The Resurrection Dale Byers
Dale Byers
The Resurrection
1 Corinthians 15:20
But now is Christ risen from the dead,
and become the firstfruits of them that slept.
The world tells us that death is the last note, that there is no more song at the grave. But the place where the world loses hope and joy is where Christ gives victory. “I am the resurrection and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?” John 11:25-26. The resurrection is the starting place for our healing, our help and our hope. Death is only a rest in the music. More song is going on right now. Much more song is to follow.
The resurrection of the dead is one of the foundation stones of the Christian faith. It is not until the physical death of a loved one or the threat of death to our own life that we realize how glorious and bright the resurrection is. That truth is not learned in the sunny skies and comforts of life. The apostle Paul’s goal was to learn that truth practically. The desire of his heart was this: “That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto his death” Phil. 3:10.
The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead sets Christianity apart from every other religion. Buddha, Confucius, Stalin and every other prominent figure on earth has followed the course of the earth and died; only Jesus Christ conquered death. And perhaps no other event in history is as thoroughly documented as the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.
But, I am not writing a mere apologetic for the Christian faith. I am writing to hurting hearts. Since it is true that Christ arose from the grave, those who believe on Him shall also live forever, “And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power” I Cor. 6:14. The Lord Jesus Himself said, “Because I live, ye shall live also” John 14:19. As surely as Christ arose from the grave, those who believe on Him shall also live forever. The resurrection will be of the physical body not just living spirits. Just as Christ Jesus was raised bodily from the grave you and I find comfort in that promise of our resurrected bodies.
The Bible identifies the Lord Jesus as the bright and morning star, Rev. 22:16. What a description! After the long dark night, that bright light appears in the heavens. Peter also wrote about his own impending death (II Peter 1:14-15) and then recalled the day on the Mount of Transfiguration when he saw Jesus in His transcendent glory: “We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts (II Peter 1:19.)
Think of it--- “A light that shineth in a dark place.” You may now be in a place of awesome darkness that is heavy and frightening; but the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ is a bright and glorious light.
The Bible assures us that when Christ appears, a great reunion of those who have died in Christ will take place with those who are still living at the time (I Thess. 4:13-18). This Scriptures inform us that while we as believers may sorrow in this life over the separation from saved loved one, we sorrow not as others who have no hope. There will be a reunion, and what a comfort that is to those who have hurting hearts.
My dear reader, if you have not placed your faith in Jesus Christ alone as your only hope of Heaven, do so today. Christ not only died on the Cross for the forgiveness of your sins, He arose victorious over death to give you that certainty of your salvation. Trust Him today as the Savior of your soul and the Lord of your life. If you need help or do not have the assurance of going to Heaven when you die, please contact me.
Remember, God does care about you and so do we.
* If you would like your name to be removed from this mailing list, please reply with the word REMOVE. You need not explain or apologize.
* Blogsite for past articles: http://dalebyers.wordpress.com/ <http://dalebyers.wordpress.com/>
1 Corinthians 15:20
But now is Christ risen from the dead,
and become the firstfruits of them that slept.
The world tells us that death is the last note, that there is no more song at the grave. But the place where the world loses hope and joy is where Christ gives victory. “I am the resurrection and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?” John 11:25-26. The resurrection is the starting place for our healing, our help and our hope. Death is only a rest in the music. More song is going on right now. Much more song is to follow.
The resurrection of the dead is one of the foundation stones of the Christian faith. It is not until the physical death of a loved one or the threat of death to our own life that we realize how glorious and bright the resurrection is. That truth is not learned in the sunny skies and comforts of life. The apostle Paul’s goal was to learn that truth practically. The desire of his heart was this: “That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto his death” Phil. 3:10.
The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead sets Christianity apart from every other religion. Buddha, Confucius, Stalin and every other prominent figure on earth has followed the course of the earth and died; only Jesus Christ conquered death. And perhaps no other event in history is as thoroughly documented as the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.
But, I am not writing a mere apologetic for the Christian faith. I am writing to hurting hearts. Since it is true that Christ arose from the grave, those who believe on Him shall also live forever, “And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power” I Cor. 6:14. The Lord Jesus Himself said, “Because I live, ye shall live also” John 14:19. As surely as Christ arose from the grave, those who believe on Him shall also live forever. The resurrection will be of the physical body not just living spirits. Just as Christ Jesus was raised bodily from the grave you and I find comfort in that promise of our resurrected bodies.
The Bible identifies the Lord Jesus as the bright and morning star, Rev. 22:16. What a description! After the long dark night, that bright light appears in the heavens. Peter also wrote about his own impending death (II Peter 1:14-15) and then recalled the day on the Mount of Transfiguration when he saw Jesus in His transcendent glory: “We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts (II Peter 1:19.)
Think of it--- “A light that shineth in a dark place.” You may now be in a place of awesome darkness that is heavy and frightening; but the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ is a bright and glorious light.
The Bible assures us that when Christ appears, a great reunion of those who have died in Christ will take place with those who are still living at the time (I Thess. 4:13-18). This Scriptures inform us that while we as believers may sorrow in this life over the separation from saved loved one, we sorrow not as others who have no hope. There will be a reunion, and what a comfort that is to those who have hurting hearts.
My dear reader, if you have not placed your faith in Jesus Christ alone as your only hope of Heaven, do so today. Christ not only died on the Cross for the forgiveness of your sins, He arose victorious over death to give you that certainty of your salvation. Trust Him today as the Savior of your soul and the Lord of your life. If you need help or do not have the assurance of going to Heaven when you die, please contact me.
Remember, God does care about you and so do we.
* If you would like your name to be removed from this mailing list, please reply with the word REMOVE. You need not explain or apologize.
* Blogsite for past articles: http://dalebyers.wordpress.com/ <http://dalebyers.wordpress.com/>