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What We Believe and Why
Written by Dr. Lester Hutson

Copyright - Lester Hutson - 1986
This material is copyrighted and may not be copied or reproduced without the express written permission of Dr. Lester Hutson.

CHAPTER THIRTY FIVE

RESURRECTION AND JUDGMENT
JOHN 5:28-29

We believe the Bible reveals many certain truths about the future. Among these truths is the fact that the day is coming when all men shall rise from the dead and stand before God in judgment. We believe the resurrection and the judgment are both literal.

I. Let us first consider the fact that all men shall resurrect:

A. There are two resurrections talked about in the Bible:

1. There is the resurrection of "the just" and the "unjust".

a. Acts 24:15 specifically names the two resurrections.

b. Jn. 5:29 certainly makes clear that there will be two.

2. Every man shall come forth in one or the other of these resurrections:

a. Notice in Jn. 5:28 Jesus said, "The hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear His voice".

b. I Cor. 15:22 says, "For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive."

3. That each of these two resurrections may have several stages to it is also seen in the scriptures:

a. Of the resurrection of the just, Christ raised at one time (Lk. 24:5-6), then several ancient saints arose at His death (Mt. 27:52-53); many shall rise when Christ first appears (I Thes. 4:16-17), and others shall rise at the end of the tribulation (Rev. 20:4-6).

b. I Cor. 15:23 calls these various stages of the resurrection of the just "orders."

c. Apparently all the wicked dead will rise at once as seen in Rev. 20:5, 13. Again Jn. 5:29 and Acts 24:15 mention it.

B. At the resurrection of the just, the bodies of believers will actually be changed into heavenly bodies:

1. I Cor. 15:39-44, 51-54 describe the change.

2. Phil. 3:21 We will be changed into bodies like Christ's body.

C. This resurrection will be a very literal personal one:

1. One could hardly read the foregoing scriptures and fail to see that:

a. Jesus said the very ones "in the graves "shall hear His voice," Jn. 5:28,

b. In I Thes. 4:13-17 Paul speaks of our recognizing Christ on a personal level.

2. Job looked forward to that day in Job 19:25-27 and said he'd see God "for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another, though my reins be consumed within me," Vs. 27.

D. So we believe in a coming, literal resurrection for all men.

II. Now, let us consider the coming judgment:

A. Every man must sooner or later face a day of judgment:

1. It matters not whether he's lost or saved; judgment is certain.

2. Listen to the scriptures:

a. Heb. 9:27 "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment."

b. Num. 32:23 says, "be sure your sin will find you out."

c. Gal. 6:7 Paul warned, "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."

d. Heb. 2:2 says, "every transgression and disobedience received a just recommence of reward."

e. Rom. 14:11-12 shows that every one shall be judged.

f. Eccl. 12:14 reads, "For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil."

3. Judgment for all is certain; it cannot be escaped.

B. Though all shall appear before God in judgment; not all will appear at the same time:

1. Believers will appear in a judgment exclusively for believers:

a. II Cor. 5:10 It is called the Judgment seat of Christ.

b. This judgment apparently occurs before the millennium, as the saints are already judged and reigning during the millennium. Rev. 20:6.

2. Sinners will appear in a judgment for sinners only:

a. II Pet. 3:7 calls it a judgment of "ungodly men."

b. It is called the great white throne judgment and occurs after the millennium, Rev. 20:11-15.

C. Also, the basis of these two judgments is altogether different:

1. The saved will be judged to determine their rewards:

a. In I Cor. 9:23-27 Paul said we walk as one that would receive a crown.

b. I Cor. 3:12-15 describes the judgment as one which will reveal true good works from counterfeit ones in lieu of rewards.

2. Rev. 20:11-15 shows the sinners will be judged to determine the degree of their eternal punishment which will be pronounced at that time.

In view of the Word of God, we can thus say we believe in a coming literal resurrection and judgment for every man.

"It Does Make a Difference What You Believe"