DEATH OF THE RIGHTEOUS AND AS IT IS

DEATH OF THE RIGHTEOUS AND AS IT IS APPOINTED UNTO MEN ONCE TO DIE, BUT AFTER THIS THE JUDGMENT HEBREWS 9: 27

DEATH OF THE RIGHTEOUS exit while engaged in one or more of these damnable transgressio Romans 1: 23 -32 1. They changed the glory of uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. (Romans 1: 23) 2. They changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the creator. (Romans 1: 25) 3. The women changed the natural use into that which is against nature. (Romans 1: 26) 4. The men likewise, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another. (Romans 1: 27) 5. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; being filled with unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness, full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventor of evil things, disobedient to parents, without understanding, covenant breakers, inventors of evil things, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 6. How much better is it to die in the faith, obedient to our prescribed duties, waiting for that better home on high.

DEATH OF THE RIGHTEOUS TH, OBEDIENT TO THE PRESCRIBED DUTIES OF GOD, WHILE WAITIN 1. Let us consider with reverence and great care the contrast between the ones who died in the loving embrace of a fervent faith attending for the Lord’s cause, and those who perished amidst transgression and rebellion that we spoke of in our lesson on Death of the Unrighteous. 2. PATRIARCHS WHO DIED IN FAITH A. ABRAHAM – gave up the ghost, and died at the age of 175 years, Moses, the writer of the Pentateuch or the first five books of the Bible, describes Abraham life by saying “ then Abraham gave up the ghost, and died in a good old age, an old man, and full of years; and was gathered to his people. (Gen. 25: 8). James says, An the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteous: and he was called the friend of God. (James 2: 23, Gen. 15: 6, 2 Chron. 20: 7)

DEATH OF THE RIGHTEOUS What a appropriate tribute this was to the “friend of God” and the “Father of all them that believe” Abraham is the finest personification of faith portrayed within the old testament history. B. ISAAC – “And Isaac gave up the ghost, and died, and was gathered unto his people, being old and full of days: and his sons Esau and Jacob buried him. ” (Gen. 35: 29) This ended the one hundred and eighty year pilgrimage of this quiet, unassuming, peaceful trusting, and lovely patriarch. C. JACOB – “And when Jacob had made an end of commanding his sons, he gathered up his feet into the bed, and yielded up the ghost, and was gathered unto his people. ” (Gen. 49: 33)

DEATH OF THE RIGHTEOUS o DID THESE MEN HAVE POINTS OF WEAKNESS 1. Abraham and Isaac, in moments of fear and temporary failing of faith, had made mistakes in the field of deception about their respective relationship to Sarah and Rebekah. (Gen. 12; 10 -20, 20: 1 -18, 26: 9 -10) A. Abraham twice passed Sarah off as his sister. (to the Egyptians Gen. 12: 10 -20 and to Abimelech, King of Gerar. (Gen. 20: 1 -18) B. Isaac lied to Abimelech, telling him Rebekah was his sister. (Gen. 26: 9 -10) 2. These three instances committed between them were clear exceptions to the truthful manner of their lifetime characteristic. (2 Chron. 20: 7, James 2: 23, Hebrews 11: 8 -10, 11: 20)

DEATH OF THE RIGHTEOUS 3. Jacob as a youth had practiced deception toward his aged father. Gen. 27: 1 -41, but later in life we see a wonderful and amazing transformation of his character. A. In both attitude and action. (Gen. 27: 42 -28: 22) vision of a ladder, (Gen. 29: 1 -30) serves Laban for many years, and married his daughters, had 12 sons by his wives and their maids. Flees from Laban with his wives and children. (Gen. 29 -31) B. In both Motive and mission. Gen. 32: 24 -32 wrestled with angel of the Lord at Peniel, friendship with Esau restored. (Gen. 33) went to Egypt during time of famine (Gen. 42 -46), After giving the blessings he died there. (Gen. 49) 4. He became a true “Prince of God” as his new name Israel fully implied, and died as a great and godly man of Jehovah.

DEATH OF THE RIGHTEOUS THE BIBLE PROVIDES A GRAPHIC INSIGHT INTO HOW HEAVEN VIEWED THE DEATH OF THESE THREE PATRIARCHS ALONG WITH SARAH, THE WIFE OF ABRAHAM, THE MOTHER OF ISAAC AND GRANDMOTHER OF JACOB. These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. (Hebrews 11: 13) A. ABRAHAM, ISAAC, AND JABOC 1. By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed, and he went. (Hebrews 11: 8, Gen. 12: 1 -4, 7) 2. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise. 3. For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. (Hebrews 11: 10) 4. By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten so, of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure. (Gen. 21: 12, Hebrews 11: 17 -19) 5. By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. (Hebrews 11: 20)6 6. By faith Jacob, When he was a dying blessed both sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff. (Hebrews 11: 21) B. SARAH 1. Through faith also Sarah herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised. (Gen. 18: 11 -14, Hebrews 11: 11)

DEATH OF THE RIGHTEOUS • They were able to die “in faith” because they had lived “by faith”. • You cannot live a life of “no faith” and expect to die “in faith”. • It does not work that way. It never has, It does not now, It never will. THE DEATH OF MOSES • Moses final hours were spent heeding Jehovah’s commandment to ascend the mountainous region of Nebo. Deut. 34: 1 -3 • From Mt. Pisgah’s Moses was permitted to view the land his nation below in the Moabite plains would soon enter and inhabit. Deut. 34: 4

DEATH OF THE RIGHTEOUS • “So Moses the servant of the Lord dies there in Moab, according to the word of the Lord. Deut. 34: 5 • And He buried him in a valley in the land of Moab, over against. Bethpeor: but no man knoweth of his sepulchre unto this day. Deut. 34: 6 • And Moses was a hundred and twenty years old when he died: his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated. Deut. 34: 7 • And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face. Deut. 34: 10 • Jehovah’s approval of Moses at death is seen in the fact that God Almighty himself presided at the funeral and burial services of Moses the great lawgiver. • The Heavenly chorus on high will one day hymn in precious unison the beautiful song of honoring Jehovah’s two great lawgivers Moses the servant of God, and Christ the only begotten Son of God. Rev. 15: 3

DEATH OF THE RIGHTEOUS DEATH OF JOSHUA • “Moses died a servant of the Lord, according also to the following introductory words of Joshua’s book. Joshua 1: 2 • Upon the death of Moses Joshua became the commissioned leader of the Israelites. Joshua 1: 1 -2 • Joshua as a understudy of Moses had already contributed exceedingly great to Israel in the wilderness and was the nations chief military leader. Joshua 1: 1 -7

DEATH OF THE RIGHTEOUS THE DEATH OF DAVID • David has a place in the very forefront of God’s men. • His early life as a shepherd boy. 1 Sm. 16: 11 – 17: 34 -36 • Ascended as King of Judah and then over Israel after Saul death. II Sam. 2 -4 • The greatest and most loved King of Israel. 1 Sam. 16 -2 Kings 2: 11 • His final day spent in preparing for the building of the temple. 2 Sam. 7; 1 Chron. 17 • Sinned with Bathsheba. II Sam. 11: 1 -12, 23 • David’s death. II Sam. 2: 11 5: 4, II Chron. 29: 27 -28

DEATH OF THE RIGHTEOUS DEATH OF JESUS CHRIST • The pre-existence of Jesus. John 1: 1 -1 • All things have been created and are maintained in existence by him. Col. 1 • By His incarnation He took on human nature to reveal God more fully. John 1: 14, 18 • He is the redeemer of men. Mark 10: 45 • He is still the God-Man, and in heaven He represents the saints before God. 1 John 2: 1, Heb. 7: 25 • Lamb of God. John 1: 29, 36 • Jesus crucified. Luke 23: 26 -46

DEATH OF THE RIGHTEOUS DEATH OF STEPHEN • Appointed one of the first Deacons of the early church. Acts 6: 36 • The arrest of Stephen. Acts 6: 8 -15 • Stephen died in the line of duty as the first Christian martyr. Acts 7: 54 -60 DEATH OF JAMES • James, the apostle and brother of John. Matt. 27: 56 • Mother requested that he and his brother John sit on Jesus right and left hand in his kingdom. Mark 10: 35 -40 • With Jesus at the transfiguration. Matt. 17: 1 -8 • He was in the Garden of Gethsamane with Jesus. Matt. 26: 36 -46

DEATH OF THE RIGHTEOUS DEATH OF PAUL • Benjamite Jew. Phil. 3: 5 • Son of a Pharisee. Acts 23: 6 • Inherited Roman citizenship from his father. Acts 22: 28 • Educated in Jerusalm under Gamaliel. Acts 22: 3, Acts 26: 4 -5 • Present at the stoning of Stephen. Acts 7: 58; 26: 10 -11 • Converted on the way to Damascus to persecute Christains. Acts 9: 20 -22 • Work tirelessly and suffered great for Christ. Acts 15 -28. • Author of 13 , and possibly 14 with the book of Hebrews of New Testament. • His death by martyr at Rome in 67 AD. II Tim. 1: 8, 14

DEATH OF THE RIGHTEOUS DEATH OF ANTIPAS • Antipas is mentioned in only one verse of the Bible’s 31, 102 verses. • The Captain of our salvation himself spoke of him as being “My faithful martyr who was slain among you where Satan dwelleth”. Rev. 2: 13 • We have the Lord’s on testimony as to how death found Antipas. • There is nothing that can equal a man dying in the faith. Rev. 14: 13

WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO DIE AS A RIGHTEOUS PERSON? • To die in the Lord necessitates a prior entrance into and continued faithfulness in His blessed cause. • That’s the secret of Antipas faithful death, He was faithful in life: and he was faithful in death. Rev. 2: 13 • Running the Christian race faithfully until death. Rev. 2: 10

EING FROM SAUL SAID, “THERE IS BUT A STEP BE HEAR GODS WORD – ROMANS 10: 17 BELIEVE GOD – HEBREWS 11: 6 REPENT OF SINS – LUKE 13: 3, 5 CONFESS CHRIST – MATTHEWS 10: 32 BE BAPTIZED INTO CHRIST – ACTS 2: 38

18 Wilton Wesley - 2/26/2017 Don Mc. Clain W. 65 th St church of Christ / May 6, 2007