Week 11: March 18th, 2018

Topic: The Resurrection of the dead – Part 1

Bible Reading: John 20: 1-17

Introduction

Resurrection is the inspiration and expectation of every Christian. It is the best thing that can happen to any believer and it is the reward of Christianity. Resurrection is the way that Almighty God will use to compensate all believers for our endurance of affliction, persecution and tribulation in the land of the living.

Resurrection is the divine reward which makes it possible for the Christians to inherit the Glorious Home and reign eternally with their Saviour and Creator. Anyone that is focus on the joy of resurrection will count the material things of this world as nothing and it will be easier for such person to persevere whatever that he/she is going through because of doing what is right and acceptable in the presence of God.

We cannot talk about resurrection without mentioning death because without death there will be no resurrection. That is why it is called the resurrection of the dead, for this reason we will start our discussion/study with death.

What is death?

Death is an unreturnable journey which makes ones existence to cease. Death is what makes every person to turn to history/story at a particular time when such person has departed from this world. Make sure you reconcile with your Maker before embarking on this journey of no return, to the land of darkness and the shadow of death Job 10:21. No one can live forever; all people will die and no one can escape the power of the grave. The scripture says “What man can live and not see death? Can he deliver his life from the power of the grave” Psalm 89:48. Only Jesus Christ can rescue us from the power of the grave through the resurrection, so obey His commands: Most importantly, since you know that you have brief period to use in this world before you begin the journey of no return Job 16:22. Do things that will be the pride of Christendom before you embark on this trip of no return.

The genesis of Resurrection

Death came to mankind as the consequence of the sin committed by Adam which made God to curse him saying “In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for dust you are, and to dust you shall return” Genesis 3:19. If not for the sin of Adam and the curse of God, we will be immortal like the heavenly beings and live forever.

Since death came to mankind through Adam our forefather, Jesus Christ came to rectify the situation so that even if we die because of our sins, we will resurrect through Him and live eternally. It can be summarized that death came into existence in the world through a man, so also is resurrection from the dead came/began through a Man 1 Corinthians 15:21-22. God sacrificed His Son as a Lamb to give salvation to the world in order to have resurrection and eternal life through Him. As we all know that the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God to mankind is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord Romans 6:23. God gave us everlasting life through His Son to be alive forever because He is the God of the living and not the God of the dead. It is for this reason that the Bible stated that “Concerning the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was spoken to you by God, saying, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? God is not the God of the dead but of the living” Matthew 22:31-32, Mark 12:26-27, Luke 20:37-38. God is not the God of the dead that is the reason we will resurrect to be judged according to our stewardship.

What is the resurrection of the dead

Resurrection is the spiritual process of transformation from mortality to immortality which makes it possible for people to be alive after death and live forever. It can also be described as raising people from the dead with heavenly body.

Resurrection is the divine procedure that will make it possible for people to see God in new body after maggots and bacteria have destroyed their natural flesh. It can be described as waking up to life in an angelic body after your earthly body has decayed/rotten.

The difference between resurrection and people restored back to life

Many people in the world today think that death is the end of human being, but they are wrong because there is life after death called resurrection of the dead. There are three main differences between the people who were restored back to life and the people who will resurrect from the dead.

People who will resurrect shall not die anymore: Many people who were raised from the dead in the Bible eventually died again including Lazarus that our Lord Jesus Christ raised from his death. Even the prophets that woke these people up including the apostles died like human beings, but Jesus Christ who resurrected from the dead did not die again. We know and it is evidently true that Christ the Anointed and the Ordained One was raised from the dead and He will never die again because death no longer has power over Him, unlike people who were raised from the death that death still hold sway/control over them Romans 6:9. If you are among the people who will resurrect from the dead and reign with Christ, then death will never have power over you again, which means you will live forever.

People who will resurrect shall be transformed: When Jesus Christ resurrected, Mary came to the tomb and recognized Him. Jesus said to her “Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father, but go to My brethren and say to them ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God’” John 20:17. Jesus warned Mary not to touch Him because He has been transformed. He has put on the celestial body which cannot condone the filthiness of humans. Unlike people who were restored back to life that were not transformed, but continued their existence in the same carnal body.

People who resurrected will ascend to heaven: The Bible testified that after Jesus Christ resurrected, He presented Himself alive to the apostles teaching them for forty days things pertaining to the kingdom of God Acts 1:1-3. When He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up and a cloud received Him out of their sight Acts 1:9. The Book of Mark explained further that “So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God Mark 16:19. Not only did Jesus Christ ascended to heaven, but He sat at the exalted right hand of God as corroborated by Stephen. The scripture says “Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God” Acts 7:55. Serve the Lord God with contrite and humble heart, worship Him with a pure heart and clear conscience so that when you resurrect, you will be among the people who will occupy the right hand of God according to the passages which stated that “In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also” John 14:2-3.

People who do not believe in resurrection

Many people throughout the world neither believe in the existence of resurrection nor embrace it because Satan has blindfolded them, but their unbelief does not change the existence of resurrection or the truth of the word of God.

The Sadducees said there is no resurrection: The Sadducees who are hypocrites like the Pharisees said there is no resurrection because they lack knowledge. They are using the earthly wisdom which is foolishness in the presence of God to discern the spiritual things of the Lord. Based on their educational background, they think they know the word of God more than the uneducated people. It is written that “The same day the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection came to Jesus and asked Him questions Matthew 22:23. You need to change if you are one of the novice people who say there is no resurrection.

The Sadducees tested Christ concerning resurrection: The Sadducees came to Jesus and asked Him saying, “Teacher, Moses said that if a man dies, having a wife, and he dies without children, his brother should take his wife and raise up offspring for his brother. Now there were seven brothers. And the first took a wife, and died without children. And the second took her as wife, and he died childless. Then the third took her, and in like manner the seven also; and they left no children and died. Last of all, the woman died also. Therefore, in the resurrection, whose wife does she become? For all the seven had her as wife”.

Jesus answered and said to them “The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage. But those who are counted worthy to attain the age, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry nor are given in marriage; nor can they die anymore, for they are equal to the angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection” Luke 20:28-36. For this reason, if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some people among the Christians who are the spiritual generation of Sadducees say that there is no resurrection of the dead? For, if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty or useless and your faith is also empty or useless 1 Corinthians 15:12-14. Do not doubt the power and the authority of God, but believe today in the resurrection of the dead before it is too late.

Week 12: March 25th, 2018

Topic: The Resurrection of the dead – Part 2

Bible Reading: John 20: 1-17

We shall continue our discussion with the people mentioned in the Bible that believed in the resurrection of the dead.

People that preached or prophesied about Resurrection

Many people acknowledged and taught about the resurrection of the dead. Some people prophesied while others preached about the resurrection of the dead based on the anointing and the gifts of Holy Spirit bestowed upon them by the Lord. The belief in the resurrection of the dead was mentioned in both the Old Testament and the New Testament, which means, people from one generation to another believed in the resurrection of the dead.

Job trusted in His Redeemer: Despite the affliction that Job went through during his lifetime, he neither deny the existence of his Redeemer nor betray His covenant, but trusted in Him. He confidently said, “For I know that my Redeemers lives, and He shall stand at last on the earth” Job 19:25. Job believed that his Defender and Redeemer is alive, and at the end of age, He will stand on this earth to judge its inhabitants. Furthermore, he professed that after his mortal skin is destroyed by death, yet from his immortal flesh he will see God. He acknowledged the existence of resurrection of the dead by saying that after his body has decayed, he will see God in his new/heavenly body Job 19:26. When the going gets tough, will you still trust your Redeemer and admit the existence of the resurrection of the dead like Job?

David’s confidence in the resurrection: David made this statement through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit that “As for me I will see Your face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness” Psalm 17:15. David declared his belief that he will be vindicated when he sees the Lord’s face and he will be fully satisfied when he resurrects from the dead to find himself in the likeness of God which is celestial body, having sweet communion with His Creator.

The prophecy of Isaiah: Isaiah prophesied that those who die in the Lord will live; their bodies will resurrect and rise again! Those who sleep in the earth will rise up and sing for joy! For the Lord’s life-giving light will fall like dew on His people in the place of the dead. It is written that “Your dead shall live; together with my dead body they shall arise. Awake and sing, you who dwell in dust; For your dew is like the dew of herbs, And the earth shall cast out the dead” Isaiah 26:19. Isaiah confirmed that he will resurrect. Will you be among the people who will resurrect and reign forever with Christ?

Martha’s confession: When Lazarus died, Martha said to Jesus, “Lord if You had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now, I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You”. Then Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again”. Martha replied that “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day” John 11:21-24. Do you need another testimony before you have faith in the resurrection of the dead?

The Apostles preached Resurrection: The priests, the captain of the Temple guard and some of the Sadducees confronted Peter and John when they were speaking to the people. These leaders were disturbed that Peter and John were preaching resurrection. They were teaching the people that through Jesus Christ, there is a resurrection of the dead. Peter and John were arrested, they were put in jail until the next day Acts 4:1-3. When was the last time that you preached and taught people about the resurrection of the dead?

Types of Resurrection

There are two types of resurrection namely:

· The resurrection of the just (the first resurrection).

· The resurrection of the just and the unjust (the second resurrection).

The Resurrection of the Just

The resurrection of the just is the First Resurrection, and it is for the righteous people only. It will be for a period of a thousand years. During this period, the righteous people will resurrect and reign with Jesus Christ for a thousand years as a token of appreciation for their toil/labour and efforts/zeal towards the work of God. The rest of the dead will neither live nor come back to life until the thousand years had ended. Blessed and holy are those who will have portion in the first resurrection because Second death will have no power on them Revelation 20:4-6. We pray that all our efforts and labour concerning the development and the propagation of the Gospel will not be in vain, but they will be acceptable in the presence of God.

Jesus Christ Himself confirmed that there is resurrection of the just. When He was invited to a feast He preached to the people by saying ‘When you give a dinner or a supper, do not ask your friends, your brothers, your relatives, nor rich neighbours, lest they also invite you back, and you be repaid. But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind. And you will be blessed because they cannot repay you; for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just” Luke 14:12-14. We pray that you will learn from this preaching and have part in the first resurrection. If you earnestly desire to partake in the first resurrection, then you must have clean hands that are not stain by the blood of the innocent people, together with a pure heart and clear conscience. You must neither tell lies nor deceive people. You must not afflict or oppress or exploit or defraud others according to teaching of the Bible Psalm 24:3-4.

Jesus Christ testified that the will and the purpose of His heavenly Father is that everyone who sees Him will have eternal life. Those who cleave to Him and trust in Him will live forever. Anyone who accepts Him as his/her Saviour and relies on Him alone will live perpetually; Christ will raise such person up from the dead on the last day John 6:40. Though, it is the will of God for Christ to raise people up from the dead, but you must acknowledge and confess with your mouth that Jesus Christ is the Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead. It is then that you will be saved and resurrect Romans 10:9. Never permit material things or activities of this world to distract you and make you to miss the resurrection of the just.

Remember, you came naked from your mother’s womb into this world and you will depart from this world without taking any of the rewards of your labour out of this world Ecclesiastes 5:15. Since you know that you brought nothing into this world and it is certain you cannot carry anything out 1 Timothy 6:7. Then make every necessary effort to openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead so that you will participate in the resurrection of the Just.

The Resurrection of the Just and the Unjust

The second resurrection is when we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ so that each one of us may receive the reward of what we have done in the land of the living, whether good or bad 2 Corinthians 5:10. Either we like or not, whether we believe or not, we will resurrect and appear before the judgment throne to receive what we deserve for the good or evil that we have done in our earthly body. According to the scripture which stated that, “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment” Hebrews 9:27.

At the throne of judgment, the dead will resurrect and appear, both great and small will stand before God’s throne. Books will be opened, including the Book of Life. The dead will be judged according to what they had done, as recorded in the books. The sea will give up the dead who were in it, death and Hades will surrender the dead who were in them, and they will be judged according to their deeds.

The Book of Life will be searched first and anyone whose name is not in the Book of Life will be judged according to their works and such people will be cast into the lake of fire together with Satan, death and the grave to torment them continuously and ceaselessly. This is called the second death Revelation 20:11-15. The people whose names were written in the Book of Life will reign with our Lord Jesus Christ forever, not because of their righteousness but according to the mercy and grace of God that called them.

Daniel prophesied about the resurrection of the just and the unjust by saying that “And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, some to shame and everlasting contempt” Daniel 12:2. Are you among those who will resurrect to everlasting life? If not, from this moment have a change of attitude towards God’s work.

Jesus Christ confirmed that there will be second resurrection when He said “Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth – those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation” John 5:28-29. We pray that all our services and worship on earth will not be in vain.

Paul apostle acknowledge and proclaimed the second resurrection when he said that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both the just and the unjust Acts 24:15.

Week 13: April 1, 2018

Topic: The Resurrection of the dead – Part 3

Bible Reading: John 20: 1-17

We shall continue our discussion with the resurrection of Jesus Christ our Lord from the dead and the testimony of the people who witnessed the event. Today, believers throughout the world celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the joy of resurrection will never depart from our lives.

Jesus Christ is risen!

At the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and another Mary came to the tomb. There was a great earthquake, then an angel descended from heaven and rolled back the stone blocking the entrance of the tomb and sat on it. The angel told the women “Do not be afraid for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come see the place where the Lord lay” Matthew 28:1-6, Mark 16:1-6. You must neither be among the people, who does not believe in resurrection, nor look for our Lord Jesus Christ who is alive among the dead, because He is risen. The scripture says “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee” Luke 24:5-6. Jesus Christ is risen, are you ready to meet Him at Galilee?

Predictions and prophecy about the resurrection of Christ: Jesus clearly told His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and endure many things at the hands of the elders and the chief priests and the scribes. He plainly told them that He will be killed and He will be raised from death back to life on the third day Matthew 16:21.

When Jesus Christ and His disciples were staying in Galilee, Jesus said to them “The Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men, and they will kill Him and the third day He will be raised” Matthew 17:22-23. On another Occasion when Jesus Christ was teaching in the synagogue, His teaching was hard to understand, even the disciples cannot comprehend, then He said “What then if you should see the Son of Man ascend where He was before”. What Jesus Christ meant was that “If you cannot understand this simple teaching, what will be your reaction when you see Me ascending after resurrection to heaven the original place where I came from?” John 6:59-62. It is for this reason that the scripture says “You have ascended on high, You have led captivity captive; You have received gifts among men, even from the rebellious, that the Lord God might dwell there” Psalm 68:18, Ephesians 4:8.

God raised Christ up: It is evidently clear that God raised Jesus Christ from the dead and it is not human that woke Jesus Christ up from His sleep. The Bible mentioned that when Mary Magdalene and the disciples got to the tomb, they did not see the corpse of Jesus Christ in the tomb John 20:1-2. They were thinking that somebody must have removed Jesus corpse not knowing that He had resurrected because they are yet to understand and have full knowledge of the statement of the scripture that He will be raised from the dead John 20:8-9. Until Jesus called Mary by name that she recognized Jesus Christ and knew that He had resurrected from the dead John 20:16-17.

God raised Jesus Christ up and release him from the horrors/agony of death by bringing Him back to life because death could not keep Him in its grip. The reason God raised Christ up and liberated Him from the pangs of death is because it is impossible for Him to be held in death’s power Acts 2:24. Since Jesus Christ is a living being, it is impossible for Him to be held or controlled or retained by death. It is for this reason that when Christ sent a message through an angel to the Church in Smyrna that He identified Himself as the First and the Last who was dead, and came to life Revelation 2:8. Christ identified Himself as someone who died, but resurrected and came back to life again, somebody who was dead but is now alive through resurrection.

Prove and testimony of His resurrection: When Jesus Christ died on the cross, the tombs were opened and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep in death were raised to life. They came out of the tombs after the resurrection of Jesus Christ and they went into the holy city and appeared to many people Matthew 27:50-53. It must be noted that the saints were raised up after the resurrection of Jesus Christ who is First to resurrect and the Firstborn of the dead. The saints slept again until the day of the resurrection of the just while Jesus Christ ascended to heaven. The raising of the saints only signifies and proves that every believer will resurrect with Jesus Christ who is the Firstborn from the dead Revelation 1:5.

When the hour is near for Jesus to be crucified, He told His disciples that “after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee” Mark 14:28, Matthew 26:32.

Jesus foretold His disciples that as soon as He resurrects, He will go to Galilee to wait for them. Are you going to Galilee tomorrow to meet Jesus Christ Your Lord and Saviour just like how the disciples did? If not, where will you be tomorrow?

Please note that Jesus Christ appeared to his disciples on several occasions including one instance when he had breakfast with them at the sea, which is the third time that He appeared to his disciples after He had resurrected from the dead to prove that He lives John 21:7-14. The apostles also bear witness that Jesus Christ resurrected from the dead according to the Bible passage which stated that “This Jesus God raised up, of which we are all witnesses” Acts 2:32. Are you one of the people who believe and continue to testify that Jesus Christ resurrected from the dead?

Jesus ascended to heaven: When Jesus Christ had finished giving instructions to His disciples after His resurrection, He lifted up His hands to heaven and blessed them. And it came to pass that while He was blessing them, He parted from them and was taken up into heaven Luke 24:50-51. You too will resurrect or rapture and go to heaven, if you do what is right and acceptable in the presence of God.

Believers do not die but sleep in the Lord

During the ordeal of Job, he lamented and said if I had died at birth, I would now be at peace; I would be asleep and at rest in death. Job said, had it been that he died at birth “For now I would have lain still and been quiet, I would have been asleep; then I would have been at rest” Job 3:13. The asleep mentioned in the passage means death, which means he would have fallen asleep because as a believer, he will not die but sleep in the Lord. Jesus confirmed that believers do not die, but sleep, when He said to His disciples that “Our friend Lazarus sleeps, but I go that I may wake him up”. The disciples replied that “Lord, if he sleeps he will get well”. However, they thought Jesus meant Lazarus was simply sleeping, but Jesus meant Lazarus had died John 11:11-13. Jesus referred to Lazarus death as sleep because believers do not die, but sleep.

Inasmuch as we the believers have a great High Priest Jesus Christ the Son of God who has ascended and passed through the heavens, let us hold fast to our confession of faith, cling tenaciously to our absolute trust in Him, in order to resurrect and reign with Him whenever we sleep Hebrews 4:11. So that we will know Jesus Christ, and become intimately acquainted with Him; And in the same way experience the power of His resurrection which overflows, and is active in believers; and that we may share the fellowship of His suffering, by being continually conformed to His death. Then we will have hope of reaching the goal of the resurrection of the dead and attain it Philippians 3:10-11. Make sure that one way or another you shall be among those who will experience the resurrection of the dead and its joy.

We must realize that no one can come to Jesus Christ unless His heavenly Father who sent Him touches and draws the person; and He will raise such person up from the dead on the last day. Those of us who already knew Christ, and obey His instructions: it is not by our power or might, but the grace of God attracted and gave us the desire to seek Jesus Christ, so that He can raise us up on the last day John 6:44. Therefore, have the assurance that if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal body through His Spirit, who lives in you Romans 8:11. So be confident that He who raised the Lord Jesus will also raise us with Jesus, and present us together with the saints in His presence; if and only if you can endure till the end 2 Corinthians 4:14. For this reason, have unshaken faith that God will raise you up from the dead by His power, just as He raised our Lord Jesus Christ from the dead. If there is no doubt in your mind, then God has not only raised the Lord to life, but He will also raise you up by His power, if you continue to do His will 1 Corinthians 6:14.

Week 14: April 8, 2018

Topic: The Resurrection of the dead – Part 4

Bible Reading: John 20: 1-17

Our discussion shall continue with Jesus Christ the firstborn of the dead, we will examine the Bible in detail for the reason(s) why Jesus Christ was the resurrection and the life.

Christ the Firstborn of the dead, the Resurrection and the Life

Jesus Christ our Lord described Himself with several names and some of them are the following:

· I am the way, the truth and the life John 14:6

· I am the light of the world John 8:12, 9:5

· The firstborn from the dead.

· The resurrection and the life.

Out of all these titles of our Lord Jesus Christ, we shall examine the two titles that are crucial to this topic which are the firstborn from the dead together with the resurrection and the life.

The Resurrection and the Life: Whoever believes in Jesus Christ and adheres to Him will have eternal life. Those who trust in Jesus Christ and rely on Him as their Saviour will live even if they die. Jesus said to Martha that “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live” John 11:25. Since Jesus Christ is the resurrection and the life, have the confidence that if you believe in Christ and you put your hope in Him you will resurrect and live forever because all of us who have been baptized into Christ were baptized into His death. For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection Romans 6:3-5. So if we died with Christ through baptism, we have faith and know that we shall also live with Him Romans 6:8. It is for this reason that Jesus Christ introduced Himself to John by saying that “I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have keys of Hades and of Death” Revelation 1:18. If you believe in Jesus Christ and do what pleases Him, you have nothing to fear because He is the resurrection and the life. He will wake you up from your sleep in order to resurrect and reign with Him, since He had the keys of Grave and of Death.

The Firstborn from the Dead: It is the will and the plan of God that Christ the Messiah must suffer for mankind and became the first to rise from the dead so that He will announce the message of light to both the believers and the unbelievers. As it is written “That the Christ would suffer, that He would be the first to rise from the dead, and would proclaim light to the Jewish people and to Gentiles” Acts 26:23. So according to the plan of God, now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep 1 Corinthians 15:20. For this reason, Jesus Christ is the head, the life-source and the leader of the body, which is the Church. He is the beginning and the Firstborn from the dead, so that he Himself will occupy the first place, stand supreme and be preeminent in everything according to the Bible passage which stated that “And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He many have the preeminence” Colossians 1:18.

Misconception about the resurrection of the dead

Many Christians get confused concerning resurrection and the people of the olden days, but we shall clarify the issue today. The scripture says “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment Hebrews 9:27. But this judgment will not happen until the end of the age according to the Bible passage which stated that “So it will be at the end of age. The angels will come forth; separate the wicked from among the just” Matthew 13:49. It means the souls of those who died will wait in certain location until the judgment day when all of us will appear before the judgment Seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due to us for the things done in our earthly body when we were in the world, whether good or bad 2 Corinthians 5:10. Since the end of age is yet to come and no one has stand before Christ to be judged, then no human being has resurrected except Jesus Christ.

Elijah: The Bible testified that as Elijah and Elisha were walking along and talking, suddenly a chariot of fire appeared, drawn by horses of fire. It drove between the two men, separating them, and Elijah was carried by a whirlwind into heaven 2 Kings 2:11. But Jesus Christ confirmed that Elijah returned to this world as John the Baptist to die Matthew 17:12-13. There is no where in the scripture which stated that John the Baptist appears before the heavenly throne of God or the Judgment Seat of Christ.

Enoch: It is written that “Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him” Genesis 5:24. The Book of Hebrews also attested to this fact by stating that “By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, ‘and was not found, because God has taken him’; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God” Hebrews 11:5. Since there is no passage that mentioned that he was transformed or he was given celestial body, then it means God took him away and his soul is in the waiting location mentioned in the Book of Revelation, “When the angel opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held. And they cried with a loud voice saying “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was complete Revelation 6:9-11. Though God took Enoch away, but he is yet to resurrect. He will resurrect with the saints at the end of age. For this reason, we must neither waver nor be distracted, but we must focus our eyes on Jesus Christ who is the Author and Perfecter of our faith. He is the source of our faith, the first incentive for our belief and the One who brings our faith to maturity; who for the joy of accomplishing the goal set before Him, endured the cross, disregarding the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God Hebrews 12:2

The day is coming when we will resurrect

Jesus said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live” John 5:25. We pray that we will be among those who will hear the voice of Christ and live eternally. Because after two days, the Lord will revive us; on the third day he will raise us up, so that we may live in His presence Hosea 6:2. We will resurrect on the third day like Jesus Christ our Saviour and live with Him forever.

It is the light that makes everything visible, therefore the Lord says: Awake you who sleep, arise form the dead and resurrect, so that Christ will shine upon you and give you light Ephesians 5:14. For this reason, it is written that “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first” 1 Thessalonians 4:16. Then those who are alive and remain on the earth will simultaneously be caught up or rapture together with the resurrected dead people in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and so we will always be with the Lord eternally 1 Thessalonians 4:17.

In what body will we resurrect?

We must realize that flesh and blood cannot become partakers of eternal salvation and inherit the kingdom of God. Likewise corruption can neither inherit incorruption nor perishable inherit imperishable. It is a mystery of God that we shall not all fall asleep in death but we shall all be changed or transformed. We will be given celestial/heavenly body both the dead that resurrected and the people that remains alive on the earth who will rapture 1 Corinthians 15:50-51. In the process of the resurrection of the dead, the body is sown in corruption/perishable and it is raised in incorruption/imperishable. It is sown in dishonour and humiliation; it is raised in honour and glory. It is sown in infirmity and weakness; it is resurrected in strength and endowed with power. It is sown in natural body, it is raised a spiritual body 1 Corinthians 15:42-44.

In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye; at the sound of the last trumpet call; For a trumpet will sound and the dead in Christ will be raised incorruptible/imperishable to live forever; and we shall be changed/transformed. For our corruptible body must put on incorruption, and our mortal body must put on immortality 1 Corinthians 15:52-53.

When our corruptible body have put on incorruption and our mortal body have put on immortality, then the scripture will be fulfilled which says, “Death is swallowed up in victory”. We can then say “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory? 1 Corinthians 15:54-55. It is then that we can rejoice over death and grave because we will not partake in the second death, but live eternally.

Week 15: April 15, 2018

Topic: The Resurrection of the dead – Part 5

Bible Reading: John 20: 1-17

We shall continue our discussion with how the righteous people will reign with our heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ Our Lord in His everlasting kingdom.

The reign of the Just

Though we human beings are sinners and all of us are unclean, we are infected and impure with sin. And our righteousness is like filthy rags before God Isaiah 64:6. But those of us who have faith in Jesus Christ, obey His commands and endure till the end will be counted worthy. We will be given the grace to enter the Glorious Home and reign eternally with our Maker.

We will dwell in New Jerusalem with God: Christians that were persecuted because of their faith, and overcame the Devil by the Blood of the Lamb and by their testimonies. Believers who did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death but were willing to die for the name of Christ will resurrect and reside with God forever Revelation 12:11. They will dwell in New Jerusalem with God in their midst and be His people Revelation 21:1-3. We pray that you will be among the people who will reside in the New Jerusalem the City of God after resurrection.

We will worship before the Throne of God. The righteous people will be clothed with white robes and they will worship before the throne of God saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb” Revelation 7:9-12. Make sure that you continue to do what pleases the Lord so that you will be among the people who will worship before His throne in white robes.

We will serve God day and night: The just people who came out of the great tribulation and washed their robes in the Blood of the Lamb will serve God day and night in His temple. They will never be hungry or thirsty again, and they will never be scorched by the heat of the sun. The Lamb at the center of the throne will be their Shepherd; He will lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes Revelation 7:13-15. Will you be among the people that the Lamb will lead to the springs of living waters after resurrection?

There will be no more curses: The righteous people will have the grace to drink from the river of water of life, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb. They will eat from the fruits of the tree of life whose leaves are for the healing of the nations. Their curses will be erased permanently and they shall serve God.

They shall see the face of God and His name shall be on their foreheads. There shall be no night there. They will need no lamp, nor light of the sun because the Lord God will give them light. And they shall reign forever and ever with God Revelation 22:1-5. We pray that all of us will participate in reign of the righteous when we resurrect.

The second Death

The second death was designed for the wicked and the workers of iniquity. Unlike the just people who will reign eternally with God, the evil doers will partake in second death and eventually end their journeys in hell fire.

We must realize that there are consequences for the unjust people and it is for this reason that the Bible stated that God has set a day when He will judge the world in righteousness by Jesus Christ whom He has appointed and destined for the tasks, and he has provided credible proof to everyone by raising Him from the dead Acts 17:31. On this day the cowards, unbelievers, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death Revelation 21:8. Then death and the grave will be thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death. Anyone whose name was not recorded in the Book of Life will be thrown into the Lake of fire Revelation 20:14-15. We pray that sin and Satan will not erase our names from the Book of Life and we will not end our journeys in hell fire.

The benefits of the overcomers

There are numerous benefits accrue to the just people who resurrect and we shall mention some of the benefits that were written in the Bible.

Second Death will have no power/control over them: The just people who resurrect will neither be injured nor harmed by the second death. In fact the second death will have no control or power on the overcomers. Second death can not hurt the overcomers Revelation 2:11. It is for this reason that Jesus Christ gave the assurance that anyone who hears His word and heeds His message together with whoever believes and trust in God who sent Him will have eternal life. They will neither come into judgment nor be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death to life John 5:24. If you want eternal life and you don’t want to be hurt by the second death, be obedient. If you want to pass from death to life, do what pleases God.

They will rest from their labours: The scripture stated that God rested from His work on the seventh day. He blessed and sanctified it because in it He rested from all His work Genesis 2:2-3. Anyone who enters into God’s rest will rest from the weariness and pains of human labours, just as God rested after creating the world Hebrews 4:10. Therefore “Write: ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on’ “Yes,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labours, and their works follow them” Revelation 14:13. If you want to be blessed and rest from your labours, do not stray from the righteous path.

They will be fed with Manna and the Tree of Life: Jesus Christ will give the people who overcome the grace to eat from the tree of life which is in the midst of the Paradise of God Revelation 2:7. He will feed them with the hidden manna and also give them white stones and a new name written on them, which no one except the people who receive them know Revelation 2:17. For you to be fed with manna you need to be focused and pray fervently.

They will not be hungry or thirsty: They will never be hungry or thirsty for good things, and the sun will neither strike nor scorch them because the Lamb will shepherd them and lead them to the fountain of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes Revelation 7:16-17. For Christ to satisfy your needs and lead you to the fountain of waters, you must be prepared to suffer for His name.

No more death or sorrow or crying: God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow nor crying. There shall be no more pain because the former things have passed away. Then He who sat on the throne said “Behold I make all things new.”  And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful” Revelation 21:4-5. If you want God to renew your existence, do not provoke Him. If you don’t want sorrow, tears, and pains anymore in your life, you must forsake Satan and his deeds.

They will have power over the nations: The people who overcome will be given power over the nations and they will rule them with iron rods. Christ will also give them the morning star Revelation 2:26-28. If you want power over the nations you must not be greedy, and if you want morning star, you must persevere.

Their names will be confessed before God: The overcomers will be clothed in white garments, their names will not be erased from the Book of Life, but Jesus Christ will confess their names before His Father and His angels Revelation 3:5. For your name not to be erased from the Book of Life you must be steadfast and if you want your name to be confessed before God, you must be honest.

They will be pillars in the Temple of God: Jesus Christ will make the just people pillars in the temple of God and they will not go out of the temple anymore. He will write on them the name of His God and the name of the city of God, the New Jerusalem. He will also write on them His new name Revelation 3:12. If you want to be a pillar in the Church of God, be zealous for His work, and for Christ to write His new name on you, you must be selfless.

They will sit with Christ on His Throne: Jesus Christ will grant the righteous people the grace to sit with Him on His throne just like how He sat down with His Father on His throne Revelation 3:21. For you to be granted the grace to sit on the throne, you need to be godly.

They will inherit all things: Anyone who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be His God and he shall be My son. People who are victorious will inherit the blessings of God, and He will be their God, and they will be His children Revelation 21:7. For you to inherit all things you must be considerate, and if you want to be a child of God, you must abstain from deception.

Finally, remember that your challenges will not last forever but they are for a brief period of time; so let us serve God in truth, and refrain from the lustful/sinful things of this world; “knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus and will present us with you” 2 Corinthians 4:14. Therefore, be mindful of where you will spend your eternity after resurrection.

The Seal: Romans 8:11: But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.