Grow In Grace
For Additional Study
The Resurrection John 5:28-29 “Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and will come out. Those who have done good will rise to live, but those who have practiced evil will rise to be condemned.”
The promise of a bodily resurrection is not one that came about once Jesus entered the world as its Savior. People of all time trusted the promise of a resurrection from death. Job was an Old Testament believer who knew there would be a bodily resurrection (Job 19:25-27). Martha was a woman who lived at the time of Jesus. She also trusted that promise (John 11:23-27).
Acts 24:15 “...there is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous.” What do these verses tell us will happen on the Last Day?
At the time of death, a person’s soul separates from the body. At that moment, the person is judged and their soul goes to either heaven or hell, based on whether there was faith in Jesus or not. The body remains to be raised on the Last Day and reunited with the soul. This is why Jesus told the criminal on the cross next to him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with Me in paradise” (Luke 23:43). His soul would be in heaven immediately when he died, though his body would be put in a grave.
The Day of Resurrection for those who reject Christ Daniel 12:2 “Many who are sleeping in the dusty ground will awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame, to everlasting contempt.” Matthew 25:41,46a “Then He will say to those on His left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire, which is prepared for the Devil and his angels.' And they will go away to eternal punishment.” 2 Thessalonians 1:8-10a “He (Jesus) will exercise vengeance in flaming fire on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. Such people will receive a just penalty: eternal destruction away from the presence of the Lord and from his glorious strength, on that day when he comes to be glorified among his saints, and to be marveled at among all those who have believed.” Luke 16:23-24 “In hell, where he was in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far away and Lazarus at his side. He called out and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me! Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in misery in this flame.’”
Matthew 10:28 “Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, fear the one who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” 32
The story of Abraham and Lazarus (Luke 16:2324) was told by Jesus. It is a parable—an earthly story with a spiritual meaning. For other examples of parables, read Matthew 13.