Some people might argue, "Well, what about Lazarus, and the
little girl, and the other people who Jesus raised from the
dead?". The answer to this question seems very simple in my
view. While these people were indeed raised from the dead,
it seems to me that they were probably raised and returned
to life in their very same human bodies which had simply
been temporarily repaired. As far as we know, they did not
receive any kind of special Divine Powers or spiritual
qualities. They were not new creations like Jesus was. In
all likelihood, they eventually died natural deaths just
like everyone else, and are thus currently awaiting their
Resurrection. Their bodies have been the subjects of decay,
destruction, or corruption, as the Biblical writers refer to
it:

"So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in
corruption; it is raised in incorruption: . . . Now this I
say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the
kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit
incorruption."
(1 Corinthians 15:42, 50, KJV)

"And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now
no more to return to corruption, he said on this wise, I
will give you the sure mercies of David. Wherefore he saith
also in another psalm, Thou shalt not suffer thine Holy One
to see corruption. For David, after he had served his own
generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid
unto his fathers, and saw corruption: But he, whom God
raised again, saw no corruption."
(Acts 13:34-37, KJV)

As is evidenced by the previous verses, when our Lord was
resurrected on that Third Day, He possessed a wonderful, new
and completely different kind of body. He could still be
touched; He could still eat and drink; yet He could also do
other things such as change His physical appearance, or
suddenly appear or disappear at will. His weak human body
which had been scourged by a Roman whip, made to bleed by a
crown of thorns, and pierced by a Roman spear and nails, was
replaced by a supernatural indestructible Celestial Body.
Like a seed which falls to the ground and appears to die
during the cold winter months, but then bursts forth with
new life the following Spring, so too, Jesus allowed Himself
to be destroyed and buried, that He might take up His life
again, and in so doing, open the way for us to do the same.
Thus again we see that He is the Firstborn, that is, the
Firstfruits of many fruits to come. Consider what our Great
Master said:

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall
into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it
bringeth forth much fruit."
(John 12:24, KJV)

"Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my
life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me,
but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down,
and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I
received of my Father."
(John 10:17-18, KJV)

"And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of
all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should
raise it up again at the last day."
(John 6:39, KJV)

Here are a few more verses concerning the Firstfruits of the
Resurrection, taken from the writings of the Apostles Paul
and John, to further inspire your heart concerning the
glories to come:

"And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the
firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within
ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption
of our body."
(Romans 8:23, KJV)

"But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the
firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death,
by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in
Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But
every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits;
afterward they that are Christ's at his coming."
(1 Corinthians 15:20-23, KJV)

"These are they which were not defiled with women; for they
are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb
whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men,
being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb."
(Revelation 14:4, KJV)

"But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard,
neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which
God hath prepared for them that love him."
(1 Corinthians 2:9, KJV)

It would be so easy to conclude this series with these
inspiring thoughts; however, we still cannot overlook the
important fact that Jesus is not the ONLY spiritual son of
God who exists in the Heavenly Realm at this time. Thus, in
the final part of this series, we will be taking a look at
such topics as the fallen angels and the Nephilim, the great
congregation before the Throne of the Almighty, and other
inspiring topics. I hope you will join me. You don't want to
miss it!


Written by the WordWeaver

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