Faith for resurrection

In the book of Hebrews, we read about the faith of Abraham. He believed concerning his son that 'God was able to raise him up, even from the dead'. Heb 11:19. He evidently believed in a God who gives life to the dead and calls into existence things which don't exist. Rom 4:17. This prompts us to consider our own faith for resurrection.

The Scriptures teach that when Christ descends from heaven with a shout, the dead in Christ will rise first. Then those who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them to meet the Lord in the air. 1 Thess 4:16. In that moment, in the twinkling of an eye, all believers will inherit an incorruptible resurrection body. 1 Cor 15:51-52. That's the hope of the gospel.

Every human being is predestined to be a son or daughter of God and inherit a resurrection body for the new heavens and new earth. This is the body of our eternal sonship. Christ Himself is the prototype. He came to demonstrate the quality of life that every believer will inherit for eternity. After His resurrection, Jesus stood before the disciples and said, 'See My hands and My feet … touch Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have'. Luke 24:39. He was inviting them to touch the very substance of what their own resurrection bodies would be in the age to come. We will not simply be 'spirits' in the age to come. There is a physical resurrection body that is predestined for every believer.

Our eternal inheritance is not a mortal body which is revived and then goes on forever. That would be a body of corruption. Our resurrection isn't just eternal longevity. We are clothed with the incorruptible life of Jesus Himself. We receive a body for the new heavens and new earth which has been transformed into the likeness of His glorious body. Phil 3:21. This was the body that the disciples were able to see and touch! And not surprisingly, they were filled with exceeding joy, something that no one could take from them!

If we are born again as sons of God, we are being renewed in the inward man in preparation for the day of resurrection. Paul said, 'Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day'. 2 Cor 4:16. If we depart this life now, we go immediately to be with the Lord in heaven. We are absent from the body, but at home with the Lord. 2 Cor 5:8. Our physical bodies will rest in hope, waiting for the day when Jesus returns with a shout and calls to the graves. In that day 'all who are in the tombs will hear His voice, and will come forth'. John 5:28-29.

Jesus demonstrated how this works when He brought Lazarus back to life, calling him to 'come forth' from the tomb. John 11:43. Of course, this was a resurrection to mortality because Lazarus died again. In the resurrection of the last day, all believers will come forth to a resurrection of immortality. Mortality will be swallowed up by resurrection life, and the saying will be true, 'Death is swallowed up in victory'. 1 Cor 15:54. This is our faith for resurrection.

Victor Hall

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Feature Articles
February 2009

A measure of faith

Faith for resurrection

Calling upon the Lord

Ready or not

Recognising new creation

Learning to shepherd

The word of faith

The fruits of wisdom

Following the Lamb

Once I was blind

What are fences for?