The Daily Word of Righteousness

Aspects of the Resurrection of the Saints, #19

That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: (Ephesians 1:10)

Through the grace of God in Christ the saints have overcome the love of the world, the love of sin, and the love of self. They are servants of the most high God.

It is God's intention to fill the entire creation with Christ.

The Kingdom of God is God in Christ in the saints governing and blessing all the saved creatures of the universe.

The "land of promise" of the Church, the goal of our endeavors, is , first of all, conformity to the moral image of Jesus Christ, and also untroubled rest in the fullness of the Person and will of God through the Lord Jesus Christ. Until we have been changed into Christ's moral image and pressed into union with the Person of God we are neither qualified nor competent to receive the remainder of our inheritance.

As soon as we have entered rest in the fullness of God's Person and will we shall be given the spiritual rulership of the material creation. Being coheirs of Christ, our inheritance is the nations of the earth. The earth itself and all that is therein are our possession (Psalms 2:8).

Christ died and rose again in order that He may be Lord of all.

For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living. (Romans 14:9)

In Him we die, and then are raised with Him so we may serve God, under Christ, throughout God's creation. The saints are the royal priesthood of the ages to come.

Although we are heirs and rulers of all things we have been assigned a temporary, imprisoning body through means of which we are being taught the righteous ways of the Lord. It is a body of humbling (Deuteronomy 8:3).

If we are successful in this instruction, if we overcome the obstacles placed before us, we will be given an eternal body at the return of Jesus. This is the first resurrection from the dead—the giving of eternal, ruling bodies to those who have been found worthy. It is the "crown of life," the authority of eternal life in an incorruptible body.

Many have been called to the Divine Glory, but because the majority of those who have been called do not pursue Christ with all their heart only a few are chosen to be part of the firstfruits.

The last two chapters of the Book of Revelation portray the result of the workings of God through Christ. The new Jerusalem, which is the Kingdom of God, the entire perfected Wife of the Lamb, is established forever on the new earth. A glorious new sky reveals the splendor and majesty of the Lord God. The victorious saints inherit all these things. Each of them possesses a body like that of the Lord Jesus Christ.

They are the sons of God (Revelation 21:7). They shall see the Face of their Father. They shall rule over all the works of God's hands forever—ages without end. (from Aspects of the Resurrection of the Saints)