What benefits do believers receive from Christ at the resurrection?
At the resurrection believers, being raised up in glory, shall be openly acknowledged, and acquitted in the day of judgment, and made perfectly blessed, both in soul and body, in the full enjoyment of God to all eternity.
Proofs
- At the resurrection believers, being raised up in glory, (1 Corinthians 15:43)
- shall be openly acknowledged, and acquitted in the day of judgment, (Matthew 25:23; Matthew 10:32)
- and made perfectly blessed, both in soul and body, in the full enjoyment of God (1 John 3:2; 1 Corinthians 13:12)
- to all eternity. (1 Thessalonians 4:17–18)
Additional Exposition
Section 1
Is it possible that there should be a resurrection?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Why should it be thought a thing incredible to you, that God should raise the dead, (Acts 26:8)
Is it certain that there shall be a resurrection?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: For many of them (i.e. the multitude of them) that sleep in the dust shall awake, (Daniel 12:2)
Has there already been a resurrection?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: For the graves were opened and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, (Matthew 27:52)
Is this work ascribed to the Father?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: For he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also, (2 Corinthians 4:14)
And to the Son?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: As the Father raiseth up the dead and quickeneth them, so the Son quickeneth whom he will, (John 5:22)
And to the Spirit?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: He will quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit, (Romans 8:11)
And shall the saints rise first?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: The dead in Christ shall rise first, (1 Thessalonians 4:16)
Section 2
Will the same bodies be raised again?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: In my flesh I shall see God, (Job 19:26)
But will they be very different from what they are now?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: That which thou sowest is not that body which shall be, (1 Corinthians 15:37–38, 42)
Will they be free from all natural weaknesses?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: For they are sown in weakness but they are raised in power, (1 Corinthians 15:43)
Will they be free from all mortal defilement?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: For blessed and holy is he, that hath part in the first resurrection, (Revelation 20:6)
Will they be endowed with activity and vigour?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body, (1 Corinthians 15:44)
Will they be rendered incorruptible and immortal?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: For this corruptible shall put on incorruption, and this mortal put on immortality, (1 Corinthians 15:53)
Will they in all these respects resemble the glorious body of Christ?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: He will change our vile body, and fashion it like unto his glorious body, (Philippians 3:21)
And all those who are found alive at Christ’s second coming undergo a change equivalent to the resurrection?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, (1 Corinthians 15:51)
Section 3
Will the saints be gathered together at the day of judgment?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Gather together my saints to me, (Psalm 50:5)
And will this be the work of angels?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: He shall send his angels and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, (Matthew 24:31)
Will they be separated from the wicked?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: As the shepherd divideth the sheep from the goats, (Matthew 25:32)
And will this be a final separation?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Between us and you there is a great gulf fixed. (Luke 16:26)
Will they accompany Christ to judgment?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Behold he cometh with ten thousand of his saints, (Jude 14)
And be assessors with him in it?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Ye shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel, (Matthew 19:28)
And testify their approbation of all his proceedings?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: They will say hallelujah, Salvation and glory, unto the Lord our God, for true and righteous are his judgments, (Revelation 19:1–2)
Section 4
Will the saints be openly acknowledged at the day of judgment?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Him will I confess before my Father which is in heaven, (Matthew 10:32)
And openly acquitted?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Well done good and faithful servant, (Matthew 25:23)
And openly rewarded?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord. Ibid. Will their good works be then remembered? Yes. I was an hungered and ye gave me meat, (Matthew 25:35)
And their evil ones forgotten?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: The iniquity of Israel shall then be sought for, and there shall be none, (Jeremiah 50:20)
Section 5
Will heaven be the place of the saints’ residence?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven, (2 Kings 2:11)
Is it prepared for them?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: I go to prepare a place for you, (John 14:2)
And promised to them?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: It is eternal life which God that cannot lie hath promised, (Titus 1:2)
Will they in heaven see God?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God, (Matthew 5:8)
Will this be a transforming vision?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: They shall be like him, for they shall see him as he (1 John 3:2)
And an abiding one?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: So shall we be for ever with the Lord, (1 Thessalonians 4:17)
Is this enough to comfort them under all the sorrows and afflictions of life?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Wherefore comfort one another with these words, (1 Thessalonians 4:18)