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I. Death:
А. The origin of death.
B. The might of death.
C. The meaning of death:
1. The death of the spirit.
2. The death of the body.
3. The suffering of the soul and the spirit in the flames of Hades.
4. The spirit, soul, and body being thrown into the lake of fire — the second death.
D. The victory over death enjoyed by believers in Christ.
E. The enmity between death and God.
F. The end result of death itself.
II. Resurrection:
А. The source of resurrection.
B. The power of resurrection.
C. The importance of resurrection.
D. The meaning of resurrection:
1. The resurrection of our spirit.
2. The resurrection of our body.
E. The order of resurrection:
1. The resurrection of Christ the firstfruits.
2. The resurrection of the saints being the resurrection of life and the resurrection from the dead.
3. The resurrection of the overcoming saints.
4. The resurrection of the unbelievers being the resurrection of judgment.
Now we need to consider two distinctly different matters: death and resurrection. The Bible often speaks of death and resurrection as being opposite to each other. First Corinthians 15:22 says, “Just as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive.” Just as Adam and Christ are opposites, death and resurrection are opposites. Adam gives us sin, and the result of sin is death. Christ gives us righteousness, and the result of righteousness is life, or resurrection (Rom. 5:17). These two are the exact opposites of the other.
1. “Through sin, death” (Rom. 5:12).
The Bible clearly tells us that death entered into the world through sin. If there were no sin in the universe, there would be no death, but since there is sin in the universe, there is death. The origin of death is sin. This chapter and the preceding chapter are related because death comes through sin.
2. “Sin, when it is fully grown, brings forth death” (James 1:15).
Death is produced from sin. When sin is fully grown, it brings forth death. Thus, death comes through sin; it is the result of sin. Sin is the origin of death.
3. “Where, O death, is your sting? The sting of death is sin” (1 Cor. 15:55-56).
Sin is the sting of death. Just as we use a fishhook to catch fish, death uses sin as a stinging hook to catch people. Once a person touches sin, he is hooked by death, poisoned by death’s sting, and unable to escape death. In order to escape from death, one must escape from sin.
1. “Death reigned...even over those who had not sinned after the likeness of Adam’s transgression” (Rom. 5:14).
Death has might because it can reign over man. Adam and all his descendants are under the might of death and are controlled by death. No one can escape death; death reigns over all the descendants of Adam because of his transgression. Death has the might to control us (v. 17).
2. “Where, O death, is your victory?” (1 Cor. 15:55).
Song of Songs 8:6 portrays death as being something exceedingly strong. Therefore, the might of death is strong; it has the ability to be victorious. According to the Bible, nothing in the universe other than the resurrection of the Lord Jesus can defeat the victorious might of death.
3. “Him who has the might of death, that is, the devil” (Heb. 2:14).
The devil has the might of death in his hands. He works out death in everyone through sin, and he exercises the might of death in everyone because of the presence of sin.
According to the Bible, there are at least four aspects related to the suffering of death, which speak of the meaning of death.
The first suffering of death is related to the death of the spirit. Originally, the human spirit was living. Just as our ears can understand and contact sound and our eyes can differentiate and contact color, the human spirit can know and understand matters concerning God and fellowship with God. However, man’s spirit was deadened, and it lost the function and blessing of knowing and contacting God. This suffering can be compared to the experience of a deaf person who is unable to hear or a blind person who is unable to see.
1. “In the day that you eat of it you shall surely die” (Gen. 2:17).
God told Adam that he would die in the day that he ate of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. But when Adam ate of the fruit, he did not die outwardly. Therefore, God’s word must have referred to the deadening of his spirit. When he disobeyed God’s commandment, the function of his human spirit died, cutting him off from God and causing him to lose the blessing and ability of knowing God, contacting God, and fellowshipping with God.
2. “Let the dead bury their own dead” (Matt. 8:22).
This verse speaks of two kinds of dead people. The first are dead in the spirit but not in body, and the second are dead in both spirit and body. Therefore, the first kind can bury the second. Even though the first can bury those who are physically dead, they themselves are still dead because their spirit is dead in its function of contacting and fellowshipping with God. Although the outward body is living, the inward spirit is dead. Hence, both kinds of people are dead in God’s eyes.
3. “Has passed out of death into life...The dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live” (John 5:24-25).
Every person who does not believe is dead and is in death because his spirit is dead, having been cut off from God and being unable to contact and fellowship with God. When such a one hears the voice of the Son of God, the gospel that gives life, his spirit is made alive, and he is able to contact God in fellowship. Thus, he passes out of death into life.
4. “This son of mine was dead and lives again” (Luke 15:24, see also v. 32).
In God’s eyes every person who is saved was dead prior to salvation. On the day of his salvation he is enlivened, and God no longer considers such a one as being dead but rather as living again. After salvation, God sees every believer as being alive again.
5. “Dead in your offenses and sins” (Eph. 2:1, see also v. 5; 4:18; Col. 2:13).
Every saved one was once dead in offenses and sins. This death is a spiritual death. Because of our sins and offenses before God, our spirit was dead toward God, and we were cut off from God. With regard to our spirit, we were dead and unable to contact God or fellowship with Him.
All the verses in this section refer to death as it relates to the human spirit. First John 3:14 and 1 Timothy 5:6 also refer to this aspect of death. Every unsaved descendant of Adam, whether high or low, great or small, wise or foolish, weak or strong, is dead in his spirit, cut off from God, and unable to fellowship with Him.
The second aspect related to the suffering of death is the physical death of the body. This aspect of death is what is commonly referred to as death. This aspect of death is apparent and can be seen outwardly.
1. “Adam...died” (Gen. 5:5).
This verse refers to the death of Adam’s body. His spirit died when he ate of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, but his body died more than nine hundred years later.
2. “The rich man also died and was buried” (Luke 16:22).
This verse refers to the death of the rich man’s body. Even though his spirit was deadened, his physical body needed to be buried when his body died.
3. “It is reserved for men to die once” (Heb. 9:27).
To die once refers to the death of the body. It is reserved for men to physically die once. This aspect of death is reserved for all men.
The third aspect related to the suffering of death is the suffering of the soul and the spirit in the flames of Hades after the death of the body. This suffering is mainly experienced in the soul.
1. “In Hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torment”; “I am in anguish in this flame” (Luke 16:23-24, see also v. 28).
This portion refers to the rich man suffering in the flames of Hades. According to the context of the verses, this occurred after his body died, and it shows that after the death of the body, the soul and spirit are in terrible anguish in the flames of Hades. Hades is not hell but merely the preface to hell, just as a book has a preface. The coming lake of fire is hell. Hades only has flames, but the hell of the lake of fire has fire. No one knows how much more severe the lake of fire will be than the flames of Hades. Since those in the flames of Hades experience terrible anguish, surely there will be considerable suffering in the lake of fire.
The fourth aspect related to the suffering of death is that of the entire person — spirit and soul and body — being thrown into the lake of fire to suffer for eternity. This is what the Bible refers to as the second death. Man’s spirit is dead, then his body dies, and his soul suffers in Hades. These three aspects together comprise the first death. This first death is progressive, starting with death in the spirit, proceeding to death in the body, and culminating with the suffering of death in the soul and spirit in Hades. When the soul and spirit suffer in Hades, the process involving the first death is completed. Strictly speaking, after a person is born, he is not living every day but dying every day. Eventually, his body dies, and his soul suffers in Hades, completing the first death. In the future the spirit and soul will come forth out of Hades, and his body will come out from the earth. The entire person of those who are not saved will be resurrected, pass through God’s judgment, and then be thrown into the lake of fire to suffer the second death, which is to suffer in the lake of fire eternally. The suffering of this death is the ultimate suffering of death. The first death is a step-by-step process, but the second death, the death of the entire unsaved person, occurs and consummates at the time of judgment at the great white throne.
1. “If anyone was not found written in the book of life, he was cast into the lake of fire” (Rev. 20:15).
In the future all those who are not saved and whose names are not written in the book of life will be thrown into the lake of fire to perish for eternity.
2. “The cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and fornicators and sorcerers and idolaters and all the false, their part will be in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death” (Rev. 21:8).
All unforgiven sinners, no matter what their sin, will be thrown into the lake of fire. This is the portion that sinners will receive for sinning, and this is the second death.
3. “Cast into the lake of fire and brimstone...And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever”; “He shall be tormented in fire and brimstone...forever and ever; and they have no rest day and night” (Rev. 20:10; 14:10-11).
The unforgiven sinners who perish in the lake of fire will suffer day and night without rest forever and ever. The result of the first death, going to Hades, is temporary and the suffering of its flames less severe than that of the lake of fire. The result of the second death, being cast into the lake of fire, is eternal, and its eternal sufferings are indescribably severe.
Some people say that a person no longer exists and no longer has any feelings when he dies. But this is not the revelation of the Bible! The Bible shows that the soul and spirit of a dead unbeliever is full of a sense of suffering in the flames of Hades (Luke 16:23-28). Moreover, when his entire person — spirit and soul and body — is cast into the lake of fire, he will be tormented in fire and brimstone and have no rest day and night forever and ever (Rev. 14:10-11; 20:10, 15; 19:20; 21:8). When the Bible speaks of perishing (John 3:16), it does not mean the end of existence, because this same word is translated “ruined” in Matthew 9:17 and Mark 2:22, where the wineskins are ruined and lose their original usefulness. In Matthew 10:6 and 15:24 and in Luke 15:4, 32, and 19:10 this same word is also translated as “lost,” referring to the house of Israel, sheep, the prodigal son, and sinners. Although they are lost, they continue to exist.
1. “Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8).
Believers in Christ have conquered death, even though death is strong, has might, and its sufferings are numerous and terrible. However, death cannot harm or control the believers in Christ. Believers overcome death because Christ died for us. Therefore, death has no position in us and cannot harm or control us.
2. “One died for all, therefore all died” (2 Cor. 5:14).
Christ died for us all. In God’s eyes, we have already died in Christ. In Christ we have left death behind and conquered death.
3. “By the grace of God He might taste death on behalf of everything” (Heb. 2:9).
In His death Christ tasted death on our behalf. When Christ died on the cross, He tasted all the sufferings mentioned above on our behalf. Christ received the portion that we should have received. Christ drank the cup of God’s wrath for us. Therefore, we no longer have to taste the suffering of death. We can leave death behind, having conquered it, because Christ tasted everything of death on our behalf.
4. “Through death He might destroy him who has the might of death, that is, the devil, and might release those who because of the fear of death through all their life were held in slavery” (Heb. 2:14-15).
People fear death, and because they fear death, they are slaves to death and under its control. This is the result of the devil’s exercising the might of death upon people. Christ, however, destroyed him who has the might of death, the devil, on the cross and released us who because of the fear of death were held in slavery to death and to the devil. The death of Christ released us from the might of death and enabled us to leave behind the authority of death and to conquer it.
5. “Who nullified death and brought life and incorruption to light” (2 Tim. 1:10).
Through His death on the cross, Christ destroyed him who has the might of death, the devil, and nullified death itself. Furthermore, He resurrected, bringing life and incorruption to light. Therefore, we not only leave death behind through His death-destroying death but also overcome death by His incorruptible life.
6. “Has passed out of death into life...Those who hear will live” (John 5:24-25).
Christ died for us, tasted death on our behalf, destroyed him who has the might of death, and nullified death itself; therefore, once we hear the gospel and receive Him through believing, our spirit is enlivened, and we pass out of death into life. We escape death and enter life.
7. “Even when we were dead in offenses, made us alive together with Christ” (Eph. 2:5 see also Col. 2:13).
Originally, we were dead in spirit because of our offenses, but when we received His life, God made us alive together with Christ through His Spirit. Our dead spirit was enlivened. Thus, in our spirit we can escape death and live before God.
8. “He who believes into Me, even if he should die, shall live; and everyone who lives and believes into Me shall by no means die forever” (John 11:25-26).
The believers who are alive when the Lord returns have the possibility of never dying. But even if we do not live until He comes, we will be resurrected when He comes. Since He resolved all our problems with death, death can no longer control or hold us.
9. “Those who have fallen asleep through Jesus...will rise first”; “The dead will be raised incorruptible, and we will be changed...Then the word which is written will come to pass, ‘Death has been swallowed up unto victory’”; “May be swallowed up by life” (1 Thes. 4:14, 16; 1 Cor. 15:52, 54; 2 Cor. 5:4).
Because we have received Christ, our spirits have been made alive with His life. Although our bodies are still under death, we will escape death completely when Christ returns, and we will fully enter into the life of Christ. The dead believers will be raised from the dead, and those who are living will be changed. All believers will escape death completely. Every aspect of death in a believer, from spirit to body, will be swallowed up by life. Then in Christ we will overcome death completely. Through Christ’s first coming with our believing into Him, our spirit passed out of death into life. When He comes a second time, our body will pass out of death into life. By His two “comings,” we will completely escape death and overcome it.
1. “Death, the last enemy, is being abolished” (1 Cor. 15:26).
Death is allied with the devil. Since the devil is God’s enemy, death is also God’s enemy. Death is the last enemy that God will abolish.
1. “Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire” (Rev. 20:14).
God will deal with death in the same way that He will deal with the devil. The devil’s end is to be cast into the lake of fire (v. 10). The end result of death is also to be cast into the lake of fire. Death and the devil share the same destiny. This is also the end of Hades, the “co-worker” of death.
2. “A new heaven and a new earth...Death will be no more” (Rev. 21:1, 4)
Death is thrown into the lake of fire at the end of the millennial kingdom. In the new heaven and new earth there will be no more death. God not only works to help us escape from and overcome death; He also works to drive out death from the realm of His authority. Since God is the God of life and the God of resurrection, He and death cannot exist together. When God destroys death, the new heaven and new earth, the realm where God eternally exercises His authority, will be brought in.
This is the story of death. Now let us look at resurrection.
1. “Jesus said...I am the resurrection” (John 11:25).
Since the Lord is resurrection, He is the source of resurrection. Death is related to the devil, but resurrection is related to the Lord. Since the Lord is the embodiment of God, God is resurrection.
2. “God...who gives life to the dead” (Rom. 4:17).
The God who gives life to the dead is the source of resurrection.
1. “The power of His resurrection” (Phil. 3:10).
Since resurrection comes out of God and is the Lord Himself, it is as powerful as God. The power of resurrection is God Himself. Nothing can resist resurrection, just as nothing can resist the power of God. Although death is strong, it is not stronger than resurrection. Only resurrection can resist death; resurrection looses the pangs of death (Acts 2:24), overcomes death, destroys death, and swallows up death (1 Cor. 15:52-54).
2. “The surpassing greatness of His power...which He caused to operate in Christ in raising Him from the dead...far above all” (Eph. 1:19-21).
The surpassingly great power with which God raised Christ from the dead is the resurrection power. By this power we not only overcome death, but we are also far above all. Nothing can limit this power or hold this power down.
1. “If there is no resurrection of the dead, neither has Christ been raised...Your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished...If the dead are not raised, let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die” (1 Cor. 15:13, 17-18, 32).
There is death in the universe, but there is also resurrection. Death is of the devil, whereas resurrection is of God. Death is the devil’s torment for man, whereas resurrection is God’s salvation for man. Without resurrection there would be no salvation for men. Without resurrection Christ would not have been raised, and if Christ was not raised, our faith in Him would be futile. Without resurrection we could not be saved, and we would still be in our sins under death; even those who died in Christ would perish eternally. Without resurrection we would have no hope, and we would be under the control of death, waiting for the final coming of death. Without resurrection our life here would have no meaning. The most we could do would be to eat, drink, and play, frittering our lives away in a drunken stupor since we could die tomorrow and enter into eternal nothingness. Without resurrection we would have no salvation today and no hope for the future; we would be of all men most miserable. However, since Christ rose from the dead and resurrection will come, our salvation today is solid, and our future hope is reliable.
2. “Concerning the resurrection of the dead...He is not the God of the dead, but of the living” (Matt. 22:31-32).
Resurrection is essential not only to us but also to God Himself. God is a God of life; He cannot tolerate death nor be the God of the dead. He can be the God only of the living. Through resurrection God deals with and overcomes the death that was injected into His people by His enemy, the devil. With resurrection He can be our God and come into us as God. If He could not deal with death through resurrection, He could be God only in Himself; He would not be able to come into us. God must resurrect us and eliminate the death in our being through resurrection because He desires to be in us.
Just as death includes several aspects in regard to its meaning, there are several aspects of resurrection in regard to its meaning.
The first item included in death is the death of the spirit, and the first item included in resurrection is the resurrection of the spirit. An understanding of this aspect of resurrection involves a distinction between fact and experience.
1. “Raised us up together with Him” (Eph. 2:6).
When God raised Christ from the dead, He raised us up together with Him. This is a fact related to the resurrection of our spirit. Our spirit was resurrected based on our union with Christ in His resurrection. In addition to Ephesians 2:6, several other verses speak of the fact of our union with Christ in resurrection, including Colossians 2:12 and 3:1, Romans 6:4-5 and 8, and John 14:19.
2. “Even when we were dead in offenses, made us alive together with Christ” (Eph. 2:5).
This verse speaks of the experience of our spirit being resurrected. This experience is based on the fact that we were raised up together with Christ. Prior to believing, our spirit was deadened, and it had lost its function before God because of our offenses. However, when we believed in Christ and received Him, God enlivened our deadened spirit based on the fact that we were raised up together with Christ. Our spirit’s function toward God was revived at the time of our regeneration. Colossians 2:13, John 5:25, and Luke 15:24 and 32 also speak of this matter.
The second item included in the meaning of death is the death of the body; the second item included in the meaning of resurrection is the resurrection of our body. When a believer is saved and regenerated, his spirit is resurrected, but the body of a believer will not be resurrected until later.
1. “All in the tombs...will come forth...to the resurrection” (John 5:28-29).
The resurrection spoken of in this verse is related to the body, not the spirit, because it speaks of all in the tombs coming forth to the resurrection. Resurrection out of the tombs is the resurrection of the body.
2. “How are the dead raised?...What you sow is not made alive unless it dies...So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption” (1 Cor. 15:35-36, 42).
These verses speak of the resurrection of a believer’s body. Many think that resurrection is vague and implausible. Ten years ago I met a college student. He said that he believed in Christ but could not believe in resurrection. I pointed out the window to the wheat fields and said to him, “Look at these lush fields of wheat! How do they grow out of the ground? Do they not come out in resurrection? The grains of wheat fall into the ground and die, then something grows out of the ground in resurrection. The possibility of our resurrection seems to be quite vague, but the principle of resurrection can be seen in all living things, both plants and animals. An egg breaks, and a baby chicken is born. A seed decays, and a flower sprouts up. These are pictures of resurrection. There are too many examples like this in the field of biology!” When the college student heard this word, he realized that resurrection was quite logical. He admired my examples and explanation, but I did not think of them myself; they come from the Bible. The Bible says that if what we sow does not die, it cannot be made alive, but if it dies, it can be made alive. Furthermore, the body of resurrection is superior to the body that is planted. The resurrection of a dead believer follows this pattern. Those who die will live again; they will be resurrected. Furthermore, what is planted in death is a corruptible, shameful, weak, fleshly body, but what comes out in resurrection is an incorruptible, glorious, strong, spiritual body. Thus, this reference to resurrection in the future emphasizes the resurrection of the body, which is practical and real.
1. “All will be made alive. But each one in his own order: the firstfruits, Christ; then those who are Christ’s at His coming; then the end” (1 Cor. 15:22-24).
In God’s plan and arrangement the resurrection of the dead has an order. Each one is resurrected in his turn. The first is Christ. He was the first to resurrect from the dead, so He is the firstfruits of resurrection. This has been accomplished. Next, the saints who belong to Christ and who have died will resurrect when the Lord returns before the millennial kingdom. Finally, at the end of the millennial kingdom the unsaved who have died will resurrect. Generally speaking, resurrection can be divided into three groups, but there are some exceptional occurrences of resurrection, such as the resurrection of the two witnesses (Rev. 11:3-12).
2. “An hour is coming in which all in the tombs will hear His voice and will come forth: those who have done good, to the resurrection of life; and those who have practiced evil, to the resurrection of judgment” (John 5:28-29).
All those in tombs, whether they are believers or unbelievers, will hear the voice of the Son of God and be resurrected. However, the time and nature of their resurrection will differ. The first to be resurrected will be the saints who have done good; they will come forth to the resurrection of life. Those who are raised first will obtain life. The second will be the unsaved who have practiced evil; they will come forth later to the resurrection of judgment. Those who are raised later will receive judgment. The resurrected saints will receive life, so their resurrection is called the resurrection of life. This will occur before the millennial kingdom. The resurrected unbelievers will receive judgment, so their resurrection is called the resurrection of judgment. This will occur after the millennial kingdom. These two resurrections are different in nature and in time. One is to life, and the other is to judgment; one is before the millennial kingdom, and the other is after. They will be one thousand years apart.
The preceding two points concerning the order of resurrection are a general outline. Now let us analyze them more closely.
1. “On the first day of the week”; “The day after the Sabbath” (Mark 16:9; Lev. 23:11).
The resurrection of the firstfruits was on the first day of the week, which was the day after the Sabbath in the Old Testament, as recorded in Leviticus 23:10-11. It occurred on what the New Testament calls the Lord’s Day (Rev. 1:10).
2. “Christ” (1 Cor. 15:23).
The person who was raised as the firstfruits was Christ. According to the record of the Bible, many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were also raised after His resurrection (Matt. 27:52-53). This is according to the Old Testament type concerning this matter that points not to one grain but to one sheaf (Lev. 23:10-11), which exactly corresponds with the facts related to Christ’s resurrection.
3. “The Firstborn from the dead”; “Which He caused to operate in Christ in raising Him from the dead and seating Him at His right hand in the heavenlies...and gave Him to be Head over all things to the church, which is His Body” (Col. 1:18; Eph. 1:20, 22-23).
In the resurrection of the firstfruits Christ became the Firstborn from the dead. He was the first to resurrect from the dead, so He is the firstfruits of the resurrected ones. Moreover, in resurrection Christ ascended far above all and became Head over all things to the church. He was made the Head of all.
1. “At His coming”; “At the last trumpet” (1 Cor. 15:23, 52).
The first resurrection is the resurrection that gives life. This resurrection is not only from death but also from among the dead. This resurrection not only enables people to escape from death but also from the dead. In this resurrection only a small number of the dead are raised, which differentiates them from the other dead. This will occur when Christ comes back before the millennial kingdom at the time of the last trumpet.
2. “Those who are Christ’s”; “The dead in Christ will rise first” (1 Cor. 15:23; 1 Thes. 4:16 see also John 6:39-40, 44, 54; 11:25).
Those who will participate in the first resurrection are the dead saints. When the last trumpet sounds and the Lord returns, the dead saints from all the ages will be resurrected from among the dead.
3. “The resurrection of life”; “Raised incorruptible”; “The dead in Christ will rise first...Be caught up together...and thus we will be always with the Lord” (John 5:29; 1 Cor. 15:52; 1 Thes. 4:16-17).
The first resurrection is the resurrection of life. All who participate in the first resurrection will enter into life with incorruptible bodies. They will be caught up to the air and will always be with the Lord.
In every age there are a few overcoming saints. Although they will be resurrected at the same time as the other saints, they will have an out-resurrection, a better resurrection, the top resurrection. This can be illustrated by students at a graduation ceremony. The top three students graduate at the same time as the other students, but their graduation is a special graduation, a graduation with a reward, a graduation with honors. The resurrection of the overcoming saints will come with a special and glorious reward. We need to look at the portions in the Bible that speak of this.
1. “You will rest and rise again in your lot at the end of the days” (Dan. 12:13).
Daniel was an overcomer in a time of desolation. This verse speaks of his rising again in his lot, meaning that he will not only rise again but will also enjoy the lot, the special blessing, that God has prepared for him. Therefore, his resurrection will be a resurrection with a glorious reward.
2. “It will be repaid to you in the resurrection of the righteous” (Luke 14:14).
Some will be repaid in the resurrection of the righteous. This means that they will receive a repayment in addition to resurrection. Therefore, their resurrection must also be a resurrection with a glorious reward.
3. “Those who are counted worthy to obtain that age and the resurrection from the dead” (Luke 20:35).
Some are counted worthy to obtain the future age in the resurrection from the dead. This shows that they are not only resurrected from the dead but that they are separated from the rest to obtain the future age. This means that they will be kings in the future age, ruling over this world. Therefore, their resurrection will be a glorious resurrection of reward.
4. “That they might obtain a better resurrection” (Heb. 11:35).
The resurrection given to some is a better resurrection. This means that their resurrection will be different from ordinary resurrection. In this resurrection some will obtain a reward and glory.
5. “If perhaps I may attain to the out-resurrection from the dead” (Phil. 3:11).
This word concerning the out-resurrection was spoken by the apostle Paul. According to the context of the preceding verses in Philippians, this out-resurrection is something that will be attained and obtained by those who give up everything, suffer with the Lord, strive to pursue His reward, endeavor to run in the Lord’s way, and are martyred for Him. Therefore, the out-resurrection is different from the resurrection that Paul speaks of in 1 Thessalonians 4:16. There he speaks of the resurrection of all believers; here he speaks of a resurrection in which only those saints who are martyred for the Lord and who overcome can participate. First Thessalonians speaks of a general, ordinary resurrection; Philippians speaks of a special, out-resurrection. According to the word in 1 Thessalonians, the apostle Paul is certain that he would obtain the general, ordinary resurrection, since all who die in Christ participate in this resurrection. But in Philippians 3 the apostle does not have the assurance that he will obtain the special, out-resurrection. He says that he counts all things loss for the Lord, suffers with the Lord, and is being conformed to the Lord’s death so that perhaps he might attain to the out-resurrection. He does not consider that he has already obtained it. He continues to strive to pursue it, to run hard in the hope that he would obtain this special resurrection. Only those who are faithful to the Lord unto death can participate in this special out-resurrection. All the saints will be resurrected, but only those who are faithful to the Lord unto death will participate in the out-resurrection. As long as a student passes, he will graduate, but only the top students in the class will graduate with honors. Although other students graduate, they will not receive a prize or obtain honor. Similarly, every dead believer will be resurrected, but not all will receive a resurrection of reward, the out-resurrection. Only those who have overcome will obtain a reward in addition to being resurrected. Therefore, the resurrection that they obtain is a resurrection with a reward; it is a special out-resurrection.
6. “They lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years...This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no authority, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years” (Rev. 20:4-6).
The resurrection referred to here is the first resurrection because it speaks of the resurrection that occurs before the millennial kingdom. It also says that this resurrection is the first (best) resurrection because the ones resurrected are rewarded to reign with Christ. The Greek word translated “first” is the same word that is used in Luke 15:22 for best in the best robe. The first resurrection is also the best resurrection. Those who have part in the best resurrection will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Christ for a thousand years, ruling over the earth in the millennial kingdom. These are the overcoming saints who bore the Lord’s testimony and were martyred for God. They are the only ones who will participate in this resurrection.
1. “The thousand years were completed”; “The end” (Rev. 20:5; 1 Cor. 15:24).
The final resurrection is the resurrection that will bring the unbelievers to judgment. The time of this resurrection will be after the millennial kingdom.
2. “The rest of the dead”; “The dead, the great and the small”; “Those who have practiced evil” (Rev. 20:5, 12; John 5:29).
Those people who will be in the final resurrection are the unsaved dead, not the saints. After the millennial kingdom the dead will be raised to be judged to determine their eternal destiny.
3. “The resurrection of judgment”; “Standing before the throne...The dead were judged...according to their works”; “Cast into the lake of fire” (John 5:29; Rev. 20:12, 15).
The people who participate in this final resurrection will be judged and condemned. After they are resurrected, those in the final resurrection will stand (standing signifies that they are living) before the great white throne to be judged according to their works. Then they will be cast into the lake of fire to perish eternally because none of their works will be approved.
All of these points are the story of resurrection.
