Resurrection
Resurrection
INTRODUCTION
Notes taken from "Handfuls on Purpose," Vol. 9, pages 170-173; "The Christian After Death," by R. E. Hough; "The Resurrection of the Human Body," by N. H. Camp. At the parting with a loved one several questions come to our mind that demand answers: Job 14:14, "If a man die, shall he live again?"
Job answers his own question in Job 19:26, "And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God."
What becomes of the body at death? Will a lame, ugly man of 80 look that way in the resurrection? Will the body burned in an accident be like that forever? Do both the believers and the unbelievers get new bodies? Will we recognize one another in heaven? Yes, because:
We will be known there as we were known on earth. 1 Corinthians 13:12, "For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. "
Our names are recorded in heaven and we will be known by these names. For example, Moses and Elijah in Matthew 17:1-27 were known by their earthly names.
The rich man recognized Lazarus in Luke 16:23.
The disciples recognized Jesus after His resurrection.
On earth we recognize people with our imperfect faculties. There our faculties will be perfect. Peter, James and John recognized Moses and Elijah in Matthew 17:4, though they had never met before.
THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST
There were some in Corinth who taught that Jesus did not rise from the dead, 1 Corinthians 15:1-58.
Paul gives a definite answer in 1 Corinthians 15:20, "But now is Christ risen from the dead."
There were many who witnessed Jesus’ bodily resurrection.
Jesus first appeared to Mary Magdalene, John 20:17.
Jesus appeared to the women, Mark 16:1-3.
Jesus appeared to Peter, Mark 16:7; See also Luke 24:34.
The disciples on the Emmaus Road, Luke 24:16.
The eleven disciples, Luke 24:33. See also Acts 1:23-26.
The disciples including Thomas in the upper room, John 20:25-28.
The disciples at the sea of Tiberias, John 21:1.
To the eleven disciples on the mountain, Matthew 28:16.
To five hundred brethren, 1 Corinthians 15:6.
To the eleven at Bethany where He ascended, Luke 24:36-51.
THE RESURRECTION HOPE, 1 Corinthians 15:17-18.
Our entire faith rests or falls with the resurrection. If Christ did not die and was not raised from the dead, then:
Your faith is vain.
Ye are yet in your sins.
All who have died have perished.
Then there will be no future reunions with loved ones.
BUT CHRIST DID RISE FROM THE DEAD.
Because Jesus rose we have a positive hope of reunion.
Because Jesus rose from the dead, every man, woman, and child shall rise from the dead.
THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD The resurrection seems to be in stages:
Christ, the firstfruits, was the first to rise, 1 Corinthians 15:20.
Matthew 27:52-53, "And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, and came out of the graves after His resurrection and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many."
The resurrection of life. 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, 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."
Revelation 20:5, "But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection." This coincides with the rapture.
The resurrection of damnation. John 5:29, quoted above.
Revelation 20:13, "And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them. . ."
Therefore all MUST and SHALL rise from the dead. Some will rise to eternal blessing, while others will rise and be cast into hell forever.
THE RESURRECTION BODY, 1 Corinthians 15:35-49.
There are some who deny the resurrection of the body, saying that the post-resurrection product will be a spirit only.
1 Corinthians 15:44 says it is raised a spiritual body, not a spirit without a body.
1 Corinthians 15:35 asks two questions: "How are the dead raised up?" By God’s power "and with what body do they come?" Then Paul proceeds to answer the question:
It is not the same body, 1 Corinthians 15:37. The dead body is like a seed planted in the ground and the plant is different from the seed that was planted.
The crippled or burned body at death will not be like that in the resurrection. It will germinate and mature as the other bodies.
There will be no aged, deformed, crippled or ugly bodies in heaven.
It is a God-given body, 1 Corinthians 15:38. It is according to the sovereign will of God . 1 John 3:2 ,"When He shall appear, we shall be like Him." (that is, perfect.)
It will be a body suited in every way to the individual spirit, verse 38, "...to every seed his own body." 1 Corinthians 15:41-42, the stars differ, and so will our bodies.
It will be an incorruptible body, 1 Corinthians 15:42. This body will be incapable of death or decay. Those condemned in hell will need this kind of body to endure forever and forever in hell. This human body would disintegrate there.
It will be glorious body, 1 Corinthians 15:43. Probably like the glorious bodies in Matthew 17 at the Transfiguration-Radiant in white glory.
It will be a body of power. 1 Corinthians 15:43. It will not be subject to the laws of earth. Jesus’ body passed through locked doors and solid walls. Jesus ascended easily.
It will be a spiritual body, 1 Corinthians 15:44. Jesus’ earthly body was one of flesh, blood and bones. . Jesus’ resurrection body had Hest and bones but it did not have blood. The blood was poured out on the cross. Luke 24:39, "Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself: handle Me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see Me have."
After this Jesus ate fish and an honeycomb, Luke 21 :42,43.
THE RESURRECTION MYSTERY, 1 Corinthians 15:51-54.
The mystery: It is not necessary for all of us to die. Some will be alive when Jesus returns and will be raptured. The living shall be changed, 1 Corinthians 15:52, "And we shall be changed" proving that the resurrection body is different, yet likely similar ,to our present bodies. The living body must put on incorruption, 1 Corinthians 15:52; and immortality, 1 Corinthians 15:53.
THE RESURRECTION SONG, 1 Corinthians 15:54-57.
1 Corinthians 15:54 --death is swallowed up in victory.
1 Corinthians 15:55 --the sting of death is gone.
1 Corinthians 15:55 -the grave has lost its victory.
1 Corinthians 15:57 -victory is ours through Christ.
CONCLUSION The wicked dead will rise with eternal, incorruptible bodies, but likely minus the glorious aspect of the bodies of the saints.
Norman H. Camp describes the bodies of the resurrection damned as "bodies of abhorrence" Isaiah 66:23-24.
REVIEW QUESTIONS
Give 5 reasons why we believe that we will recognize one another in heaven.
How do we mow that Christ rose from the dead?
What would be the 4 tragedies if Jesus had not risen from the dead?
List the 4 stages of resurrection.
Tell 7 things about the resurrection body from 1 Corinthians 15:35-49.
What is the mystery of 1 Corinthians 15:51-54?
Name the four facts of the resurrection song.
Describe the resurrection bodies of the unsaved.
Give one valid reason why a person would reject a glorified body and choose a "body of abhorrence. "