BLOG

Resurrection from the dead, part 1

Hebrews 6:2 lists “the resurrection of the dead” as part of the milk of the word that should be taught to new believers. To inform these new believers that there will be a resurrection at the end of the age is only the start of a much broader teaching, which is important to impart some understanding of the concept.

Sadducees and Pharisees

In New Testament times one of the important issues dividing the rabbis was whether or not a resurrection was even possible. The Pharisees believed that there would indeed be a resurrection at the end of the age, and they pointed to Daniel 12:1, 2 as proof of this:

¹ Now at that time Michael, the great prince who stands guard over the sons of your people, will arise. And there will be a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time; and at that time your people, everyone who is found written in the book, will be rescued. ² Many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt.

The Pharisees interpreted this literally, while the Sadducees interpreted it in terms of people waking up to the truth and being in “disgrace” for not knowing the truth previously. So we read in Acts 23:8,

⁸ For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor an angel, nor a spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all.

The Christians, of course, sided with the Pharisees in these matters, because the resurrection of Jesus Christ is central to Christianity itself. Jesus spoke of the resurrection in John 5:28, 29,

²⁸ Do not marvel at this; for an hour is coming in which all who are in the tombs will hear His voice, ²⁹ and will come forth, those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment.

This was Jesus’ interpretation of Daniel 12:2. It is obvious that He taught a literal resurrection, where men come forth from the tombs. Whereas Daniel speaks of some being raised to everlasting life and others to disgrace, Jesus speaks of some being raised to a resurrection of life and evil men being raised for judgment.

Paul himself gave testimony before Felix, the governor of Caesarea, saying in Acts 24:14, 15,

¹⁴ But this I admit to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect I do serve the God of our fathers, believing everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets; ¹⁵ having a hope in God, which these men cherish themselves, that there shall certainly be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked.

There were, however, a few Christians who held a different view. Paul writes in 2 Timothy 2:15-18,

¹⁵ Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. ¹⁶ But avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness, ¹⁷ and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, ¹⁸ men who have gone astray from the truth saying that the resurrection has already taken place, and they upset the faith of some.

We are told nothing else of this view. My view is that Hymenaeus and Philetus believed that the resurrection took place when Jesus Himself died. It was based on Matthew 27:50-53,

⁵⁰ And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up His spirit. ⁵¹ And behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth shook and the rocks were split. ⁵² The tombs were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; ⁵³ and coming out of the tombs after His resurrection they entered the holy city and appeared to many.

Matthew is unclear as to the timing of this resurrection. Did it occur when Jesus died or did it occur after His resurrection on the third day? After they were raised, did they remain in the tombs until after Jesus’ resurrection? The point is that it appears that Hymenaeus and Philetus had deviated from the truth by teaching that this was the resurrection prophesied and that there would be no resurrection at the end of the age.

From our perspective today, their view seems odd, but keep in mind that Christian doctrine was still being formulated and debated. Matthew’s account is unclear, but one thing is very clear: this resurrection was limited to “saints” only and did not include those who would be raised in “disgrace and everlasting contempt.” Hence, it did not fulfill the prophecy in Daniel 12:2; the resurrection is yet to come.

Two Resurrections

Revelation 20:4-6 speaks of “the first resurrection,” that is limited to those who will reign with Christ during the millennium. Revelation 20:11-13 speaks of a second resurrection after the millennium that will include the rest of humanity. His teaching is based largely on Daniel 7:9-11, where the prophet saw the Ancient of Days being enthroned and the dead being summoned for judgment.

“His throne was ablaze with flames,” we are told in Daniel 7:9, and from His fiery throne flows “a river of fire” (Daniel 7:10). The fire is not the judgment itself but is rather the “fiery law” (Deuteronomy 33:2 KJV), the principles by which God judges mankind. For now, we must postpone further discussion about “eternal judgment,” because this will be our next topic (Hebrews 6:2).

The point is there will be two future resurrections and not just one. When the apostles write about the resurrection, we must use discernment to know which resurrection is being referenced. For example, earlier we quoted Paul’s testimony before governor Felix, where he professed that “there shall certainly be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked” (Acts 24:15). This is obviously the second resurrection, as it includes both believers and unbelievers.

Jesus too referred to the second resurrection in John 5:28, 29,

²⁸ Do not marvel at this; for an hour is coming in which all who are in the tombs will hear His voice, ²⁹ and come forth; those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment.

Again, this resurrection includes both believers and unbelievers, so we know it is the second resurrection at the end of the millennium when all the dead are judged.

The First Resurrection

When I was in the mission school in the Philippines many years ago, I asked the teacher about the two resurrections in Revelation 20. She told me that the first resurrection included all believers, and the second included all unbelievers. Yet Jesus and Paul both tell us expressly that there will be a resurrection of both the just and unjust. Which resurrection is that?

It is clear that not all believers will be raised in the first resurrection. John tells us that these are the ones called to “reign with Him for a thousand years” (Revelation 20:6). In other words, these are the ones who qualify for rulership and are given authority in the coming Kingdom. We refer to them as “overcomers,” using the term in Revelation 2:7,

⁷ He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life which is in the Paradise of God.

In the message to the seven churches, it is expected that only those believers with ears to hear are classed as overcomers. The messages are to the entire church, but the overcomers are few.

Other Scriptures speak of the first resurrection. Luke 14:12-14 says,

¹² And He also went on to say to the one who had invited him [to dinner], “When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or you brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, otherwise they may also invite you in return and that will be your repayment. ¹³ But when you give a reception, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, ¹⁴ and you will be blessed, since they do not have the means to repay you; for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

Jesus was teaching that generosity toward the poor is characteristic of those who will be raised in the first resurrection. Another angle comes from Hebrews 11:35, which speaks of the faith of the overcomers,

³⁵ Women received back their dead by resurrection, and others were tortured, not accepting their release, so that they might obtain a better resurrection.

The first resurrection is “better” in that it comes a thousand years sooner than the second, and that it also has rewards for faithfulness.