The word for this week is "death". That doesn't sound like a subject anyone would want to discuss, but it really interests me because of the lyrics of one of the new Hillsong songs! Here are some of the verses we'll be looking at!
Mark 14:33 And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy; 34 And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch. KJV
John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. KJV
Rom 5:10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. KJV
Rom 5:17 For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ. KJV
Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. KJV
Rom 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. KJV
1 Cor 15:54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? KJV
2 Tim 1:10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: KJV
Rev 1:18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. KJV
In every verse above we are looking at the Greek word "thanatos". Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: that separation of the soul (we know that it is actually the spirit/soul combination) by which the life on earth is ended; death comprises all the miseries arising from sin, including physical death and of a life consecrated to God and blessed in Him on earth. Vine's Expository Dictionary adds this: the separation of man from God (Adam died on the day he disobeyed God and hence all mankind are born in the same spiritual condition, from which those who believe in Christ are delivered); Death is the opposite of life, it never denotes nonexistence. As spiritual life is conscious existence in communion with God, so spiritual death is conscious existence in separation from God. Sinners alone are subject to this death. The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament adds this: Even now, however, death robs life of its true quality. It imposes fear (Hebrews 2:15). It casts a shadow and darkness (Luke 1:79).It reigns over what is carnal (Romans 8:6). Christ's death and resurrection are the event by which death itself is destroyed! THAT is what we are speaking of and to here! WE deserved death, but while we were all yet sinners, Christ died for US! He did it to release us from certain death and restore to us GOD'S eternal LIFE! Now we who are In Him can fully expect the force of His eternal LIFE to flow into every area of life! AMEN! Here is Hillsong Worship with the song "The Passion", which mentions that what JESUS did caused 'death' to DIE!
Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!
