The Second Most Important Resurrection
If one were to ask you: “What is the most important resurrection the world has known?” What would you say? It is likely, if you believe in God and have some knowledge of His Holy Word, you would answer: “The resurrection of Christ from the dead!” Well done! This would be the correct answer. But if they were to be permitted a follow-up, and inquire: “What is the second most important resurrection?” Would your answer be correct? Most would not.
I state this because most true “believers” would respond that the final resurrection, that which is to take place at the end of the world, is the second most important resurrection of humanity. However, this would NOT be a correct answer to that question. There is absolutely no doubt that this cataclysmic event will indeed be the finality of humanity in its present form. We are provided an inspired description of this event as well as a solemn warning in 2Peter 3:10-12 to become and remain prepared as we know not when this final event on earth might occur. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
This final event of humanity is indeed important, and it will occur because God has made promise through His Word that it will. All that He promises has, or will come to pass. This final event will occur, but not every soul can “look forward” to the “Second Coming” and the Judgment that will follow. Those who are not “in Christ” will not be resurrected to be with Him forever. To them, this won’t be the second most important resurrection.
I submit that the second most important resurrection is that resurrection which places one “in Christ”. Resurrection by definition is: the concept of coming back to life after death. In John 11:25, Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: The term “believeth” here means more than to just believe or to affirm that Christ is. It indicates obedience. We see a similar phrase to indicate the same thing in Ephesians 5:14 to the Christians living in Ephesus. Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. We know these folks were Christians, because Ephesians 2:1 shows this to be the case. And you hath he quickened, (made alive) who were dead in trespasses and sins;
If this is not enough to call one to obedience, perhaps Romans 6:13 will convince. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. If one cannot “yield themselves” to God in obedience, they cannot be “born again” or made alive in the spiritual sense. In John 3:5-6, Jesus was speaking of one being obedient in baptism, and being “resurrected to life”. Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, (be baptized) he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. This “new birth”, or coming forth from the dead to be “in Christ” is the second most important resurrection because it places one in Christ and makes one prepared for that final resurrection.
1Thessalonians 4:13-18 was written to the church (those in Christ), who worshipped in Thessalonica, and clearly indicates that there are those which “have no hope”. But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, (the dead) that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent (precede) them which are asleep. 16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words. Those who are “in Christ” (and are faithful) have that hope and can indeed look forward to the Second Coming and the Judgment.
Much attention is directed toward the resurrection of Christ from the dead, and so it should be as this is the most important resurrection. All other resurrections depend on His resurrection. None could be “born again” or be resurrected from the dead and have their sins remitted had Christ not died and then come forth from the grave to die no more. He did this so you too could be resurrected on that last day. John 1:12-13 clearly shows this. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. Won’t you be baptized into Christ and take part in this second most important resurrection?
Dennis Strickland – Mooresville church of Christ
