Victory of the Sleeping Saints

Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation John 5:28, 29.
The Life-giver will call up His purchased possession in the first resurrection, and until that triumphant hour, when the last trump shall sound and the vast army shall come forth to eternal victory, every sleeping saint will be kept in safety and will be guarded as a precious jewel, who is known to God by name. By the power of the Saviour that dwelt in them while living and because they were partakers of the divine nature, they are brought forth from the dead.
“The hour is coming,” Christ said, “in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth.” That voice is to resound through all the habitations of the dead; and every saint who sleeps in Jesus will awake and leave his prisonhouse. Then the virtue of character we have received from Christ’s righteousness will ally us to true greatness of the highest order.
The victory of the sleeping saints will be glorious on the morning of the resurrection. . . . The Life-giver will crown with immortality all who come forth from the grave.
There stands the risen host. The last thought was of death and its pangs. The last thoughts they had were of the grave and the tomb, but now they proclaim, “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” . . . Here they stand and the finishing touch of immortality is put upon them and they go up to meet their Lord in the air. . . . There are the columns of angels on either side; . . . then the angelic choir strike the note of victory and the angels in the two columns take up the song and the redeemed host join as though they had been singing the song on the earth, and they have been. Oh, what music! There is not an inharmonious note. Every voice proclaims, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain.” He sees the travail of His soul, and is satisfied.
Maranatha p. 300
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Prayer Requests
—–Please pray for God’s guidance and that He will supply every need. L
—–Please keep our community in prayer. Thanks! Nathan
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Friends
Some years ago, Eileen severely burned her hand top and bottom. It happened so fast that she was not even sure how it happened. She was making fried potatoes and somehow the iron frying pan tipped causing the hot oil to pour onto her unprotected hand. Immediately, her hand blistered and swelled.
She was referred to a hand specialist, who upon examination, told her that she would need surgery as her hand was burned so badly, that there would be much scarring and her fingers would no doubt grow together. We were stunned. Eileen had no insurance. The medical bills would be impossible to pay.
We took this problem to the Great Physician Who could solve it as Peter suggests, “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” 2 Peter 5:7 Eileen especially prayed earnestly that God would heal her hand without the scarring and webbing that the specialist had declared would happen. Many pain-filled weeks passed. Gradually, her hand began to get better. The swelling began to go down and new skin began to grow. This new skin was so delicate, that if Eileen did not keep her hand elevated, blood-tinged lymph would fill the bandages. Eventually, the new skin became stronger and she no longer had that problem. Praise God! It healed very nicely. No scarring or webbing occurred! If you were to look at Eileen’s hand today, you would not be able to tell that it had ever been burned!
Truly, our Great Redeemer is full of mercy! He assures us, ” I am the LORD that healeth thee.” Ex 15:26 Praise the Lord! He “was moved with compassion” as He saw our great need. During His time upon this sinful old planet, “Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people. And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.” Mt 9:35, 36; 4:23, 24
Moreover, our Loving Saviour brings spiritual health and healing to all who ask. By His death on the cross, He justifies and sanctifies. “He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” Isa 53:5 He declares, “I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away.” Ho 14:4 Peter says of Him, “Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.” 1 Peter 2:21-25
Let us run to Jesus’ outstretched arms for the comfort, grace, and mercy that we so much need. Let us pray as did Jeremiah, “Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for thou art my praise.” Jer 17:14 Let us praise as did David, “Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” Ps 103:1-5
Rose