His Resurrection And Everlasting Glory

by SHAW, R.I. | Category: Time For Christ | Apr 2008

The resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ is a foundational part of the Christian doctrine (1 Cor. 15:3-4). It was prophesied in the Psalms (16:8-11), was foretold by Jesus Christ Himself (Mat. 12:38-40) and is mentioned in all four gospels. When He was raised from the dead His disciples remembered and believed both the prophecies and the Master's own words (John 2:22).

There were many witnesses to His resurrection and a whole variety of appearances in different locations and circumstances. Paul, writing to the Church of God in Corinth, first of all names an individual who saw the risen Christ, then a group, then a multitude of people (1 Cor. 15:5-6). He was seen variously in a garden, in an upper room, on a road, at a lake and on a mountain; and of course Saul of Tarsus saw Him on the Damascus road (v.8). Witnesses of His resurrection were vitally important, as Acts 1:21-22 demonstrates. Conviction preaching was to follow by the power of the Spirit, the fact of Christ's resurrection being at the core of the message.

Clearly, the disciples were not expecting the event; they were incredulous when first they heard the news of the empty tomb, Peter and John running to verify the simple testimony of Mary Magdalene that she had seen the Lord (John 20:18). They noted in detail how the cloths were laid and with similar accuracy they observed that the Lord was not there. Indeed, He had risen. His chief opponents sought only to suppress the fact, not to deny its veracity.

A dead Christ might have been revered and loved as a great teacher and miracle worker, but only a risen and living Christ could be the Saviour, the Life and the Life-giver, preached to all the world.

The resurrection of the Lord Jesus demonstrates God's approval of His obedience. Resurrection must take place because, being without sin, death had no claim upon Him. Peter said, �It was not possible that He should be held by it� (Acts 2:24). It is essential to the gospel of God (1 Cor. 15:4), resurrection and death on the cross forming the central part of the message preached by the apostles (Acts 10:39-40). It must be believed to be saved (Rom. 10:9) and is the means by which the believer is justified by God (Rom. 4:25). Our salvation is assured because Christ is raised (1 Cor. 15:23) and by His resurrection we have the sure and certain hope of an inheritance that is eternal, pure and glorious (1 Pet. 1:3-4).

The consequences of Christ's resurrection are manifold. Christ is the firstfruits (1 Cor. 15:23). Subsequently, all humanity will be raised (John 5:28) to meet God's righteous Judge (Acts 17:31). We who are sharers in the life of Christ (Rom. 6:8) await the Lord's coming for His Church (1 Thes. 4:16-17) at a time known to God alone.

He ascended �far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things� (Eph. 4:10). His title as Lord implies His deity (Acts 2:36); He is the Head of the Church, the Body of Christ (Col. 1:18). He is the believer's Advocate with the Father (1 John 2:1) and is both Son and Great High Priest over the House of God (Heb. 3:6; 10:21).

The resurrected Christ is the returning King. �Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?� (Luke 24:26). Now we look for �the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ� (Titus 2:13). The �blessed hope� has to do with believers alone. It is the meeting in the air, the subject of promise. Later, in manifested glory He will come to earth to rule and reign (Luke 9:26). In righteousness His kingdom will be established (Is. 32:1) and in His supreme authority His word will be obeyed. Zechariah points to that day. In 6:13 he says of the Man whose name is the Branch, ��He shall bear the glory and shall sit and rule on His throne��. Of the climactic day of 14:9 he says;

�And the LORD will be king over all the earth; in that day the LORD will be the only one, and His name the only one.� (NASB)

Meantime, we encourage one another with the battle cry of the believer, �Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead� (2 Tim. 2:8 NASB).

Biblical quotations from NKJV unless otherwise stated

SHAW, R.I. | Apr 2008
Time For Christ