28 "Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice. 29 and come out-- those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned. 30 By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me.  

Another benefit of Christ’s resurrection is the confidence of our personal resurrection as believers. Yes, there is a time when Jesus returns and at His return all believers will rise again. Notice in this teaching on the resurrection, unbelievers will rise to life again too. Believers will be for eternal blessing and joy in heaven with God. The Bible teaches elsewhere that most others will rise to eternal condemnation and hell.           

Other religions teach about an afterlife.  Many teach about the continuation of the soul or reincarnation in various forms, but the doctrine of the bodily resurrection is unique to Jesus’ teaching.  The body will rise again, not in its corruptible form nor in any of the limitations of this earth.  We will have new bodies.  The way Scripture portrays it, there will be the opening of the graves just as Jesus’ tomb was opened.  No need to concern yourself with cremation or Christians who were eaten by lions or cannibals or all the other questions that some people ponder.  God will bring physical life again to all people. Jesus is coming again, there is no question about it.           

Why would Jesus say, “those who have done good will rise to life, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned.”? Hasn’t the teaching of Jesus been clear that it is faith, belief and receiving Christ that brings life? What place does “done good” or “done evil” have in our living or condemnation?           

Let me answer in two ways. Jesus gives us His answer in John 6:28-29 “Then they asked him, "What must we do to do the works God requires?"

29 Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent." That is pretty simple and straightforward. Faith is the works!           

Secondly, we are told in further Biblical teachings, we will be judged in two parts - faith and works. There is, I believe, a temporary heaven. In the book, “Heaven” by Randy Alcorn prefers to use the term than “paradise”. This intermediate place is clearly reserved for people of faith. Later, according to 1 Thes. 4 and Revelations and other places in the Bible, Jesus will return and the bodily resurrection will result to judgment based on our works. We are saved by faith, but where we go immediately after death is a judgment of what we have done with Christ. So we are with the Lord immediately as people of faith or hades where the unsaved souls go. You could call this an intermediate hell, I suppose, but our bodies do not come out of their graves until Jesus returns.  That will be a time for our rewards or our condemnation. That is a study for a different time.           

Jesus teaches we will rise again and He will be our judge. Now is the time to put our faith into action. Knowing Christ results in serving Christ. There are two options with the resurrection. Jesus wants everyone to be sure they are ready today. If you are, then be encouraged. All those who are dead in Christ will rise again to live. Those who are dead to Christ will rise again to condemnation. Are you ready?

Dale.