Daily Bible Lesson.
IF THE DEAD ARE ALREADY IN HEAVEN OR HELL… WHY IS THE RESURRECTION SO IMPORTANT?

1 Corinthians 15 is one of the clearest chapters in the Bible about the resurrection of the dead.
Paul repeatedly points to a future resurrection when Jesus Christ returns. This raises an important question:
If the dead are already consciously enjoying heaven—or suffering in hell—immediately after death, why does the Bible place such enormous emphasis on a future resurrection?
Let’s examine the biblical picture.

1. THE RESURRECTION IS CONNECTED TO CHRIST'S SECOND COMING
“Afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.” — 1 Corinthians 15:23
Paul gives a clear sequence:
Christ was raised first.
Christ's people are raised at His coming.
The resurrection is therefore connected with the Second Coming.
“The trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.” — 1 Corinthians 15:52
This points to a great future resurrection event—not something that happens individually every time a believer dies.

2. THE RESURRECTION IS CENTRAL TO THE CHRISTIAN FAITH
Paul does not treat the resurrection as a minor detail.
“If Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.” — 1 Corinthians 15:14
“If Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.” — 1 Corinthians 15:17
Paul's message follows this powerful sequence:
Christ died

Christ was raised

Believers will be raised

Death will ultimately be destroyed
“The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.” — 1 Corinthians 15:26

3. WHEN DO WE RECEIVE IMMORTALITY?
Paul says:
“This mortal must put on immortality.” — 1 Corinthians 15:53
Notice the context: immortality is associated with the resurrection.
The Bible's emphasis is not simply that a person dies and immediately receives the final reward. Paul directs our attention toward the resurrection, when God's people are changed and receive immortality.
The resurrection is not an afterthought—it is central to the Christian hope.

4. THE BIBLE DESCRIBES DEATH AS SLEEP
The Bible repeatedly uses sleep as a description of death.
Jesus and Lazarus
“Our friend Lazarus sleepeth.” — John 11:11
Jesus then made it unmistakably clear:
“Lazarus is dead.” — John 11:14
Daniel 12:2
“Many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake.”
1 Thessalonians 4:13–16
Paul speaks of those who are asleep and then describes their resurrection when Christ returns.
Ecclesiastes 9:5
“The dead know not any thing.”
Psalm 146:4
When a person dies, “his thoughts perish.”
Together, these passages provide a biblical basis for understanding death as an unconscious state awaiting the resurrection.

5. THE BIBLICAL SEQUENCE BECOMES VERY CLEAR
DEATH
The person rests in the grave.

CHRIST RETURNS
The trumpet sounds.

THE DEAD IN CHRIST RISE
1 Thessalonians 4:16

THEY ARE CHANGED
1 Corinthians 15:51–53

THEY RECEIVE IMMORTALITY
1 Corinthians 15:53–54

DEATH IS DEFEATED
1 Corinthians 15:54–55
This makes Paul's argument especially powerful:
The Christian hope is not merely, “When I die, I go to heaven.”
The great biblical hope is:
JESUS IS COMING AGAIN!
THE DEAD IN CHRIST WILL RISE!

6. WHAT ABOUT PASSAGES THAT SEEM TO TEACH IMMEDIATE LIFE AFTER DEATH?
There are passages that Christians interpret differently, including:
Luke 23:43 — “Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.”
Philippians 1:23 — Paul speaks of departing and being with Christ.
2 Corinthians 5:8 — “Absent from the body… present with the Lord.”
These passages should not be ignored.
However, Christians who believe in the sleep of death understand these verses alongside the many passages that explicitly describe death as sleep and emphasize the future resurrection.
Questions involving punctuation, translation, context, and the meaning of being “with Christ” have contributed to different interpretations.
The safest approach is to study the whole Bible rather than build a doctrine on one verse.

7. WHY DOES THE TEACHING OF DEATH AS SLEEP MATTER?
It keeps the resurrection central.
Paul makes the resurrection absolutely essential to Christian faith.
It teaches that immortality is God's gift.
“This mortal must put on immortality.” — 1 Corinthians 15:53
It gives greater meaning to the Second Coming.
“The dead in Christ shall rise first.” — 1 Thessalonians 4:16
It warns against attempts to communicate with the dead.
Deuteronomy 18:10–12; Isaiah 8:19
If the dead are unconscious, claims that deceased relatives are communicating with the living cannot automatically be accepted as genuine communication with the dead.
It gives comfort through the resurrection hope.
“Sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.” — 1 Thessalonians 4:13
Why?
Because those who have died in Christ will rise again when Jesus returns!

THE GREAT BIBLICAL HOPE
The ultimate hope of Scripture is not death.
It is not the grave.
It is not merely an immortal soul escaping the body.
The great hope is:
JESUS CHRIST'S RETURN

THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD

THE GIFT OF IMMORTALITY

THE DESTRUCTION OF DEATH

ETERNAL LIFE WITH CHRIST
“This mortal shall have put on immortality… then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.” — 1 Corinthians 15:54

IN SHORT
If the dead are already enjoying the complete reward of heaven immediately after death, the resurrection remains important—but it raises a significant question:

Why does Paul place such extraordinary emphasis on the future resurrection as the moment when the dead are raised, changed, receive immortality, and experience final victory over death?

Understanding the biblical teaching of death as sleep makes Paul's argument in 1 Corinthians 15 especially straightforward:
The dead are resting.
They are awaiting the voice of Christ.
Jesus will return.
The dead in Christ will awake.
They will be changed.
Death will be swallowed up in victory.
“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout… and the dead in Christ shall rise first.” — 1 Thessalonians 4:16

THAT IS THE CHRISTIAN HOPE!
Not merely that we die and go somewhere…
But that JESUS IS COMING—AND THE DEAD WILL RISE!

Daily Devotional
Be eyes to the blind; Feet to the lame.

I was eyes to the blind, and feet was I to the lame. Job 29:15

Watch carefully, prayerfully, conscientiously, lest the mind become so engrossed with many important business transactions that true godliness is overlooked and love is quenched from the soul, notwithstanding the great and pitiful need of your being God’s helping hand to the blind and to all others who are unfortunate. The most friendless demand the most attention. Use your time and strength in learning to be “fervent in spirit,” to deal justly, and to love mercy, “serving the Lord.” Remember that Christ says, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me.”

God requires His people to be far more pitiful and considerate of the unfortunate than they are.... God requires that the same consideration which should be given to the widow and fatherless be given to the blind and to those suffering under the affliction of other physical infirmities. Disinterested benevolence is very rare in this age of the world.... It is strange that professed Christian men should disregard the plain, positive teachings of the Word of God and feel no compunction of conscience. God places upon them the responsibility of caring for the unfortunate, the blind, the lame, the widow, and the fatherless; but many make no effort to regard it.

There is a great work to be done in our world, and as we approach the close of earth’s history, it does not lessen in the least degree; but when the perfect love of God is in the heart, wonderful things will be done. [244]

Amazing Facts
Daily Devotionals

What does Paul mean when he says “out of the body” and “caught up to the third heaven”?
August 27, 2026
Read Time: 2 min

This text has been used to support the doctrine of the immortal soul, but it has nothing to do with this at all. It is accepted by practically all commentators that the apostle Paul here was describing his own experience, because he spoke in the context of his own revelations (v. 1).

He was concerned he would be taken as glorying or boasting about his visions. For likely this reason, he attributed the experience to a man he knew. Paul’s soul did not leave his body; If so, he would have been dead and nowhere does he make an allusion to his death or his resurrection.

Paul is also speaking here of “visions” and “revelations.” He was not puzzled over whether he had died or not; he was merely uncertain as to how he was able to see paradise in that vision. Although it seemed that his body was taken to heaven, he felt it possible that he was taken there only in vision.

He confesses ignorance as to what actually happened. The physical impressions seemed as though He were “out of the body,” in a manner of speaking. Likewise, he wrote to the Colossian church, “For though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit” (Colossians 2:5). No one interprets this to mean that some immortal soul left Paul’s body to be with his friends.

The fact is, only God knows the nature of that spiritual visit to paradise. So we would do well not to base any doctrine on this text. What Paul was interested in “boasting” about was not this unusual experience, but of suffering for Jesus Christ (v. 5).

Key Bible Texts
I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven. (2 Corinthians 12:2 KJV)

August 27, 2026 (day 239/365)
THURSDAY

GOD'S WORD FOR THE DAY

“God Is Greater Than Our Understanding”

Job 12:13

“With God are wisdom and might; He has counsel and understanding.”

This is the Word of God. Job 12 reminds us that God possesses wisdom and understanding far beyond human knowledge. Job was suffering deeply, yet he recognized that God remained sovereign and wise even when he could not understand what was happening.

There are times when life brings questions for which we have no answers. We may wonder why God allows certain things to happen or why our prayers seem unanswered. In such moments, we may not understand God's ways, but we can still trust His wisdom.

Our limited understanding sees only a small part of the story, while God sees the beginning, the middle, and the end. Faith means trusting Him even when we cannot see the whole picture.

May God give us humble hearts that trust His wisdom, especially when we do not understand His ways, and help us rest confidently in His sovereign care. Amen.

Have a blessed day with the Lord.

-- Pastor Emmanuel Serto

EVIL DOERS AROUND NATIONS — GOD'S JUDGEMENT OF CORRECTION NOW SUBJECTED ON YOU

1 Pet 4:17 — For time has come for judgment to begin at house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be end of those who do not obey gospel of God?

Hear me, evil doers — workers of iniquity — around nations — altars of darkness — voices — persecutors — lovers of sin.

God has judged His house first — and finished.

You saw Red 7 vision l saw in sky after vanished was first a disciplinary action of suffering , which was subjected on me His house that l had fallen. and I repented as his house of my fall + shame before God & got cleansed by his blood. 1john1:7 & his word in eph5:26-27 which made me pure before God. 1Tim4:5. Thus this discplined me, corrected me & restored holiness back to me— born again — true Israel — Believer not practising sin. His word says in 1peter4:17-18 after this judgement of correction made on His house-- me & done . Now subjected to evil doers now.. thus repent, obey & live pure before God through faith in Christ or refuse will perish in sin.

My hedge was bleached — not removed — to test — to purify.

Job 2:6 — Behold, he is in your hand, but spare his life.

I was wounded — motorcycle, dog, flesh torn — but not given to death — Ps 118:18 — Lord chastened me severely, but has not given me over to death.

My faith was tested by fire — 1 Pet 1:7 — but failed NOT — gold came out pure — Job 23:10 — I shall come forth as gold.

Red No.7 means complete — John 19:30 — It is finished. My correction is done.

NOW YOUR TURN — JUDGEMENT OF CORRECTION NOW ON YOU

1 Pet 4:17 — if it begins with us first, what will be end of you?

Because God finished with His house, He now turns to you.

Your judgement of correction is now set — now subjected on you — this is order of God — Ezek 18:30 — Repent, and turn from all your transgressions, so that iniquity will not be your ruin.

This is not accident — this is ORDER on you.

And hear warning: This punishment to you will be harsher than that subjected on His house.

Luke 12:47-48 — that servant who knew his master's will, and did not prepare... shall be beaten with many stripes. For everyone to whom much is given, much will be required.

To His house — bleach hedge — wound — but spare life — to preserve for calling.

To you evil doers — many stripes — because you knew — you built altars — you sent voices — Eph 6:12 — you fought calling that fights Satan — 1 John 3:8 — you persecuted to make calling fail — Rev 12:17 — you knew.

To me — chastening of son — Heb 12:6 — whom Lord loves He chastens.

To you — wrath of judge — Heb 12:8 — if you are without chastening... then you are illegitimate and not sons.

Matt 10:15 — it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in day of judgment than for that city.
Heb 10:29 — Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled Son of God underfoot?

Voices — of evil altars — the motorcycle accident — dog hit in accident— God counted them.

Now unless you repent and live pure before God through faith in Christ, harsher correction falls — disease beyond wound — torment beyond voices — shame beyond nakedness — loss beyond flesh — Ps 11:6 — Upon wicked He will rain coals; fire and brimstone and burning wind shall be portion of their cup.

WHAT GOD DEMANDS NOW:

Repent — Acts 17:30 — God now commands all men everywhere to repent.

Believe in faith — 1 John 1:7 — blood of Jesus Christ cleanses from all sin — 1 Tim 4:5 — sanctified by Word and prayer.

Live pure — Rev 14:4-5 — These are ones not defiled... without fault before throne of God — 1 John 3:9 — whoever born of God does not practice sin.

Be true Israel — not practising sin — Matt 6:33 — seek first Kingdom and His righteousness, and much more shall be added.

IF YOU REFUSE — JUDGEMENT OF DESTRUCTION FOLLOWS

If you refuse to repent now in this correction — judgement of destruction is already appointed.

Prov 11:21 — Though hand join in hand, wicked shall not go unpunished.
1 Pet 4:18 — If righteous one scarcely saved, where will ungodly and sinner appear?
2 Thess 1:8-9 — In flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from presence of Lord.
Rev 20:15 — Anyone not found written in Book of Life was cast into lake of fire.
Gal 6:7 — Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; whatever man sows, that he will reap.

Look Up

It’s normal, as well as understandable, to spend our time, energy, and attention focusing on the here and now. We’re busy, after all. Sometimes we're preoccupied. And when we stop to really think about it, it’s difficult to perceive something beyond our five senses.

But in his letter to the Colossians, Paul encourages his fellow believers to look up:

“Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand.”
‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

As you think about Paul’s words and the realities of heaven, here are four things to consider:

- First, heaven isn’t some vague, dream-like state. It’s a real place, with real people, where God is the true King.

- Second, there will come a day when we will all meet God face to face. We will no longer need faith or hope, because that which we’ve hoped for will finally be revealed.

- Third, our troubles and our heartbreaks (and even death itself) are temporary! Scripture tells us that, eventually, God will do away with pain and death and sickness and suffering—forever.

- Lastly (and most importantly), God is still on His throne, with Jesus beside Him in the place of honor. No matter how crazy, senseless, or heartbreaking the world can seem, we can have confidence knowing that nothing is outside of God’s sovereign plan.

So when you’re tempted to look around at others or look inward at yourself, look up instead. Heaven is wherever God is, and that’s the truest reality of all.

Look Up

It’s normal, as well as understandable, to spend our time, energy, and attention focusing on the here and now. We’re busy, after all. Sometimes we're preoccupied. And when we stop to really think about it, it’s difficult to perceive something beyond our five senses.

But in his letter to the Colossians, Paul encourages his fellow believers to look up:

“Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand.”
‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

As you think about Paul’s words and the realities of heaven, here are four things to consider:

- First, heaven isn’t some vague, dream-like state. It’s a real place, with real people, where God is the true King.

- Second, there will come a day when we will all meet God face to face. We will no longer need faith or hope, because that which we’ve hoped for will finally be revealed.

- Third, our troubles and our heartbreaks (and even death itself) are temporary! Scripture tells us that, eventually, God will do away with pain and death and sickness and suffering—forever.

- Lastly (and most importantly), God is still on His throne, with Jesus beside Him in the place of honor. No matter how crazy, senseless, or heartbreaking the world can seem, we can have confidence knowing that nothing is outside of God’s sovereign plan.

So when you’re tempted to look around at others or look inward at yourself, look up instead. Heaven is wherever God is, and that’s the truest reality of all.

*Looking Up*

It’s normal, as well as understandable, to spend our time, energy, and attention focusing on the here and now. We’re busy, after all. Sometimes we're preoccupied. And when we stop to really think about it, it’s difficult to perceive something beyond our five senses.

But in his letter to the *Colossians* , Paul encourages his fellow believers to look up:
*“Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand.” ‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬*
As we think about Paul’s words and the realities of heaven, here are four things to consider:

- First, heaven isn’t some vague, dream-like state. It’s a real place, with real people, where God is the true King.

- Second, there will come a day when we will all meet God face to face. We will no longer need faith or hope, because that which we’ve hoped for will finally be revealed.

- Third, our troubles and our heartbreaks (and even death itself) are temporary! Scripture tells us that, eventually, God will do away with pain and death and sickness and suffering—forever.

- Lastly (and most importantly), God is still on His Throne, with Jesus beside Him in the place of honor. No matter how crazy, senseless, or heartbreaking the world can seem, we can have confidence knowing that nothing is outside of God’s Sovereign plan.

So when we’re tempted to look around at others or look inward at ourselves, let's look up instead. Heaven is wherever God is, and that’s the truest reality of all.

*A Prayer of Thanks for Eternal Life*
Father God, we realize that eternal life began the moment we accepted Your free gifts of Grace and Salvation. As we follow You, help us to always remember to look up—to have an eternal mindset. Give us the wisdom to be mindful of heaven as we are living here on earth. In Jesus’ Mighty Name, Amen.

CHRISTIANITY IS A LIFELONG JOURNEY

How long does it take a Christian to reach completeness, to become spiritually mature; to display all God intends him to be? The simple answer: a lifetime. Christianity is a lifelong journey, an adventure. It's not an event or a temporary project.

In Phillipians 3, Paul had just written about his goals to gain Christ, and be found in Him with the righteousness that comes only through faith in the sinless Son of God. He wanted to know Christ and the power of His resurrection, even through fellowship with His suffering. (Phil. 3, 8-11)

Paul had come far in his spiritual growth, he had completely surrendered all his former status for the cause of the gospel of Christ. He had progressed from persecuting followers of Jesus to teaching believers how to live the christian life. (Phil. 3, 17)

Throughout the epistles, christians are instructed and encouraged to "grow in grace and knowledge of the Lord". We are to "press on ... that we may "lay hold of that which Christ Jesus" has obtained for us. (Phil. 3, 12)

"Press on" suggests pursuing the goal with all deliberate speed and intentionality. It is a continual action and each new day presents another opportunity to become more of what God has designed us to be.

FINAL SERMON: RED 7, VISION—JUDGEMENT OF CORRECTION CAME FIRST ON ME — GOLD CAME OUT PURE — NOW JUDGEMENT TO YOU EVIL DOERS

Text: 1 Pet 4:17 — For time has come for judgment to begin at house of God.

---

INTRO: RED 7 VISION ON ME

I am born again — true Israel — Believer not practising sin.

Red Color in vision= sin Isa 1:18 — though sins scarlet —Also Red = Blood of Jesus 1 John 1:7 — blood cleanses from all sin.

Red 7 vision came to me — not curse — but disciplinary act on me — Ps 37:23 — steps of good man ordered by Lord.

Punishment = 1 Pet 4:17 — judgement begin at house of God first.

1. SPIRITUAL WARFARE : EVIL— VOICES — EPH 6:12

Before accident, evil altar with voices already existing in my life — voices I heard when no one present — causing confusion, disturbance, threatening---spiritual warfare.

Eph 6:12 — we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, powers, rulers of darkness.

I fought them with Word of God — Eph 6:17 — sword of Spirit, which is Word of God — 2 Cor 10:4-5 — mighty to pull down strongholds.

Why this spiritual warfare? Because my calling fought Satan & works of Satan.

1 John 3:8 — For this purpose Son of God manifested, that He might destroy works of devil. That purpose is my calling.

Acts 26:18 — to turn them from darkness to light, and from power of Satan to God.
Rev 12:17 — dragon enraged, went to make war with offspring who keep commandments and have testimony of Jesus.

Aim of evil altar: persecute me so that to fail that calling God had put for me before Him — servant , & a witness of Jesus of last days testifying to what the son shown me.--- abort Green 7, vision Red 7, vision , skeleton vision & abort 144,000 dream. Acts26:16

2. GOD CAN BLEACH HEDGE FOR, TESTING, PURIFICATION

God can bleach hedge — not remove. Thus l prayed for hedge protection & believed that l received it. And b'se true faith is tested to prove if it's pure. God allowed the hedge l had to be bleached to test my faith if it's pure but not removing the it. through using the accident. and though accident occurred on me but my life was preserved from facing physical death.. by the hedge. and people who heard this accident said it's a curse. which l didn't accept believing that the hedge was still on me. thus my faith never failed with negative words of people instead was made pure. & 1peter1:7 was fulfilled in my life.

Job 1:10 — Have You not made hedge around him?
Job 2:6 — Behold, he is in your hand, but spare his life.

Bleach = thin for two reasons:

Testing — 1 Pet 1:7 — genuineness of faith tested by fire — to prove pure.
Purification — Mal 3:3 — He will purify sons of Levi as gold and silver — 1 Tim 4:5 — sanctified by Word and prayer.

3. ACCIDENT = TESTING OF FAITH — BUT FAITH FAILED NOT — GOLD PURE

Then accident came — motorcycle hitting dog — body wounded.

People said negative: curse.

I insisted: NOT curse to me.

Because hedge though bleached, protected me to not go into death — Ps 118:18 — Lord chastened me severely, but has not given me over to death — Ps 34:7 — Angel encamps around those who fear Him.

This accident was about testing faith — but fortunately never failed it.

Luke 22:32 — I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail.
2 Cor 4:9 — struck down, but not destroyed.

Flesh wounded — faith held — Word held — Blood held.

Result: Gold came out pure — That's the thing.

Job 23:10 — When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.
Zech 13:9 — I will refine them as silver, test them as gold is tested.
1 Pet 1:7 FULFILLED IN MY LIFE — faith more precious than gold, tested, found to praise.

I repented & got cleansed by blood — purified — faith clean by word through prayer — 1 Tim 4:5.

4. RED NO.7 MEANS COMPLETE — ORDER FINISHED

Red No.7 means complete — Gen 2:2 — on seventh day God ended His work — John 19:30 — It is finished.

Disciplinary action of suffering, and testing in bleaching hedge — done/complete in my life now by Red No.7. Order finished.

Now new order: Green 7 — sealed unbroken — Matt 6:33 much more supply — 144,000 — true Israel.

5. NOW TO YOU EVIL DOERS — YOUR JUDGEMENT OF CORRECTION — HARSHER

If this done to His house now and finished — God now looking to evil doers to repent too of their sins by punishing you now with His judgement of correction from Red 7 vision and obey His Word to be pure before God.

1 Pet 4:17-18 — if it begins with us first, what will be end of those who do not obey gospel? If righteous scarcely saved, where will ungodly and sinner appear?

And this punishment to you evil doers is going to be harsher than that God made first to His house.

Luke 12:47-48 — that servant who knew and did not prepare, shall be beat