I feel that the Lord revealed much to me about the death and ultimate resurrection of His dear friend, Lazarus. We know when we read this story that Jesus, knowing that Lazarus was very ill, tarried two more days before he would go to Mary and Martha in their grief. Lazarus had already died.
The disciples were perplexed that their Master did not go quickly to his friends. He explained to them that the sickness was “for God’s glory, that God’s Son may be glorified through it” (John 11:4).
Jesus began His journey to Bethany, the home of Lararus. When Jesus told his disciples that His dear friend Lazarus was dead, he also told them that Lazarus was merely sleeping, but that He was going there to wake him up.
I can just imagine the looks on the faces of the disciples after their Lord told them this!
Martha
The first one to meet Jesus was Martha, the sister of Lazarus. She said to Jesus “If You had been here, my brother would not have died.” Her faith in Jesus and His power to heal was never in question.
Jesus assured Martha that her brother would surely rise again, to which Martha responded “I know he will rise again in the resurrection to the last day” (John 11:24).
At this point, Jesus makes His fifth “I Am” statement in John’s gospel:
“I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies. And whoever lives and believes in me will never die” (John 11:21-24).
There is no Resurrection Apart from Christ
And there is no Eternal life apart from Christ. He is God. He IS life. Death has no ultimate power over Him. And all those who believe in him for their salvation – they share His triumph over death!
Lazarus Comes Forth
Jesus called to Lazarus in a loud voice “Lazarus Come Forth!” And the dead man came out” (John 11:43).
Jesus had claimed to be the “Resurrection and the Life” but that day He proved it by raising his friend Lazarus from a tomb in which he had laid dead for over four days.
Those who have died “in” Christ are but sleeping
I suddenly received from the Lord the understanding that ALL who have died in the Lord Jesus Christ are “sleeping.” I do not deny that these people are “dead” (by earthly terms) but I believe that the term “sleeping” signifies that just as our Lord did with Lazarus, He will do the same during the Rapture for all who “sleep in Christ” and who are alive in Christ. This is by no means “Soul sleep.” That is not Biblical. Jesus is telling his followers that those who have died in Him will be awakened once again, hence the term “sleeping in Him.
“For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.
“For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 1: 14-17).
Come up Hither
“And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them” (Revelation 11:12).
Reblogged this on El Noticiero de Alvarez Galloso.
I cannot wait for that Day🌹!
I love Jesus’s “I AM” statements. Always have. Jonathan Cahn revealed something in his last book that I”ve never forgotten, and I’m so thankful God gave him this revelation! We know that in every human being God has put an undeniable knowledge that He IS God. People may deny this fact, but it is irrefutable. On top of this fact, God has reminded every single human being to ever live, that He IS God in every tongue and language…for we say frequently, “I am…”(tired, content, busy, etc.). We are confessing His Name constantly (I AM that I AM), and, we are testifying to His Presence and that we Are His Creation. Just thought I would share this…I’ve never forgotten it; It has made everything even more special to me. Blessings in our Christ Jesus!!
Geri,
Here are the Lord’s words in John. Wouldn’t it be best to speak of our being raised “on the last day” as Yeshua did?
John 6:39 NASB — “This is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day.
John 6:44 — “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day.
“The rapture will involve an instantaneous transformation of our bodies to fit us for eternity. “We know that when he [Christ] appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:2). The rapture is to be distinguished from the second coming. At the rapture, the Lord comes “in the clouds” to meet us “in the air” (1 Thessalonians 4:17). At the second coming, the Lord descends all the way to the earth to stand on the Mount of Olives, resulting in a great earthquake followed by a defeat of God’s enemies (Zechariah 14:3–4).”
https://www.gotquestions.org/rapture-of-the-church.html
Geri, I’ve studied Dispensationalism but believe there are problems with it. For example, how are we to understand what the Lord Himself said about raising us on the last day? You’re right that there’s a distinction between the Rapture and the Second Coming but why can’t they happen at the same time, that is, in near sequence?
You don’t have to spend a lot of time with me. We’ve probably both said enough. I engage Pre-Tribulational, Pre-Millennial Dispensationalists because of the importance of Eschatology to all of us and because most of the Christians with whom I fellowship are Dispensationalists.
Lord bless you!!
If one reads the Entire Scriptures, from Genesis through Revelation, one will understand and know that the Rapture and the Second Coming are two very different events. In the Old Covenant/Testament the events are different and separate. All one has to do is ask the Holy Spirit to teach you, open your ears, eyes, spirit, mind, and heart, to HIS Message, and you will know the Truth. Do not read with pre-conceptions or someone else’s understanding. Be a Berean…read, ask, study, and The Holy Spirit will enlighten you to the Truth of God…Not someone else’s teaching. There is a “time-line” of a sort in the very Last days…and the Rapture (catching away) is most definitely not at the same time as JESUS’ Second Coming.
The Holy Spirit will illuminate Scrpture for you…if you ask. As for Jesus…He Is easily understood. If you do not understand His Words (?), ask Him. Don’t listen to others…listen to The Spirit.
Alexia, for me listening to the Lord – the Spirit – in the Word of God means to be a Berean, yes! But it also means to respect almost 2000 years of interpretation and not merely my own thoughts. Prophecy has been a study of mine for many years – I read the Bible, pray, and also read the words of people who have studied too.
I understand…I have studied what others say. But, I go with God’s Word. I was/am not trying to be argumentative. Just sharing with others thoughts that have helped me. I, too, have studied prophecy, interpretations. In the long run I always come back to God’s Truth. We cannot understand everything…but some things we are able to learn from the Holy Spirit’s help. In conclusion, everything is God’s Way and Plan, no matter what any one of us has said…for over 2000 yrs. Blessings.
Alexia, I too go with God’s Word and understand by His Spirit. My question remains: why did the Lord Jesus say more than once – and once is enough – that He will raise those who believe in Him on or at the last day?
John 6:40 New King James Version (NKJV)
40 And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”
I’m so grateful for the simplicity I find in Jesus’ words.