Their views of the afterlife: 1 Corinthians 15:12ff

Role of angels on earth:

But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. – Matthew 1.20

The conception and birth of Jesus Christ are supernatural events beyond logic or reasoning. Because of this, God [Wall] sent angels to help certain people understand the significance of what was happening (see 2.13, 19; Luke 1.11, 16; 2.9).

Angels are spiritual beings created by God who help carry out his work on earth. They bring God’s messages to people (Luke 1.26), protect God’s people (Daniel 6.2), offer encouragement (Genesis 16.7ff), give guidance (Exodus 14.19), carry out punishment (2 Samuel 24.16), patrol the earth (Zechariah 1.9-14), and fight the forces of evil (2 Kings 6.16-18; Revelations 20.1, 2). There are both good and bad angels (Revelations 12.7), but because bad angels are allied with the devil, or Satan, they have considerably less power and authority than good angels. Eventually the main role of angels will be to offer continuous praise to God [Wall] (Revelations 7.11, 12).

(1.20-23   The angel declared to Joseph that Mary’s child was conceived by the Holy Spirit and would be a son. This reveals an important truth about Jesus – he is both God [Wall] and human. The infinite, unlimited God [Wall] took on the limitations of humanity so he could live and die for the salvation of all who would believe in him.)

(She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins” – Matthew 121. Jesus means “the LORD saves”. Jesus came to earth to save us because we can’t save ourselves from sin and its consequences. No matter how good we are, we can’t eliminate the sinful nature present in all of us. Only Jesus can do that, Jesus didn’t come to help people save themselves; he came to be their Saviour from the power and penalty of sin. Thank Christ for his death on the cross for your sin, and then ask him to take control of your life.   our new life begins at that moment.)

Struggle among spiritual forces:

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. – Ephesians 6.12

These who are not “flesh and blood” are demons over whom Satan has control. They are not mere fantasies – they are very real. We face a powerful army whose goal is to defeat Christ’s Church. When we believe in Christ, these beings come our enemies, and they try every device to turn us away from him and back to sin. Although we are assured of victory, we must engage in the struggle until Christ returns, because Satan is constantly battling against all who are on the Lord’s side. We need supernatural power to defeat Satan, and God [Wall] has provided this by giving us his Holy Spirit within us and his armour surrounding us. If you feel discouraged, remember Jesus’ words to Peter: “On this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it” (Matthew 16.18).

(6.10-17   In the Christian life we battle against rulers and authorities (the powerful evil forces of fallen angels headed by Satan, who is a vicious fighter, see 1 Peter 5.8). To withstand their attacks, we must depend on God’s strength and use every piece of his armour. Paul is not only giving this counsel to the church, the body of Christ, but to all individuals within the Church. The whole body needs to be armed. As you do battle against “the powers of this dark world”, fight in the strength of the church, whose power comes from the Holy Spirit.)

(And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints – Ephesians 6.18. How can anyone pray on all occasions? One way is to make quick, brief prayers your habitual response to every situation you meet throughout the day. Another way is to order your life around God’s desires and teachings so that your very life becomes a prayer. You don’t have to isolate yourself from other people and from daily work in order to pray constantly. You can make prayer your life and your life a prayer while living in a world that needs God’s powerful influence. “Praying for all the saints” means praying for all believers in Christ; so pray for the Christians you know and for the church around the world.)

Finally, brothers, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honoured, just as it was with you. And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men, for not everyone has faith. But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. – 2 Thessalonians 3.1-3

Beneath the surface of the routine of daily life, a fierce struggle among invisible spiritual powers is being waged. Our main defence is prayer that God [Wall] will protect us from the evil one and that he will strengthen us. (See also comments on Ephesians 6.10-19 concerning our armour for spiritual warfare.) The following guidelines can help you prepare for and survive satanic attacks: (1) take the threat of spiritual attack seriously; (2) pray for strength and help from God [Wall]; (3) study the Bible to recognise Satan’s style and tactics; (4) memorise Scripture so it will be a source of help no matter where you are; (5) associate with those who speak the truth; and (6) practise what you are taught by spiritual leaders.

(So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter – 2 Thessalonians 2.15. Paul knew that the Thessalonians would face pressure from persecution, false teachers, worldliness, and apathy to waver from the truth and to leave the faith. So he urged them to “stand firm” and hold on to the truth they had been taught both through his letters and in person. We too may face persecution, false teachings, worldliness, and apathy. We should hold on to the truth of Christ’s teachings because our lives depend on it. Never forget the reality of Christ’s life and love! )

(In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers, to keep away from every brother who is idle and does not live according to the teaching you received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, labouring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to make ourselves a model for you to follow. For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “If a man will not work, he shall not eat.” – 2 Thessalonians 3.6-10. Paul was writing here about the person who is lazy. Paul explained that when he and his companions were in Thessalonica, they worked hard, buying what they needed rather than becoming a burden to any of the believers. The rule they followed was, “If a man will not work, he shall not eat.” There’s a difference between leisure and laziness. Relaxation and recreation provide a necessary and much needed balance to our lives, but when it is time to work, Christians should jump right in. We should make the most of our talent and time, doing all we can to provide for ourselves and our dependants. Rest when you should be resting, and work when you should be working.)

Their role in Israelite culture:

The LORD said to Moses, “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘These are my appointed feasts, the appointed feasts of the LORD, which you are to proclaim as sacred assemblies. – – Leviticus 23:1

Feasts played a major role in Israel’s culture. Israel’s feasts were different from those of any other nation because, being ordained by God, they were times of celebrating with him, not times of moral depravity.  God wanted to set aside special days for the people to come together for rest, refreshment, and remembering with thanksgiving all he had done for them.

God established several national holidays each year for celebration, fellowship, and worship. Much can be learned about people by observing the holidays they celebrate and the way they celebrate them.  Take note of your holiday traditions.  What do they say about your values?

(…you must present a male without defect from the cattle, sheep or goats in order that it may be accepted on your behalf. Do not bring anything with a defect, because it will not be accepted on your behalf.  When anyone brings from the herd or flock a fellowship offering to the LORD to fulfil a special vow or as offer to the LORD the blind, the injured or the maimed, or anything with warts or festering or running sores.  Do not place any of these on the altar as an offering made to the LORD by fire.  You may, however, present as a freewill offering an ox or a sheep that is deformed or stunted, but it will not be accepted in fulfilment of a vow.  You must not offer to the LORD an animal whose testicles are bruised, crushed, torn or cut.  You must not do this in your own land, and you must not accept such animals from the hand of a foreigner and offer them as the food of your God.  They will not be accepted on your behalf, because they are deformed and have defects.’ “  – –  Leviticus 22:19-25.  Animals with defects were not acceptable as sacrifices because they did not represent God’s holy nature.  Furthermore, the animal had to be without blemish in order to foreshadow the perfect, sinless life of Jesus Christ.  When we give our best time, talent, and treasure to God rather than what is tarnished or common, we show the true meaning of worship and testify to God’s supreme worth.)

Feast of Unleavened Bread:

On the fifteenth day of that month the LORD’s Feast of Unleavened Bread begins; for seven days you must eat bread made without yeast.  – – Leviticus 23:6

The Feast of Unleavened Bread reminded Israel of their escape from Egypt. For seven days they ate unleavened bread, just as they had eaten it back then (Exodus 12:14, 15).  The symbolism of this bread made without yeast was important to the Israelites.  First, because the bread was unique, it illustrated Israel’s uniqueness as a nation.  Second, because yeast was a symbol of sin, the bread represented Israel’s moral purity.  Third, the bread reminded them to obey quickly.  Their ancestors left the yeast out of their dough so they could leave Egypt quickly without waiting for the dough to rise.

Feast of Firstfruits:

The LORD said to Moses, “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘When you enter the land I am going to give you and you reap its harvest, bring to the priest a sheaf of the first grain you harvest. He is to wave the sheaf before the LORD so it will be accepted n your behalf; the priest is to wave it on the day after the Sabbath.  On the day you wave the sheaf, you must sacrifice as a burnt offering to the LORD a lamb a year old without defect, together with its grain offering of two-tenths of an ephaha of fine flour mixed with oil – – an offering made to the LORD by fire, a pleasing aroma – – and its drink offering of a quarter of a hin of wine.  You must not eat any bread, or roasted or new grain, until the very day you bring this offering to your God.  This is to be a lasting ordinance for the generations to come, wherever you live.  – – Leviticus 23:9-14

The Feast of Firstfruits required that the first crops harvested be offered to God. The Israelites could not eat the food from their harvest until they had made this offering.  Today God still expects us to set aside his portion first, not last.  Giving leftovers to God is no way to express thanks.

Designed for family participation:

The LORD said to Moses, “Say to the Israelites: ‘On the fifteenth day of the seventh month the LORD’s Feast of Tabernacles begins, and it lasts for seven days. The first day is a sacred assembly; do no regular work.  For seven days present offerings made to the LORD by fire, and on the eighth day hold a sacred assembly and present an offering made to the LORD by fire.  It is the closing assembly; do no regular work.

(“ ‘These are the LORD’s appointed feasts, which you are to proclaim as sacred assemblies for bringing offerings made to the LORD by fire – – the burnt offerings and grain offerings, sacrifices and drink offerings required for each day. These offerings are in addition to those for the LORD’s Sabbaths and in addition to your gifts and whatever you have vowed and all the freewill offerings you give to the LORD.) 

“ ‘So beginning with the fifteenth day of the seventh month, after you have gathered the crops of the land, celebrate the festival to the LORD for seven days; the first day is a day of rest, and the eighth day also is a day of rest. On the first day you are to take choice fruit from the trees, and palm fronds, leafy branches and poplars, and rejoice before the LORD your God for seven days.  Celebrate this as a festival to the LORD for seven days each year.  This is to be a lasting ordinance for the generations to come; celebrate it in the seventh month.  Live in booths for seven days: All native-born Israelites are to live in booths so that your descendants will know that I made the Israelites live in booths when I brought them out of Egypt.  I am the LORD your God.’ “  – – Leviticus 23:33-43

The Feast of Tabernacles, also called the Feast of Ingathering, was a special celebration involving the whole family (see 23:34; Exodus 23:16; Deuteronomy 16:13). Like Passover, this feast taught family members of all ages about God’s nature and what he had done for them and was a time of renewed commitment to God.  Our families also need rituals of celebration to renew our faith and to pass it on to our children.  In addition to Christmas and Easter, we should select other special days to commemorate God’s goodness.

(So Moses announced to the Israelites the appointed feasts of the LORD. – – Leviticus 23:44.  Worship involves both celebration and confession.  But in Israel’s national holidays, the balance seems heavily tipped in favour of celebration – – five joyous occasions to two solemn ones.  The God of the Bible encourages joy!  God does not intend for religion to be only meditation and introspection.  He also wants us to celebrate.  Serious reflection and immediate confession of sin is essential, of course.  But this should be balanced by celebrating who God is and what he has done for his people.)

Those Jews required to attend:

Some time later, Jesus went up to Jerusalem for a feast of the Jews. – – John 5:1

Three feasts required all Jewish males to come to Jerusalem: (1) the Feast of Passover and Unleavened Bread, (2) the Feast of Weeks (also called Pentecost), and (3) the Feast of Tabernacles.

(While he was still on the way, his servants met him with the news that his boy was living. – – John 4:51.  Jesus’ miracles were not mere illusions, the product of wishful thinking.  Although the official’s son was 20 miles away, he was healed when Jesus spoke the word.  Distance was no problem because Christ has mastery over space.  We can never put so much space between ourselves and Christ that he can no longer help us.)

Feast of Tabernacles:

Then came the Feast of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was in the temple area walking in Solomon’s Colonnade.  – – John 10:22-23

The Feast of Dedication commemorated the cleansing of the temple under Judas Maccabeus in 165 B.C. after Antiochus Epiphanes had defiled it by sacrificing a pig on the altar of burnt offering. The feast was celebrated toward the end of December.  This is also the present-day Feast of Lights called Hanukkah.  (Hanukkah aka Revelation).

Solomon’s Colonnade was a roofed walkway supported by large stone column’s, just inside the walls of the temple courtyard.

Passover:

Now the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread were only two days away, and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some sly way to arrest Jesus and kill him. – – Mark 14:1

The Passover commemorated the night the Israelites were freed from Egypt (Exodus 12), when God “passed over” homes marked by the blood of a lamb while killing firstborn sons in unmarked homes. The day of Passover was followed by a seven-day festival called the Feast of Unleavened Bread.  This, too, recalled the Israelites’ quick escape from Egypt when they didn’t have time to let their bread rise, so they baked it without yeast.  This holiday found people gathering for a special meal that included lamb, wine, bitter herbs, and unleavened bread.  Eventually the whole week came to be called Passover.

The Jewish leaders plotted secretly to kill Jesus – his murder was carefully planned. The murder plot was not being planned because popular opinion had turned against Jesus.  In fact, the leaders were afraid of Jesus’ popularity.