Our benevolent, loving Father received some harsh words from Israel of old. Even after God’s people had been allowed to return after seventy years of captivity under Babylonian rule, they still spoke against the One who had delivered them from Egyptian bondage many years before, who had fed them manna and had given them water in the wilderness, who had delivered them from their enemies, who had carried them safely on eagles’ wings unto the promised land which flowed with milk and honey. God was longsuffering toward Israel, having sent his messengers, continually trying to get Israel to repent.

In spite of God’s mercy, kindness, and longsuffering the cry was made in the days of Malachi, “Ye have said, It is vain to serve God: And what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance, And that we have walked mournfully before the Lord of hosts?” (Mal. 3:13). In other words, the people were saying it is not worth it to serve the Lord. Why? Because the arrogant or proud are being blessed, and the wicked are being set up, or honored. (Mal. 3:14). They were saying in essence, that something is wrong with this picture: The wicked are prospering. So why should we serve the Lord? It is not worth it. It does not pay. These were their sentiments. Malachi pointed out that those who feared the Lord would be in his book of remembrance. The Lord will claim them when he comes to make up his jewels,

These harsh words against God are not new nor old. Some express the same today; the same was expressed by others in the long, long ago. The Psalmists dealt with this. Read Psalm 10, 37 and 73. This is really the thinking of those who are living only in the here and now. They assume that all blessings and curses come from God in this life. However, God “makes his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends his rain on the just and on the unjust.” (Matt. 5:45.) So physical blessings come upon both the righteous and the wicked. It should also be noted that there is a future day of reckoning when God will punish the wicked and reward the righteous (John 5:28-29).

It is not worthless or futile to serve the Lord. Paul wrote to Timothy, “For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.” (I Tim. 4:8). Observe: (1) Godliness is profitable; i.e., beneficial. A godly life is mentally, physically and spiritually beneficial. It is a life in which one strives to have a conscience void of offense (Acts 24:16). (2) It is profitable in all things. Jesus said, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matt. 6:33.) If we put God first, we need not worry about the necessities of life. This does not mean we can sit down and do nothing, or that we should become leeches on society. (3) We have the promise of the life that now is. This shows that one will have a better life here if he is a Christian, than if he is not. This does not mean he will be exempt from trials, suffering, sickness or even death. But with Christ one can make it through these difficult times. (4) We have the promise of the life which is to come, i.e., eternal life. If we miss heaven, we have missed it all. It makes no difference how successful one is in life, if he misses heaven, his life will be a failure.

In 1 Corinthians 15 Paul discusses the resurrection of the body. There were some in the church at Corinth who were denying that there would be a resurrection of the physical body. Paul set forth three fundamental facts of the gospel: the death, burial and resurrection of Christ (I Cor. 15:1-4). As proof of Christ’s resurrection, Paul listed those individuals who had seen the Son of God after his resurrection (I Cor. 15:5-11). Then, Paul asked the question: “Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?” (I Cor 15:12.) It naturally follows as Paul stated, “But if there be no resurrection [of the physical body], then is Christ not risen.” (1 Cor. 15:13.) He then set forth a series of consequences if Christ had not been raised from the dead; namely, our preaching is vain, your faith is vain, we [apostles] are false witnesses of God, those who had fallen asleep in Christ [that is, those who had died as Christians], are perished, and if our only hope in Christ is for this earthly existence, we are of all men most miserable (I Cor. 15:14-19). However, Paul clearly states that Christ has risen from the dead and is the firstfruits of them who sleep [that is, those who are dead] (I Cor. 15:20). Just as the firstfruits offered under the law of Moses were like a guarantee of more to come, so Jesus’ resurrection is proof that all will be raised from the dead one day. Paul continued by saying that since by man (Adam) came death, by man (Christ ) comes the resurrection. Since according to Adam all die, even so, according to Christ shall all be made alive (I Cor. 15:21-22). It naturally follows that the question as to when this resurrection will occur would be on the minds of Paul’s readers; so, he answers by saying that it will occur at “his coming.” (I Cor. 15:23-34). The end will occur at his coming. At his coming, Christ will deliver up the kingdom to God. The words in the text, “shall have delivered up,” translate one Greek word which means “to surrender, i.e., to yield up, transmit.” Hence, Christ shall not be given the kingdom, but he shall give it to the Father.

If “the coming” under consideration be a reference to Christ’s coming in judgment upon Jerusalem in A.D. 70, then Christ at that time delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father. However, that has NOT occurred. Christ continues to rule and reign on his throne in heaven, and since death is still occurring, then it has not been ultimately destroyed. Now, Jesus came to destroy him who has the power of death (Heb. 2:14). The word destroy (καταργέω) does not mean annihilate; but it means to render idle, unemployed, inactive, or inoperative. Jesus fulfilled his mission. Satan’s power is limited, and ultimately he will be completely unemployed. However, we know he is still alive and working to get each one of us (I Peter 5:8).

First Corinthians 15:35-56 answers the questions of “How are the dead raised up? And with what body do they come?” These questions unmistakably refer to our physical bodies, not to some kind of spiritual resurrection, which would be a mere pretext. Paul then concludes by expressing thanks to God for the victory through Jesus Christ.

Finally, Paul concluded by saying, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” (I Cor. 15:58). So, the people in Malachi’s day were saying that it is vain to serve the Lord. However, both Malachi and Paul said it is not in vain.

THE INFORMER

Vol. 68 No. 25

March 29, 2015