Jesus, The Resurrection and the Life! John 11:25

Jesus came not only to save us spiritually, but also physically through the resurrection of the dead. That is why he got up from the dead in his own physical body--so that we could get up from the dead in ours! For those who continue to trust him to the end of their lives, there awaits the resurrection of their physical bodies from the dead, commonly known as "the rapture of the Church".

As I have said in a previous blog, this resurrection phenomenon is not called "the rapture" in the Bible. It is referred to as "the resurrection of the dead" (Philippians 3:11), "our gathering together unto him" (2Thessalonians 2:1), "the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:27), "we shall be like him" (1John 3:3), "we shall be changed" (1Corinthians 15:51) and by various other terms.

The bottom line is this: Those who repent of their sins and accept Jesus Christ as their Savior; and continue to live for him until their lives are over will experience a physical resurrection of their dead bodies upon his return! This is the bottom line and the true Gospel! Unfortunately many do not preach it today! (Read my other blogs)

As recorded in John 11:25, Jesus said to Martha before raising her brother Lazarus from the dead, "I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:"

Jesus is saying here that whoever believes in him, even if he dies--shall live again! By raising Lazarus from the dead, Jesus proved that he has power even over physical death and can raise the dead anytime he chooses! Because as he puts it, "I am the resurrection and the life".

Then in verse 26 Jesus made another startling statement: "And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die..." What does Jesus mean by this, since we know that Christians do physically die. What he meant was that they are only temporarily dead. Jesus refers to those who believe in him when they die, as only being asleep because death for them is only temporary! He shall awaken them from sleep with his resurrection power! (See Those who are asleep in Christ Jesus in: John 11:11-14, 1Thessalonians 4:14, 1Thessalonians 5:10 and 1Corinthians 15:51)

Jesus demonstrated his authority over death by bringing others than Lazarus back to life as in the case of a widow's son in the city of Nain. (Read Luke 7:11-17) It reads in part:

13 And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not.
14 And he came and touched the bier (casket): and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man. I say unto thee, Arise.
15 And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother.

In yet another account Jesus demonstrated his resurrection power over physical death (Read Mark 5:21-24, 35-43) It reads in part:

41 And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise.
42 And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; and she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment.

When you are in Christ Jesus, even physical death has no power over you, because Jesus shall raise you up by his resurrection power on the last day! Wow! That should inspire everyone to repent and believe in Jesus the Christ (the Messiah) for the forgiveness of sins and for the resurrection from the dead!

If you have not received forgiveness of your sins which only comes through faith in Jesus Christ, repent of your sins now, and ask Him to forgive you-- calling on his name to be saved! Then follow him with all of your heart as you look forward to His Return and the resurrection of your body, whether sleep or awake in Him!