Hebrews 6:2b

Hebrews 6:2b

The resurrection of the dead

You won’t find “the resurrection of the dead” amongst the “elementary teachings” in the Old Testament nor was it taught in the synagogues of the Jewish readers of Hebrews. This was a new doctrine, only possible and only understood once Jesus had come to earth and risen from the dead. It was already apparent to these new believers that resurrection was not just a phenomenon enjoyed by the Son of God but one that would enfold all who were genuinely saved by Him. Paul, of course, talks about this extensively, particularly in 1 Corinthians 15. There was no question in the minds of these early saints that they would enjoy the same victory over death as Jesus Himself had enjoyed. What evidence did they have? I think that the main reason is found in what we read in Matthew 27:51-53 “The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and went into the Holy City and appeared to many people.” This miracle was given to the early church as convincing evidence that resurrection was possible for all God’s people once Yeshua had opened the way! 

New, immature believers need to hear this, they need to be taught that they too have received eternal life, that the act of being “born again” is not just a theological term, it is a complete transformation of our spirits and souls that will ultimately reveal itself in the transformation of our bodies and a literal resurrection on the day of Christ’s return for us. We will either be raised from the dust of the ground, or we will be caught up to meet Him in the air and so we will always be with Him. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18) What a prospect! What a hope! Is this pie in the sky? No, like everything else our God has promised it will be a reality, we are already “one with Christ in His death and resurrection” and His Holy Spirit has been given to us as a guarantee. That is here and now, and His task is to prepare us for there and then! And no other religions can offer or equal this promise. Hallelujah!

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