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‘He is risen!’ – Part 16

By Emeritus Prof. Mercy Olumide
06 August 2017   |   4:22 am
“For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead.” (1 Cor 15:21). Death came into the world as a result of Adam and Eve’s sin.

Emeritus Prof. Mercy Olumide

“For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead.” (1 Cor 15:21). Death came into the world as a result of Adam and Eve’s sin. In Romans 5:12-21, Paul explained why Adam’s sin brought sin to all people, how death and sin spread to all humans because of this first sin, and the parallel between Adam’s death and Christ’s death.

“Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. 25 For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. 26 The last enemy that will be destroyed is death. 27 For “He has put all things under His feet.” But when He says, “all things are put under Him,” it is evident that He who put all things under Him is excepted. 28 Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all.” (1 Cor 15:24-28)

This is not a chronological sequence of events, and no specific time for these events is given. Paul’s point is that the resurrected Christ will conquer all evil, including death. See Revelation 20:14 for words about the final destruction of death. Although God the Father and God the Son are equal, each has a special work to do and an area of sovereign control (15:28). Christ is not inferior to the Father, but His work is to defeat all evil on earth. First, He defeated sin and death on the cross, and in the final days, He will defeat Satan and all evil. World events may seem out of control and justice may seem scarce. But God is in control, allowing evil to remain for a time, until He sends Jesus to earth again. Then Christ will present to God a perfect new world.
“Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death” (Rev 20:14)

Death and Hades are thrown into the lake of fire. God’s judgment is finished. The lake of fire is the ultimate destination of everything wicked—Satan, the beast, the false prophet, the demons, Death, Hades, and all those whose names are not recorded in the Book of Life, because they did not place their faith in Jesus Christ. John’s vision does not permit any gray areas in God’s judgment. If by faith we have not identified with Christ, confessing Him as Lord, there will be no hope, no second chance, no other appeal.

The Finality of Babylon’s Fall Rev 18:21-24
BABYLON. The name “Babylon” originates from “Babel,” which symbolises unified false religion, sorcery, astrology and rebellion against God (Gen 10:8-10; 11:4; Is 47:13).

Babylon was the name of both an evil city and an immoral empire, a world centre for idol worship. Babylon ransacked Jerusalem and carried the people of Judah into captivity (see 2 Kgs 24; and 2 Chr 36). Just as Babylon was the Jews worst enemy, the Roman Empire was the worst enemy of the early Christians. John, who probably did not dare speak against Rome openly, applied the name Babylon to this enemy of God’s people (Rome)—and, by extension, to all God’s enemies of all times. (Rev 14:8). Man’s greatest enemies of all time are sin, death, fear and Satan.

Christ’s resurrection is the greatest evidence of victory over mankind’s enemies. Jesus’ resurrection proves that He is alive to confine Satan and Death finally into Hell fire (Rev 20:14).
Email: mercyolumide2004@yahoo.co.ukMobile: +234 803 344 6614; +234 808 123 7987.

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