The promise of Christ’s return to the earth and the resurrection of the body should be the belief that puts all things in their proper perspective. The Scriptures teach that God’s children will have some difficult times in their earthly pilgrimage, but a glorious future awaits them at Christ’s return. “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18).
Job 19:23-27: “Oh that my words were now written! Oh that they were printed in a book! That they were graven with an iron pen and lead in the rock forever! For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: and though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.” Job had a message that he wanted to leave on record so it would be a blessing to future generations. It was not a message about himself or his accomplishments, but about the one who will raise him out of the grave. This is the kind of message all men need, but to which only a few give much thought. It is the kind of message man wants to shun because he does not like to face the reality of death and the grave. When one comes to grips with the reality that he is going to die, it is wonderful to have the blessed hope that Job had. Job knew that his Redeemer was alive. Do you know personally the one who had victory over the grave, the one who was Job’s Redeemer? Job knew that his Redeemer would stand in the latter day on the earth and call his body forth from the grave. He further knew that he would see God in his own flesh and that his eyes would look upon God. This is the glorious future that awaits God’s child.
Here on earth Job had good times as well as bad. Sometimes he felt high and other times low. At times he had friends at his side supporting him; other times they were there condemning him. His day might be bright or it might be dark. During the good and the bad Job did not give up on God. Job said: “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him” (Job 13:15). Job knew God, not in an abstract way, but in a personal way. Job often communed with and talked with God. For Job, God was not some vague idea that someone had taught him in his childhood, but a real person. God was a friend who had given Job some real promises that Job believed and expected to be fulfilled. Have you been able to lay hold of God’s promises and claim them for yourself? The promise of Christ’s return and the resurrection of the body is one of the mainstays of a Christian’s life. Does this glorious truth give support and stability to your life? For you, does this glorious truth put all the events of life in their proper perspective?
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