OUR BODIES Devotion 8 of 15 The resurrection of the dead is a fundamental doctrine of Scripture. Introductory thoughts concerning it are found in Moses, the Psalms, and the Prophets. The fulness of teaching of the resurrection is declared by Christ and the Apostles. This is involved in "life and immortality" being brought "to light through the Gospel" (2 Tim 1:10). PSALMIC EXPRESSIONS The Psalms are filled with references to the resurrection of the dead. Many of them are Messianic in nature, foretelling the resurrection of Christ from the regions of the dead. However, they are not divorced from the experience of the Psalmist. He too participated in the hope, looking forward to the resurrection. His expressions were fulfilled in, but not confined to, the Lord Jesus Christ. ISAIAH PUTS IT INTO WORDS The dominance of the resurrection penetrated the writings of the prophets. Its centrality is seen in the manner in which they spoke of the ultimate triumph of life. "He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it. And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the LORD; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation" (Isa 25:8-9). Paul affirms this to be a declaration of the resurrection of the dead! Referring this text he writes, "So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory'" (1 Cor 15:54). DANIEL AFFIRMS THE RESURRECTION The writings of Moses and the prophets were not exhaustive in their declaration of the resurrection. They were written during times of sparse revelation – a time when moral and spiritual darkness dominated humanity. Yet, the light would occasionally break through the darkness to give hope to souls that lived by faith. – Tomorrow:
" . . . Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body . . . Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? . . . Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's." (1 Corinthians 6:13-20, KJV).
The resurrection of the dead is pertinent to a discussion of "the body," for it is nothing less than the "redemption of the body," signaling the completion of our adoption. As it is written, "And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body" (Rom 8:23).
Exposure to both the introductory and expository texts concerning the resurrection of the dead will confirm its centrality in spiritual thought, faith, and hope. Without exception, where there is ignorance concerning the resurrection, there is a corresponding ignorance of the Gospel of Christ, the purpose of God, and the hope of glory.
"Therefore my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices; my body also rests secure. For you do not give me up to Sheol [the grave], or let your faithful one see the Pit. You show me the path of life. In your presence there is fullness of joy; in your right hand are pleasures forevermore" (Psa 16:9-11, NRSV). This is the passage Peter proclaimed on Pentecost, applying it to the resurrected Christ (Acts 2:26ff). David experienced a longing for his own resurrection, as well as prophesying that of the Lord Jesus.
David spoke from his heart when he wrote, "As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness; when I awake I shall be satisfied, beholding Your likeness" (Psa 17:15). He was speaking of the resurrection of the dead, and of his longing for the same! With prophetic insight, the sons of Korah were directed to sing of the resurrection. "But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for He shall receive me. Selah" (Psa 49:15). Faith begets such longings, sensing this world is not our home, nor is the grave our intended destiny!
Again Isaiah writes, "Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out [give birth to] the dead" (Isa 26:19). The grave will be utterly defeated! Isaiah knew it, and you must also live within the light of this affirmation!
Daniel brings his witness to the world. "And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever" (Dan 12:2-3). Although vague to those under the introductory covenant, Daniel's words make sense to those in Christ.
Christ Jesus clarified Daniel's prophecy, declaring that He Himself would summon all men from their graves. "The hour is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and will come out--those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation" (John 5:28-29, NASB). As to the righteous shining in resplendent glory at that time, Jesus said, "Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father" (Matt 13:43).
Daniel was speaking about the resurrection of the dead. He used the word "many" to declare the extent of the resurrection. It would not be a localized resurrection. His use of the word "many" is intended to convey the idea of "ALL," much like Paul's use of the word (Rom 5:15,16,19). The thought is this: as "many" as were impacted by sin, will be impacted by the resurrection of the dead.
PRAYER POINT: Father, I thank You for the hope of the resurrection, for I do not want to live always in this present evil world. Faith has made me discontent with this world, and given me a longing for the one to come. In the name of Jesus, help me to live with a growing awareness of the time of the resurrection of the dead.