I couldn’t begin to count the number of times I’ve listened to Phil Wickham’s song, “Living Hope.” It’s glorious and I love it! But this morning as I was readying myself for the day, a particular phrase jumped out at me: “Then came the morning that sealed the promise, your buried body began to breathe.” I just stood there in awe thinking of the significance of that phrase. Christ’s resurrection sealed the promise that one day we too will be raised.
When Jesus walked out of that grave he demonstrated once and for all that the Father had accepted his punishment on our behalf. Because Christ was raised, we have confidence we are forgiven! But his resurrection also demonstrated the reality of our own future resurrection- which is something I’ve been thinking a lot about.
The topic of eschatology (the study of the last things) has been on my mind heavily since last summer. As I’ve delved into this topic, I’ve come to see the glory of God’s kingdom in a new light- and I am filled with so much hope! I cannot even begin to imagine how glorious the resurrection of the dead will be for those who are in Christ. Over and over I’ve read the words of 1 Corinthians 15 and have continued to be amazed:
“But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ,” (v.20-23).
“The first man was from the earth, a man of dust; the second man is from heaven. As was the man of dust, so also are those who are of the dust, and as is the man of heaven, so also are those who are of heaven. Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven,” (v.47-49).
Christ came as the true and better Adam; and by his life and death he has saved the hellbound man.* In his flesh he lived a perfect life, and in his flesh he was put to death. But unlike the first man, he defeated death, was raised to life, and once more walked the earth in physical flesh. His resurrected body a forever demonstration of what awaits us at his Second Coming.
No guilt in life, no fear in death.** God’s Word assures us of this truth in the strongest way possible: Christ’s resurrection. Our debt has been paid- and we have nothing to fear. Rather, we have only a physical eternity with Christ to gain. For this reason, I will one day be happily laid to rest with the word, Resurgam, inscribed on my tombstone. Latin for “I shall rise again,” this I hold with the deepest possible assurance. For Christ in power has been resurrected, as we will be when he comes.*
*Words from “Come Behold the Wondrous Mystery” by Boswell, Papa, and Bleeker, 2013
**Words from “In Christ Alone” by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend, 2001
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