Living With Jesus

The reason for drawing your attention to this information is to encourage you to accept the offer of eternal life that is associated with Jesus' continuing existence. Please consider the Bible passages listed below. It is our belief that they outline a wonderful hope for those who are searching for peace and justice.

The hope of eternal life is a core component of the Christian faith. We have this hope extended to us as a result of the birth of God's son Jesus Christ. In celebrating Jesus' birth, it is the custom of many to send Christmas cards. Some bear the words "Peace on Earth." To understand these words, it is helpful to consider their context:

	Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." Luke 2:13-14, NIV

Man is striving for peace. For example, 1996 was declared to be the International Year of Peace. The United Nations has been heavily involved in the promotion of world peace. The peace described by Luke in the passage above is a prophecy. This peace differs from that which man is striving for in that it will be true peace. It is also strongly linked to respect for God. "Glory to God in the highest" is a pre-condition. The message that there will be peace on Earth when man glorifies God is a message that is common to Bible teaching. It is linked to mankind's hope of eternal life and this is why Jesus proclaimed that "the meek ... shall inherit the earth." The objective of this section is to illustrate this link.

Eternal Life a Future Hope

Paul informs us that King David is dead and buried, and that he has not ascended to heaven (Acts 2:34). David recognised that death brought a state of unconsciousness:

	No one remembers you when he is dead. Who praises you from the grave? Psalm 6:5, NIV

His words show clearly that the Christian hope of eternal life is not granted immediately after death. Job recognised this truth. He pointed to a future hope that involved bodily resurrection:

	I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; Job 19:25-26, NIV

God's Promise to Abraham

The hope outlined above is bound up in the promises that God made to Abraham. Abraham was living in the land we know as Israel. He received the following promise from God:

	The LORD said to Abram after Lot had parted from him, “Lift up your eyes from where you are and look north and south, east and west. All the land that you see I will give to you and your offspring forever. Genesis 13:14-15, NIV

Paul assists in understanding God's promise to Abraham. It did not mean that the land would be held by the successive generations of Abraham's descendants. The promise is centred upon Jesus Christ:

	The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. The Scripture does not say “and to seeds,” meaning many people, but “and to your seed,” meaning one person, who is Christ. Galatians 3:16, NIV

A consideration of God's promise to Abraham in the light of Paul's explanation makes it clear that the land of Israel has been promised to Jesus as an everlasting possession. The words of Micah describe Jesus' rule from Jerusalem, and the extent to which true peace will be enjoyed by the inhabitants of the Earth:

	In the last days the mountain of the LORD’s temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and peoples will stream to it. Many nations will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house 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. He will judge between many peoples and will settle disputes for strong nations far and wide. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore. Micah 4:1-3, NIV

It is obviously the case that other than Jesus are occupying the land of Israel. It is also obvious that there is no "peace on earth" at this point in history. The passage above clearly illustrates the link between glory to God and peace on earth. The Christian hope is aligned with Job's belief in bodily resurrection. The apostle Paul also makes it quite clear that it is linked to God's promises to Abraham:

	... for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. Galatians 3:27,29, NIV

The resurrection of the dead

Attention has been drawn to Job's indication of the future hope. Paul supports this concept. Chapter 11 of Hebrews contains a list of people who were faithful to God. Paul states that they have not received the promise:

	All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. Hebrews 11:13, NIV

Paul's words (Galatians 3:27) indicate that baptism brings people into relationship with Jesus. His words to the Romans expand upon this relationship:

	Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? Romans 6:3, NIV

In the passage below, Paul makes it clear that the hope will be realised at the return of Christ to the earth:

	But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. 1 Corinthians 15:20-23, NIV

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