The Quickening Header

    There are a number of forms of the word “quick,” in Scripture. There's “quick,” “quicken,” “quickened,” “quickeneth,” and “quickening.” Each of these words, basically, mean “to make alive,” “give life to.” What we are going to be looking at, here, is a biblical principle revolving around these various terms. I am going to take the liberty of introducing yet another and that is: the “Quickener.”  The Quickener is the one Who gives life — the One Who Quickens is Jesus, the Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit of Promise. It could be said that the Holy Spirit is the medium throught wich the Mediator, Jesus Christ, mediates.

    In this study, we are going to look at biblical instances of these five words and attempt to come to a conclusion, regarding what they mean, based on Scripture, alone. We will be considering the appropriate Greek and Hebrew words from which each of these words are derived and, thereby, come to a deeper understanding than might be derived from a cursory reading of any particular version of the Bible. I'll be using the King James, Authorized Version of the Bible. Some versions of the Bible totally ignore these words and insert words that are foreign to the text or passage, or, worse yet, transliterate an already-corrupted text. In other words, rewriting Scripture in one's own words. 		Dove

    This principle constitutes the experience of being “Born Again.” However, in my experience, many Christian confuse being born again with baptism, and what we will be looking at will help to differentiate the two in such a way that all confusion should be dispelled. How this principle is applied in each Christian's life, is a personal matter and must be addressed by each of us on an individual level.


Quick

    The word quick is found ten times in the Bible. The first five, which are found in the Old Testament simply mean fast, so we will not be considering them. The first passage relevant to our discussion is also the last usage in the Old Testament. It is found in Isaiah 11:1-3 and refers to Jesus' coming to Earth and, although it also, at first, seems to reference the speed with which something happens, it contains Spiritual implications. The passage reads,
    “...there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: 2 And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD; 3 And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears: ”
    I mentioned, earlier, that this passage contained Spiritual implications. Verses 1 and 2 speak directly to the spiritual nature of Christ and how the Spirit of the Lord “shall rest upon him.” It is agreed by many biblical scholars that this refers to and prefigures the Spirit of God descending upon Jesus when He was Baptized. In verse 2 there are also four references to the Spirit that resided in Christ, which include:
  1. the spirit of wisdom and understanding


  2. the spirit of counsel and might


  3. the spirit of knowledge


  4. the spirit of the fear of the LORD
    While most scholars agree that verse 1 refers to Jesus, the Christ and verse 2 reveals the Spirit that guided His life, I have seen no discussion on the “quick understanding,” mentioned in verse 3, except in regard to “learning quickly” or coming to an understanding “quickly,” both of which reference and accentuate His mental potential. I am sure that He has superior mental capacities, but I also believe that the guidance of the Holy Spirit of God is that which motivated Him. and, when we are told that the Holy Spirit “came upon” Mary, I suggest that this is synonymous with impregnating Mary, or, at least causing her to concieve. To put it simply, Jesus had a “quickened” understanding in the fear of the Lord, which He did not recieve at His baptism, but rather, at birth. This will become more clearly defined as we proceed. The incarnation of Christ is a mystery, at best. I'm surely open to further discussion on this, but, for now, I believe that this is when Jesus was quickened.

    Let's look at one passage, before we move on. The first is found in Luke, where is stated,
    “...the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. 31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. 32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: 33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. 34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? 35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.” Luke 1:30
    And in verse 2, there is one point that might beg a little discussion. The word “fear” does not imply that Jesus was afraid of His Father, but rather, that He reverenced Him. The word is translated from the Hebrew word yârê’, pronounced yaw-ray, which means reverence. Then, in verse 3 this phrase is repeated. In the Hebrew line of thought, this is a means of emphasizing a particular point. What can be gathered from this passage is that the Spirit wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge and reverence empowered Christ's life.
    The next four instances, each of which are in the New Testament, are more illuminating and will help to clarify points that have already been considered.

    The passage found in Acts 10:40-43, testifies of the power and authority of Jesus, the Christ, saying,
    “Him God raised up the third day, and showed him openly; 41 Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead. 42 And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. 43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.”
    It is clear that verse 42 is refering to Jesus and the fact that He was (is) ordained of God to be the Judge of both the “quick” and the “dead.” The importance of this passage of text is found in the last three words of this same verse; that there is a distinction drawn between the quick and the dead. We will carry this discovery into each of the next three verses, and, finally determine who constitutes the “quick” and the significance of distinguishing them from the dead. To fully understand this distinction, one would also need to consider, not only what quick represents in the Christian life, but also, what is truly meant by the word dead. We are going to consider a couple of relevant texts, regarding dead and death, for the purpose of emphasizing the distinction between the two, and clarifying this passage, but, to maintain a focus on our current topic, I refer you to another series of studies called, “State of the Dead.”

    Not only is there a distinction between these two terms, they are the exact opposite of one another. Ultimately, the distinction represents the difference between eternal life and eternal death; refered to in Revelation 2:11b, 20:6a, 20:14 and 21:8. Each of these help to represent the contrast between the quick and the dead, and also establish that there is a first and second death. As we look at each of these verses, please notice how they continue to add more information regarding this distinction. I am going to cite each of them, and then discuss them as a whole, but as we consider each of them, notice how a wider and deeper understanding is bestowed, by adding text to text. These texts state,
    “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.” Revelation 2:11b
    “Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power...” Revelation 20:6a
    “...death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.” Revelation 20:14
    “He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. 8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” Revelation 21:7-8
    Represented, throughout these passages are two classes of people — those who rise in/at the first resurrection and those who suffer the second death. Revelation 2:11 and 20:6 both contain promise to those who “overcome” and those who have a part in the first resurrection. This is another point we could discuss at length, here, but let me refer you to two other documents — “The Next Coming of Christ” and “The Two Resurrections.” In these two studies, you will find points that illustrate the two classes of people that will exist on Planet Earth, when Christ returns to take His people home — those who have overcome and those who have not — those over whom the second death has no power and those who are fearful, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, whoremongers, sorcerers, idolators, and liars. Notice how the distinction between the two classes of people is made apparent in each of this texts? This is the same distinction that is depicted between the quick and the dead.

    Notice also, that God intersperses warnings amongst His promises. “God is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentence.“ (2Peter 3:9) He will continue to warn the wayward and He will continue to bless His people with promises, right up until it is said,
    “He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. 12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.” Revelation 22:11
    Here, again, we see a distinction drawn between two classes of people — the unjust and filthy (those who have not washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb) and the just and righteous. The Bible clearly teaches that “the just shall live by faith.” the just, in this case, can have faith in the fact that, if they overcome and rise up in the first resurrection, the second death will have no power over them. This opens yet another topic — overcoming — that we could easily discuss at length. We will look at it again, briefly, later in this study, but please, also see the series of studies called, “Overcoming.”

    The next Scripture to explore is 2Timothy 4:1, and it reveals another aspect that we have not yet considered.
    “I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;”
    That Jesus will judge both the quick and the dead, has already been established. What is further determined in this text is when He will judge them. It is plainly declared that He will judge them “at His appearing” — at the time when He establishes His final kingdom, by gathering the redeemed to Himself. This clearly refers to His Second Coming, which is synonymous with the First Resurrection, spoken of in Revelation, Chapter 20.

Quicken

    We will treat this word much the same as we treated the first, but there are 13 instances of this word in Scripture, 12 of which are in the Old Testament, in the book of Psalms, and the other is in the book of Romans, in the New Testament. I'm going to cite all the Old Testament references, first, and insert comments where appropriate. Then, we will move to the passage in Romans. Even though the principle will be come clear after reading only the first few, it is important to recognize that the “Quickening” principle is being well established, so that those who read these Psalms will be assured that those who have been quickened are, indeed, most blessed. I'm going to number the entries, so they will be easier to refer back to, when commenting. The verses are as follows:
  1. “Thou, which hast showed me great and sore troubles, shalt quicken me again, and shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth. Psalm 71:20


    2.     In the first part of this text, David pleads with God to quicken him again. I believe that we can infer from this that he had previously been quickened — at least once. The second half of the first text in this series, clearly refers to his being raised in the first resurrection from the grave (earth). This will become more evident in other texts, but for now I would like to suggest that there is more than one aspect to consider in regard to being quickened. One refers to a Spiritual awakening, in this life, and the other to the first resurrection. The first book to the Christians at Corinth tells us,
        “Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.” 1Corinthians 15:51 & 52 (Also see 2Thessalonian 4:13-18, especially verses 15 and 16.)
  2. “So will not we go back from thee: quicken us, and we will call upon thy name.” Psalm 80:18


    3.     When one is quickened, they call upon the name of the Lord and they do not go back from Him. I am reminded of the song that says, “I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back, no turning back.” I am also reminded of a statement that Jesus made, recorded in Luke 9:62, in which He says, “No man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”

  3. “...My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word.” Psalm 119:25


  4. “Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way.” Psalm 119:37


  5. “Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness.” Psalm 119:40


  6. “Quicken me after thy lovingkindness; so shall I keep the testimony of thy mouth.” Psalm 119:88


  7. “I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O LORD, according unto thy word.” Psalm 119:107


  8. “Hear my voice according unto thy lovingkindness: O LORD, quicken me according to thy judgment.” Psalm 119:149


  9. “Plead my cause, and deliver me: quicken me according to thy word.” Psalm 119:154


  10. “Great are thy tender mercies, O LORD: quicken me according to thy judgments.” Psalm 119:156


  11. “Consider how I love thy precepts: quicken me, O LORD, according to thy lovingkindness.” Psalm 119:159


    12.     In the 9 preceeding texts, we find David pleading that the quickening be done according to God's word, according to His way, according to His righteousness, according to His judgments and according to His lovingkindness. David recognized that he was at the mercy of God, but he also realized that God's mercies were tender, and that He was righteous and a righteous judge. He also intimates that he recognized that the only way he was going to be quickened, would be according to God's righteousness, judgment, way and lovingkindness.

  12. “Quicken me, O LORD, for thy name's sake: for thy righteousness' sake bring my soul out of trouble.” Psalm 143:11


    13.     In this text, we discover a very important aspect of the principle of being quickened. It is not only God who does the quickening, but it is also “for His sake,” — for His “Righteousnes' sake” that the quickening is done.

        Many do not realize that God is in the process of vindicating His standing with the universe. Angels are watching to see how He deals with the Sin problem. He must do it fairly, yet judiciously. He cannot lay aside His law, which determines what Sin is, and yet, the demands of the law must be satisfied and proven to be righteous. One might ask, “Who is man that he should question God?” But that is not the right question that needs to be asked. A more proper question would be, “Who is Satan, that He has placed God in a position to be judged?” Nonetheless, God has accepted the challenge and He is working in His "quickened" people to both show that His law is an adequate basis for establishing righteousness and that it is also the basis of His love. God said in Deuteronomy 11:22,
        “...if ye shall diligently keep all these commandments which I command you, to do them, to love the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, and to cleave unto him; 23 Then will the LORD drive out all these nations from before you, and ye shall possess greater nations and mightier than yourselves.”
    and Jesus said, as recorded in John 14:15-21,
        “If ye love me, keep my commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17 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. 18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. 19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. 20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. 21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.”
        “...we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; 9 Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, 10 For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine; 11 According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.” 1Timothy 1:8-11
        The final passage, in regard to the word quicken, is found in Romans 8:7-13, is the longest and most revealing of any of the passages we have, thus far, considered. Again it is a comparative passage, comparing those who live in the flesh and those who are lead of the Spirit. It also refers to the quick (those who have been quickened) and the dead (those who have ot been quickened). Paul states,

  13.     “...the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. 10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. 12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.”
    One might ask, “What pleases God.?” To answer this question would initiate a fathomless list of Divine attributes. It would be just as difficult to list the things that displease Him. One could also attempt to give an account of those things that God desires or what constitutes His will — this list would also be almost endless. So... please allow me, instead, to present a simple text that well depicts what God “requires.”
    “He hath showed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” Micah 6:8
    Let's break this down into three parts. The Lord requires that we:

  • do justly


  • love mercy


  • walk humbly with our God
    What does it mean to “do justly?”

First, let me state that it does not mean to demand justice — justice for others or for ourselves. What it does mean is to treat people justly, which has little to do with justice. In a deeper sense, it means to live a just life, which is very closely related to the principle found in the statement, “The just shall live by faith.” (Habbakuk 2:4, Romans 1:17, Galatians 3:11 and Hebrews 10:38) Faith is the basis for doing what is just and this brings us to one of the things that displeases God, clearly stated in Romans 14:23c
    “...whatsoever is not of faith is sin.”
    I will leave it with the individual to determine exactly what this verse means, but I will add this text as a contrasting element regarding one of the things that pleases or displeases God.
    “...without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Hebrews 11:6
    For a person to hope or expect to please God without exercising faith or without diligently seeking Him, is an exercise in futility. This, and the reason it is so, will become more evident as we look at the words quickened, quickeneth and, especially when we consider the meaning of the word quickening.

    What does it mean to “love mercy?”

Again, I will begin by stating what love mercy does not mean. It is not mean demanding that someone show you mercy, or loving to receive mercy. It is loving mery to such a degree that you treat everyone with mercy. It is actualized when you determine, in your heart, and by the grace of God, that you will be merciful at all times, thereby, revealing that you, indeed, love mercy — you love showing it. It also means showing others the mercy that you would want them to show you, if circumstances were reversed. However, we are delving into something, here, that is almost beyond the capacity of man to understand, for only God can truly know what constitutess mercy and how it should be applied. However, by the power of the Holy Spirit, living inside, God gives us that capacity. He would not ask us to something that is impossible to do.

    What does it mean to “walk humbly with God?”

This can only be explained by gaining an understanding of what it means to be humble, and that can only come, after learning what constitutes humilty. We cannot give the subject of humility as much attention as it deserves and stay on topic with our current study, so I will refer you to a study called, What Does God require? Nonetheless, I would like to present the following as an example the fact that humility is very important to God.

    In the book of Deuteronomy God instructs Moses to lay out His laws before the people, and promises His poeple a land flowing with milk and honey, among many other great blessings, if they would keep His satutes, judgments and testimonies. He recounted to them how He had brought them out of a land of bondage, delivering them out of the hands of a cruel and oppressive pharoah. He needed to do this, because while His people were in Egypt, they adopted a number of false beliefs, and begin to practice the worship of false gods. Many men took to themselves Egyptian wives and many woman were wed to Egyptian males. Nonetheless, the blood of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob was still flowing in the veins of their offspring and God had not cast them off as a people — otherwise He would not have inspired Moses to lead them out of their bondage in Egypt.

Quickened

    The word quickened occurs seven times in the KJV version of the Holy Bible; — two times in the Old Testament, both in the Bookd of Psalms, and five times in the New Testament. The first occurance is in Psalm 119:49-53, where we find,
  1.     “Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope. 50 This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me. 51 The proud have had me greatly in derision: yet have I not declined from thy law. 52 I remembered thy judgments of old, O LORD; and have comforted myself. 53 Horror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake thy law.”
    2.     It is God's word that gives us hope and makes us alive (enlivens us). It is also our comfort in times of affliction and that which quickens us (awakens us and gives us life). David did not decline from the law, but rather, in the law he found comfort. It is only the wicked that forsake the law. When we are quickened, the law of God comforts us in times of affliction, gives us hope and, as stated earlier, the law is, by the power of the Holy Spirit, is written in our hearts, that we might not sin against Him.

  2.     “Unless thy law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction. 93 I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me. 94 I am thine, save me; for I have sought thy precepts. — Psalm 119:92-94     I have found God's law to be my delight. It reveals to me both His righteousness and justice. He makes clear to us that His law is the basis of His final judgment. There are those who believe and teach that the law has been “done away with,” but if this were true, how can God, then, judge us according to His righteous judgment, if His law, being the basis for His righteousness, has been done away with? His righteousness IS His law and His law is truth, as revealed in Psalm 119:140-144, thus:
        “Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it. 141 I am small and despised: yet do not I forget thy precepts. 142 Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth. 143 Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me: yet thy commandments are my delights. 144 The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting: give me understanding, and I shall live.”
        If we do away with God's law, we do away with His truth and His righteousness. He tells us,
        “The LORD is well pleased for his righteousness' sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honourable.” — Isaiah 42.21
        In Isaiah 51:5-7, He also says,
        “My righteousness is near; my salvation is gone forth, and mine arms shall judge the people; the isles shall wait upon me, and on mine arm shall they trust. 6 Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth beneath: for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment, and they that dwell therein shall die in like manner: but my salvation shall be for ever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished. 7 Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings.”
        We cannot let fear of the reproach of men or their revilings rob from us the blessings that God has bestowed. The law of God is written in the hearts of those that “know” righteousness. To have the law written in our hearts, IS our righteousness. Romans 3:19-24 states,
        “Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. 20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. 21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.”
        Let me firmly state: I do not believe we are saved by keeping the law. Neither do I believe that we can, in our own power, keep it. But, please notice that this text speaks to the fact that by the “deeds” of the law, shall no flesh be saved. It does not say that the law of God has been done away with. But this text also says that “by the law is the knowledge of sin.” If the law had been done away with, there would be no way of having a knowledge of Sin. We cannot know that “Sin is the transgression of the law,” if we do away with the law. (See 1John 3:4)
        “For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. 14 For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect: 15 Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression. 16 Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all, 17 (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.” — Romans 4:13-17
        Abraham had not yet been circumsized (which is of the law), when he recieved the promise of God. He recieved the promise because of his faithfullness, just as we recieve the promises of God, today — by faith.
        “...the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh [could not be kept in our own power], God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 4 That the righteousness of the law [Ten Commandments] might be fulfilled in us [written in our hearts and inward parts], who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” —Romans 10:4
        “...Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth [lives by faith].” — Romans 8:2
        The law that has been done away with is the law of sin and death, NOT the Ten Commandments. Righteousness does not come by “keeping,” the law, but by having the law written in our hearts. We do not keep the law, Jesus, by the power of His Holy Spirit, keeps it in us, guiding us into all truth; and this includes the truth about the law of God. Jesus said, in Matthew 5:17-19,
        “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. 19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”
        Paul asks a question and then, answers it, in Galatians 3:21-26,
        “Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. 22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. 23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. 24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. 26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.”
        The law was, at one time, taught by the prophets as a schoolmaster. It was meant to “teach” us that we could not keep the law in our own power. It brought us to Christ. Some believe that because Jesus came to fulfill the law, He did away wiht it. If we are to accept that line of reasoning, the truth behind the first part of the same text is obliterated, namely, that He came NOT to destroy the law.


    3.     In the third text (the first one in the New Testamtnt), we are admonished to,

  3.     “Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame. 35 But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come? 36 Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die.” — 1Corinthians 15:34-36     Please notice, Paul, in his first letter to the Corinthians, speaks this “to their shame.” Many of them did not yet recognize what it meant to be born again (quickened). He is stating the same thing that Jesus told Nicodemus, as recorded in John 3:3-8, when He said,
        “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? 5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. 8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.”
        The message in this passage is one of great import. Twice, Jesus use the term “Verily, Verily,” which, in the Greek text, means surely or of a certainty. However, when it is repeated, it signifies emphasis of the fact being stated and, therefore, conveys even greater significance. It is meant to strongly impress upon the mind its eternal importance. Unless a man is quickened, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God. Moreover, he cannot even see the Kingdom of God. He cannot recognize that the Kingdom of God really exists. He may have “heard” that it exists, and yet, he has not the mind to recognize the reality of its existance.

        The Holy Spirit, working in people's hearts (dwelling in them), reveals the Kingdom to them, but, unless they are born of the Spirit (of the water and the Spirit) they cannot fully discern the meaning of it. Neither can a person, living a fleshly existence, recognize or appreciate the fact that  the Holy Spirit is working in the mind of one who has been quickened.
        “For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” — 1Corinthians 2:11-14
        The natural man, refered to in this passage, is akin to one who has not been quickened by the Holy Spirit of God. He cannot see the Kingdom of God, will not enter the Kingdom of God, nor be able to receive the things of the Spirit of God. By “things,” is meant: the things “which the Holy Ghost teacheth.”


    4.     For those who have been quickened, Pauls teaches,

  4.     “...you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins: 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.” — Ephesians 2:1-3


  5.     “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7 That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.” — Ephesians 2:4-8
    6.     As a natural man, we were dead in trespasses and sins, and walked “according to the course of this world” — we walked after the flesh, “fulfilling the desires of the flesh,” but, “when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.” — Romans 5:6

        When Christ died, was buried and rose again from the dead (even while we were yet sinners) we were,

    • quickened together with Him


    • raised up together with Him


    • made to sit together in heavenly places in Him

        All these things, we are in Christ, by the power of His Spirit, living in us. We are (were) quickened with Him, raised with Him, made to sit in Heavenly places with Him, made to be the righteousness of Christ (in Him) and the assurance of being raised up in the first resurrection, is as sure as the fact that He was raised from the dead, but we must,

  6.     “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. 9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. 10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: 11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: 12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. 13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.” — Colossians 2:8-15


  7.     "For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:"

        This text tells us how we are quickened. It is by the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is one Spirit. The Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God and the Spirit of Christ are One and the same Spirit and, it is by this Spirit that we are quickened.

        Philippians 1:27 tells us,

        "…let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel."

Quickeneth

    There are four passages with five instances of the word quickeneth. I consider these to be the most revealing of each of the words considered in this treatise. Significance is presented in the fact that two of these instances are spoken from the mouth of Jesus. The other two are from the apostle, Paul, in his epistles to Timothy and the Christians at Rome. In the first passage are many points of consideration that support the consistent, constancy that is espoused in the quickening principle. In the following passages, and in the last section on “Quickening” are laid out the inter-relationships between and among the doctrines of the first resurrection (resurrection of the just), the second resurrection (resurrection of the damned), the second death, the promise of eternal life and that it is attainable IN THIS LIFE, by faith “...For we are save by grace, through faith...”

1. & 2.  “Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise. 20 For the Father loveth the Son, and showeth him all things that himself doeth: and he will show him greater works than these, that ye may marvel. 21 For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will. 22 For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: 23 That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him. 24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. 25 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. 26 For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; 27 And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. 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.” — John 5:19-29
    The followers of Christ will be raised from the dead (sleep — See 2Thessalonians 4:13) just as surely as Christ was raised. Those who have entered into a saving relationship already live a life in eternity, by faith. There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ, Jesus. They have passed from death to life — Marvel not at this.

3.  “What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before? 63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” — John 6:62 & 63
    What a wonderful representation of the work of the Holy Spirit, Whom Jesus promised that He would send from the Father after His ascension. We are also told by Jesus, in John 14:26 that,
    “...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.”
    In John 6:12, we find Jesus saying,
    “I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. 13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come. 14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you. 15 All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall show it unto you.”
    In this passage, Jesus was not just speaking of the Bible and the words contained therein. He is speaking of things that He would reveal through His Holy Spirit to future generations. The guiding principle is that the Holy Spirit would not reveal that which cannot be verified in Scripture. The Holy Spirit of God speaks to people as individuals, instructing us regarding His will for us and our purpose in life. His will is revealed in us that we might shine out, as a light to the world. This is a both a result and a manifestation of the “quickening.” It is entirely a work of God's grace that we, by faith, exercise by the power of the Holy Spirit of God dwelling in us, as He guides us into all truth. The Holy Spirit is not only guiding us into all truth, but working in us,
    “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. 14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings: 15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; 16 Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain. 17 Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.” — Philippians 2:13-17”
    The work of salvation is wholly a work of God. The responsibility that lies with the follower of Christ learning to rest in His promises.

4.  “Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression. 16 Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all, 17 (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were. 18 Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.” — Romans 4:15-18
    Paul wrote to Timothy, admonishing him in that,
5.  “...godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. 9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. 12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. 13 I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession; 14 That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: 15 Which in his times he shall show, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; 16 Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.” — 1Timothy 6:6-16


Quickening

    There is but one text using the word “quickening,” but it is, perhaps, the most inportant and revealing of all the text regarding thie principle of the quickening. That text is 1Corinthians 15:45, which tells us,
    “And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.”
    Jesus IS our quickening. When He was resurrected, we were resurrected with (in) Him. He was not born a quickening Spirit, but rather, He was“made” a quickening Spirit.

    Remember earlier, when we looked at Acts 10:40-43? It testified of the power and authority of Jesus, the Christ, saying,
    “Him God raised up the third day, and showed him openly; 41 Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead. 42 And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick [those who have been quickened] and dead [those who have NOT been quickened]. 43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.”
    Jesus was ordained of God “to be the Judge of quick and dead.” This was bestowed upon Jesus AFTER He had accomplished His earthly mission. By living a perfect life, dying for Sin, and being resurrected, He proved Himself worthy to be the Judge of both the quick AND he dead.

    He tells us in Revelation 1:18,
    “I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.”
    “...in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. 29 Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device. 30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: 31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.” — Acts 17:28-31
    Praise be to God the Father for the gift of His dear Son. Without His life, death and resurrection, there would be no hope for a bright tomorrow, but, because of Him, we not only have eternal life, but also are enabled to live life abundant, here and now. Before He was made a quickening spirit, we were born after the similitude of Adam, a living soul, but now, through His death, burial and resurrection, we have been quickened and made alive forevermore.
    “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13 looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. — Titus 2:11-14


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