Instruction about
the Resurrection of the Dead
The Fifth of Six
“Elementary Teachings about Christ”
from Hebrews 6:1,2
We are studying Hebrews 6:1-2:
Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings
about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again
the foundation
of repentance from acts that lead to death, and
of faith in God,
instruction about
baptisms,
the laying on of hands,
the resurrection of the dead, and
eternal judgment.
Topic Headings:
- Introduction
- Three Kinds of Death
- Spiritual Death
- Physical Death
- The Second Death
- Three Kinds of Resurrection
- Spiritual Resurrection
- Resurrection of the Soul after Physical Death
- Resurrection at the Last Day
- What Should You Do?
- Closing Thoughts
Introduction
The greatest resurrection was the resurrection of Jesus Christ!
He lived.
He died.
He came back to life!
Three Kinds of Death
- Spiritual death
- Physical death
- The Second death
Spiritual Death
God warned our first parents: But from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die.” (Genesis 2:17)
They ate the forbidden fruit. Did they die that day? Day can mean a period of time that is longer than a 24-hour period, depending on the context. Perhaps the word day here means the period of time after they ate. No matter how we understand this, suddenly they knew that they were naked. Suddenly they did not want to see their Life-giver. Suddenly they were blaming someone else for their own faults. Suddenly, they were “dead in transgressions and sins.” (Ephesians 2:1)
Their vital connection with God was cut off; their good relationship with God died. Since God is the source of life, they surely had begun the process of dying. Physical life without a good relationship with God can be called ‘spiritual death.’
All descendants of these first two people inherit this condition!
Physical Death
In Genesis 5:5 we read: So all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years, and he died. This most magnificent of all God’s creatures, created originally in God’s own image, created to live for ever – this man DIED! His body ceased functioning. The immaterial part of his being separated from the material part of his being. This can be called ‘physical death.’
Except for those who are alive when the Last Day comes, all descendants of Adam die physically.
The Second Death
The apostle John describes the Second Death in the last book of the Bible:
But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.” (Revelation 21:8)
The Lord Jesus teaches us that this horrible place has been “prepared for the devil and his angels.” (Matthew 25:41) It is a place of “everlasting punishment” (Matthew 25:46). where “their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.” (Mark 9:44)
All mankind must experience these three kinds of death:
- Spiritual Death,
- Physical Death, and
- The Second Death,
UNLESS God intervenes and helps us!
God did intervene; He does help us!
Three Kinds of Resurrection
1. Spiritual Resurrection
2. Resurrection of the Soul after Physical Death
3. Resurrection at the Last Day
Spiritual Resurrection
Just as there is spiritual death, there is also spiritual resurrection.
As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins , . . . but because of His great love for us, God, . . . , made us alive with Christ. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, (Ephesians 2:1,4a,5a,6)
Here is an illustration of this idea:
This spiritual resurrection is connected to baptism.
Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. (Romans 6:3-4)
Resurrection of the Soul after Physical Death
The Sadducees did not believe in the resurrection of God’s people after this life. Here’s what Jesus told them:
Now about the dead rising—have you not read in the book of Moses, in the account of the bush, how God said to him, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not the God of the dead, but of the living. You are badly mistaken!” (Mark 12:26-27 )
Abraham died in 1876 B.C.
Isaac died in 1771 B.C.
Jacob died in 1744 B.C.
God spoke these words to Moses in1462 B.C.
Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob were living with God in 1462 B.C.! And still are!
Resurrection at the Last Day
Martha’s brother Lazarus had died. Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” (John 11:23, 24)
Here’s what will happen at the last day:
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. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. (1 Thessalonians 4:15-17)
Here’s more:
But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. . . .That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with His promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. (2 Peter 3:10a,12b-13)
On the Last Day all believers will be raised to life bodily. Then they will begin to live with God in a New Creation!
What Should You Do?
Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. (2 Peter 3:11-12a)
So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with Him. Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, . . . Therefore, dear friends, since you already know this, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of lawless men and fall from your secure position. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever! Amen. (2 Peter 3:14-15a,17-18)
In summary, here is what you should do:
- You ought to live holy and godly lives.
- Make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with Him.
- Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation.
- Be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of lawless men and fall from your secure position.
- Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Closing Thoughts
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?”
She said to Him, “Yes, Lord; I have believed that You are the Christ, the Son of God, even He who comes into the world.” (John 11:25-27)
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23)
© copyright 2011
Lyra Publications
Preston, Minnesota