As they went back down the mountain, he (Jesus) told them
not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the
dead. So they kept it to themselves, but they often asked each other what he
meant by "rising from the dead."
Mark 9:9-10
There are
examples of “rising from the dead” in the Old Testament. These are prophetic
examples.
Dying and
living again. This was an exciting concept that the disciples struggled with,
although they probably knew these Old Testament passages.
-
But those who die in the LORD will live; their
bodies will rise again! Those who sleep in the earth will rise up and sing for
joy! For your life-giving light will fall like dew on your people in the place
of the dead! Isaiah 26:19
-
Many of those whose bodies lie dead and buried will
rise up, some to everlasting life and some to shame and everlasting disgrace. Daniel 12:2
Just prior to
this passage it was recorded that Moses and Elijah had appeared and talked with
Jesus. God the Father Himself spoke from a cloud saying…"This is my dearly loved Son. Listen to him." Mark 9:7. That was just like at Jesus’
baptism. Jesus told Peter, James and John not to tell anyone about this
Transfiguration episode they had just witnessed. It must have all be a bit
overwhelming for them. Peter wanted to build them huts…but in the blink of an
eye the encounter was over…and they were headed down the mountain—sworn to
secrecy.
 |
| Tombs at the Mount of Olives - Jerusalem. |
Those who die in the Lord will live—their bodies
will rise again. That is an
exciting statement. The dead in Christ—those who have died believing in Jesus
as their Savior will rise again. This promise is given to us as recorded by
Paul in 1 Thessalonians.
- But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren,
about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have
no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will
bring with Him those who have fallen asleep 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 not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will
descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the
trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive
and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord
in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one
another with these words. 1
Thessalonians 4:13-18 NASB.
Comfort one
another. Have hope. Those who believe in Jesus—whether they have died (fallen asleep) or are still alive when
Jesus returns will be caught up together
with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Do you believe in
Jesus as your Savior? Trust Him…and one day you will find yourself being caught
up in the air and being with the Lord…always.
Prayer
~ Lord, Thank You for this promise that one day You Yourself will descend from heaven
and the dead in Christ will rise…and then those believers who are still alive
will also be caught up into the clouds. What a sight that will be! Thank you
that we don’t have be overwhelmed by this teaching—nor do we have to keep it a
secret. We have hope in You and in Your return.
Daily
Bible Reading: Psalms 95, 97-99
© 2018 Text and
photo by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
All
scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.
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