Divine Assurance of Life Beyond Death (03/15/'24)

Divine Assurance of Life Beyond Death In the vast expanse where eternity touches time, there whispers a truth, profound and divine. "God is not God of the dead, but of the living," so it has been said, in the echoes of Mark, Matthew, and Luke, a chorus of voices that never revoke. There, in the midst of joy and feast, we hear the proclamation from the east, "It was meet to make merry, be glad," for the lost brother, once dead, now clad in life anew, found in grace's embrace, a story of homecoming, a race that we face. And to the breath, the prophet did speak, in the valley where bones began to creak. "Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe," so that the slain may wear life's wreath. This, the command of the Lord, so mighty, to revive the dead, the scene so sightly. In the days to come, says God so high, "I will pour out My Spirit, none shall deny. Your sons and daughters shall prophesy, your young shall see visions, the old, the sky. And everyone who calls on the name so dear, of the Lord, shall be saved, far or near." To God, all are alive, so it's inscribed in texts sacred, where truths are described. From Isaiah to Revelation, to John's narrative, a story of life, so imperative. "All are alive," the declaration, a promise of eternal salvation. In prose, in poetry, the message clear, of life beyond death, so near and dear. A divine assurance, a hope to hold, of a God of the living, so bold and bold. Pastor Steven G. Lee (March 15, 2024) =============================================== Divine Assurance of Life Beyond Death The Living Nature of God: "GOD IS NOT GOD OF THE DEAD, but of the living." (Mark 12:27). This powerful statement is echoed across the scriptures, emphasizing that our God is a God of life, present in Mark 12:27, Matthew 22:32, and Luke 20:38. The Joy of Redemption: In the joyous proclamation from Luke 15:32, it is declared, "It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found." This passage symbolizes the celebration of spiritual revival and the return to life. The Power to Revive: Ezekiel 37:9 presents a vivid imagery of revival and hope, where the Lord commands, "Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man. Say to it: This is what the Lord GOD says: Breath, come from the four winds and breathe into these slain so that they may live!" This signifies the divine power to bring life to the dead. The Promise of the Spirit: Acts 2:17&21 offers a prophecy and a promise: "And it will be in the last days, God says, I will pour out of My Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters will prophesy, and your young men will see visions, and your elders will dream dreams. Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." This passage speaks of a universal outpouring of the Holy Spirit, leading to salvation for all who call upon God. Affirmation of Eternal Life: The scripture confirms in various passages such as Isaiah 26:6-9, Revelation 21:1-6a, and John 11:32-44, the message that "TO GOD, ALL ARE ALIVE." These verses collectively affirm God's promise of eternal life and the resurrection of the dead. This format organizes the passages into thematic sections that highlight the message of life, hope, and salvation, emphasizing the nature of God as the giver of life and the one who revives the spirit of the lost and dead.