“I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony for Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or his image and had not received his mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years.” – Revelation 20:4

On November 4, 1922, British archeologist Howard Carter discovered the intact tomb of Egyptian Pharaoh Tutankhamen. Sealed and remaining undisturbed in Egypt’s Valley of the Kings since 1323 B.C., the tomb yielded thousands of objects of the boy king, including golden throne, couches, royal robes, golden shrine, wishing cup perfume vases, necklaces, decorative pectoral, gold pendants, alabaster vases, caskets, chest, stools, chairs, hassocks, weapons, chariots, statues, figurines, faience cups, corselets, sandals, ornate sticks, whips, bows, gloves, fruit baskets, model boats, paintings, boomerangs, and games. One of the objects discovered during the excavation were dried, purple seeds. The seeds were cataloged with the other artifacts and stored for several years. After World War II, the seeds were distributed to museums around the world. A dozen or so seeds made their way to the Suzuka Municipal Museum of Archeology in Japan. In 1998, Kunihiko Murayama an official of the Suzuka municipal government planted some of the seeds. In April 2001, three different plants sprouted from the seeds. Yielding a purple flower and with purple pods, these seeds that were dead for more than 3,000 had come to life.

One day all of those who had died in Christ will come to life and reign with Christ. Today in prayer, give thanks to the Lord that death is not the end. Give thanks that there is eternal life in Jesus.

“The seed dies into a new life and so does man.” – George McDonald

God’s Word: “I tell you the truth, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live.” – John 5:25

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2002, Devotional E-Mail DEVOTIONS IN REVELATION pkennedy@devotional.com