The First Resurrection

Many may have heard of the first resurrection,Christ) was delivered over to death for our sins
but do you really understand what it means. Doand was raised to life for our justification. Look at
you realize that it is an honor to be apart of theRomans 8:15 it says For you did not receive a
first resurrection. Understand that the act ofspirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but
coming back to life after being dead is anyou received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we
resurrection. Lets see what the Bible says aboutcry Abba, Father. The Spirit himself testifies with
the first resurrection. Look at the book of Danielour spirit that we are God's children. Now if we
12:2 it says Multitudes who sleep in the dust ofare children, then we are heirs-heirs of God and
the earth will awake some to everlasting life,co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his
others to shame and everlasting contempt. Thosesuffering in order that we may also share in his
who are wise will shine like the brightness of theglory. I consider that our present sufferings are
heavens, and stars for ever and ever. But you,not worth comparing with the glory that will be
Daniel, close up and seal the words of the scrollrevealed in us. The creation waits in eager
until the time of the end. Many will go here andexpectation for the sons of God to be revealed.
there to increase knowledge.For the creation was subjected to frustration, not
Now look at John 1:1 it says In the beginning wasby its own choice, but by the will of the one who
the Word, and the Word was with God, and thesubjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be
Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.liberated from its bondage to decay and brought
Through him all things were made without himinto the glorious freedom of the children of God.
nothing was made that has been made. In himNow look at Philippians 3:10 it says I want to
was life, and that life was the light of men. Theknow Christ and the power of his resurrection
light shines in the darkness, but the darkness hasand the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings,
not understood it.becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow,
Look at John 5:24 it says I tell you the truth,to attain to the resurrection from the dead.
whoever hears my word and believes him who(What a blessing, to be able to strive for this).
sent me has eternal life and will not beLook at 1 Corinthians 6:2 it says Do you not
condemned he has crossed over from death toknow that the saint will judge the world? And if
life. I tell you the truth, a time is coming and hasyou are to judge the world, are you not
now come when the dead will hear the voice ofcompetent to judge trivial cases? Do you not
the Son of God and those who hear will live. Forknow that we will judge angels? How much more
as the Father has life in himself, so he hasthe things of this life! Therefore, if you have
granted the Son to have life in himself. And hedisputes about such matters, appoint as judges
has given him authority to judge because he iseven men of little account in the church! I say this
the Son of Man. Now look at John 8:12 it saysto shame you. Is it possible that there is nobody
When Jesus spoke again to he people, he said, Iamong you wise enough to judge a dispute
am the light of the world. Whoever follows me willbetween believers? But instead, one brother goes
never walk in darkness, but will have the light ofto law against another-and this in front of
life. Look at John 11:25 it says Jesus said to her, Iunbelievers! The very fact that you have lawsuits
am the resurrection and the life. He who believesamong you means that you have been
in me will live, even though he dies and whoevercompletely defeated already.
lives and believes in me will never die. Do youIn closing look at Revelation 20:4 it says I saw
believe this?thrones on which were seated those who had
Look at Romans 1:1 it says Paul, a servant ofbeen given authority to judge. And I saw the
Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apartsouls of those who had been beheaded because
for the gospel of God-the gospel he promisedof their testimony for Jesus and because of the
beforehand through his prophets in the Holyword of God. They had not worshiped the beast
Scriptures regarding his son, David, and whoor his image and had not received his mark on
through the Spirit of holiness was declared withtheir foreheads or their hands. They came to life
power to be the Son of God by his resurrectionand reigned with Christ a thousand years.(The
from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord. Through himrest of the dead did not come to life until the
and for his name's sake, we received grace andthousand years were ended.) This is the first
apostleship to call people from among all theresurrection. Blessed and holy are those who
'Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith.have part in the first resurrection. The second
And you also are among those who are called todeath has no power over them, but they will be
belong to Jesus Christ.priests of God and of Christ and will reign with
Now look at Romans 4:25 it says He (Jesushim for a thousand years.