Lesson 29

All of the believers in the Bible expected to be resurrected from death. Most from the old testament were expecting a future resurrection into a physical life where they could live in peace and prosperity, in a world filled with the knowledge of God. A few faithful hoped for more. Although they didn’t know how or when it would take place, they were seeking a better resurrection. Believers who died after Jesus, knew about that better resurrection. They knew they would be raised to eternal life, into a body like the risen Jesus has. Receiving that new body when Jesus returned for them. 

Job 19:26-27 Christian Standard Bible
26 Even after my skin has been destroyed, yet I will see God in my flesh. 27 I will see him myself; my eyes will look at him, and not as a stranger. My heart longs within me.

Hebrews 11:35 Tree of Life Version
35 Women received their dead raised back to life; and others were tortured, after not accepting release, so they might obtain a better resurrection.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 New International Version
13 Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. 14 For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 15 According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.

1 John 3:2 Evangelical Heritage Version
2 Dear friends, we are children of God now, but what we will be has not yet been revealed. We know that when he is revealed we will be like him, and we will see him as he really is.

The better resurrection is the one where people are raised to immortality, into a body like Jesus has. Believers will be raised incorruptible as Jesus is, while others are resurrected later to a physical life. Must we die before we can be resurrected? Will your second life come after a resurrection? What do you know about mankind’s future resurrections? Where did you gain that insight?