Page 110 - Prophetic Word Newsletter Archive 2011

I would like to suggest to you that these verses from 1 John 5 are not “proof texts” about us possessing
eternal life as a present possession, but rather speak of Jesus (“who alone has immortality”)
possessing the believer. It is the one who is eternal life and who alone has immortality that dwells in us
(“he who has the Son has the life”). Herein lies why eternal life can only be given as a promise for the
future rather than a present possession. Jesus is eternal life (“this life is in His Son-he who has the Son
has the life-he who does not have the Son of God does not have life”).

Let me remind you of our opening text from page one in which Paul exhorted his son in the faith

Timothy to: “…LAY HOLD ON ETERNAL LIFE, TO WHICH YOU WERE ALSO CALLED…
…KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS, WHO ALONE HAS IMMORTALITY,
DWELLING IN UNAPPROACHABLE LIGHT, WHOM NO MAN HAS SEEN OR CAN SEE,
TO WHOM BE HONOR AND EVERLASTING POWER. AMEN.” 1 Tim. 6:12-16 excerpts

It is Jesus “who alone has immortality”. As followers of Jesus, we do not yet possess immortality
(“eternal life”). It is a future promise, not a present possession. If it were, we would not face death.
When will the believer receive immortality? Paul is clear:

“FOR THE TRUMPET WILL SOUND, AND THE DEAD WILL BE RAISED INCORRUPTIBLE, AND WE SHALL BE
CHANGED. FOR THIS CORRUPTIBLE MUST PUT ON INCORRUPTION, AND THIS MORTAL MUST PUT ON

IMMORTALITY. SO WHEN THIS CORRUPTIBLE HAS PUT ON INCORRUPTION, AND THIS MORTAL HAS
PUT ON IMMORTALITY, THEN SHALL BE BROUGHT TO PASS THE SAYING THAT IS WRITTEN:

"DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP IN VICTORY.“ 1 Cor 15:52-54

Do you remember the action God took against Adam and Eve when they sinned in the garden? First,
He clothed them due to their sin, and then He moved to cut off their access to the tree of Life:

“…ALSO FOR ADAM AND HIS WIFE THE LORD GOD MADE TUNICS OF SKIN, AND CLOTHED THEM. THEN

THE LORD GOD SAID, "BEHOLD, THE MAN HAS BECOME LIKE ONE OF US, TO KNOW GOOD AND EVIL.
AND NOW, LEST HE PUT OUT HIS HAND AND TAKE ALSO OF THE TREE OF LIFE, AND EAT, AND LIVE

FOREVER" -- THEREFORE THE LORD GOD SENT HIM OUT OF THE GARDEN OF EDEN…SO HE DROVE OUT
THE MAN; AND HE PLACED CHERUBIM AT THE EAST OF THE GARDEN OF EDEN, AND A FLAMING SWORD

WHICH TURNED EVERY WAY, TO GUARD THE WAY TO THE TREE OF LIFE.”

Gen 3:21-24

The pattern is clear. Even though God has “covered our sin” by means of the death of His Son Jesus,
He too must keep us from access to eternal life-immortality in this present life because we are still
sinful mortals living is sinful bodies capable of yielding to sin. Therefore we are given THE PROMISE
of eternal life, not the POSSESSION lest we too, like Adam and Eve could “live forever” by means of
direct access to eating of the Tree of Life while in a sinful state.

GOD’S FINAL ACT OF SALVATION IS TO BRING ETERNAL LIFE TO THE BODY OF THE BELIEVER.

This is a yet future event and therefore we find the volume of scriptures carefully stating God’s full plan.

When will our mortal body be saved?

Paul tells us that the redemption of

our body will take place when this

“mortal puts on immortality.” IS A PROGRESSIVE ACTION

Think about that statement!

We know that “immortality” is

eternal life! When will you put TTHHAATT BBEEGGIINNSS IISS TTHHEENN WWOORRKKEEDD AANNDD IISS FFIINNAALLIIZZEEDD
on eternal life (immortality)? IINN TTHHEE SSPPIIRRIITT OOUUTT IINN TTHHEE SSOOUULL IINN TTHHEE BBOODDYY

According to the apostle Paul, “…THAT “…RECEIVING THE END “…EAGERLY WAITING
it will take place at the WHICH IS OF YOUR FAITH- THE SALVATION FOR THE ADOPTION,
redemption of our body when BORN OF THE OF YOUR SOULS.” THE REDEMPTION
this mortal puts on immortality. 1 . Pet. 1:9 OF OUR BODY…”
Then, and only then, can a SPIRIT
believer say correctly I am IS SPIRIT… “…WE ARE NOT OF THOSE WHO Rom. 8:23-24
‘YOU MUST DRAW BACK TO PERDITION,
BE BORN AGAIN.’ ” “…WHEN THIS MORTAL
BUT OF THOSE WHO BELIEVE TO HAS PUT ON
John 3:5-7 THE SAVING OF THE SOUL..”
IMMORTALITY…”
totally saved, spirit, soul and Heb. 10:39
1 Cor. 15:54

body.

Pastor Randy Shupe