“NEVER GIVE UP HOPE.”

“‘Never give up hope’ in what?” That was the question I asked myself, when I read “Never give up hope” on the back cover of the little booklet called “WHANAU PACK, Tools for families and parents with teenagers, published by the NORTHLAND DISTRICT HEALTH BOARD.

The BIBLE tells us about a man who did not give up hope in the resurrection of the dead and who did not give up hope in what God has promised.

HOPE IN THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD

Here are some promises concerning the resurrection:

“NEVER GIVE UP HOPE”

“For the Lord himself

Intr.:

will come down from heaven,

1.  with a loud command,

2.  with the voice of the archangel and

3.  with the trumpet call of God,

End:

and the dead in Christ will rise first.” –

First Thessalonians 4:16

Second Corinthians 4:14; Acts 24:15; John 11:25 and John 6:40.

HOPE IN WHAT GOD HAS PROMISED

And here are some messianic prophecies relating to the Lord Jesus Christ and their fulfillment:

1. The Lord was given gall and vinegar.

Prophecy: Psalm 96:21 – Fulfillment: John 19:29

2. The Lord prays for his enemies.

Prophecy: Psalm 109:4 – Fulfillment: Luke 23:34

3. The side of the Lord is pierced.

Prophecy: Zechariah 12:10 – Fulfillment: John 19:34

4. The Lord is buried with the rich.

Prophecy: Isaiah 53:9 – Fulfillment: Matthew:27:57-60

There are more of course!

The man was the apostle Paul and he was even on trial before king Agrippa because of his hope in what God has promised and he was also on trial before the Sanhedrin because of his hope in the resurrection of the dead.

Acts 23:6; Acts 26:6