Because He Lives

March 30, 2020

Lent 2020

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Read Isaiah 25:7-8 and 1 Corinthians 15:54

Our Bible is a work that progresses through time beginning with the ancient promises from God. Near the end of the eighth century B.C., God raised up a man capable of seeing down the corridor of time to the very end of this age. His name is Isaiah. His 66-chapter book is filled with amazing details of salvation history. None is more encouraging than his prediction that God would remove death as the final end of mankind.

“On this mountain he will destroy
the shroud that enfolds all peoples,
the sheet that covers all nations;
he will swallow up death forever”

He also saw that our Savior from death would first taste death and lie enshrouded in a rich man’s tomb. Here are a few promising words from God to undergird our hope:

2500 BC Job: “I know that my redeemer lives…in my flesh I will see God.”

2000 BC Abram: “I am your shield and very great reward”

1500 BC Moses: “I am the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”

1000 BC David, shepherd: “I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”

“When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: ‘Death has been swallowed up in victory.'”

In mid-first century A.D., resurrection became a Good News reality:

Matthew: At the moment of Christ’s death….tombs were broken open and after Jesus rose, many holy people who had died were raised to life.

Luke: From the Cross, Jesus said to a repentant dying terrorist, ”Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

John: “The only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.”… “A time has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live.”… “And I will raise them up at the last day.”… “Whoever lives by believing in me will never die.”… “If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also will be where I am [The Father’s side].”

Paul: “And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you….he will also give life to your mortal bodies…for we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed we have a building from God.”

DIG DEEPER: