What Does the Bible Say About the Second and Third Resurrections?
Types of resurrection
The Bible provides several examples of individuals resurrected to physical life. The most famous individual to experience this was Jesus’ friend Lazarus (John 11:3844). Jesus miraculously restored Lazarus to life. You can read about others who were raised to physical life in our online article “Raised From the Dead.” There is another, better resurrection to eternal, spirit life. The Bible shows there’s been only one example of this type of resurrection so far. Jesus, the Son of God,
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was raised to spirit life after three days and three nights in the tomb.
All will rise
God expresses a desire that “all should come to repentance” and not perish (2 Peter 3:9). His divine purpose for mankind involves bringing individuals into eternity with Him. Knowing God’s desire for the human family should be incredibly encouraging. His plan offers forgiveness, relief, comfort and opportunity for deliverance. But how does that work? The Bible teaches that everyone will be raised from the dead. Paul wrote, “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive” (1 Corinthians 15:22). Even though all humans fall short of the righteousness of God (Romans 3:23), God reveals here that all humans will be resurrected and made alive. Many in the Christian world acknowledge this promise. However, when and how a person will be resurrected is often overlooked.
July/August 2022
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ontrary to many traditional teachings, at death, human beings are not rushed off to an eternity in either heaven or a burning hellfire. The Bible shows that the dead await a future resurrection. For a biblical explanation, see our video series “Life After Death.” What is a resurrection anyway? The English word originates from a Latin word meaning a rising again from the dead. Resurrection is used by the Bible to describe someone who was dead being given life once again.
How many resurrections are there in the Bible? Saying “the first resurrection” implies more. What’s the Bible say about the second and third resurrections?
