Jesus died, was buried, and for three days remained in the grave, but the first day of the week, death could not hold Him any longer; the tomb could not contain Him anymore, and had to give way to the risen Christ. He came back from the grave to reclaim His former glory which He had before the foundation of the world. After His resurrection, He said to His disciples: “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth” (Matt. 28:18). Paul also says that after His humiliation:
“God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Phil. 2:9–11, NRSV).
Jesus resurrected with a glorified body, with which He ascended to heaven. He was not confined anymore. He was not limited as we are. The same John who saw the glory of Jesus before His death, had a different sight of the glorified Jesus with all His splendor and glory in heaven. This is how he describes Him:
“In the midst of the lampstands I saw one like the Son of Man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash across his chest. His head and his hair were white as white wool, white as snow; his eyes were like a flame of fire, his feet were like burnished bronze, refined as in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of many waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, and from his mouth came a sharp, two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining with full force” (Rev. 1:1–16, NRSV).
John’s reaction after seeing the glorified Jesus was:
“When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he placed his right hand on me, saying, “Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, and the living one. I was dead, and see, I am alive forever and ever; and I have the keys of Death and of Hades” (Rev. 1:17-18, NRSV).
What an affirmation for John. “I was dead, and see, I am alive forever and ever.” No more confinement. No more restraint. This is Jesus in His full glory, power, and dominion. But Jesus never stops surprising us, since, now, voluntarily, He lives in us, through His Holy Spirit. All the power of God is living in us.
The first coming of Jesus to this world was like a baby. But Jesus is not a baby anymore. He is the King of kings and Lord of lords. He is the Lion of the tribe of Judah. Let’s remember that He is coming back soon for us.
Let’s join John in Revelation who says: “The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come.’ And let everyone who hears say, ‘Come.’ And let everyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who wishes take the water of life as a gift.” Let’s also join Jesus, who reaffirms His promise of coming back. “The one who testifies to these things says, ‘Surely I am coming soon.'” And we respond: “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!” (Rev. 22:17–20, NRSV).
Reprinted with permission from Church of God of Prophecy’s White Wing Messenger.
Janet Perez Eckles 
Shawn Akers 
Abby Trivett 
