YOUTH STS
LESSON 986
TOPIC: THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD
TEXTS: Daniel 12:2,3; John 5:28,29; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-16
Memory Verse: "Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live" (John 5:25).
The resurrection of the dead is one of the studies of last days’ events called eschatology. It teaches that all who die in this world will undergo physical resurrection before the Great-White-Throne-Judgment. This doctrine shows that there will be a resurrection of the body. That is, joining of the body with the soul to meet the Lord either in peace and joy, or in condemnation, eternal punishment and torment of hell. "And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever" (Daniel 12:2,3).
FACTS ABOUT THE RESURRECTION (John 5:25,28,29; Daniel 12:2; Matthew 28:1-10)
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live" (John 5:25).
The facts about the resurrection of the just and unjust run through the teachings of Jesus Christ (John 6:40; 11:25; Matthew 16:21; 22:23-32). Job spoke of his eyes and flesh seeing God after worms have destroyed his body (Job 19:25-27). Isaiah spoke of the earth casting out the dead (Isaiah 26:14,19). Daniel spoke of the awakening of many that sleep in the dust, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt (Daniel 12:2). In like manner, spoke David (Psalm 16:10; 17:15). Old Testament saints (Hebrews 11:35), New Testament saints (Matthew 28:1-20; Mark 16:1-18; Luke 24:1-49; John 20:19-21) including Paul (Acts 17:18,32), Peter (1 Peter 1:3; 3:21), even Herod the wicked King and the generality of the people of his day believed in the resurrection of the dead (Mark 6:14-16).
FORMS OF THE RESURRECTION (1 Corinthians 15:39-54)
There are two major forms of resurrection. The resurrection of the just and the unjust. The resurrection associated with the just is exemplified by the glorified body that Jesus, the first fruit, had after His resurrection (Luke 24:36-43; John 20:11-20,24-31; 1 John 3:2). All resurrected bodies will be immortal (Daniel 12:2; Mark 9:42-48). The resurrected bodies of saints will possess different degrees of glory. "There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead" (1 Corinthians 15:39-54).
In the intervening period between death (when the body and soul are separated) and the resurrection, one may ask: Where is the soul? The soul of a saint goes immediately to meet God in heaven. The repentant malefactor on the cross received forgiveness and assurance of Jesus: "Today shall thou be with me in paradise" (Luke 23:39-43). Righteous Lazarus died and was "carried by angels into Abraham’s bosom" where he was comforted (Luke 16:19-31). Stephen at death said, "I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God" (Acts 7:54-60). Paul was "willing rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord" (2 Corinthians 5:1-8). Many other references of the Scripture confirm that the soul of the saint rejoices in God’s presence at death (Philippians 1:21-23; Ecclesiastes 12:1,7). On the other hand, when a sinner dies, his soul goes immediately to hell. In hell, he is conscious; he can see, feel and hear (Luke 16:19-31).
The timing for the resurrection to life of the just and resurrection to judgment of the unjust is well spelt out in the Scriptures in accordance with the ordained programme of God. The resurrection of the saints of God is also variously described in the Scriptures as resurrection of life (John 5:28,29), resurrection of the just (Luke 14:13,14), a better resurrection (Hebrews 11:35) and the first resurrection (Revelation 20:4-6).
There are four phases of the first resurrection: (a) The resurrection of Christ, the first fruit (1 Corinthians 15:3,4,12,20,23); (b) The resurrection of the Church-age saints at the rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:13-16); (c) The resurrection of the tribulation period saints (Revelation 20:3-5); and (d) The resurrection of Old Testament saints at the second advent of Christ to the earth (Daniel 12:2; Isaiah 26:19).
All the saints of God that ever died would resurrect in the first resurrection. Not a soul will be left behind. What joy! What triumph!! "Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years" (Revelation 20:6).
The second resurrection is still part of God’s programme but deals with the unsaved dead. There is a difference in time of one thousand years between the first and the second resurrection (Revelation 20:5-15). The second resurrection is also described as the resurrection to damnation (John 5:29). There will be everlasting punishment and torment in the lake of fire for all who partake in the second resurrection who have missed the first resurrection and whose names are not found in the Book of Life (Daniel 12:2; Revelation 20:11-15)
As in the early church when Hymenaeus and Philetus erred concerning the truth by teaching that the resurrection was past already, thereby making a shipwreck of their faith and that of all those who followed their false doctrine, there are many false teachers today who "know not the scriptures nor the power of God" and overthrow the faith of many (2 Timothy 2:17,18; Matthew 22:23-32). Today, many false teachings on the resurrection of the dead abound having the same devastating effect on all who believe them. Among such doctrines are (a) Annihilation and (b) Purgatory.
The doubt, unbelief and scoffing of sinners will not prevent the complete resurrection programme of God for both the saved and unsaved, the same way it did not alter the resurrection from the dead of our Saviour and Lord, Jesus Christ (Acts 23:8; 2 Timothy 2:15-18; 1 Corinthians 15:12-23; Romans 3:3,4). The resurrection of Christ and the future resurrection of the saints form the foundation of our Christian faith (1 Corinthians 15:16-20). "For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: and if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. BUT NOW IS CHRIST RISEN FROM THE DEAD!"
FORGIVENESS THROUGH THE REDEEMER (1 Thessalonians 4:13-16; John 1:29; Luke 1:74,75; 1 John 1:7; Ephesians 2:1,2,4-8; 2 Corinthians 5:17-19; Hebrews 12:14)
To partake in the first resurrection, the resurrection of the saved, there must first be a spiritual resurrection in the present life; The spirit is quickened from death in trespasses and sins. The whole being renewed in the glorious likeness of God to a life of righteousness and holiness without which no man shall see the Lord. Have you counted the cost if your soul should be lost forever?
There’s a line that is drawn by rejecting our Lord, Where the call of His Spirit is lost,... And you hurry along with the pleasure-mad throng - Have you counted, have you counted the cost? Have you counted the cost, if your soul should be lost, Tho’ you gain the whole world for your own? ... Even now it may be that the line you have crossed, Have you counted, have you counted the cost?
QUESTIONS
Question 1: State the scriptural facts that there will be resurrection of the dead.
Question 2: What are the phases of the first resurrection?