Rich atheists buried in tailored suits are all dressed up with no where to go, but the humblest and poorest among us who have trusted in Jesus will be – on that final day – raised up to new life with an immortal, powerful body. For those of us who know Christ, this is our delightful future fate.

     That new body for us Christians will be like Jesus’ body after he walked out of the tomb. It was able to pass through doors, enter into heaven and eat food on earth. This is called a “glorified body.” (1 Corinthians 15) It is a reward awaiting those who have died in Jesus. Immortality is what God intended for humans all along.

     At times I’ve had discussions with unbelievers, skeptics, Hindus, Muslims or opinionated secularists who worship the false god of science who wanted to debate with me about what is true. But since I have eyes to see and a brain that works, I still believe in God. I stick with the story written in nature by the Creator. I know the special revelation of God’s ways written in the Holy Bible. Most especially, my faith is centered in a person: Jesus the Son of God, my savior, God’s final word to all mankind, the historic man whom St. John called, “the Word made flesh.”

     After the final judgment, when everyone gives an account to God, comes a reward for believers – The Resurrection! We who rise on Resurrection Day will never again feel pain or hunger; never again face death; and never be judged for our sins. Instead, we will inherit the earth and participate in the reign of Jesus our King. The writings of the prophets in the Old Testament and the letters of the apostles in the New Testament call this great future event, “The Resurrection” or “The Day of the Lord.” In the end, we win!

     For us believers in Jesus, this is our great hope. All suffering – all of life’s unfair hurts – will be put right by God’s mercy. All persecution endured by the faithful will be rewarded by God’s justice. The proud and mighty will be put down and the humble will be exalted. As Jesus put it, “The meek shall inherit the earth.” This mass resurrection of Jesus’ followers will coincide with a global event that will shock unbelievers, shake the nations and awaken Israel to her destiny.

     This happening will occur as the most dramatic spectacle ever in human history: the extravagant, noisy, public, showy, triumphant and “trumpeted” visible return of the Messiah, our Lord Jesus, as he is accompanied back to earth by the saints in their glorified bodies along with millions of mighty holy angels. The prophets predicted on that day, “Every eye shall see Him.” Funny thing: with smart phone technology and the global Internet of today, this will literally be possible.

     While Christ’s first advent was as a humble sacrificial lamb to take away our sins, his second advent will be as a roaring lion to rule the nations. If you notice the increasing chaos around the world, you can certainly agree … the nations need better ruling! As the last verse of the Bible in Revelation says, “Even so, come Lord Jesus!” Oh, what a day to be a news reporter!

 

    Ron Wood is a writer and columnist. He lives in Fayetteville, AR, with his wife, Lana, near their six lovely grandchildren. He is the pastor of Center Point Baptist Church in Colcord, OK. wood.stone.ron@gmail.com.