Rēad to Read …Again
Daily Reading: Job 14-16
Job 14:14
If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come.
There are two questions of the Bible that are essential to answer for oneself. Job’s question in today’s verse is one: If a man die, shall he live again? This is, for the natural person, a question of utmost importance. The answer to it changes everything about this life and will naturally lead into the other. But that’s for later.
To answer this question, one only has to look to the Scriptures to learn the clear-cut answer. In Scripture, there are ten accounts of people being raised from the dead to live again.
1. Elijah raised the son of the Zarephath widow from the dead. I Kings 17:17-22
2. Elisha raised the son of the Shunammite woman from the dead. II Kings 4:32-35
3. A man was raised from the dead when his body touched Elisha’s bones II Kings 13:20-21
4. Ezekiel preached to the valley of the dry bones, and they were resurrected. Ezekiel 37:1-10
5. Jesus raised the son of the widow of Nain from the dead. Luke 7:11-15
6. Jesus raised the daughter of Jairus from the dead. Luke 8:41
7. Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. John 11:1-44
8. Peter raised Dorcas from the dead. Acts 9:36-41
9. Eutychus was raised from the dead by Paul. Acts 20:9-10
10. Many saints rose from the dead at the death/resurrection of Jesus. Matthew 27:50-53
11. Jesus rose from the dead on His own accord. Matthew 28:5-8, Mark 16:6, Luke 24:5-6
These all were resurrected back to life on earth. But there is another life, one that Job referred to in his comments today. …all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come. Later more proof from Job’s own lips show that he believed in an afterlife wherein he would stand before God in his flesh. And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God. (19:26) Yes, Job believed that if a man died, he would live again.
Jesus taught this to be true. Remember, in Luke 16 when Jesus told the real-life story of Lazarus and the rich man? Both died, yet both experienced bodily sensations in the afterlife. Lazarus was comforted, the rich man was in torments. (Luke 16:19-31)
Even more to the point that we will live again Jesus said in John 11:25 …I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: All will be resurrected, some to eternal life, some to eternal death.
The second question that was mentioned earlier was asked by a jailer in Philippi. He asked …Sirs, what must I do to be saved? (Acts 16:30) He was probably speaking about his physical life, but Paul and Silas turned his question into a spiritual issue. The apostle’s short and simple answer was this; Acts 16:31 …Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. He did, and he was, as was his family!
These two questions must be answered in the heart of every person. “When I die, will I live again?” According to the overwhelming evidence in God’s Holy Word the answer is a resounding yes. Then, logically the next question would be, “What must I do to be saved?” This is eternally saved. The answer all these years later is the same answer Paul and Silas gave to that poor jailer. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.
If you need help with this, or desire more information about it, please speak to your pastor. He will help you.
Dr. William T. Howe
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