DANIEL 12:2 : And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, some to shame and everlasting contempt.
In a cemetery in Hanover, Germany, is a grave covered with huge slabs of granite and marble and fastened with heavy steel clasps.
It belongs to a woman who did not believe in the resurrection of the dead. Yet she directed in her will that her grave be made so secure that if there were a resurrection, it could not reach her. In time, however, a seed began to grow and push its way out from beneath the slabs.
As the trunk enlarged, the stones were gradually shifted, and the steel clasps were wrenched from their sockets. But the dynamic life force contained in that little seed is only a faint reflection of the tremendous power of God’s creative word that someday will call to life the bodies of all who are in their graves. Willing or not, they will be resurrected.
A messenger from God revealed, this same truth to Daniel. As this angelic messenger opened the door to the hallway of time, he revealed to the prophet many things: the rise and fall of various kingdoms, the Invasion of the army from the North and, ultimately, the resurrection of the dead.
For those, who are prepared, whose names are written in the Book of Life, it is a resurrection to everlasting life. For those unprepared, it is a resurrection to everlasting shame and contempt.
This Old Testament message is also echoed throughout the New Testament. The apostle Paul declared that “the dead in Christ will rise first” (1 Thess. 4:16), while the apostle John saw the dead who were “judged, each one according to his works” (Rev. 20:13).
There is no way that you can avoid the resurrection, but you can be ready for it. Make sure that your name is written in the Book of Life. If you haven’t done so already, receive Jesus Christ as your Savior and be ready and willing for what is sure to come.
ONLY A FOOL FAILS TO PREPARE FOR WHAT HE KNOWS IS COMING.