Quickening and Resurrections (Part 2)

Comparing two of the resurrections will show us a sample of the different purposes of God. Looking closely at the Greek words in John 6:39, we see that only the children of God stand up from their sleep during the rapture to have their body quickened. No one will be in these bodies. This happens on the last day of the grace period of human history.  The word used here for last day, describes “the last day of the festival”. John 7:37 Those of us born again during this “grace festival” understand that Jesus will return for us. However, the standing-up referred to in Matthew 13:40 is a different resurrection occurring 1000 years later. This one takes place at the end of this world as described in the Greek word sunteleia (the completion). The main feature of this standing-up is to sort all sinful people out from among the righteous. But the people of the last resurrection will all stand-up in their bodies to meet the judgment of God. ‘For a time is coming (end of world) when all who are in their graves will hear His voice and come out---those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned. John 5:28,29

Our transformation during the salvation process is a reality that allows us to join with divinity. In addition Jesus physically destroyed death for us so that we have freedom from sin and death. But we see Jesus…now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered DEATH, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. Heb 2:9 The Bible plainly says that because Jesus entered death, we can be buried and resurrected with Him as described in our baptism. Paul explains in Romans that our sinful nature must be dealt with because sin always causes our death. Jesus lived in perfection and then He entered death for us. Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? Rom 6:3 Because He rose in victory over everything alive or dead, we are now invited to live in Him as His Spirit lives in us. This unbelievable redemption was designed before the universe was created. Everyone is invited to “enter-in” by their faith. The Scripture says that the work of Christ is available to all humans but we need the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him. Acts 5:32 We can be quickened if we believe and obey.

When we are baptized in Christ, we are resurrected to a new life. This makes Jesus our resurrection out of death. And this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience (a quickened life)toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand. 1 Pet 3:21 The death of Jesus can remove sin from our life and the deposit of God’s Spirit into us is the way we maintain a good conscience (walk the walk) toward God. The water baptism symbolizes these two realities in our life. Living with “the way of grace” in your life will get you ready for the completion of your salvation someday. God, who is rich in mercy,  made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.  ⁶ And God raised us up (stood our soul up) with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus. Eph 2:4-6 If we are alive with Christ in heaven then it is not possible for our soul/spirit to enter death.

Another time when Jesus was talking about people who are born again He mentions that we must “cross over” a term that is sometimes used at the cemetery. Here is what He said; I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life. John 5:24 This passage tells us that a real believer has already passed over. The Spirit of Life dwells in us and cannot enter death. Martha received this explanation when weeping for her brother. Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies;  and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?  John 11:25,26 Although the body dies here on earth, Jesus claims he is the resurrection and that those who live in Him do not enter death. Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality, 2 Tim 1:10 To repeat, Jesus destroyed our death when He arose victorious over sin and death. Therefore, the Spirit filled person is immortal. Jesus is asking; do you believe I can do everything I say?

The gathering of the Lord’s children is not a resurrection out of death. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 1 Thes 4:14 Paul says in both Corinthians and Thessalonians that Jesus is coming back for those who either sleep in Him or are living in Him. The word sleep that he uses is koimaoListen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed….then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” 1 Cor 15:51,54  This is why Paul refers to those who are absent from us as “sleeping”. Christians don’t enter death, we are simply waiting to have our body changed like our risen Savior. 

The standing-up of the saints is referred to many times in the New Testament. It is reassuring to know that we will have our own appearance in eternity and will recognize other people. They will all be the people we know that have the Spirit in their life. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies----through his Spirit, who lives in you. Rom 8:11 Note that if the Spirit is not active in your life, then the Spirit will not quicken your body when the time comes.  Another Scripture reminds us that we must be a part of Jesus Christ if any of this is to be true for us. By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? 1 Cor 6:14,15 Leaving this world is a time that should be celebrated by the Christians left behind. A Christian leaves this life of troubles and enters a place that promises many wonders to come.