now or even much later gets the point.

• GOD’s resources are unlimited

• GOD’s resources have only one string: Belief and Faith in Jesus Christ → one must admit they have sinned and repent of their sin. Believe Jesus died on a tree and resurrected. Approximately a month thereafter HE rose to heaven where HE sits at the right hand of GOD. 

• GOD’s Authority over resources requires the believer to have TRUST and FAITH

• GOD is not partial thus resource eligibility has no qualifying.

• GOD’s help in our current troubles comes as a benefit of our trust and faith in HIS Sovereignty. HE made us. HE sent HIS SON to live in the flesh to experience human life as we do but in a perfect body not marred by sin.

Whose hand up will YOU CHOOSE? I hope you will make the choice an ancient leader in the first nation to settle in the promised land made: “And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” –Joshua 24:15 

Joshua chose GOD’s Right Hand!






NOTICE: If you are feeling inclined or feeling led to want Jesus as your Savior, your leader, your King, your source of Peace and Joy but are feeling woefully inadequate, uninformed on how best to get to know HIM, or find yourself at wit’s end because you believe yourself trapped and in need of GOD, please know Jesus stands ready to welcome you with HIS Holy Spirit. Believe these words: “16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. “—John 3:16

“Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, 20 and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before, 21 whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.” – Acts 3:19-20

“Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born [a]again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” – John 3:3-8

If you need help, please feel free to leave a comment and I will respond.  †









DISCLAIMER: The thoughts published on this blog, in total, are the opinions, thoughts and considerations of the writer/author of every post