The Resurrection of the Dead

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:15-16

For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.

Insights: The doctrine of a bodily resurrection was foolishness to Greek philosophers because they could not understand how a decaying body could be resurrected.  Nor could they understand why one would want a body to be resurrected because they thought the body represented all of their sin and evil. What these philosophers did not grasp was the illustration Paul used in first Corinthians chapter fifteen where he described the resurrection to that of a seed and a plant.  The seed produces a new plant and the new plant is not the old plant, but does bear some resemblance. We will receive a glorified body just like the glorified body of Jesus. This resurrection assures us that death is not the end.  The grave is not the end.  The body goes to sleep, but the soul goes to be with the Lord.  When the Lord returns, He will bring the soul with Him, will raise the body in glory, and will unite body and soul into one being to share His glory forever.  This new body will never decay.  This new body will never get sick.  This new body will do the same things Jesus’ resurrected body does.  As we know from Scripture, His body could go through solid walls (how this was accomplished I don’t know, but He appeared in the upper room even though the doors were locked [John 20:26]).  Again, we know from Scripture, His body ascended into the sky (Acts 1:9).  The point I am trying to make is the Lord redeems His creation that belongs to Him.  If you have received Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, then you are promised this new body.  So, all of the saints who have died before Jesus’ second coming will have a bodily resurrection and then those still living will ascend to meet our Lord in the air.  This day to come will be a glorious day.

Questions:

1.  Are you grateful for the saints that have gone on before us being raised to a glorious new body?

2.  Does your new body get you excited about your future in glory with our Lord?

Prayer: Father, I truly am grateful for the body with which I will spend eternity.  I am so glad You truly redeem, for those in Christ Jesus, all aspects of this sinful world.  I look forward with great anticipation my eternity with You.  Amen.