The Special Resurrection of the Unjust

[devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org]

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Ellen G. White Estate, Devotional for October 1
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The Special Resurrection of the Unjust

Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they
also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because
of him. Even so, Amen. Rev. 1:7. 


"They also which pierced him" (Revelation 1:7), those that mocked and
derided Christ's dying agonies, and the most violent opposers of His
truth and His people, are raised to behold Him in His glory and to see
the honor placed upon the loyal and obedient. 

[At His trial], Caiaphas, raising his right hand toward heaven,
addressed Jesus in the form of a solemn oath: "I adjure thee by the
living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of
God." . . . 

Every ear was bent to listen, and every eye was fixed on His face as He
answered, "Thou hast said." A heavenly light seemed to illuminate His
pale countenance as He added, "Nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter
shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and
coming in the clouds of heaven." 

For a moment the divinity of Christ flashed through His guise of
humanity. The high priest quailed before the penetrating eyes of the
Savior. . . . For a moment he felt as if standing before the eternal
Judge, whose eye, which sees all things, was reading his soul, bringing
to light mysteries supposed to be hidden with the dead. 

The scene passed from the priest's vision. . . . Rending his robe, . . .
he demanded that . . . the prisoner be condemned for blasphemy. "What
further need have we of witnesses?" he said; "behold, now ye have heard
his blasphemy. What think ye?" And they all condemned Him. 

Thus the Jewish leaders made their choice. Their decision was registered
in the book which John saw in the hand of Him that sat upon the throne,
the book which no man could open. In all its vindictiveness this
decision will appear before them in the day when this book is unsealed
by the Lion of the tribe of Judah. 

When Christ comes the second time, not as a prisoner surrounded by a
rabble will they see Him. They will see Him as heaven's King. . . . Then
the priests and rulers will remember distinctly the scene in the
judgment hall. Every circumstance will appear before them as if written
in letters of fire.

>From Maranatha - Page 282