The One Who is Alive Forevermore

by Jill Rhodes

September 2005

"Do not be afraid;  I am the first and the last and the living One;
and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore,
and I have the keys of death and of Hades."
Revelation 1:17-18

"Look to the living One for life.  Look to Jesus for all you need
between the gate of hell and the gate of heaven."
Charles Spurgeon

Friday... it had been a day to end all days as Jesus' lifeless form was removed from the cross.  But then came Sunday, a day which spawned new life and a new beginning that would last an eternity.  Friday had brought the sword;  Sunday would bring the Spirit, and with Him, a peace which passes all understanding.  Friday had brought desertion from the few who followed;  Sunday would bring decision, as each would have the opportunity to see, understand, and believe.  Friday had brought condemnation; Sunday would bring a commission, sending ordinary people into all the world to deliver the extraordinary news of the gospel.  Friday had brought tears of grief;  Sunday would bring tears of gladness and whispers of wonder.  Friday had brought only darkness as the powers of hell relished their hour;  Sunday would bring the light of the Sonrise as the radiance of God's glory permeated the darkness of the grave, conquering sin and death forever.  Friday came and went; but Sunday is here forevermore.

Come and See

The Grace of Two Resurrections

1.  Read John 20:1-18.  What was the response of each of the following as they came to the empty tomb?  Mary, Peter, John
How do you think you would have responded?

2.  What other empty tombs were there ar the time of the resurrection?  (Matt. 27:50-53)
Why do you think God emptied these tombs?

3.  According to 1 Corinthians 15:5-8, who did Jesus appear to following His resurrection?

4.  What phrase did Jesus use repeatedly when He appeared to His disciples?  (John 20:19, 21, 26)?  Why?

5.  According to the following verses what was the resurrection body of Jesus like?
Luke 24: 36-43,  John 20:19,  Acts 1:9
What do you think you'll enjoy most about your resurrected body?

6.  What is our state if the resurrection is not true (1 Cor.15:14-19)?  So then, how important is it to our faith (Rom.10:9)?

By the Book -  Perhaps the most complete instruction on the resurrection is written by Paul in his first letter to the Corinthians.  In fact, one full chapter (ch.15) is devoted to this great tenet of our faith.  Written to a church that talked about the Lord more than they walked with the Lord, the other themes of this book are a strong reminder to a struggling church, that God intends for the truth of the resurrection to be more than just a doctrine.  It should make a profound difference in our daily lives as we are transformed by the presence and power of our risen Lord.

"The Resurrection of Jesus Christ is the epicenter of Christianity." 
Calvin Miller

The Glory of Two Roads

7.  Read Luke 23: 55- 24:12.  Where were the women who followed Jesus on Easter morning?
What did they do when they realized Jesus alive (v. 8-10)?

8.  Read Luke 24: 13-35.  Where were these two men headed on Easter?

9.  What had the two disciples been told about Jesus (Luke 24:22-23)?
Why do you think their faces were downcast (v. 17)?

10.  Who did they believe Jesus to be (Luke 24:19)?
Who do you believe Jesus to be?

11.  What did the men do when they realized that Jesus was alive (Luke 24:33-35)?
How is this a challenge to you?

12.  Jesus walked home with these two disciples so they would know He was with them right where they lived.  How has He been the living One to you in your present circumstances?

The Road to Emmaus - Even though God's people did not always believe in life after death, the Lord unfolded the reality of eternal life throughout His Word, culminating with the bodily resurrection of His dear Son.  The truth of this historical event serves as a guarantee of our forever future as well, as seen in the following scriptures:

• In Psalm - Psalm 16
  What assurance of resurrection do you see in these verses?
• In Prophecy - Job 19:25-27
  What is most amazing to you about Job's hope in the resurrection?
• In Parable - Luke 12:16-21
  What does this story teach about having an eternal perspective?

"The Resurrection is not only Good News,
it is the best news imaginable."
Ray C. Stedman

Come and Follow

13.  How would your life be different if Jesus had not risen from the dead?

14.  What is the Living Lord doing for you right now (John 14:2-3; Heb.7:25)?
How does this make you feel?

15.  How is God's power in your life described in Ephesians 1:19-20?
Are you walking according to that power today?

Take a moment and pray that He will fill you in a new and fresh way with His resurrection power.

Name Above All Names

~ The Son of the Living God - Matthew 16:16

~ The Firstfruits of Those who are Asleep - 1 Corinthians 15:20

~ The First-born from the Dead - Colossians 1:18

~ Lord Both of the Dead and of the Living - Romans 14:9

~ The Light of the Morning - 2 Samuel 23:4

~ The Hope of Glory - Colossians 1:27

~ That Eternal Life - 1 John 1:2

Used with permission from Jill Rhodes' Bible Study "Come and Behold Him", A Study of the Names of Jesus