Will the Dead Rise?
 
K C George Anathanam

It is written in Job 9:32-33 "For he is not a mortal, as I am, that I might answer him, that we should come to trial together. There is no umpire between us, who might lay his hand on us both". Here we quote some New Testament verses that declare Jesus as the powerful mediator between God the Father and mankind. "For there is one God; there is also one mediator between God and humankind, Christ Jesus, himself human" (1 Tim 2:5); "Consequently he is able for all time to save those who approach God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them" (Heb 7:25)."...He is the mediator of a new Covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance because a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions under the first Covenant" (Heb 9:15). "Who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us"(Rom 8:34).

The children of God do not fear death at all, because of their firm belief in eternal life after death that can be found in the word of God. "For you do not give me up to Sheol,, or let your faithful one see the Pit" (Ps 16:10). "Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt" (Dan 12:2). "Oh that you would hide me in Sheol, that you would conceal me until your wrath is past, that you would appoint me a set time, and remember me"(Job 14:13-15). Job had the strong faith that after he dies and is buried God will raise him from the dead.

For those who have become the children of God, this becomes a reality in Christ in the fullness of time. This can be seen inthe word of God "Do not be astonished at this; for the hour is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and will come out-those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation" (Jn 5:28-29). Jesus said to Martha, "I am the resurrection and the life, Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live" (Jn 11:25). St Paul say, "But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have died" (1 Cor 15:20). Every child of God has the faith that those who believe in Christ and die will rise again. "For the Lord himself, with a cry of commands, with the archangel’s call and with the sound of God’s trumpet, will descend from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first" (1 Thes 4:16-17). "This is the first resurrection " (Rev 20:5). Which is the second death? "Then I saw a great white throne and the one who sat on it; the earth and the heaven fled from his presence, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Also another book was opened, the book of life. And the dead were judged according to their works, as recorded in the books. And the sea gave up the dead that were in it. Death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and all were judged according to what they had done. Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire; and anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire" (Rev 20:11-14).This is the second death- the lake of fire. All those whose names are not written in the book of life were thrown into the lake of fire.

One of the reasons why Jesus became man was to free those who believe in him from the fear of death. "Since therefore, the children share flesh and blood, he himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death he mighty destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil" (Heb 2:14-15). It is only to those who believe in Jesus Christ and obey his commandments that God gives the first resurrection and eternal life. "For God so loved the world that he gave his only son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life" (Jn 3:16). "And this is the testimony: God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life" (1 Jn 5:11-12).

Therefore, my dear people, there is only little time left. If you accept Jesus as your Lord and Saviour, you will live even if you die. Look, he is calling you "Listen! I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to you and eat with you, and you with me" (Rev 3:20). Yes I am coming soon. Amen. Come Lord Jesus!