Where Are the Dead in Christ?

WHERE ARE THE DEAD IN CHRIST? 

By Ezekiel Kimosop

This question lingered in the minds of the Thessalonian Christians who earnestly looked forward to Christ's coming in their generation. When they noticed that some believers in their midst had passed away, they were deeply worried about their divine destiny. The Thessalonians had not been adequately taught the foundational truths of the Christian faith at this point in time. Paul was compelled to respond to their questions and set the record straight. 

1 Thessalonians 4:13-16 says: "But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.

15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first." (NKJV). 

This passage of Scripture affirms that those who die in the Lord are not lost. They have simply exited this earthly life and their souls continue to live on in the presence of God until God's appointed time when the last trumpet shall sound. This is the reason that 1 Thessalonians 4:14 speaks of Christ coming with them. 

The bodies of those who have died in Christ shall however lie in their earthly graves awaiting the rapture. 

Scripture elsewhere teaches that to be absent from this world is to be present with Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:6-8 says"So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. 7 For we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord." (NKJV).

We learn from 1 Corinthians 15:42-44 that "...the body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption. 43 It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. 44 It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body." (NKJV). 

This Scripture underscores the distinction between the perishable earthly body and the spiritual body that the dead in Christ will adorn upon their resurrection. The earthly body is marked with dishonour, weakness, and familiarity. The resurrected body will be glorified and spiritual in nature. 

The precise nature of the spiritual or glorified body is incomprehensible to our finite minds but this reality will be made manifest upon the coming of Christ. There is a residual mystery of the heavenly life that God has concealed from us until Christ is revealed. 

As we yearn for the coming of Christ, we remain steadfast and confident that the souls of the dead in Christ are before the throne of God. Paul looked forward to this special union with God after his martyrdom for which he was prepared (2 Timothy 4:7-8). 

The Bible teaches that at the sounding of the last trumpet, the dead in Christ will rise first and those who will be alive at Christ's coming shall be transformed and will adorn heavenly bodies at the twinkling of an eye (1 Corinthians 15:52) and together they will meet the Lord in the air. They shall forever dwell in His divine presence as the redeemed of God in Christ (1 Thessalonians 4:13-17). 

Shalom 

© Ezekiel Kimosop 2026

How Does 2 Kings 6:16 Encourage Believers Facing Overwhelming odds?

HOW DOES 2 KINGS 6:16 ENCOURAGE BELIEVERS FACING OVERWHELMING ODDS? 

By Ezekiel Kimosop 

How does 2 Kings 6:16 encourage believers facing overwhelming odds?

2 Kings 6:16 He said, "Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them."

PASSAGE CONTEXT 

The passage of 2 Kings 6:8-23 records a strange incident during which God blinded the eyes of the Assyrians when they sought to capture prophet Elisha and possibly harm him. God miraculously intervened to protect His prophet from imminent capture. He blinded the eyes of the Assyrian army and Elijah's servant directed them to Samaria, far away from Elisha's location.

Elisha restrained his servants from destroying the Assyrians. Instead, he extended kindness to them by feeding them and sending them away. 

Elisha's prophetic statement recorded in v.16 is compelling. It reveals that God had surrounded Elisha with His heavenly host. There is no greater power than God's army. This was an assurance of God's protection for His servant. God did not permit the Assyrians to capture and possibly kill His servant. 

How does the statement in v.16 encourage believers facing overwhelming odds? 

MORAL LESSONS 

Here's the text: "So he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” (NKJV). 

Elisha assured his fearful servant that God's heavenly host was at hand to preserve him against the Assyrians. Humanly speaking, this statement was incomprehensible! Elisha prayed that God may open the eyes of his servant so that he could affirm Elisha's prophecy. 

God graciously opened the servants eyes. In v. 17b, the writer says: "Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha." (NKJV). 

It took God's intervention to calm Elisha's servant. There are circumstances in our lives that God makes some interventions that reveal His presence with His people. God can use these unusual circumstances to calm our fears and to cause us to trust Him. He reveals His loving grace to us through the assurance of the Holy Spirit who dwells in us. 

John 14:15-18 says "If you love Me, keep My commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you 

We may not physically see God's heavenly host surrounding us in our moments of distress. However, the assurance of His abiding presence is indelibly affirmed in Scripture. This should cause us to keep our eyes fixed on Him. Hebrews 11:1 says"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." (NKJV)

Scripture assures us that God will never forsake His covenant people. In Deuteronomy 31:6, God assures Joshua of His abiding presence and help, saying, "Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.” (NKJV). This assurance should encourage God's people facing overwhelming odds.

Deuteronomy 31:8 says: "And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.” (NKJV). 

In the New Testament Scriptures, the writer of Hebrews 13:5 proclaims "For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (NKJV). 

No matter what we go through in this passing evil world, we are assured of God's steadfast love and His abiding presence. 

@ Ezekiel Kimosop 2026

What Can We Learn from 1 John 3 on Love and Hate?

WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM 1 JOHN 3 ON LOVE AND HATE?

By Ezekiel Kimosop

What are some things I can learn about love and hate here?

1 John 3:1-24

This passage of Scripture consolidates a number of topical outlines on moral Christian living. In vv. 1-3 the writer teaches that God's revelation of His love will be more manifestly revealed when we appear before Christ. The writer states in vv.2-3: "Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. 3 And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure." (NKJV). 

This text celebrates the bountifulness of God's glory when we appear before Him in heaven. 

In vv.4-9, the writer warns believers on habitual sinfulness. This passage should not be interpreted to teach or imply that believers can attain sinless perfection. Such a theological interpretation would contradict 2 Corinthians 5:21.

In vv.10-15, Scripture exhorts us to love one another. Sincere love among God's people invokes jealousy and hatred from the sinful world. Our love for one another is evidence of the divine transformation in our lives that has separated us from this passing evil world (2 Corinthians 5:17). It is instructive that the writer employs the word "love" four times in this passage, illustrating its significance in his exhortation. The word "hate" is twice mentioned. 

In vv.18-23, the word "love" is once again employed twice by John. The gist of this passage is an exhortation on having a good or clear conscience that is free from sinful condemnation. This is a defining pillar in our life of covenant obedience (vv. 21-23). 

In v.24, the writer concludes his exhortation by underscoring the significance of Christian obedience under the leading of the Holy Spirit. 

What do we learn from this passage on love and hate? 

We learn that we ought to love one another as God's covenant people. This love should be practically demonstrated in word and deed. Our love for God's people comes from God Himself. God extended His love to us in Christ and this love should ooze from us. This loving relationship will distinguish us from the world of sin and disobedience where jealousy and hate is a defining attribute. 

© Ezekiel Kimosop 2026

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This answer article was originally posted on ebible.com on 5^th March 2026.

What was the Psalmist's Problem in Psalm 42:3-4?

 

WHAT WAS THE PSALMIST’S PROBLEM IN PSALM 42:3-4?

By Ezekiel Kimosop

What was the psalmist's problem in Psalm 42:3-4?

Psalm 42:1-4 says "As the deer pants for the water brooks,

So pants my soul for You, O God.

2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.

When shall I come and appear before God?

3 My tears have been my food day and night,

While they continually say to me,

“Where is your God?”

4 When I remember these things,

I pour out my soul within me.

For I used to go with the multitude;

I went with them to the house of God,

With the voice of joy and praise,

With a multitude that kept a pilgrim feast." (NKJV).

To appreciate the psalmist's predicament, the Bible reader should read through the entire psalm.

The psalmist exudes hope in v.5b, saying "... Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him

For the help of His countenance."

Was the psalmist possibly in exile at this point? The NKJV aptly titles the psalm "Yearning for God in the Midst of Distresses." The psalmist was suffering some heavy distress whose details are not disclosed in Scripture. He was longing for an opportunity to appear before God in the temple. There is a hint in v.44 that the psalmist used to worship God in the gathering of His people. It appears that this experience was curtailed under unclear circumstances. The psalmist admits in v.9b that he was under the oppression of an undisclosed enemy. He had possibly been captured by enemy forces and detained or imprisoned.

The ridicule in v.11 provides a second hint. He was under a humiliating experience. The psalmist's enemies mock him all day long, saying "Where is your God?”. This could be an indication that he was under enemy captivity, far away from Israel. The mention of the territory in v.6 suggests that he was in a heathen location outside the territory of Israel:

"Therefore I will remember You from the land of the Jordan,

And from the heights of Hermon,

From the Hill Mizar."

While we may not fully understand the circumstances behind the experience of the writer at this point, Psalm 42 reveals that the psalmist as most likely a downcast covenant Jew who was possibly held by enemy captors outside the territory of Israel for an undefined period of time. His liberty was apparently curtailed and this could explain his distress. He longed for the communal temple worship which had previously shaped his religious life. 

The imagery employed by the psalmist in 

 Psalm 42:1-2 is compelling. His longing

 for an opportunity to appear before God

portrays the consuming depth of his 

covenant life with God. 

Some Bible scholars suppose that the writer may have been a victim of a Canaanite raid into territories of Israel. This raid could be similar to the Amalekite raid on David's camp at Ziglag in the Negev which is described in 1 Samuel 30. 

This psalm teaches us that no matter what circumstances we find ourselves in, our covenant relationship with God will be preserved and God's loving grace will be extended to us. God will never leave or forsake His covenant people. He preserved the children of Israel in Gentile territories, including Egypt, Babylon, and Persia.

We should therefore be encouraged that God is still with us in those difficult moments. We can commune with God and make petitions to Him and, more importantly, keep our hope on Him. At His appointed time, He will rescue us from our distress and affliction. 

Job suffered horrendous affliction under the Chaldeans. His devastation is recorded in Job 1:6-19. Job endured the painful affliction with compelling courage. Job 1:20-22 says:

"Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshiped. ²¹ And he said:

“Naked I came from my mother’s womb,
And naked shall I return there.2)
The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away;
Blessed be the name of the Lord.”

²² In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong." (NKJV). 

God came to Job's rescue in the end (Job 41-4. We serve a faithful God who stands with us even in the worst storms of life. You could be navigating difficult terrains in life, not sure about how things would come out in the end. Place your hope in God and wait upon Him. Psalm 121:7-8 says:

"The Lord shall preserve you from all evil;
He shall preserve your soul.
⁸ The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in
From this time forth, and even forevermore." (NKJV). 

Shalom

 

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This article was originally posted on ebible.com on 13^th February 2026. It was revised and posted on Listening & Doing Biblical Forum on 4th March 2026. You can access this website through ezekielkimosop.blogspot.com. 

 

© Ezekiel Kimosop 2026

How Did Jesus Become Sin in 2 Corinthians 5:21?

HOW DID JESUS BECOME SIN IN 2 CORINTHIANS 5:21?

By Ezekiel Kimosop

2 Corinthians 5:21 says: "For He [God] made Him [Jesus] who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him [Christ]." (NKJV, emphasis mine).

A plain reading of the text may appear to suggest that Jesus was literally made a sinner at the cross. Nothing could be further from the truth! The writer of this text of Scripture employs metaphorical language to explain the essence and purpose of Jesus' atoning death on the cross of Calvary. This figurative language is intended to convey an overarching divine truth - that Jesus carried the weight and burden of our sin at the cross yet He was without sin. He was undeserving of the condemnation that He suffered to redeem us. Our sin in Adam could not be atoned by the blood of bulls and goats (Hebrews 10:4). Only the sinless blood of Jesus Christ could atone for our sin and our alienation from the holy and righteous God of Scripture. 

If Jesus was truly made sin, and hence became sinful even by a speck of it, He could not have satisfied God's divine purposes for the atonement. Only a sinless Lamb of God could qualify to be slain at Calvary.

Elsewhere in Scripture, we learn that Jesus voluntarily submitted Himself to the Father in order to come as God incarnate and redeem us (Philippians 2:1-10). When Scripture speaks of Jesus being made sin, it underscores the theological paradox in His redemption work. It was inconceivable that a member of the divinity could come down to take on the role that Jesus accepted as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). This truth underscores the essence of the substitutionary atonement that Christ accomplished for us - dying in the place of condemned sinners to free them from God's divine wrath.  

In His incarnation, Jesus came to us as our kinsman Redeemer. He took on flesh and was in every essence human except for His divinity and His is sinlessness. This was a significant feature in His incarnate coming and atoning death. Scripture attests that there was no one in heaven, on earth, or under the earth who could have taken the place of Christ in redeeming humanity. This is the reason that Jesus is celebrated in heaven as the Christus Victor - the one by whom a decisive victory over Satan was resoundingly achieved to the glory of God. Jesus took our place on the cross and suffered the condemnation that was meant for us. He redeemed us from the bondage of sin to which our transgression in Adam consigned us.  Any sinner that looks to the cross in faith will receive his atonement for sin and will adorn the righteousness of God in Christ.  Isaiah 53:6, speaking of our disobedience and Christ's atonement, says: 

"All we like sheep have gone astray;

We have turned every one to his own way;

And the LORD has laid on Him the inequity of us all" (NKJV). 

Revelation 5:2-5 says "2 Then I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals?” 3 And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll, or to look at it. 

4 So I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll, or to look at it. 5 But one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals.” (NKJV).

Revelation 5:9-10 celebrates Christ's triumphant mission at the cross, saying:

"And they sang a new song, saying:

“You are worthy to take the scroll,

And to open its seals;

For You were slain,

And have redeemed us to God by Your blood

Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation,

10 And have made us kings and priests to our God;

And we shall reign on the earth.” (NKJV).

Jesus was therefore not literally made a sinner. He took on our burden of sin on the cross and by His death and resurrection, He defeated Satan and freed us from sinful depravity. Colossians 2:13-15 says of Christ's redemption: “And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, ¹⁴ having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. ¹⁵ Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.” (NKJV).

Keep it Christ!

 

© Ezekiel Kimosop 2026

What Does it Mean That He Who Abides in Him (Jesus) Does Not Sin - 1 John 3:6?

WHAT DOES IT MEAN THAT HE WHO ABIDES IN HIM (JESUS) DOES NOT SIN - 1 JOHN 3:6? 

By Ezekiel Kimosop

1 John 2:28-29 says "And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming. 29 If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him." (NKJV). 

1 John 3:4-6 says "Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. 5 And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin. 6 Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him." (NKJV). 

John does not teach that believers are sinless or immune to sin. The two texts of Scripture are therefore not contradictory. 

Earlier in the same Epistle, John taught that believers are not immune to sin. 1 John 1:8-10 says “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us” (NKJV). 

The Greek verb for “confess” in v. 9 above is in the present tense, meaning that we should keep on confessing our sins. This is a continuing duty for the believer while under the sun. David Guzik rightly observes that this text refutes the misguided notion of a “once-for-all” forgiveness for sin at our conversion. 

Notice that God's forgiveness in this context is conditional and is tied to the offender's action. Our confession of sin is informed by the sanctity of our covenant relationship with God. Confession is therefore a natural response from the believer under the leading of the Holy Spirit (cf. John 14:26). 

Jesus’ prayer in Matthew 6:9-15 reveals that we are daily predisposed to sin. He teaches us to petition God to forgive us our trespasses even as we forgive those who trespass against us (v. 12). Jesus’s statement in Matthew 7:11 is instructive of our sinful nature. 

Jesus alone was without sin in His incarnation (2 Corinthians 5:21). He was fully God and fully Man at the same time. His divinity was therefore not extinguished by His humanity. No other person, not even Mary the mother of Jesus, was born sinless or led a sinless life on earth. 

Habitual sinfulness or a lifestyle of sin and disobedience is however condemned in Scripture by the same author. 1 John 3:9 says “Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God” (NKJV). This Scripture text does not teach or imply that a born-again Christian dwells in sinless perfection or that they cannot commit sin. It has been theologically understood as a condemnation of habitual sinfulness. 

A life of perpetual sinfulness is incubated by a seared conscience which has been described as state of moral desensitization caused by repeatedly ignoring God's truth, resulting in a heart numb to sin, conviction, and guilt (1 Timothy 4:2). It grieves the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30). 

Notice the grim implication of the statement of Hebrews 10:26-27 which says: "For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgement, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries" (NKJV).

My view is that 1 John 2:28-29 does not contradict 1 John 3:4-6. Instead, the two texts of Scripture compliment each other in outlining the nature of the believer's life Christ. We dwell in a sinful world and are predisposed to sin. The latter text condemns habitual sinfulness or a lifestyle of ingrained sinful disobedience. To practice righteousness is to walk in obedience to God's word and under the leading of the Holy Spirit (John 14:25-26). 

John therefore never asserted that believers are without sin. Such an assertion would contradict 2 Corinthians 5:21. 

© Ezekiel Kimosop 2026 

What Are The Things That Timothy Was Exhorted to Commit To Faithful Men?

WHAT ARE THE THINGS THAT TIMOTHY WAS EXHORTED TO COMMIT TO FAITHFUL MEN?

By Ezekiel Kimosop 

2 Timothy 2:1-2 says "You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also." (NKJV). 

Which "things" does this Scripture contemplate in context? 

My view is that the answer to this question is found in the preceding passage of 2 Timothy 1:8-12. Paul exhorted Timothy not to shy away from proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ for which Paul had suffered and was now imprisoned. 

Notice Paul's unwavering convictions in v. 12 where he says "For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day." (NKJV). 

2 Timothy 2:13-14 is an apostolic charge on Timothy. Paul exhorts Timothy saying:

"Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. 14 That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us." (NKJV). 

In the succeeding passage of 2 Timothy 2, which is our passage of context, Paul continues to encourage Timothy to stand firm for the gospel and to raise men who will teach the word of God in truth. He instructs: "And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also." (NKJV). 

So what were these things? 

Adam Clarke observes that Paul's mention of "these things" could be in reference to some doctrines delivered to Timothy during his pastoral ordination. Matthew Henry adds that Paul's exhortation implied that Timothy must not deliver anything besides what he had received from Paul. He should not add or remove anything therefrom. The gospel should be bequeathed to faithful men in its pristine form in order to preserve the credibility of its doctrines. 

Some scholars believe Paul was making a direct reference to a specific set of doctrines that he had entrusted to Timothy rather than the whole of the evangelical doctrine. 

However, given the perpetuity contemplated in the text, it is difficult to rule out Paul's reference to the entire gospel truths that he had taught Timothy. In 2 Timothy 3:10, Paul affirms Timothy's mentorship saying: "But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance" (NKJV). 

My view is that "these things" is a reference to the fundamental truths and doctrines of Scripture which lie at the heart of the gospel of Jesus Christ that Paul proclaimed and wrote in his epistles. Paul was legitimately concerned that these truths may be compromised or misrepresented by people who had no knowledge of Christ or the theological foundation underlying the gospel ministry. 

This is perhaps most profoundly demonstrated in Acts 18:24-28 where a faithful Jewish Christian couple took Apollos, an Alexandrian Jew, and instructed him in the way of Christ. The couple had heard Apollos preach in the Ephesus synagogue and observed his doctrinal deficiency. 

We should bear in mind that during his last visit to Ephesus, Paul had warned the Ephesus church elders of coming apostasy (Acts 20:17-38). 

Notice further that Paul's epistle to the Ephesians lays considerable emphasis on doctrinal grounding of believers so that they are not tossed about by every wind of doctrine by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting (Ephesians 4:12-16). 

In all church ages, God's word is preserved through faithful men who revere God's word and proclaim it in truth. These men should be trained and equipped with theological skills by which they can rightly expound the word of God with the diligence that it deserves (2 Timothy 2:15). 

This is the only way to preserve the sanctity of Scripture from the ferocious fangs of false teachers. 

Who are these false teachers?

False teachers are diverse. They are the wolves in sheepskin contemplated by Jesus in Matthew 7:15. They are the men who have a form of godliness but deny its power (2 Timothy 3:5). They are the false teachers mentioned in 2 Timothy 4:1-5. They are the men who will spread destructive heresies (2 Peter 2:1-3). They are further described as teachers who "have forsaken the right way and gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness." (2 Peter 2:15). 

It is against these evil men that Scripture exhorts us to earnestly contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints (Jude 1:3). 

In contemporary Christianity, the revelation and authority of Scripture has come under heavy distortion by false teachers who purport to speak the mind of God. Millions of Christians are trapped under the manipulation and brainwashing of these self appointed prophets who twist Scripture for selfish benefit. 

The word of God should be proclaimed and defended by men and women who cherish the purity of its eternal truths and are prepared to stand out for the sanctity of Scripture. 

Shalom 

© Ezekiel Kimosop 2026