Life

AFTER

Death
eath?
CREDITS: FLICKR

Do you have an IMMORTAL SOUL ? Do the dead know

what the living are doing? Does suicide "end it all"? Will
you meet departed loved ones again? Did departed ones
"pass away" to heaven or hell?

few believed what He SAID! Could we believe God --

W
if He told us?

I said to my wife more than fifty years ago, "I know

HY THIS MYSTERY about life after
the Bible says, 'Thou shalt keep Sunday.' " "How do
death? WHY so many beliefs of so many different you know?" she asked. "Did you read it?"
religions? How can we know? Can we believe God?
Adam and Eve didn't. Few believed Christ -- that is,

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"No, but I know it's there, because all these Christian The fifteenth chapter of I Corinthians is the
churches get their religion from the Bible, and they all "resurrection chapter" of the Bible. Its subject is the
keep Sunday." resurrection to LIFE, after death! But there is, in God's
Master Plan an order -- or succession -- of
"Why don't you look it up and show it to me?" she resurrections.
challenged.
Continue: "Christ the first fruits" -- this occurred more
But I couldn't find it. than 1900 years ago -- "afterwards they that are
Christ's at his coming. Then cometh the end ..." (verses
I chanced to read in Romans 6:23: "The wages of sin is 23-24).
DEATH. In school they taught me the wages we earn
for sinning is IMMORTAL LIFE, not death -- eternal Later in this booklet a great deal will be said about the
life in hell fire. Then I read the remainder of the verse resurrection of those "that are Christ's" -- Spirit-
"... but the GIFT of God is eternal life ...." begotten Christians. But what of the others?

"That's a shocker!" I expressed, further surprised. "I The same ALL who die in Adam, it says, "in Christ
thought I already had eternal life. I'm an IMMORTAL shall ... they be made alive" -- by a resurrection from
SOUL." the dead. Verse 23 says, ". coming" -- now imminent --
in our present generation. "Then cometh the end"
I had left church and Sunday school when I was (verse 24) -- but the details of the resurrection of others
eighteen. But I had been brought up in an established -- the overwhelming majority of all who ever lived --
and respectable Christian denomination. I became are recorded elsewhere.
intrigued. I had heard the preacher say, "The Bible
says, when we all get to HEAVEN ...." I chanced to In Rev. 20 we find described two more resurrections.
read where Jesus said, "No man hath ascended up to
heaven." And after reading a few more plain biblical First, verse 4, the saints who are Christ's are to live and
statements, I began to believe that even the churches reign on the earth with Christ for one thousand years.
TODAY do not believe what Jesus SAID! Satan will be put away (verses 1-2) but the rest of those
who have died will not live again until after that
Yes, more than fifty years ago my mind was swept thousand years (verse 5). Then, beginning verse 11:
clean of all previous teaching, suppositions and ideas
about things relating to God. I had then proved the "And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it,
infallible inspiration of the Bible in its original writing. from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away;
and there was found no place for them. And I saw the
I was right to believe what God says in His Word. dead, small and great, stand before God" (the second
resurrection); "and the books were opened: and another
What does the Bible say about life after death? Did book was opened, which is the book of life: and the
anyone ever die and then actually experience a life dead were judged ... according to their works."
after death -- and who could PROVE IT and explain to
us what that life was like? This will be by far the GREATEST resurrection, in
numbers resurrected. It will include the BILLIONS
The answer is YES. Jesus Christ Himself died and was who have lived CUT OFF from God -- who were not
DEAD. But He rose from the dead and was seen by then judged.
MANY -- including His disciples, who had been with
Him for three and a half years before He died, and The Bible is essentially the Book concerning the nation
forty days after His resurrection. And they went about Israel. The resurrection of all of them, not previously
loudly proclaiming that they were eyewitnesses of His called to spiritual salvation, is recorded in Ezekiel 37.
LIFE AFTER DEATH.
The prophet Ezekiel was taken in a vision and set
In I Cor. 15:22-23, you will read: "For as in Adam all down in a valley filled with very dry bones. In verse 11
die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive [after it is recorded that God told him that these bones were
death]. But every man in his own order ...." the whole house of Israel. They- -these dead skeletons

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-- were pictured saying, "Our bones are dried and our offered them. They, with any such living at the end of
hope is lost." the Millennium, will then die the second death -- utter
extinction -- in the lake of fire, described by Peter as
But the prophet was told to say to these dry skeletons, the face of the earth becoming a molten mass.
"Thus saith the [Eternal] God, Behold, O my people, I
will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of Malachi adds: "For behold, the day cometh that shall
your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel." burn as an oven, and the proud, yea, and all that do
wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh
In the vision, before God explained to the prophet the shall burn them up, saith the [Eternal] of hosts, that it
identity of the great valley of skeletons, the prophet shall leave them neither root nor branch. But unto you
was told to say to the dry bones, "Thus saith the that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise
[Eternal] God ... Behold, I will cause breath to enter with healing in his wings, and ye shall go forth ... and
into you, and ye shall live. And I will lay sinews upon ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes
you, and will bring up flesh upon you, and cover you under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do
with skin, and put breath in you, and ye shall live" this, saith the [Eternal] of hosts" (Mal. 4:1-3). "... and
(verses 5-6). Now back to verse 13: "And ye shall they shall be as though they had not been" (Obad. 16).
know that I am the [Eternal], when I have opened your
graves, O my people, and brought you up out of your But, what in the meantime -- what between the second
graves. And shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall of one's death and the resurrection? The Bible
live, and I shall place you in your own land: then shall teaching, contrary to much religious and church
ye know that I the [Eternal] have spoken it, and teaching -- that is the WORD OF GOD teaching -- is
performed it, saith the [Eternal]." that the dead ARE DEAD -- utterly unconscious.
Notice the inspired wisdom of Solomon: "For the
This prophecy is of a resurrection to mortal flesh-and- living know that they shall die: but the dead know not
blood life -- not a resurrection, like that of the saints at anything ..." -- the RSV translates it, "the dead KNOW
Christ's Second Coming, to immortal Spirit-composed NOTHING" (Eccl. 9:5).
self-existent life.
Recently a Worldwide Church of God minister told me
God had never offered Old Testament Israel His Spirit, of experiences he has had with three successive would-
or spiritual salvation. Only material and national be suicides. Each time he said to them, "Well, go right
promises -- and even that for obedience which they ahead -- but first you'd better learn what happens at the
refused to give. moment you die. So far as your consciousness goes,
the next fraction of a second you will wake up in the
But now, in this Great White Throne resurrection, resurrection -- and if you commit this self-murder,
along with all other peoples who had been CUT OFF you'll still be facing all your problems, and the guilt of
from God, these Israelites (including those who were this SELF-MURDER crime in addition. Why not solve
uncalled even after Christ came), would be resurrected the problems NOW, before you commit this murder?"
to mortal, breathing, flesh-and-blood life. They all, Not one of the three went on through with his intended
hopefully, are then to come to really KNOW that the suicide!
Eternal is Lord, and He shall, upon their eventual
conversion, put His Holy Spirit within them. They, too So, there's nothing to gain by "ending it all," thinking
-- along with all of every nation, who had not been that is the easy way out. Death only brings instant
specially called prior to the Millennium, shall live awakening in the resurrection. You will know
again physically in this resurrection. absolutely NOTHING from the second you die, till the
second you awake in the resurrection. These men, the
And after a period of growth and overcoming, then minister explained, had supposed that suicide would
shall come their spiritual salvation -- with no Satan END IT ALL -- and they'd be out of their troubles, but
around to deceive them! when they learned they would still have their troubles
plus a MURDER charge against them in THAT
Now back to Revelation 20. Verses 13 to 15 indicate JUDGMENT, it no longer seemed that suicide was the
that there will then be a last, final resurrection of the "quick way out of it all."
incorrigible who have rejected the eternal salvation

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No, death is not a friend, but an ENEMY! Christ came Because first-century enemies of the gospel
to DESTROY DEATH -- to make a happy, peaceful, SUPPRESSED IT!
abundant life possible for all -- for each in his own due
time. He came that we might have LIFE, "and have it The Church of God, on the foundation of the original
more abundantly." apostles and Christ, was founded on the Day of
Pentecost, A.D. 31. About two decades later, when the
There most certainly is life after death -- and Christ apostle Paul wrote his letter to the churches of Galatia,
made possible a transcendent human potential so great it had already been suppressed, and false ministers had
it seems incredible. He came to DIE in our stead -- to turned the people to a DIFFERENT GOSPEL. Paul
pay the penalty we have incurred for us, and to GIVE wrote, "I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him
US LIFE! that called you into the grace of Christ unto another
gospel: which is not another; but there be some that
Christ Himself taught that there is LIFE AFTER trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ"
DEATH. (Gal. 1:6-7). Again, in Romans 1:18: "For the wrath of
God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness
He taught the Pharisee, Nicodemus, but Nicodemus and wickedness of men who by their wickedness
didn't believe Him! Jesus said to him, "... I have told suppress the truth" (RSV). And in II Corinthians 11
you earthly things, and ye believe not" (John 3:12). Paul speaks of false apostles of Satan (verses 13-15)
who come preaching "another gospel" (verses 4, 13,
Why didn't the Pharisee, Nicodemus, understand when 15).
Jesus said to him: "Except a man be born again, he
cannot see the kingdom of God"? The time was at hand, when Jesus preached, for this
message to be announced! The time is at hand, today,
Why do people not understand those words today? for its true MEANING to be made so PLAIN that
How many know, today, that Jesus' gospel was a people may UNDERSTAND IT! (Matt. 24:14.)
sensational, never-before-proclaimed NEWS
ANNOUNCEMENT? It WILL BE, in this booklet. And it is a crucial
CHALLENGE to you who now read it! And you have
to UNDERSTAND what was that news announcement,
Jesus Was a Newscaster or you can never UNDERSTAND what Jesus meant
about being "born again."
Those in Judea knew -- or should have known --
Malachi's prophecy concerning this. It was the gospel
of God -- and the word "gospel" means GOOD NEWS! What Was the News?
Jesus was a NEWSCASTER. His news was something Notice, briefly, first, what that astonishing NEWS
absolutely NEW -- never before proclaimed to message was! The preannouncement, in Malachi's
mankind. It was the most wonderful NEWS ever prophecy, says: "Behold, I will send my messenger,
reported, actually almost too wonderful for humans to and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord,
believe. It was news of the utterly transcendent whom ye seek [the Messiah], shall suddenly come to
potential of man. his temple, even the messenger of the covenant ..."
(Mal. 3:1).
The tremendous message that Jesus brought was not a
report of past events. It was ADVANCE news of an Now notice the beginning of the MESSENGER'S
almost unbelievable UTOPIAN WORLD proclamation of the MESSAGE. It is recorded in
TOMORROW! It was news of life after death. And it Mark's gospel, chapter 1: "The beginning of the gospel
was news that we may be BORN AGAIN! Yet almost of Jesus Christ, the Son of God; as it is written in the
nobody understands it! prophets ...." Then follows the citation from Malachi,
written above. That is followed by the account of John
Why has it never been recognized by the world as the the Baptist, preparing the way before the messenger.
stupendous NEWS that it actually was? Then, verses 14-15: "Now after that John was put in
prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel
of the kingdom of God, and saying, The time is

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fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, gospel. Nicodemus however, wanted to meet this
and believe the gospel" -- that is, BELIEVE the good astonishing messenger and discuss it with him. To
news! avoid criticism from his colleagues, he came to Jesus
by night.
What IS the Kingdom of God? "We know," he said, "that you are a teacher come from
God."
What did He mean -- the Kingdom of God? Jesus'
whole message -- His gospel -- about the KINGDOM
The "we" implies that the divine identity of the
OF GOD! Yet few know anything about it, today.
messenger and the source of His message was known
to the Pharisees. But they were "Now" people,
A kingdom is (a) a NATION composed of people, and
concerned with protecting their status as rulers under
(b) the GOVERNMENT of the nation. For a more
the Roman government, not with receiving revelations
complete eye-opening explanation, write for our free
from God.
booklet Just What Do You Mean ... Kingdom of God?)
Jesus perceived the import of Nicodemus's first words.
In some cases, the people of a nation are the
His message was the good news of the coming
descendants -- the children -- of one man. The nation
GOVERNMENT of GOD -- that is, the KINGDOM
of Turkey is descended, in part, from ancient Esau, the
OF GOD, which shall rule all nations with the
twin brother of Jacob, whose name was changed to
GOVERNMENT of God.
Israel. He was the father of the nation Israel. Before the
twins were born, God said to their mother, Rebekah,
These Jewish rulers feared that message. Jesus was
"Two nations are in thy womb ..." (Gen. 25:23).
their race -- a Jew. If they did not oppose Him, they
feared being shorn of their power and perhaps put to
Now Jesus the Messiah was to come as "the messenger
death as subversives threatening the overthrow the
of the COVENANT." The "old covenant" had
Roman government. And the Pharisees thought Jesus
established the human children of Israel as a NATION
proclaimed the immediate takeover of that rule!
or KINGDOM of humans, called the KINGDOM OF
ISRAEL. Jesus came as the messenger -- heralding the
message of the NEW covenant that shall set up the Not of This Age
Spirit-composed children of GOD as the Kingdom of
God! Therefore Jesus did not waste words. He struck straight
through to the crux point -- the Kingdom of God is not
As the ancient kingdom of Israel was composed of the of this world -- this time, this age -- but of the WORLD
human FAMILY of the human man Israel, so the TOMORROW -- a different and a following AGE. Not
Kingdom of God will be composed of the Divine composed of humans, but of immortals -- the GOD
Family of the Divine God! FAMILY!

And what does this have to do with life after death? It So Jesus said, "Except a man be born again, he cannot
has everything to do with it! see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3).

WHY Jewish Rulers Rejected the Notice carefully that being "born again" has a vital
connection with the Kingdom of God -- with THE
Message FACT that it is not of this time -- this age.

The Jewish rulers of Jesus' day thought He was But Jesus' abrupt opening statement left Nicodemus
proclaiming a government to be set up immediately -- confused. The religious leaders and the hundreds of
to overthrow the Roman Empire, then ruling Judea as a denominations and sects professing Christianity today
vassal state. are confused and deceived! Today's religionists put a
different twist on it than did Nicodemus, however.
One of these prominent Jews was a man named
Nicodemus, mentioned earlier. He was a Pharisee, and
the Pharisees were hostile to Jesus because of this new

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Nicodemus did understand clearly what is meant by At birth of human flesh, one is delivered from his
being born. He knew it meant being delivered from his mother's womb into this world. When born of the
mother's womb. It meant being delivered into the Spirit, one will be delivered from the CHURCH of
whirled! Today's religious leaders read into it a God (physical) -- the mother of begotten Christians --
different meaning! What Nicodemus could not into the KINGDOM of God (a Kingdom of SPIRIT
understand was how -- in what manner -- anyone could BEINGS).
be born AGAIN! And of course, being carnal-minded,
he could only conceive of a second physical birth. But Man is now COMPOSED of flesh -- material
he knew what being born meant! substance matter. When BORN AGAIN he will BE
spirit -- a SPIRIT being, no longer human. He will be
Born Human a Second Time? COMPOSED of Spirit -- of Spirit composition -- with
life inherent -- with self-containing life -- not then
existing by the breath of air and the circulation of
Puzzled, he asked, "How can a man be born when he is
blood.
old? Can he enter the second time into his mother's
womb, and be born?" He was not confused about what
Of the next age when the Kingdom of God will rule the
is meant by being BORN. What Nicodemus could not
world -- the life after death -- the next LIFE -- Jesus
understand was a second birth. He thought Jesus was
said, "They neither marry, nor are given in marriage,
talking about a second human birth.
but are as the angels of God ..." (Matt. 22:30).
Marriage is a physical, fleshly union. In the age of
He was unable to conceive of any but a second
God's Kingdom, when "born again" we shall be spirit,
physical birth. His mind could not grasp spiritual
not flesh. Born of God as SPIRIT BEINGS, no longer
things.
human. Angels are spirits -- composed of Spirit (Hub.
1:7). Jesus did not say we shall then be angels -- but
Now Jesus had made clear that the Kingdom of God is AS the angels -- sexless and composed of SPIRIT.
something that can be seen -- but not until or UNLESS Angels are spirit beings -- created as such -- but not
one is "born again." Not during his physical lifetime! begotten and BORN of God as God's own born
Also, verse 5, the Kingdom of God is something a man children. We therefore shall be greater than angels!
may enter into -- but not until after he is born AGAIN -
- another and entirely different birth.
Jesus explained this further to Nicodemus: "The wind
bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound
Here is the crux point that explains it all: Jesus said, thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and
"That which is born of the flesh IS flesh: and that whither it goeth: so is everyone that is born of the
which is born of the Spirit IS spirit." Spirit" (John 3:8).

Man is now flesh -- human. He is MATERIAL You cannot see wind. Wind is compared to spirit. It is
sustains. "Dust thou art," said God to Adam, "and unto invisible. That's why mortal FLESH, as we now are,
dust shalt thou return." Again, "And the [Eternal] God cannot SEE the Kingdom of God. Those who inherit it
formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed will be spirit -- normally invisible to eyes still human.
into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a
living soul" (Gen. 3:19; 2:7).
Not While Flesh and Blood
Those Born Again to BE Spirit The apostle Paul made clear that the Kingdom of God
is something a human may INHERIT, but not in THIS
But, said Jesus plainly, when one is born of the Spirit Age -- not while he is composed of material flesh.
HE WILL BE SPIRIT! Look at it! Read it in your own
Bible. "The first man is of the earth, earthy [human]: the
second man is the Lord from heaven [a divine God
The Kingdom of God will be composed of SPIRIT being]" (I Cor. 15:47).
BEINGS -- not of humans!
This is what Jesus was saying to Nicodemus. He was
of the earth, earthy -- human. He was flesh, not spirit.

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He was born of the flesh, so that's what he was -- Until the resurrection, therefore, we cannot see, enter
FLESH. When one is born of the Spirit, he will BE into, or inherit the Kingdom of God. We CANNOT BE
spirit. Paul is here explaining the same truth. BORN AGAIN UNTIL THE RESURRECTION!

But we cannot BE spirit in this present age. Now Heirs -- Not Yet Inheritors
THERE IS A TIME ELEMENT CONCERNED WITH
While in our present status, born of the flesh and
BEING BORN AGAIN INTO GOD'S KINGDOM.
composed of flesh, we cannot see, enter into, or inherit
the Kingdom of God. Notice, now, the status of the
Continue, now, in I Corinthians 15:49: "And as we truly converted Christian, in this life -- this world:
have borne the image of the earthy, we shall [future --
resurrection] also bear the image of the heavenly"
"Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is
(verse 49). As we are now flesh, we shall be SPIRIT --
none of his" (Rom. 8:9). Unless one has received the
at the resurrection, that is, when we shall be "BORN
Holy Spirit, and this Spirit is dwelling in him, he is not
AGAIN" -- when we shall see, enter into, the Kingdom
a Christian. Joining a church does not make one a
of God -- when we are spirit -- at the resurrection!
Christian. Receiving and following God's Spirit does!
"Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot
inherit the kingdom of God; neither death corruption Spiritual Birth Process Compares
inherit incorruption. Behold, I shew you a mystery; We to Physical
shall not all sleep [be dead], but we shall all be
changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at
But now see how God's Spirit entering and dwelling in
the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the
one compares to the physical sperm impregnating the
dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we [the then
ovum -- the imparting of eternal SPIRIT life, later to
living] shall be changed" (verses 50-52). There is the
produce a SPIRIT PERSON! A fertilized ovum -- an
TIME when we may be born again -- when we may
embryo -- is NOT a born human person. Life from the
see, enter into, and inherit the Kingdom -- when
father has been imparted to it. He has begotten it, but
"BORN AGAIN," and NOT BEFORE!
neither embryo nor fetus is YET a born person. In the
same manner the Spirit-begotten human is not, yet, a
How shall we be changed? The next words answer! SPIRIT PERSON or BEING, as Jesus said he shall be
"For this corruptible [flesh, as we now are] must put on when born again!
incorruption [Spirit -- that which is born of God is
spirit], and this mortal must put on immortality" -- be
Continue: "But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus
changed from material flesh to spirit!
from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ
from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by
Until born again, we cannot see the Kingdom of God -- his Spirit that dwelleth in you" (verse 11).
Jesus to Nicodemus, John 3:3.
UNDERSTAND THIS! There is a direct comparison
Until born again, we cannot enter into the Kingdom of between having been born of the flesh and being born
God -- Jesus to Nicodemus, John 3:5. AGAIN of God. Jesus said that which is born of the
flesh is flesh -- a born human. That which is born of
Until no longer flesh, but changed into SPIRIT, we the Spirit (God) is spirit -- a born SPIRIT PERSON!
cannot enter into the Kingdom of God -- Jesus to
Nicodemus, John 3:6-8. A mortal human life starts when a sperm cell from the
body of the father impregnates -- imparts physical
While still flesh and blood (as Nicodemus was and we LIFE to -- an ovum (egg cell) in the mother. At this
are) we cannot inherit the Kingdom of God -- Paul to point the father begets, sires. He does not "bring forth."
the Corinthians, I Cor. 15:50. The mother does that, later. His part in the PROCESS
leading to final birth is then done. BUT THERE IS A
Until the resurrection, at Christ's coming, we shall not TIME ELEMENT. At the TIME of begettal, birth
be changed from corruptible flesh into incorruptible (parturition) has not YET occurred.
SPIRIT -- Paul, I Cor. 15:50-53 and verses 22-23.

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It is necessary to give this explanation, at this point, The Church Our Mother
because the popular deception of a deceived traditional
"Christianity" is to claim that when one "receives
Again, the Church is called "Jerusalem above" or "the
Christ," "accepts Christ," "professes Christ," or first
heavenly Jerusalem" (Heb. 12:22-23). Now notice, in
receives God's Holy Spirit to dwell in him, he is
Galatians 4:26: "But Jerusalem which is above is free,
already "BORN AGAIN. "
which is the mother of us all."
First, then, notice the physical type and comparison.
The analogy is this: When begotten by God the Father
by receiving His Holy Spirit, we are put into the
The TIME Element Church, which during this gestation period is our
MOTHER.
In human physical reproduction, there is a TIME
ELEMENT. From impregnation -- begettal on the part The human mother of the fetus within her womb serves
of the father -- having conceived on the part of the the function of feeding her unborn child with physical
mother -- to BIRTH, or parturition, or being delivered food, so that it may develop and grow physically. And
from the mother's womb is a TIME ELEMENT of nine also she carries it where she may best protect it from
months. physical injury or harm, until parturition -- delivery
from her womb.
That nine-month period is called gestation. Upon
conception, the now fertilized ovum is called an The spiritual mother -- the Church -- is commissioned
embryo. A few months later, it is called a fetus. But to "feed the flock" (I Pet. 5:2) through the ministry
during this nine-month period of gestation, we do not which God has set in the Church "for the perfecting of
speak of the embryo-fetus as having been born. It is in the saints ... for the edifying of the body of Christ, till
the PROCESS toward birth. It is the child of its we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the
parents. But it is then the unborn child of its parents. knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man ..."
The father has already begotten it -- sired it. But the (Eph. 4:11-13). Just as the human fetus develops and
mother has not yet given birth to it. Yet it is, during the grows physically during the PRE-birth gestation
gestation period, the unborn child of its parents. period, so WE, after begettal by God's Spirit, develop
and grow SPIRITUALLY in PRE-birth state.
Now in being "born again," the PROCESS of this birth
begins when GOD'S divine SPIRIT-LIFE is imparted Human life starts with what the Bible terms
to us by the Holy Spirit, from His very PERSON, "corruptible seed" -- physical male sperm. Divine life
entering to dwell within us. Repeat, from Romans 8: starts with that which is incorruptible -- the Holy Spirit
"But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the of God entering the human person. But as the human
dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the embryo must GROW till it becomes a fetus, which
dead shall also quicken [change to immortal spirit] must GROW to the point of being born into the human
your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you" family, so the Christian in whom divine life has been
(verse 11). This is describing the very same thing started by the gift of God's incorruptible Spirit must
explained in I Corinthians 15:50-53, the resurrection. GROW toward perfection to be born into the GOD
Family. He will then be perfect, unable to sin.
I want to make this crystal clear. Millions of sincere
professing Christians believe that when they profess But -- that perfection of holy righteous CHARACTER
Christ (or receive His Holy Spirit) they are "born must be developed (with God's help and the in-filling
again." What actually happens is this: of His Spirit during this human life -- the spiritual
"gestation" stage).
When one, after repentance, faith, and baptism receives
the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God puts him into -- But not only is the Church to feed the members on the
baptizes him into -- God's Church. The Church is Word of God -- spiritual food -- but also to protect
called the body of Christ. So we read: "By one Spirit these conceived but yet unborn children of God from
are we all baptized into one body" (I Cor. 12:13). spiritual harm, as the very next verse shows: "That we
henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and
carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the

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sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they The resurrection -- the time when we are changed to
lie in wait to deceive ..." (Eph. 4:14). BE Spirit and to INHERIT the Kingdom will be a time
of DELIVERY FROM the bondage of corruptible flesh
Then, at the time of the resurrection, we in the Church and from this world of SIN -- A REAL BIRTH!
-- the spiritual mother -- shall be DELIVERED from
her, and born into -- brought forth into -- the Kingdom, Christ Born a Second Time By the
the Spirit composed FAMILY of God.
Resurrection
Sons of God NOW Continue in Romans 8: "For whom he did foreknow,
he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image
Now, further: "For as many as are led by the Spirit of of his Son, that he [Jesus] might be the firstborn among
God, they are the sons of God" (Rom. 8:14). The many brethren" (verse 29).
unborn child in his mother's womb is the child of his
father and mother, though not yet born -- delivered
Now compare with Romans 1:3-4: "Concerning his
from the womb. So are we, if God's Spirit dwells in us
Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed
-- if we are being led by God's Spirit -- children of
of David according to the flesh; and declared to be the
God. Yet, at this time, we are in the gestation state, not
Son of God ... by the resurrection from the dead."
yet parturition. And only HEIRS, not inheritors!
Jesus was, in the human flesh -- His first birth --
Continue: "And if children, then heirs; heirs of God,
descendant of David. But, by the resurrection from the
and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with
dead (born AGAIN), Jesus became the born Son of
him, that we may be [future -- at resurrection] also
God, now no longer human, but composed of SPIRIT -
glorified together" (verse 17).
- a spirit Being. He thus became the FIRST SO BORN
of many brethren who shall be BORN AGAIN at the
Now see how this passage designates the resurrection time of the resurrection of those who are Christ's.
into GLORY, when we shall BE spirit, as a BIRTH!
Of course we understand, and so did Paul in writing the
"For the earnest expectation of the [creation] waiteth above, that Jesus was also the Son of God while in the
for the manifestation of the sons of God" -- that is the human flesh. Though born of a human woman, He was
time of Christ's coming to REIGN and of the sired by God. But this is comparing the two births: the
resurrection to SPIRIT composition -- "... because the one from the human Mary, as descended from the
[creation] itself also shall be delivered [a birth] from human David, and the other, by His resurrection to
the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of glory, as Son of God.
the children of God. For we know that the whole
creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until
Emphatically this does NOT imply that Jesus was a
now" (verses 19-22).
sinner needing salvation. He was the pioneer, setting us
the example, that we, too, may be BORN of God.
Here is another comparison. We shall be delivered
from this world (the Church is in, though not of this
world) into the glorious WORLD TOMORROW and When Born Again What Shall We
the Kingdom which shall rule it. Be Like?
The CREATION is waiting for this time of Christ's When we are born again, what shall we be like? The
coming, the resurrection, and the Kingdom of God, Bible gives us the answer: "For our conversation
because the creation shall be DELIVERED from the [citizenship] is in heaven; from whence also we look
bondage of corruption or deteriorated decay. It is not for the saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: who shall
now delivered. It SHALL BE -- at the resurrection. change our vile body [FLESH], that it may be
Although this is not referring directly to our being born fashioned like unto his glorious body ..." (Phil. 3:20-
again, it IS a direct comparison to the BIRTH of a 21).
child being DELIVERED from its mother's womb.

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Now notice a scripture in the third chapter of I John. subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put
Here it plainly says that "WE" -- meaning begotten, under him ...." Can you grasp that? The entire, vast,
converted Christians now, already, the SONS of God, endless UNIVERSE! But that is for BORN sons of
as was explained earlier. Next, this scripture reveals God. Man is not yet BORN -- except Christ only!
that "it death not yet appear WHAT WE SHALL BE." Continue: Here comes the answer:
We are, later, to be something different. As Jesus
explained to Nicodemus, we SHALL BE immortal "But now [in this present gestation state] we see NOT
spirit. That is what we shall later be. YET all things [the universe] put under him" (verse 8).

"But," this scripture continues -- read it -- understand But what do we see, Now?
this WONDERFUL TRUTH -- we know that, when he
[Christ] shall appear [at His second coming to earth] "But we see JESUS ... crowned with glory and honour"
WE SHALL BE LIKE HIM ...." We shall look like (verse 9). Yes, Jesus has already been given the
Christ! executive administration of God's government -- the
KINGDOM of God -- over the entire UNIVERSE!
What does the GLORIFIED Christ look like? His eyes Only, until our time to inherit and possess the
blaze forth like flames of fire! His feet glow like finely government of EARTH, at Christ's return, He is
burnished brass. His face shines like the SUN, in allowing Satan to continue on this earth his work of
FULL STRENGTH -- so bright it would blind your deception. Now continue:
eyes if He were visible to you now! (Rev. 1:14-16;
19:12-13; Matt. 17:2.) And THAT is the way YOU and "For it became him [Jesus], for whom are all things,
I shall look if and when we are finally BORN of GOD! and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons
unto GLORY, to make the captain [margin -- leader,
Our Transcendent Potential forerunner, or pioneer -- the one who has gone on
before us, as we are to follow] of their salvation perfect
through sufferings. For both he that sanctifieth and
There is another passage, understood by almost none,
they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause
that reveals our astonishing transcendent potential! It
he is not ashamed to call them brethren" (verses 10-
begins in Hebrews 2:6: "What is man, that thou art
11).
mindful of him?"

Yes, why should the great God be concerned about us Christ Our Elder Brother
mortals? WHY did He put us here on earth? What is
the PURPOSE of life? What is our transcendent We are, as quoted before, heirs of God, and joint-heirs
potential? It is so far above and beyond anything you -- as BRETHREN -- with Christ. He has gone on
have thought or imagined, it seems shockingly ahead, through a resurrection, to GLORY as the
incredible! pioneer!

Can you believe it? Are you willing to believe what is He is the firstborn of many brethren! He has
now plainly stated? Here comes the astonishing INHERITED "all things" -- the UNIVERSE! We are
answer, beginning verse 7: still heirs -- still in the gestation stage of the process of
being BORN of God. Jesus is now our elder brother
"Thou madest him a little lower than the angels." Some and high priest, supervising our spiritual development -
translations have it, "for a little while lower than the - preparing us to be kings and priests, reigning with
angels." Continue: "Thou crownedst him [kingship] Him!
with GLORY and honour, and didst set him over the
works of thy hands ..." -- that is, God's creation. The first thousand years we shall reign ON THE
EARTH. For He shall have "made them kings and
NOT Yet the Universe! priests: and they shall reign on the earth" (Rev. 5:10,
RSV).
"Thou hast put ALL THINGS [Moffatt: the universe]
in subjection under his feet. For in that he put ALL in Ruling With Christ
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For that first thousand years, Jesus is to reign on the thousand years -- establishing WORLD PEACE and
throne of His earthly ancestor DAVID in Jerusalem divine government under Christ.
(Isa. 9:6-7). And "he that overcometh, and keepeth my
works unto the end, to him will I give power over the And after that? The passage in Hebrews 2 shows that
nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron ..." then, again under Christ, we shall be given power to
(Rev. 2:26-27). But how and from where shall we rule? rule over the entire

Jesus said, again, "To him that overcometh will I grant vast universe -- literally all things. For that is the power
to sit with me in my throne [at Jerusalem], even as I that has been given to Christ and will be ours as joint
also overcame, and am [now] set down with my Father inheritors with Him!
in his throne" (Rev. 3:21).
Yes, there is a LIFE AFTER DEATH for those
When BORN of God, we shall BE spirit, no longer obedient to God -- a SPIRIT life of incredible potential
human flesh and blood. We shall be given POWER! beyond our wildest dreams! Can we humans grasp the
awesome portent of these astounding truths? Attaining
As Daniel revealed, the saints then shall take the immortal life should be our all-encompassing goal. For
kingdoms of earth's nations and rule them for the first that is the gift and desire of our merciful Father and
His Son Jesus Christ.

HERBERT W. ARMSTRONG
This booklet is not to be sold.
It is a free educational service in the
public interest, published by the
Ambassador College Department of
Theology.
1978 EDITION

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