Meditation

Meditation for 09/11/2019

“I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet! In my flesh I will see God; I myself will see him with my own eyes—-I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!” (Job 19:25-27)

The doctrine of the resurrection of believers is latent in the Old Testament in passages like this. This is one of the highest peaks in the Old Testament from which to view the New Testament revelation of believes’ resurrection. Job groped for hope in face of suffering and loss. He decided justice had to come after death since it was not coming in this life. Thus he looked to see God beyond the grave. The height of Old Testament expectation was a resurrection of he body in which an individual cold see God.

Such hope grew out of a personal relationship with God in life so rich and real it must surely extend beyond the g rave. Many scholars believe that even where God had not yet fully revealed His eternal purpose to raise believers from the dead, some people clung to a hope of continued existence and memory through their children or through contributions to the community. At other times, a shadowy afterlife as shades in Sheol was projected. These gropings toward light, made possible by God’s progressive revelation of truth, ultimately broke through in the expectation of bodily existence beyond death. The resurrection of Jesus would affirm and authenticate this emerging h ope. God’s purpose has always been for humans to receive eternal live.

PRAYER FOR THE DAY:

Precious Abba, You the study and understanding of Scripture helps us to first get to know you more personally, but also to better know Your will for our lives. This begins when we accept You through Your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. We cannot simply accept that You know what You are doing and wait around, because our actions and words are part of the plan that You have for all of us. Help us, Abba, to seek You out in all things and in people, that we might become better servants for You and that our relationship can become closer yet. Amen

THOUGHT OF THE DAY:

“Our walk in this world will pass. Only our walk with the Lord will last!”

KNOWING GOD:

“But your dead will live; their bodies will rise. You who dwell in the dust, wake up and shout for joy. Your dew is like the dew of the morning; the earth will give birth to her dead.” (Isaiah 26:19)

This verse is difficult to translate and interpret. It may simply refer to resurrection of dead national hopes and renewal of barren farm lands. Apparently the prophet meant more here. This text has been seen by some interpreters as the Old Testament’s first clear reference to resurrection. The earth will one day give up its dead. It will be like birth to those whose bodies rise. Since it will be cause for joyous shouting, the intent of this passage was liked addressed only to the righteous dead. The resurrection of Jesus casts additional light upon this hope.

I AM:

Last Things, Believers Resurrection: (Luke 16:19-26)

The possession of eternal life through looking to and believing in Jesus carries with it the additional promise of resurrection at the last day. The response to the drawing of the Father, an inclining of the heart at the initiation of divine impulses, brings one to the hope of bodily resurrection at the last day. Eternal life includes the furnishing of a body designed to house such life by means of resurrection at the last day. Beloved, even God’s love and provision does not exempt His people from the normal experiences of life, including physical death. Belief in Christ brings hope of resurrection from the grave and eternal life.

Second Thought of the Day:

“I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony for Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or his image and had not received his mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years. The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection.” (Revelation 20:4-5)

This is a basic passage for the discussion of two resurrections as held by some premilillennial interpretations. It may point to a special privilege fro believes who sacrifice their lives for Christ (martyrs) and participate in the millennial reign.

It may be a symbolic assurance that Christ’s victory is greater than the brief triumphs of worldly powers who kill believes. It may point to a first resurrection of believes before the millennium and a second resurrection of unbelievers afterwards.