Raising the dead is restoring a dead body mortal body back to a living mortal body. That was done several times in the Bible by both Jesus and his disciples. That’s child’s play compared to a true resurrection which carries with it, “glorification.” It’s true that the resurrection of Jesus means that we too will be resurrected like he was but it also means we’ll receive a resurrected body that is similar to the one Jesus has. Just like Jesus, our new body won’t b subject to material laws. Jesus walked through walls and we’ll do the same. Jesus teleported from one place to another and so will we.
If we want to visit the planet Saturn we can be there in an instant. We’ll be able to go anywhere in the universe whenever we want. God didn’t create the universe just so we can look at it. Most of us have probably built a playground for our children in the backyard. God is no different. The universe was made by God to be our playground and we’ll have an eternity to explore it. A resurrected body is youthful, perfect and immortal. We’ll never grow old, get sick or contract any disease. Just think of the possibilities! My old worn out body has about had it. I’m just trying to keep my body patched up long enough to meet Jesus when he comes. I can use a new body that is an updated model.
John 20:19 – Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.”
Luke 24:31 – Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight.
2 Corinthians 4:14 – Knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and present us with you.
1 John 3:2 – Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.
Jesus was the first resurrection and served as the forerunner for the second resurrection, which will be for all believers. This event is known as the rapture and it will occur when Jesus returns to the earth, in the clouds, to receive his own and take them back to heaven. At Jesus’ command the dead in Christ will rise first and then those who are still alive will be called. We shall all rise in the air together and meet Jesus in the clouds. We’ll all have resurrected bodies and we’ll have them for all of eternity. The rapture will usher in the seven year tribulation period. During this final seven years of human history God will pour out his wrath upon the earth.
The end of human history will be second coming of Jesus, who will come from heaven and set foot on the Mount of Olives as the scriptures have said. Coming with Jesus will be all his angels and the raptured saints (us). The third resurrection will come after this. This is the resurrection before the start of the 1,000 year long millennial kingdom on God on earth where Jesus will rule the world from Jerusalem. This resurrection will be for the Old Testament saints and and all those who weren’t believers at the rapture but gave their lives to Christ during the tribulation period and were saved unto eternal life. Most of the tribulation saints will be martyred for their Christian faith by the antichrist and his forces of evil.
The fourth and final resurrection is at the end the millennial kingdom when all those who reject Jesus and die in their sins are resurrected bodily to stand before the Great White Throne judgment of Jesus Christ. All unbelievers who die will go to hell within the earth to await their judgment on the last day. Think of Hades within the earth as a temporary holding cell before you face the judge. All who die without Christ their sins are still with them and the wages of sin is eternal death in the lake of fire and brimstone. The damned will get their old bodies back before they’re thrown in to the lake of fire. However, they will not be consumed in the fire and their pain and agony will never cease. The bodies of the lost souls in hell will be riddled with maggots but the worm will never die in the fire. For those who have ears let them hear. This is a fate to avoid at all cost!
Isaiah 66:24 – And they shall go forth and look upon the corpses of the men who have transgressed against Me. For their worm does not die, and their fire is not quenched. They shall be an abhorrence to all flesh.
Mark 9:44, 46, 48 – Their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.
You know, the above four verses scare the hell out of me, literally! In Mark we see God states a spiritual truth three times, with exactly the same wording. If God says something twice it’s very important but to say it thrice means it’s vital, it’s critically important and something we must understand. God is telling us our fate if we don’t get rid of the sin in our lives and that can only happen by accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. God has given us a vivid description of hell three times, each time immediately after warning us to remove the sin from our lives. God’s message is clear and it appears in Mark, the first gospel of Jesus Christ. This thing about the worm has confused me for a long time. I think the resurrected bodies of those in hell will be filled with maggots so they are visually repulsive. Why would God do that if nobody was ever going to see the damned in hell? Then in Isaiah we see that people are going to be able to view those in hell so obviously we’re talking about everyone in heaven, men and angels, at some point in the future.
I have this vision in my head of being in heaven and there is a museum of human history. The main attraction is a porthole of sorts where the visitors can look down and see all the tormented souls in hell. Or maybe there’ll be a theatre where you go in and see a movie showing those in hell. It’s bad enough being in hell for eternity but then to have to endure the indignity of having people view your torment forever is over the top for me. You simply don’t want to go to hell. Make it your mission in life to search out the truth of God and accept the eternal life being offered to you as a free gift from Jehovah. Believe in God and his Christ and you will be saved! Don’t wait another minute. Look up the sinner’s prayer on the internet and pray it to God. Reserve your place in heaven and avoid hell altogether.
1 Corinthians 15:53 – For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 – For the Lord Himself will descend with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.
John 5:24 – (Jesus speaking) – Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.
Daniel 12:2-3 – And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, some to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever.