and of resurrection of the dead
Our hope is not to die and go to heaven; no, our hope, our full salvation, is the resurrection from the dead. Jesus said, “because I live, ye shall live also” (John 14:19).
1 Corinthians 15:52-53 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
This is very important, our hope is not that we live forever in heaven as disembodied spirits. I hear this quite often, “You are a spirit, who has a soul, that lives in a body. Your body is your earth suit.” No. No! NO! Hear again the creation of man Genesis 2:7:
And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
You see that? First God made the body; then He breathed the
breath of spirit of life; then man became a living soul. When I look in the
mirror, I see me. When you look at me, you see me. Spirit, soul, and body.
That’s me. That’s you. That’s why we read in 2 Corinthians 5:1-4
"For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life."
The soul without the body is naked, unclothed. Resurrection is the salvation promised by God, spirit, soul, and body, me, restored.
The resurrection of the body is expressed in the Apostle’s Creed, “I believe in… the resurrection of the body.” We have, for some reason, toned this down, resurrection of the body. Did you know that in both the Latin (carnis resurrectionem) and Greek (σαρκὸς ἀνάστασιν) versions, it is very shocking, very in your face, it is resurrection of the flesh.
and of eternal judgment
This is the day of judgment we have all heard something about. It’s “called eternal, because the sentence then pronounced is irreversible, and the effects of it remain for ever.” (John Wesley)
2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
Romans 14:11-12 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
Romans 2:6, 16 Who will render to every man according to his deeds... In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ
This is why it is so important, vital really, to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ now. When we believe in the Lord Jesus Christ our sins are forgiven and we are justified, declared righteous before God.
1 Thessalonians 1:9-10 how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, who delivered us from the wrath to come.
If you are not a believer in Jesus Christ, this judgment is to be feared; if you are a believer you may have confidence when he comes.
What do we do with these first principles or foundation? First of all, Have we repented and believed? been baptized and had hands laid on us? Second, Do we understand these first principles well enough to teach them to others? If we answer, Yes, then let us go on unto perfection!
NEXT: Charles Spurgeon on who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil from his sermon on Hebrews 5:14
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