The Resurrection Of The Dead

John 5:28-29

When Christ comes, there will be a great, general resurrection of all who have ever lived upon the earth. It is written, "And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works" (Rev 20:13).

I offer no argument or proof for my doctrine. I simply declare the plain facts, as they are revealed in Holy Scripture. Those who rebel against them, mock them, despise them, or ignore them do so to their own eternal ruin. But I assure you that the Son of God is coming again; and when he comes there will be a resurrection of the dead.

“The Dead In christ shall Rise First.”

All who have died in faith shall be raised from their graves first. All will be raised. But the saints of God, who have gone before, will have distinct priority in the resurrection. "The dead in Christ shall rise first." The bodies of God's saints shall be raised from their graves and reunited with their souls (1 Thess. 4:13-18). All the Old Testament saints, all the martyrs, all who now sleep in the arms of Jesus in their tombs shall come forth from the dead at the sound of his voice.

Believers Alive On Earth

Will Be Translated, Like Elijah.

Immediately after the sleeping saints arise, all believers living upon the earth shall be changed and caught up to meet the Lord in the air (1 Cor. 15:51-58). As our Lord descends in the brilliant glory of his second advent, we shall go out to meet him and return with him, as he comes with all his saints to burn up the earth, destroy the wicked, and make all things new. What a day that will be!

There Shall also be

“The Resurrection Of Damnation”.

After the Son of God has gathered all the ransomed bodies of his elect from the earth, after he has destroyed all the wicked with the brightness of his coming, all the wicked shall be raised.

Yes, there is a resurrection for the wicked too. But, for you who believe not, there is no music in the resurrection. The Lord himself shall issue a summons that you cannot resist. You will stand in terror before him whose grace you have despised, against whom you have sinned!

Your body and soul now united in sin shall be united in horror! I have no word of comfort for you who will not bow to the claims of Christ. If you die without Christ, you die without hope and without peace! Your resurrection shall be a resurrection of damnation!

O sinners, seek His grace Whose wrath you cannot bear!

Fall, now, before the throne of grace, And find salvation there!

Don Fortner