In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” (1 Corinthians 15:52-54)

Resurrection

At the funeral service, the preacher became overly enthusiastic, and his sermon significantly exceeded the time limit. Finally, his assistant whispered, “It’s getting late, sir!” “I know,” the preacher said, “but this doctrine of resurrection is extremely important.” “Yes, sir,” the minister said, “But we’ve got to get the body over to the cemetery in time for it.”

Resurrection is a Biblical teaching that defies the wisdom of man. Death is the final act, and there is no returning from death. There is nothing in the arsenal of human reasoning that can recreate life once it is gone. Nothing man has devised can create life, and nothing man understands can give life back to a dead body. The concept of resurrection is purely divine, as God is the only source of life. In the beginning, the Lord spoke man into existence from the dust of the ground. There is within all men the breath of life that returns to God at death because He gave it life in the beginning. Science cannot create life; only God can create life.

To be resurrected means returning a dead body to life. Abraham demonstrated his belief in the resurrection when he took his son Isaac to the mountain to offer him as a burnt offering. The Hebrew writer says Abraham believed God could raise his son from the dead, and so he acted in faith. During the ministry of Jesus, His good friend Lazarus died. Jesus delayed going to see Lazarus, arriving four days after he died. The family had sealed Lazarus in the tomb after three days because the body had begun to decay. Martha, the sister of Lazarus, told Jesus she believed her brother would rise again in the resurrection at the last day. Jesus told her He was the resurrection and the life.

Arriving at the tomb of Lazarus, Jesus told the family to remove the stone from his tomb. The Lord then called forth for Lazarus to come out. Lazarus came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes. Jesus had brought Lazarus to life through the power of the Holy Spirit. Resurrection is real! Jesus proved He was the Son of God through His miracles – especially when He raised the dead. Everything Jesus did led up to the greatest miracle of all, which was His own resurrection.

The resurrection of Jesus is the foundation of the Christian faith. If there is no resurrection, there is no hope. The child of God lives in faith, knowing there is life after death. Everyone will be resurrected – some to eternal life and some to eternal death. All who die will be resurrected. The joy of being in Christ is knowing resurrection is real and full of hope and joy. Jesus is the resurrection and the life because He rose from the dead and reigns at the right hand of His Father. God has promised life to those in Christ.