The Certain Promise of Resurrection
Central to the Christian faith is the promise of resurrection. Jesus assures us that all who believe in Him will be raised on the last day (John 6:40). We will stand up again!
Anastasis is the Greek word for Resurrection. It comes from the root verb ‘anistemi’ meaning to stand up again or to rise up again. Therefore the literal meaning is “a standing up again” (ana is up/again sthemi is standing). It is used frequently in the New Testament and the Septuagint, i.e. the Greek translation of the OT.
John uses it frequently in his gospel, in fact in John 6:35-54 it used 4 times across 19 verses, this is the passage where Jesus declares to us – “I AM the Bread of Life!” and He promises that He will raise us up on the last day! We will stand up again! Resurrection life in our Resurrection bodies (see 1 Corinthians 15 for further reference to this)
In Jesus we have the promise of ‘anastasis’, resurrection, ie. we will stand up again. Martha the sister of Lazarus understood this:
“I know he (Lazarus) will rise again in the resurrection at the last day” John 11:24
Jesus declared by the tomb of Lazarus I AM the resurrection and the life. The raising from the dead of Lazarus(4 days dead) was the most significant sign Jesus gave towards His authority & His person as the revealed Son of God, the Messiah. The timing of this sign pointed towards Jesus’ own death & resurrection in providing the forgiveness of sins & reconciliation to God for all who would humble themselves and call upon the Name of the Lord for forgiveness & for His Lordship over them.
The scriptures elsewhere declare that Jesus is the first born from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep in the faith cf. Rev 1:5 ; 1 Cor 15:20-26.
Peter in his Pentecost sermon declared to the crowds in Jerusalem:
“God raised him (Jesus) from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him” Acts 2:24
“God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it”. Acts 2:32
Paul when reasoning with the thinkers of the day in Athens, proclaimed:
“For God has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.” Acts 17:31
And when later writing to the new converts on Thessalonica, reminding them of what he had taught them over a period of no more than 8 weeks:
“For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.” 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
Resurrection hope is threaded throughout the Bible, with a profound Old Testament example being found in the book of Daniel.
“ Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt………As for you, go your way till the end. You will rest, and then at the end of the days you will rise (stand up again) to receive your allotted inheritance.” Daniel 12:2 & 13
This ‘anastasis’ resurrection conveys the idea of standing up to receive a reward, a prize.
In their New Testament letters James & Paul, respectively, refer to this prize as the crown of Life and the crown of righteousness
“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” – James 1:12
“For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing” 2 Timothy 4:6-8
Jesus himself when encouraging the local church in Smyrna,who were suffering severe persecution, speaks of a victor’s crown.
“Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death.” Rev 2:10-12
Resurrection hope is a cornerstone of our faith, grounding us in the assurance that life extends beyond this earthly existence. Let’s keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, heavenward, eyes on the prize – for we will stand up again!
