February 10: TURN YOURSELF IN!
The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. Revelation 20:13
A wonderful teaching method called Hebrew Parallelism appears throughout the written word of God. An idea is expressed in a certain way. The same idea will reappear, sometimes with identical wording, and sometimes expressed in a different set of words. Such a literary device impresses the mind of the reader.
John’s vision reiterates ideas by including details that make absolutely clear the completeness of the second resurrection: the resurrection of the spiritually lost. Today’s text reiterates points made in earlier verses (see vv.7,8,9,12). When Jesus calls the dead back to life all who are included in the call will indeed rise and stand on their feet (John 5:29; 11:43).
Through centuries and millennia, many have been carefully buried in graves. But there have been countless others buried at sea or lost at sea. The mind of our Creator contains the ‘blueprint’ (or DNA, according to the modern scientific mind) of every individual. No one who has died, even at sea, even if eaten by a wide variety of different fishes, is beyond the resurrection power of Almighty God.
Jesus said of Himself, “I have the keys of Hades and of Death.” (Revelation 1:18b) In keeping with the masterful use of words by the Savior, Jesus said a “mouthful” when He identified Himself this way. Hades is the Greek word that means grave (rendered hell in the KJV), contrary to the influence of mythology which falsely represents the place of the dead as a place of bustling activity. The concept of death is succinctly presented in James 1:14-15: But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.
Whatever the “grave” for a person might be, reconstituting every individual is not a problem for the Lord. Not even Death and Hades will prevent anyone from making their court appearance before the great white throne (20:11) of God. Truth shall stand, and recompense shall follow.
The prophetic scenes in the final book of the Book of books are given to us for a redemptive purpose! Knowing these truths should motivate each of us to surrender our pride and “turn ourselves in.” Jesus is ready to pardon, cleanse, and cover us with His righteousness!
I will greatly rejoice in the LORD. My soul shall be joyful in my God; For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness. Isaiah 61:10a