In this gospel the word “hour,” or “day” is used sometimes to denote a period of time, not a literal hour, or day. “But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.” (Chap. 4:21, 23.) “Verily, verily, I say unto you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God; and they that hear shall live.” Now this “hour,” of which the Lord spoke, has lasted more than eighteen hundred years. There is no true worship but that which is in spirit and truth, and still dead sinners are made to hear the voice of the Son of God and live. Now all this is connected with the Person of Christ the Son of God!
The full revelation of the taking of the church as a part of the first resurrection, was not yet given. But the distinction of the two resurrections is clearly implied, “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 [or judgment].” (Chap. 5:28, 29.) Who can describe the immense difference of these two resurrections? Oh, my reader, which will be your portion? Should you die, or fall asleep, will you hear the welcome voice of Jesus calling you to the resurrection of life?
Since there have been eighteen hundred years in the “hour” of worship, and the “hour” of gospel spiritual resurrection, there is no difficulty in finding a thousand years between the first resurrection to life, and the second, the resurrection unto judgment, described in Rev. 20.
I need not point out how often the word “day” is used in scripture to denote a period of time. The day of the Lord. The day of salvation, &c. It was the Jewish habit to use it as referring to the last period of time. As Martha said to Jesus, “I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” (John 11:2424Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. (John 11:24)) You will find “day” used in this gospel the same as “hour,” to denote a period of time. “At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father,” &c. (Chap. 14:20.) “At that day ye shall ask in my name,” &c. (Chap. 16:26.) That blessed “day” of intimacy with the Father and the Son continues, and will continue all through this period of grace.
Now let us turn to chapter 6:SO. What is the subject? The glorious truth that there is a company out of this sinful world given of the Father to the Son; and the absolute fact that not one of them shall be lost, no, not to the very end of their time here below, even to the last period, the last “day.” A precious privilege is indicated: Jesus says, “I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.” What is on His heart is, that He will Himself raise it up again. He uses the usual word “last day,” but what is so dear to Him is that He will do it. As He says again, “And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.” Oh, may we not trust this precious Savior? What joy it gives Him to declare the will of the Father that sent Him for our exceeding comfort. Do you say, Is it true of me? He says, “That every one that seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life.” or eternal life. If you believe Him, with what joy will He raise you from among the dead at His coming. Thus, should you die, it will not alter the question of your blessed security in Christ.
Other scriptures will fully explain the difference between the two resurrections. In Luke 20 It is quite clear there is a resurrection of great privilege. Some will “be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead” (or from among the dead). Again, what gave offense to the Jews was that the apostles “taught the people, and preached, through Jesus, the resurrection from [among] the dead.” (Acts 4:22Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead. (Acts 4:2).) Paul says, “If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection from among the dead,” as it should read. (Phil. 3:1111If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. (Philippians 3:11).) “And the dead in Christ shall rise first.” (1 Thess. 4:1616For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: (1 Thessalonians 4:16).) “But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection,” &c. (Rev. 20:5, 65But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. (Revelation 20:5‑6).) May our hearts rest in the sure words of Jesus; apart from Him, what a dark uncertain future. Yes, He will have the joy of raising up from among the dead all that the Father hath given unto Him.
That bright and blessed morn is near
When He the Bridegroom shall appear.
And call His bride away.
Her blessing then shall be complete,
“When with her Lord she takes her seat
In everlasting day.
Ο may this hope our spirits cheer,
While waiting for our Savior here;
He said, I’ll come again.”
Ο may our hearts look for that day,
And to His word responsive say,
“Come, Jesus, Lord, Amen,”