The Hope of Resurrection in Christ

THE HOPE OF RESURRECTION IN CHRIST

By Ezekiel Kimosop

What happens if a believer dies? Shall we ever see them again? This is one of the many questions that confront those who grieve over their loved ones who have passed on. 

The Bible has a clear answer to this question.

Yes, every believer in Christ has the hope of resurrection embedded in their life and faith. This is not merely an abstract thought but a foundational truth taught in Scripture. Christ rose from the dead as evidence that those who die in Christ shall also be raised by God in the resurrection of saints (1 Corinthians 15:20-23).

Scripture further proclaims that believers have been sealed by the Holy Spirit for the day of redemption (Ephesians 4:30). No matter what prevails in this world, none of them shall be lost, not even in death.

The Bible teaches that when Christ shall appear to take away His Church, the dead in Christ shall rise first and those who are alive at His coming and otherwise believe in Christ shall be transformed at the twinkling of an eye and all the saints shall meet the Lord in the air. They shall eternally abide in His divine presence forever (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). 

Meanwhile, those who sleep in Christ have rested from their works, having fulfilled God's purposes on earth. Their souls are preserved in the presence of God as they await the resurrection (2 Timothy 4:7-8).

Those of us who have lost our loved ones who believed in Jesus Christ have every reason to be encouraged by these words of comfort found in Scripture. The dead in Christ are therefore not lost. They are simply awaiting the sound of the final trumpet of God which shall trigger the rapture.

This is essentially what separates believers from the people of this world, the children of disobedience who are under the command and control of Satan (Ephesians 2:2, 5:6; Colossians 3:6). They have no hope of resurrection because they are blinded in their rebellion against God.

Let us therefore rejoice in this hope and glorify God for what Christ has accomplished for us at Calvary through His finished works of the cross.

Let us continually proclaim His redemption hope to the dying world around us through the gospel so that God may open their eyes to this truth and save them too while the window of opportunity for God's grace remains open.

Christ alone is our hope of glory and His victory over death is our eternal guarantee that we too shall be raised to be with Him and to reign with Him forever.

Do you have this hope in you?

Shalom.

© Ezekiel Kimosop 2020