Eschatology • 04-19-2026 AM

The Resurrection of the Dead

Ed Rangel • Waupaca, WI
Main Texts

John 5:28–29

  • 1 Corinthians 15:20–58
  • John 6:39–40, 44, 54
  • Philippians 3:20–21
Thesis

One Resurrection.

Thesis

All Mankind.

Thesis

One Voice.

A single, universal, bodily, final act of Christ’s authority—some to life, the rest to judgment.
Introduction

If the dead are not raised...

Introduction
  • Christ has not been raised
  • Preaching is empty
Introduction
  • Faith is vain
  • We are still in our sins
Introduction

That is not a small crack.

That is total collapse.
Introduction

Stay with the line.

  • All who are in the tombs
  • Raised on the last day
  • Christ first
Introduction
  • Then His people
  • Then the end
Foundation

Christ’s Resurrection Is the Anchor of Ours

1 Corinthians 15:20–23
Foundation

Paul does not pat it down.

He crushes it.
Foundation
  • Corinth had all kinds of problems
  • But denial here strikes the gospel itself
Foundation

If Christ has not been raised...

  • Faith is worthless
  • The apostles are liars
  • We are still in our sins
Scripture

Christ the Firstfruits

“Christ the first fruits...
1 Corinthians 15:23–24
Scripture
...after that those who are Christ’s at His coming...
1 Corinthians 15:23–24
Scripture
...then comes the end.”
1 Corinthians 15:23–24
Cross-References

From promise to Christ to the last day

  • Job reaches beyond ruin
  • Daniel: dust will awake
  • Jesus: all will hear His voice
  • Paul: He will raise us also
Application

Do not shove resurrection to the edge

  • Do not treat this like a hobby doctrine
Application

Your hope rests on the risen Christ

  • If Christ rose, your life is not your own
Point I

One Universal Event Under the Voice of Christ

John 5:28–29
Scripture

John States It Plainly

“An hour is coming...
John 5:28–29
Scripture
...all who are in the tombs will hear His voice...
John 5:28–29
Scripture
...and will come forth.”
John 5:28–29
Point I

One hour.

  • Singular hour
Point I

All who are in the tombs.

  • Universal scope
Point I

One summons.

  • Life for some
  • Judgment for others
Point I

Raised on the last day

  • John 6 says it four times
  • Not before some later phase
  • The last day is finality
Point I

Then comes the end

  • Christ first
  • Then those who are His
  • Then the end
When He Speaks, History Closes.
Application

Use Bible words. Use Bible order.

  • Stop borrowing prophecy-culture language
  • Give the next generation John 5
  • No second-chance era after He returns
Point II

Bodily, Not Imaginary

Philippians 3:20–21 • 1 Corinthians 15:42–54
Point II

Sown... raised...

  • Perishable — imperishable
  • Dishonor — glory
  • Weakness — power
Point II

A spiritual body is still a body

  • Paul still says body
  • Not body versus nonexistence
  • A body fitted for the age to come
Scripture

He Will Transform the Body

“He will transform the body of our humble state...
Philippians 3:20–21
Scripture
...into conformity with the body of His glory.”
Philippians 3:20–21
The Grave Is Not the Final Owner of the Body.
Application

What you do in the body matters

  • Christian hope is resurrection hope
  • God made man
  • God raises man
Point III

Unto Life or Unto Judgment

John 5:29 • Daniel 12:2
Scripture

Two Outcomes

“...a resurrection of life...”
John 5:29
Scripture
“...a resurrection of judgment.”
John 5:29
Point III

Resurrection is not automatically good news

  • Hope fulfilled for those in Christ
  • Exposure for the rebellious
  • This must warn.
You Will Be Raised. The Question Is: What Kind?
Application

Do not hide behind vague faith

  • Do not remain rebellious and unrepentant
  • Hope is not a blanket for rebellion
  • Not everybody who dies enters blessing
Point IV

Present Readiness

1 Corinthians 15:58
Scripture

Be Steadfast, Immovable

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable...”
1 Corinthians 15:58
Scripture
...always abounding in the work of the Lord...
1 Corinthians 15:58
Scripture
...knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.”
1 Corinthians 15:58
Point IV

Are you preparing them to hear His voice?

  • Not merely the next milestone
  • Teach them to live for the last day
  • We bury the faithful in hope
Invitation

Belong to Him before that hour

Invitation
  • Do not admire Jesus from a distance
  • Do not assume death will solve disobedience
  • Do not remain rebellious and unrepentant
Final Reinforcement

Christ will not ask permission from the grave.

Final Reinforcement

The buried will rise. The drowned will rise. The forgotten will rise.