Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believes in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever lives and believes in me shall never die. Believe you this?
Today’s title is John 11:25 & 26 and is the LORD, before raising Lazarus, describing the formula for resurrection and everlasting life. It must be noted that resurrection into spiritual life comes first, then even death has no hold. The death (apothnesko – dying away) spoken of, after spiritual life, is considered sleep we have fallen into, a product of the corrupt (stupefied) mind unable to recognize or remember its true nature, from where we are awakened to the realization of our immortality by putting off corruption.
As we know, the name Lazarus is the English form of the Greek transliteration of the Hebrew name Eleazar, meaning God has helped. This meaning is referring to the presence of God and our faith that He is our ever-present help in time of trouble, even in raising us from the sleep we have fallen into. This is what we saw in the previous post, declared in Hebrews 13 as verse 5 refers to the LORD’s words of instruction, recorded in Matthew 28:20, both passages referring to Psalms 16:10, which is itself quoted in Acts 2:25 thru 28. Hebrews 13:6 then quotes from Psalms 118:6 in telling of the LORD as our helper.
Hebrews 13
1 Let brotherly love [Philadelphia] continue.
2 Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels [sons of man, the messengers of the LORD, giving understanding to the ignorant] unawares.
3 Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.
4 Marriage [joining with the LORD] is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers [those who treat men as merchandise] and adulterers [those who’ve left God for idols] God will judge.
5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as you have: for he has said, I will never leave you, nor forsake you.
6 So that we may boldly say, The LORD is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.
7 Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.
8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever.
9 Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.
10 We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle.
11 For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp.
12 Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.
13 Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.
14 For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.
Matthew 28
10 Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee [the inner circle – where He is revealed first to the elect remnant], and there shall they see me.
11 Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done.
12 And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers,
13 Saying, Say you, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept.
14 And if this comes to the governor’s ears, we will persuade him, and secure you.
15 So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day. [The deep meaning is: those who killed him away {apothnesko} now seek His flesh, which had been circumcised so His true nature would appear to those who believe He has risen.]
16 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.
17 And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted [the temptation – even among those who see and hear Him].
18 And Jesus came and spoke unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
19 Go you therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: [as the LORD in me has taught you]
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world [aion – the age]. Amen.
When these references to Psalms 16 appear, they are to bring to light what is said just after David write that the LORD is always with him, saying, He will show him the path into life. This is what the LORD is doing in raising Lazarus to life, by His word calling him from the death of his flesh by awakening his immortal spirit from sleep. As we know, Eleazar is the son of Aaron, who was made chief priest after his two brothers, Nadab and Abihu, offered “strange fire,” which the LORD commanded them not to. The names together tell us they are liberal worshippers of God, meaning to suit their relativistic desires they change what God said. This tendency is seen manifested as we are, in 1 Samuel 2, told of the sons of Eli the priest (ascension – the father of those who ascended to the priesthood, and were not called), Hophni and Phinehas, names telling us they are contentious, with mouths like serpents; who were sons of Belial, meaning worthless and wicked. They, taking liberties not granted to them by the LORD, changed the law and were therefore replaced by Samuel (his name is El {God}), whose father is Elkanah and mother Hannah, names meaning God has given/shown them His grace.
Psalms 16
1 Preserve me, O God: for in you do I put my trust.
2 O my soul, you have said unto the LORD, You are my LORD: my goodness extends not to you;
3 But to the saints that are in the earth, and to the excellent, in whom is all my delight.
4 Their sorrows shall be multiplied that hasten after another god [who offer strange fire and have changed God’s law]: their drink offerings of blood will I not offer, nor take up their names into my lips.
5 The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: you maintain my lot.
6 The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage.
7 I will bless the LORD, who has given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons [now, when ignorance and confusion rule over the world].
8 I have set the LORD always before me: because he is [present] at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices: my flesh also shall rest in hope.
10 For you will not leave my soul in hell; neither will you suffer your Holy One to see corruption.
11 You will show me the path of life: in your presence is fullness of joy; at your right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
Lazarus reflects and invokes all these patterns, the LORD raising the priesthood from its sleep, which was caused by the corruption it had fallen into. We know this is the sure mercies of David, which the LORD has given/shown us, correcting us away from corrupt ideas, washing away the filth picked up in our journey, not leaving us to be destroyed in the hell we have fallen into.
John 11
41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank you that you have heard me.
42 And I knew that you hear me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that you have sent me.
43 And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.
44 And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with grave-clothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus said unto them, Loose him, and let him go.
45 Then many of the Jews which came to Mary [the elect who’ve rebelled against the corrupt status quo], and had seen the things which Jesus [Jehovah’s salvation personified – presence] did, believed on him.
46 But some of them went their ways to the Pharisees [the leaders of the divided people of God], and told them what things Jesus had done [told them what God’s glory, presence, had done].
47 Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man does many miracles.
48 If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans [Ariel – where God’s strength is held captive] shall come and take away both our place and nation.
49 And one of them, named Caiaphas [those who’ve divided God’s people into sects], being the high priest that same year, said unto them, You know nothing at all,
50 Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die [apothnesko] for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.
51 And this spoke he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die [apothnesko] for that nation;
52 And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad.
53 Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death.
The story told here isn’t of the LORD leaving us, which He never has, but rather of those who self ascended into His seats and there replaced the truth of the gospel with their ideas and ways. They are those who are blinded to His presence and therefore teach blindness. The LORD has come to open these blinded eyes and thereby open the prison, the gates of hell, holding God’s people and all the world in darkness.
The Greek word used in Hebrew 13:5 above, rendered “leave,” is the four-times used word aniemi, meaning to let up. It is the word rendered “loosed” in Acts 16:26 & 27:40; the first telling of loosing the bands of the prisoners, the other of loosing the bands of the rudder. This latter, as we have seen in previous studies, tells of letting the ship run aground, which tells of the institutions of the corrupt status quo, which are broken up so all those held in them can be saved.
Acts 16
1 Then came he to Derbe [covered with skin] and Lystra [where the ransom is]: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timothy [the ransom of God], the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek:
2 Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra [where the ransom is] and Iconium [hikanos – arriving, coming in season].
3 Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised [removed the flesh cover] him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek.
4 And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem.
5 And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.
6 Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia [the dry and barren places] and the region of Galatia [giving them milk – the basics of the faith], and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia [where they refused our teaching],
7 After they were come to Mysia [where it would remain a mystery], they assayed to go into Bithynia [where there were strife and contention]: but the Spirit suffered them not.
8 And they passing by Mysia [left them without revealing the mystery] came down to Troas [turned again to be nourished].
9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night [showing him what he hadn’t seen]; There stood a man of Macedonia [the houses of dead flesh], and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia [into our houses of dead flesh], and help us.
10 And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavored to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the LORD had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.
11 Therefore loosing from Troas [from communing among ourselves], we came with a straight course to Samothracia [a sign of rags], and the next day to Neapolis [a new city];
12 And from thence to Philippi [the horse the LORD loves – his people who become His goodly horse in the battle – Zechariah 10:4], which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia [the churches that house the dead], and a colony: and we were in that city abiding certain days.
13 And on the Sabbath we went out of the city by a river side [where flowed the words and ideas in which they believed], where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spoke unto the women which resorted thither.
14 And a certain woman named Lydia [in travail], a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira [who was obviously afflicted], which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the LORD opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.
15 And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If you have judged me to be faithful to the LORD, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.
16 And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying [preaching the teaching of false prophets]:
17 The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the Most High God, which show unto us the way of salvation.
18 And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour [she was freed from what was unclean, the lies of the false prophets that corrupted her].
19 And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers,
20 And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city,
21 And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans [where God’s strength {which is a mind in accord with God’s} is held captive].
22 And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them.
23 And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely:
24 Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.
25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.
26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed [aniemi – what held them {the gates of hell} let up].
27 And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep [ginomai – came into being, publicly proclaimed they were now awake], and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.
28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do yourself no harm: for we are all here [the LORD in them, through them, saying, I will never leave {let up} or forsake you].
29 Then he called for a light [understanding], and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas,
30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
31 And they said, Believe on the LORD Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved [as He says in the title], and your house.
32 And they spoke unto him the word of the LORD, and to all that were in his house.
33 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.
34 And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.
35 And when it was day, the magistrates sent the sergeants, saying, Let those men go.
36 And the keeper of the prison told this saying to Paul, The magistrates have sent to let you go: now therefore depart, and go in peace.
37 But Paul said unto them, They have beaten us openly un-condemned, being Romans, and have cast us into prison; and now do they thrust us out privily [secretly]? nay truly; but let them come themselves and fetch us out.
38 And the sergeants told these words unto the magistrates: and they feared, when they heard that they were Romans [the strength of God, that must be set free].
39 And they came and besought them, and brought them out, and desired them to depart out of the city.
40 And they went out of the prison, and entered into the house of Lydia [she who was in travail, which has now brought forth a child – the LORD born in and through them, by their faith]: and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them [parakaleo – the Paraclete, the Holy Spirit, Christ in them, still a mystery, leading them into all truth], and departed [once Christ was born in them].
The word aniemi appears in Ephesians 6:9 in telling us to “forbear” threatening; us as “masters,” which is here from the word kurios, meaning supreme authority, and is most often rendered LORD. Here it is speaking of those of us in whom the LORD lives, and how we should exercise our authority, as he does, which we have seen from Philippians 2.
Philippians 2
1 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,
2 Fulfill you my joy, that you be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
9 Wherefore God also has highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is LORD, to the glory of God the Father.
12 Wherefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
13 For it is God which works in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
14 Do all things without murmuring and disputing:
15 That you may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom you shine as lights in the world;
16 Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither labored in vain.
17 Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.
18 For the same cause also do you joy, and rejoice with me.
19 But I trust in the LORD Jesus to send Timothy shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state.
20 For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state.
21 For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s.
22 But you know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he has served with me in the gospel.
Ephesians 6
1 Children, obey your parents in the LORD: for this is right.
2 Honor your father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise;
3 That it may be well with you, and you may live long on the earth.
4 And, you fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the LORD.
5 Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;
6 Not with eye-service, as men-pleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;
7 With good will doing service, as to the LORD, and not to men:
8 Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man does, the same shall he receive of the LORD, whether he be bond or free.
9 And, you masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing [aniemi] threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the LORD, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith you shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
Galatians 4
16 Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?
17 They zealously affect you, but not well; yea, they would exclude you, that you might affect them.
18 But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing, and not only when I am present with you.
19 My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,
20 I desire to be present with you now, and to change my voice; for I stand in doubt of you.
21 Tell me, you that desire to be under the law, do you not hear the law?
22 For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman.
23 But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise.
24 Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which genders to [brings forth] bondage, which is Agar.
25 For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answers to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children.
26 But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.
27 For it is written, Rejoice, you barren that bear not; break forth and cry, you that travail not: for the desolate has many more children than she which has a husband.
28 Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.
29 But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.
30 Nevertheless what says the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.
31 So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.
1 Peter 2
1 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speaking,
2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that you may grow thereby:
3 If so be you have tasted that the LORD is gracious.
4 To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,
5 You also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Zion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believes on him shall not be confounded.
7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,
8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that you should show forth the praises of him who has called you out of darkness into his marvelous light;
10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;
12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
13 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the LORD’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;
14 Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.
15 For so is the will of God, that with well doing you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:
16 As free, and not using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.
17 Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.
18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.
19 For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.
20 For what glory is it, if, when you be buffeted for your faults, you shall take it patiently? but if, when you do well, and suffer for it, you take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.
21 For even hereunto were you called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow his steps:
22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judges righteously:
24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes you were healed.
25 For you were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.
Psalms 118
1 O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: because his mercy endures forever.
2 Let Israel now say, that his mercy endures forever.
3 Let the house of Aaron now say, that his mercy endures forever.
4 Let them now that fear the LORD say, that his mercy endures forever.
5 I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place.
6 The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?
7 The LORD taketh my part with them that help me: therefore, shall I see my desire upon them that hate me.
8 It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.
9 It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.
10 All nations compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD will I destroy them.
11 They compassed me about; yea, they compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.
12 They compassed me about like bees: they are quenched as the fire of thorns: for in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.
13 You have thrust sore at me that I might fall: but the LORD helped me.
14 The LORD is my strength and song, and is become my salvation.
15 The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous: the right hand of the LORD does valiantly.
16 The right hand of the LORD is exalted: the right hand of the LORD does valiantly.
17 I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD.
18 The LORD has chastened me sore: but he has not given me over unto death.
19 Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the LORD:
20 This gate of the LORD, into which the righteous shall enter.
21 I will praise you: for you have heard me, and are become my salvation.
22 The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.
23 This is the LORD’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.
24 This is the day which the LORD has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
25 Save now, I beseech you, O LORD: O LORD, I beseech you, send now prosperity.
26 Blessed be he that comes in the name of the LORD: we have blessed you out of the house of the LORD.
27 God is the LORD, which has shown us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar.
28 You are my God, and I will praise you: you are my God, I will exalt you.
29 O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endures forever.
