Finishing the Race

We are in a race to the end and our Father is with us every step of the way!

Hebrews 12:1-6

12:1 cloud: throng. Witnesses: the lives who witness to the power of faith (not as a spectator, but one who has lived it). We are to get rid of the things which slow us down as we race to the finish line (which is eternal life).

12:2 Jesus made the finish line attainable for us. He finished the race with joy even though He went through many horrible things.

12:3-4 contradiction G 485; strife, dispute. We have not experienced anything close to what Jesus went through; He shed blood and gave His life.

12:5-6 if you start running off track, God will correct you and bring you back. He does this because He loves you and wants the best for His children.

Hebrews 12:25-29

12:25 this has reference to the unforgiveable sin. If you are called to speak and give a witness at the end don’t deny the Holy Spirit to speak through you; if you deny it then you will not reach the finish line.

12:26-27 when you stand upon the ROCK (Christ) you are unmovable! The evil of this world will be done away with (compare: 2Peter 3:10-12).

12:28-29 His fire is a cleansing fire; to us it warms and comforts but to the evil it burns and consumes.

1 Corinthians 15:17-28

15:17 if Christ didn’t resurrect from the dead then why would you want to call yourself a Christian? Our faith would be a lie, but we know He did resurrect and defeat death!

15:18 if Jesus didn’t resurrect then all those who died as Christians would just be in a hole in the ground. Remember we have a God of the living not a God of the dead (compare: Matthew 22:32).

15:19 if all we had was this flesh life then we would definitely be miserable with no hope of something better. Praise God we have a better hope which is eternal life.

15:20-22 all who believe in Christ have hope of eternal life!

15:23-24 end G 5056; to set out for a definite point or goal, the point aimed at. The word “end” is what we set out for, it is our goal to reach; it is our finish line (eternal life).

15:25-26 death is Satan (compare: Hebrews 2:14). Satan will be destroyed in the lake of fire (compare: Rev 20:14-15).

15:27-28 this happens at the end of the millennium. The race will take us through this dispensation and to the end of the millennium.

1 Corinthians 15:51-53

15:51-52 when the seventh trump sounds we shall all be changed into spiritual bodies.

15:53 mortal G 2349; liable to die. Our goal is to take part in the first resurrection (compare: Rev 20:5-6).

Matthew 24:8-15

24:8-9 those called to give a witness will be delivered up before death (Satan). They are not delivered up to die but give a witness.

24:10 (compare: Isa 8:15). Family members will betray each other and deliver others to Satan (death) thinking he is Jesus when he comes as anti-Christ (compare: Mark 13:12).

24:11-12 these false prophets are setting the people up to be deceived by anti-Christ. Sin abounding and the love of people growing cold; sounds a lot like today!

24:13 those who endure to the “end” (don’t fall for the anti-Christ) will be saved.

24:14 this witness will be given by God’s elect when they are delivered up before Satan.

24:15 do you understand? Do you know who this speaks of? This is Satan in his role as anti-Christ. He will stand in Jerusalem claiming to be Christ, be ready!

1 Peter 4:11-17

4:11 the instructions are to teach the word of God! Many do not and glorify themselves.

4:12 we study God’s word so we are aware of the things to come.

4:13 we will share in Christ’s sufferings as well as the praise when He returns.

4:14 they are trying to take God out of everything but we won’t stand for it! We will glorify God in everything.

4:15-16 those that suffer for being a Christian will have their reward when the race is finished.

4:17 judgment begins at the house of God. We must run the race with patience and strength.