Resurrection of the Dead

Since childhood, whenever we hear of the second coming of Jesus, scary events play in our heads as a result of movies we have watched about the end times. Many believers do not anticipate the second coming of Christ because of the stories they have been told concerning it. This article seeks to relay the word of God concerning His second coming and how we are to prepare for it.

What is resurrection?

One of the basic principles of the doctrine of Christ outlined in Hebrews 6:1 is the resurrection of the dead. The word resurrection is from the Greek word “anastasis” and it means to rise up or stand up again. When a person dies, his or her family and friends cry because they think they will never see the person again and relate with them as they could while the person lived. The real fact is that we shall all resurrect on the last day. As believers, we must know that death is not the end of life; there is the day of resurrection where the dead will be resurrected.

1 Corinthians 15:12 Now if Christ is preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?

John 11:24  Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. KJV

Two aspects of the resurrection

1. Resurrection life.  When you become born again, you receive life. This life you receive is the death-conquering life of Christ; the kind that made Him conquer death. That is the same life He has given to us. It is eternal life.

2. Resurrection is the hope of the Church. The Hope of the church is our belief that Christ is the Son of God; that He died and was resurrected on the third day; that He ascended to heaven and He shall one day come for us.

1 Peter 1:3 KJV

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead

1 John 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see Him as he is.

The word “appear” is the Greek word Phanerosis and it means to make open or declare openly what was hidden before. Christ exists but He is not visible to the human eye. Only those who lived at the time of Christ saw Him and He will appear one day for all men to see Him; this is the hope of the Church.

Titus 2:11-13 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,

¹² Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

¹³ Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; KJV

Types of salvation

1. Initial Salvation – This is the salvation of the spirit, expressed through faith and it is done for our spirit. Christ obtained eternal redemption for us when we became born again and got saved.

Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God

2. Progressive salvation – This is the salvation of the soul and it is experienced through love. This is why as believers, we need to be together, correcting one another, relating with each other, and experiencing the Spirit together.

The Salvation of your soul is not yet complete; it is a gradual process, i.e, progressive. As Christians, we should align ourselves with the word of God so that the Word will work on our souls and get them to become saved. Progressive salvation is done through love. Every Christian after being born-again, must grow and mature. Your maturity is dependent on your love for God, the brethren, ministers, etc. You must love your neighbor as yourself and be kind to them.

1 Corinthians 13:13 ISV Right now three things remain faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Luke 10:27 And he answering said Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself.

The fact that we are born again is not the end. Every born-again Christian yearns for adoption (the maturing of the sons of God). There are two kinds of sons of God: son of God by birth and son of God by virtue of growth and maturity

James 1:18 ISV In accordance with his will, he made us his children by the word of truth, so that we might become the most important of his creatures.

3. Completive salvation- This kind of salvation is for our body and it is done through hope.

Romans 8:24-25 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
²³ But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

When we take a closer look at the world today, it can be seen that everything in it is desiring deliverance from bondage. For instance, lions were not created to eat flesh, the man was not supposed to grow old and die nor the plants to wither and die. However, we experience these because when Adam sinned, all of creation became subject to decay. The work Christ came to do on the cross of Calvary is what has given us the hope that one day we will join God in heaven without experiencing any form of decay as we did on earth.

This salvation is done for our bodies. As believers, we must grow in the Lord and as we do so our bodies will be redeemed. The same body we have today will change, it will not be limited by time, space, sickness, or tiredness. Our bodies shall be transformed! Hallelujah!

Philippians 3:20-21 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
²¹  Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself

Heaven is both a place and a state. Although we may not find ourselves physically present in heaven, we can be in heaven spiritually by letting our minds focus on the fact that God has placed us in heavenly places. Many times, believers question their righteousness. They tend to consider themselves unworthy of the presence of God. Our salvation is not by our works but by grace. It is God’s gift to us and so we must gladly accept it without question.

Ephesians 2:5-6 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved). And hath raised us up together and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus

Colossians 3:1  If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God

WILL OUR BODIES BE RESURRECTED?

Everyone is made up of a spirit, a soul and we live in a body. All three are important in the makeup of everyone. It is the same body we have now that will be raised from the dead. The body Christ died with was the same body he resurrected with. That’s why it is important to keep your body well and not defile it while you are alive. The body is not for fornication but for the lord.

1 Corinthians 6:12 All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any

We have to be careful of what we do with our bodies. What many people do not know is that the body can lead you to hell and not even be there with you when you suffer; your soul will be the one to experience all the pain. Therefore, do not let your body take you to hell by reason of the ungodly things you do with it.

Many people hide under the abundant grace of God and sin because they believe God is gentle and will always be patient with them. It is very true that the abundant grace of God works for everyone, however, God is both a father and the judge of the universe. Imagine your father being a judge in court. He sentences people to prison but at home, he is a very kind and loving father. The same applies to God. Thus, you should never think you can always hide under the umbrella of grace to sin.

Types of Resurrection

There are two kinds of people who shall be resurrected. They are the just and the unjust.

Act 24:14-15 But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:
15  And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.

The resurrection of the unjust.

The unjust are those who did not give their lives to Christ. There are two groups of people who will be dealt with: those who died before and after Christ. All the unjust who are dead shall be brought back to life. The resurrection of the unjust is also called everlasting shame and contempt or the resurrection unto damnation.

And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.  And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament, and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever.Daniel 12:2‭-‬3 KJV

The unjust shall be brought back to life and cast into the lake of fire. They are resurrected but unto damnation. God will check on that day if their righteousness on earth measures up to that of Christ and that will in no way be possible. That’s why we must accept God’s righteousness by faith through grace.

John 5:28-29 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,
29  And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation

The resurrection of the just.

It is also known as the resurrection unto life. This resurrection is for Christians and occurs 1000 years before the resurrection of the unjust. (Luke 14:13-14)

Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,   And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
John 5:28‭-‬29 KJV

Abraham’s Bosom

When Jesus resurrected, He did so with all the righteous souls who had died before his coming to earth. This is called the First Fruit Resurrection. These dead people had been kept in a place called Abraham’s Bosom which is one of the five chambers of the land of the dead as follows:

1. Paradise (which later became Abraham’s bosom)
2. Hell
3. Tartarus where angels more wicked than satan are kept.
4. The lake of fire

But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.  For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.1 Corinthians 15:20‭-‬21 KJV

2 Peter 2:4 For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;

      5. Abossus/Abyss- It is also called the bottomless pit.

Revelations 20:1 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.

The feasts of Israel and their significance in Christ’s death and resurrection.

1. Feast of Passover – The Passover started when Israel and Moses were going out of Egypt; they killed a lamb and marked their doorpost with its blood so that the spirit of death would not enter their homes. The lamb killed during Passover was called the paschal lamb and it was killed at 3 pm. Christ died as a Paschal lamb (without blemish) He also died at 3 pm to fulfill the Passover.
2. Feast of unleavened bread – The word unleavened means without sin.

Your glory is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?  Purge out, therefore, the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ, our Passover is sacrificed for us:1 Corinthians 5:6‭-‬7 KJV

Christ was without malice or sin and so in His burial, He fulfilled the feast of the unleavened bread.

3. Feast of the sheaf of the first fruit of barley.

This feast is found in Leviticus 23:10 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye come into the land which I give unto you and shall reap the harvest thereof, then ye shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest unto the priest:

During this feast, someone goes to the field and harvests matured barley, bundles it together and adds a lamb, and sacrifices it to God. The sheaf of the first fruit of the barley is all the people Christ resurrected with. This feast is a remarkable and prophetic typology of the resurrection of Jesus Christ (With the saints who were in Abraham’s bosom) and His ascension to the Father.

1 Corinthians 15:20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.

Act 1:9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.

Cloud represents a cloud of witnesses; the saints.  

Jude 1:14 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,

Christ is seen as the first fruit, the firstborn of Mary, the first one to resurrect, and the firstborn from the dead. (Colossians 1:18)

Revelation 1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood

Will the resurrection really happen?

A lot of things in the Bible seem like they are just stories but they will really happen because God means everything He put in His written Word. Many people do not believe in the resurrection. Noah preached for 120 years that the rain was going to come but the people did not believe him. They called him insane and ridiculed him because they had never seen rain. We expect to be taken; we will all receive our resurrected bodies as children of God.

Christ’s second coming is in two folds: The Private coming and the public coming of Christ.

For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.  For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:  Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.1 Thessalonians 4:15‭-‬18 KJ

In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
1 Corinthians 15:52 KJV

Facts you should know about the Raptures

There are types of harvest (Raptures). We will all not go at the same time. Those who are more mature will be resurrected first. Jesus will not come for a Church that is not mature. Maturity is needed. Those who are not mature will be put under pressure to mature faster and that pressure is the great tribulation.

1. The first fruit of the harvest
2. The harvest of harvest
3. The gleaning of the corners

These are raptures, according to the Bible.

Only those living in expectation of the Lord will be raptured. After being taken, there will be differences in the resurrected body. Our resurrected bodies are not going to be the same. Your resurrection is dependent on you and what you did in your time on earth. (1 Corinthians 15:52-54)

Types of Bodies

There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another.  There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory.1 Corinthians 15:40‭-‬41 KJV

For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.  For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:
2 Corinthians 5:1‭-‬2 KJV

1. Celestial bodies – this is the glorified body we will receive at the resurrection

• It is glorious. It has the glory of God but in different degrees.
• It is eternal
• It is not limited by space or time
• It is made up of flesh and bones but has no blood.
• It is not vulnerable to sickness
• It does not grow old
• Does not need food to survive

2. Terrestrial bodies – the body we live with on earth

• It is limited by time
• It has blood and is therefore vulnerable to sickness and disease.
• It needs food to survive.

Other important facts and tips to note about the resurrection

• (Daniel 12:2-3) the resurrection is for Christians but some will shine like stars, moon, and sun. Those who do nothing for the lord will be “naked” on that day. (2 Corinthians 5:3)

• (Matthew 13:40-43) Time is for sowing and eternity is for reaping (Galatians 6:7) What you do today will determine how glorious your resurrected body will be.
• You must be involved in what God is involved in. You should work for the salvation of many and raise them in the Lord. You must work for the Lord and walk in love.
• (Ephesians 5:1) Jesus left His glory to walk on the earth in order to get us saved. Do not spend your time doing unnecessary things.
• Serve the Lord; figure out by the help of the Holy Spirit, what will please God and do it.
• As Christians, we must make the most of everything we get because these are desperate times; the days are evil and this is the time we can make our lives valuable for God.
• Do something with your life! Philippians 3:10
• Read Romans 13:8-14 and 1 Thessalonians 5:4-11 to know what to do with your time

If Christ comes today where will you go? If you do not have the resurrection in mind, you will not live as you were made to live. Refuse to live a wasteful life. Start living for the Lord today.

For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,  Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;  Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
Titus 2:11‭-‬13 KJV

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