The resurrection of the body

Today we will look at the third effect of the resurrection of Christ for us. This effect will take place at he return of Christ at the end of this age.

Jesus will return from heaven

For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus comes, God will bring back with Jesus all the Christians who have died.

I can tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not rise to meet him ahead of those who are in their graves. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the call of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, all the Christians who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and remain with him forever. So comfort and encourage each other with these words. (1 Thess. 4:13-5:1)

What will our resurrection bodies be like?

When the apostle Paul explains in detail what our resurrection bodies will be like, he uses the example of sowing a seed in the ground and then watching it grow into something much more wonderful:

It is the same way for the resurrection of the dead. Our earthly bodies, which die and decay, will be different when they are resurrected, for they will never die. Our bodies now disappoint us, but when they are raised, they will be full of glory. They are weak now, but when they are raised, they will be full of power. They are natural human bodies now, but when they are raised, they will be spiritual bodies. For just as there are natural bodies, so also there are spiritual bodies. (1 Cor.15:41-44)

Every human being has an earthly body just like Adam’s, but our heavenly bodies will be just like Christ’s. Just as we are now like Adam, the man of the earth, so we will someday be like Christ, the man from heaven. (1 Cor.15:48-49)

Our new bodies will never die but will be imperishable

They will not wear out or grow old or ever be subject to any kind of sickness or disease. This new body will be completely healthy and strong for ever. There will be no sign of aging, but there will be the characteristics of youthful but mature manhood or womanhood forever. In our resurrection bodies we will be bearers of God’s likeness and image as God intended humanity to be from the very beginning.

Our new bodies will be raised in glory

The way this term is used by Paul as contrasted with dishonour and disappointment, we take it to be a suggestion of the glorious beauty or the attractiveness of appearance that our bodies will have. The word “glory” is frequently used in the Bible of the bright shining radiance that surrounds the very presence of God himself. Therefore we believe, in accordance with Matthew 13:43 and Daniel 12:3, that our bodies will be given a kind of shining brightness or radiance as an appropriate evidence of our position of rule in the eternal kingdom of God.

Our new bodies will be full of power

The bodies we have now are in many ways characterised by weaknesses and limitations. Our resurrection bodies will not only be free from disease and aging, they will have a full and complete human power and strength. It will therefore be a strength that is sufficient to do all that we desire to do in conformity with the will of God. The limitations we feel now because of the weakness of our bodies will be gone forever.

Our new bodies will be spiritual bodies

The word “spiritual” never means “non-physical” in Paul’s letters, but rather “consistent with the character and activity of the Holy Spirit”. Our natural human bodies are subject to the characteristics and desires of this world, and governed by its own sinful will, but are raised as spiritual bodies, completely subject to the will of the Holy Spirit and responsive to His guidance. Such a body is not at all “non-physical,” but it is a physical body raised to the degree of spiritual perfection intended by God.

When Christ returns he will give us new resurrection bodies to be like his resurrection body

Yes, dear friends, we are already God’s children, and we can’t even imagine what we will be like when Christ returns. But we do know that when he comes we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is. (1 John 3:2)

The verse above is not only true in an ethical sense but also in terms of our physical bodies. Our new bodies will be like Christ’s resurrection body. He had a physical body that could be touched (John 20:27), that had flesh and blood (Luke 24:39), and that could eat food (Luke 24:42-43). Our new bodies will be appropriate for inhabiting the heaven and the new earth that he has promised, where everyone is right with God (2 Peter 3:13).

But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Saviour. He will take these weak mortal bodies of ours and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same mighty power that he will use to conquer everything, everywhere. (Phil. 3:20-4:1)

At the return of Christ our weak and mortal bodies will be changed into glorious bodies. There is a difference between what is sown in the ground and what is raised (1 Corinthians 15:37-44), but there is also continuity. Because of this we will recognise and know each other in heaven. Jesus said that we will sit down with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob to celebrate in the world to come (Matthew 8:11).

The entire creation will be restored to liberty

All creation anticipates the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay. (Rom. 8:21)

When we receive our resurrection bodies the entire creation will be liberated from its slavery to the curse that brought death and decay. The whole earth will be made new and no longer be subject to deterioration (2 Peter 3:13).

The resurrection of the unrighteous

Don’t be so surprised! Indeed, the time is coming when all the dead in their graves will hear the voice of God’s Son, and they will rise again. Those who have done good will rise to eternal life, and those who have continued in evil will rise to judgment. (John 5:28-29)

The emphasis of the Bible is on the fact that believers will experience a bodily resurrection, but at the same time it makes it clear that all the dead will one day rise again. The unbelievers will also be raised from the dead. However they will face the final judgment at the time of resurrection. Jesus clearly taught that “those who have continued in evil will rise to judgment.” Likewise the apostle Paul said that God will raise both the righteous and the ungodly (Acts 24:15). Next week we will look deeper into the subject of eternal judgment.

Exercise:

Have you learned any thing new today? What?

What is the most exciting feature about the resurrection body?

Continue to memorise the previous Bible verses, and add this one to your list:

All honour to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, for it is by his boundless mercy that God has given us the privilege of being born again. Now we live with a wonderful expectation because Jesus Christ rose again from the dead (1 Peter 1:3).