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Resurrection of the dead

Part Five

5. Resurrection of the dead

The word resurrection means to rise, or to raise up.

When Jesus was about six weeks of age, Mary and Joseph
brought Him to the temple, to be presented in accordance
with the Jewish law. At the temple was a devout man by the
name of Simeon. He had a promise from God that he would
not die before he saw the Messiah.

When he saw Jesus, the Holy Spirit came on him to
prophesy. He recognised, in his own spirit, that this was the
Messiah or the Christ, (meaning anointed one of God).
So he was able to speak out what has become a famous
prayer, which is known as the NUNC DIMITIS Luke 2 v29-
32 'Lord now let your servant depart in peace, according
to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared before the face of all peoples.
A light to bring salvation to the gentiles and the glory of
your people Israel.'

Simeon continued in v34 'Behold this child is destined for
the fall and rising up of many in Israel.'

Whilst many would stumble and fall in God's sight, because
they would not accept Christ as saviour, this term RISING UP
literally is RESURRECTION.

RESURRECTION is used in every day language to describe
bringing something back into use, which had been perhaps
thought of as being finished or no longer of use. In the Bible
it is always used in the context of that which is dead.

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