OUR BODIES Devotion 10 of 15 The resurrection of the dead is not simply an interesting or novel subject. Nor, indeed, is it too profound to ponder, or too impractical to consider. A few years ago, I attended a rather large preaching convention. The subjects chosen for the theme of the gatherings were most excellent. The resurrection of the dead was one of those subjects. When the young man to whom the subject was assigned rose to speak, he introduced his message by saying if he had a choice of subjects, he would have chosen one that was more relevant than the resurrection. There appeared to be a general agreement with his assessment of the value of his subject. However, his observation could not possibly have been further from the truth. Unfortunately, it reflected a perception that is altogether too common. – 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 is central to our faith. Confusion on this point has the capacity of causing people to actually overthrow the faith, quit believing, and become reprobate. Those who view salvation in an overly simplistic manner conclude that understanding the resurrection of the dead to some measurable degree is an unnecessary thing. However, they are in serious error, and have endangered their souls with such foolish notions.
THE SADDUCEES
The Lord Jesus confronted the Sadducees. It is said of them, "who say there is no resurrection" (Matt 22:23). When they posed a hypothetical question to Christ, He responded with an assessment of their view of things – their theology: "Jesus answered and said unto them, ‘Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God'" (Mat 22:29). Their theology had revealed their fundamental ignorance of the Word of God and the power of God. Certainly, that is not an insignificant circumstance in which to be found.
HYMENAEUS AND PHILETUS
Paul encountered men who distorted the doctrine of the resurrection. He did not treat their erroneous teaching as harmless. The particular men to which he referred were "preterists," a term that has been invented in this Christian era to describe a specific theological heresy. The men Paul came across were the first such men of Scriptural record. The preterist doctrine states that everything – including the coming of the Lord – has already occurred. This includes the resurrection of the dead. These foolish teachers, now growing in number, affirm that everything is spiritual in Christ – whatever that means. Thus, they conclude, the resurrection of the dead has already taken place. It has all occurred with neither sight nor sound, and with no change from corruption to incorruption. By so teaching, such men take their place along side Hymenaeus and Philetus. These were men of the first century who left the truth in preference of an imagination. Of them, Paul wrote, "But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some" (2 Tim 2:16-18).
Unlike the Sadducees, these pretenders did not deny the resurrection (Luke 20:27). They acknowledged it was very real – but that it had already occurred. Even at that, they were not as foolish in their thinking as modern preterists. At least they knew the resurrection was one from the grave and of the body. Notwithstanding, their sin was so grievous it caused some to throw their faith away!
Notice the seriousness of the circumstance. These would-be teachers "wandered away from the truth" (NIV). The NRSV says they "swerved from the truth," underscoring their utter lack of interest in saving reality. The KJV says "erred," emphasizing missing the mark. Their teaching "destroyed the faith of some" (NIV). Other versions read, "upsetting the faith of some" (NRSV), "subverting the faith of some" (DOUAY), and "undermined the faith of some" (NLT). The Greek word used means "to overturn, overthrow, subvert." If truth makes us free (John 8:32), then a departure from it thrusts us into bondage – bondage to the devil and to sin. The doctrine of these two false prophets resulted from their own departure from the truth, and caused others to throw away their faith! It is not possible for anything to be more serious.
The effects of their teaching were devastating. If you dare to imagine what is taught has no impact upon those embracing it, you are sadly mistaken. I realize it is fashionable for some to glory in a religion with no doctrine. Such pretensions are not only foolish, they completely misrepresent the stance of those affirming them. Declaring the resurrection had already past was a teaching, or doctrine, that "DESTROYED the faith of some." I do not know how anything can be more serious! If we are saved "by grace through faith" (Eph 2:8), the destruction of faith has eternal consequences! The KJV says "destroy the faith of SOME" (thank God, not all)! Who will be able to stand before the judgment seat of Christ having done such a thing! Where is the individual who will settle for vagueness on the resurrection of the dead? The effect of distorting that doctrine has such drastic repercussions, we had better make sure we see it correctly! The door of hell is opened by tolerance for error of such a magnitude. This is particularly true of foundational doctrines like the resurrection.
When giving an account for his faith in, and commitment to, Jesus Christ, Paul said it was because of "the hope and resurrection of the dead" (Acts 23:6). He also confessed he heartily embraced "that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust" (Acts 24:15). He declared that one of the primary objectives of his life was to "attain unto the resurrection of the dead" (Phil 3:11). There simply is no such thing as faith that does not hope for the resurrection of the dead. That is, faith moves one to anticipate the resurrection of the dead, at which time we will be clothed with immortality. As it is written, "So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: it is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body" (1 Cor 15:42-44).
Does the resurrection have anything to do with faith? Indeed it does! It is one of the rudiments, or foundations, of sound teaching, which is the fuel for faith (Heb 6:2). The resurrection will occur "at the last trump" (1 Cor 15:52). Let no person imagine they can live by faith while ignoring the time of the last trump, and the event of the resurrection.
PRAYER POINT: Father, I thank You for the clarity with which You have spoken about the resurrection of the dead. In the name of Jesus, root out of Your church those who distort or ignore this teaching, thereby overthrowing the faith of some.