Death and Taxes: A time of Reflection:

Lent season is upon us and so is filing income tax. Ash Wednesday is over and the death/resurrection of Christ will be memorialized with much reverence, while some are already preparing their tax return. As Benjamin Franklin says: “Nothing is certain except death and taxes.”

This reality of death comes close and personal to us in Chicago with the demise of a dearly-beloved Jose B. Delfin, MD an FEU alumnus, class ’68, at a recent PMAC medical mission in Olongapo City. This was followed about a week later by another surgeon, Andres Botuyan MD UST alum, a pioneer in improving medical practice laws in Illinois for foreign medical graduates. To them, goes our deepest debt of gratitude.

This season is a time of reflection about the inevitable, i.e., death and taxes. But, how about resurrection? Is that a surety as well? Some are “freeloaders” and don’t pay federal income tax, about 45%–49% of USA households. But for those who do pay, some get a tax refund quickly or later, while others receive none.

As an analogy, is there a correlation between death and taxes. Do some die and others don’t? Are there parallels between these 2 realities and resurrection? Metaphorically, those who gave up their life (by analogy, pay up in taxes), do some get their life back (resurrected) sooner than later (get a tax refund) while others don’t?

Consider the following facts. Even in the first century during the time of apostle Paul, there were people in the church, intelligent though they are in the secular world, who denied Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. More so now, there are some who claim that the man who died at the cross was not Jesus but a substitute; he was not the one who died because “God does not die“, so they proffer.

It is an eye-opener to read through the logic behind Paul’s arguments in I Corinthians 15:12-34:
“Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming. Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all. Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead? And why stand we in jeopardy every hour? I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die. Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.”

Yes, their is resurrection for humans from the dead. Jesus (God-incarnate) is living-proof by his death as a man, and based on that evidence that we will also be resurrected. But when will our resurrection occur? Notice what Paul said, “everyone in his own order”, first Christ as “first of the firstfruits”, “wave-sheaf offering“!( I Cor. 15:20; Leviticus. 23:9-10), then others. Rightly so, as Jesus is the “pioneer“of our salvation; the author, originator (Hebrews 2:10-11), he has to be first, then us (I Corinthians. 15:23).

There is a first and second resurrection for humans who died (Revelation 20:4-6; Acts 24:15). The first resurrection is described in I Thessalonians 4:16 that will occur at the second coming of Christ, at the last trump, the “dead in Christ shall rise first“. They will then rule “a thousand years“(Millenium) on earth. Those “in Christ” who were baptized by the in-dwelling of the Holy Spirit, bearing the spiritual fruits and who are alive at the time of Christ’s return on earth will “be changed“, i.e., not die, from mortal to immortal, from flesh to spirit-bodies ( I Cor. 15:52; Philippians 3:20-21).

Summary

With the preceding having been considered, indeed an analogy can be made between death/resurrection and taxes:, viz.,
1. Some will die before Christ’s return as some, not all, will pay taxes.
2. Some may not die, still alive, at the time of Christ’s return to change from mortal flesh to immortal spirit-bodies as some may not pay taxes. Almost 49% don’t pay taxes, although nobody knows how many will live through that time.
3. Some will receive tax refund sooner as some will participate in the 1st resurrection at Christ’s return; others will receive their tax refund later as others will participate in the 2nd resurrection. As the Paul said, “everyone in his own order”.

Eventually, innumerable people will have eternal life than those who will die eternally. As Jesus said, John 17:12,

“While I was with them, I was keeping them in Your name which You have given Me; and I guarded them and not one of them perished but the son of perdition, so that the Scripture would be fulfilled.”

Also, Genesis 15:5, “And He took him outside and said, “Now look toward the heavens, and count the stars, if you are able to count them.” And He said to him, “So shall your descendants be.”.

These verses are an indication that many will be saved versus few that will experience eternal death, the second death. These will come to fruition because of God’s grace and love for us. And, while our “own” faith is required, all of these came about because of the “faith of Jesus“ (Romans 3:22, Galatians 2:16, 3:22, Philippians 3:9) in the Father that what was promised will come to pass.

Original post:3.9.2016

Reposted:12.20.16