'The Lord Jesus Christ, who by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.'* ( Philippians 3:21) The creation of the world and the resurrection of Christ were great displays of God's power. But one more display of his absolute power remains - the coming judgement of the world!. No man witnessed creation; a few witnessed the resurrection but all mankind will witness the judgement, which will be the ultimate proof of his power, when he brings the world to its destined end, just as he prophesied through his servants the prophets. He who marshalled the stars haven't lost control over any of them. *'He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls them each by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.'* ( Isaiah 40:26) Neither has he lost control over the souls who have committed themselves to him. But unlike stars, humans have a free will and therefore can choose to drift away like wandering stars. But those who have submitted themselves to the Lord can rest securely knowing that their lives are safely in his hands! *"And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall not lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day."* ( John 6:39) *"I give them eternal life and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand ... no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand."* ( 10:28-29) Hallelujah! That is why Paul so confidently asserted: *"I know whom I have believed, I am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day."* ( 2 Timothy 1:12) As that day is fast approaching, we ought to be totally controlled by the Spirit. *'The mind of the sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace ... Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. We, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you.'* ( Romans 8:9) If we are controlled by the Spirit, we can earnestly expect his power to transform our lowly bodies to be like his glorious body. Isn't it amazing that God can bodily resurrect the dead from their graves; that billions or even trillions of human bodies that have become dust can be remade exactly the way they looked! That is the astounding power of the resurrection! Both the righteous dead and the wicked dead will be bodily resurrected. *"Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out - those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have been done evil will rise to be condemned."* ( John 5:28-29) The righteous dead will enter heaven in their resurrected, glorified and eternal bodies whereas the wicked dead will be cast into hell with their resurrected, unglorified but eternal bodies. That is why Jesus said, *"It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell."* ( Matthew 5:29) And *"not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell"* (Matthew 10:28), *'where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched'* ( Mark 9:48/ Isaiah 66:24), *'and the smoke of their torment rises forever and ever.'* ( Revelation 14:11) Let's not be found on the wrong side of the divide! Let's stand with the One who said, *"I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; whoever lives and believes in me will never die."* ( John 11:25-26) Amen.
- Sam Matthews. K