Terminator Terminated

Christ Jesus has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel.

It is a tall order only the Great Physician of body and soul could accomplish: the abolition of death. It took a legal decree, a legal declaration, and a real death of innocent flesh and blood in the Holy Son of God, Christ Jesus, for this to happen. That is what the cross is all about. Your Savior’s resurrection from the dead is proof that the sentence of death spoken upon Him and those who abide in Him no longer holds sway.

With the abolition of death comes the abolition of every evil, because death is an effect brought into to world through the evil one who is a liar and a murderer. Thinking he has control over life and death, he sunk his fangs into what he thought to be his biggest prize, only to have his head crushed and his fangs broken; rendered totally ineffective.

Now the descendants of Abraham, the Children of Israel, the whole Christian Church on earth together with all mankind, have a certain hope. Since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death.

Now the Word sounds out to the ends of the earth: “I forgive you all your sins!” “Christ is risen!” Through this Word life and immortality are brought to light. Unlike sin and death, these truths are not self-evident. They are brought to light through speech and deed in accord with what is written in Holy Scripture.

This is why the Gospel is handled and proclaimed with the utmost joy and clarity: it is the means whereby your Creator brings you out of death to life, declaring publicly in no uncertain terms that your sin was placed upon your dear Savior; that He carries you and your every burden with joy and thanksgiving, not waiting for you to get your act together, but through His act of sacrifice on the cross and rising from the dead, attaching Himself and His righteousness to you.

From Adam to Moses death reigned; but the presence of the Word abolished death. No longer in Adam are we all dying. In Christ we are all reviving. - Athanasius

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