The Resurrection

MEMORY VERSE: 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. – Daniel 12:2 (KJV)

BIBLE PASSAGE: John 5:28-29 (KJV)

28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,

29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

INTRODUCTION: Scripture reveals that resurrection is a reality and this life is not all that there is. While death is the end of physical life, it is not the end of human existence. Everyone will be raised from the dead, but not everyone will share the same destiny (Acts 24:15; Matthew 25:46). The New Testament reveals further details of separate resurrections for the just and the unjust.

LESSON OUTLINES

1. THE FIRST RESURRECTION
2. THE SECOND RESURRECTION

1. THE FIRST RESURRECTION

Education

Revelation 20:4-6 mentions a “first resurrection” and identifies those involved as “blessed and holy.” The second death (the lake of fire, Revelation 20:14) has no power over these individuals. The first resurrection, then, is the raising of all believers. It corresponds with Jesus’ teaching of the “resurrection of the just” (Luke 14:14) and the “resurrection of life” (John 5:29).

The first resurrection takes place in various stages:

1. Jesus Christ Himself, the “first fruits” Corinthians 15:20), paved the way for the resurrection of all who believe in Him (1 Peter 1:3). Christ’s resurrection is the basis of the  Christian’s certainty that all people who have died will one day be raised to face fair and even-handed judgement by Jesus Christ (Acts 17:30-31).
2. The saints who slept were raised after Christ’s resurrection to make an appearance in Jerusalem (Matthew 27:50-53).
3. There will be the resurrection of “the dead in Christ” at the Lord’s return (1 Thessalonians 4:16). It will occur at the time of the rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). The apostle Paul explained that not all Christians will die, but all will be changed, i.e., given “resurrection-type” bodies (1 Corinthians 15:51-53). Christians who are alive and those who have already died will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air and be with Him always.
4. The resurrection of the believers in Jesus who died during the tribulation and the martyrs at the end of the tribulation (Revelation 20:4). Some of the people left behind on earth will repent during this time and trust in Jesus as their Saviour. Tragically, most of them will pay for their faith in Jesus by losing their lives (Revelation 6:9-11; 7:9, 13-14). These will be resurrected at Christ’s return (second phase) to reign with Him for a thousand years on earth (Revelation 20:4, 6).
5. Isaiah 65:17-20 suggests another resurrection at the end of the millennium. Some believers may die a physical death during the millennium.

2. THE SECOND RESURRECTION

Christianity

This is the resurrection of those who rejected Jesus as their Saviour; they will experience the second death or eternal separation from God. It is the raising of all unbelievers and the wicked, judged at the great white throne before being cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:11-15). It corresponds with Jesus’ teaching of the “resurrection of damnation” (John 5:29).

CONCLUSION: What great rejoicing will attend the first resurrection! What great anguish at the second! What a responsibility we have to share the Gospel! (Jude 23-24).

QUESTIONS:

1. Mention the stages of the first resurrection.
2. Describe the second resurrection.

FURTHER READINGS:

Sunday: Matthew 28:5-6 (KJV)
5 And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. 6 He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

RCCG resources

Monday: Revelation 20:4-6 (KJV)
4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.