The words of the prophets written in the Old Testament and often quoted by the New Testament writers, are the word of God. He could have spoken directly out of heaven to mankind, but how many would remember? Instead, he chose just men that honored him in all things, and made his will known to them. They spoke his word with boldness, and better still, they recorded it in a book.

It’s written in Psalm 40:7, and repeated in Hebrews 10:7, concerning Jesus.

“Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me) to do thy will, O God.” What book? The one written by God’s chosen servants. And many of them suffered cruel torture and death at the hands of evil men, as the son of God did.

If we want to know God’s will and his purpose for us, what should we do? “Seek ye out of the book of the LORD, and read: no one of these shall fail, none shall want her mate: for my mouth it hath commanded, and his spirit it hath gathered them.” (Isaiah 34:16)

It was the Father’s will that his holy son Jesus should be the firstborn among many. As confirmed by the apostle Paul in Romans 8:29 and Colossians 1:18. “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.” (Romans 8:29) “And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.” (Colossians 1:18)

Jesus could have raised them from the dead before he was crucified, but that would not have been keeping the will of the Father. Thus, Jesus was dead in the grave three days and three nights, but the third day he was raised from the dead, as God’s prophet foretold. “For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.” (Psalm 16:10)

“And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.” (Matthew 27:52-53)

The saints of old that died before Jesus came believed the promise of God that said he would send a savior who would deliver them.

“But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.” (1 Corinthians 15:20) “It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.” (1 Corinthians 15:44)

Where was the holy city that they went into? “And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.” (Revelation 21:2)

It had to be this way because God spoke it, and it is impossible for his word to return to him void. “Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead.” (Isaiah 26:19) “For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.” (1 Thessalonians 4:14)

Who did they appear to? The Lord’s servants who are truly born of his holy spirit and have spiritual vision. “The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints.” (Ephesians 1:18)

Maybe if you read all the mentioned scriptures as you read this, it will strengthen what you already understand.

One other thought. When Jesus raised the dead during his three and a half years of preaching the gospel, it was not unto eternal life, but it was the restoration of their former life in this world.

Looking back and remembering, I can see how a computer and knowing how to use it would have been a great help to me. But still, without God’s guidance I could never have seen and understood what I have. The world is full of people that are more intelligent than I, but have not known the depth of God’s mysteries, or the evil intent of Satan.

I want to show you how the deceived preachers of the world overlook a stumbling block that Satan has so cleverly laid in the way. In all my years, I have never known anyone that noticed it and brought attention to it. I may have shared it with you before, I can’t remember.

The simple word, “in,” has been exchanged for “on.” All the different versions of the Bible, including the NKJV have changed the word from “in” to “on.” They have decided that the KJV needed to be corrected, never knowing that Satan is the sponsor of this lie.

“And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.” Not on their foreheads. (Revelation 7:2-3)

A simple analogy. There is a difference in a label being on a can of food or being in the can. You can see one but not the other. This is why they think the mark of the beast will be a visible 666 on the forehead. But the servants of God are also sealed in their foreheads, with the seal of the living God. How?

“In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise.” (Ephesians 1:13) How are they sealed? With the truth of God’s word, in their forehead, foremost in their mind.

“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” (John 14:26) “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.” (John 14:16-17)