Finding Hope in This World of Turmoil: Let’S Discover the Resurrection Power That Can Make Us Alive, Empower Us to Overcome the Limitations of This Realm with an Infused Ability, as We Focus on the Spirit of Power Working Within Us.

By Trevor Bartley

The resurrection message is the most important part of our belief system.

Without the truth of the resurrection message, our faith is just another religion with no real substance. The Resurrection sets Christianity apart. This book is dedicated to establishing this truth.

The extent of the work of Christs resurrection is staggering. However, if there is one topic that is the central message of the Bible, it is the sacrifice of Christ. The Old Testament looks forward to it, whereas the New Testament looks back at it.

We must be extremely careful not to allow these two ordinances to become routine in our Christian life (communion and baptism) and thereby reduce the significance of what Jesus did for us at his sacrifice and resurrection. The greatest gift that anyone can be given is eternal life, and the one that made that possible is Jesus. In Christ, we have victory, provided we see ourselves dead to sin and raised together with him.

Even so consider yourselves also dead to sin and your relation to it broken, but alive to God [living in unbroken fellowship with Him] in Christ Jesus (Romans 6:11, AMP).

I have been crucified with Christ [in Him I have shared His crucifixion]; it is no longer I who live, but Christ (the Messiah) lives in me; and the life I now live in the body I live by faith in (by adherence to and reliance on and complete trust in) the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself up for me. [Therefore, I do not treat Gods gracious gift as something of minor importance and defeat its very purpose]; I do not set aside and invalidate and frustrate and nullify the grace (unmerited favor) of God. For if justification (righteousness, acquittal from guilt) comes through [observing the ritual of] the Law, then Christ (the Messiah) died groundlessly and to no purpose and in vain. [His death was then wholly superfluous.] (Galatians 2:2021, AMP).

We need to remember that the story doesnt end with Jesuss death. He is currently in heaven, in his resurrected body, and one day, he will return. The resurrection of Jesus was an act of the supreme love of God.

Remember, our identification is in who we are in Christ and his resurrection. The Bible tells us in John 14:12 that the things Christ has done we can do, and greater than these we will do because he goes to the Father. The resurrection demonstrated Jesuss victory over the power of death and confirms there is life beyond the grave.

Jesus Christ offers us a resurrection power beyond ourselves that can make us alive; it empowers us to overcome the limitations of this realm with an infused ability as we focus on the Spirit of power working within us.

I hope you receive much insight and revelation as you discover the wholeness of what Jesus achieved for you and me.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris AU
• Release date: Sep 24, 2016
• ISBN: 9781524516666

Trevor Bartley

The author of this book, Trevor Bartley was born in Australia. He is an enthusiastic minister of the Word of God who is passionate about training and equipping the saints for the work of ministry. Born again at the age of 18 he entered into ministry as a youth pastor. He has travelled extensively as an itinerant minister. Trevor has coordinated Ministry service teams for churches and conferences around Australia; he has established Lifestyle Training School an online Bible College and has taught in Bible colleges around Australia. Trevor has been in full-time ministry for 34 years, serving as an associate pastor, executive pastor, and director of two denominations. He has also authored several books. Today, Trevor and his wife Jo regularly itinerate, and they are planting churches in Africa, Pakistan and Australia under their ministry name “Faith Works International.” For further information regarding any of the training courses or resources for equipping the saints for the work of the ministry, or to invite him to speak to your ministry, please visit our website: Faith Works International Resources www.faithworksinternational.org List of books Ministry of Helps Leadership and group facilitation Where have we robbed God? How can I hear the voice of God? ‘You’re off to a New Start’ Basics for new believers Resurrection, Rapture and Judgment Finding hope in this world of Turmoil Righteousness Biblical Mythbusters

Book preview

Contents

INTRODUCTION

THE NATURE OF DEATH

What Is Sleep?

In My Father’s House Are Many Mansions

Where Does One Go Following Death?

The Nature And Location Of Hell

Heaven

RESURRECTION

Why Is The Resurrection Message Important?

Jesus’ Resurrection

The Resurrection

Old Testament Knowledge Of The Resurrection

Wisdom And Death

The Sacrifice Of Jesus

Jesus Taught ‘Resurrection From Among The Dead’

Jesus’ Resurrected Body

Our Resurrected Bodies

The Seed

The Nature

Immortality

Resurrection - The Disciple’s Witness –

Resurrection - Today’s Life –

Contradictions Of World Religions

The Claims Of Christ

Why Jesus?

Lord, Lunatic Or Liar?

Prophecies

The Empty Tomb

The Apostles’ Transformation

The Gift Of Salvation – Righteousness

Obedience Is Better Than Sacrifice

Resurrection - Tomorrow’s News Today –

In The Twinkling Of An Eye

The Second Coming Or Rapture?

Key Features Of The Rapture And Second Coming

Why Can’t I Find The Word Rapture In My Bible?

THE RAPTURE

The Rapture Of The Church

The Tribulation Period

The Falling Away

How Do I Escape?

The Rapture Of The Bride

What Can We Learn From The Steps Of The Jewish Marriage

The Parable Of The Wise And Foolish Virgins

THE MILLENNIUM

Qualification For Leadership In The Millennium

JUDGEMENT

What Are Some Of The Judgements Referred To In The New Testament?

What Will Be Judged?

Acceptable Behaviour

Who’s Left After The Millennium?

JO’S THOUGHTS (MY WIFE)

SALVATION PRAYER

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

FOREWORD AND

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

T he title of this book obviously caught your attention, let me tell you why I wrote this book. I started this project with the intention of clarifying some information about what I believe to be a misunderstanding of the teaching on the scripture that says ‘the dead in Christ will rise first.’ By using the Bible and a very comprehensive study through the Scriptures, I hope to bring some clarification to what I believe to be the confusion about the Resurrection and Rapture. For this reason, I have written the scriptures out in full; I have not simply written scripture and verse for the reader to look up. Enabling you to read this book anywhere, anytime and not having to carry your Bible with you.

Unfortunately, too many Christians are complacent and feel it is sufficient to know only what the church they attend preaches and teaches. Hopefully through the words, scriptures and the manner in which I present this information to you, it will no longer be excusable to live with people’s ideas, traditions or stories to satisfy one who claims to be a Christian. We are not getting anywhere spiritually if we are not studying for ourselves and making a distinction between what is said and what is written. For this reason I would like to encourage you to read all the scriptures through, allowing them to minister to you, in other words, don’t skip over the scriptures, if you don’t read them you will miss out on the whole message.

The Bible tells us that we are to study for ourselves so that we can present our bodies to God approved, a worker who has no cause to be ashamed. We are to analyse correctly and accurately study the Word of truth. I hope that you get as much out of this book as I did in putting it together.

I would also like to say, thank you to my wife Josephine who helped me with the proofreading, and all her thought provoking questions and suggestions, have helped me bring this book to completion. Where would we be without the support of our wives? Also for her inspiration and patience while I spent many days and nights putting all this information together, and for being beside me and supporting me as we serve our Lord and Saviour together.

Also, a big thank you to the inspired and gifted Pastor who by preaching his Sunday sermons sent me into a ten-year study to gain more understanding. He ignited a burning fire within my soul to explore this subject and then put it into a book form.

Thank you, Ps David Rossiter, and thank you to all the people who have helped me to bring this book to its final stage of completion. Together we can confidently usher in the coming of Jesus and be ready for the trumpet call as we stand together in the faith.

Acts 2:38, AMP

Peter answered them, Repent (change your views and purpose to accept the will of God in your inner selves instead of rejecting it) and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of and release from your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

I have been reluctant to write about the subject of the Rapture for two reasons.

One is because the ‘revelation’ is still unfolding and our understanding still growing. Anything published may soon become inadequate. I now feel compelled by the Spirit of God to write, because the time is short, and the days a surly revealing the birth pains of the earth.

The second is when you commit something to paper in some systematic way it can sound narrow, binding or legalistic. This subject is at the forefront of everyone’s minds at the moment and the day we live in is truly lawless.

I feel inadequate to the task, and yet find I am carrying a burden of the Spirit about something which, after having been sent on many occasions to preach around the world, they must be written. I hope that the message will bear much fruit to the honour of our Lord Christ Jesus.

This book has been written without legalism being intended, and the exercise of authority is to be liberating, never controlling. I would ask for the best possible intention to be applied in the light of this purpose.

I feel another inadequacy, and that is in my inability to deal with some of the related aspects of this subject more extensively. Like mentioning about the coming of the new Heaven and Earth, the importance of the role of Israel, for example. I know the importance of these teachings but cannot claim to of studied or researched those subjects adequately to teach the details. There are others who have documented these topics that you can research for yourself.

INTRODUCTION

T he inspiration I had to compile this information and to present it as a book was birthed from reading Hebrews 6:1-3 in the Amplified Bible . The writer of Hebrews compels his readers to go past what he considers to be "The elementary stage in the teachings and doctrine of Christ (the Messiah ). Interestingly, when you read on the writer tells the reader, Let us not again be laying the foundation ." He then goes on to give a list of the fundamental doctrines that we should already have set as our foundation to build upon, so we can move to more advanced teac hing.

Hebrews 6:1-3, AMP

THEREFORE let us go on and get past the elementary stage in the teachings and doctrine of Christ (the Messiah), advancing steadily toward the completeness and perfection that belong to spiritual maturity. Let us not again be laying the foundation of repentance and abandonment of dead works (dead formalism) and of the faith [by which you turned] to God, with teachings about purifying, the laying on of hands, the resurrection from the dead, and eternal judgment and punishment. [These are all matters of which you should have been fully aware long, long ago.] If indeed God permits, we will [now] proceed [to advanced teaching].

As I read this list, I realised that most believers do not have these basics set in stone for themselves. It was then that I began to understand why there was, and still is so much confusion within the church. If we as individuals do not have our foundation settled, how can we grow in more advanced teachings?

The writer tells us that if we have these basic doctrines established as our foundation, we can advance steadily towards the completeness and perfection belonging to spiritual maturity. Isn’t this what we all desire?

Interestingly, he makes this statement, and this statement was the key for me to want to know more, "These are all matters of which you should have been fully aware long, long ago."

So what are the elementary teachings of Christ?

• Repentance

• Abandonment of dead works (dead formalism)

• Faith

• Teachings about purifying (living holy)

• The laying on of hands

• The resurrection from the dead

• Eternal judgment and

• Punishment

As I looked at this list, I asked my congregation what they believed the resurrection from the dead, eternal judgment and punishment is, and what it means to them. I was surprised at how many different interpretations and opinions this small group of believers had on these subjects. So I threw in another one and asked them what they thought about the topic of the Rapture. Again I was very surprised by the differing mindsets and opinions on this topic as well.

I concluded that I needed to cover these subjects thoroughly so that we all had a firm foundation established, being of the same mind and spirit. It is only then that we can advance to more spiritual teachings and grow to maturity. After teaching these sessions, everyone in our congregation said I needed to put them in a book and get these truths out to the world.

The Resurrection from the dead and judgment are considered basic doctrines of the church, something you build upon. However, I believe most Christians are Bible ignorant of the facts given to us on these core subjects. There are many theories and fantasies about both subjects. The aim of this book is to bring your understanding and expectations of these topics in line with what the Bible clearly says.

Speculation outside of Bible knowledge should be clearly recognised as such, speculation. Such speculation may ultimately prove to be right in the future but is not to be relied upon or believed as fact for the purpose of building our faith. There are some things concerning God we are not clear on because we have not been given enough information from the Bible, and hence cannot be dogmatic in our point of view or worldview. Allow yourself to receive these revelations with an open heart. Can I suggest you read this whole book before making any of your own conclusions?

Never close the door to growth and you’ll continue to find nuggets of truth everywhere.

Definition of Resurrection

Resurrection means the rising of humanity at the last days!

- To rise from the dead; to revive from disease or decay. (Oxford Dictionary)

Jesus talked a lot about two future events; the end times and His second coming. By sharing these prophecies with His disciples, Jesus did not encourage them to speculate about the exact time when He would return. Instead, He urged all His followers to be watchful and prepared for His second coming. If we serve Jesus faithfully now, we will be ready for His return.

To lay a proper foundation for an understanding of the resurrection and judgement, it is necessary to find out what we are being resurrected from and what we are entering into. Through this process, I will be briefly covering information that will assist in developing the foundation necessary for these key subjects to be settled. What I have endeavoured to do is to whet your appetite to create a desire within you to move on to more advanced teachings.

Have a look at the words of Jesus from the book of John chapter sixteen. We notice here that Jesus tells us that He needs to go to the Father for our benefit, and so the world has no excuse available to them because of what Jesus has done; In John 15:22 Jesus said it this way, "If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin [would be blameless]; but now they have no excuse for their sin." Then in verse 24 Jesus said; "If I had not done (accomplished) among them the works which no one else ever did, they would not be guilty of sin. But [the fact is] now they have both seen [these works] and have hated both Me and My Father.

John 16:7-11, AMP

However, I am telling you nothing but the truth when I say it is profitable (good, expedient, advantageous) for you that I go away. Because if I do not go away, the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Advocate, Intercessor, Strengthener, Standby) will not come to you [into close fellowship with you]; but if I go away, I will send Him to you [to be in close fellowship with you].

⁸ And when He comes, He will convict and convince the world and bring demonstration to it about sin and about righteousness (uprightness of heart and right standing with God) and about judgment:

⁹ About sin, because they do not believe in Me [trust in, rely on, and adhere to Me];

¹⁰ About righteousness (uprightness of heart and right standing with God), because I go to My Father, and you will see Me no longer;

¹¹ About judgment, because the ruler (evil genius, prince) of this world [Satan] is judged and condemned and sentence already is passed upon him.

We are going to look at the nature of death, where one goes following death. What is the difference between Heaven and Hell? We need to realise that there is a different place for Old and New Testament believers to go after they leave this world. Most people don’t even realise that there are different compartments to the location of the place we call Hell.

We will then investigate what the Resurrection and Righteousness message are all about, and why they are so significant and necessary for the establishment of faith. What Jesus taught about the resurrection of the dead, what the disciples witnessed, how the Resurrection affects our life today, and what the Resurrection has in store for us in the future.

THE RESURRECTION MESSAGE IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF OUR BELIEF SYSTEM

Without the truth of the resurrection message our faith is just another religion with no real substance, the message of the resurrection sets Christianity apart – this book is dedicated to establishing this truth in the heart of every believer.

The extent of the work of Christ’s resurrection is staggering. However, if there is one topic that is the ‘central message’ of the Bible, it is the sacrifice of Christ. The Old Testament looks forward to it, whereas the New Testament looks back to it.

In the Bible, Jesus only gave us two ordinances that are to be observed, the Lord’s Supper and Baptism, both of which involve Jesus’ death and resurrection.

Of the Lord’s Supper, Jesus said: "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me (1 Corinthians 11:24). Here we have a clear reference to His blood that was shed on the cross. He goes on to say For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are symbolically proclaiming the fact of the Lord’s death until He comes again," identifying that He is risen and coming back for us. Then, with baptism, we are to go under the water (representing Jesus’ death), pause (representing Him in the grave), and then come back out of the water (representing His coming back to a new life, His resurrection).

We must be extremely careful not to allow these two ordinances to become routine in our Christian life, and thereby reduce the significance of what Jesus did for us at His sacrifice and resurrection. The greatest gift that anyone can be given is eternal life and the one that made that possible is Jesus Christ. In Christ we have the victory, provided we see ourselves dead to sin and raised together with Him;

Romans 6:11, AMP

Even so consider yourselves also dead to sin and your relation to it broken, but alive to God [living in unbroken fellowship with Him] in Christ Jesus.

Galatians 2:20-21, AMP

I have been crucified with Christ [in Him I have shared His crucifixion]; it is no longer I who live, but Christ (the Messiah) lives in me; and the life I now live in the body I live by faith in (by adherence to and reliance on and complete trust in) the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself up for me. [Therefore, I do not treat God’s gracious gift as something of minor importance and defeat its very purpose]; I do not set aside and invalidate and frustrate and nullify the grace (unmerited favor) of God. For if justification (righteousness, acquittal from guilt) comes through [observing the ritual of] the Law, then Christ (the Messiah) died groundlessly and to no purpose and in vain. [His death was then wholly superfluous.]

We need to remember that the story doesn’t end with Jesus’ death. He is currently in Heaven, in His resurrected body, and one day He will return. The resurrection of Jesus was an act of the supreme love of God.

Remember our identification is in who we are in Christ and His resurrection. The Bible tells us in John 14:12 that the things Christ has done we can do, and greater than these we will do because He goes to the Father. The resurrection demonstrated Jesus’ victory over the power of death and confirmed there is life beyond the grave.

Jesus Christ offers us a resurrection power beyond ourselves that can make us alive; it empowers us to overcome the limitations of this realm with an infused ability, as we focus on the Spirit of power working within us.

I hope you receive much insight and revelation as you discover the wholeness of what Jesus achieved for you and me in His death and resurrection.

THE NATURE OF DEATH

T o begin this study we must look first at the nature of death, or what we are resurrected from . If we have a misunderstanding or a false belief of the true nature of death, we will also not fully understand the power of the resurrec tion.

When we were created, our bodies were created to live forever, so what went wrong? Where did death come from and why was it allowed to take control?

Physical death is simply passing from the mortal state to the immortal state, or transitioning into the dimension of the everlasting. Where there is no death, there is no reality of time! There is an excellent statement that makes me think, what is our reality and why do we fear death?

For those who actually believe in the resurrection, death has no consequence.

Let’s have a look at what the Bible has to say about this topic. The understanding of the reality of death, why it is here and what power it has over our lives will help us to understand the connection with God and why we need the power and the knowledge of the resurrection in our lives. The reality is this, because of the resurrection we can overcome the power of death.

1 Corinthians 15:54-57, AMP

And when this perishable puts on the imperishable and this that was capable of dying puts on freedom from death, then shall be fulfilled the Scripture that says, Death is swallowed up (utterly vanquished forever) in and unto victory.

O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?

Now sin is the sting of death, and sin exercises its power [upon the soul] through [the abuse of] the Law. But thanks be to God, Who gives us the victory [making us conquerors] through our Lord Jesus Christ.

The question you may have is, How did death enter the Earth? Paul covers this well in the book of Romans;

Romans 5:12, AMP

Therefore, as sin came into the world through one man, and death as the result of sin, so death spread to all men, [no one being able to stop it or to escape its power] because all men sinned.

We see here that death entered the world through Adam by disobedience, so therefore, we can conclude that as we disobey the Word of God, we allow death to reside in our physical bodies.

Romans 8:12–14, AMP

So then, brethren, we are debtors, but not to the flesh [we are not obligated to our carnal nature], to live [a life ruled by the standards set up by the dictates] of the flesh. For if you live according to [the dictates of] the flesh, you will surely die. But if through the power of the [Holy] Spirit you are [habitually] putting to death (making extinct, deadening) the [evil] deeds prompted by the body, you shall [really and genuinely] live forever. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.

We need to grasp hold of the fact that death is here and as a believer if you focus on the flesh, death is the end result. As believers, you are meant to be focusing on who you are in Christ. As a new creation, the empowerment of the Holy Spirit will guide, lead and prompt you to overcome the leading’s of the flesh, if you allow it.

When we sin as believers, we can be free from the penalty and power of sin, but not the consequences of sin. The penalty of sin is death, and the power of sin no longer can control you unless you yield to it. In other words, if you walk in the Spirit and not in the flesh, you can control sin from taking root and reaching fulfilment in your life.

Through sin death reigns, but through the leading of the Holy Spirit victory to overcome sin can reign, if you let it. I believe Romans 7:4-6 will help to add more clarity and understanding to this thought.

Romans 7:4–6, AMP

Likewise, my brethren, you have undergone death as to the Law through the [crucified] body of Christ, so that now you may belong to Another, to Him Who was raised from the dead in order that we may bear fruit for God. When we were living in the flesh (mere physical lives), the sinful passions that were awakened and aroused up by [what] the Law [makes sin] were constantly operating in our natural powers (in our bodily organs, in the sensitive appetites and wills of the flesh), so that we bore fruit for death.

But now we are discharged from the Law