Resurrection and Judgement

Most people who profess to follow Jesus Christ believe that they have an 'immortal soul' that goes to heaven when they die. Millions of others of all kinds of faiths also believe in some sort of life after death.

The Bible tells us that we human beings are a sin-cursed race. Because of their disobedience, Adam and Eve were told, "In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken, for dust you are, and to dust you shall return." [Gen 3:19 NKJV]

This sin-cursed nature has been passed on to all of us. "Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned." [Rom 5:12 NKJV]

The Bible doesn't mention 'immortal souls' or teach that we go to 'heaven' when we die. What hope is there then for any of us?

William Tyndale, who translated the scriptures into English, said, 'In putting departed souls in heaven, hell, and purgatory, you destroy the arguments wherewith Christ and Paul prove the resurrection. The true faith putteth the resurrection, which we be warned to look for every hour.'

The Apostle Paul, when on trial before the Jewish Council, said to his accusers, "I stand on trial because of my hope in the resurrection of the dead" [Acts 23:6 NIV]

The Bible teaches very clearly that there will be a Day of Resurrection and Judgement at some time in the future. "...the Lord Jesus Christ ... will judge the living and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom." [2 Tim.4:1 NKJV]

For this Judgement to take place it means that all responsible persons, even those long dead, will be raised and brought before Jesus. "...there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust." [Acts 24:15 NKJV]

What about the people who are not responsible? These make up the largest part of the human race. They have never heard the Gospel, they are in darkness. "The man that wanders out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead." [Prov 21:16 AV]

The Psalmist also speaks of man's plight this way: "Man who is in honour, yet does not understand, is like the beasts that perish." [Psalm 49:20 NKJV]

But those who do believe in God, and the saving name of Jesus Christ, and understand, can enjoy a great hope in the future. "This is the will of the Father who has sent me ... that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have everlasting life, and I will raise him up at the last day." [John 6:39,40 NKJV]

Jesus Christ is coming back to the Earth soon, to Judge the world in righteousness, "And behold, I am coming quickly, and my reward is with me, to give to every one according to his work." [Rev 22:12 NKJV]

For those who have taken on the Name of Jesus and tried to follow him there need be no fear, but for those who have known Jesus and taught the wrong things there is a fearful time of judgement coming. "The hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear his voice and come forth, those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation." [John 5:28,29 NKJV]

We urge you to take on the name of Jesus in Baptism to gain Eternal Life. "He who despises the word will be destroyed, but he who fears the commandment will be rewarded." [Prov 13:13 NKJV]