The Resurrection and Life
We celebrate the Holy Resurrection, and to define the Resurrection we are talking about, with which we rejoice and glorify Christ, the First-Born, risen from the dead on that day, to define it fully, we say that it is "The Resurrection of Life." (John 5:29). What is meant by the word "Life" in this definition is "Eternal Life."
This is because there were other resurrections, as people were raised from the dead in the Old Testament and in the New Testament, but these resurrections are not the intended one. They returned, and then died in the body once again. Elijah the Prophet raised the son of the widow (I Kings 17:17-24), and Elisha raised the son of the Shunammite woman (II Kings 4:32-37). His bones, after his death raised a dead man (II Kings 13:21). Christ the Lord raised many, three of whom were mentioned in the Holy Bible, and later, His Apostles raised many more. All these resurrections may be considered as an introduction to the Resurrection we are discussing, the Resurrection of Life. The daughter of Jairus (Luke 8:41-56), and the son of the widow of Nain (Luke 7:11-17), and Lazarus (John 11), give an example of the resurrection from sin and this is the first resurrection (Revelation 20:5, 6), if the person walks in it and perseveres in it. As St. Paul said, "Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the Gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand." (I Corinthians 15:1).
There is also what is called the Resurrection of condemnation, "And come forth, those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation," (John 5:29). It is the return of the souls of the evil ones to their bodies at the time of the Second Coming of Christ, and their condemnation.
As we said, the Resurrection which we celebrate is the Resurrection of Life or The Life of the Resurrection. As it is the Resurrection of Life, it is therefore in the believers as from now, and we say about it that it is the Life of the Resurrection that the believers live, for the Lord said, "I am the Resurrection and the Life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die." (John 11:25,26).
Therefore the life of Christ is in the believers from now, so, does the one who lives and has life need a resurrection? This life is the first resurrection, but the second resurrection is Eternal Life. It is the revelation and proclamation of the life of the believers and their eternal life by the joining of their soul and their glorified body at the Second Coming of Christ. That is also why those remaining ones who are alive at the Second Coming will be transformed (I Thessalonians 4:15), (I Corinthians 15:51, 52). As we previously said, their soul will not separate from their bodies, but their bodies will be transformed into glorified bodies, "Who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself." (Philippians 3:21).
They will be transformed from bodies subject to death to eternal bodies that do not die. It can therefore be said about them that they will rise on the last day. It is a resurrection of the body, from one nature to another, suitable for Eternal Life. It is not a resurrection from bodily death, but as we said, the Resurrection of the Eternal and Everlasting Life. "Those who are bright shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever and ever." (Daniel 12:3). "Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!" (Matthew 13:43).
If we carry within ourselves the Life of the Resurrection, hidden as St. Paul the Apostle said, "For you died and your life is hidden with Christ in God." (Colossians 3:3), it will re-appear, "When Christ who is in our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory." (Colossians 3:4).
He also said, "But if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you." (Romans 8:11).
What is the sign of the Life of the Resurrection that is presently hidden within us? How can we know and feel this Life and this glory within us now, to be sure to participate in the second resurrection? The sign is, as St. Paul said, "If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God." (Colossians 3:1). For we are "strangers and pilgrims on the earth." (Hebrews 11: 13), (I Peter 2:11).
"For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ." (Philippians 3:20).
Copyright © 2008 Saint Antony Coptic Orthodox Monastery, California, U.S.A. The above article may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of Saint Antony Coptic Orthodox Monastery, California, U.S.A. |
