30th Mar 26 | 13:54
Studies by Book
Luke 20 27-40 He is not the God of the dead but of the living 06 Luke 20 34-35 Counted worthy to attain the next age
📖 Luke 20:27-40
25Mar2021 - *Counted worthy to attain the next age* - _Luke 20:27-40_ - HE IS NOT THE GOD OF THE DEAD BUT OF THE LIVING 6 – Bible reading: _I Peter 1:3-9_
_Luke 20:34-35 Jesus answered and said to them, "The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage. (35) *But those who are counted worthy to attain that age*, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry nor are given in marriage;_
As Jesus began giving his answer to the Sadducees, we had the opportunity to consider marriage and to also understand how marriage is for this age.
Having made His opening remark on marriage, the Lord then got into the meat of the issue, which was the resurrection. Jesus began to explain to the Sadducees that the matter of resurrection is not a matter to be denied or even doubted, for the resurrection and the age which is to come is the eternal age.
The age which is to come is the one for which we, the saints of God, are being prepared. _Daniel 7:18 But the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom, and possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever.'_
The age which is to come is the eternal kingdom of our Lord Jesus, where we will reign with Him. Our experience of reigning here on earth, with Christ, has to be a reality now, for this is the age for our training and preparation for the eternal age, which is to come.
_Ephesians 2:5-7 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), (6) and *raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus*, (7) that *in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus*.
This time here on earth is like a dress rehearsal before the main and actual event begins.
We need to therefore take all care and caution that we are counted worthy to attain that age.
_Luke 21:34-36 “But *take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life*, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. (35) For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. (36) Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man."_
The caution is for us not to be weighed down with loose living, given to bodily addictions and the cares and worries of this world. We are to be cautious and live in the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, victoriously over these traps of the flesh and the world. This is how we are being counted worthy to stand before the son of man.
This is not about going back to the law but we are walking by grace and living victoriously in the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.
_II Thessalonians 1:3-5 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other, (4) so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God *for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure*, (5) which is manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that *you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God*, for which you also suffer;_
To be counted worthy to attain the next age, we need to grow in faith. Faith becomes stronger in persecutions and trials.
_I Peter 1:3-9 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, (4) *to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, (5) who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time*. (6) In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, (7) that *the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ*, (8) whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, (9) receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls._
The tests and trials of the present age are both light and momentary but they are working for us an eternal weight of glory in the next age.
_II Corinthians 4:17-18 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, (18) while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal._
*Thought to ponder*
```Many of us are too deeply bogged down with the dress rehearsal that we have not thought about the main show.```