Two Resurrections (July 8)

Did you know there are two resurrections? This applies in various positiveways 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 haseternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life. Itell you the truth, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear thevoice 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 thiswill be followed by a second resurrection:Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graveswill hear his voice and come out—those who have done good will rise and live, andthose who have done evil will rise to be condemned. John 5: 24- 29The ultimate resurrection will have two parts. The saved will rise to receiveeternal rewards. But those who refuse the voice of Jesus will rise to the greatjudgment. That is definitely not the group to be in. How sad to be in the “incrowd” now, but miss the ultimate resurrection! The best “in crowd” is to be inChrist.The Apostle John elaborates on the second resurrection in Revelation 20when Jesus shows him the Great White Throne Judgment.Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The seconddeath has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ andwill reign with him for a thousand years. Vs. 6Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it… And I saw thedead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened.Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judgedaccording to what they had done as recorded in the books… If anyone’s name wasnot found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire (thesecond death). Vs. 11-15There’s an old saying, “if you only live once, you’ll die twice. But if you dieto self and receive Jesus, you’ll live twice.” You won’t face the Great Whitethrone 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 yourname is written in the book of life. I hope that all of you are experiencing this lifenow. 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 acceptHim.Lord Jesus, thank you for coming into our lives when we ask you to. Thank youfor 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 thedoorway to eternal life. Because at the second resurrection we will standbefore you and find our names written in the book of life. Jesus will say, “here’sone of mine, come on in to your eternal joys. The second death has no powerover you.”For those who do not receive Jesus, all their deeds will be revealed and thenthey will suffer judgment and eternal condemnation. Lord, help us to shareJesus with them while there is still time. Thank you for revealing these truths tous, so that we might have confidence in Jesus when we stand before yourthrone. 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 hisredeeming blood. He loved me ‘ere I knew Him and all my love is due Him. Heplunged me to victory beneath the cleansing flood.- Eugene Bartlett