Ex cathedra is a Latin phrase meaning "from the chair," referring to authoritative teachings made by the Pope on matters of faith or morals, which are considered infallible. This concept is rooted in the belief that the Pope, when speaking ex cathedra, is protected from error in his role as the leader of the Catholic Church.
However, this post is not about the Pope - but something similar - it is about something that I have noticed over the years - and has regained my attention again very recently. When you read the Bible - and I hope you do - there are some things that are not definitive or clear - leaving questions. Sometimes the reason is that I am not as well versed in the entire Bible as I should be. Other times it is because the Bible is silent on the matter. I hope I don't stir a hornets nest - but I do want to stir your thinking.
For example let's look at these verses.
For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven, if indeed, having been clothed, we shall not be found naked. For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life. Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in [this mortal] body we are absent from the Lord. For we walk by faith, not by sight. We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from [this mortal] body and to be present with the Lord. 2 Corinthians 5:1-8
Now let's look at what is made plain.
1. We will have a body in heaven. God has made provision for it and promised it by sealing us with His Spirit.
2. When we die a natural - physical death we will be present with the Lord.
And Jesus said to him (the thief on the cross) , 'Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise' - Luke 23:43
Then the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it - Ecclesiastes 12:7.
OK that is clear right? If we have been born again by the Spirit we will be in heaven with the Lord when we die a natural death.
Read on.
For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. - 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17
Let's look at what is made plain.
1. If we die before Jesus return - we will rise to meet Him in the air before those Christians who are alive at the time.
Wait - what? Aren't we already with the Lord? Aren't those verses at odds with each other? No - but the fact of the matter is that we don't fully understand what will happen. That is why Paul wrote
For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. - 1 Corinthians 13:9-10
In other words, we don't fully understand now, but there will come a time when we will.
Since we don't understand completely we should not use our imaginations to fill in the blanks but trust what has been revealed in part. If you have doubts about what you hear then like the Jewish Bereans (Acts 17:10-11) - search the scriptures to see what God has revealed. A danger is that when someone who is recognized as a spiritual authority is "filling in the blanks" you may not know it and accept it as Truth when in fact it is conjecture. Remember Ex Cathedra?
OK - One More example - Do you remember the song "Will The Circle Be Unbroken"?
I was standing by my window, On one cold and cloudy day When I saw that hearse come rolling For to carry my mother away
Will the circle be unbroken By and by, lord, by and by There's a better home a-waiting In the sky, lord, in the sky
No where in that song does is say that the family unit will be restored in Heaven - but that is the suggestion, implication and hope. I have even heard it preached with authority. But what did Jesus say about marriage in heaven - in other words the preservation of the family unit that we enjoyed on earth in heaven?
Therefore, in the resurrection, whose wife of the seven will she be? For they all had her.” Jesus answered and said to them [the Sadducees], “You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God. For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels of God in heaven. - Matthew 22:28-30
The angels are not married - although we will not be angels - rather sons and daughters of God, our relationship with each other will be like the angels relationship with each other. Marriage on earth is a reflection of God's intended relationship with His creation - mankind. When people expect the natural to persist in heaven it is a reflection of their love for others - not a bad thing, but something that exists only in this natural life - be careful that you not follow after Lot's wife who looked back at Sodom with longing when God was leading them to a better place. Be careful that you are not speaking what you would like it to be - when what you would like it to be is nothing more than wishful thinking on your part.
I do not mean to minimize the emotion and the feeling of great loss when people we love pass from this life. But our hope must be in Jesus and our confidence must be that all who are in Christ will share in the joy of being in the presence of God and all who call Jesus Lord one day - that is in the Bible.
Satan asked Adam and Eve - "Did God Really Say?" when God really did. Just be careful when someone says "God really said" when He really didn't.
Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.
By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone
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