Presently there seems to be much interest in the subject of reincarnation. As Eastern mystical religions become popular in some circles, it has become almost trendy to believe that we will return to this earth after death and live over again in some other form. Those who believe the Bible will reject such an idea because we are clearly taught, "it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:" Hebrews 9.27. We die once only but after death it is not reincarnation, but judgment.
However, a fundamental truth of the Bible is resurrection. To many this seems impossible but when the apostle Paul addressed a King he asked the question, "Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead?" Acts 26.8.
There is no greater fact of history than the resurrection of the Saviour. After His resurrection He was seen. If we could bring more than 500 eye witnesses to prove our case in some judicial court the outcome would never be in doubt. This is what happened regarding the resurrection of Christ. 1 Corinthians 15.6 records, "He was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep." The apostle is so confident of his case that he is saying "there are more than 500 witnesses and since the majority are still alive, go and ask them." The implications of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead are so tremendous that the power of the old Roman Empire tried to ensure that He did not rise again. Thus they put the stone at the door of the tomb, sealed it and set a watch of soldiers. But all was vain and He arose on the third and appointed morning. To the generation who could have disputed the happenings from historical fact the message was preached, "they took Him down from the tree, and laid Him in a sepulchre. But God raised Him from the dead," Acts 13.29.
His resurrection is the guarantee that we too shall be raised. "For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive," 1 Corinthians 15.22. Thus there will be the resurrection of the saved. That is of all those who have believed on Him to the saving of their soul. This will happen when the Saviour comes again and calls us to Himself, which could happen at any moment. 1 Thessalonians 4.16, "For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first" That will be for eternal glory.
There will also be the resurrection of the sinners. That is of all who have died rejecting the Saviour and Gods offer of free salvation. Revelation 20.12, "I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: v15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire." That will be for eternal gloom.
Dear reader, where will you be found? This is no fanciful fairy story. We are dealing with eternal facts. Judgment is assured by His resurrection, "Because He (God) hath appointed a day, in the which He will judge the world in righteousness by that Man (Jesus Christ) whom He hath ordained; whereof He hath given assurance unto all men, in that He hath raised Him from the dead."
Moses' cry is ours, "O that they$B$ @ .ā ā
ȁ