365 Blessings- August 1

And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you. (Romans 8:11)

This is a great promise that the Bible gives to every believer. The promise of being resurrected. The word "resurrection" is found 40 times in the New Testament and it has great significance in relation to the Christian belief. The Apostle Paul says,

"But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith." (1 Corinthians 15:12-14)

There are many christians who do not believe in the resurrection. They are like the Saduccees of old, who did not believe in it either. But the Bible is very emphatic regarding this and talks of the "resurrection of life" and the "resurrection of damnation."

Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. (John 5:28,29)

The program of the resurrection is clearly outlined in the Word of God.

1. The resurrection of Christ is the beginning- 1 Corinthians 15:23

2. The resurrection of the church age believers at the rapture- 1 Thessalonians 4:16

3. The resurrection of the tribulation period saints (Revelation 20:3-5) and the resurrection of Old Testament saints (Daniel 12:2) at the 2nd coming of Christ.

4. The final resurrection of the unsaved dead- Revelation 20:5, 11-14

The first three would be all included in the first resurrection or the resurrection to life and the fourth would be the second resurrection or the resurrection unto damnation.

And the Bible tells us,

Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. (Revelation 20:6)