There’s a lot of uncertainty in life right now. What events will happen? What will 2021 look like? In the midst of all that, here’s something certain: every human being that has ever existed will be resurrected. This isn’t science fiction — it’s the Bible’s teaching, and it deserves far more of our attention than it typically gets.
Thinking About What We Don’t Think About
How often do you think about your resurrection? Most of us don’t spend much time there. We think about this life — careers, family, plans, problems — but the overwhelming majority of our existence will be as resurrected beings. Paul says in Philippians 3:11 that he pressed on “that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.” Not because he doubted his salvation, but because the resurrection is so vastly important that it colors everything about how he lived.
“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”
— Romans 8:18
If the resurrection is real, it means this life is only a fraction of our total existence. And it’s only the beginning. Not the end.
God Slowly Reveals This Truth
One of the beautiful things about Scripture is progressive revelation — God didn’t dump everything on us at once. He slowly revealed the truth about resurrection over centuries. The Old Testament gives us our first clear look at it:
“Your dead shall live; their bodies shall rise. You who dwell in the dust, awake and sing for joy!”
— Isaiah 26:19
When Israel first heard this, it must have sparked enormous hope. Daniel records it too:
“Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.”
— Daniel 12:2
And Ezekiel, with that powerful vision of dry bones coming to life:
“Behold, I will open your graves and raise you from your graves, O my people.”
— Ezekiel 37:12
By the time Jesus arrived on the scene, resurrection was an established doctrine among most Jews — they believed the dead would rise in the last day. Martha believed it. When Jesus told her Lazarus would rise, she didn’t argue. She said, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day” (John 11:24).
But here’s the problem: she didn’t know that Jesus Himself needed to rise first before anyone else could follow. The resurrection of God’s children depended on His resurrection coming first.
Jesus: The Firstfruit of the Resurrection
The resurrection of Jesus is the proof that resurrection is real. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 15 — if Christ wasn’t raised, our faith is worthless and we’re still in our sins. But Christ has been raised, and Paul calls Him the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep (1 Corinthians 15:20).
“But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ.”
— 1 Corinthians 15:20-23
The Feast of First Fruits was celebrated on the day after the Sabbath following Passover — the very day Jesus rose from the grave. He is literally the first of the harvest, the down payment on everything that follows.
Paul connects our resurrection to Christ’s in Romans 6:4-5:
“We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too may walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.”
— Romans 6:4-5
Three Resurrections — And We Get to Choose Which One
Here’s where it gets even more interesting. Scripture reveals three separate, distinct resurrection events still to come. And here’s the beautiful part: we get to choose which one we’re part of — not by works, but by faith in Jesus Christ.
If you’re in Christ, your resurrection is guaranteed. Jesus rose as the firstfruits, and because of that, you will be raised just like He was.
So What?
If this is true — and it is — then everything changes. This life is not all there is. We are eternal beings. The overwhelming majority of our existence lies ahead.
If you know this is true, share it. Tell people about the victory we have in Christ, not only in this life but in the life to come. Many around you have no such hope. Tell them.
And if you’ve never considered your own resurrection — if you’ve never thought about the fact that you will live forever — now is the time to stop and grapple with that. Not to be morbid, but to be wise. The God who created you has revealed that you are eternal. How you respond to that truth will shape everything.
Take time this week to read 1 Corinthians 15 — Paul’s full teaching on the resurrection. It will change the way you think about your future, your purpose, and your hope.
Scripture References
- Philippians 3:11 — Paul’s pursuit of the resurrection
- Romans 8:18 — Present suffering vs. future glory
- Isaiah 26:19 — Old Testament resurrection promise
- Daniel 12:1-2 — Awake to everlasting life or shame
- Ezekiel 37:12-13 — Dry bones made alive
- John 11:24 — Martha’s faith in the last-day resurrection
- Luke 20:27-40 — Jesus teaches about resurrected life
- 1 Corinthians 15:12-23 — The gospel and resurrection foundation
- Romans 6:4-5 — United with Christ in resurrection