The Resurrection of the Dead
This foundation truth is an undeniable authentication of who Jesus is. If we do not have an unshakable belief in the resurrection, all other foundations will crumble
Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. Hebrews 6:1-2
This foundation – belief in the resurrection, is fundamental to our being able to continue on into the Kingdom.
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. Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. 1 Corinthians 15:13-17
Belief in the resurrection is not an option, it is fundamental to life in the Kingdom.
Because Jesus lives, we will continue to live also. In God’s kingdom, there is no death and we walk in resurrection life now while still on this earth, and in the ages to come.
But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first fruits of them that slept (or have died) 1 Corinthians 15:20
Jesus became the first to experience resurrection.
Then those who are the Lord’s will experience the same. We need to understand that those Christians who have died through the ages are in heaven, they are spirits or spirit beings. There is coming a day when their spirit will be clothed in an immortal body and full salvation will be completed ushering in a new age of unimaginable wonder, purpose, and adventure beyond our wildest dreams. Validation of the resurrection When Jesus died on the cross, an unusual event took place in Jerusalem. Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many. Matthew 27:50-53
The inhabitants of Jerusalem were eye witnesses to this event.
Have you ever wondered why in the Old Testament the patriarchs and others were concerned about being buried in certain places when they died? Joseph insisted on his bones being carried up into the Promised Land. Abraham had the same compulsion about his burial place.
In Hebrews 12:22, this request of Joseph was considered a great act of faith. Why?
They prophetically saw something coming; they had an understanding that it was important to be buried close to the city, which later would be known as Jerusalem.
Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. John 8:56
Abraham saw a day coming when Jesus would be in the earth through His incarnation and resurrection, and he positioned himself to be a part of that day.
As Abraham, Joseph and many others experienced resurrection, they became an unshakable testimony to the resurrection of Jesus.
They saw something coming and positioned themselves to be part of it
Jesus said of Abraham that he rejoiced to see My day, the day when Jesus would be on this earth. He saw it prophetically and he positioned himself to be a part of this great event by insisting that they be buried close to Jerusalem. These saints were forerunners, the first fruits of that which awaits all born again Christians.
For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. 1 Corinthians 15:25-26
To survive the perilous times that lay ahead of us, we have to be completely free from the fear of death.
Death needs to be seen as a promotion, a transition. Just as a caterpillar through death emerges as a butterfly and is free, so we must view death the same way.
Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. Hebrews 2:14-15
Have you ever wondered why in the Old Testament the patriarchs and others were concerned about being buried in certain places when they died?
The fear of death is a bondage that we must be free from.
It is the hope of resurrection that will stabilize us in the days that lie ahead. Fear is one of the Christian’s greatest influences and we as Christians have to overcome it. Fear of failure, fear of death, fear of what people think of us, fear is a strong bondage. This fear of death is a major stronghold that we have to defeat.
For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Philippians 1:21
For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living. Romans 14:8-9
An unshakable belief in the resurrection is a major foundation. This must not just be a something we believe, it must become a cornerstone that affects our whole lives. It must become the one thing that affects our conduct, our thinking and our motives. We must see our lives on this earth as a training school, a course to graduate from, if necessary, through death.
King Solomon contemplated this circle of life when he wrote the following:
What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun? One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever. The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down, and hasteth to his place where he arose. The wind goeth toward the south, and turneth about unto the north; it whirleth about continually, and the wind returneth again according to his circuits. All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full; unto the place from whence the rivers come, thither they return again. Ecclesiastes 1:3-7
Solomon was reflecting on the circle of life and its meaning when finally he wrote this under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it. He hath made everything beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end. Ecclesiastes 3:10-11
Death needs to be seen as a promotion, a transition.
We must see our lives on this earth as a training school, a course to graduate from. The word world in this verse is the Hebrew word owlam, which has the meaning of eternity. God has set eternity in our hearts in other words, we will live forever. Resurrection is a transition from one state of existence to another greater state. As Solomon said He hath made everything beautiful in its time.
This life on earth is a training ground, a schoolhouse in which we graduate to another existence which is described as beautiful. In this circle of life, God will make everything beautiful in its time, and the place we have in that world is determined by how much we have learnt to love in this world, it’s that simple.
All things new And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. Revelation 21:3-5
He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. Revelation 21:7
Around six thousand years has passed since the creation of Adam. As King Solomon said, during this time thousands of generations that have come and gone, the earth remains and it seems that life goes on forever. However, God said this earth as we know it shall not continue forever. God said, “I make all things new.” We are on the brink of a new age and a new world. A thousand years of peace, prosperity, justice, and righteousness is just around the corner.
And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season. And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ. Revelation 20:1-4
This world is racing to a final climax where evil will be removed and a new age will be established.
We are privileged to be alive and to participate in bringing evil to an end and ushering in a new world. For many this will cost them their lives as martyrdom will increase in these final years. Those who have no fear of death because of the hope of resurrection will experience glory in death as the butterfly emerges into a new and glorious existence. Others will continue on to the end and see this age expire giving birth to a new world and a new day.
And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. Revelation 11:15
To those who know the Lord and do not fear death will do great exploits in the few years we have left.
… but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits. Daniel 11:32b
This foundational truth has to become a reality in our lives; transforming our mind, removing our fears, and setting us free to serve the Lord in this final hour of human history.
The Gift of Life Jesus said that He was life; it’s not that He has life, He is life.
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life. John 14:6
If Jesus ceased to exist, all life would cease to exist. There are two things that the Bible tells us about God that are fundamental to everything else.
God is love and God is light. Both of these qualities are bound together as one. One is the result of the other. God is love, that is who He is, and because He is love, He emanates light. Light is the energy of love. The bible tells us that in Jesus dwells the fullness of the Godhead.
For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. Colossians 2:9
Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. Colossians 1:15-17
The word consist in verse 17 is the Greek word sunistao. This word has the meaning of “held together and sustained by”. In other words, Jesus holds everything together, without Him nothing could exist. Jesus is the power source of the universe; millions of galaxies are powered by Him as well as your tiny heart beat. Jesus is the gift of life to us. The wonder of life can never be adequately explained outside of Jesus. We have this incredible gift, yet most do not come anywhere near to appreciating it. The wonder of life can never be adequately explained outside of Jesus. Existing but not living.
Most of us don’t really live life as God intended it to be lived, we just exist. Jesus is life, the very essence of the life which is all around us but most never see that life as Jesus. Since the fall of Adam life has not been fully appreciated. Adam did not just have a relationship with God; he had a relationship with the whole of the world in which he lived. This included the animal creation as well as the creation which includes trees and plants etc, Adam saw God in everything. The stones at the bottom of the river vibrated with the Life of God. The trees reflected aspects of the Lord as they pulsated with life. He, the Lord, is in all things and by Him all things continue to exist. Most walk through life and never truly live and enjoy it. When we begin to see the Lord in all things, only then can we appreciate and relate to all of life. Adam had a relationship with the animals in Eden.
God has given us all things to enjoy, like a sunset, the clouds, the rivers, the soft skin of a baby, and the animal kingdom. We live lives that mostly exclude some of the most important things; we are so busy we never stop to smell the roses. When Joshua along with the people of God made a covenant, he said that stone had heard and by implication would remember this covenant they made.
And Joshua said unto all the people, Behold, this stone shall be a witness unto us; for it hath heard all the words of the LORD which he spake unto us; it shall be therefore a witness unto you, lest ye deny your God. Joshua 24:27
Stones are alive with the life of God, the elements and particles at the atomic level are alive and can record words. If you don’t believe the word of God take another look at your thumb drive or stick, it is solid but records words and pictures. Sound is just a vibration and Jesus said this:
And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out. Luke 19:40
The whole of creation is alive through the life of God
The gift of life is given to all to enjoy. However, we as Christians have the right and ability to access the life of God in us in a way that the rest of creation cannot. You are God’s Special Creation. We are made in the image and likeness of God; this sets us apart from the rest of creation. God wants us to be alive with His life. God was there when you breathed your first breath, the breath of life. The very breath of God brought life to you and has sustained you to this day; however, he wants us
When we begin to see the Lord in all things, only then can we appreciate and relate to all of life.
God has given us all things to enjoy.
We are made in the image and likeness of God; this sets us apart from the rest of creation to walk in the fullness of His life.
For it was you who formed my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; that I know very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes beheld my unformed substance. In your book were written all the days that were formed for me, when none of them as yet existed. How weighty to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them NRSV – Psalms 139:13-17
In him was life; and the life was the light of men. John 1:4
Resurrection life is within us
While we believe in the resurrection of the dead we need to believe that the same resurrection life power is at work within us and will come to its fullness in this generation. God longs for you to be truly alive. Satan has come to steal life, Jesus came to give life.
For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will. John 5:21
For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; John 5:26 Made alive with the life of another
But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. Romans 8:11
The word quicken in this verse is the Greek word zoopoieo which has the meaning of to make alive with the life of another. Jesus lives within us and He is the resurrection and the life. This verse of scripture tells us that Jesus can quicken our mortal or Physical Body while we are still here on this earth before the literal resurrection of the dead.
Living in resurrection life now.
Methuselah lived for almost one thousand years, kept alive by the life of God in him. Enoch understood this principle well, as Enoch’s relationship with God kept the life of God flowing in him to such a degree that he could not physically die. This resulted in him being translated to heaven. Enoch believed that this was possible and so it was for him.
By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. Hebrews 11:5
This verse of scripture tells us that that Jesus can quicken our mortal or Physical Body while we are still here on this earth before the literal resurrection of the dead
God longs for you to be truly alive.
Interactive visions.
This happens usually when you are in prayer or waiting on God. You feel a sense of God’s presence drawing you and if you yield to this drawing you find yourself quickly in another dimension, that of spirit.
In this realm your outward surroundings begin to fade as you get caught up in this realm of the Kingdom. At any time you can pull yourself out of this, but sometimes while in this realm you will find that you cannot absorb everything as quickly as you would like to pull yourself out and record what you have seen and heard. As you develop spiritually and this begins to happen then the next time it happens and you are caught up into that realm again you will continue on where it left off.
When you begin to have heavenly encounters, you may also find that some of the things you experience in heaven the Lord will not allow you to remember here on earth, they are not to be shared with other people.
“The time spoken of in the Word regarding the Morning Star is beginning now. The Morning Star will arise becoming brighter and brighter. The Lord shall arise in His people like never before and at evening time it will be light.” Zechariah 14 talks about this.
But it shall be one day which shall be known to the LORD, not day, nor night: but it shall come to pass, that at evening time it shall be light. Zechariah 14:7
“Transfiguration will begin to start in many of God’s people and they will truly become the light of this world”.
Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Matthew 5:14
There are a number of references to the Morning Star or the Day Star in the scriptures:
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: 2 Peter 1:19
This speaks of a day when the morning star will start to arise in the hearts of Gods people.
For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount. 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: 2 Peter 1:16-19
The Apostle Peter said that they had not followed some quirky prophecy when they made known the power and coming of the Lord, but were eye witnesses to it.
What was Peter an eye witness of?
He was an eye witness when the voice from heaven said this is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased. He said I heard this voice from heaven when we were on the mount.
And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him. Matthew 17:1-3
They were on the Mount of Transfiguration
While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. Matthew 17:5
This was what Peter was talking about in 2 Peter 1:17
Peter was saying there is coming a day when the Morning Star will arise within many of God’s people in ever increasing measures until transfiguration takes place. Peter said this is a sure word of prophecy. Now notice this takes place at the end of the sixth day
And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. Matthew 17:1-2
We are now living at the end of the sixth day 6000 years from Adam
Peter later said this: But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 2 Peter 3:8
He was talking about this day, our day. We are now living in the day of this prophecy. This is the day that the Lord has made.
Now notice Jesus said this:
And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead. Matthew 17:9
Why did Jesus say this? First, what happened to Jesus when He was transfigured? What took place within Him? Something happened on the inside first. Something on the inside reached critical mass, as this happened light inside Him began to increase like a slow explosion, His skin began to shine, His clothes began to shine and transformation occurred. The Day Star had risen within Him. Jesus would never be the same; resurrection life reached its fullness within Him. The last enemy to be overcome while we are still on this earth is death.
The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. 1 Corinthians 15:26
God will have a generation that will overcome death, a generation that will walk in resurrection power while still in the flesh on this earth. Jesus said don’t tell anyone about this UNTIL I am raised from the dead. Why did Jesus say this? Jesus was saying that when He is raised from the dead some would understand the meaning of transfiguration.
The body of Jesus did not decay in the tomb. There was so much life in His body decay could not set in. Even when His spirit left His body his body did not decay.
The Morning Star will begin to arise within His people until critical mass occurs, until life and light in its fullness will explode, transforming and transfiguring His people. In the darkest hour of this Planet, it will be light.
God will have a generation that will overcome death
The body of Jesus did not decay in the tomb
Jesus will first come in His People before He comes for them. This power and coming which Peter is talking about is Jesus coming or arising within His people. The son of righteousness will arise within us.
But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall. And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the LORD of hosts. Malachi 4:2-3
The sun of righteousness will start to arise in His people, HEALING them of every weakness, and sickness, every hereditary weakness, and ancestral weaknesses, there will be not one feeble person among them. This is not at the rapture; it will take place before the rapture. This is for those who will press in to the Lord with all their heart; those who will walk in the light in righteousness and truth. These are those people who have become love.
Malachi goes on to say this:
Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD: And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse. Malachi 4:5-6
The Prophet Malachi saw down through the ages to the transfiguration of Jesus and also where Moses and Elijah would appear on the mount, he then saw further down to the end time church, and he went on to say this:
Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts. But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap: And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness. Malachi 3:1-3
The Lord will suddenly come to His people, transforming and transfiguring them with healing in His wings.
Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD: And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse. Malachi 4:5-6
The Morning Star is beginning to rise within our hearts.
But that which ye have already hold fast till I come. And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations. And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. And I will give him the morning star. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. Revelation 2:25-29
The sun of righteousness will start to arise in His people, HEALING them of every weakness, and sickness.
I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. Revelation 22:16-17
The invitation to this generation is to experience the bright and morning star rising within them.
Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD shall radiate forth over thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising. Isaiah 60:1-3