Lesson 30 Explore 4: What Is the Resurrection? | Bible Questions
The Bible’s answer
In the Bible, the word translated as “resurrection” comes from the Greek a·naʹsta·sis, which means “raising up” or “standing up again.” A person who is resurrected is raised up from death and restored to life as the person he was before.-
(1 Corinthians 15.12, 13: Now if it is being preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how is it that some among you say there is no resurrection of the dead? If, indeed, there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised up.)
Although the word “resurrection” is not in the Hebrew Scriptures, often called the Old Testament, the teaching appears there. Through the prophet Hosea, for example, God promised: “From the power of the Grave I will redeem them; from death I will recover them.”-
(Hosea 13.14: From the power of the Grave I will redeem them; From death I will recover them. Where are your stings, O Death? Where is your destructiveness, O Grave? Compassion will be concealed from my eyes.)
(Job 14.13-15: O that in the Grave you would conceal me, That you would hide me until your anger passes by, That you would set a time limit for me and remember me! If a man dies, can he live again? I will wait all the days of my compulsory service Until my relief comes. You will call, and I will answer you. You will long for the work of your hands.)
(Isaiah 26.19: “Your dead will live. My corpses will rise up. Awake and shout joyfully, You residents in the dust! For your dew is as the dew of the morning, And the earth will let those powerless in death come to life.)
(Daniel 12.2: And many of those asleep in the dust of the earth will wake up, some to everlasting life and others to reproach and to everlasting contempt.)
(Daniel 12.13: “But as for you, go on to the end. You will rest, but you will stand up for your lot at the end of the days.”)
Where will people be resurrected? Some people are resurrected to life in heaven to rule as kings with Christ.
(2 Corinthians 5.1: For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, should be torn down, we are to have a building from God, a house not made with hands, everlasting in the heavens.)
(Revelation 5.9, 10: And they sing a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll and open its seals, for you were slaughtered and with your blood you bought people for God out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, and you made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God, and they are to rule as kings over the earth.”)
The Bible calls this “the first resurrection” and “the earlier resurrection,” both expressions implying that there is another resurrection to follow.
(Revelation 20.6: Happy and holy is anyone having part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no authority, but they will be priests of God and of the Christ, and they will rule as kings with him for the 1,000 years.)
(Philippians 3.11: to see if at all possible I may attain to the earlier resurrection from the dead.)
This later resurrection will be to life on earth, which the vast majority of those brought back to life will enjoy.-
(Psalm 37.29: The righteous will possess the earth, And they will live forever on it.)
How are people resurrected? God grants Jesus the power to raise the dead.
(John 11.25: Jesus said to her: “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who exercises faith in me, even though he dies, will come to life;)
Jesus will restore “all those in the memorial tombs” to life, each one with his unique identity, personality, and memories.
(John 5.28, 29: Do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who did good things to a resurrection of life, and those who practiced vile things to a resurrection of judgment.)
Those resurrected to heaven receive a spirit body, while those resurrected to life on earth receive a healthy physical body, completely sound.-
(Isaiah 33.24: And no resident will say: “I am sick.” The people dwelling in the land will be pardoned for their error.)
(Isaiah 35.5, 6: At that time the eyes of the blind will be opened, And the ears of the deaf will be unstopped. At that time the lame will leap like the deer, And the tongue of the speechless will shout for joy. For waters will burst forth in the wilderness, And streams in the desert plain.)
(1 Corinthians 15.42-44: So it is with the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised up in incorruption. It is sown in dishonor; it is raised up in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised up in power. It is sown a physical body; it is raised up a spiritual body. If there is a physical body, there is also a spiritual one.)
(1 Corinthians 15.50: But I tell you this, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit God’s Kingdom, nor does corruption inherit incorruption.)
Who will be resurrected? The Bible says that “there is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous.”
(Acts 24.15: And I have hope toward God, which hope these men also look forward to, that there is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous.)
The righteous include faithful people, such as Noah, Sarah, and Abraham.
(Genesis 6.9: This is the history of Noah. Noah was a righteous man. He proved himself faultless among his contemporaries. Noah walked with the true God.)
(Hebrews 11.11: By faith also Sarah received power to conceive offspring, even when she was past the age, since she considered Him faithful who made the promise.)
(James 2.21: Was not Abraham our father declared righteous by works after he offered up Isaac his son on the altar?)
The unrighteous include those who failed to meet God’s standards but did not have the opportunity to learn and follow them.
However, those who become so wicked that they are beyond reform will not be resurrected. When such ones die, they suffer permanent destruction with no hope of a return to life.-
(Matthew 23.33: “Serpents, offspring of vipers, how will you flee from the judgment of Gehenna?)
(Hebrews 10.26, 27: For if we practice sin willfully after having received the accurate knowledge of the truth, there is no longer any sacrifice for sins left, but there is a certain fearful expectation of judgment and a burning indignation that is going to consume those in opposition.)
When will the resurrection take place? The Bible foretold that the resurrection to heaven would take place during Christ’s presence, which began in 1914.
(1 Corinthians 15.21-23: For since death came through a man, resurrection of the dead also comes through a man. For just as in Adam all are dying, so also in the Christ all will be made alive. But each one in his own proper order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who belong to the Christ during his presence.)
The resurrection to life on earth will occur during the Thousand Year Reign of Jesus Christ, when the earth will be transformed into a paradise.-
(Luke 23.43: And he said to him: “Truly I tell you today, you will be with me in Paradise.”)
(Revelation 20.6: Happy and holy is anyone having part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no authority, but they will be priests of God and of the Christ, and they will rule as kings with him for the 1,000 years.)
(Revelation 20.12, 13: And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and scrolls were opened. But another scroll was opened; it is the scroll of life. The dead were judged out of those things written in the scrolls according to their deeds. And the sea gave up the dead in it, and death and the Grave gave up the dead in them, and they were judged individually according to their deeds.)
Why is belief in the resurrection reasonable? The Bible provides detailed accounts of nine resurrections, each confirmed by eyewitnesses.
(1 Kings 17.17-24: After these things, the son of the woman who owned the house fell sick, and his sickness became so severe that he stopped breathing. At this she said to Elijah: “What do you have against me, O man of the true God? Have you come to remind me of my guilt and to put my son to death?” But he said to her: “Give me your son.” Then he took him from her arms and carried him up to the roof chamber, where he was staying, and he laid him on his own bed. He called out to Jehovah: “O Jehovah my God, are you also bringing harm to the widow with whom I am staying by putting her son to death?” Then he stretched himself out over the child three times and called out to Jehovah: “O Jehovah my God, please, let this child’s life come back into him.” Jehovah listened to Elijah’s request, and the life of the child came back into him, and he revived. Elijah took the child and brought him down from the roof chamber into the house and gave him to his mother; and Elijah said: “See, your son is alive.” At that the woman said to Elijah: “Now I know that you truly are a man of God and that Jehovah’s word in your mouth is truth.”)
(2 Kings 4.32-37: When Elisha came into the house, the boy was lying dead on his bed. He went in and closed the door behind them both and began to pray to Jehovah. Then he got up on the bed and lay down on the child and put his own mouth on the boy’s mouth, his own eyes on his eyes, and his own palms on his palms and kept bent over him, and the child’s body started to grow warm. He walked back and forth in the house, and he got up on the bed and bent over him again. The boy sneezed seven times, after which he opened his eyes. Elisha now called Gehazi and said: “Call the Shunammite woman.” So he called her and she came in to him. Then he said: “Pick up your son.” And she came in and fell at his feet and bowed down to the ground before him, after which she picked up her son and went out.)
(2 Kings 13.20, 21: After that Elisha died and was buried. There were Moabite marauder bands that would come into the land at the beginning of the year. As some men were burying a man, they saw the marauder band, so they quickly threw the man into Elisha’s burial place and ran off. When the man touched the bones of Elisha, he came to life and stood on his feet.)
(Luke 7.11-17: Soon afterward he traveled to a city called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd were traveling with him. As he got near the gate of the city, why look! there was a dead man being carried out, the only son of his mother. Besides, she was a widow. A considerable crowd from the city was also with her. When the Lord caught sight of her, he was moved with pity for her, and he said to her: “Stop weeping.” With that he approached and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. Then he said: “Young man, I say to you, get up!” And the dead man sat up and started to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. Now fear seized them all, and they began to glorify God, saying: “A great prophet has been raised up among us,” and, “God has turned his attention to his people.” And this news concerning him spread out into all Judea and all the surrounding country.)
(Luke 8.40-56: When Jesus returned, the crowd received him kindly, for they were all expecting him. But look! a man named Jairus came; this man was a presiding officer of the synagogue. And he fell at the feet of Jesus and began to plead with him to come to his house, because his only daughter, who was about 12 years old, was dying. As Jesus was going, the crowds pressed in on him. Now there was a woman who had a flow of blood for 12 years, and she had not been able to get a cure from anyone. She approached from behind and touched the fringe of his outer garment, and immediately her flow of blood stopped. So Jesus said: “Who touched me?” When they were all denying it, Peter said: “Instructor, the crowds are hemming you in and pressing against you.” But Jesus said: “Someone touched me, for I know that power went out of me.” Seeing that she had not escaped notice, the woman came trembling and fell down before him and declared before all the people why she touched him and how she was healed immediately. But he said to her: “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace.” While he was yet speaking, a representative of the presiding officer of the synagogue came, saying: “Your daughter has died; do not bother the Teacher any longer.” On hearing this, Jesus answered him: “Have no fear, only have faith, and she will be saved.” When he reached the house, he did not let anyone go in with him except Peter, John, James, and the girl’s father and mother. But people were all weeping and beating themselves in grief for her. So he said: “Stop weeping, for she did not die but is sleeping.” At this they began to laugh at him scornfully, because they knew she had died. But he took her by the hand and called to her: “Child, get up!” And her spirit returned, and she rose immediately, and he ordered that something be given her to eat. Well, her parents were beside themselves, but he instructed them to tell no one what had happened.)
(John 11.38-44: Then Jesus, after groaning again within himself, came to the tomb. It was, in fact, a cave, and a stone was lying against it. Jesus said: “Take the stone away.” Martha, the sister of the deceased, said to him: “Lord, by now he must smell, for it has been four days.” Jesus said to her: “Did I not tell you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?” So they took the stone away. Then Jesus raised his eyes heavenward and said: “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. True, I knew that you always hear me; but I spoke on account of the crowd standing around, so that they may believe that you sent me.” When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice: “Lazarus, come out!” The man who had been dead came out with his feet and hands bound with wrappings, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them: “Free him and let him go.”)
(Acts 9.36-42: Now there was in Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which means, when translated, “Dorcas.” She abounded in good deeds and gifts of mercy that she was making. But in those days she fell sick and died. So they bathed her and laid her in an upper room. Since Lydda was near Joppa, when the disciples heard that Peter was in that city, they sent two men to him to urge him: “Please come to us without delay.” At that Peter got up and went with them. And when he arrived, they led him up into the upper room; and all the widows presented themselves to him, weeping and showing many garments and robes that Dorcas had made while she was with them. Peter then put everyone outside, and kneeling down, he prayed. Then turning toward the body, he said: “Tabitha, rise!” She opened her eyes, and as she caught sight of Peter, she sat up. Giving her his hand, he raised her up, and he called the holy ones and the widows and presented her alive. This became known throughout all Joppa, and many became believers in the Lord.)
(Acts 20.7-12: On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to have a meal, Paul began addressing them, as he was going to depart the next day; and he prolonged his speech until midnight. So there were quite a few lamps in the upper room where we were gathered together. Seated at the window, a young man named Eutychus sank into a deep sleep while Paul kept talking, and overcome by sleep, he fell down from the third story and was picked up dead. But Paul went downstairs, threw himself on him and embraced him, and said: “Stop making a commotion, for he is alive.” He then went upstairs and began the meal and ate. He continued conversing for quite a while, until daybreak, and then he departed. So they took the boy away alive and were comforted beyond measure.)
(1 Corinthians 15.3-6: For among the first things I handed on to you was what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; and that he was buried, yes, that he was raised up on the third day according to the Scriptures; and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. After that he appeared to more than 500 brothers at one time, most of whom are still with us, though some have fallen asleep in death.)
Jesus’ resurrection of Lazarus is especially noteworthy, since Lazarus had been dead for four days and Jesus performed the miracle before a crowd of people.
(John 11.39: Jesus said: “Take the stone away.” Martha, the sister of the deceased, said to him: “Lord, by now he must smell, for it has been four days.”)
(John 11.42: True, I knew that you always hear me; but I spoke on account of the crowd standing around, so that they may believe that you sent me.”)
Even those who opposed Jesus could not deny the facts of the matter, so instead they plotted to kill both Jesus and Lazarus.-
(John 11.47: So the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered the Sanhedrin together and said: “What are we to do, for this man performs many signs?)
(John 11.53: So from that day on they conspired to kill him.)
(John 12.9-11: Meanwhile, a large crowd of Jews got to know that he was there, and they came not only because of Jesus but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised up from the dead. The chief priests now conspired to kill Lazarus also, since it was because of him that many of the Jews were going there and putting faith in Jesus.)
The Bible shows that God has both the ability and the desire to bring back the dead. He keeps in his limitless memory a detailed record of each person he will resurrect by means of his almighty power.
(Job 37.23: Understanding the Almighty is beyond our reach; He is great in power, And he never violates his justice and abundant righteousness.)
(Matthew 10.30: But even the hairs of your head are all numbered.)
(Luke 20.37, 38: But that the dead are raised up, even Moses made known in the account about the thornbush, when he calls Jehovah ‘the God of Abraham and God of Isaac and God of Jacob.’ He is a God, not of the dead, but of the living, for they are all living to him.”)
God is able to restore the dead to life, and he wants to! Describing the coming resurrection, the Bible says of God: “You will long for the work of your hands.”-
(Job 14.15: You will call, and I will answer you. You will long for the work of your hands.)
Misconceptions about the resurrection
Myth: The resurrection is a reuniting of the soul with the body.
Fact: The Bible teaches that the soul is the entire person, not some part that survives death. footnote;
(Genesis 2.7: And Jehovah God went on to form the man out of dust from the ground and to blow into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living person.)
(Ezekiel 18.4: Look! All the souls—to me they belong. As the soul of the father so also the soul of the son—to me they belong. The soul who sins is the one who will die.)
A person who is resurrected is not reunited with his soul; he is recreated as a living soul.
Myth: Some people are resurrected and then immediately destroyed.
Fact: The Bible says that “those who practiced vile things” will receive “a resurrection of judgment.”
(John 5.29: and come out, those who did good things to a resurrection of life, and those who practiced vile things to a resurrection of judgment.)
However, they will be judged based on what they do after they are resurrected, not before. Jesus said: “The dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who have paid attention will live.”
(John 5.25: “Most truly I say to you, the hour is coming, and it is now, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who have paid attention will live.)
Those who ‘pay attention’ to, or obey, the things they learn after they are resurrected will have their names recorded in “the scroll of life.”-
(Revelation 20.12, 13: And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and scrolls were opened. But another scroll was opened; it is the scroll of life. The dead were judged out of those things written in the scrolls according to their deeds. And the sea gave up the dead in it, and death and the Grave gave up the dead in them, and they were judged individually according to their deeds.)
Myth: When resurrected, a person receives exactly the same body that he had before he died.
Fact: After death, a person’s body would likely have broken down and disintegrated.-
(Ecclesiastes 3.19, 20: for there is an outcome for humans and an outcome for animals; they all have the same outcome. As the one dies, so the other dies; and they all have but one spirit. So man has no superiority over animals, for everything is futile. All are going to the same place. They all come from the dust, and they all are returning to the dust.)
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