Did you know there are two resurrections? This applies in various positive
ways to the believer. Jesus spoke these words in John 5:
I tell you the truth, whoever hears my words and believes him who sent me has
eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life. I
tell you the truth, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the
voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live.
That is the spiritual resurrection of new birth, when we respond to Jesus. But this
will be followed by a second resurrection:
Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves
will hear his voice and come out—those who have done good will rise and live, and
those who have done evil will rise to be condemned. John 5: 24- 29
The ultimate resurrection will have two parts. The saved will rise to receive
eternal rewards. But those who refuse the voice of Jesus will rise to the great
judgment. That is definitely not the group to be in. How sad to be in the “in
crowd” now, but miss the ultimate resurrection! The best “in crowd” is to be in
Christ.
The Apostle John elaborates on the second resurrection in Revelation 20
when Jesus shows him the Great White Throne Judgment.
Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second
death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and
will reign with him for a thousand years. Vs. 6
Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it… And I saw the
dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened.
Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged
according to what they had done as recorded in the books… If anyone’s name was
not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire (the
second death). Vs. 11-15
There’s an old saying, “if you only live once, you’ll die twice. But if you die
to self and receive Jesus, you’ll live twice.” You won’t face the Great White
throne judgment and will come to life now and again for eternity to come.
When you accept Jesus in this life, you come to life spiritually and your
name is written in the book of life. I hope that all of you are experiencing this life
now. If not, He is only a prayer away. Receive him today. Is this too exclusive?
No, everyone who hears the voice of Jesus has the same opportunity to accept
Him.
Lord Jesus, thank you for coming into our lives when we ask you to. Thank you
for the new life, the spiritual resurrection that happens when we ask you in.
We also thank you that we therefore have no fear of death, because it is the
doorway to eternal life. Because at the second resurrection we will stand
before you and find our names written in the book of life. Jesus will say, “here’s
one of mine, come on in to your eternal joys. The second death has no power
over you.”
For those who do not receive Jesus, all their deeds will be revealed and then
they will suffer judgment and eternal condemnation. Lord, help us to share
Jesus with them while there is still time. Thank you for revealing these truths to
us, so that we might have confidence in Jesus when we stand before your
throne. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Instead of being victims, we become Victors.
Oh victory in Jesus, my savior forever, he sought me and bought me with his
redeeming blood. He loved me ‘ere I knew Him and all my love is due Him. He
plunged me to victory beneath the cleansing flood.- Eugene Bartlett