Jesus’ Resurrection…and Yours
When sin entered the world and death through sin, death spread to all men (Rom 5:12). Death reigned (Rom 5:14, 17), being the wages of sin (Rom 6:23). This left people hopeless (Eph 2:12), and helpless (Rom 5:8). The image of God, with which man had reflected God’s holiness and righteousness, was lost, along with the knowledge of God.
In the predetermined plan of God (Acts 2:23), from all eternity, He decreed: a Creation, a Fall, a Redemption, a Resurrection, a Judgment, a Destruction, and a New Creation. All of these would display the wisdom and power of God, along with His other perfect attributes.
Resurrection is life from the dead. It is marvelously illustrated each day at the setting of the sun (death and darkness), followed by the rising of the sun (new light and life). It is also observed in the seasons, each year, as winter (death) turns to spring (new life). Jesus raised a number of people from the dead, and this was to demonstrate His power over death (Mk 5:41; Lk 7:14–15; Jn 11). They subsequently died again, but they lived for a time as witnesses, who obviously then trusted Jesus with their ultimate resurrection.
Resurrection is in question, being addressed by the apostle Paul, in 1 Corinthians 15. In his explanation of the doctrine, he is pointing to the historical fact that many who were still alive at the time could attest, “Jesus is risen from the dead.”
It is the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ that serves as the basis, and the hope, of our own resurrection from the dead (Rom 8:11). In fact, Paul argued that if this doctrine is not true, then the entire Christian faith is invalid (1 Cor 15:17). Our resurrection hope is Christ Jesus Himself (1 Pet 1:3). He claimed, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies (Jn 11:25).” And all do die in Adam (1 Cor 15:22a), but in the resurrection there will be a separation.
All will hear the voice of the Son of God, on that final day (Jn 5:25). They will come forth, all of humanity ever conceived, to give an account before the judgment seat of Christ (2 Cor 5:10; Rev 20:11). This, of course, includes you.
Your resurrection will immediately reveal your eternal home (Eccl 12:5), be it Hades or heavenly Zion (Lk 16:23; Heb 12:22). The separation of the children of God, from the children of the devil (1 Jn 3:10), will occur, as the resurrection of life and the resurrection of judgment reveal the righteous and the unrighteous (Jn 5:25–29). This is the resurrection of the body, but let us not forget this event on the last day is antedated by the resurrection of the soul (Jn 3:1–8; Eph 2:5; Col 2:13; 1 Cor 15:22b; 1 Pet 1:3).
Those in the resurrection of life have already experienced death to life. When Adam sinned, He died, soul and body. His progeny were spiritually still born (spiritually dead) at their physical conception and birth (1 Cor 2:14). Thus, the natural man is dead to God, being dead in sin (Eph 2:1–3). Death reigns in his soul, while sin continues to kill his body.
When God sends His Spirit to an elect (by the Father), redeemed (by the Son) soul, it is the Spirit who raises the soul from its state of spiritual death (Jn 6:63). The Spirit of Christ makes this soul alive to God (Eph 2:5; Col 2:13). The Spirit causes this chosen soul to be born again of God (Jn 3:1–8; 1 Pet 1:3). He is given new life, in Christ (2 Cor 5:17), whose Spirit has resurrected his soul. Old things have passed away…behold, new things have come.
Resurrection is about new life for both the soul and the body, which will be gloriously conjoined, for the children of promise, at the resurrection of the body (Rom 8:29–30). As the perishable puts on the imperishable and the mortal puts on immortality, so death will be questioned about its “victory” (1 Cor 15:53–55).
Dead souls and dying bodies press on toward the appointed day of judgment (Is 13:6; 2 Pet 2:9). The imperishable body and souls of the damned will suffer eternally (Mt 25:46). This is the just punishment for sins, and especially, for their eschewing the precious blood of Christ (1 Pet 1:19). The infinite majesty of King Jesus Christ has been endlessly robbed of due glory by them.
Living souls and dying bodies, our second group, also press on toward the day of public exoneration. For there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Rom 8:1). Obviously, this transforms the day of judgment into one of celebration, like that of an award ceremony and graduation. The day of judgment for sins, for the Christian, occurred two thousand years ago at the cross of Christ. He bore our sins in his body on the cross (1 Pet 2:24).
Knowing the precious blood of Christ has been shed, for the forgiveness of our sins, is liberating (Mt 26:28; Eph 1:7; Heb 9:22). The truth about these matters sets us free to serve the living God, without a guilty conscience (Heb 9:14). There is also no fear of judgment.
Men fear death because they know just judgment awaits them (Heb 9:27). Thus, they are in bondage all of their lives (Heb 2:15). The bondage of eternal incarceration will only exacerbate their weeping and gnashing of teeth in outer darkness’ fiery torment (Mt 8:12; 13:42).
Have you been raised from the dead, my friend? When you die, do you know with certainty that you will go to be with Christ (Phil 1:23)? Blessed assurance is only found in the promises of God in the Bible (Rom 5–8). It is the indwelling Spirit of truth (Jn 14:17; 16:13; Eph 1:13), who illumines vital doctrines, such as the doctrine of resurrection. Do you have the Holy Spirit living in you (Rom 5:5; 8:9, 11; Gal 4:6; 2 Tim 1:14; Jas 4:5)?
When the promise reads that all of God’s people will be changed in body, in the twinkling of an eye (1 Cor 15:52), we know it to be true because it was already the experience of the regenerated soul. Jesus Christ, who was resurrected from the dead, has begun the good work of resurrection in us (Phil 1:6), who believe, and who await the coming of the One who will resurrect us to life in the body. It is “Happy Resurrection Day,” today…every day…and on that day!
David Norczyk
Spokane Valley, Washington
June 5, 2022
