Resurrection/Reincarnation
After Life Series Part 2 -Resurrection/Reincarnation
What is resurrection or reincarnation? Christian belief does not support the latter, even though it occurred in the New Testament. Believers were not taught to embrace that notion. Christians believe that Jesus is the incarnate God, but not believing in reincarnation is not our stand to disagree. For purposes of study, let me cite some Scriptures about reincarnation.
After many years of revision, the Bible available today does not provide enough detail about reincarnation to help us understand why it was left off instead of resurrection. We must get out of the fundamentals to continue seeking the truth of what our forefathers embraced and passed on to us.
For the sake of our free will, which was given to us by the Almighty Father, and using it will not be charged against us— Genesis 11. I, therefore, I decided to seek and go through to gain more knowledge.
Knowledge is a spiritual gift (1 Corinthians 12:8). The Bible says people perished due to a lack of knowledge, and knowledge is the force of wisdom that gives the ability to teach and digest the truth in the form of revelation. Knowledge, understanding, and wisdom are the truth of the Spirit.
There are many scriptural references to reincarnation, and yet, like the doctrine of the Trinity, many Christians, especially those modernized and now rooted in Christianity, do not embrace it. I heard a quote from a Pastor when asked by a member, “Why do they not believe in some of the passages in the Bible when it is a written Word of God?” Why are Christians so divided on doctrinal views? Why so many denominations in the Christian religion? Why is unity in Spirit struggling?
The Pastor did not avoid answering the legitimate question, and it is hard to digest from what I heard. The answer was: “I know (it is written in the Bible), but we do not practice it, (a compromise belief).” Christians are so divided that the United States alone has 200 denominations. Some reasons for the division is disagreement on the tenets of the church, exclusivity, and some personal reasons. Some groups even printed their version of the Bible. So, they can call it their own.
We can already see how many lost souls these divisions will generate. I could not just budge into their conversation because I was only a guess, and if I did, it may find an insult to the Pastor, and putting him on the defensive would have caused trouble!!!
Listening to the Word of God is acquiring knowledge. But false knowledge will either weaken one’s relationship with the family of God or be subjected to spiritual attack. False doctrine, has no power against such an attack, it is little hard to defend. We should not hesitate to bring out what is true to rebuild the foundational doctrine, if that is the only way to heal the broken version of the Bible. We should not force what we believe is true, only share the seed.
Remember, in AD 543, Emperor Justinian I of the Roman Empire ordered the removal of reincarnation teachings from the scriptures of Christian orthodox (truth) doctrines. Reincarnation was essential to Christian doctrines in its first 500 years of existence. Searching for the truth is vital to our spiritual growth, or we will remain half-grown. Jesus Christ, speaking to a group of Jews who believe he is the Messiah, tells them that if they follow his teachings, they will be his disciples and will know the truth, which will set them free.— John 8:32
Some group of people tried to erase it, and yet reincarnation made its way in passages like Malachi 4:5, Luke 1:13; 17, Mark 9:13, Matthew 11:13-14, Matthew 17:12-13 and Revelation 3:12. It was written for our instructions and learning, and if we do not listen to it, and would not embrace it, we will not know it. We want some clarity why is it in the Bible in the first place? Ask the help of the Holy Spirit for the truth. There is a saying from the old folks on reincarnation, “The soul with an incomplete task or mission here on earth will come back again and again until it finishes its purpose.”
On reincarnation, the soul will not remember its past life. Yet, there would be a time when the reincarnated person senses something related to a previous life that would push to remind something very familiar. It is like having a “déjà vu,” a feeling that we may have been in that place before or already know this person in the past, exactly on the same event and time. Do you think that person would feel the same way?
The Bible also has references about the resurrection, and it is no longer new. If we are going to make our assessment, the Bible promotes resurrection. And some discussions are already raised that without the death and the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, the doctrine that Christianity held for centuries would have been erased and may have belonged to one of the prominent religions as a sect.
We all know that Jesus is the center of Christianity. Christ comes from the Greek word chrīstós, meaning “anointed one.” Or in Latin: Anointed, Good; Useful. In English, it means Chosen. Jesus’ name is Yeshua,” meaning “Yahweh is salvation.” In English, Jesus means God saves. Christ is not Jesus’ last name but a recognition title, like any other Christian with the same name as non-Christian. There was more than one Jesus during Jesus Christ’s time.—(2 Corinthians 11:4). Three kinds of Christians—Called, Chosen, and Elect people of God.
The references on resurrection are not limited only to what is mentioned here. If you did the research, there would be more. I am quoting these Scriptures to show my point. The prevailing and most powerful religion at that time wants resurrection to be more centered than reincarnation.
Acts 24:15 –”Having hope in God, which these men themselves accept, that there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust.”
John 5:29 –”And come out those who have done well to the resurrection of life and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.”
Daniel 12:2 –”And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.”
John 6:40 –”For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day.”
Luke 14:14 –You will be blessed because they cannot repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just.”
Matthew 27:53: “And coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many.”
Acts 24:15—”There shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.”
1 Corinthians 15: 43-44— Paul defended that there will be the resurrection of the dead against the Corinthians. That saying is well before the resurrection. What will the body look like? The same body as Christ when resurrected; the body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; “it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power;” it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.”
With all the discussion of whether there will still be a resurrection or whether it is already a fulfilled prophecy? Indeed, life is involved, and putting God first in our daily journey is the best answer. We must acknowledge God and His existence; everything will be added to a reward. We must continue to work on our salvation; eventually, we will find our way to be closer to God and gain a better relationship with Him.
When Jesus died, great power was released, and people who were dead were raised and made alive, and they all walked! Does this mean those resurrected during that time are not part of the coming great judgment day?
Wherever the righteous of the Old Testament faith heroes are now, that is where we are going! Where are they? Are they in another dimension, waiting for the judgment day? Or were they with Christ when his resurrection happened? Or did Christ bring them with him where he is now? The Bible states that no man can enter heaven because our inheritance is here on earth, and therefore, we stay here on earth. Confusing?
If we listen to our hearts and the Spirit within, we will know our position in this doctrinal view. We cannot change what was and is written except for those who owned the revised version of the Bible, the publishing house, or customers who can mandate any changes. Anyone can have their version by perverting the word. Is that what we want to do? Are we losing respect for the Word of God, as many others do?
To God be the glory, God bless everyone.
Part 1 Life After This Life Series
Part 2 Resurrection Afterlife Series
Part 3 Heaven Afterlife Series
