The Message That Gives Life: Genesis through Revelation Stephen R. Lewis, Ph.D. President Rocky Mountain Bible College Rocky Mountain Seminary

The Golden Rule of Interpretation “When the plain sense of Scripture makes common sense, seek no other sense; therefore, take every word at its primary, ordinary, usual, literal meaning unless the facts of the immediate context, studied in the light of related passages and axiomatic and fundamental truths, indicate clearly otherwise.” [David L. Cooper]

The Gospel--The Greatest Message that Gives Life It is wise that when we share the Gospel/the Message that Gives Everlasting Life to remember these three things: 1) It (the Message) is always about Him (who He is and what He has done and not about us); 2) It is always simple enough for a child to understand; and 3) It must be consistent from Genesis through Revelation.

When Adam and Eve ate of fruit from the forbidden tree in the Garden, God did not declare them “sinners” (although they were and we are); God declared them “DEAD.” The result is that every human being is estranged from God-- "alienated from the life of God." Ephesians 4:18.

Therefore, what man has needed since that time is not only their sins forgiven [think about someone who has been shot and killed—even though they may remove the bullet (the cause of his death) he still needs life.], but more importantly, they have needed “LIFE-- Everlasting Life.”[At the Great White Throne Judgment, the lost are judged and cast into the Lake of Fire. Why? Because their Names are Not Written in the Lamb’s Book of LIFE (Revelation 20:15). Unbelief is the cause for the unsaved not having everlasting life. Not having everlasting life is the reason they are condemned to the Lake of Fire]

At the cross the righteous justice of God was satisfied for all humanity (2 Corinthians 5:19; 1 Timothy 2:5-6; 1 Peter 2:24). Jesus Christ is the Propitiation for the Sins of the Whole World (Isaiah 53:6; John 1:29; 2 Corinthians 5:19; Hebrews 9:26—10:10; 1 John 2:2). It is by Grace alone, through Faith/Believe/Trust alone, in Jesus Christ (based on His Death and Resurrection) alone that we receive the free gift of everlasting life (the remedy for everlasting Death). Therefore, the person comes to God through believing in Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ in His role as Mediator bestows everlasting life on the believer, thus introducing him/her to God. God in response accepts the believing person and pronounces him/her Justified.

Life Need The Promise (Who?) Genesis 3:15 Genesis 4:1 Genesis 12:1-3, 7 Genesis 22:15-18 Isaiah 9:6-7 Isaiah 11:1-2 Isaiah 53 LIFE (Everlasting Life) John 3:16 The Lamb that was Slain before the Foundation of the World (Titus 1:2; Revelation 13:8) The Promised One = Jesus Christ Therefore, the person comes to God through believing in Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ in His role as Mediator bestows everlasting life on the believer, thus introducing him/her to God. God in response accepts the believing person and pronounces him/her justified. The Issue is believing in Jesus Christ for the Free gift of Everlasting Life based on Jesus Christ’s Death and Resurrection.[“Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God” (cf. John 20:30-31) as the only One who can give the free gift of Everlasting Life to those who believe/trust/place their faith in Him alone. This can only be a legitimate offer if He is the Lord God. “...no other kind of savior can save except a God-Man. Deity and humanity must be combined in order to provide a satisfactory salvation...He must be God in order that that death be effective for an infinite number of persons.”(Balancing the Christian Life p. 175)] Therefore, the person comes to God through believing in Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ in His role as Mediator bestows everlasting life on the believer, thus introducing him/her to God. God in response accepts the believing person and pronounces him/her justified. The Issue is believing in Jesus Christ for the Free gift of Everlasting Life based on Jesus Christ’s Death and Resurrection. [“Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God” (cf. John 20:30-31) as the only One who can give the free gift of Everlasting Life to those who believe/trust/place their faith in Him alone. This can only be a legitimate offer if He is the Lord God. “...no other kind of savior can save except a God-Man. Deity and humanity must be combined in order to provide a satisfactory salvation...He must be God in order that that death be effective for an infinite number of persons.”(Balancing the Christian Life p. 175)] The Great White Throne Judgment— Why cast into the Lake of Fire? Because their Names are Not Written in the Lamb’s Book of LIFE (Revelation 20:15) The Great White Throne Judgment— Why cast into the Lake of Fire? Because their Names are Not Written in the Lamb’s Book of LIFE (Revelation 20:15) Unbelief is the cause for the unsaved not having everlasting life. Not having everlasting life is the reason they are condemned to the Lake of Fire. Jesus Christ is the Propitiation for the Sins of the Whole World (Isaiah 53:6; John 1:29; 2 Corinthians 5:19; Hebrews 9:26—10:10; 1 John 2:2) © Stephen R. Lewis, Ph.D. The Message That Gives Life: Genesis through Revelation Sin* *When Adam and Eve ate of fruit from the forbidden tree in the Garden, God did not declare them “sinners” (although they were and we are); God declared them “DEAD.” What man has needed since that time is not only their sins forgiven, but more importantly, they have needed “LIFE-- Everlasting Life.” [Think about someone who has been shot and killed—even though they may remove the bullet (the cause of his death) he still needs life.] At the cross the righteous justice of God was satisfied for all humanity (2 Corinthians 5:19; 1 Timothy 2:5-6; 1 Peter 2:24) Death** **The result is that every human being is estranged from God— “alienated from the life of God.” Ephesians 4:18)

The Free Gift of Everlasting Life[Salvation/Justification] has always been by Grace alone, through Faith alone, based upon the finished work of Jesus Christ alone—throughout all dispensations. No one has ever been saved any other way!

Saving faith (believing) is being persuaded that, based on His finished work (death & resurrection), Jesus Christ delivers from condemnation and guarantees everlasting life to all who simply believe in Him.

Concluding Principles: Our salvation (past, present, future) is protected by the power of God. If you have believed in Jesus Christ for everlasting life, you have everlasting life. We should persevere in our faith and good works, but it is not necessary for everlasting life.