THE RESURRECTION HOPE IS SURE!

Sustained by the Resurrection Hope

Though we personally have never seen anyone raised from the dead, we have noted certain Scriptural accounts that assure us of the resurrection.  We can, therefore, entertain the hope expressed by the upright man Job.  When he was suffering, he pleaded:  "O that in Sheol you [Jehovah] would conceal me, . . .that you would set time limit for me and remember me!  If an able-bodied man dies can he live again? . . .You will call, and I myself shall answer you.  For the work of your hands you will have a yearning."  (Job 14:13-115)  God 'will  yearn for the work of his hands,'  keenly desiring to resurrect Job.  What hope that gives us!

A God-fearing family member may become seriously ill, as Job was, and may even succumb to the enemy death.  The bereaved may shed tears of grief, even as Jesus wept over the death of Lazarus.  (John 11:35)  But how comforting it is to know that God will call and those in his memory will answer!   It will be as though they had returned from a  journey-not ill or impaired, but in sound health.

The death of a faithful elderly Christian moved fellow believers to write:  "Please accept our deepest sympathy on the loss of your mother.  It will be only a short time till we welcome her back-beautiful and vital!"  Parents who lost their son said:  "How we look forward to the day when Jason does wake up!  he will look around him and see the Paradise  he so longed for. . . .What an incentive for those of us who loved him to be there too."  Yes, and how thankful we can be that the resurrection hope is  sure!

Next time:THE RESURRECTION HOPE HAS POWER

Watchtower, 2000