Bible Questions and Answers

Biblical hope is not an expectation that something may or may not happen.

Biblical hope is the firm expectation that God will certainly do what he has promised.

Central to Biblical hope is that of a future resurrection from the dead to judgment of all who in their lifetime have understood the purpose of God.

John 5:28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

Acts 24:15 And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.

Those judged unfaithful will be condemned to die again.

This is called in Revelation ‘the second death’.

Those judged faithful will be given eternal life in the kingdom of God on earth.

Matthew 25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

The hope of the faithful is that of eternal life in the kingdom of God.

Titus 1:2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;

To have this certain hope we must:

1. Understand and believe the gospel preached by Jesus and his apostles.

2. Repent of our sinful way of life and be baptised into Jesus Christ for the remission of past sins.

3. Live a new life by his commandments.

Those who die without knowing the purpose of God, die without hope, for they will remain dead forever.

Ephesians 2:12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:

1 Thessalonians 4:13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

Those who die ‘in Christ’ will certainly be raised from the dead.

Acts 2:26 Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: 27 Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

Acts 23:6 But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question.

Having this hope we try to live our lives in a way which is acceptable to God.

Romans 8:24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? 25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

The Bible was written so that we might have confidence in this hope.

Romans 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

In Christ, with this certain hope set before us we are able to endure hardship and suffering in this life.

Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

I hope you find this helpful.

God bless,
Glenn