The Jesus Bible Reading PlanSample

THE RESURRECTION

Daniel 12 looks to the end of the world. The great distress caused by the beastly empires would end as God would judge evil and vindicate the righteous. Some would be raised from the dead to everlasting life and others to everlasting shame.

In the New Testament, God did pour out his final judgment on sin when Jesus submitted by giving his life on the cross so that sinners could be made right with God. And God vindicated Jesus — the only righteous human to ever walk the earth — in his resurrection from the dead.

Paul made this truth clear in 1 Corinthians 15:20 – 23 when he wrote, “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.”

When Jesus returns to judge the nations, those who are in Christ will be raised to everlasting life. Those who reject Jesus’ gracious offer of salvation will be raised to everlasting shame. God’s judgment on sin and death has already happened; how each person responds to Jesus’ work makes an eternal difference on how each will be regarded by him at the end of this age.

Jesus, thank you for rescuing me from everlasting shame. I pray for those who are headed in that direction. I pray that you would interfere with their lives and call them to you in such a way that they will not be able to resist. Amen.