Every year in the Philippines, at least 17 typhoons sweep across the flat, open plains of Central Luzon, destroying all that is not secured — especially the many exposed and vulnerable thatched Nipa huts on bamboo stilts. But those huts fastened to tall center poles set deep in the ground remain intact when the typhoon season is over.
Wrong doctrines blow through churches like typhoons. The apostle Paul called such doctrines “winds”— strong, deceptive influences that threaten the growth to maturity of young, impressionable believers. (Ephesians 4:14) Churches able to withstand these severe winds are those securely attached to God’s Word — a deep and immovable source of confidence when doctrinal winds threaten.
One truth central to the Christian faith is the Resurrection of the Dead. That this is to be a physical resurrection was apparent long ago to Job, who lived in the time of the Book of Genesis. It was Job — pathetic, suffering Job — who, while scraping his painful boils with a piece of broken pottery, made one of the Bible’s greatest faith statements.
“Oh, that my words were written! Oh, that they were inscribed in
a book! That they were engraved on a rock with an iron pen and lead, forever! For I know that my Redeemer lives, and he shall stand at last on the earth; and after my skin is destroyed, this I know, that in my flesh I shall see God, Whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!” (Job 19:23-27)
Job’s faith in a physical resurrection was justified when Jesus later rose from the dead. Along with every other bible-based Christian, I believe that when Jesus returns to this earth, the dead shall rise physically. This resurrection is the great hope of genuine Christians.