The members of the World Mission Society Church of God (WMSCOG) believe Ahnsahnghong is Second Coming Christ according to the Bible. However, the death of Ahnsahnghong in 1985 makes people believe that he cannot be the Christ because the Bible says that Christ cannot die again.
Romans 6:9 – For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him.
The Bible clearly says “he cannot die again.” No confusion there. There is also no confusion that Ahnsahnghong died in 1985. So how do the members of the WMSCOG believe Ahnsahnghong is the Christ? Since they study the Bible a lot, surely they’ve read this verse.
The Catch Phrase Problem
In our society, people like to hold on to short memorable catch phrases that are easy to remember. This can lead to a lot of misunderstandings. Sometimes people take advantage of these kinds of misunderstandings. If the words, “he cannot die again” literally mean that Christ cannot die again no matter what, then the WMSCOG has a problem. But maybe that’s not what it means. For example, read the following verse:
Isaiah 43:11 – I, even I, am the Lord, and apart from me there is no savior.
Does this mean that there is no other savior EVER but the Lord, Jehovah? If that means there is no other savior besides Jehovah, then this next verse cannot be true.
Acts 4:10-12 – then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed… Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.
In Acts, Peter says that salvation is only found in the name Jesus. If you only look at Isaiah 43, how can you believe Jesus is the savior? The simple answer is to understand the link between both verses instead of one verse by itself. Jehovah and Jesus can both be the saviors understanding the Trinity.
Meaning of the Words, “He Cannot Die Again”
So let’s confirm that that was the purpose of this verse by not just reading one verse, but by reading the context.
Romans 6:3-9 – Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— because anyone who has died has been set free from sin. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him.
The subject of this part of the Bible is the resurrection. When Apostle Paul said, “Since Christ was raised from the dead,” he is showing Christ cannot die in the context of the resurrection. There is a comparison being made with the people of God and Jesus Christ. Apostle Paul makes this comparison because everything Jesus did was an example for us.
John 13:15 – I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.
Jesus showed us the example of death and resurrection by going through it himself. This is why the verses speaking about the resurrection also show that we will not die again.
Luke 20:35-36 – But those who are considered worthy of taking part in the age to come and in the resurrection from the dead will neither marry nor be given in marriage, and they can no longer die; for they are like the angels. They are God’s children, since they are children of the resurrection.
1 Corinthians 15:54 – When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”
When God’s people are resurrected, they will be immortal and cannot die. The purpose of Romans 6:9 was to emphasize that since Christ didn’t die spiritually after dying physically, the people of God should not fear physical death and believe that they live eternally in the kingdom of heaven.
Does Christ Really Die?
In reality, Christ can never die spiritually. But if Christ came to this earth a billion times and died a billion times physically, does that make Him not Christ? No. Romans 6:9 does not mean that Christ can never die no matter what.
Understanding this, the death of Ahnsahnghong is not a valid reason to believe He is not Christ. This is simply an argument to make people doubt Christ because people have an image of God as all powerful, like Superman, when God comes in the flesh. Jesus never showed that example. Jesus showed us that Christ comes just like us in every way.
Hebrews 2:14 – Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil—
Christ shared in our humanity. What does that mean? Christ can get sick, get tired, be clumsy, forget your name, and that Christ can die. That doesn’t mean Christ “really” forgot your name. God simply appears and acts like one of us as a part of God’s administration, so that we can never die again.
The Death of Ahnsahnghong Actually Proves He is Christ
Though Christ coming with human qualities may be against our expectations, it is a test of our faith. In addition, many prophecies show that Christ must come to the earth and die in His second coming. One of them is the prophecy of King David. If you understand this prophecy, you will see how the death of Ahnsahnghong is a reason to believe that he is the Christ.
Wow, we have to be careful to read the scriptures and believe the prophecies. I never thought about it, the way this article explained it. It makes so much sense, I too want to receive salvation.
So many misunderstandings about Bible verses happen because people don’t read a little before and after. Thanks for clarifying the actual meaning of Romans 6:9.