20 Jan February 1st Daily Devotion

A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON PAUL’S FIRST LETTER TO THE  CHURCH AT THESSALONICA

RESURRECTION FROM DEATH IS REAL

1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 “Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.  For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him.”

81% of Americans believe in an afterlife of some sort, 9% are unsure and 10% do not believe in life after death. Every time you say one of the Creeds you confess, “I believe . . . on the Last Day He (Jesus) will raise me and all the dead, and give eternal life to me and all believers in Christ.” such was the belief of Job, “I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last He will stand upon the earth.  And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another.” (Job 19:25-27)

All who have died will rise! Not all who rise will go to heaven, “And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.” (Daniel 12:2) For those who died believing in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior and their hope for everlasting life, 1 Corinthians 14:42-43 says, their perishable earthly body will be raised imperishable.  The unbelievers’ body will rise to eternal death, “their worm shall not die, their fire shall not be quenched, and they shall be an abhorrence to all flesh.” (Isaiah 66:24)

The Holy Scriptures assure you, a believer in Jesus Christ, “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life. . .” (John 3:36)  This is what Jesus promised during His earthly ministry, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”  Jesus prayed in His high priestly prayer, “Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, may be with Me where I am, to see My glory that You have given Me because You loved Me before the foundation of the world.” (John 17:24) Revelation 14:13 says, “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on,” “Blessed indeed,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!”

“I believe. . . on the Last Day He (Jesus) will raise me and all the dead, and give eternal life to me and all believers in Christ.” (Apostle’s Creed)

Prayer:  I know that You, dear Jesus are alive and in heaven and that one day you will call my body from its resting place to yourself for all eternity.  Praise and thanks be to You, my redeemer and Lord.  Amen.

Sing with all the saints in glory, Sing the resurrection song!

Death and sorrow, earth’s dark story, To the former days belong.

All around the clouds are breaking;

Soon the storms of time shall cease; In God’s likeness we awaken,

Knowing everlasting peace.

Oh, what glory, far exceeding All that eye has yet perceived!

Holiest hearts for ages pleading Never that full joy conceived.

God has promised, Christ prepares it;

There on high our welcome waits.  Ev’ry humble spirit shares it,

Christ has passed the eternal gates.

Life eternal! Heav’n rejoices:  Jesus lives who once was dead.

Shout with joy, O deathless voices! Child of God, lift up your head!

Life eternal! Oh, what wonders

Crowd on faith; what joy unknown,

When, amid earth’s closing thunders,

Saints shall stand before the throne!

(LSB 671)