"I WILL RAISE HIM UP AT THE LAST DAY"

By Doug Krieger

NOTE:  This missive is intensely EVANGELICAL - proceed with caution and confirmation . . .. "I WILL RAISE HIM UP AT THE LAST DAY"

With persistent wars raging in the Middle East . . . and with “news from the East and North” more than troubling (Dan. 11:40-45), we who claim our inheritance in the Good Land, await the “Last Day” in which out of this death and chaos shall arise resurrection life! 

This missive is not what you might expect at your next “prophecy conference” but it is intensely prophetic because it echoes the very words of the prophets acclaimed by Jesus: “It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught by God.’” (John 6:45). Allow me to elaborate how and when this can be. . .  

Four times Jesus declared “I will raise it/him up at the Last Day” in John 6:39, 40, 44 and 54. No doubt our Lord in this discourse in the synagogue in Capernaum, Galilee (John 6:59) declared the very purpose of His manifestation as the Bread of Life. It was to give “everlasting life” to all who would believe in and partake of Him—but how could mortal man arrive at the Last Day and be raised, resurrected, to everlasting life by believing in and partaking of Him?

If, like the 5,000 fed in the earlier part of John 6:1-14, anyone who seeks the miraculous bread from heaven (manna) to feed their own belly or hungers for a supernatural sign, will, as the fathers who ate such manna in the wilderness, die in their superficial encounter with such provision—they take it in but have no clue nor faith in the One behind their sustenance.

SEE THE SON

The first two statements by Jesus in John 6:39-40 center on the Son of the Living God. The Lord does care for the hungry; after all, didn’t He feed the 5,000?  But something far more profound is taking place.  You might say, “This is a teaching moment.”  And what is the lesson here?  What were the 5,000 really after?  Apparently, to feed their gnawing hunger, their bodies; but likewise, they wanted to “work the works of God” (John 6:28).

Jesus sought to bring them from “doing” to “believing”—indeed, the very “work of God” is and always will be “to believe in Him” Whom the Father has sent (John 6:29).  But we humans are wired “to do” rather than “to believe.”  Obviously, let’s keep working at “it” until we’re actually doing God’s work is not what the miracle of feeding the 5,000 was all about—not at all!

Let’s bring it home here.  “Philip, where shall we buy bread, that these (5,000) may eat?”  “Lord, we’ve got 200 denarii worth of bread—and guess what—it’s not sufficient—we can’t buy our way out of this!”

Ever face such insurmountable odds like this?  Sure, you have, we all have.  A serious illness, a loved one dies, can’t provide for the family, can’t pay the bills, flunked a test you can’t pass, you get into a car accident and it’s a total loss, you’re forced to bankrupt, you’re told you’re not needed any longer at the Church, your marriage is falling apart—I could go on, spare me! 

Worse yet, Philip was being tested, and wouldn’t you know the Lord Who was testing him knew what He was going to do no matter if Philip passed the test, which he didn’t. 

Philip was counting coins but Andrew, Peter’s brother, chimed in, to wit: “I mean 5 barley loaves and 2 SMALL fish?  You can’t be serious!” One’s meager resources up against 5,000. . . no wonder your fish are best described as SMALL!

Guys, in particular, are described by what they “do for a living”—how do they provide?  Even those on welfare assistance are trying to figure out how that will somehow provide for themselves and enough for their immediate family, if they have one.

Real disciples of Jesus are often taught by well-meaning brethren that in order to be a real follower of Christ they must prepare to be a “worker for the Lord.”  I’m not degrading such diligence in following the Lord; however, if that’s the “work” enabling one to “do the work of God”—well, you’re already off the rails. 

Listen up, “when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God” then, and only then, “those who hear will live” (John 5:25) . . . and “everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day” (John 6:40).  Yes, “seeing is believing” and “hearing Him—you will hear!” 

So, you’re going through it, and your resources are slim to none—your first “test” is to look at yourself . . . we all do . . . but He’s up to something: “He Himself knew what He would do” (John 6:6).  Not what Philip or Andrew would do but what He would do. 

You’re in overtime—you’re desperate for resurrection life: “Everyone who SEES THE SON and believes in Him” is bound for everlasting life, to be raised up at the last day.  I know this speaks of the prophetic future.  But isn’t it always or doesn’t it seem like He’s the God of the “last day” of whatever your trial is?  Your extremity IS God’s opportunity to prove Himself. 

STOP!   It’s your last day—see the Son—look what He’s about doing.  It’s time you do the heavy lifting!  And what does that look like?  Believe on Him sent by the Father.  That’s the first step—but there’s more.

DRAWN BY THE FATHER

“No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day” (John 6:44). 

Once you see the Son, then the Father will draw you into the very fellowship that the Son eternally has with the Father.  Know this, once your eyes are opened to the Son—Who He is and what He is capable of doing—you still need to be drawn into Their fellowship. 

In John’s First Epistle he says: “Truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ” (1 John 1:3).  Yes, for there to be an Eternal Father (Isa. 9:6 “Everlasting Father”) there had to be an Eternal Son—the Triune God is truly the God of fellowship, communion, partaking and has called us to be “partakers of the Divine Nature” (2 Peter 1:4).  Moreover, this word “partaker” in the original Greek connotes fellowship or “koinonia”—a true partnership, a sharing in the fellowship the Son and the Father have.  No, one’s identity is maintained—you don’t become God, but you are being prepared for eternal fellowship with the Father and the Son—so let’s get started. 

In a very real sense, we do not know what fellowship among brethren is until we enter into the fellowship the Son has with the Father—that is what the Father is drawing us into.  It can’t get any better than this!  It’s not that you or I are going to do amazing exploits for the Almighty.  The New Covenant does not extract more work from 5 loaves and 2 small fish but is drawn into the inexhaustible fellowship the Father has with the Son. 

Why do I say New Covenant at this juncture?  Because “I will raise him up at the last day” is followed by: “It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught by God.’” (John 6:45).  This statement is not random.  How can they be taught by God?  How can “everyone who has heard and learned from the Father” . . . “come to Me”? What is the meaning of “All shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them”?   

“Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah—not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, though I was a husband to them, says the LORD.  But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD:  I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.  No more shall every man teach his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says the LORD. . . for I will forgive their iniquity and their sin I will remember no more” (Jeremiah 31:31-34).  NOTE: “know Me” not “about Me.”

This is the depth into which the Father is drawing us.  It is all predicated upon the New Covenant.  He has always desired to be our Husband—and we His Bride.  But not based upon an agreement which can be broken (i.e., the Mosaic Covenant) but one based upon a unilateral agreement based upon His accomplishment whereby “I will forgive their iniquity and their sin I will remember no more.” (Ref. Rom 7:1-4)

Under the New Covenant (now follow me here) we are not teaching each other about the Law; we are taught directly by the LORD to “know the LORD” Himself!  Once we know Him, we know His character, His Law—see the Son, be drawn by the Father!  As He loves, we love (“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another”—John 13:34).

Finally, the ultimate “test” comes—and He knows what He is doing! 

EAT HIS FLESH AND DRINK HIS BLOOD

What takes place in this fellowship we’ve entered into with the Son and with the Father?  An intimacy which defines and divides true Christianity from all religions known of men— “Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day” (John 6:54).

This is the final “raise him up on the last day.”  Why?  Because you have ingested “the flesh of the Son of Man” and are drinking of “His blood”—you can’t get any more intimate than this!  And understand this amazement: 

“Does this offend you?  What then if you should see the Son of Man ascend where He was before?  It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing.  The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life” (John 6:61-63).

Assuredly—scores of brethren are undergoing “discipleship programs/trainings” in an attempt to accelerate growth in Christ. . . to become a real follower of the Lamb.  Commendable, and there are some great “programs” out there for the seeking soul; however, know this: “From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more” (John 6:66).  Trust not in your accomplishments nor in your programs, trainings, and certifications as a true disciple of Christ.  You may have been “vetted” by an outstanding discipleship program, class or exercise by the best of them—but have you, have I, truly believed, partaken of His body and blood?  Therein lies the rub!

Understand this:  You have in spirit, by His Spirit, become one with God Almighty by eating and drinking in the nourishment of Jesus Christ.  The Son, the Father, and now the Spirit—the very Triune God—is your everlasting portion.  We are being raised up by the Son, the Father, and the Holy Spirit (Isa. 63:11, 16). 

Yes, He prophesied His ascension. . . 

“. . . if you should see the Son of Man ascend where He was before?” (John 6:62).  But it was mandatory that by His ascension He would send the Spirit, “And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—the Spirit of truth . . . but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.  I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you” (John 14:16-18—lit. “I am coming to you”).

Do you see it?  The New Covenant was inaugurated and announced at the Passover Preparation meal: 

“Jesus took the bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, ‘Take, eat; this is My body.’ Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the New Covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins . . . and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world . . . Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life and I will raise him up at the last day’” (Matt. 26:27-29; John 6:51, 53-54).

God’s ultimate intention is the extremity of intimacy whereby the New Covenant alone shall accomplish such communion, fellowship, and oneness shared between the Son and the Father via the Holy Spirit. THIS is what Christ offers to those followers whereby: 

“. . . they shall be taught by God” wherein “No more shall every man teach his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says the LORD.  For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more” (John 6:45; Jer. 31:34). 

Yes, “THIS is the covenant that I will make with the House of Israel after those days” (Jer. 31:33).  Say not, you are excluded from citizenship in the Household of God, from the Israel of God, from the Commonwealth of Israel (Gal. 6:16; Eph. 2:12, 19).  Today, the New Covenant views not God Almighty from a distance but through His body and blood we have become His New Creation, His One New Man, and resoundingly He declares through the prophet Jeremiah: “. . . I will be their God, and they shall be My people . . . For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father” (both Jew and Gentile) (Jer. 31:33b; Eph. 2:18).

Beyond imagination:  God Almighty, the Father, through the body and blood of the Son of Man, in ascension, has made Himself via the Spirit of the Living God, 100% available to humanity—whereby we are being transformed into His very Image, awaiting that Last Day to be raised up an incorruptible body like unto His glorious body:  “And as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man” (1 Cor. 15:49).  That’s the Last Day:

“Behold, I tell you a mystery:  We shall not all sleep, but we shall be change—in the moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet.  For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed” (1 Cor. 15:51-52).

Esoteric?  Beyond human comprehension?  No, no no!  This is precisely what is needed in today’s maelstrom of confusion, hatred, and general chaos.  You say, “But, Krieger, people are starving, destitute, orphaned, divided and at war with each other. . . how can you go off into such divine platitudes when all hell is breaking loose?  That’s exactly why seeing the Son, being drawn by the Father, and eating and drinking by the Spirit is the only remedy to this world’s contentions.  It is THE anecdote for humanity’s incurable illnesses.  And, incidentally, “from the least of them to the greatest of them” opens this democratic door of forgiveness to all regardless of class, status, gender—whatever!

All around us people are starving, and we have neither the money nor resources to feed them—we’ve failed the test, as well—but, again, “For He Himself knew what He would do” and that issues forth in the New Covenant through His body and blood!  Amen.