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QUESTIONS & ANSWERS (82)

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.     Here are three interesting questions that we can ask ourselves.

1.       What are the things that I do that matter most to my life?

2.       What are the things that I do that matter the least to my life?

3.       Do I spend more time on the things that matter the most? Or, the things that matter the least?

 

B.      A Christian should answer those question much differently than someone who is in the world.

 

C.     This morning is our first Question & Answer lesson for 2023.

 

D.     We have a Q&A box in the foyer. 

1.       Any questions that you would like answered, please write them on one of the 3x5 cards and drop them into the slot. 

2.       The Q&A box is not a complaint box.  If you have a complaint, you need to address it to either the person it concerns or to one of the elders.

 

E.      In this lesson, let’s examine two of your questions.

 

I.                    QUESTION #1:  Anathema Maran atha

 

A.     Stated:  Please explain the words “Anathema Maran atha” found in 1 Corinthians 16:22.

 

B.      Answer:

1.       1 Corinthians 16:22

 

If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema, Maran atha.

 

2.       These words are not translated in the King James Version.  They have been transliterated.  The letters have been brought over from the Greek into the English.

3.       Definitions:

a.       Anathema

1)      Strong (331):  a religious (ban), excommunicated (person or thing)

2)      Thayer:  a thing that is set up or laid by in order to be kept, a thing devoted to God without the hope of being redeemed, a person doomed to destruction, a man accursed, devoted to the direst of woes

3)      Vine:  a thing devoted to God for its destruction

4)      This word is found 6 times in the New Testament.

a)      Curse (Acts 23:14)

b)      Accursed (Rom. 9:3; 1 Cor. 12:3; Gal 1:8, 9)

c)       Anathema (1 Cor. 16:22)

b.      Maran atha

1)      Strong (3134):  an exclamation of the approaching divine judgment

2)      Thayer:  our Lord cometh or will

3)      Vine:  it is the Greek spelling of two Aramaic words:  “Maran” meaning “Lord” and “atha” meaning “will come”

4.       Literally the phrase could be translated:  “Let him be cursed at the coming of the Lord.”

5.       In the context of 1 Corinthians 16:22, Paul is referring to the individuals who do not love the Lord Jesus Christ.

a.       To love the Lord is not a simple acknowledgement of love.

b.      To love the Lord is the practice of love by obedience to His commandments.

1)      John 14:15

 

If ye love me, keep my commandments.

 

2)      John 14:23

 

Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words…

 

3)      John 14:24

 

He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings…

 

6.       Those who do not love the Lord Jesus Christ have been devoted to God, not to be redeemed, but to be destroyed when He returns. (2 Thess. 1:7-9).

 

And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power.

 

7.       Lessons:

a.       There is a Lord.

b.      He commands us to love Him.

c.       He is coming again.

d.      When He comes again, those who do not love Him will be accursed, that is, condemned to the direst of woes.

 

II.                 QUESTION #2:  Recognition of others in Heaven

 

A.     Stated:  Will I see/know my loved ones in Heaven?

 

B.      Answer:

1.       The simple answer to this question is:  “Yes, we will know one another in Heaven.”

2.       Proofs that we will know one another.

a.       There have been three human beings who have already entered into their eternal abode.

1)      Their names:

a)      Enoch walked with God, and was not: for God took him (Gen. 5:24).

b)      Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven (2 Kings 2:11).

c)       Jesus Christ ascended to the right hand of God from the Mount of Olives (Acts 1:9).

2)      When these men entered into the eternal realm, they did not lose their identity.

a)      The angels told the apostles:  “…this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven” (Acts 1:11).

b)      In Hebrews 11:5, the inspired penman refers to the translation of Enoch.  When he wrote about him, he was still the same Enoch.

 

By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him:  for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.

 

b.      When the child born to David and Bathsheba through their illicit affair died, David made a statement that proves he believed he would know the child in the hereafter (2 Sam. 12:23).

 

But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast?  can I bring him back again?  I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.

 

1)      That child was innocent.  When he died, he entered in Paradise.

2)      David believed that when he died, he would definitely be reunited with that child.  If he could not know him, why would this matter to David.

c.       At the resurrection of Lazarus, a revealing conversation transpires between Jesus and Martha (John 11:23-24).

 

Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.  Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.

 

1)      Who was going to rise in the resurrection?  It would be the same Lazarus that went into the grave.  He would be exactly the same person that he was before death.

2)      NOTE:  Some might ask this question:  We will know everyone when we get to Heaven?

3.       Proofs that we will know everyone when we get to Heaven.

a.       The Mount of Transfiguration (Matt. 17:1-5)

 

And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.  Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here:  if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.

 

1)      Moses and Elias had been dead many years.

2)      Peter had never met either of these men.

3)      How did Peter know them?

b.      The account of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:22b-24a)

 

…the rich man also died, and was buried; and in hell he lifted up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.  And he cried and said, Father Abraham…

 

1)      Abraham had been dead long before the rich man died.

2)      The rich man had never met Abraham.

3)      However, when he entered into the hadean realm, he knew Abraham and called out to him by name.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.     This lesson has revolved around two things that will happen at the end of time and the beginning of eternity.

 

B.      First, when the Lord comes there will be some who will be devoted to Him, not to be redeemed, but to be placed into eternal condemnation.

 

C.     Second, those who are part of the save will spend an eternity with all of the other saved.  All who are there will know one another.  They will enjoy what is called “forever” rejoicing, praising God, and enjoying the rewards of their labors together.