Recently, I preached a sermon on the topic of the resurrections (note the plurality). We often focus on the resurrection of Jesus (and so we should) but the Word of God also tells us about the resurrection of mankind, some to the resurrection of life and others to the resurrection of condemnation (John 5:29). In Daniel 12:3 we read something similar: “Any many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, some to shame and everlasting contempt.”
Within Jewish tradition, the resurrection of the dead is one of the core principles of faith. In fact, according to the thirteen principles of faith composed by Maimonides, number thirteen is the belief in the resurrection of the dead. It reads: “I believe by complete faith that there will be a resurrection of the dead at the time that will be pleasing before the Creator, blessed be His name, and the remembrance of Him will be exalted forever and for all eternity.” On the website, Jews for Judaism, they pose an interesting question: Will non-Jews be resurrected? Their answer is as follows: “It is not clear whether only Jews, or all people, are expected to be resurrected at this time. With the Jewish commentaries, there are a variety of different options. There are indeed ancient Jewish sources that teach that non-Jews will be resurrected as well.” One theory is that Jews and righteous Gentiles will take part in the resurrection. Another commentator claims that all people will be resurrected and since all will acknowledge and believe in God, they will realise their mistake and worship Him after their resurrection. However, the Word of God is very clear on this topic, so let’s take the opportunity to understand what the Scriptures actually say.
Three of the most comforting words in Scripture were spoken on that blessed resurrection morning – He is risen! That great and miraculous event is central to our faith and it is why the gospel doesn’t just refer to the shed blood of Jesus but also to His resurrection. Our hope is not only in the fact Jesus died for us. Our hope is also in the fact that Jesus lives! But that is not just the hope of Christians in the modern age, this has been the hope of ages past. Job 19:25-27 says: “For I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on the earth; and after my skin is destroyed, this I know, that in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!”
But although Jewish tradition states there will be one general resurrection, this is contrary to Scripture. 1 Corinthians 15:22-23 reads: “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming.” So, since there is clearly an order to the resurrections, let’s outline what they are.
Christ The Firstfruits
The Scriptures affirm, through the reference to firstfruits that the resurrection harvest into glorified bodies could not take place until Christ was resurrected. Why was this concept connected to the Feast of Firstfruits (Leviticus 23:9-14)? Just as the first portion of the harvest anticipated the full harvest still to come, the resurrection of Jesus anticipated the full resurrection to come for all those who are part of the first resurrection (ie. the resurrection to life).
After the resurrection of Jesus, Matthew 27:50-53 tells us that some Old Testament saints were resurrected. Did they receive glorified bodies and ascend with Jesus at His ascension or were they raised into their natural bodies and die again? We cannot say for sure. However, what we know is that these saints were raised in order to testify to those in Jerusalem that Jesus Christ had victory over death and that He indeed was the Messiah. It likely also testified to what Jesus had spoken about in John 5:24-29, being a foretaste of what was ultimately to come.
Church-Age Believers
The next resurrection event is something we speak about quite often – the rapture of the church. This event, which we believe will occur prior to the Tribulation Period, will involve church-age saints who have died in Christ and those who are alive at the time. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17: “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.” When will this take place? God does not provide us with a date. He only asks that we wait and understand that the rapture is ever imminent!
The Two Witnesses
The next resurrection is usually overlooked in favour of what happens at the end of the Tribulation Period, but it certainly does fit the category of a resurrection, and since we are following the specific order of resurrections, I think it is important to mention it. In Revelation 11, we see an overview of the ministry, death, and resurrection of the two witnesses. In order to show contempt to the dead witnesses, their bodies will be left in the streets of Jerusalem for three and a half days. However, God raises them up. Imagine the surprise of the wicked when these men rise to their feet and God takes them to heaven!
Old Testament Saints
There is a beautiful promise in Isaiah 26:19: “Your dead shall live; together with my dead body they shall arise. Awake and sing, you who dwell in dust; for your dew is like the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead.” Although some believe that all Old Testament saints were raised at the time of Matthew 27:50-53, it is my conviction that the resurrection of Old Testament saints occurs at the end of Daniel’s 70th week (ie. the end of the Tribulation Period). I hold that position because of Daniel 12:13: “But you, go your way till the end; for you shall rest, and will arise to your inheritance at the end of the days.” What days? The days spoken of in the preceding two verses (Daniel 12:11-12) – the final days of Daniel’s 70th week, leading into the Millennial Kingdom.
Tribulation Saints
There will be many people martyred during the Tribulation Period and although some believe that they receive their glorified bodies immediately upon death, I hold to the view that they will experience their resurrection at the same time as the Old Testament saints. Revelation 20:4 reads: “And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgement was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshipped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.”
Millennial Saints
Death during the Millennial Kingdom will be quite rare, considering life spans will return to those experienced prior to the Flood. So, the issue of the death of a millennial saint is not specifically addressed in Scripture but we could apply some principles from other parts of the first resurrection. Chiefly, either that the particular saint receives their body immediately or receives it at the conclusion of the Millennial Kingdom. Whatever the case, because the eternal state follows the Millennial Kingdom, a glorified body is required for the eternal state because 1 Corinthians 15:50 says: “Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption.” So, glorification would have to occur, at the very latest, immediately prior to the eternal state commencing.
The Second Resurrection
Well, I am sure all of you are looking forward to a resurrection into your glorified bodies. But there will also be a resurrection for unbelievers (Revelation 20:11-15). They too need a resurrected body for the eternal state – one which will be subject to God’s everlasting punishment because they rejected the substitutionary atonement of Jesus Christ and the free gift of salvation. You see, everybody is going to receive a resurrected body and everybody is going to spend eternity in their resurrected body. It just depends on location. I trust that each reader has a saving faith in Jesus and are looking forward to the resurrection of life and a glorious eternity.
