The Resurrection:
The resurrection of the dead is one of the most basic of Christian doctrines; and we accept it as fact that Yeshua the Messiah (Jesus Christ) not only suffered and died for the sins of the world, but that He subsequently rose from the grave by the power of the Almighty God - His Father. Indeed were it not for the Saviour's resurrection, an event confirmed by many undeniable proofs and hundreds of eye witnesses, the whole catalogue of His mighty works and wonderful message may well have been ignored by the writers of history. For the truth of the resurrection means that Jesus Christ (Messiah) not only rose from the dead, but that He is alive today. Yes, Jesus Christ (Messiah), the Son of God (Yah), is alive today. And it is because He is alive and personally directing the work of His Church, that all the unbelieving forces in existence have been unable to prevent the Everlasting Gospel spreading to the four corners of this earth.
Moreover, the resurrection of Jesus (Yahshua) has set him high above all the great men and philosophers of the ages, men who have somehow been accepted as the original thinkers of the past. In other words, great as those other religious leaders may have been, they are still dead! Yes, they are all dead; whereas Jesus (Yahshua) is very much alive and actively leading His Church even in this 20th century.
In addition to these fundamental facts, Yeshua's resurrection is also Yahweh's unfailing guarantee that all who really believe in His Son will similarly rise from their graves and live forever, even though the sleep of death may overtake them. And so we use the truth of the resurrection to remind everyone that they should never cease to rejoice in the reality that Yeshua the Messiah, the Saviour of mankind, the Son of God (Yah), is alive. And because He is alive, believers may be absolutely certain that they will also live forever. In other words, sickness and death should not hold any fear for anyone who has put his/her faith in Christ (Messiah).
Jesus was raised to life by the power of God (Yah). (Acts 4:10; Rom 6:4) He was subsequently seen by over 500 witnesses. (Acts 2:32; 1 Cor.15:6) The Bible clearly teaches the resurrection of the dead. It is a foundation teaching of the Scriptures. (Ezekiel chapter 37; 1 Cor.15:20-23)
There are two general resurrections: The first, the Resurrection of Life, will take place at the return of Christ (Messiah). (1 Thes.4:16-17, John 5:29) The second, the Resurrection of Damnation, will occur a thousand years after the first resurrection. (Rev 20: 5-6) Resurrected believers who rise at the first resurrection will come forth with glorified and immortal bodies, similar to the body Jesus (Yahshua) possessed when He rose from the grave. (1 Cor.15:42-44, 1 John 3:2)
They will then receive their awards and eternal inheritance at the hand of God. (Luke 14:14, Matthew 16:27) The unbeliever, in awful contrast, will rise in the Resurrection of Damnation - after the final judgment at the end of the millennium. Unbelievers will perish in the second death. (Revelation 20:12-14) There is no resurrection from the second death. The second death - by fire - is the annihilation of the unbeliever. "They will be as though they had not been." See (Revelation 20:15, Malachi 4:1).
In view of these awesome facts all believers are urged to put their faith in Yahweh and His Son. Should they die before Christ (Messiah) returns to earth, the Most High is well able to raise them from their graves and give them eternal life. This is the message of the Gospel of Salvation. Is it not good news to a frightened world? (John 3:16, 2 Corinthians 1:9)
All those who wish to live forever should accept and act upon the words of the Saviour who said: “I am the resurrection, and the life: He that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live."
Christ (Messiah) was Raised Incorruptible
When the Saviour demonstrated the power to raise the dead, the people he raised later died. They were not raised up as immortal beings. They grew old and died. His own resurrection, however, which His Father performed (Acts 2:24) was quite different. Jesus (Yahshua) was raised, never to die again! He was raised incorruptible, immortal. He was the first person ever to be raised to immortal life: the first born from the dead. Carefully note these passages.
John 3:13: "And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven."
Acts 26:23: "That Christ (Messiah) should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles."
1 Cor. 15:20: "But now is Christ (Messiah) risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept."
Col. 1:18: "And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the pre-eminence."
As already stated in the first line, one of our basic doctrines is resurrection from the dead. That is why Paul says in 1 Cor.15:14-15, “But if Christ (Messiah) be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also in vain. Yea and we are found false witness of God (Yah); because we have testified of God (Yah) that he raised up Christ (Messiah); whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not up.” |