The Death and Resurrection

The Death and Resurrection

In Genesis 2:7, we find a profound moment where the Creator intimately breathes life into the man He has formed.

The verse states, “He breathed the breath of life into the man’s nostrils, and the man became a living being.”

This act of divine breath transformed the lifeless clay into a vibrant being, highlighting the duality of humanity—both flesh and spirit.

The concept of “life” in this verse signifies more than mere biological existence; it encompasses a spiritual essence. God crafted man from the dust of the earth, as depicted in Job 10:9, and imbued him with a spirit, as noted in Zechariah 12:1.

This dynamic interplay illustrates that humanity is essentially the combination of Dust (soil) and the Breath of Life—creating the Living Soul (Spirit) described in Genesis 2:7.

Furthermore, when we consider man’s relationship to the land, we see that the land receives the Word, as described in Luke 8:15. In this context, the Word represents life itself, echoing John 1:1 and 4, which emphasize the vital essence of the Word. Thus, we can say that the Figurative meaning of Breath of Life is the Word of Life.

The breath that Adam received was not simply air but the very essence of divine communication, the life of the Word. This notion is reinforced in 1 Corinthians 15:45, which states, “So also it is written, ‘The first man Adam became a living soul; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit,’” where the Last Adam refers to Jesus Christ.

 However, the narrative takes a tragic turn when Adam disobeys God by eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, as admonished in Genesis 2:17. Although God warned him, “You will certainly die,” Adam’s physical body did not perish instantly; he lived for 930 years. This leads us to ponder the meaning of “death” in this passage.

Figurative Death, in this context, signifies a profound absence of the Word of Life. If life was granted to man through God’s breath, then death must represent a return to a lifeless state. Thus, the equation Dust (Soil) + Breath of Life (Word of Life) = Living Soul can be viewed from a different angle: Dust (Soil) – Breath of Life (Word of Life) = Death.

The sequence of Adam’s demise is gradual: his spirit first succumbed to death as he chose to heed the serpent’s tempting words over God’s command, resulting in a separation from the divine communication. His physical body would ultimately follow, succumbing to death much later.

Scripture reminds us that the soul of those who sin also dies, implying that while the physical form may persist, the spirit can be in a state of death. This is reflected in Ezekiel 18:4, Ephesians 2:1-2, and Revelation 3:1, which articulate the notion that one’s body may live physically while the soul is in a state of spiritual deadness.

Adam’s downfall stemmed from his choice to listen to the serpent rather than God, resulting in deception and a broken covenant with the Creator. Consequently, God withdrew His presence, marking the moment Adam’s spirit began its decline. As expressed in Psalm 104:29, “…when you take away their breath, they die and return to the dust.” This illustrates the cycle: once the soul dies, the physical body returns to dust.

It’s crucial to understand that when sin is committed, the process of death begins even while one remains alive in the flesh. This concept underscores the duality of creation: spiritual and physical birth, as well as spiritual and physical death, leading to spiritual and physical resurrection (John 3:3, John 1:13, Revelation 3:1, and John 5:28-29).

Spiritual and Physical Resurrection

In this discussion, my focus will be on spiritual resurrection, reserving the broader examination of physical resurrection for a future discourse, which encompasses the first coming of Christ and the anticipated second coming during the rapture of the saints.

Spiritual Resurrection

Mark 12:27 articulates that God is indeed the God of the living and not the God of the dead. Despite the physical martyrdom of all Jesus’ disciples, their spirits endure, highlighting the distinction between physical existence and spiritual vitality. The death referenced in these passages pertains to spiritual death, underscoring that God cannot be associated with those who are spiritually lifeless.

In Matthew 8:21-22, when Jesus said, “Let the dead bury their own dead,” He implied that those whose spirits are lifeless should attend to the physical remains of those who have merely passed away. John 6:63 reinforces this concept, declaring that it is the spirit that imparts life while the flesh remains futile.

It is paramount for the spirit to thrive even when the body perishes. If the spirit lives on while the body lies dormant, there remains hope for resurrection and an afterlife. Conversely, when the spirit succumbs to death by sin, even though the body continues to exist or ultimately dies, there is no promise of resurrection or an afterlife.

In this way, the intricate dance between life, death, and what lies beyond becomes a vital exploration of faith and existence.

In Ezekiel 37, we encounter a powerful vision where the prophet Ezekiel is taken to a deep valley filled with dry bones. This striking imagery represents a situation of profound desolation and hopelessness. As Ezekiel surveys the valley, he notes that the bones are not just dry but very dry, emphasizing their complete lack of life and vitality.

In verses 2-14, we see an extraordinary transformation unfold as life is infused into these remains. Ezekiel is commanded by God to prophesy over the bones, and as he speaks, the bones begin to come together, an awe-inspiring testament to divine power. In verses 9-10, God instructs Ezekiel, “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to it, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Come, breath, from the four winds and breathe into these slain, that they may live.”

As a result, Ezekiel faithfully declares God’s words, and breath enters the bones, bringing them to life and allowing them to stand up as a vast army. This dramatic scene marks the fulfillment of God’s prophetic promise, illustrating His ability to restore life and hope.

This miraculous transformation signifies the restoration of hope and vitality, as the lifeless bones are infused with spirit and purpose. These bones represent believers who are spiritually dead due to the lies of false shepherds, and they were taken captive.

In verse 12, a promise of revival resonates: “My people, I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them; I will bring you back to the land of Israel.” Here, the graves symbolize more than mere physical entrapment; they represent a profound state of spiritual death brought on by the deceit of false shepherds, those who have led the faithful astray, leaving them in a state of hopelessness.

The figurative meaning of the grave in this context extends to the Organization of Falsehood, a network of lies that ensnares the spirit. As captured in Psalm 5:9 and echoed in Romans 3:13 and Luke 11:44-53, “the words of these deceivers hold no trust; their hearts brim with malice, and their tongues serve as an open grave, with their tongues, they tell lies.” Yet, amidst this darkness, the prophecy of life emerges as a lifeline, bridging the gap between despair and revival.

Ultimately, this prophecy finds its fulfillment in the New Testament, specifically in John 5:24-30, where the promise of resurrection and eternal life unfolds, calling the spiritually dead to rise and embrace the fullness of life once more.

Those who open their hearts to the teachings of Jesus will experience a profound transformation, emerging from the shadow of death into the vibrant light of life. This resurrection involves not only those who were spiritually imprisoned by the oppressive doctrines of the scribes and Pharisees during Jesus’ first coming but also those who will be ensnared by the beast described with seven horns and ten heads in Revelation 13:1-7 and Revelation 17:7-14.

These souls will find liberation, escaping the clutches of false pastors and teachers, and journeying toward Mount Zion, where the Lamb will gather them as promised in Ezekiel 37:12, “I will bring you back to the land of Israel.” It is crucial to understand that this promise refers not to a physical return to the geographical land of Israel, but rather to a spiritual awakening and restoration for the new spiritual Israel, comprised of believers.

This is affirmed in Romans 2:28-29 and Revelation 14:1-4, which highlight the shift from outward identity to inward transformation.

 Isaiah 2:3 says, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the temple of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.” The law will go out from Zion, the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.”

The spiritual resurrection symbolizes the reviving of the breath of life within those who have been spiritually dormant, likened to being dead despite being physically alive. By embracing the life-giving words of Jesus, they can transition from a state of spiritual death to a renewed existence filled with purpose and light.

This profound truth is echoed in John 5:24, 28, where Jesus proclaims, “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes in him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life. Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice.”

It is essential to note that those referenced here are not the physically deceased, buried and forgotten in graveyards. Rather, they are the dry bones of Ezekiel 37—individuals devoid of spiritual vitality.

They may be wandering through various denominations, caught in the web of personal sins and the deceits propagated by false prophets. Yet, the promise remains: they will hear His voice, and the breath of life, the very word of God, will envelop them once again, leading to their glorious resurrection into a life filled with hope and joy. Hallelujah!

Remember, physical resurrection is quite different from spiritual resurrection.

Thank you for your time, as I look forward to your questions.