(Matthew 12:38-42) "Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee.
(First off notice Christ always confirms the Old Testament. Here Jonah and Solomon in just 5 verses).
We're not done with these pharisees yet. They just keep coming back for more. They should have learned through casting out evil spirits and put the sword of the Spirit to them that was a huge sign done by the finger of God. Healing the sick, diseased, and blind just not good enough. What is to learn here: everyone wants to see God, say God. But if one cannot see past themselves following their own ways. They would not recognize it anyway. When one needs an "epiphany" they think, that is an epiphany in itself. That is Romans 8:18-23 (reference in comment box) the soul and spirit crying out for something more. But they cannot find it. Humble yourselves according to the Lord, looking at His laws (Galatians 3:23-26).
39But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:
40For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
The sign was the crucifixion and resurrection Christ is referring to here. Pretty amazing here. He is telling them what they are going to do and have not a clue. Another thing to learn if your naysayer. The heart of the earth = symbolic for hell, the dead, and darkness. "Hell" as in the bad side of the gulf (Luke 16). Where unbelievers are currently are. NO ONE is in the lake of fire burning forever now. That is false teaching. No one has been sentenced at the Great White Throne Judgment. That is after the Millennium. "Hell", is a temporary place of judgment, and of degradation. Also, no one soul and spirit is laying 6 feet underground right now in a hole. The soul and spirit at physical death return to Heaven and go to the good or bad side of the gulf. This is why it's written for 3 days Christ went to the bad side of the gulf, the souls and spirits being held in prison (in mind too) and was successful at converting many,
(I Peter 3:18-19) "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:
19By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison."
Why? Because the Lord is fair, and more fair than can even be measured. They had not a chance to hear the Gospel. Grace through faith. That God in the flesh came to be their sin sacrifice. THE GIFT of God in His compassion and mercy.
You have a physical body and spiritual body. I Corinthians 15:35 to the end of the chapter explains both bodies. Extremely important.
Back to Matthew 12:41,
41The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.
They repented. Now this would have been quite degrading. Here we would have already been through the time period of Elijah, Ahab, and Jezebel, 100 years prior approximately. So by this time Assyria had and was building and gaining strength as a superpower (Israel not paying attention to what their enemies doing) who would then take most of the ten northern tribes captive (10 northern tribes = whole house of Israel). Because of of their godlessness that only increased. Now when it's too late you really see the desperate and degrading acts. Kings trying to buy off other Kings throwing the people's money away even more.
42The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here."
This would be Arabia. Southern Arabia then, very southern part of Saudi Arabia now. Well, she went through desert heat, dust bowl's, etc in her persistence. to come hear the wisdom and intellect of Solomon on account of the Lord. Why? Because those are most responsible in the first place are held more accountable.
Reference:
(Romans 8:18-23) "For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
19For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.
20For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,
21Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
22For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
23And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. "
Amen †
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