Resurrection from the Dead
“Now if Christ is preached, that he has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, neither has Christ been raised. If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain, and your faith also is in vain. Yes, we are also found false witnesses of God, because we testified about God that he raised up Christ, whom he didn’t raise up, if it is so that the dead are not raised. For if the dead aren’t raised, neither has Christ been raised. If Christ has not been raised, your faith is vain; you are still in your sins. Then they also who are fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If we have only hoped in Christ in this life, we are of all men most pitiable. But now Christ has been raised from the dead. He became the first fruits of those who are asleep.” (1 Corinthians 15:12-20 WEB)
There seems to be more focus on Jesus’ death than on His resurrection.
However, His resurrection is extremely important too.
Jesus’ resurrection proves that He is the sinless Son of God who is the Christ.
If He was not truly sinless, Jesus would not be able to conquer death and be raised from the dead.
It is precisely because Jesus was raised from the dead, and His tomb remains empty today, that we know our sins are forgiven.
I had the privilege of stepping into His empty tomb in Jerusalem back in December of 2014. I went to Israel with Amilee and it was an amazing experience to see the holy land in person. The Bible truly came alive for me.
In the future, there will be a few phases of the resurrection from the dead.
Firstly, the dead in Christ will be raised at the time of the Rapture to receive their glorified bodies.
Next will be the “first resurrection” that happens at the end of the Great Tribulation, whereby those saints who died during the Tribulation will be raised to eternal life.
Lastly, the final resurrection happens before the “Great White Throne Judgment”, whereby the dead unbelievers throughout all time, those saints who died during the Millennium, and the Nephilim giants, will be resurrected to stand before Jesus’ throne to be judged. Fallen angels (demons) will also be there to be judged but they will not need to be resurrected because they are spirits.
“Jesus answered, “Most certainly I tell you, unless one is born of water and spirit, he can’t enter into God’s Kingdom. That which is born of the flesh is flesh. That which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Don’t marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born anew.’” (John 3:5-7 WEB)
If you are born twice in this life—once in the flesh, and once through the Spirit, you will only die once (sharing in Christ’s death at the cross).
“I saw a great white throne, and him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. There was found no place for them. I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and they opened books. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged out of the things which were written in the books, according to their works. The sea gave up the dead who were in it. Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them. They were judged, each one according to his works. Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. If anyone was not found written in the book of life, he was cast into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:11-15 WEB)
If you are only born once, you will die twice (once upon bodily death, and once during the Great White Throne Judgment, after being raised from the dead).
Christ has been raised from the dead. Your faith is neither futile, nor in vain!
Where does a believer go upon death now, what is the geographical layout of Heaven, and what will happen in the future as written in the Bible (Millennium, New Jerusalem)? Find out in “A Tour of Heaven and Eternity”: https://bit.ly/heavenandeternity
