How many "resurrections" are mentioned in the Bible? And when I say “resurrections” I mean those that are permanent in nature and not temporary, eventually resulting in natural death once again. There are several examples in both the Old and New Testaments of individuals being raised from death, only to eventually die a natural death again later. Both Elijah and Elisha were connected to resurrections in the Old Testament (1 Kings 17:17–22, 2 Kings 4:18–37, and 2 Kings 13:20). The New Testament is filled with examples of Jesus and His disciples raising people from the dead as well, Jairus’ daughter and Lazarus for example (Mark 5:41 and John 11:38–44). But, as mentioned, these individuals all eventually died once again after a period of time. There is also a specific mention of a mass resurrection of “saints” in the Jerusalem area after Jesus’ death and resurrection. “The tombs were also opened and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised and they came out of the tombs after his resurrection, entered the holy city, and appeared to many.” Mt. 27:52-53. As discussed previously, these individuals were resurrected, but then died once again after a period of time.
“Do not marvel at this; for an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs will hear His voice,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." John 5:28-29
"I have a hope in God, which these men themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection, both of the righteous and the unrighteous.” Acts 24:15
First, it is important to point out that everyone will be resurrected. What does the word resurrection mean exactly? The Greek word for resurrection (anastasis) literally means “stand up”. As in, those who are dead and lying in their graves will “stand up” once again. This is what the Bible teaches, everyone, both the righteous and unrighteous, experiences a resurrection from death. The difference is that some will experience a “resurrection of life” and others will experience a “resurrection of judgment”.
“But as it is, Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead also comes through a man. For just as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive…Then comes the end, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father, when he abolishes all rule and all authority and power.” I Cor. 15:20-24.
“Therefore we were buried with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too may walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in the likeness of his death, we will certainly also be in the likeness of his resurrection.” Rom. 6:4-5
The first resurrection we will discuss is the one which makes all others possible: the resurrection of Jesus Christ after His crucifixion. Jesus is called the “firstfruits” because He is the first to resurrect from the dead. We who call Him Lord will also experience resurrection, similar to His. We then become “like Him” and will be the fruit that follows. Jesus died on the cross for our sins. He did not faint, He did not die “spiritually” or “figuratively”, He died physically. He was then resurrected to life again, and inhabited a “glorified” body, one that is physical as we know it, but is not bound by the limitations of the dimensions of this world (time and space). We too will experience resurrection, and be given a glorified body as He was. We will be “made like Him.” “Dear friends, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet been revealed. We know that when he appears, we will be like him because we will see him as he is.” 1 John 3:2.
"We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, concerning those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve like the rest, who have no hope. Since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, in the same way God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep through Jesus. For we say this to you by a revelation from the Lord: We who are still alive at the Lord’s coming will certainly have no advantage over those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the archangel’s voice, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are still alive will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words." I Thess. 4:13-18
“But as it is, Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep…But each in his own order: Christ, the firstfruits; afterward, at his coming, those who belong to Christ. Then comes the end, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father, when he abolishes all rule and all authority and power.” I Cor. 15:20-24.
“...What I am saying, brothers and sisters, is this: Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor can corruption inherit incorruption. Listen, I am telling you a mystery: We will not all fall asleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we will be changed. For this corruptible body must be clothed with incorruptibility, and this mortal body must be clothed with immortality. When this corruptible body is clothed with incorruptibility, and this mortal body is clothed with immortality, then the saying that is written will take place: Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where, death, is your victory? Where, death, is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!” I Cor. 15:50-57.
The next resurrection to discuss is of those who are Christ Followers, the “Bride of Christ” known also as the “Church.” Paul reassures the Thessalonian Christians that just as Jesus died and rose again, so would they. Those that had already "fallen asleep" (died), Jesus will bring (their soul) with him at the rapture. Paul goes on further to explain that those still alive at the time of the Lord's coming (the rapture) will have no advantage over them that have fallen asleep. He says the "dead in Christ" will rise first, and at the Archangel's shout will be reunited with their body. Then, those alive at His return will be "caught up" (raptured) to meet Him in the clouds. Both groups, Christ Followers who died prior to the rapture, and those Christians alive at the time of the rapture, will rise to meet the Lord in the air and will be in their glorified bodies as Christ was after His resurrection.
Many people believe that the souls of fellow believers and loved ones who have already passed away are in Heaven with the Lord right now. However, in my opinion, this is unbiblical. I cannot find anywhere in scripture where the souls of believers, without their glorified bodies, are in heaven now with Jesus. Note that Paul says "and so we will always be with the Lord," which seems to imply that the souls of the believers who died prior to the rapture were not already with the Lord. The New Testament clearly indicates that the Body of Christ will all go to Heaven to be with Jesus forever, all as one at one time, and after the rapture occurs. The church is referred to as the “Bride of Christ” and there are numerous references to a wedding throughout the New Testament. Does it make sense for part of the Bride of Christ to go to heaven to be with the Groom before the rest of the Bride’s body goes during the rapture? No it doesn’t! The Bride must go all together at one time to meet the Lord in the air and be with Him forever more.
Consider Jesus’ last instructions to His disciples at His ascension into Heaven. “Don't let your heart be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come again and take you to myself, so that where I am you may be also.” John 14:1-3. Did Jesus tell us, His followers, “I am going away. When you die, you will come to where I am, and angels will carry you to heaven where you will stand before St. Peter at a big gate.” Nope, not hardly. He clearly said I will come back again and get you, and take you to where I am so that you will live with me forever.
The only mention of Jesus coming back is at the point of the rapture, when He comes back in the air to call us home with Him. When He returns to this world at His “second coming” at the end of the tribulation, the Bible clearly states that we are with Him returning to the Earth. “Then I saw heaven opened, and there was a white horse. Its rider is called Faithful and True, and with justice he judges and makes war. His eyes were like a fiery flame, and many crowns were on his head. He had a name written that no one knows except himself. He wore a robe dipped in blood, and his name is called the Word of God. The armies that were in heaven followed him on white horses, wearing pure white linen. A sharp sword came from his mouth, so that he might strike the nations with it. He will rule them with an iron rod. He will also trample the winepress of the fierce anger of God, the Almighty. And he has a name written on his robe and on his thigh: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.” Rev. 19:11-16.
“But I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the end he will stand on the dust. Even after my skin has been destroyed, yet I will see God in my flesh. I will see him myself; my eyes will look at him, and not as a stranger. My heart longs within me.” Job 19:25-27
“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. And 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.” Daniel 12:1-2
“Martha said to him, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day." John 11:24-26
“And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given to them. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of the testimony of Jesus and because of the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received the mark upon their forehead and upon their hand; and they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.” Rev. 20:4
After the resurrection at the time of the rapture, the next resurrections to discuss are those of the tribulation period saints and Old Testament period saints at the end of the tribulation period. References to the tribulation saints in heaven during the tribulation period describe them as “souls” only without a glorified body (Rev. 6:9 and 20:4). At this time, just prior to the start of the millennial kingdom, that one-thousand year literal reign of Jesus from Jerusalem, the tribulation saints will be resurrected physically into glorified bodies and enter into the millennial kingdom.
Much of Old Testament prophecy actually looks forward to the millennial kingdom, as it is for the Jews a time of restoration. Jerusalem will be the world’s capital from where Jesus will rule, and temple worship will be re-instituted along with some of the Feasts of the Lord. Here are just some of the Old Testament passages: Isaiah 4:3-6, Isaiah 11:11-16, Ezekiel 36:22-38, Ezekiel 37:15-28, Daniel 2:31-45, Daniel 7:13-14, Daniel 7:27, Micah 5:2-4, and Zechariah 2:10-13.
Ezekiel chapter 37 references Old Testament period saints and describes them as being resurrected in the end times, being placed in the land originally set out for Israel to inhabit, and that David will be their king, and Jesus will be their Lord. “He said to me, "Prophesy concerning these bones and say to them: Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! ... Then he said to me, "Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. Look how they say, 'Our bones are dried up, and our hope has perished; we are cut off.' Therefore, prophesy and say to them, 'This is what the Lord God says: I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them, my people, and lead you into the land of Israel. You will know that I am the Lord, my people, when I open your graves and bring you up from them. I will put my Spirit in you, and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I am the Lord. I have spoken, and I will do it. This is the declaration of the Lord.” Ezekiel 37:4-14.
“The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were completed. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years.” Rev. 20:5-6
“Then I saw a great white throne and one seated on it. Earth and heaven fled from his presence, and no place was found for them. I also saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life, and the dead were judged according to their works by what was written in the books. Then the sea gave up the dead that were in it, and Death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them; each one was judged according to their works. Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.” Revelation 20:11-15
The final resurrection to discuss is the “second” or “last” resurrection, the resurrection unto death of all those who have rejected Jesus as Lord. All the previous resurrections we have discussed so far are considered a part of the “first” resurrection. These are all resurrections unto life and are resurrections of believers in Jesus Christ. But, what exactly is the difference between the first resurrection and the second resurrection? We are told in Revelation 20:4-6 that those participating in the first resurrection are called “blessed and holy”. This is speaking directly about those who put their trust in Jesus as Savior and Lord. They experience the “first resurrection” and rule with Jesus during the millennial kingdom. Of course, Jesus Himself was the very first (the “firstfruits”) of those who would experience the first resurrection.
So then, if all those who belong to Jesus are part of the first resurrection, who then will experience the “second resurrection”, or maybe more accurately we should call it the “last” resurrection. Revelation 20:4-6 tells us that “the rest of the dead” did not come back to life (resurrect) until after the one-thousand year long millennial kingdom period was completed. At that time, all the dead will be brought back to life as part of the “second” or “last” resurrection in order to face judgment at the great white throne. All those before the Lord God on His throne of judgment who are not found written in the Lamb’s book of life will be judged according to their works, not by grace, and found guilty. They will be sentenced and thrown into the lake of fire. There they will experience the “second death.” This is the final resurrection, the second death.
"I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me, even if he dies, will live. Everyone who lives and believes in me will never die…" John 11:24-26
