The Amazing Resurrection of the DeadSample

Two resurrections?

In one of the most provocative passages of his teaching, Jesus speaks of two resurrections (John 5:25-29).

At first glance, this seems to be a conundrum. ‘The hour is coming,’ he says,
‘but it is actually now here.’ Then he goes on to say that all the dead will hear his voice and those who hear will live, but later he claims that all the dead will hear his voice and be raised either to the resurrection of life or to the resurrection of judgment.

This sounds contradictory, but it may not be as difficult as it seems. The first resurrection of which Jesus speaks may be seen as a spiritual coming to life. Just as the Father has life in himself, so does the Son. And this life is imparted even now to all who hear his voice (John 5:25-26). The word ‘hear’ obviously means not just a casual awareness but an active response. This is what we call being born again.

The New Testament writers use resurrection terminology when talking about this. Through baptism, we are identified with Christ in his death, burial, and resurrection and so walk in a wonderful, indescribable new life! (Romans 6:1-4).

But there is another day coming when all those who are in the graves will hear his voice whether they like it or not and, no matter who they are, will emerge, some to salvation and some to condemnation (John 5:28-29).

The righteous will rocket into eternal life; the unrighteous will plunge into eternal destruction (2 Thessalonians 1:9).

God is just and he cannot simply allow evil to pass unchallenged. Sin must be dealt with and a reckoning awaits us all. Thankfully, Jesus himself died for our sins and through him, atonement is made. But for those who refuse his love, judgment awaits. And because Jesus is the Son of Man, he has been divinely appointed as Judge (John 5:27). In other words, he is both the sacrifice for sin and the Saviour from sin.

So in a sense, there are two resurrections: a spiritual one, which we normally call new birth, and a bodily one which is yet to come. This, no doubt, is what John describes in Revelation 20:11-15.

So we have a glorious hope both for this life and the next. And it is all found in Jesus, who is our Saviour and Lord. Wonderful.

What next?

Jesus once said that his sheep hear his voice and follow him (John 10:27). What does it mean to follow Jesus? Read Mark 1:17; 8:34; John 8:12; 1 Peter 1:21; Revelation 14:4 and make a list.

Read (aloud), record, repeat, and recall John 10:27.