John 5:24-29
Introduction: We have all stood at a loved one’s grave site. Come, let us stand at mine. I have stood near my wife’s grave many a time and mused through the Scriptures and creeds of the Church, asking myself about what will happen when1 Jesus comes to resurrect both our bodies. Other more knowledgeable and gifted theologians may have different insights into the “Steps” or chronology and consecutive happenings below.
Here is my effort.
The following is a short chart on what I believe will happen to me when Jesus calls me from my grave and the believers from theirs.
Theme: Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live…for the hour is coming which all who are in the grave will hear His voice will come forth. Those who have done well to the resurrection of life.
Stage One: All of a sudden, in a twinkling of an eye, I am called by Jesus with all believers in a universal physical resurrection from our graves. My soul that had passed into glory with the Lord and my body that has been at rest six feet under are now united and summoned by the Lord (WSC 37, 38). The dead in Christ are resurrected (Jn. 5:24-29). My ears happily ring with the sound of a flourish of trumpets and loud, joyous, exuberant shouting of angels resounding at the coming of the new creation (1 Thess. 4:12-18; Heb. 9:28; Ps. 49:15; Dan. 12:2; Job 14:20; 14:14-15; 11:25f; 19:25-27).
Step Two: My old, weak, decayed, and disease-ridden body is changed. At the call of Jesus, the dead in Christ and believers still alive at his coming are physically raised from their tombs (1 Cor. 15). The change is the renewal of the same body that I possessed on the old earth. This physical body will be recognized as the body that died, just as Jesus’ physical resurrected body was recognized with the wounds of the crucifixion. Our vile physical corpses in decay in the grave and the bodies of the living are not fit for the new earth (Phil. 3:10-11; 20-21). The curse of death has now been removed (HC Q.52). There is a new dispensation, a new covenant, and a new kingdom. Mortality of soul has put on immortality of soul, an imperfect body has put on perfection, and the corrupted nature has put on an uncorrupted nature (1 Cor. 15:15ff; 2 Cor. 5:1f). I will not be able to sin anymore, nor cry, nor sorrow, nor worry, nor be depressed anymore. My soul will love God, worship him, and enjoy him forever. I shall see his Face (Rev. 22:4). There had to be a change, and all things are new, and even the estate of marriage is changed (Mt. 5:1-5; 22-23ff). Other forms of love and relationships will exist. I noted a gravestone with a wife and her two husbands. Remember the question of the Sadducees in Matthew 22:23-33? I will leave that for some other article. Again, everything is changed and new.
Step Three: My wife and I, with our loved ones buried in the dust of the earth and the dead of the whole planet, are taken up into the clouds to be with Jesus with a host of angels (2 Thess. 4:15-18).
Step Four: I and all believers who are members of the covenant community are judged immediately after the resurrection. This “Bema” (judgment seat) of Christ occurs just before the inauguration of the Kingdom of God on the new earth (1 Cor. 3:11-15; 2 Cor. 5:10; Rom. 4:10; Jn. 5:24-29; Mt. 16:27; 2 Tim. 4:1; Heb. 10:35-38; Dan. 12). The judgment of the believer is not an evaluation for salvation or justification which has been secured by faith in Christ as the Son of God. Jesus says that as our act of faith in Him, we have eternal life and are passed from death to life. Salvation has been “reserved for us in heaven” (1 Pet. 1:3, 21; HC Q.45). This judgment is based on the quality of works and actions of obedience done after becoming a Christian at the judgment 2 seat of Christ (Rev 20:1-15; BC Art. 31).
Step Five: From the heavens, I will behold the cursed earth cleansed of sin. The earth is burned up with an incinerating, cleansing fire with a great noise and a great heat which melts the elements. Jesus is creating a new earth (2 Pet. 3:7-14; BC Art. 31).
Step Six: My now sinless nature and eyes look and rejoice to see the new earth receiving the New Jerusalem (2 Pet. 3:7-14; Rev. 21:9-17; Prov. 11:7; Ps. 9:27).
Step Seven: I am placed on the new Eden. I will see the wonder of the pure and beautiful gold-laden city, the New Jerusalem. I may be given, if worthy, rewards and crowns (Matt. 16:27; Rev. 22:1-18). God is a “rewarder of those who seek Him” (Heb. 11:6). There will be crowns of life, of victory, of rejoicing, of righteousness, and of glory” (Jas. 1:12; 1 Thess. 2:19; Phil. 4:1-2 Tim. 4:8; 1 Pet. 5:2-4). There will also be treasures from heaven for acts of compassion (Matt. 6:20). They are the believer’s recompense, not for earthly achievements, but for love, faith, the bringing of joy to others, and obedience (Matt. 16:27). Moses “looked for the recompense of the reward” (Heb. 11:24-26).
Conclusion: The Apostle Peter has a message for me and for you, my dear reader
(2 Pet. 3:7-14). “Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God” (2 Pet 3:10-11). Beloved, look forward to these things and find peace. I am at peace!
Rev. Howard Hart
Corsica, SD
1Jn. 5:24-29; 1 Cor. 15; 1 Thess. 4:12-18; 2 Pet. 3:7-14; Rev 21; Rev. 22:1-8:5; Heidelberg Catechism, 45 and 52; Belgic Confession Art 31; Westminster Shorter Catechism, 37 and 38; Westminster Confession of Faith Chapter 32; Jn. 2:24-29; Phil. 3:20; Mt. 6:20; 2 16:27; 2:20; Col. 2:13; 2 Thess. 4:15-18; 1 Pet. 1:3; 5:2; Heb. 11:6; 24-25; 2 Tim. 4:8; Phil. 4:1; 1 Thess. 2:1; Prov. 11:7; Ps. 2:7; 31:5; Rom. 8:1; 2 Peter 3:7-14; Jn. 11:25ff; Ps. 49:15; Dan. 12:2; Job 14:2-21: Prov. 2:22; 11:7.
2Note that the evil unbelievers are judged and given the second death at the Great White Throne Judgment (Rev. 20:11-15; Matt. 5:4; Prov. 11:71). Believers do not have this judgment (Rom. 8:1).