A Victorious Resurrection

Death is an enemy to every living soul (1 Cor 15:26). If we sin, we surely die (Gen 2:17; Rom 6:23). From conception we inherit the original sin of Adam and live under the influence of our own sin nature (Ps 51:5; Rom 5:12; Eph 2:3). In a world of sin, we have death often before us. The separation caused by death is one of its stings (Hos 13:14; 1 Cor 15:55–56).

It is one lie of our adversary, the devil, that death is the end of our existence. Human beings are comprised of body and soul. Both of these parts die; and both of them are raised from the dead, continuing their existence into eternity. Then, the issue is where is one’s eternal home (Eccl 12:5).

When Adam and Eve sinned against God, they died (Gen 3). First, their souls died (spiritually). They were separated from God and the Garden. Their sin brought death into the world; and the whole creation was subject to death. Now, the whole creation groans as it waits for the revelation of the sons of God (Rom 8:22).

Second to die were the bodies of Adam and Eve. The spiritual death of their souls was followed by the physical, biological death of their bodies. Having lived long lives in the flesh, we note they lived in hope of the resurrection (Gen 3:15).

The promise of God’s Word was that the seed of the woman would one day crush the head of the serpent, the tempter, Satan. Jesus Christ was that promised seed. He was also the seed of Abraham, who was the promise of life to multitudes — a blessing indeed (Gen 18:18; 22:18). Jesus said to Martha, on the day He raised His friend Lazarus from the dead, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies (Jn 11:25).”

Adam’s progeny are conceived dead in sin, dead to God. This is the same spiritual death experienced by Adam and Eve, the first sinners. Some of the features of this spiritual death are the inability to hear the Word, to see Jesus, or to believe in Him (Jn 10:26). There is no love for God in the human heart (Jn 5:42). This is because the natural man cannot accept the things of the Spirit of God (1 Cor 2:14). He has no capacity (will or ability) for spiritual things because He is void of the Spirit (Jn 14:17). He thinks Christianity is foolishness.

If the soul of a man remains dead in trespasses and sins (Eph 2:1, 5; Col 2:13), when his physical body dies, he will suffer the judgment of God as a guilty sinner (2 Cor 5:10; 2 Tim 4:1; 1 Pet 4:5; Rev 20:11). He will be punished for eternity in the hell of the lake of fire (Mt 25:46; Jude 7), which is the second death (Rev 20:14–15). This is the unquenchable fire of God’s wrath (Mt 3:12; Mk 9:43; Lk 3:17; Eph 5:6; Col 3:6).

The second death is a physical reality, in addition to being a spiritual one. The bodily resurrection from the grave will take place on the Day of Judgment, when the Judge of the living and the dead will come from heaven to earth to sentence guilty sinners to eternal damnation (2 Cor 5:10; Rev 20:11). It was Jesus who taught others about the resurrection to judgment (Jn 5:28–29), about eternal punishment (Mt 25:46), and about the unquenchable fires of hell (Mt 3:12; Mk 9:43; Lk 3:7).

Those who believe in Jesus believe in God the Father (Jn 12:44; 14:10–12), who sent His only begotten Son to come and save His people from their sins (Mt 1:21). He did this by offering himself as the unblemished, substitute, sacrifice for sins (Jn 1:29; Heb 10:12). He bore our sins in His body on the cross (1 Pet 2:24). He shed His blood for the forgiveness of our sins (Mt 26:28; Eph 1:7). He redeemed us from the curse of the Law (Gal 3:13). He purchased His church with His precious blood (Acts 26:28). He died so that we, His beloved, might live.

The dead soul (from conception), who is both elect from the foundation of the world and redeemed at the cross of Christ, is made alive by the Spirit of the living God, who is the Lord, the Giver of life (Jn 6:63).

The life of God in the soul of man is evidence of regeneration (Jn 3:1–8; Eph 1:13; 1 Pet 1:3). Regeneration is life from the dead for the soul. It is a spiritual resurrection for the soul. It is a foretaste of the resurrection to life for the bodies of those who were made alive to God in their souls (Eph 2:5; Col 2:13). The resurrection to life on the last day, when Christ comes again, is a bodily resurrection from the grave (Jn 5:28–29; 1 Cor 15).

On that day, the glorified souls of those who physically died “in Christ” will be conjoined with glorified bodies, which will be changed into that glorious reality in a twinkling of an eye (1 Cor 15:52). We who were made alive in Christ will now be together with Christ, body and soul, forever (1 Thess 4:17). We will see Him as He is — glorified — and we will be like Him (Rom 8:30; 1 Jn 3:2).

The resurrection hope we have in the resurrection life is the result of the promises of God. God’s Word promises us eternal life (1 Jn 5:10–12), the same life secured by the meritorious works of the One who is the life, Jesus Christ (Jn 14:6). His is the indestructible life of God enfleshed (Jn 1:14; Heb 7:16). He is now glorified as the Victor over sin, death, judgment, the devil, and this evil world in rebellion against God (Jn 16:33; 2 Cor 2:14; Col 2:15).

The victory of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His defeat of the opponents of God (1 Cor 15:24; Col 2:15), is the Christian’s victory, too…by faith (1 Jn 5:4). We believe the report of the Word of God that Jesus died, was buried, and rose again from the dead (Is 53:1; 1 Cor 15:1–3). We believe the Bible because the Holy Spirit, who gave us the Bible (2 Tim 3:16; 2 Pet 1:20–21), is the One who bears witness that God’s Word is true (Rom 3:4; Jn 14:6; 17:17).

Central to this faith granted to God’s elect, redeemed, regenerate people is the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Cor 15; Phil 1:29), the God-man sent from God the Father in heaven (Jn 3:16). He is the first fruit of the resurrection (1 Cor 15:20). We believe that what He has gone through to secure our salvation is our experience-to-come in the future. With resurrected souls, today, we wait for death and then the resurrection of our bodies. We wait in hope (Ps 39:7; 62:5; Rom 8:25; Gal 5:5); and it is this blessed hope that will not disappoint us on that day…the day of resurrection (Rom 5:5; Titus 2:13).

We often sing of these things, as we should. Christ the Lord is risen, today, for up from the grave He arose. Great things He has taught us; great things He has done. Because He lives, I can face tomorrow; and at my regeneration, I rose, went forth, and followed Him. Standing on the promises of God my Savior…I will rise again. O victory in Jesus, my Savior, forever. Amen.

David Norczyk

Spokane Valley, Washington

March 20, 2024