The subject of 'born again' is a touchy one as millions misunderstood its true meaning and import as to their eternal destiny. This is because the true Gospel of the kingdom of God has been hidden from mankind since the days of the first century and had not been preached for some 1,900 years after the first Apostles passed on from the early church. Most Christians today believe that once they have undergone water baptism, they are 'automatically being born again'. But nothing is further from the truth.
Christ's encounter with Nicodemus in John 3 makes it clear that flesh and blood cannot see the kingdom of God (verse 3) for what is born of the flesh is flesh and what is born of the spirit is spirit (verse 6). To see the kingdom of God, one has to become spirit being and to become spirit being, one has to be born again. And to be born again, one has to die physically and be resurrected to immortal spirit, for 'flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God' - 1 Cor 15:50.
What people do not realise is that it is real stuff, not some ethereal concept within the hearts and minds of those who were being baptised. The confusion arise because they failed to understand what is the Gospel of the kingdom of God - which is about the transformation of mortal beings into immortal spirit beings to form the God Family. It is only then that they will be made perfect to inherit the divine nature as true sons of God (2 Pet 1:4)! God the Father as the Head of the God Family has worked out a plan to reproduce Himself (in bringing many sons unto glory - Heb 2:10), that is why man was made in His image, in His likeness.
Those who failed to grasp the truth and the implications of the true Gospel of the kingdom of God that Christ preached will find it hard to understand. It is so profound that even 'the angels desire to look into' - 1 Peter 1:12. However, all who died in their faith are still 'asleep' in their graves and will be resurrected to immortal spirit at the First Resurrection upon the return of Christ. For they 'shall be like Him' (1 John 3:2) and 'cannot sin... born of God' (1 John 3:9). Only Christ as the Firstborn Son of God had been changed from mortal man to immortal Spirit Being and is now seated at the right hand of God the Father in heaven. The whole creation is awaiting with bated breath for the revelation of the sons of God (Romans 8: 19) to come to the rescue - due to decay as a result of rebellion over the government of God and sin, instigated by Satan and his fallen angels.
The incredible human potential awaits those who are called and chosen by God to grasp the deep spiritual truth (1 Cor 2:10) and become the firstfruits (James 1:18) of His new creation - the born again saints who will inherit, rule and reign with Christ in the kingdom of God when He returns. Even though God has only revealed a glimpse of the glorious future now (1 Cor 13:12), but they shall be exceedingly delighted to be part of the 'A' team with Christ to rule the world and subsequently the whole universe when all things are put under their power and authority (Hebrews 2:10) - what an exciting future and destiny lies ahead (1 Cor 2:9)!
The born again immortal spirit beings (the former saints) will be endowed with unique power and capabilities to be able to zip through space and time that even the most advanced technological spacecraft of man cannot achieved. It is not living a life of idleness in heaven but what king David described as 'life of pleasures for evermore' - Psalm 16:11. Members of the born again God Family will be able to accomplish wonderful, creative work and service just as God does (John 5:17). The immortals will direct people to obey God's laws and His ways (Isaiah 30:20-21) and assist Christ in establishing peace and order and uphold righteousness worldwide (Rom 8:21).
As is all things in life, one has to prepare for the privileged tasks ahead now while still in the flesh so that he or she can be born again as immortal spirit when the kingdom comes. Those who cannot be ruled by Christ now will not be qualified to rule when He returns. All who are called will have the veil of deception (set by Satan) lifted to understand the deep spiritual truth. Once the person who is called has his/her eyes opened to understand His truth, he/she must learn to overcome the pull of the flesh, the value system of this world which is false and perverted, and the deception and temptation of Satan to lure us away from the purposes and ways of God. Though there will be price to be paid and challenges to overcome, but it is well worth it all considering the glorious eternal destiny awaits those who succeed!
Christ's encounter with Nicodemus in John 3 makes it clear that flesh and blood cannot see the kingdom of God (verse 3) for what is born of the flesh is flesh and what is born of the spirit is spirit (verse 6). To see the kingdom of God, one has to become spirit being and to become spirit being, one has to be born again. And to be born again, one has to die physically and be resurrected to immortal spirit, for 'flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God' - 1 Cor 15:50.
What people do not realise is that it is real stuff, not some ethereal concept within the hearts and minds of those who were being baptised. The confusion arise because they failed to understand what is the Gospel of the kingdom of God - which is about the transformation of mortal beings into immortal spirit beings to form the God Family. It is only then that they will be made perfect to inherit the divine nature as true sons of God (2 Pet 1:4)! God the Father as the Head of the God Family has worked out a plan to reproduce Himself (in bringing many sons unto glory - Heb 2:10), that is why man was made in His image, in His likeness.
Those who failed to grasp the truth and the implications of the true Gospel of the kingdom of God that Christ preached will find it hard to understand. It is so profound that even 'the angels desire to look into' - 1 Peter 1:12. However, all who died in their faith are still 'asleep' in their graves and will be resurrected to immortal spirit at the First Resurrection upon the return of Christ. For they 'shall be like Him' (1 John 3:2) and 'cannot sin... born of God' (1 John 3:9). Only Christ as the Firstborn Son of God had been changed from mortal man to immortal Spirit Being and is now seated at the right hand of God the Father in heaven. The whole creation is awaiting with bated breath for the revelation of the sons of God (Romans 8: 19) to come to the rescue - due to decay as a result of rebellion over the government of God and sin, instigated by Satan and his fallen angels.
The incredible human potential awaits those who are called and chosen by God to grasp the deep spiritual truth (1 Cor 2:10) and become the firstfruits (James 1:18) of His new creation - the born again saints who will inherit, rule and reign with Christ in the kingdom of God when He returns. Even though God has only revealed a glimpse of the glorious future now (1 Cor 13:12), but they shall be exceedingly delighted to be part of the 'A' team with Christ to rule the world and subsequently the whole universe when all things are put under their power and authority (Hebrews 2:10) - what an exciting future and destiny lies ahead (1 Cor 2:9)!
The born again immortal spirit beings (the former saints) will be endowed with unique power and capabilities to be able to zip through space and time that even the most advanced technological spacecraft of man cannot achieved. It is not living a life of idleness in heaven but what king David described as 'life of pleasures for evermore' - Psalm 16:11. Members of the born again God Family will be able to accomplish wonderful, creative work and service just as God does (John 5:17). The immortals will direct people to obey God's laws and His ways (Isaiah 30:20-21) and assist Christ in establishing peace and order and uphold righteousness worldwide (Rom 8:21).
As is all things in life, one has to prepare for the privileged tasks ahead now while still in the flesh so that he or she can be born again as immortal spirit when the kingdom comes. Those who cannot be ruled by Christ now will not be qualified to rule when He returns. All who are called will have the veil of deception (set by Satan) lifted to understand the deep spiritual truth. Once the person who is called has his/her eyes opened to understand His truth, he/she must learn to overcome the pull of the flesh, the value system of this world which is false and perverted, and the deception and temptation of Satan to lure us away from the purposes and ways of God. Though there will be price to be paid and challenges to overcome, but it is well worth it all considering the glorious eternal destiny awaits those who succeed!
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