And turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up.
Acts 9:40
It’s hard to read this account of Tabitha being raised from the dead without thinking about the Lord’s effectual voice one day commanding all the dead in Christ to, “Arise!” The first person she saw when she opened her eyes was the one that called her to life, and when her eyes fixed on him, she sat upright. Though redeemed, we are still redeemed sinners. We wrestle with this old man, and so we will to the grave. But something miraculous will happen when Christ reveals Himself to all at His return. When he calls us forth from the grave unto eternal life, we will fix our eyes on Him, and for the first time, we will dwell in bodies free from the sin that weighed us down. We will be upright! No more shame and no more sorrow! As 1Jo 3:2 tells us, “we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.” What a glorious thought!!
This reality ought to comfort our hearts regarding our brethren that have preceded us in death. Yes we sorrow, but we sorrow as those who have hope! (1Th 4:13) “For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.” (v. 14) They are not lost, but rather their bodies are sleeping. At Christ’s return, there will be a family reunion like the world has never seen! It will be a coming together of a diverse group who are connected, not by physical birth, but the new birth into the family of God. “Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.” (v. 17) It is this truth above all that excites every true believer–they will always be with Christ! So, what should we do knowing such a precious truth? As the writer of 1 Thessalonians continues, “Therefore comfort one another with these words.” (v. 18)
What of the spirits of those gone before us? Do they sleep as well? Some teach such an error, but the scripture is clear that the spirits are very much awake at this present time. If you remember Jesus’ parable of the beggar Lazarus and the rich man, both of them were conscious after their death. Of the rich man, we read that he was carried to the torments of hell though his body was buried; meanwhile, Lazarus enjoyed the comfort of Abraham’s bosom. (Luk 16:19-25) We know that while the rich man’s spirit suffered, his brothers were still alive on the earth because he begged Abraham to send Lazarus to warn them of his place of torment. (v. 27-28) Remember also Jesus’ words to the thief on the cross that was saved just before his death: “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” (Luk 23:43)
As wonderful as that day will be, dear Christian, let us not waste our time here daydreaming of deliverance from this present evil world. Yes, as Paul said in Php 1:21, “to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” We should long so to be with our Lord that we have “a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better.” (v. 23) But, the apostle didn’t have his head in the clouds fantasizing of eternal bliss. He knew he had present work to do, understanding the he was still upon the earth because “to remain in the flesh is more needful for you”. (v. 24) We’re here because our labor is not done. We still have work to do for the glory of our worthy Lord. Remember, “the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth— those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.” (Joh 5:28-29) Let us labor to the end for no true believer will lay his sword down before the fight is over. “But he who endures to the end shall be saved.” (Mar 13:13)
Jamie