Resurrection = Hope

There is Life After (physical) Death

By Pastora Monique Lopez Ong

You might say that Resurrection Sunday is over. But no; this is just the beginning. When you understand what resurrection means, it changes everything. The biggest celebration for Christians is not Christmas; it is the resurrection. Jesus’ mission was to die for your sins. If people here on earth were told that their mission was to die, do you think they will like it? But Jesus’ mission was very clear: He came to live on earth and die so that everyone can be saved. He showed that He not only died but He lives. Resurrection is hope. There is really life after (physical) death! Without the resurrection, your faith is in vain. It means nothing. There is no hope and no repair for all your sins. Jesus came to redeem what man lost in the garden of Eden. Man lost it because of disobedience. But because of Jesus, man has hope. His resurrection is your hope.

We are made for eternity. Eternity is a timeless state. It has no time and duration; no beginning and no end. Our eternal God made us to live with God forever. The original design in the Garden of Eden was that man will live forever. There was supposedly no death. But because of sin, aging, decay, sicknesses and death came in. These were all not part of God’s original design. Genesis 5:5 says, “Altogether, Adam lived a total of 930 years, and then he died.” Nowadays, when man lives up to 70, they say he is blessed. But Adam lived up to 930 years old! That is why they talk about a millennial reign in the Bible and about people living for a thousand years. Where did that come from?

That is why it is so important that we hold on to this truth. This is central to our faith. Why we believe and what we believe is the good news of our salvation. 1 Corinthians 15:1-2 says, “Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.” This is the good news that Paul was preaching that you also received. You have to hold firmly to the word that is preached to you unless your faith is not real.

1st Truth: Jesus rose from the dead.

1 Cor. 15:3-11 says, “For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born. For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. Whether, then, it is I or they, this is what we preach, and this is what you believed.” When it says, according to the scriptures, this means it was prophesied before Jesus came; that that is really what is going to happen. The Old Testament spoke about the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. They said He was going to come as a baby and that He will die for our sins. His mission was very clear. But is was very simple: He came down to earth to die. This is how we prove that Jesus is alive. There is no other religion that says their god is alive. Only this. And this was written by Paul! That is why we can stand for our faith.  The body of Confucius is still in China. The body os Mohammed is still in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. The body of Buddha is still in India. But the body of Jesus is not where they lay Him! The tomb is really empty! No one else can claim this.

How do you know that it is real? The shedding of blood was pertinent to wipe out man’s record of sin; past, present and future. The enemy thought it has already won because they killed Jesus. But it was only a payment. To confirm that He is King, the crowning glory, Jesus resurrected so that all of heaven can say, “Amen! The sacrifice has been accepted and received! You are free from the bondage of sin and death.” Our hope lies not jus int he fact that He died but also in His resurrection. Because of this, we have a living God.

2nd Truth: Jesus’ Resurrection is our Resurrection.

Because Jesus is alive, those who received Him are also alive in Christ. Because of sin, all mankind must die, not only physically but spiritually too! But when Jesus died and rose again, He became the first fruit of those who live in Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:20-24 says, “But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power.” He had to show that He would rise again so that man can have the promise that he will rise again too. Because of Jesus’ resurrection, man has his resurrection. Everything that you think is dead can be resurrected. If you feel that you have failed and messed up so bad in life, in Christ alone, you have resurrection power to redeem the wrong things that you did.

Sometimes, Christians act so defeated. Remember that you have resurrection power. Give everything to the Lord. Be faithful with what God gives you and He will take care of you. There is no lack with God.

3rd Truth: Death is the last enemy that Jesus put under His feet.

Many people are still afraid of death. If you were told that you were going to die tomorrow, how would you feel? Man has seen death as a cheater, a stealer and a destroyer of life. When you think of death, many fear it because they think they will be lost to their loved ones. They do not know where they are going int he after-life. That is because you do not understand the resurrection power of Christ. Even satan and his minions have a wrong concept of death. It was supposed to be a trap. Little did they know that Jesus has the final say. 1 Cor. 15:25-27 says, “For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. For he “has put everything under his feet.” Now when it says that “everything” has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ.” Death has no hold on you. Because of Jesus and what He did, death just passes through. But with Jesus, your body is the only one that dies. You are passing through and when you pass, you go to a better place.

Our hope is real and we will conquer death. Those who are in Christ will live again. 1 Cor. 15:51-56 says, “Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.” This mystery is the truth. The difference is at the finish line. Believers and non-believers differ greatly.

Death has no more sting. 1 Cor. 15:58 says, “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” Be firm because you have resurrection power. Be immovable and do not waver in your faith. Do not believe in the lies of the enemy. Always excel in the work of the Lord. The best job in the world is serving God because its rewards are eternal. Your labor is not in vain. Jesus is coming back again. This is what our faith is all about.