He IS Risen!!!
What a blessing to be able to say that and passionately trust in that fact! As Paul said, “For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! (1 Cor 15:16-17)
There are some who did not see death before they saw the Lord, like Enoch, “And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him. (Gen 5:24) Elijah was another one who did not see death, “Then it happened, as they continued on and talked, that suddenly a chariot of fire appeared with horses of fire, and separated the two of them; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. (2 Kg 2:11) And living believers who will experience the rapture will not see death (1 Thes 4:13-17)
Some were brought back to life from the dead, but died again, before they saw the Lord. Some like Lazarus, “Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!” And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Loose him, and let him go.” (John 11:43-44) Or several that Jesus healed, like the unnamed ruler’s daughter, “When Jesus came into the ruler’s house, and saw the flute players and the noisy crowd wailing, He said to them, “Make room, for the girl is not dead, but sleeping.” And they ridiculed Him. But when the crowd was put outside, He went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose. (Mat 9:23-25) But they all died again.
YET, no one who died, and was raised from the dead, was NEVER to die again! Except Jesus!!! Let us set our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith!
Shepherding Truth 