*DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL* *THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14 2019* *ALL SHALL RISE AGAIN* TEXT: JOHN 5:25-31.

*DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL*

*THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14 2019*

*ALL SHALL RISE AGAIN*

TEXT: JOHN 5:25-31.

_🔑KEY VERSE: "And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation" (JOHN 5:29)._

Job asked a very important question: "If a man die, shall he live again?" This is a question that has generated much and diverse opinions and controversy. Job eventually answered this question in the affirmative when he stated, "For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God."

Our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the Resurrection and the Life, in this passage, makes it clear that there will be bodily resurrection for both the righteous and the unrighteous.

The issue of bodily resurrection is a cardinal doctrine of the Bible. From Old Testament times, many prophets like Daniel, Isaiah, etc., have spoken on this subject. And now in the New Testament, it has been expounded, expanded and set forth very clearly. Paul, during his defence before the Sanhedrin said, "Of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question" (Acts 23:6). In other words, it was a well understood and accepted doctrine among the religious elites of Paul's days - at least, among the Pharisees. There will be resurrection - the first, for the just and the second for the unjust. The two events being separated by at least a thousand years. At rapture, the dead in Christ shall rise first to be joined by those living.

The imminence and certainty of this all-important event call for sobriety, watchfulness and prayer on the part of the Christian. Studying and meditating on the word of God, daily self-examination to make sure one is 'in the faith", reaching out in evangelism to sinners are all necessary preparations. Our prayer must be that God will help us such that when Christ comes, we will make the 'flight' and walk with Him in white.

*✍THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:* Death will not end it; we shall rise again!

COVER TO COVER: EZEKIEL 9-13.

*MEDITATION*

Resurrection: A verily verily coming event

1. Verily verily: It will certainly come to pass whether men believe it or not v25.

2. The personality at the centre of it is the second person in the Trinity, the Lord Jesus vv25,26,27.
a. His voice will be loud enough for all the dead to hear vv25,28.
b. His voice will be full of power and life as to resurrect all the dead v25,28.
*Lord Jesus*, I want you to give me abundant life in Christ.🙏
*Command* the life of Christ to enter every dead thing in your body, life, prayer life etc.🙏
c. He is self existent just as God the Father is self existent v25. He was not given life even though He is a Life giver like the Father v26, John 1:4,9.
*Lord* let your life enter all those that are sleeping or dead in the Church🙏
c. He has been given authority to judge the world on behalf of the Triune God since He is both God and man, the most qualified to judge man v27.

3. Two types of resurrection
a. Resurrection of life for those who have done good.
*Not 99% good and 1% evil. Good + evil = evil James 2:10. Only those whose past sins are forgiven and washed by the blood of Jesus, and now walking in new life and righteousness are good enough for the "first resurrection"
*Q* Do you have assurance that all your past sins are forgiven and removed from your record? If not, seek for counselling.
b. Resurrection of damnation
* Those who rejected or ignored the sacrifice of Jesus for sins John 3:18,19.
* Those who died in sin without repentance, whether religious or not.
*Lord*, don't permit me to end my race in sin🙏

HYMN: Christ Returns

1. It may be at morn, when the day is awaking,
When sunlight through darkness and shadow is breaking,
That Jesus will come in the fullness of glory
To receive from the world “His own.”
*Refrain:*
O Lord Jesus, how long, how long
Ere we shout the glad song—
Christ returneth! Hallelujah!
Hallelujah! Amen.
Hallelujah! Amen.

2. It may be at midday, it may be at twilight,
It may be, perchance, that the blackness of midnight
Will burst into light in the blaze of His glory,
When Jesus receives “His own.”

3. While hosts cry Hosanna, from heaven descending,
With glorified saints and the angels attending,
With grace on His brow, like a halo of glory,
Will Jesus receive “His own.”

4. Oh, joy! oh, delight! should we go without dying,
No sickness, no sadness, no dread and no crying;
Caught up through the clouds with our Lord into glory,
When Jesus receives “His own.”

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