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‘He is risen!’ – Part 21

By Emeritus Prof. Mercy Olumide
10 September 2017   |   3:38 am
Believers and unbelievers alike experience pain, trouble, and failure at times (Matthew 5:45). Unbelievers have a sense of hopelessness about life and confusion over their true purpose on earth.

Emeritus Prof. Mercy Olumide

This great “hope” relates to “the glorious appearing” of the Lord Jesus Christ and will occur when he comes for His bride, the blood-washed church. We are to “look” for this great moment prayerfully, in faith and purity, and with fervent desire as a faithful and chaste bride.

The resurrection of Jesus Christ assures the believer of a refuge in death
“The wicked is banished in his wickedness, but the righteous has a refuge in his death.” (Prov 14:32)
Although the OT contains no fully developed doctrine of what happens after death, Proverbs does reveal that the righteous have the hope of life after death. When the wicked die, they have no hope, only dread of final ruin. When the righteous die, they commit themselves to God as their refuge and hope beyond death (cf. Prov 12:28; Ps 49:14-15; 73:24). Further revelation concerning the eternal destiny of the righteous and the wicked is given in the NT teaching of Christ and the apostles.

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the basis for the unique sense of security felt by believers.
“I have set the LORD always before me; because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.” (Ps 16:8)
By saying that he “shall not be moved,” David was talking about the unique sense of security felt by believers. God does not exempt believers from the day-to-day circumstances of life.

Believers and unbelievers alike experience pain, trouble, and failure at times (Matthew 5:45). Unbelievers have a sense of hopelessness about life and confusion over their true purpose on earth. Those who seek God, however, can move ahead confidently with what they know is right and important in God’s eyes. They know that God will keep them from being moved off of his chosen path.

Because of Christ resurrection, in time of suffering, trials or persecution we can look forward with eager anticipation to that times when God “shall wipe away all tears; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain.” (Rev 21:4). His resurrection is what gives us hope of deliverance and eternal life in times of suffering and persecution (1 Cor 15:19). Jesus is the forerunner for us, the proof of our eventual resurrection to eternal life (1 Cor 15:20). His resurrection is a source of strong encouragement for us to persevere to the end as overcomers and receive the crown of life (Rev 2:7-10)

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the secret of Christian joy
“I have set the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved. 9Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will rest in hope. 10For You will not leave my soul in Sheol, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption 11 You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” (Ps 16:8-11)
16:8-11 This psalm is often called a messianic psalm because it is quoted in the New Testament as referring to the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Both
Peter and Paul quoted from this psalm when speaking of Christ’s bodily resurrection (see Acts 2:25-28, 31; 13:35-37).

David’s heart was glad (v9) he had found the secret to joy. True joy is far deeper than happiness; we can feel joy in spite of our deepest troubles. Happiness is temporary because it is based on external circumstances, but joy is lasting because it is based on God’s presence within us.

Email:mercyolumide2004@yahoo.co.uk;yetundemercyolumidewww.christiscomingsoon.netMobile: +234 803 344 6614; +234 808 123 7987.

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