Quickening and Resurrections (Part 1)

Christians learn from the Scriptures that there are different types of resurrections. These have to do with God’s different purposes in the history of man. The most privileged of them all is the one reserved for those of us that are saved by grace. The quickening (granting of eternal life) of our soul/spirit by the Spirit of God during this life gives us a special relationship with our Creator. Born again people will receive a unique resurrection at the gathering of our bodies into the air. Redeemed souls actually return with Christ for the purpose of possessing their new bodies that look like the old ones. Of course, the Christians that are still living on earth will simply be changed in the twinkling of and eye. Paul said; We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye. 1 Cor 15:52 Whether we are in the grave or alive every redeemed person will be spared from entering the realm of Death. A soul can only obtain eternal life (be born again) while alive on earth otherwise they will certainly enter Death.

Scriptures are very clear about the day Christians are gathered from the world as mentioned in this passage. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so (therefore) we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him…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. 1 Thess 4:14-17 Only Christians (from the last 2000 years) will enjoy this wonderful event. Note that the Spirit of Grace (Heb 10:29) came at Pentecost and He will leave the earth along with all the Christians. This is the beginning of the greatest adventure in history and it will never end. This old world will never see another Christian because it will be totally devoid of any Spirit filled person. During the next 1000 years it will be much more difficult to find salvation. The Lord Almighty says; In those days ten men from all languages and nations will take firm hold of one Jew by the hem of his robe and say, “let us go with you, because we have heard that God is with you.” Zech 8:23

It is common knowledge that Christians have been martyred by worldly people many thousands of times in our history. However, the laying down of this body is not a big deal to people serving God. Probably because we have already given up our natural life in order to live our new eternal life. The Bible says it this way, For we know that our old self was crucified with him…because anyone who has died has been freed from sin. Ro 6:6,7 This is why our old body can stand up as a sin-free new body when Jesus returns some day. The word for resurrection in Greek is anastasis (to stand up). This is the same thing that was said when someone was told to get up out of bed in the morning. Our righteous soul goes to live with the Savior when we are serving God and our old body lies down. None of the different resurrections includes any type of spiritual quickening. In other words, if someone has not been regenerated (soul spiritually quickened) while they live on earth they wait to be resurrected only for the purpose of final judgment.

Gods Spirit joins himself to our spirit during the salvation process. If our spirit/soul was sent into Death, the Spirit would be going with us. However, this is impossible because God’s life eliminates death by its very existence. We should know that all Christians have passed from death into life. Jesus told his disciples; I tell you the truth, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death. John 8:51 For some reason people find this truth difficult to believe. Because our spirit/soul is joined with God’s Spirit we go directly to be with Him when we leave this earth. The Scripture says; What is mortal may be swallowed up by life. Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. 2 Cor 5:4,5 There is a wonderful fact in this statement “made us for this purpose”. We have been created with the duality needed to be transformed from this life into another. God is offering us eternal life with Himself and no other creation has the ability to enter into this covenant.