RESURRECTION

The Report ( 1945) of the Commission appointed by the Archbishops of Canterbury and York, 'Towards the Conversion of England', stated ... "The central theme of the New Testament is eternal life, NOT for anybody and everybody, but for believers in Christ, arisen from the dead. The idea of the inherent indestructibility of the human soul (or consciousness), owes its origin to GREEK, NOT TO BIBLE SOURCES."

How could anyone searching the Scriptures reach any other conclusion? Yet, men are instructed and encouraged to believe otherwise! Jesus declared ..."I AM THE RESURRECTION, AND THE LIFE : HE THAT BELIEVETH IN ME , THOUGH HE WERE DEAD, YET SHALL HE LIVE" (John 11:25). Jesus also made it clear that ..." ... Moses and the prophets......(and), all the Scriptures " (Luke 24:27) , foretold His coming and His role in God's purpose Man has chosen to ignore the teaching of Scripture regarding the nature and destiny of man.

A COMMON END:

Man was created like the animals and though " in the image of God", and therefore superior to the animals, yet he shares a common end ...THE GRAVE! (Ps.49:1-20; Ecc.3:19-20). Men of Science, (brilliantly intellectual), consciously or otherwise, still appear to cling to the serpent's lie..."... ye shall NOT surely die." (Gen 3:4)

Medical science has made incredible progress in the field of human organ transplants (with some mechanical devices), striving to prolong life. It is noteworthy however, that one person must die to provide the organ for another to live, and then for but a limited time. The clear teaching of Scripture is that God provided His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to die "once for all" (Heb 10:10). No, we must not be lulled into believing that man will one day provide a miracle cure and thereby negate the sentence passed by God , upon Adam and his progeny...."IN THE SWEAT OF THY FACE SHALT THOU EAT BREAD, TILL THOU RETURN UNTO THE GROUND ; FOR OUT OF IT WAST THOU TAKEN; FOR DUST THOU ART AND UNTO DUST SHALT THOU RETURN." (Gen 3:19).

SHALL MAN LIVE AGAIN?

Even so, the Almighty declared in Numbers 14:21 "BUT AS TRULY AS I LIVE, ALL THE EARTH SHALL BE FILLED WITH THE GLORY OF THE LORD." This is to be accomplished in man who was to inhabit the earth...(Gen 9:1; Is. 45-18). Now, this appears to present an impossible situation, since man is to return to the dust. BUT...nothing or no one, can frustrate the purpose of God. JOB...that great Old Testament character, though reduced to the depths of despair, remained confident (such was his faith) , that he would rise from the dead, saying in Job 14:14, "IF A MAN DIE, SHALL HE LIVE AGAIN ? ALL THE DAYS OF MY APPOINTED TIME, WILL I WAIT, TILL MY CHANGE COME."

We read in Daniel 12:2 "And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake ...". Paul, the Apostle declared "... He (God) hath appointed a day, in the which He will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom He hath ordained ; whereof He hath given assurance unto all men, in that He hath raised Him (Jesus) from the dead." (Acts 17:31). Paul again in 1 Cor 15:20, says "BUT NOW IS CHRIST RISEN FROM THE DEAD AND BECOME THE FIRSTFRUITS OF THEM THAT SLEPT." The great "harvest" is to follow "BUT EVERY MAN IN HIS OWN ORDER: CHRIST THE FIRSTFRUITS; AFTERWARD THEY THAT ARE CHRIST'S AT HIS COMING." (1 Cor 15:23)

THE DEAD SHALL BE RAISED:

Men and women are encouraged to wait patiently and confidently for the return of Jesus Christ; the resurrection, judgement and ultimate reward as did Paul....(.2 Tim 4:7-8.). This shall come to pass when...."... THE TRUMPET SHALL SOUND, AND THE DEAD SHALL BE RAISED ... FOR THIS CORRUPTIBLE MUST PUT ON INCORRUPTION AND THIS MORTAL MUST PUT ON IMMORTALITY..." (1 Cor 15:52-53)

CHRIST IS RISEN:

Having searched the Scriptures then, we must see the positive truth of Pauls' words in 1 Cor 15-13/14...."BUT IF THERE BE NO RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD, THEN IS CHRIST NOT RISEN: AND IF CHRIST BE NOT RISEN, THEN IS OUR PREACHING VAIN, AND YOUR FAITH IS ALSO VAIN."  BUT CHRIST IS RISEN....he is the firstfruits and the Father's promise is that all men and women may participate in the glorious day of re-awakening, and thus live and reign with the Lord Jesus Christ, in a world renewed. Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, were promised the Land for an everlasting possession...this promise cannot be fulfilled . UNLESS THEY ARE RESURRECTED.

HAS ANYONE BEEN RAISED FROM THE DEAD?

The simple answer is YES. The Lord Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead after he had been in the tomb for 4 days, (John 12-1) proving that it was possible for him. (Jesus) to resurrect a person in whom corruption (decay) had commenced. This simply proves that when Jesus returns he will again resurrect people who have been dead not only for 4 days, but for countless days. The Bible promises this.

Jesus also resurrected the son of the widow of Nain ...(Luke 7:15), and Jairus' daughter ...(Luke 8:55). If He could resurrect three... He can resurrect you and me!