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NASB | 1 Corinthians 5:8 Therefore let us celebrate the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 1 Corinthians 5:8 Therefore, let us celebrate the feast, not with old leaven, nor with leaven of vice and malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and [untainted] truth. [Ex 12:19; 13:7; Deut 16:3] |
Bible Question: What is the state of the dead? Are the dead in christ in heaven or in the grave. If they are in heaven already, how can one explain I Thessalonians 4 v 13 to18, John 5:25 and 28 1 Corithians 15 v 12 to 51 and John 3 v 13. |
Bible Answer: Greetings in Jesus' Name! Paul reminds us that when we are absent from the body we are present with the Lord. Where Jesus is, we will be also. According to 1 Cor 15:50-55, the "new bodies" believers receive are given at the coming of Christ to gather His own unto Himself. The perishable are the dead in Christ and the mortal are those who are still alive at His coming. Both receive heavenly bodies, for flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God. (1 Cor 15:50). The Lord even goes so far to comfort us in the order these bodies are give, first to Christ, next to those believers who have died and lastly to those who remain at His coming. Both the dead and living in Christ are changed in a "tinkling of an eye, yet the dead get theirs first - might this be kind of a reward?! As for John 5:25 - the "dead" in this verse refers to those who are spiritually dead, not physically dead. John 3:13 - Until the ressurrection of Christ,the righteous resided in the "Paradise" side of Sheol and the wicked were confined to "Torments" See the account of Lazarus and the rich man (luke 16). I believe that in the context of John 3:13, Jesus is referring to the future death of His body prior to His asension. I'll admit it is confusing but we have to accept the Lord's testimony on the matter when understanding is not possible. There are two individuals in Scripture who did not experience physical death (Enoch - Gen 5:24 and Elijah - 2 Kings 2:11). Elijah was taken up into heaven - was this the "Third Heaven," the throne room of God or was this just the description of what Elisha saw as he went up into the sky? As far as these two individuals are concerned, I suspect that they are the TWO WITNESSES mentioned in Revelation 11. We read that they will eventually suffer death of the body too. They will also be ressurected! Which would consistent and confirm the statement that Jesus made in John 3:13. Also, bear in mind again that "flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God", which at this time is being prepared for us! Some things to consider. . . but "the secret things of God belong to God! Dt. 29:29 |