“I See Dead People!”
October 31st, 2011 Posted in sermonsHave you heard the story of the time all the people came out of their graves and walked around town?
People dressing up for Halloween?
A Zombie film?
No, not exactly.
I am talking about a story right from the pages of Scripture.
As Jesus hung on the cross, a lot of supernatural phenomena took place, including a mighty earthquake, the sun going dark at 12:00 noon, and the curtain in the Temple being ripped from top to bottom.
But one of the most amazing things of all is when people came out of their graves!
It’s only mentioned in one Gospel.
They left the cemetery.
Mathew 27:51-43 (NLT) “At that moment the curtain in the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, rocks split apart, and tombs opened. The bodies of many godly men and women who had died were raised from the dead after Jesus’ resurrection. They left the cemetery, went into the holy city of Jerusalem, and appeared to many people.”
A preview of things to come.
“They left the cemetery and and appeared to many people”!
Is this not an amazing passage?
What is this all about? It is a preview of things to come.
Sort of like when you are in the movies and you see the trailer for the newest films coming out. Fact is, most of the time, the trailers are better then the films themselves!
But as amazing as this event was, the one it is pointing to will be even greater.
Jesus is coming!
The Bible, speaking of this future day, says, “For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the call of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, all the Christians who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and remain with him forever.” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 NLT)
One day, we will be reunited with loved ones who have gone before us to heaven. What a glorious day that will be!
In that day, dead people will come alive!
Most grateful, for the subject(s) addressed by your person; Pastor Greg. They only continue my person, to ponder the more on our upcoming reuniting between; those of us living in our [time-zone], and those individuals alive in [eternal-life]. Best and Blessings.
I agree Greg! Our God is most AMAZING and of course sovereign in all of His mysterious ways. Years ago I came across a statement in my devotionals,I can’t recall the author but it goes like this: The Purposes of God are Right. Although we may not see just how He works all things for the good and transforms tragedy, one must know His most Striking victories Rise out of the graves of apparent defeat. . . I like many of us are praying for a GREAT AWAKENING, wouldn’t it be a blessing to experience not only a spiritual move of the Holy Spirit, but perhaps a “Physical” as well! Nothing is impossible with our Lord,I pray He has some unexpected things ahead in the way of “REVIVAL” after all, we know all things work together for good to those who love God,to those who are called according to His purpose. . . .(Romans 8:28)
What a great sermon greg its so true and its amazing
Thank you Pastor Laurie for that insight, it’s crazy how, as a religious Christian, I would read that passage in Matt 27 (usually around Easter) and not be blown away by the fact that dead people left the cemetery! I read that passage now as someone who, through you and others like Louie Giglio, realised that I need a relationship with Jesus and just appearing in church occasionally isn’t going to cut it…when I read the Bible in the Spirit these days and I’m like…wow that’s insane! Hollywoods got nothing on God’s Word! Chur Pastor
Hope to see you at Harvest NZ 2012. God bless you & your ministry (: L
Bro Greg,
Is the “trumpet call” in any way connected to the last trumpet in Revelations? If so or not (hope not) can you give me scripture that proves one way over the other? Also, I was listening to Raul Ries the other day and he quoted the scripture that said we were not appointed unto wrath. I was driving, but believe he said the translation of the word wrath actually meant The Tribulation (7 yrs.) or did he say Great Tribulation (3.5 years). I want so much to believe pre-trib and believe it is the one that most parallels the character of God. Ex: Lot from Soddom & Noah during the flood. Also, the Jewish wedding traditions – a week in the wedding chamber? I’ve tried to read Walvord’s (sp?) Rapture Question, but have to look up a word in the dictionary every few sentences. He is God and I am not. Whatever He chooses is what I want, however, if He has told us already I’d like to know, either way. What I mean is, I would like to read scripture and know, not just know because someone else thinks so. Thanks so much.