Section 1

The resurrection is so vital to understand because it is at the very foundation of the hope laid out in the scriptures.  The apostle Paul effectively says that without the resurrection, there is no hope.   

In 1 Cor 15:16-18 he says,  

• “How say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? 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.   

Here Paul says very directly, and straight to the point, that if there is no resurrection of the dead, then YOUR FAITH IS VAIN, and those which have “fallen asleep” (died) are indeed “perished”.  

Why would Paul say this if he was only speaking of their body, while they were in heaven?  He wouldn’t.  It would make no sense.   

The word “perish” here means exactly what it appears to mean.  The original Greek word indicates “to destroy, render useless, kill, abolish, ruined, lost…i.e., perish” 

All hope is lost, Paul says, if there is no resurrection, because those in the grave are going to stay there, and our faith is vain.  

Paul goes on in multiple places in the scriptures to continue to emphasize the point. 

Philippians 3:10-11 

• “That I [apostle Paul] may know him [Christ], and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, … If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead 

If Paul hoped to go straight to heaven at death, why would he say “if by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead"? 

Again, in Acts 24:14-15  

• “So worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets: 15 And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. 

Why would both the “just” (righteous) and the “unjust” (unrighteous) be raised?  Because Christ, our king and judge, will upon his return to earth, raise the dead and render the verdict on the lives they lived.    

2 Corinthians 5:10 

• “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.”   

1 Corinthians 15:51-55 

• “Behold, I shew 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 trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.  

Notice the timing of when Paul says our “change” will come…”at the last trump” when the dead are raised, that’s when the mortal must put on immortality and be granted eternal life. Could it be any clearer?   

2 Timothy 4:1 

• “I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick [living] and the dead at his appearing and kingdom.  

Verses 6-8 

• “for now I am ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight I have finished my course; I have kept the faith.  Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day, and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. 

Paul leaves no question as to what he hoped for, and when he hoped to receive it…”at that day"…when Christ returns to earth …and the change to immortality would happen to, not only him, "but unto ALL them that love Christ’s appearing and kingdom."  

It is not just the New Testament that speaks of the resurrection.  Old Testament passages also tell us.  

Daniel 12:1-2

•  “…and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. 2 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.  

Job 19:25-26 - 

• For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:  

There are many more verses throughout the scripture that could be listed to support and confirm the resurrection, but those verses already listed have given sufficient proof.    

One question that may come to mind for many that are reading this is, why do so few “Christians” and churches ever speak about the resurrection, if indeed it is so vital to understand?  

For one, many aren’t even aware of the fact that the resurrection is so prevalent throughout the Bible, because they don’t read the scriptures. 

 For those who have encountered the passages about the resurrection (preachers, teachers, bible students), the reason they don’t speak about it seems fairly straightforward.  It conflicts with the narrative that most preach.  That narrative is that upon death all those who believe in Jesus will instantaneously go to heaven or hell (and must also have to be judged at time of death).  That’s the message that most Christians hear.    

To account for a resurrection when Christ returns to earth, and with Christ judging everyone at that last day, poses a real conundrum/problem; it doesn’t fit.    

Therefore, what most people do is to simply not talk about it.  The verses that don’t fit the narrative are just passed by and avoided.  Yet the apostle Paul has shown us that his whole hope rests on the resurrection.     

We cannot dismiss passages we don’t like, and we know God does not contradict himself; He is not the author of confusion.  All scripture must harmonize, there is only ONE message and ONE hope.   

2 Timothy 3: 13-17 

• All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.  

Ephesians 4: 4-5 

• “There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5 One Lord, one faith” 

And this one hope and one faith has been preached from the beginning…all the way back in Genesis to the father of the faithful, Abraham.  

Galatians 3:7-9 

• Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. 8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, PREACHED BEFORE THE GOSPEL UNTO ABRAHAM, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.  

And we are told the gospel is the power of God unto salvation.  

Romans 1:16 

• “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth”  

We must understand the gospel preached throughout the Bible. It is the first step in coming into fellowship with God and Christ and having hope of eternal life.  And THE RESURRECTION is at the core of that understanding.