Author:
Hillbilly
| [ Next Thread |
Previous Thread |
Next Message |
Previous Message
]
Date Posted: 10:50:34 01/29/10 Fri
The Seven Resurrections
When thinking of the resurrections most people lump everyone into two categories. The saved and the lost. No distinction is made for the different dispensations and the precise wording of the Bible on the subject. The result is confusion and a very incomplete understanding of the different resurrections as laid out in the Bible. Much of the reason for this confusion is found in a couple of verses in the Book of John. These verses, if taken alone and without scripture with scripture, do give argument for only two resurrections. We shall see however that people come up in the resurrection to life at different times while the damned come up at the last resurrection just before the White Throne judgment of Revelation 20:11-15. In John 5:28-29 we read; "Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, 29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation." The thing we need to see and understand in this is that there will be 3,000 years separating the first resurrection and the last and there will be resurrections in between.
Resurrection #1: Acts26:22-23 Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come: 23 That Christ 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.
Many would say this verse is in error but it is not. Jesus was the first to rise from the dead never to die again. Jesus was the first to receive a resurrection body after rising from the dead. Lazarus (John 11:43-44) was raised in a mortal body. The proof of this is found in John 12:10 where we read "But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death."
He was to die again. Jairus daughter (Mark 5:42) died again. Notice Paul's words in Colossians1:18 "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 preeminence." Again we find this testimony in the words of John the Revelator in Revelation1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood.
The reason for Jesus being first is really quite simple. Jesus had to pay the price for sin before anyone's salvation could be complete. You might think that Abraham, Moses, Noah and the many great prophets and people listed in the Bible had complete salvation but that is not the case. Hebrews tells us in Hebrews chapter 10 and verse 4: "For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins." All up until the sacrifice of Jesus on Calvary were under the blood of bulls and goats, a type of the coming sin atoning sacrifice. God had instituted animal sacrifice as a picture and lesson that the innocent must die for the guilty. The only problem was that since animals had not committed the offense an animal was not sufficient to take away the offense of man. A sinless man was required for the sacrifice. When Jesus had paid the price he then ascended into heaven to place His blood on the Mercy Seat in Heaven. This ascension was not from the Mount of Olives recorded in Acts 1:9 but took place on resurrection morning right after a conversation Jesus had with Mary Magdalene who had gone to the tomb: John 20:17 Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God. Later that same morning Jesus allowed both Mary and Martha to hold his feet and worship Him. Matthew 28:9-10 And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him. 10 Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me. Not only did they touch Him but notice the message is now different. Instead of telling them He was going to the Father He told them He was going before them into Galilee.
Resurrection #1 then is the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
[
Next Thread |
Previous Thread |
Next Message |
Previous Message
] |
Feedback: 