At his first advent our Lord’s miracles foreshadowed the great work which he, with his glorified Church, will accomplish for the world during the Millennium — then all the sick, lame, blind and deaf will be revived and, if obedient, will be brought ultimately to full perfection. The disobedient will be destroyed in the Second death. The most notable miracle which our Lord performed was the awakening of Lazarus, his friend. Jesus was gone several days when Lazarus took sick and, of course, knew about the matter. Nevertheless Martha and Mary sent him a special message, saying, “Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.” (John 11:3) They knew of Jesus’ power to heal, even by the word of his mouth. They had faith that if he could help strangers, he would surely be glad to assist his friend. But Jesus remained where he was and allowed Lazarus to die and a rude shock to come to the dear sisters. Then he said to his disciples, “Our friend Lazarus sleepeth.” (John 11:11) Then, coming down to their comprehension, he added, “Lazarus is dead. And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there.” — John 11:14,15.

He was glad to let his friend fall asleep in death because it would provide a special opportunity for a special miracle. Then, with his disciples, he began the three-days’ journey to Bethany. We cannot blame the sorrowing sisters that they felt hurt that the Messiah should apparently neglect their interests. They knew that he had the power to relieve them. Martha’s gentle reproof was, “Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise  again  in  the  resurrection  at  the last day.” (John 11:21,23,24)

Notice that our Lord did not say, “Thy brother is not dead; thy brother is more alive than he ever was; he is in heaven or in purgatory.” Nothing of the kind! Purgatory had not yet been invented, and he knew nothing of it. And as for heaven our Lord’s testimony is, in our text, “No man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven.” Martha was also well informed. The errors of the “dark ages” had not yet supplanted the truth. Her hope for her brother was the Scriptural one — that he would rise in the resurrection, in the last day, the Millennial day, the  seventh of the great thousand-year days from creation.

Our Lord explained that the power of resurrection was vested in himself, that he was there with her, and could give relief to them without waiting. Martha told our Lord that it was too late, that putrefaction had set in by this time. But Jesus insisted on seeing the tomb and when he arrived at it, he said, “Lazarus, come forth.” And we read, “He that was dead came forth.” (John 11:43,44) Mark well that it was not the living that came forth, but that Lazarus was really dead. Mark well that he was not called from heaven nor from purgatory.