13. The Resurrection of the Dead

 

 

A. Introduction

 

                  Jesus’ resurrection is significant, and separates Jesus from all the false messiahs and prophets, for none of them have been resurrected from the dead  -  Rom.1:4.

                  1Cor.15:20-23 shows clearly, that Jesus is both the Pioneer and Forerunner of all believers, who will all be resurrected like He was.

                  There will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked (Acts 24:14-16, see also 1Pet.1: 3-5). This is vitally important for our faith, as it gives us an eternal perspective of  life : our hope!

                  John 11: 25, 26  -  Jesus said to her: “I am the Resurrection and the Life.  He who believes in Me, will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in Me, will never die. Do you believe this?”  It is through faith in Jesus, that we have a hope of resurrection  -  a resurrection into eternal life with Him. Do you believe this?  is  a question we all need to ask.

 

 

B. What happens at death?  -  (for believers)

 

                2Cor. 5:8  -  Death is being absent from the body and present with the Lord in our heavenly dwelling.

                Phil.1: 21  -  For me to die is gain.

                Matt. 22: 31-32  -  Death is not annihilation or ceasing to exist, but living forever in the Presence of the Lord.

                Luke 16:19-31  -  Here we have an insight into where Abraham was, as well as the whereabouts of the other dead. This is not a parable, because names are used.

                Eph. 4: 8-10  -  With the resurrection Jesus led the believers who had died up to that point to another place on high, now called paradise (Luke 23: 42, 43), and it forms part of heaven (2Cor.12:1-4).

                Rev. 6: 9-11  -  It is a state of consciousness, active memory, emotions and discussions, etc.

 

 

C. What sort of beings will we be when resurrected?

 

                  1Cor.15: 35-58  -  We will have imperishable, immortal, spiritual bodies, not consisting of flesh and blood (v. 50).

                  Luke 20: 29-38  -  Life for us in heaven will not be like it is here on earth.

 

Note the grain-principle, presented in 1Cor.15: 35-58, which teaches us the following: 

                A direct continuity between what is planted and dies, and what comes up. The basic material of the original seed is still contained in the plant that grows out of the buried seed.

                Definite changes occur in the plant that grows up out of the seed, in form and appearance.

                The nature of the original seed determines the nature of the plant that grows up out of it, e.g. a person buried in a lost state will rise to a state lost to God;  a redeemed person rises to live in God’s Presence, cf. Acts 10:41, Phil. 3: 20-21, 1John 3:2.

 

 

D. Who will be resurrected?

 

                  John 5:25-29  -  Everyone will be resurrected, some to eternal life with God, and the rest to judgment and damnation.

                  1Thess. 4:13-18, Rev. 20:1-6  -  The resurrection of those in Christ  is the first resurrection; this occurs, when He comes again, where we will be with Him forever.

                  Rev. 20:11-15  -  The resurrection of those outside Christ, the unbelievers; they will be resurrected to be judged and sent to an eternal condemnation.