1035. Resurrection and the Body

Resurrection and the Body

"We shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye" (1Co_15:51-52)

We now pass beyond the interim which lies between death and the resurrection; and we will consider, first, the resurrection of the body. Concerning the resurrection of the body there are three things we wish to bring before you.

1. It will be an "out" resurrection. There are those who imagine that the Bible teaches a general resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. To be sure, both the righteous and the wicked are to be raised, but not simultaneously. The Apostle Paul speaks of an "out" resurrection from among the dead ones. John, in the Revelation, tells us that "the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished;" and then he adds, "Blessed are those who have part in the first resurrection." The resurrection of the believer is a resurrection from among the dead ones. "Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed." "But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterwards they that are Christ's at His Coming." The Greek in this expression describes company upon company, or phalanx upon phalanx–every one coming forth in his own group.

2. The resurrection will bring a change. As we have borne the image of the earthly, we shall bear the image of the Heavenly. Corruption must put on incorruption. The body is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: it is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body.

"Soon will our Saviour from Heaven appear;

Sweet is the hope and its power to cheer,

All will be changed by a glimpse of His face–

This is the goal at the end of our race!"

"Oh, what a change, Oh, what a change,

When I shall see His wonderful face!

Oh, what a change, Oh, what a change,

When I shall see His face!"

3. The new body. There are some wonderful visions in the Word of God about our new body. Perhaps the most illuminating word is "a spiritual body." This expression in no wise suggests an ethereal body,–that is, a body that is not a body.

When our Lord was raised from the dead, He said: "A spirit hath not flesh and bones as ye see Me having." He said to Thomas: "Come, touch Me, handle Me." He showed them His hands and His feet. He had a spiritual body in His resurrection. We will have a spiritual body in our resurrection; that is, our body will be a body adapted to the spirit, a body of flesh and bones, not of blood.

All the beauty and all the glory of the resurrection is removed, if, in the resurrection there is no personality to the redeemed. Thank God, we will have literal, tangible bodies, and we will have a literal city, with literal streets, like unto pure gold, with literal walls made from literal precious stones, and with literal gates made from literal pearls.

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR