One of the most important doctrines of Christianity is the resurrection of the dead and the eternal life of the believers.
The Bible teaches that God has the power to raise the dead and to grant them everlasting life in His presence. In this blog post, we will explore three passages that affirm this truth: Job 19:25-27; John 11:25-26; and 1 Corinthians 15:12-22.
Job 19:25-27 is one of the oldest expressions of faith in the resurrection in the Old Testament. Job, who was suffering from a severe affliction and had lost everything, declared his hope in God as his Redeemer. He said, “I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see him with my own eyes—I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!” (NIV). Job believed that even after his death, he would see God face to face and enjoy His salvation.
John 11:25-26 records the words of Jesus to Martha, the sister of Lazarus, who had died four days earlier. Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (NIV). Jesus claimed to be the source and the guarantee of the resurrection and eternal life. He demonstrated His power by raising Lazarus from the dead (John 11:43-44). He also promised that those who believe in Him will never die spiritually, but will have everlasting life.
1 Corinthians 15:12-22 is part of Paul’s defense of the resurrection of Christ and of His followers. Paul argued that if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised either, and our faith is futile and we are still in our sins (1 Corinthians 15:16-17). But he affirmed that Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, as the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep (1 Corinthians 15:20). He also explained that as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive (1 Corinthians 15:22). He meant that because of Adam’s sin, we all inherit death; but because of Christ’s obedience, we all receive life.
These three passages show us that the resurrection and eternal life are not mere fantasies or wishful thinking, but solid realities based on God’s word and power. They also invite us to trust in God as our Redeemer, to believe in Jesus as our Lord and Savior, and to hope in Christ as our firstfruits and head. They assure us that death is not the end of our existence, but the beginning of a glorious and everlasting life with God.
