When Jesus was alone with his disciples just prior to his trial and crucifixion, he addressed the hatred of the religious Jews and their leaders who were against Him.

If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, the servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because THEY KNOW NOT HIM THAT SENT ME.  If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloak for their sin. He that hateth me HATETH MY FATHER ALSO.  If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: BUT NOW HAVE THEY BOTH SEEN AND HATED BOTH ME AND MY FATHER. But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, THEY HATED ME WITHOUT A CAUSE (John 15:18-25).

Jesus tells his disciples that they too would be rejected by the world because the world had first rejected Him.

In John 8:23 Jesus had referred to the religious Jews – those who opposed Him – as “worldly.” “Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of THIS WORLD; I am not of this world.”

The rejection that Jesus endured from men, which ultimately resulted in His death, was the people’s rejection of God who had sent him. Jesus interprets the scripture, “they hated me without a cause” as hatred aimed at both he and his Father, God.

This is consistent with the words prayed by the church in Acts 4:

Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were GATHERED TOGETHER AGAINST THE LORD, AND HIS CHRIST. For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were GATHERED TOGETHER, For TO DO whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done (Acts 4:25-28).

These words in Acts 4 are taken from Psalm 2.

The prophet Isaiah said, “He is despised and REJECTED OF MEN; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: YET WE ESTEEMED HIM STRICKEN, SMITTTEN OF GOD, AND AFFLICTED (Isaiah 53:3-4).

The phrase “we esteemed Him smitten of God and afflicted” is contextually a reference to the perception and not the reality for it was sinful men and not God who unjustly condemned Jesus and who wounded Him.

The wounds which scared His back were caused by men. The nails which pierced His hands and feet came from the condemnation of men. The crown of thorns was placed there by men. It was men who hanged Him on the tree.

For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every Sabbath day, THEY HAVE FULFILLED THEM IN CONDEMNING HIM. And though they found no cause of death in him, yet desired they Pilate that he should be slain. And WHEN THEY HAD FULFILLED ALL THAT WAS WRITTEN OF HIM, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a sepulchre. BUT GOD RAISED HIM FROM THE DEAD… (Acts 13:27-30).

The predetermined counsel of God was that Jesus die for our sins and this was fulfilled by what actually happened at the cross when Jesus died at the hands of sinful men.

Romans 15:3 says, “Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, the reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.”

Jesus was God in the flesh dying for His people. The reproaches of the people towards God; their hatred and rebellion against God were levied against Jesus and in that place he responded with forgiveness.

Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do (Luke 23:34).

The author of Hebrews tells us to keep “looking to Jesus who ENDURED SUCH OPPOSITION FROM MEN, DESPISING THE SHAME, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God” (see Hebrews 12:2).

The shame Jesus endured was humiliation which came from men who hated and opposed God. The son of God was placed on public display in the most humiliating fashion wherein He was mocked and ridiculed by those who despised both He and His and Father; God.

Christ did not die under the judgment of God, nor did He suffer under the wrath of God. Jesus suffered under the unjust condemnation and wrath from men who hated Him without a cause.

---

ADDITIONAL NOTES

Immediately following His words in John 15:18-25 Jesus says the following:

“But I will send you the Advocate —the Spirit of truth. He will come to you from the Father and will testify all about me. And you must also testify about me because you have been with me from the beginning of my ministry (John 15:18-27).

The world hates Jesus and the world hates God who sent Him. The world will therefore hate us who belong to Him because their opposition to God. When Jesus departed and returned to the Father He did not abandon His followers as orphans. He sent the Holy Spirit to empower them in a world opposed to God.

The promised Holy Spirit gives us the power to bear witness of the truth in Jesus Christ in the midst of a very dark world. We are called to be salt and light so that the Holy Spirit may bring conviction upon sinners and draw men unto repentance.

In the Gospels Jesus described the things He would soon suffer at the hands of sinful men as “the Lord’s doing which is marvelous in our eyes.”

Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country: And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it. And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another. Again, he sent other servants more than the first: and they did unto them likewise. But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son. But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance. And they caught him, and cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him. When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen? They say unto him, He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons. Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: THIS IS THE LORD’S DOING, and it is marvellous in our eyes? (Matthew 21:33-42).

The Lord’s doing was “carried out” in how Jesus was unjustly treated by sinful men.

Those who opposed Jesus and were eventually responsible for His death were the children of those who had killed the prophets before Christ.

When Stephen was put on trial before those who accused Him of “blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law,” he recounted the history of Israel and their perpetual rejection of God along with those whom God sent to them. This all culminated in their rejection of Jesus. Stephen spoke boldly and sternly to these men, despite their fierce, murderous anger toward him and the one who inspired him to say these words:

“Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? And they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers” (Acts 7:51-52)

Stephen said to those who were about to stone him that they were betrayers and murderers of Jesus, the Holy One. He asserted their fathers had persecuted the prophets who had prophesied of the Lord’s coming, and they had followed in their ancestors’ footsteps by their violent rejection of Christ. Stephen fervently asked them how long they would continue to resist the Holy Spirit.

Jesus had said to the leaders of the Jewish people that by their rejection of Him they would be accounted as guilty of the blood of all the prophets, from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah (Luke 11:46). By their resistance to Stephen’s preaching about Jesus, those who killed Stephen continued to resist the Holy Spirit.

Throughout the book of Acts much of the persecution against Christians came from the religious Jews who rejected Jesus as Messiah. Stephen was stoned because of such persecution.

Jesus is the chosen stone, the cornerstone, which God has chosen but the people refused.

Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, WHOM YE CRUCIFIED, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this (formerly lame) man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was SET AT NOUGHT OF YOU BUILDERS, which is become the head of the corner (the cornerstone). Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved (Acts 4:10-12).

Jesus came to bear witness to the truth of God and those who rejected him rejected God. Rejected and unjustly condemned by men, Jesus was vindicated and exalted by God in His resurrection. God overturned their counsel by raising Jesus from the dead (see 1 Corinthians 1:18-24) and “this is the Lord’s doing which is marvelous in our eyes.”

The stone which the builders rejected is the Cornerstone whom God has chosen

“You are coming to Christ, who is the living cornerstone of God’s temple. He was rejected by people, but he was chosen by God for great honor. And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What’s more, you are his holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God. As the Scriptures say,  “I am placing a cornerstone in Jerusalem, chosen for great honor, and anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.” Yes, you who trust him recognize the honor God has given him. But for those who reject him, the stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.” And, He is the stone that makes people stumble, the rock that makes them fall.” They stumble because they do not obey God’s word, and so they meet the fate that was planned for them. But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. “Once you had no identity as a people; now you are God’s people. Once you received no mercy; now you have received God’s mercy” (1 PETER 2:4-10).

Faith in the crucified Christ is a stumbling block for those who trust in their own righteousness and it is foolishness to those who pride themselves in their earthly wisdom, but to all who believe it is the power of God unto salvation. Jesus who was crucified for our sins is the foundation stone which God has laid in Zion and whoever believes in Him will never be put to shame. (Isaiah 28:16; Romans 9:30-31).

The apostle Peter tells us that Jesus is our example to follow when we suffer wrongfully because he also suffered wrongfully when he died for our sins (see 1 Peter 2:19-24). The gospels and the book of Acts reveal that Jesus was unjustly condemned by the hands of sinful men.

Consider Acts 8:33: In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? For his life is taken from the earth.

Other translations say:

• He was humiliated and received no justice…(NLT)
• In His humiliation He was taken away by distressing and oppressive judgment and justice was denied Him …(Amplified Bible)
• In His humiliation justice was denied Him …(Holman Christian Standard Bible)

Acts 8:33 is a quote from Isaiah 53:8 which says, “ He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.”

Some other translations of Isaiah 53:8 say the following:

• Unjustly condemned, he was led away…(New Living Translation)
• By oppression and judgment He was taken away…(Amplified Bible)
• He was condemned to death without a fair trial… (Contemporary English Version).

Those who killed Jesus hated him without a cause because they hated both He and the Father (John 15:24-25). Jesus died an unjust death at their hands because they were gathered against God and against His Christ. ~ Acts 4:26-27

Christ was vindicated in his resurrection when God raised him from the dead and exalted Him at His own right hand. This is why the apostles (throughout the book of Acts) lay blame for the death of Jesus on the people, and the resurrection they attribute to God in opposition to what they had done in crucifying him.

In 1 Peter 2, the apostle Peter (who learned firsthand from Jesus what had happened at the cross) says that Jesus suffering wrongfully. The apostle Peter goes on to tell us that Jesus committed Himself to the ONE who judges righteously (a reference to God the righteous Judge). Peter makes these statements in view of the cross saying “Jesus bore our sins in His body.”

For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? But if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow in his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. ~ 1 Peter 2:19-24

Notice that the apostle Peter actually says that Jesus is our example of how we are to endure when we suffer wrongfully. According to Peter, Jesus bore our sins as one who suffered wrongly and Jesus committed himself to the One who judges righteously.

 

And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? (Matthew 27:46)

The words ‘‘My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me,” come from the first verse of Psalm 22. The Jews who were acquainted with the Torah would have recognized these words and would have immediately thought of Psalm 22 in its entirety.

These words have often been used to support position that Jesus was abandoned by the Father at the cross. However, if God had abandoned Jesus, this would have only justified the condemnation of the religious Jewish leaders who led the charge in condemning Jesus to death. It would have proven he was not the Messiah.

This is an important point because Jesus made the claim that his death on the cross would prove he was the Son of God (John 8:28-29). If his death on the cross did indeed prove that he is the Son of God, then the words he recited from Psalm 22 must have been a part of this undeniable evidence.

Matthew 27:46 and Mark 15:34 are the two places in the New Testament where Psalm 22:1 is recorded. In both instances the scriptures record the response of the Centurion Soldier who heard Jesus cry out these words. His conclusion, according to Mark’s gospel was “truly this man was the Son of God.” (see Mark 15:34-39)

We need to ask ourselves: what persuaded the Centurion Soldier that Jesus was the Son of God?

Consider the following which give evidence that God was indeed present with Jesus as he was dying on the cross:

GOD DID NOT HIDE HIS FACE FROM HIM

For he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; NEITHER HATH HE HID HIS FACE FROM HIM; but when he cried unto him, he heard (Psalm 22:24).

HE WAS HEARD

Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and WAS HEARD in that he feared; Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him (Hebrews 5:7-9).

I AM NOT ALONE BECAUSE THE FATHER IS WITH ME

I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father. His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no proverb. Now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from God. Jesus answered them, Do ye now believe? Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I AM NOT ALONE, BECAUSE THE FATHER IS WITH ME. (John 16:28-32)

THE FATHER HAS NOT LEFT ME ALONE

Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things. And he that sent me is with me: THE FATHER HATH NOT LEFT ME ALONE; for I do always those things that please him. (John 8:28-29)

HE IS NEAR WHO JUSTIFIES ME

The Lord GOD hath opened mine ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away back. I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting. For THE LORD GOD WILL HELP ME; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed. HE IS NEAR THAT JUSTIFIETH ME; who will contend with me? let us stand together: who is mine adversary? let him come near to me. BEHOLD THE LORD GOD WILL HELP ME; who is he that shall condemn me? lo, they all shall wax old as a garment; the moth shall eat them up. (Isaiah 50:5-9)

BY THE GRACE OF GOD HE TASTED DEATH FOR EVERY MAN

But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he BY THE GRACE OF GOD should taste death for every man. (Hebrews 2:9).

GOD WAS IN CHRIST RECONCILING THE WORLD

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that GOD WAS IN CHRIST,  reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. (2 Corinthians 5:17-19)

THROUGH THE ETERNAL SPIRIT JESUS OFFERED HIMSELF TO GOD

How much more shall the blood of Christ, WHO THROUGH THE ETERNAL SPIRIT OFFERED HIMSELF WITHOUT SPOT TO GOD, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? (Hebrews 9:14)

JESUS SHED HIS BLOOD AS AN UNBLEMISHED LAMB

Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you. (1 Peter 1:18-20),

THE DEATH OF JESUS WAS A SWEET FRAGRANCE TO GOD

Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savor (Ephesians 5:2).

_________________________________________________________

THE WORDS “MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAST THOU FORSAKEN ME?” IS ONLY ONE OF SEVERAL STATEMENTS MADE BY JESUS FROM THE CROSS.

JESUS SPOKE WORDS OF FORGIVENESS

Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. (Luke 23:34)

JESUS SPOKE WORDS OF PROVISION

Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home. (John 19:27)

JESUS SPOKE WORDS OF ETERNAL LIFE

And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise. (Luke 23:39-43)

JESUS SPOKE WORDS FROM THE SCRIPTURES

After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst. Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth. When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost (John 19:28-30). And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? (Matthew 15:46).

JESUS SPOKE WORDS OF TRUST IN GOD

And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost. (Luke 23:46)

Consider the following:

1. Jesus was delivered to the cross, not from the cross.

2. It was the will of God for Jesus to lay down His life and to take it up again.

3. God did not intervene to rescue Jesus from the agony of the Cross.

4. Jesus was protected from those who wanted to destroy Him until the time came that He should lay down His life (John 7:30).

5. Jesus endured the grief of human suffering for He is a High Priest touched with the feeling of our infirmities.

6. The sense of abandonment experienced by Christ was provisional not relational. God withdraw his protective hand when the time came for Jesus to lay down his life; in this sense he was delivered over to death by God as our sacrifice. Jesus was not relationally separated from God.

Had God rejected Jesus on the cross, we would still be in our sins!

Throughout the Old Testament the offerings which foreshadowed Jesus were ACCEPTED to make atonement. Those offerings which were rejected did not make atonement.

And he shall put his hand upon the head of the burnt offering; and it shall be ACCEPTED for him to make atonement for him (Leviticus 1:4).

And if any of the flesh of the sacrifice of his peace offerings be eaten at all on the third day, IT SHALL NOT BE ACCEPTED, neither shall it be imputed unto him that offereth it: it shall be an abomination, and the soul that eateth of it shall bear his iniquity (Leviticus 7:18).

Rejected sacrifices and offerings DID NOT make atonement. Those which were accepted as a sweet savor did!

And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour (Ephesians 5:2).

ISAIAH 53:12

Isaiah 53:12 tells us, “He BARE  the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.”

The Hebrew word for bare in Isaiah 53:12 is “naw-saw” and is translated as forgiveness in it’s various forms multiple times in the Old Testament. For instance, it is translated as “forgiving” in Exodus 34:6-7:

And the Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed, The Lord, The Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, Keeping mercy for thousands, FORGIVING iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children’s children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.

It is also translated as forgive, forgiven, and forgavest in Psalm 25:16-18 and Psalm 32:1 &5.

Psalm 25:16-18 says:

Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me; for I am desolate and afflicted. The troubles of my heart are enlarged: O bring thou me out of my distresses. Look upon mine affliction and my pain; and FORGIVE all my sins.

Psalm 32:1, 2, & 5 says:

Blessed is he whose transgression is FORGIVEN, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile…I acknowledge my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and thou FORGAVEST the iniquity of my sin. Selah.

In Romans 4 Paul quotes Psalm 32:1-2 in view of the righteousness which comes through faith in Jesus Christ.

The Hebrews word “naw-saw” translated “bare” in Isaiah 53:12 appears in 610 passages of scripture in the Old Testament and is referenced a total of 653 times.

Here are some examples of how it is used elsewhere in the Old Testament:

And the flood was forty days upon the earth; and the waters increased, and BARE UP the ark, and it was lift up above the earth (Genesis 7:17).

And the Lord turned a mighty strong west wind, WHICH TOOK AWAY the locusts, and cast them into the Red sea; there remained not one locust in all the coasts of Egypt (Exodus 10:19).

Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I BARE you on eagles’ wings, and brought you unto myself (Exodus 19:4).

And thou shalt put the staves into the rings by the sides of the ark, that the ark MAY BE BORNE with them (Exodus 25:14).

Behold, I have set the land before you: go in and possess the land which the Lord sware unto your fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give unto them and to their seed after them. And I spake unto you at that time, saying, I am not able to BEAR you myself alone: The Lord your God hath multiplied you, and, behold, ye are this day as the stars of heaven for multitude. (The Lord God of your fathers make you a thousand times so many more as ye are, and bless you, as he hath promised you!) How can I myself alone BEAR your cumbrance, and your burden, and your strife? Take you wise men, and understanding, and known among your tribes, and I will make them rulers over you (Deuteronomy 1:8-13).

The Lord your God which goeth before you, he shall fight for you, according to all that he did for you in Egypt before your eyes; And in the wilderness, where thou hast seen how that the Lord thy God BARE thee, as a man doth BEAR his son, in all the way that ye went, until ye came into this place.Yet in this thing ye did not believe the Lord your God, Who went in the way before you, to search you out a place to pitch your tents in, in fire by night, to shew you by what way ye should go, and in a cloud by day (Deuteronomy 1:30-33).

Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting. Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth: they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to BEAR them (Isaiah 1:13-14). 

O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God! Behold, the Lord God will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him. He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and CARRY them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young (Isaiah 40:9-11).

Hearken unto me, O house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of Israel, which are borne by me from the belly, WHICH ARE CARRIED from the womb: And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I WILL BEAR; even I will carry, and will deliver you (Isaiah 46:3-4).

I will mention the loving kindnesses of the Lord, and the praises of the Lord, according to all that the Lord hath bestowed on us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which he hath bestowed on them according to his mercies, and according to the multitude of his loving kindnesses. For he said, Surely they are my people, children that will not lie: so he was their Savior. In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and CARRIED them all the days of old (Isaiah 63:7-9).

Contrary to the often misplaced interpretation of this word, it doesn’t mean “to transfer” or “to substitute” or “to exchange.” Rather, it has to do with lifting the burden, removing, taking away, carrying, etc.

Jesus “bare” our sins by giving Himself as an “offering for our sins” and by His precious blood, He Has taken them away. Jesus also to “bear” us in our weaknesses. He is our High priest who is able to save us to the uttermost for He ever lives to make intercession for us.

---

ISAIAH 53:4

In Isaiah 53:4, the Hebrew word “naw-saw” is rendered as “borne.”

Surely he hath BORNE our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

In Matthew 8:16-17 Matthew interprets Isaiah 53:4 in view of healing and deliverance.

When the evening was come, they brought unto Him many that were possessed with devils: and He cast out the spirits with His word, and healed all that were sick: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying, Himself TOOK our infirmities, and BARE our sicknesses.

According to Matthew’s interpretation of Isaiah 53:4, Jesus did not take the peoples infirmities and bare their sicknesses by becoming afflicted and sick (by becoming a substitute with the sicknesses and infirmities of the people transferred to Him). Instead, Jesus “took” and “bare” the infirmities and sicknesses of the people by delivering them from demons and healing them.

From Matthew’s interpretation of Isaiah 53:4 we can see Matthew understood the words of Isaiah in view the antidote which was healing and deliverance.

In the same way, Jesus bore our sins by giving Himself as an unblemished sacrifice so that we could be cleansed from our sins by His precious blood and made alive with Him through his resurrection from the dead.

It is in view of the salvation which Jesus obtained for us through the laying down of His life that we should understand what it means that He bore our sins.

---

1 PETER 2:24

1 Peter 2:24 says “Who his own self  BARE  our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.”

The Greek word for bare is “anaphero” and it means to take up, bear, bring, (carry, lead) up, offer (up).

It is used 9 other times in the New Testament in 8 different verses.

The scriptures tell us that Abraham believed God and it was accounted to him for righteousness. Specifically, Abraham believed God’s promise to make Him the father of many nations.

In Galatians 3:8 the apostle Paul says, “…the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, in thee shall all nations be blessed.”

God’s promise to Abraham, which Abraham believed and was justified, was the gospel, and it was a promise that would bless all nations!

In Romans 4, Paul refers to this promise as Abraham becoming the heir of the world.

For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. ~ Romans 4;13

Notice that Paul makes a distinction between the Law and the righteousness of faith with regards to this promise. God’s promise wasn’t to Abraham alone. It was to Abraham and his seed, Christ, and those who are in Christ.

In Galatians 3:16 Paul says, Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.

Jesus Christ is the seed through whom the promises God made to Abraham have been brought to fruition.

The Law was added some 430 years after God made His promise to Abraham, and it was added because of sin until the seed should come. Through His death for us, Jesus redeemed us from the curse of the Law and now the the promise of the Spirit (the promise made through the Spirit to Abraham) has come on the Gentiles.

God’s promise to Abraham was the covenant God made “in Christ.” In Christ, Abraham has become the father of many nations! ~ Galatians 3:17

For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. ~ Galatians 3:26-29 

Those who embrace hyper Preterism err egregiously in that the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple in A.D. 70 becomes their Biblical hermeneutic. This results in very faulty theology in other Biblical truths such as the blessed hope of the coming of Christ, the resurrection of the dead, eternal judgment, the new heavens and new earth, etc. Some of them go as far as to deny the existence of Satan.

The destruction of Jerusalem and the temple in A.D. 70 must be understood in view of the whole counsel of scripture rather than the whole counsel of scripture being interpreted through the lens those events.

HYPER PRETERISM REJECTS A FUTURE COMING OF CHRIST.

Hyper Preterism claims that Christ already came in 70 A.D. when Jerusalem was besieged and the Temple was destroyed. The words of Jesus concerning the events of 67-70 A.D. from the Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24) are interpreted as being the complete fulfillment of ALL BIBLE PROPHECY. Therefore, according to hyper Preterism, Christ’s judgment on the old system of worship fulfilled all scripture concerning the second coming of Christ. Hence they claim there is no future coming of Christ.

Furthermore, since Christ has already come according to their claims, we are now living in new earth of the promised “new heavens and new earth.”

However, Paul exhorts us in Titus 2 to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world as we look for the coming of the Lord.

The context of Titus 2 and 3 is sound doctrine, and sound doctrine is revealed in how we live in this fallen world as representatives of Jesus Christ and His gospel. Paul expounds throughout chapters 2 and 3 of Titus about this very thing.

For the sake of brevity, I will only cite Titus 2:11-15, but I do encourage you to read chapters 2 and 3 at your convenience.

For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lust, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for the blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee. ~ Titus 2:11-15

Notice that Paul tells Titus “to speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority” with regards to living godly and denying worldly lust in this present world as we look for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of Jesus Christ.

Is the new earth filled with ‘worldly lust” which the Christian must overcome? If we are now in the new earth as hyper Preterist’s claim, then it is. 

Contrary to the Preterist’s claims, it is sound doctrine to teach believers to abstain from worldly lust and to live godly in this present world as we look for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Throughout the New Testament, living godly in the present world is very much a part of the eschatology of “looking for the coming of the Lord” (Philippians 1:10; 2 Peter 3:11-14; 1 John 2:28 -3:3;  1 Corinthians 1:6-8;  1 Corinthians 3:11-15;  2 Thessalonians 3:12-13; 1 Thessalonians 5:23).

For example consider the following for the book of Colossians:

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him… ~ Colossians 3:1-10

In the full or hyper preterist’s new earth, the lusts of the flesh continue to run rampant. Fundamentally, there is absolutely no difference in the old and new earth of the full preterist.

Consider the following from the apostle John:

And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him. 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 it doeth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he 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 is pure (1 John 2:28 -3:3).

The hope of the coming of Christ is a purifying hope and a blessed hope!

If Christ has come come and we are truly living in the time of promised new heavens and new earth, all things would truly be new.  On the contrary we are presently living in a world full of sorrow, pain, and death.

We live in a world with violence, rape, murder, human trafficking, adultery, fornication, homosexuality, bestiality, lying, stealing, cheating, covetousness, deceit, envy, drunkenness, betrayal, back biting, deceitfulness, pride, arrogance, rebellion, disobedience, child abuse, fear, trauma, false religions, idolatry, heresies, blasphemy, all manner of uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, strife and division, pain, sorrow, confusion, perplexity, and death.

We live in a world with drug cartels, riots, street gangs, corrupt governments, and organized crime. Yet the scripture says that when He comes He will put down all rule and authority, and rule the nations with a rod of Iron.

We live in a world in which there are people who are homeless, broken, and oppressed. There are broken families and relationships. People are suffering from all manner of sicknesses and disease. There is, fear, terror, and wars. We live in a world with natural disasters such as earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, droughts, etc.

In fact, the very things which Jesus describes as “signs” within the old world are still happening today. Things such as deception, wars and rumors of wars, nation against nation, kingdom against kingdom, famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in different places are still here.

Effectively, there is no distinction between the old earth and the new earth in hyper Preterism theology. Yet in the Bible, there is.

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. ~ Revelation 21:4 

HYPER PRETERISM REJECTS THE HOPE OF RESURRECTION 

Hyper Preterism proposes that the nature of the resurrection is spiritual and not physical. Yet, their position actually promotes a “mystical” view of the resurrection rather than a spiritual one.

The Bible teaches that the resurrection of the body of the righteous will be an immortal and incorruptible body, fashioned after the glorious body of our Savior.

For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. ~ Philippians 3:20-21

Hyper Pretersim claims that the resurrection occurred in 70 A.D. and was spiritual only and that there is no physical resurrection of the saints.

Here is an excerpt from one article attempting to explain this:

“If the TIME of the resurrection is seen as A.D. 70, then we know that the NATURE of the resurrection was spiritual, rather than physical. It is a fundamental fact of eschatology that TIME DEFINES NATURE. Since we know that the resurrection is past, we know that it was spiritual and not physical. The resurrection of the dead that took place at the end of the Old Covenant in A.D. 70 was not a biological resurrection of dead decayed bodies, but a release from Sheol of all who had been waiting through the centuries to be reunited with God in the Heavenly Kingdom.”

However, the testimony of scripture says differently. Notice the following from the gospel according to Matthew:

And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many. ~ Matthew 27:51-53

These verses from Matthew reveal that there was a bodily resurrection of many saints after the resurrection of Jesus. This is contrary to the article cited above which attempts to disprove the bodily resurrection of God’s people.

Hyper Preterism proposes that the resurrection was a one – time event which did not occur until 70 A.D. Which, according to their definition, means none of the saints who died after the resurrection of Jesus and before 70 A.D. went into the presence of God until Jerusalem and the temple were destroyed.

However, as he was about to lay down his life, Stephen said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God”. ~ Acts 7:56

The Bible goes onto tells us “And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit“.

Furthermore, Paul tells the Philippians; “I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you. ~ Philippians 1:23-24

Paul also says, “to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord“. ~ 2 Corinthians 5:8).

Paul died in or around 67 A.D. before Jerusalem and the temple were destroyed. Yet Paul says he and others who belong to the Lord will immediately enter the presence of God at death.

It is traditionally accepted that the book of Hebrews was written in about 67 A.D. to an audience of Hebrew believers before the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. Whether or not 67 A.D. is an accurate date is irrelevant because the context of Hebrews verifies that it was written before the destruction of the temple in 70 A.D.

We know this because the writer of Hebrews makes reference to the temple service, the priests, and the sacrifices in the present tense. In the present tense, he makes a comparison of the superiority of Jesus’ ministry in the heavens (in the greater and more perfect tabernacle) to that which was on earth (which only served as a shadow and an example) to point men to Christ.

He tells us that if Jesus were on earth he would not be a priest since there are already priests who offer gifts (sacrifices) according to the Law. Even though that priesthood which had been ordained by the law was still functioning in the temple it had been made completely ineffective by Christ’s work on earth (at the cross) and by his ministry in the heavens (as our High Priest).

Jesus’s ministry as High Priest is not through the Law and when the temple was destroyed in 70 AD, the priesthood which was by the Law and already made ineffective, became completely inoperative.

The writer of Hebrews tells his audience the following:

But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel (Hebrews 12:22-24).

The Biblical view of the resurrection is not that it was some “mystical” thing which happened in 70 A.D. Rather it was the victory which Jesus won over death for us all, and we who now have the first -fruits of the Spirit will also experience the resurrection of our bodies when He comes to be glorified in His saints!

The Apostle John tells us that when Jesus appears, we shall see Him as he is. He is glorified at the right hand of God in the very body that he offered for our sins, the same body in which Jesus was raised from the dead! This is essential to the Christian faith.

Questioning the bodily resurrection, ascension, glorification, and exaltation of Jesus is not a persuasion from God!

Jesus is not a disembodied spirit being. Jesus was manifested in the flesh and was raised again in the flesh with a glorified body.

In John 2 we read the following:

Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign shewest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things? Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise IT up. Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days? But he spake of the temple of his body. When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said. ~ John 2:18-22

The testimony of scripture and of Jesus concerning the nature of Christ’s resurrection is the glorification of his physical body!

After His resurrection Mary Magdalene and the other Mary saw Jesus and the Bible says, “they came and HELD HIM BY THE FEET, and worshipped him” (Matthew 28:1-10). Later Jesus appeared to his disciples and told them to handle Him.

And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. But they were terrified and affrighted, and SUPPOSED THAT THEY HAD SEEN A SPIRIT. And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? BEHOLD MY HANDS AND MY FEET, THAT IT IS I MYSELF: HANDLE ME, FOR A SPIRIT HATH NOT FLESH AND BONES, AS YE SEE ME HAVE. And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet. And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat? And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. AND HE TOOK IT, AND DID EAT IT BEFORE THEM (Luke 24; 36-43).

Notice that Jesus told His disciples to “handle ME for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” Jesus even ate fish in their presence, as more proof that He was not a “spirit” but the resurrected glorified Son of God!

In Fact Peter preaching at Cornelius’ house says; “Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly; Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before God, even to us, WHO DID EAT AND DRINK WITH HIM AFTER HE ROSE FROM THE DEAD (Acts 10:40-41).

In John 21:9 we read how Jesus prepared a meal for his disciples and then ate with them. Luke tells us that He showed Himself to be alive by MANY INFALIBLE PROOFS (Acts 1:1-3).

Again, our Lord Jesus Christ is not a “disembodied spirit being” that we cannot relate to. He is God IN THE FLESH. He is fully God and fully man!

And without controversy great is THE MYSTERY OF GODLINESS: God was MANIFEST IN THE FLESH, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory (1 Timothy 3:16).

The apostle John gives us the following account:

Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. And when he had so said, HE SHOWED UNTO THEM HIS HANDS AND HIS SIDE. Then were the disciples glad, when THEY SAW THE LORD. Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained. But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said unto him, WE HAVE SEEN THE LORD. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in HIS HANDS THE PRINT OF THE NAILS, and PUT MY FINGER INTO THE PRINT OF THE NAILS, and THRUST MY HAND INTO HIS SIDE, I will not believe. And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither THY FINGER, and BEHOLD MY HANDS; and reach hither THY HAND HAND, and thrust it into MY SIDE: and be not faithless, but believing. And Thomas answered and said unto him, MY LORD and MY GOD. Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: BLESSED ARE THEY THAT HAVE NOT SEEN, AND YET BELIEVED. And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name (John 20:19-29).

True Biblical belief in the resurrected Lord Jesus Christ is belief that He was BODILY raised from the dead, BODILY ASCENDED into heaven and BODILY glorified!

THE DISCIPLES SAW THE BODILY RESURRECTED JESUS ASCEND INTO HEAVEN:

And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and HE LIFTED UP HIS HANDS, and blessed them. And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. And they worshiped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen (Luke 24:50).

THE DISCIPLES (APOSTLES) PREACHED THE BODILY RESURRECTION, ASCENSION, GLORIFICATION, AND EXALTATION OF JESUS CHRIST:

Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; He seeing this before spake of THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST, that his soul was not left in hell, NEITHER HIS FLESH DID SEE CORRUPTION. This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. Therefore being by the right hand of God EXALTED, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear (Acts 2:29-33).

And AS CONCERNING THAT HE RAISED HIM UP FROM THE DEAD, now no more to return to corruption, he said on this wise, I will give you the sure mercies of David. Wherefore he saith also in another psalm, THOU SHALT NOT SUFFER THINE HOLY ONE TO SEE CORRUPTION. For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, AND SAW CORRUPTION: But he, whom God raised again, SAW NO CORRUPTION (Acts 13;34-37).

The resurrection of Jesus was not the recovery from a swoon, but victory over death and the grave and is the hope of the future resurrection of all the saints.

• Jesus was raised from the dead because he trusted in God (1 Peter 2:19-24).
• Jesus was raised from the dead because of His humility and obedience to the will of God (Philippians 2:3-11).
• Jesus was raised from the dead because God accepted His sacrifice for our sins Romans 4:24-25; Hebrews 13:25).
• Jesus was raised from the dead because of God’s promise (Romans 1:1-4; Acts 2:29-31; 13:31-33).
• Jesus was raised from the dead because He was chosen by God (1Peter 2:3-20).
• Jesus was raised from the dead by the Spirit of Glory (Romans 1:1-4; 6:3-4; 8:11).
• Jesus was raised from the dead by the power of God (1 Corinthians 6:14; 2 Corinthians 13; 4).
• Jesus was glorified in His resurrection (Luke 24:25-27; John 7:38-40; 12:15-17, 23; 13:31-32; Acts 2;32-34; 3:13).
• The resurrection of Jesus is proclaimed as the glad tidings of the gospel (Acts 13:29-34; Romans 10:8-12; Ephesians 2:4-7; Colossians 2:10-15; 2 Timothy 2:8; 1 Peter 1:3-5)

JESUS IS THE FIRST – FRUITS OF THE RESURRECTION

Jesus is the first- fruits of THE RESURRECTION and we who believe in Jesus Christ have the first fruits of the Spirit in us now as we await THE RESURRECTION when our mortality will be swallowed up in victory and we experience the RESURRECTION of our bodies.

According to the book of Romans all creation is waiting for this to happen and at THE RESURRECTION we will be like Him and creation will join us in this NEW LIFE! (Romans 8:19-23).

In Philippians 3:20-21 the apostle Paul says, “For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change OUR VILE BODY, that it may be FASHIONED LIKE HIS GLORIOUS BODY, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

In Ephesians 1 Paul refers to this as the “redemption of the purchased possession.” Christ has purchased our full redemption and the hope of the resurrection, when we will have new bodies, still stands!

When Jesus ascended on High, He was enthroned at the right hand of the Majesty on High and God is going to make all His enemies His footstool (Hebrews 1:13) and the last enemy to be put underfoot is DEATH!

But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the FIRST FRUITS of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ SHALL ALL BE MADE ALIVE.  But every man in his own order: Christ the first fruits; afterward they that are Christ’s AT HIS COMING. Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; WHEN HE SHALL HAVE PUT DOWN ALL RULE AND AUTHORITY AND POWER. For HE MUST REIGN, TILL HE HATH PUT ALL ENEMIES UNDER HIS FEET. THE LAST ENEMY THAT SHALL BE DESTROYED IS DEATH.  For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. And WHEN ALL THINGS SHALL BE SUBDUED unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all (1 Corinthians 15:20-28).

THE RESURRECTION IS THE CRUX OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH

• Without the resurrection we would still be in our sins (1 Corinthians 15).
• The resurrection gives us a living hope (1 Peter 1:3).
• The resurrection is our promise of life (John 14:19).
• The resurrection provides the promise of the Holy Spirit (John 7:37-39; Acts 2:32-34, 38-40).

HYPER PRETERISM REJECTS A FUTURE FINAL JUDGMENT 

Not only does the Bible teach us of the hope of the coming bodily resurrection of God’s people, it also informs us that the unjust will also be raised to be judged. In John 5:28 -29 Jesus says, “Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which ALL THAT ARE IN THE GRAVES shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.”

In Acts 24 Paul refers to the “resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.”

In Revelation 20:11-15 the apostle John gives a vivid picture of this:

“And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”

The writer of Hebrews refers to –  repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment – as the foundational principles of the doctrines of Christ.

These all go together as essential truths according to the gospel because as Paul says in Acts 17:31 “God has appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man (Jesus Christ) whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.”

In Romans 2:16 Paul refers to a specific day when “God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.”

There is a coming judgment in which all men will be judged according to the truth of the gospel and Paul tells us the following in 1 Corinthians:

For no other foundation can any man lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man’s work shall be made manifest: FOR THE DAY SHALL DECLARE IT, because it shall be REVEALED BY FIRE; and THE FIRE shall try EVERY MAN’S WORK OF WHAT SORT IT IS. If any MAN’S WORK abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. IF ANY MAN’S WORK SHALL BE BURNED, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; YET SO AS BY FIRE (1 Corinthians 3:11-15). 

This is the fire which the apostle Peter is referring to when he writes the following:

But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also AND THE WORKS that are therein shall be burned up (2 Peter 3:7-10).

Of much importance is that the fire spoken of by the apostle Peter is in comparison to the flood in Noah’s day (2 Peter 3:5-7).

Yet, some who embrace hyper Preterism claim that the fire mentioned by the apostle Peter in the verses above refers to the burning of the Jewish temple when it was destroyed.

On the contrary, the apostle Peter tell us; “Seeing then that ALL THESE THING SHALL BE DISSOLVED, what manner of persons ought ye to be IN ALL HOLY CONVERSATION AND GODLINESS, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, WHEREIN DWELLETH RIGHTEOUSNESS. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, BE DILGENT THAT YE MAY BE FOUND OF HIM IN PEACE, WITHOUT SPOT, AND BLAMELESS (2 Peter 3:11-14).

These words of Peter agree with Paul’s word is Titus 2 & 3 concerning living godly in this present world as we look for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ. They also agree with Paul’s words mentioned previously from 1 Corinthians 3; “Every man’s work shall be made manifest: FOR THE DAY SHALL DECLARE IT, because it shall be REVEALED BY FIRE; and THE FIRE shall try EVERY MAN’S WORK OF WHAT SORT IT IS.”

As stated at the outset, those who embrace hyper Preterism err egregiously. Their faulty theology is the result of interpreting the Bible through the lens of  the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple in A.D. 70, rather than the other way around.

---

ADDITIONAL NOTES

Concerning the new heavens and the new earth, Revelation 21:22-27 and Revelation 22:14-15 should be interpreted in view of Revelation 21:7- 8

Revelation 21:22-27 says:

I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there. The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it. Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

Revelation 22:14-15 says:

Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

Revelation 21:7- 8 says:

Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children. But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.

Nothing impure will enter, nor anyone who does shamefully or deceitfully because they will be condemned to the lake of fire.

Those who are considered dogs, and those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood, are “outside” the city because they are condemned to the lake of fire.

These verses are not telling us that there will be holy people living in a holy city, while the wicked are on the other side of the wall in the new heaven and new earth, but rather those who are “outside” the city are banned to their punishment which is the lake of fire.

___________________________________________

Addition # 1

The most deceptive thing about full preterism is that it fosters the belief that the eschatology of the Preterist is greater than the importance of godliness.

It’s more about them than it is about HIM!

Full Preterism is an eschatology. Eschatology falls into the category of theology. Theology is fluid and as we grow in the Lord, our theology changes as we glean from God’s word.

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error (1 John 4:1-6).

The word “try” in the phrase “try the spirits” carries the following meaning: “to test, examine, prove, scrutinize (to see whether a thing is genuine or not), as metals “(KJV w/ Strongs).

It is important to notice that the apostle John is not speaking of simply examining a “certain view” concerning matters that do not change one’s faith in Christ. He is speaking specifically about “trying the spirits,” and in verse six we see that we are to try the spirits so that we can discern between the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.

I find it interesting that the spirit of error of which He speaks is associated with those claim to be prophets “because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” The Bible also warns of false pastors (John 10), false apostles (2Corinthians 11), and false teachers (2 Peter 2). As we examine the scriptures closely, we see that there are some things that all false ministers have in common:

• They lead sincere people away from the truth in Jesus.
• They draw attention to themselves.
• There is a love for money that drives them.
• They focus more on worldly things than on eternal truth.

There are, however, true ministers including prophets who are sent by God with the anointing of the Holy Spirit upon them to testify of Jesus. All true ministers are first and foremost preachers or teachers of the word of God. Their aim is to glorify Christ to those to whom God has sent them.

Yet many today are placing more emphasis on what they call their anointing than they are on Jesus, speaking much about their anointing and promoting men. Yet the true anointing of God is centered in Jesus (1 John 2:27) and one anointed of the Holy Ghost cannot help but glorify Christ – “And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ” (Acts 5:42).

The Bible is full of examples of truly anointed servants of God. John the Baptist is one such example. The Bible tells us that he was filled with the Holy Ghost from his mother’s womb. One can readily see from the scriptures that John did not come testifying of Himself.

When asked if He was the Christ, John the Baptist replied by saying, “I am not the Christ.”  John’s declaration of himself was simply that, he was sent to bear witness and testify of Him who is the Christ, Jesus the Son of God.

“I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God” (John 1:34).

“Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God! And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus” (John 1:35-37).

The mark of one truly anointed of God is that he leads men to follow Jesus.

In our opening text, the Apostle John tells us, “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God.” He then gives us the standard by which we are to try or test the spirits – “Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God.”

But what does he mean by confessing that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh? Is it merely an acknowledgment of the historical person of Jesus Christ or is it more than that? This question will be answered as we examine thoroughly what is expressed in the statement “Jesus Christ is come in the flesh.”

Intertwined in the three epistles of the apostle John are both the warnings of deceivers and the exhortations to continue in Christ.

If we look closely at John’s words here chapter 4. and consider them within the context of the entire epistle, it becomes much clearer as to what he means.

First, notice the comparison between 1 John 2:18 and 1 John 4:3

1 John 2:18 – Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.

1 John 4: 3 – And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

It is also interesting to notice the similarly between 1 John 2:19 and 1John 4:1.

1 John 2:19 – They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.

1 John 4:1 – Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

Now, notice John’s words in 1 John 2:20-23:

But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things. I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.  Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also. (1 John 2:18-23)

In verse 22 John asks the question, “Who is a liar? His answer then follows: “he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ.” Next, he qualifies what he has just stated by saying, “he is antichrist that denieth the Father and the Son.”

The liar of whom he refers to in the first half of the verse is in the second half called antichrist. Therefore “denying that Jesus is the Christ, is defined by the apostle John as denying the Father and the Son.

Simply put, denying that Jesus is the Christ, is denying that Jesus is the Son of God. Denying that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is denying that the Son of God was manifested in the flesh. Hence, those who are of God preach and teach the message of Son of God who came in the in the flesh.

In verse 23 he sums it up by saying, “Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.” The confession that Jesus is the Christ is synonymous with declaring him to be the Son of God.  And by this confession- Jesus Christ is the Son of God, we know the true God and those who are of the true God.

The confession of Christ coming in the flesh is much more than a simple acknowledge of Jesus or mention of his name in an effort to place credibility on ones ministry.  The confession to which the apostle John refers is the very Spirit of the message being put forth. Those who are of God declare the truth in such a way that the very spirit of what they say draws men to the Son of God and Him only.

Later in 1 John 4 the apostle John expounds more fully on this confession of the Lord Jesus saying.  “And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world. Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.”

False ministers do not testify of the Son of God. They may speak about the glory, miracles, God doing a new thing, spiritual experiences, and every other use of terms which will tickle men’s ears and feed the lust of the flesh, but they will not testify of the Son because God has not sent them.

Jesus said “He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him” (John 7:18).

The joy and delight of one truly sent of God is to testify of the Son through who only the Father can be known. There is no word, no revelation, and no truth from God the Father except that it is revealed through the Son. God speaks to us by His Son and in no other way.

Jesus said my sheep here my voice. The voice of the Savor is not drawing attention to men and exalting them. The voice of the Savor is drawing men to the Father. And no man has the Father without the Son.

And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life (1 John 5:20).

Notice also, the two ways in which the apostle John describes those who are not of the truth. In 1 John 2, he describes their message as denying Jesus Christ is the Son of God and chapter four he says they confess not Jesus Christ is come in the flesh.

In 2 John, he again speaks about those who are not true ministers:

For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that ABIDETH in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds. (2 John 7-11)

Notice the similarity to John’s words in each of His epistles. A true prophet or messenger comes bringing the message of Christ. Let me say that again. A true prophet or messenger comes bringing the message of Christ. A false prophet or messenger may talk about Christ, but Christ is only a side issue; he or she has other intentions. A true minister walks in the Spirit of Truth and Jesus said the Spirit of Truth would testify of Him (John 15:26).

What specifically then is the message of those who do not walk in the truth and who do not bring the doctrine of Christ. Both 1 John 2 and 1 John 4 give us a clear answer to this question

In the three verses just prior to addressing the many antichrists in 1 John 2, he says the following:

Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever (1 John 2:15-17).

In 1 John 4:5 he uses the same decription in speaking of false prophets – “They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.”

There is no harmony between the truth of Christ and the deception of the world, neither is there any harmony between the will of God and the lust of the flesh. False ministers are of the world and appeal to the lust of the flesh.

This is the subtle work of spirit of error which creeps in and teaches men to desire the things of the world rather than the truth of the will of God which cannot be known apart from conformity to Christ.

Please understand that recognizing the spirit of error is not always obvious. If it were, there would be no need to be warned. On the surface, deception looks and sounds like the real thing. Yet, at its root, it is another spirit. There is only one God and His Spirit brings honor, glory, and praise to the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Spirit of God will lead men to the Cross and into conformity with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection so that God may be glorified in them. When the message of the cross is absent, watch out!

False prophets will not bring men to the cross, but the Spirit of God will – “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world” (Galatians 6:14).

Remember: Every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God! They may talk about God, the glory, supernatural experiences, angelic visitations, even healing and miracles, but the true Holy Spirit always glorifies Jesus Christ.

The misnomer known as “replacement theology” is actually a condescending label rooted in “a political ideology” and not spiritual truth.

I do not know anyone who truly is a Christian who claims that Jewish people can’t be saved. The problem with the term “replacement theology” is that those who accuse others of it, do not clearly define what they mean by it in view of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

If Israel in the flesh maintains its former covenant status with God, then the cross is made of no effect. If Israel in the flesh maintains a covenant relationship with God after rejecting Christ, then the Messiah-ship of Christ is called into question. If Israel maintains a “national covenant identity” in the sight of God which separates them from all other nations, the New Testament is disqualified.

In Christ, the Gentiles “through faith” have become the people of God even as the Jews who believe are the people of God by faith. Furthermore, Jews who reject Christ have become as the Gentiles who reject Christ, for their circumcision has been made uncircumcision, and God has concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all (who believe in Christ).

Has the Jew been replaced? No! By no means.

It is the covenant that has been replaced. The covenant which God gave to the physical nation of Israel is the Law given through Moses. This covenant gave Israel a national status and it has been made obsolete by a better covenant established on better promises.

The Gentiles have not replaced the Jews, but Christ has replaced the covenant which came through Moses and in Christ God has removed that which separated the Jew from the Gentile. All have sinned and come short of the glory of God and THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE between the two!

Yet, many are being taught that allegiance to the secular state of Israel, regardless of their attitude towards Christ, is a prerequisite to being blessed by God and this is contrary to the gospel of Jesus Christ.