Title About Resurrection
Contents
1 Corinthians 15:35-44 Concerning the Resurrection
We often refer to our lives as life and death. In other words, life is from birth to old age, sickness, and eventually death. All people in this world, regardless of age or gender, rich or poor, high or low status, are all in this life, the old and the sick. Therefore, David wrote in the Psalms, "You have made my days as wide as a hand, and my whole life is as if nothing before you... Verily, every man walks like a shadow, and dwells on vanity, and accumulates wealth, but does not know who will take it." “(Psalm 39:5-6).
And people try their best to overcome the futility and impermanence of life. They eat good food, exercise, dye their hair, and even have plastic surgery to keep themselves young. It is probably common knowledge that the older you get, the younger you look and want to live a long and healthy life.
However, you must remember that no matter how hard you try, there are limits. Now that genetic science has advanced, it is said that the genetic map of the human chromosome (genome) has been deciphered. It was said that this was a bigger deal than landing on the moon. And if used well, it can cure incurable diseases such as cancer and AIDS, and it is said that it is possible to prevent aging. It is said that they can live up to 120 years of age.
But there are still truths we must remember. The truth is that humans are bound to die someday. Also, this problem is the fact that no matter how hard people try, they cannot solve it on their own. It is truly unfortunate, but this is an unavoidable human reality, a tragedy.
However, the surprising fact is that there is a truth in the gospel that human beings have no choice but to die, but after that the body can live again. I am worried that many people do not believe in this truth... In fact, the more you think about it, the more surprising and joyful the news is. When Korea's soccer jumped to the quarterfinals of the World Cup, the whole country shook with joy and exploded. How happy would it be if people knew that their dead bodies were resurrected?
1. Basis of Resurrection
Ladies and gentlemen, the Bible clearly testifies that our bodies will be resurrected. Here are some typical verses from the Bible: "The Lord's dead will rise, and our corpses will rise. Awake and sing, you who dwell in the dust" (Isaiah 26:19) "Truly, truly, I say to you, the hour is coming when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God. This is the hour, and those who hear will live” (John 5:25).
Also, during his public life, Jesus performed the miracle of raising the dead. He raised the daughter of Jairus, the ruler of the synagogue (Mark 5:35-43), raised the son of a widow in Nain (Luke 7:11-17), and raised Lazarus, who had been dead for four days (John 11:39-44). ) Of course, their resurrection is different from the future resurrection, but they show symbolic truth in that they conquered death and the body came to life anyway.
The clearest evidence among them is the resurrection of Jesus Himself. Jesus died on the cross and shed His blood and rose again three days later. And for 40 days, he appeared to his disciples as a resurrected body. This is the surest reason for the resurrection. In 1 Corinthians 15:20, it says that Jesus became the firstfruits of the resurrection. That is, like Jesus, all saints will be resurrected.
2. Characteristics of the resurrected body
Resurrection does not simply mean that the body you had before you die comes back to life. If so, it would be better to die when you are at your healthiest and most beautiful. And if you have a serious illness or disability in your body, or die of old age, you will be in trouble. However, the resurrection of our saints is not such a resurrection. The resurrected body will live again as the best new body that cannot be compared with this body now.
will be Specifically, what does the resurrected body look like? We can see it through today's text and the appearance of the risen Jesus.
1) Incorruptible body: No matter how healthy and beautiful our body is, it will eventually age, get sick, die, and rot. But the resurrected body does not get sick or senile, neither die nor decay. That is why it is said that the resurrection is complete healing and complete salvation. Also, wouldn't this be the way to live forever in heaven? In other words, you cannot enter heaven with this body now, and even if you do, you cannot live. No matter how good the kingdom of heaven is, wouldn't it be difficult if it doesn't fit your constitution?
2) Glorious body: As we live our whole life, our body gets hurt and becomes distorted. There are also surgical scars... that's why I'm ashamed. Sometimes, they can't even go to a public bath because they are ashamed of their wounded body. However, our resurrection body will be transformed into the most beautiful and glorious body that we can boast in front of anyone in the future.
3) Strong body: Our body gets tired easily, gets tired, and gets sick. However, the body of the resurrection is strong enough to not get tired even if we sing hymns day and night without rest. It is a body that is not constrained by time and space. After Jesus was resurrected, didn't Jesus enter their room even though the disciples had locked the door? Also, didn't Jesus go to the Sea of Galilee much faster than the disciples did? Our bodies will be resurrected just like that.
4) Spiritual body: Our body is a physical body. The heart is willing, but it is easy to be enslaved by the lusts of the flesh, and it is easy to sin. However, the resurrection body is a spiritual body that can freely and completely act according to the guidance of the Holy Spirit and according to the wishes of the heart.
5) A body that can recognize each other: Since it is said that they change for the better, maybe some of you say, "No, if that happens, wouldn't it be a separated family without even recognizing each other?" I don't know if anyone is worried about it. However, you don't have to worry about that. Even if we change into the body of the resurrection, we can easily recognize it because there is personal continuity, and at that time, IQ will be much better than it is now. Did the disciples not recognize Jesus' resurrected body at first, but later on? Did you not even recognize Moses or Elijah, whom Peter, John, and James had never met on the Mount of Transfiguration?
Ladies and gentlemen, how exciting and enjoyable it would be if we could change our form into a body like Jesus that can recognize each other, such as an incorruptible body, a glorious body, a spiritual body, a strong body, and a body like Jesus. Although the fact of this resurrection is not believed scientifically and rationally, we Christians firmly believe that this resurrection body will transform us.
3. Time of Resurrection
So, when will the resurrection of the body happen? 1 Corinthians 15:51-52 speaks of that time: “At the last trumpet, all will be changed in an instant, in an instant, and when the trumpet is sounded, the dead will live on immortality, and we will also be changed.” And the order of the resurrection at that time is that the dead will be resurrected first, and then those who survived will be resurrected (1 Thessalonians 4:15-17)
To put it back together on the basis of each of us, if I believe in the atoning death and resurrection of Jesus on the cross, I immediately become a child of God and my soul is resurrected with new life. This is called a spiritual resurrection. In this way, I can enter heaven at any time. However, our body cannot enter this state.
Therefore, before the Second Coming of Jesus, the body and soul are separated through death, and only the soul enters the kingdom of heaven, and the body returns to dust. Then, when Jesus comes again, my soul is newly united with the body that has been lost due to corruption (1 Thessalonians 4:14,16). And maybe Jesus will come again when I am alive in my body. At that time, you will not pass through death and will be transformed into a body of resurrection. Therefore, we look forward to the Second Coming of the Lord in our lifetimes.
4. The proper life of believers who believe in the resurrection
Believers who believe in the resurrection of the body, that is, the resurrection of the body, must be different. Of course, even unbelievers will be resurrected. However, it is a resurrection of judgment. (John 5:28-29) That is, a resurrection to receive eternal punishment in hell. (Revelation 20:12-15) This body exists forever, but it is a shameful and painful body. It is eternal misery, eternal suffering, eternal shame.
Therefore, we should always look forward to and long for the resurrection, giving thanks that we have received the resurrection of life, not the resurrection of judgment and death, through the grace of the atonement of Jesus. And we must live by the following principles:
1) We must cast away our carnal worries. Because we have bodies, it is easy for us to live in the midst of many physical concerns while we live on this earth. what to eat what to drink what to wear But guys, think with common sense. Will God, who has given me the great things, solve the small things?
How can God, who has given us eternal life through Jesus and the hope of future resurrection, save me from all the tribulation in the world? Romans 8:32 clearly states: "He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him also gift us all things?"
Also in Philippians 4:6 it says: "Don't worry about anything
but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known."
2) Don't even be afraid of death. If there is heaven and there is resurrection, then death is nothing. Believers in the resurrection are not afraid of death. Rather, we can be bold in the face of death and face it with joy. Because the death of the saints is the gateway to heaven and the prelude to the resurrection.
But even among those who believe, "Is it okay to wear cremation after death? Will there be any obstacles to resurrecting?" And there are people who worry about unnecessary things. Everyone, think about it. A body that has decayed and disappeared is a handful of soil, and even if it is cremated and turned into ashes, it is a handful of soil. If it is a God who cannot be resurrected because it is a sanctioned body, isn't the resurrection itself unbelievable?
In the old days, our ancestors in our faith were burned alive and there were many people who died. And some of the early church members became the food of lions and didn't even have their body. So don't worry. Funeral methods vary from country to country and from province to province, so whether cremation or burial, there is no hindrance to going to heaven and resurrecting. Heaven and resurrection are a matter of faith, not a funeral method.
3) You must live a holy life, a life of devotion. If there is no heaven and no resurrection, many people will live in vain, saying, "It's okay to live in this world. We'll die tomorrow, so let's eat and drink." However, we certainly do have the kingdom of heaven, so we do not live carelessly because God the Judge is watching.
Gentlemen, if there is heaven and resurrection, how can we live carelessly? And if there is heaven and resurrection, how can we not preach the gospel? And how can we not do the good that pleases God? If you and I believe in heaven and believe in the resurrection, our life will naturally become a life devoted to God. And such a life can make all of us happy.
As we celebrate Easter Sunday, we once again confirm the resurrection of Jesus and our future resurrection, and I bless you in the name of the Lord that you will lead a more holy life and a more devoted life until that day comes. And I pray that more people will participate in the resurrection through our devoted lives.