THE MYSTERY OF HUMANITY

CHAPTER 12

The Resurrection

Some people may be surprised to learn the Bible speaks of three resurrections. There are two spiritual resurrections and a bodily resurrection spoken of in the Scriptures. The first spiritual resurrection is a resurrection unto life (John 5:29; Rev. 20:5), and the second spiritual resurrection is unto damnation (John 5:29; Rev. 20:11–15). The bodily resurrection refers to born-again believers receiving new immortal bodies for their spirits to dwell in for all eternity. Jesus discussed the resurrection of the dead during His earthly ministry (Matt. 22:23–31; Luke 14:14; John 5:29). And the apostles, Peter, John, and Paul, spoke of it on many occasions (Acts 4:2, 24:15; Rom. 8:23; 1 Cor. 15:35–44).

The apostle Paul in referring to the resurrection said, “there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust” (Acts 24:15). However, this does not mean the resurrection of the just and unjust will occur simultaneously. The just will be resurrected first and the unjust after the millennial reign of Christ (Rev. 20:11–14).

Actually, there are two resurrections of the just. There is the spiritual resurrection of the spirit and the literal, or physical, resurrection of the body. The word resurrection is translated from the Greek word “anastasis,” which means: 1) a rising up or rising, 2) a resurrection from death, and 3) raised to life again. We’ll examine both of these resurrections as we go along.

When does the resurrection of the just take place? The resurrection of an individual's spirit occurs when one believes in Jesus Christ and is born again, born from above. This happens when the spirit is still residing inside the human body. The spirit moves from eternal death, which is separation from God, to eternal life with God. The spirit has been resurrected, lifted up, by being raised into a position of eternal life in Christ Jesus.

The bodily resurrection of the just occurs when the born-again believer's spirit receives their immortal body. The apostle Paul put it this way, “So also is the resurrection of the dead. It [the fleshly body] is sown in corruption [dead and decaying in the dust of the earth]; it is raised in incorruption: It [the fleshly body] is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory: It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: It is sown a natural body [a flesh and blood body]; and it is raised a spiritual body” (1 Cor. 15:42–44).

The apostle Paul continued, “The first man is of the earth, earthy [made from the dust of the ground]: the second man is the Lord from heaven. As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they [the saved, in Christ] also that are heavenly. And as we [born-again spirits] have borne the image of the earthy [flesh and blood bodies], we shall also bear the image of the heavenly [immortal spiritual bodies]” (1 Cor. 15:47–49).

Paul is saying the inner being, the spirit, who was clothed in a corruptible earthly body, will be clothed in a new immortal spiritual body. The saved spirit will be given a new spiritual body to reside in for all eternity. It will be a body much like Christ’s resurrected body. It will be a flesh and bone body, without blood, that can pass through doors and walls. A body that can appear and disappear as the spirit so desires (John 20:19, 26).

Paul continued his teaching. He said, “Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption” (1 Cor. 15:50). Paul makes it very clear that flesh and blood bodies cannot inherit the kingdom of God. Neither do the wicked spirits, those not in Christ, inherit an incorruptible glorified, and powerful spiritual body (1 Cor. 15:43–44).

Continuing, Paul said, “Behold, I shew [show] you a mystery; We [spiritual saints] shall not all sleep [be physically dead], but we [our bodies] shall all be changed, . . . For this corruptible [fleshly body] must [not should] put on incorruption, and this mortal [body] must put on immortality” (1 Cor. 15:51–53). Paul is referring to the bodies of those in Christ who are physically alive at the second coming of Christ. Their bodies will not be resurrected (raised up) from the dust of the ground because they are alive. However, their bodies will be changed instantly (1 Cor. 15:52).

Paul makes his final point, “So when this corruptible [body] shall have put on incorruption [becomes a spiritual body], and this mortal [body] shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory” (1 Cor. 15:54).

In summary, the first spiritual resurrection is of the just. It is the transformation of the person’s spirit that is dead in the sight of God to one that is alive in His sight. The spirit has been born again. The physical resurrection of the just is the rising up of a newly created immortal body that will be united with the spirit that has been born again. The bodies of those who are spiritually alive in Christ, at the time of His coming, will be changed to immortal bodies in the twinkling of an eye (1 Cor. 15:51–52).

The second spiritual resurrection is of the unjust. This resurrection will not take place until after the millennial reign of Christ. At least one thousand years after the first resurrection, the resurrection of the just. Those who have not accepted Christ will be resurrected (raised up) from hell to receive their final sentencing at the Great White Throne Judgment. They will be judged and sentenced according to their sins. The Bible teaches that there will be different degrees of punishment in hell (Matt. 10:14–15, 11:22–24; Mark 12:38–40; Luke 12:47–48; Rev. 20:12). After sentencing, the unjust will then be cast into the Lake of Fire, where they’ll remain for all eternity. They will be spiritually dead in the sight of God.