The resurrection of Jesus Christ of Nazareth is the cornerstone of the Christian faith. It’s something we can never be lukewarm about. It is the pivotal event that freed us from the wages of sin: death. It is the promise of eternal life. Yet, throughout the history of the Church, there has been a persistent effort from the enemy to minimize and downplay this essential truth.
64th Broadcast at EIC
Despite the best efforts of influential figures like Martin Luther and Charles Spurgeon, in our times, the resurrection belief has faded to such a point that on an earth where two-billion people profess to be Christians, it’s hard to say if even 90-99% of them actually understand the resurrection and are born again.
In our 64th Broadcast, “Get Ready for the Fake Rapture and the Fake Return,” we see a powerful testimonies of how the resurrection ignites a regenerative born-again experience. Evan recounts how, despite years of intense involvement in the Organized Church, he had never truly grasped the significance of the physical, bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ. It was not until he encountered the teaching at Exodus Internet Church that the scales fell from his eyes, and he was able to fully embrace the truth of the resurrection.
This experience is not unique. Throughout the centuries, the Church has grappled with the challenge of keeping the resurrection at the forefront of its message. As early as the 1850s, Charles Spurgeon lamented the "huge minimization, and even just outright denial, of the resurrection of Jesus Christ of Nazareth" within the Church. He recognized the grave danger in allowing this foundational truth to be obscured or dismissed, even by those who professed to be believers.
Martin Luther, the renowned Reformer, offered a profound perspective on the resurrection, emphasizing that it should be viewed as having already begun in Christ. In his words, "Paul wishes to signify that the resurrection is to be viewed and understood as having already begun in Christ, indeed as being more than half finished, and that this remnant of death is to be regarded as no more than a deep sleep." This understanding of the resurrection as an ongoing, transformative reality, as well as a future event, is a crucial perspective that the Church has often struggled to maintain.
The minimization of the resurrection belief has taken many forms throughout history. The rise of rapture doctrines and the sinner's prayer, which often fail to emphasize the centrality of the resurrection, have contributed to this gradual erosion of a core Christian doctrine. Even more troubling is the connection between the minimization of the resurrection and the deception prophesied in 2 Thessalonians Chapter 2, where a "powerful delusion" is sent to those who "refuse to love the truth and so be saved."
The testimonies shared in the broadcast highlights the profound impact that a true understanding of the resurrection can have on a believer's life.
Navigating Through Our Times
As we navigate the challenges of the modern era, where the minimization of the resurrection continues unabated, it is crucial that the we never become lukewarm in our cherishing of the resurrection of Jesus. The resurrection is not merely a historical event to be commemorated; it is a living, life-changing reality that must be at the heart of our faith and the foundation of our lives. Only by embracing the power of the resurrection can we stand firm against the deceptions of the end times and fulfill our calling to be the light of the world.
The testimonies shared in the broadcast serves as a powerful reminder that the resurrection is (again) not just a theological concept, but a life-changing truth that can ignite a born-again experience and empower believers to overcome the forces of darkness. We must heed the call to be passionate and proclaim the blessing of EIC and the resurrection with unwavering conviction. If we don’t repent of our lukewarm ways we will face the Lord, who will spit us out of His mouth, for we no longer taste like a fresh-hot meal, but like a room-temperature dish that’s been left out for too long.
The Resurrection Requires More Than Mere Hearing - It Demands Faith
The broadcast revealed a crucial distinction - simply hearing about the resurrection is not enough to experience its life-changing power. While faith comes by hearing, many within EIC have been exposed to the teachings on the resurrection, yet remain unchanged, lacking the born-again experience that should accompany a true understanding of the risen Christ.
The testimonies shared in the broadcast highlights how it was only when they encountered a deeper, more profound faith on the physical, bodily resurrection of Jesus that they were able to truly grasp its significance. This led to an instant born-again experience, empowering them to overcome evil spirits and demonic forces.
This underscores the vital need for everyone to move beyond a superficial imagination of the resurrection and instead foster within themselves a deeper reality of the risen Savior. Mere intellectual assent to the resurrection is insufficient; what is required is a faith that penetrates the spirit and leads to a profound, life-altering encounter with the living man and God—Jesus Christ of Nazareth.
Only when the Holy Spirit moves on you to cultivate this faith and more personal understanding of the resurrection will His people be able to experience the full power and impact of this foundational truth.
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