"And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda. And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, which had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy. And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately. And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord. Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did. And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber. And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them. Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them. But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up. And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive.” Acts 9:32-41.

     To those who believe that Jesus is Who He said He is know that there will be a fulfillment of ‘the grand promise:’ “the power of his resurrection.” Phil.3:10.

     This is the time of the 2nd Advent of Jesus Christ, after all is said and done in this sadistically governed world. He returns, no more a suffering servant, but a sin conquering Saviour: “And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS;” “and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.” “Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power.” Rev.19:16; 17:14; 20:6.

     “The first resurrection” is for the righteous—those who looked to Jesus: His Holy life as their life: His death as their death: His resurrection as their resurrection: to be their life’s most endearing Companion, to be their wisdom, and their hope, as they longed to see fulfilled every childhood dream that this world mockingly denied them.

     When He comes everyone will know Him. When He comes mountains melt like wax. When He comes His Voice speaks to those He loves. The Word that spoke every star and planet into being will call forth His own: “He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that he may judge his people. Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.” “In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.” Ps.50:4,5; I Cor.15:52 In this, Jesus has promised: “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.” Matt.28:18.

     All of the faithful within our families and friends, who were separated by death will come forth. “And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.” Matt.24:31. The guardian angels of the saints will come and stand at their side saying, “Fear not,” and then carry the saints up, up into the sky “to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” I Thess.4:17. At the angel’s voice, each saint will say, “I know your voice. It is very familiar.” The guardian angel will respond, “I’ve been speaking to your whole life.”

     No matter where the dead may be: beneath a tombstone, in a cremation urn or the bottom of the sea, our “GOD is able to call unto the stones to raise up children unto Abraham.” Lu.3:8. And then there are the tragic losses of the mothers who had abortions, stillborns, disease laden babies. Angels will carry these little ones to mothers’ arms, and up they ascend with all the others to join Jesus in the clouds. And from there travel through space to our heavenly home: “new Jerusalem” to remain there for a thousand years.

     As the saints become acquainted with their homes: homes and communities that will stand “for ever and ever,” the Judgment of Satan, demons and unrepentant men is to take place: “Do ye not know that the saints shall judge this world...Know ye not that we shall judge angels?” I Cor.6:2,3. “A thousand years” is prophesied to review the history of sin where every question will be answered concerning GOD’S response to the defiance of Satan and men to His infinite love and desire to serve the wellbeing of His children. His decisions will be vindicated in every case showing that GOD always worked redemptively in the lives of angels and men, proving beyond a shadow of doubt the truth of John’s words, “God is love” (I Jn.4:8).