At first glance, this is a simple question about marriage and eternity. But that is overlooking the fact that we shouldn’t trust the questioners.

The time-bending love of the resurrection
Proper 27C  |  Luke 20:27-38

text and more: https://drewdowns.net/2025/11/09/alive-again-the-time-bending-love-of-the-resurrection/

Alive Again (Proper27C)

Surah 46: Al-Ahqaf (The Sand Dunes) - Recited by Ahmed Abdelhamid Tahoun

Al-Ahqaf is the forty-sixth chapter of the Holy Qur'an, consisting of 35 verses. It is the final Surah in the "Hā Mīm" sequence and is a Meccan revelation. The Surah is named "The Sand Dunes" after the region where the people of Prophet Hud (the tribe of 'Ad) lived before they were destroyed.

The core message is the warning against denying the Revelation and the Resurrection, using the historical destruction of 'Ad as a stark reminder. It also features a beautiful testament to the Qur'an from a delegation of Jinn who heard its recitation.

Key Themes in Surah Al-Ahqaf include:

* Truth of the Qur'an: A firm assertion that the Qur'an is revealed by God in truth, and is not a fabrication.
* Respect for Parents: A moving call to be dutiful and righteous toward one's parents, and a warning against those who disrespect them.
* The Story of Hud: The detailed narrative of Prophet Hud warning his people, who lived in the Sand Dunes, and their arrogant rejection, which led to their complete annihilation.
* The Jinn's Testimony: The powerful account of a group of Jinn who listened to the Qur'an, believed immediately, and returned to their people as earnest warners.

#quran #alahqaf #surah46 #sanddunes #prophethud #ahmedtahoun

Surah 46: Al-Ahqaf (The Sand Dunes).

Surah 50: Qaf - Recited by Ahmed Abdelhamid Tahoun

Qaf is the fiftieth chapter of the Holy Qur'an, consisting of 45 verses. It is a powerful Meccan Surah that begins with the Arabic letter Qāf, followed by an oath by the Glorious Qur'an. The Surah primarily focuses on one of the greatest articles of faith disputed by the Meccans: the physical resurrection after death.

The Surah provides vivid proofs of God's power in creation—from the heavens to the rain—and uses the destruction of previous arrogant nations as a stark warning of the final, inescapable accountability.

Key Themes in Surah Qaf include:

* The Certainty of Resurrection: Directly addressing the disbelievers' astonishment that they will be brought back after their bodies turn to dust, asserting God's power to do so.
* Signs in the Universe: Pointing to the vast, perfectly structured heavens, the fruitful earth brought to life by rain, and the strong mountains as evidence of God's creative power.
* The Recorder Angels: Describing the omnipresent angels who record every word and deed, stressing individual accountability.
* The Final Scene: Dramatic descriptions of the Day of Judgment, the emergence of the dead, the eternal Hell, and the Gardens of Paradise, prepared for the patient and God-fearing.

#quran #qaf #surah50 #resurrection #judgementday #ahmedtahoun

Surah 50: Qaf

Surah 51: Adh-Dhariyat (The Winnowing Winds) - Recited by Ahmed Abdelhamid Tahoun

Adh-Dhariyat is the fifty-first chapter of the Holy Qur'an, consisting of 60 verses. It is a powerful Meccan Surah that opens with a series of four dramatic oaths by forces of nature—the winnowing winds, the rain-bearing clouds, the swiftly flowing ships, and the distributors of the command—all confirming that what mankind is promised (the Resurrection and Judgment) is absolutely true.

The Surah’s core theme is the certainty of the Hereafter, contrasting the blissful reward of the righteous with the severe punishment of the mockers.

Key Themes in Surah Adh-Dhariyat include:

* The Certainty of Judgment: Using natural phenomena as undeniable proof of God's power to bring about the Hour.
* The Traits of the Righteous: Detailing the excellent qualities of the God-fearing (Muttaqin), such as praying late at night (Tahajjud), seeking forgiveness at dawn, and spending a portion of their wealth for the needy.
* The Fate of Past Nations: Brief, stark accounts of the destruction of the people of Lot, Pharaoh, and 'Ad and Thamud, serving as a severe warning to the Meccan disbelievers.
* The Purpose of Creation: The profound declaration that God only created jinn and mankind for the purpose of worshipping Him alone (Verse 56).

#quran #adhdhariyat #surah51 #winnowingwinds #resurrection #ahmedtahoun

Surah 51: Adh-Dhariyat (The Winnowing Winds)

The blood of Jesus reveals His emotional, passionate and willing love for us.

Lifeblood 2 - Jesus' Emotional Lifeblood

This sermon addresses the challenging question of why God seems to delay or is "late" in responding to prayers, particularly when people are facing prolonged troubles, drawing specifically on the Biblical account of Jesus resurrecting Lazarus four days after his death. The speaker proposes three spiritual reasons for God's apparent unresponsiveness. The first reason is that God often waits to perform a greater and more marvelous act than what was originally requested, using the examples of Lazarus's resurrection (versus a simple healing) and the parting of the Red Sea (versus Pharaoh simply releasing the Israelites). The second reason is that delays and hard times serve to reveal and strengthen one's faith, growing it through successive tests and temptations, much like Abraham's faith developed over time. Finally, the third reason is that God's timing ensures that events unfold at the perfectly appointed time for everything under heaven, as illustrated by Joseph's prolonged imprisonment leading him to a position of ultimate influence rather than simply a quick release back into servitude.

Why did Jesus wait?

Surah 56: Al-Waqi'ah (The Event)Surah 56: Al-Waqi'ah (The Event) - Recited by Ahmed Abdelhamid Tahoun

Al-Waqi'ah is the fifty-sixth chapter of the Holy Qur'an, consisting of 96 verses. It is a powerful Meccan Surah that provides one of the most vivid and detailed descriptions of the Day of Resurrection, referred to as "The Event," which will transform the earth and firmly establish the judgment.

The Surah’s core theme is the absolute certainty of the Hereafter, which is illustrated by striking signs from nature (the creation of man, the rain, the fire, and the seed). It emphasizes the division of humanity into three distinct groups.

Key Themes in Surah Al-Waqi'ah include:

* The Inevitable Event: Detailed description of the Day of Judgment, when the earth will shake, the mountains will be pulverized, and humanity will be divided.
* The Three Groups: The definitive division of people into: 1) The Foremost (As-Sabiqun), 2) The Companions of the Right (Ashab al-Yamin), and 3) The Companions of the Left (Ashab ash-Shimal).
* Detailed Rewards and Punishments: Vivid, lengthy descriptions of the eternal bliss prepared for the two groups of the righteous, contrasting sharply with the painful torment of the deniers.
* Divine Signs in Life: Arguments supporting resurrection drawn from the stages of human creation, the water that is drunk, the fire that is kindled, and the farming of crops.

#quran #alwaqiah #surah56 #theevent #resurrection #ahmedtahoun

Surah 56: Al-Waqi'ah (The Event)

In a world of fake news and AI generated deception, what should we make of two thousand year old claims that a Middle Eastern sage rose from the dead? Does it even matter? Join Matthew as he unpacks why Jesus' resurrection can be trusted, and why it matters.

Why should I trust the Gospel  - Matthew Grove

Surah 69: Al-Haqqah (The Reality) - Recited by Ahmed Abdelhamid Tahoun

Al-Haqqah is the sixty-ninth chapter of the Holy Qur'an, consisting of 52 verses. It is a powerful Meccan Surah named "The Reality" because it deals emphatically with the certainty, truth, and inescapability of the Day of Resurrection, repeating the name three times in the opening verses for maximum impact.

The Surah's core theme is the absolute truth of God's promise and warning. It uses historical examples of destruction to emphasize that God's word is always fulfilled, whether through historical punishment or the final judgment.

Key Themes in Surah Al-Haqqah include:

* Historical Warning: Detailing the horrific destruction that annihilated the nations of Thamud, 'Ad, and Pharaoh due to their rejection of the messengers.
* The Terrors of the Hour: Vivid descriptions of the Day when the trumpet will be blown, the sky will crack, and the angels will surround the Throne.
* The Distribution of Scrolls: The scene of judgment where believers will receive their book of deeds in their right hand, rejoicing, while disbelievers will receive theirs in their left hand, wishing for oblivion.
* The Majesty of the Qur'an: Concluding with a firm defense of the Qur'an as the word of God, asserting that it is not the word of a poet or a soothsayer, but a Revelation from the Lord of the worlds.

#quran #alhaqqah #surah69 #thereality #judgementday #ahmedtahoun

Surah 69: Al-Haqqah (The Reality)

The blood of Jesus is unique, reliable evidence which brings new birth and transformation.

Lifeblood 3 - Just Jesus' Lifeblood

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Drew is an Episcopal priest and blogger living in Western Indiana who is obsessed with building up a vibrant and authentic church and 90’s era dreampop. He is the rector of St. Stephen's in Terre Haute, Indiana. While working on an MFA at Emerson College, Drew was called to a new ministry that transcends both decaying structures and 50’s era ugliness. His blog is about seeking an authentic faith that is expressive, worshipful, artistic, and transformative.

New tracks tagged #Resurrection