Introduction
The purpose of this study is to give scriptural insight and understanding of God’s plan for man from his original creation, fall, redemption, and restoration of his wonderful purpose.
This study was prepared in form of question and comment, it is important to study all the scriptural references, make personal notes from them, and then read the comments that followed the question. All scriptural references are taken from the New King James Version of the Bible, unless otherwise stated. The key word or words in the reference verses are highlighted for you to have some words to think and meditate upon.
To gain the knowledge God intends, asked Him to open your understanding to the scriptures you read. Remove your mind from any preconceived opinion, and focus on what the scriptures say. Be like the Bereans Christians who studied the scriptures to be sure what they heard were true.
RESURRECTION – THE ONLY HOPE
What is the hope of man in death?
Read: I Corinthians 15:12-23, I Peter 1:3, Acts 24:15, Hebrews 6:1-2, Psalms 17:15, Job 14:14-15, Philippians 3:10-11, Acts 4:33, John 11:24
Comment:
Resurrection from the dead is the only hope man has to live again, and without it man has no chance of coming to life again. According to the reference scriptural passages, the foundation of hope for Christian resurrection lies in the resurrection of Christ, and this was one of the fundamental doctrines of the Apostles, 1 Corinthians 15: 12-23, I Peter 1:3, Acts 24:15, Hebrews 6:1-2, Acts 4:33
David is expecting his resurrection, Psalms 17:15. Job has the understanding of what resurrection means, Job 14:14-15. Daniel has the understanding too, Daniel 12:13. Jeremiah prophesied it, Jeremiah 30:9. Paul prayed for it, Philippians 3:10-11. The apostles preached it, Acts 4:33, and Martha believed it, John 11:24.
The bible says if there is no resurrection from the death, then believers are the most miserable, their faith futile, and still in their sin. I Corinthians 15:12-23
Scriptural References
1 Corinthians 15: 12-23
“Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up—if in fact the dead do not rise. For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable. But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming.”
Hebrews 6:1-2
“Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.”
I Peter 1:3
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,”
Acts 24:15
“I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust.”
Psalms 17:15
“As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness.”
Job 14:14-15
“If a man dies, shall he live again? All the days of my hard service I will wait, Till my change comes. You shall call, and I will answer You; You shall desire the work of Your hands.”
Philippians 3:10-11
“That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.”
Acts 4:33
“And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all.”
John 11:24
“Martha said to Him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”
Daniel 12:13
“But you, go your way till the end; for you shall rest, and will arise to your inheritance at the end of the days”
Jeremiah 30:9
“But they shall serve the LORD their God, And David their king, Whom I will raise up for them.”
Who shall be resurrected?
Read: Acts 24:15, John 5:28-29 , Revelation 20:5-6, Revelation 20:13-14
Comment:
Everyone who had ever lived will be resurrected, both just and unjust at different times and with different outcomes.
One resurrection will take place at Christ second coming, and it involves the resurrection of the dead in Christ with a spiritual, incorruptible, and immortal body. Second death has no power over those that experience the first resurrection, it is a resurrection to life everlasting (eternal life)
The other resurrection will take place after the millennial reign of Christ on earth. It is the resurrection to judgment and second death in the like of fire.
Scriptural References
Acts 24:15
“I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust.”
John 5:28-29
“Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth— those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.”
Revelation 20:5-6
“But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.”
Revelation 20:13-14
“The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.”
What does resurrection entail for believers in Christ?
Read: Psalms 17:15, Job 14:14-15, Romans 8:11, I Corinthians 15:49-53, I Thessalonians 4:15-17
Comment:
The key words used to describe resurrection from the dead are: call, quicken (give life), awake, arise, change, raised incorruptible, put on immortality, the image of the heavenly, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet.
Putting all the descriptive terms in the scriptural references together, the resurrection of believers in Christ involves calling the dead believers from their sleep, and giving them life. The dead then wake up and rise from the grave, and suddenly changed to incorruptible, immortal, and spiritual being as the last (seventh) trumpet sounds.
At this time, believers are changed to be in the likeness of the resurrected Christ. This sudden change or transformation to spiritual being is what it means to be truly born again. Though believers may die a physical death, they will be born again at the resurrection with immortal and spiritual body to live eternally. The immortal, incorruptible, and spiritual body is the body with which one can enter the kingdom of God.
Scriptural References
Psalms 17:15
“As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness.”
Job 14:14-15
“If a man dies, shall he live again? All the days of my hard service I will wait, Till my change comes. You shall call, and I will answer You; You shall desire the work of Your hands.”
Romans 8:11
“But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.”
I Thessalonians 4:15-17
“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 by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.”
I Corinthians 15:49-53
“And as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man. Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.”
How many saints are in heaven, and how many sinners are in hell now?
Read: John 3:13, Acts 2:29, 34, Job 14:14-15, Romans 2:7, I Timothy 6:15-16, II Peter 2:9, Hebrews 9:27, Revelation 20:11-15, I John 4:1-3, Romans 8:11, Jeremiah 30:9, Philippians 3:10-11, Genesis 3:4-5.
Comment:
According to the scriptures, the dead do not go to heaven or hell, but stay in the grave (Sheol or Hades) until the time of resurrection. It has been the devil’s idea from the beginning to make man believe that he will not die, but be like God, Genesis 3:4-5. Man is mortal being, and when he dies, he is not living another life somewhere else. It is only God and his son that has immortality, I Timothy 6:15-16. God must give man immortality for him to become immortal through his son, Jesus Christ at resurrection Romans 8:11
Jesus said no one has gone to heaven, John 3:13. Peter said David has not gone to heaven, Act 2:29;34, he will be resurrected at Christ coming, Jeremiah 30:9. Job said he will wait (in the grave) until the time he will be changed into the likeness of Christ, Job 14:14-15, and the prayer of Paul is to experience the power of resurrection, Philippians 3:10-11.
If people go to hell when they die and are conscious of the pain and suffering there, or go to heaven singing forever more, and are aware of the joy there, it means they are not dead, but experiencing life in another place. If the Saints of old are now in heaven, then resurrection has no purpose and Christ died for nothing. Also regarding hell, God does not send any one to hell before judgment, it will be against His word, Hebrews 9:27, Rev. 20:11-15.
To say or believe that the dead are having life in another place, is to say or believe Christ has not come in the flesh and did not really died, the scriptures says this is the spirit of antichrist, 1 John 4:1-3. What Christians are seeking is immortality (eternal life), Romans 2:7, the reason we accept Christ sacrifice and believe in him, and no man can receive it (eternal life) unless it is given to him at the resurrection. That is why the scriptures says at resurrection, mortal must put on immortality for those who believed in Christ. No sinners are in hell, and no saints in heaven now.
Scriptural References
John 3:13
“No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven.”
Acts 2:29, 34
“Men and brethren, let me speak freely to you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day”. “For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he says himself: ‘The LORD said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand,”
Job 14:14-15
“If a man dies, shall he live again? All the days of my hard service I will wait, till my change comes. You shall call, and I will answer You; You shall desire the work of Your hands.
Romans 2:7
“eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality;”
I Timothy 6:15-16
“which He will manifest in His own time, He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen.”
II Peter 2:9
“then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment,”
Hebrews 9:27
“And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment,”
Revelation 20:11-15
“Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.”
I John 4:1-3
“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.”
Romans 8:11
“But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.”
Jeremiah 30:9
“But they shall serve the LORD their God, And David their king, Whom I will raise up for them.”
Philippians 3:10-11
“that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.”
Genesis 3:4-5
“Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.””
When will the resurrection of the dead in Christ be?
Read: 1 Thessalonians 4:13 -18; 1 Corinthians 15: 50-52, Revelation 8:1-2, Revelation 11:15-18 , Revelation 10:7
Note:
Comment:
The dead in Christ will be resurrected first upon the blast of the last (seventh) trumpet at Christ second coming, and then they will be given a spiritual body together with the believers who may be alive. This transformation will take place in the twinkling of an eye. This is the exact time when the begotten sons of God dead or alive are given birth to (born again) with a new heavenly body – for flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God. To live again eternally, you must be born again “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” and “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit” (John 3:3, 6).”
It should be noted that the only people who will not experience death are the believers in Christ who are still alive at his second coming, Mark 9:1. They will be suddenly transformed from a physical being to a spiritual being at sound of the last (seventh) trumpet. At the sound of the seventh trumpet, the mystery of God changing mortal man to immortal, spiritual being will be finished.
Scriptural References
1 Thessalonians 4:13 -18
“But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. 15 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 by no means precede those who are asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.”
Mark 9:1
“And He said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that there are some standing here who will not taste death till they see the kingdom of God present with power.”
1 Corinthians 15: 50-52
“Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. 51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”
Revelation 8:1-2
“When He opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and to them were given seven trumpets.”
Revelation 11:15-18
“Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!” And the twenty-four elders who sat before God on their thrones fell on their faces and worshiped God, saying: “We give You thanks, O Lord God Almighty, The One who is and who was and who is to come, Because You have taken Your great power and reigned. The nations were angry, and Your wrath has come, And the time of the dead, that they should be judged, And that You should reward Your servants the prophets and the saints, And those who fear Your name, small and great, And should destroy those who destroy the earth.”
Revelation 10:7
“but in the days of the sounding of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, the mystery of God would be finished, as He declared to His servants the prophets.”
How will the dead be raised to life?
Read: John 6:44, John 6:54, John 1:4, John 5:26, 1 John 5: 11-12, John 3:15, Romans 6:23, John 14:6, John 11:25, Romans 8:11 , I John 5:11-12, John 11:43
Comment:
Jesus declared that He is the resurrection and the life, and will raise all those who believed in Him by the power of the Holy Spirit, John 11:25. Those that must be resurrected must have the Holy Spirit in their life, an identity of a true Christian, Romans 8:11. Jesus demonstrated his power to give life on his earthly ministry, when he raised Lazarus from the dead, John 11:43.
Scriptural References
John 6:44
“No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.”
John 6:54
“Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.”
John 1:4
“In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.”
John 5:26
“For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself,”
1 John 5: 11-12
“And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.”
“He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.”
John 3:15
“that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”
Romans 6:23
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
John 14:6
“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
John 11:25
“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.”
Romans 8:11
“But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.
Colossians 3:4
“When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.”
John 11:43
“Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!”
Be sure to study Module five.
This study material was prepared by Olusegun Olutoto for
WordLife Apostolic Christian Assembly
©2017
0 Comments