In the previous posts in this series we have seen that Jesus claimed to be GOD and yet fully man. Jesus claimed to be the ransom, the payment, for our sin against GOD! Jesus promised that every one who believes in HIM would not be condemned under GOD’s wrath, but those who refused to repent and believe would perish - they would lose their own soul. But then what does it mean for our soul to be saved? What did Jesus say about the Resurrection? What promise did HE give us concerning Eternal Life?
Jesus said,
- “the Son of man is delivered into the hands of men, and they shall kill him; and after that he is killed, he shall rise the third day” ~ Mark 9:31 KJV
- “thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer, and rise again from the dead the third day; and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name unto all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem” ~ Luke 24:46-47
Jesus repeats HIS prophecy again in Luke 24 as he explains that it was written (referring to Moses and the Prophets) that HE should suffer and rise from the dead. However, HE adds that “repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached in HIS name”! In this statement, Jesus directly connects HIS Resurrection with the preaching of the Gospel and the forgiveness of our sins. This began when the Apostles carried the good news of Jesus out from Jerusalem. And it continues today. The Apostle Paul calls it the Gospel which he preached to the Corinthians saying, “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and was buried and rose again the third day according to the Scriptures”. [5] The Apostle Peter says, “this is the Word which GOD sent, preaching peace through Jesus Christ - HE is Lord of all...through HIS name, all who believe in HIM will receive the forgiveness of sins”. [6]
Jesus said,
- “this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day” ~ John 6:40
- “verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life” ~ John 6:47
- “my sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish” ~ John 10:27-28a
- “because I live, ye shall live also” ~ John 14:19
Jesus claimed that HE would die and rise again from the grave. But HE also claimed that everyone who believes in HIM would also rise from the grave! In the first statement above HE says this is “the will of HIM that sent me” - that is, the will of GOD. So Jesus says it is GOD’s will that all who believe in him will “have everlasting life”! And in the second statement, with authority as GOD and with the emphatic weight of “truly, truly”, Jesus himself declares to us, “all that believe in me have everlasting life”!
Jesus resurrection occurred, as HE said, three days after his death and burial. [7] Our resurrection will occur “at the last day”. This is when Jesus has promised to raise up those who believe in HIM. Their bodies will be raised into a new body, just as Jesus was. [8] We cannot have everlasting life if our body remains dead and in the grave. And, we cannot have everlasting life if it could be taken away from us in the future - if we could ‘die’ again. To answer this concern, Jesus adds to what HE has already told us and explains, “they shall never perish”. HE is promising again that this everlasting life will never end, never be lost, and can never be revoked. It is a permanent promise.
Finally, in the last of the statements above, Jesus reveals what is the basis for this promise: “because I live, ye shall live also”. HE places our hope of resurrection squarely on HIS own resurrection and life. This is the foundation! The first and plain meaning of this is that we shall rise and live as HE did because our sins are paid for. As discussed above, the resurrection of Jesus is proof that all our sin was atoned for. But HE intends to tell us more in this statement: that HE is the source of life itself! Not only are Believers raised because of Jesus resurrection, but they are raised in HIS life! The Bible says born again Believers “walk in newness of life” and their “life is hid with GOD in Christ”! [9] We may have this everlasting life because Jesus lives!
Those who believe in Jesus will live forever in HIS presence with joy. Scripture makes this clear. But the Bible also gives us a clear warning that all others will suffer forever in the lake of fire. This is called the “second death”. [10] We cannot understand everything the Bible tells us about eternal life unless we understand the opposite: everlasting damnation. There are only two alternatives. The the judgment of GOD on all who reject Christ is eternal damnation. Jesus himself said, “these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal”. We either trust in Christ and receive eternal life, or we refuse HIM and receive eternal damnation. [11]
The good news of the Gospel is that GOD is “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance”! [12] If we will humble ourselves, repent, and trust in Christ we will be saved! We will never perish under the wrath of GOD, but be raised to everlasting life!
Jesus said, “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.” ~ John 11:25-26 KJV
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References
[1] Strobel, “Case For Christ”, ISBN: 0310350034
[2] Revelation 1:18
[3] Acts 2:24, 2:27, 13:34-37; Romans 1:1-4;
[4] Romans 6:23
[5] 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
[6] Acts 10:36, 43
[7] Matthew 12:40, 17:22-23; Mark 10:33-34; Luke 18:32-33; John 2:19-21;
[8] Romans 8:11; 1 Corinthians 15:44;
[9] Romans 6:3-4; Colossians 3:1-4;
[10] Revelation 20:6, 20:14, 21:8;
[11] Matthew 25:31-46; Revelation 2:11;
[12] 2 Peter 3:9