RESURRECTION FROM THE DEAD

FOUNDATION SERIES ON THE DOCTRINE OF CHRIST (VII)

RESURRECTION FROM THE DEAD

SCRIPTURE:

“Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out—those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned. John 5:28-29

So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. 1 Corinthians 15:42-44

Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. 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.” “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.1 Corinthians 15:51-57

For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

(The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years. Revelation 20:5-6

OBSERVATION:

The sixth of the key foundations written in Hebrews is the Resurrection from the dead. There are actually two great resurrections in Scripture. The first resurrection comes at the Second Coming of our Lord Jesus, when He returns on the clouds with great power and glory. There will be the trumpet call of God and the voice of the archangel, and the dead in Christ will rise first. The second resurrection happens at the end of the millennial reign of Jesus Christ with His saints, when everyone will be brought back to life again to be judged before God, and anyone whose name is not found in the Book of life will be thrown into the lake of fire to everlasting torment.

What will happen at this first resurrection? Paul describes an incredible change where those in Christ will receive new bodies which are imperishable and spiritual. This first resurrection will include those in Christ who died earlier as well as those in Christ who are still living when Jesus returns. Our current bodies are weak and perishing, decaying constantly as we grow older, but the new bodies that we will receive in Christ are invincible, immune to disease and sickness or any kind of deterioration. We get an idea what this new body will be like by looking at our Lord’s actions after He rose from the dead. He could suddenly appear out of thin air in the presence of the disciples, seemingly able to pass through walls and over great distances in a short time. Yet He could also eat, and His disciples were able to touch Him. He also bore on His body the marks of His suffering at the hands of the Romans soldiers and from the cross. He was also able to fly, ascending up to Heaven in front of the disciples. Blessed and holy that have part of the first resurrection. What are these resurrected for? They will form the world government with the Lord as the Head, and will have various levels of authority given them based on how well they served the Lord faithfully during their lives on earth.

How about the second resurrection? There is great fear here in knowing that one may not find his name written in the book of life and be thrown into the lake of fire prepared for the devil and his angels. Who are those who find their names written in the book of life? Firstly, it is called the Lamb’s book of life, meaning that it is those who follow the Lamb who will find their names there. Secondly, in the book of Revelation, it describes those whose names will not be found in it - those who are unclean, deceitful liars, cowardly, unbelieving, sexually immoral, idolators and practicians  in magic arts. Thirdly, speaking to the church of Sardis, Jesus said that to those who overcome, He will never blot out of the book of life. This also means that some whose names are already in currently can have it erased from it. We need therefore to make sure we press on and overcome in being faithful to Him till the end.

APPLICATION:

The First Resurrection is our great Christian hope for the future, and because of it we look forward to the Second Coming of Christ, when He will come to redeem all things, starting with us who are in Him. It is also a great deterrent for us to beware lest we miss this great resurrection. The Apostle Paul Himself made sure He was faithful to God, lest he himself be disqualified after preaching to others. How then can we ourselves not carefully work out our salvation with fear and trembling?

Let us never forget nor take for granted this great hope of the Resurrection that we have, looking forward every day to the glorious coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, ever grateful for His calling, always pressing to be faithful in our service. Even so come, Lord Jesus!

 PRAYER:

Precious Lord Jesus, we look forward to Your glorious coming! We so thank You for calling us to this glorious hope! Keep us safe O Lord, and committed in our hearts to follow You until You come, no matter what the cost. We praise You and love You and thank You, Lord. In Jesus name, Amen!