A Systematic Expository Study of the Word of God

Study 43: THE RESURRECTION AND REWARDS OF THE RIGHTEOUS AND THE UNRIGHTEOUS

Daniel 12:2,3

The prophecy of Daniel spans thousands of years. It covers a long period of time from Nebuchadnezzar till the end of time. He prophesied concerning Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar, Alexander the Great, Antiochus Epiphane, Christ’s first Advent, Christ’s sacrificial death, the Roman empire, the Great Tribulation, the restoration of Israel’s remnant, the Resurrection of the dead, Christ’s reign on earth, the time of the end and Christ’s everlasting dominion. Considering the span, the details and depth, the significance and the scope of his prophecy, Daniel was one of the greatest prophets in the Old Testament. The verses under consideration in this study deal with the resurrection of the dead; the resurrection of the just and the unjust, the resurrection of all the dead who ever lived on earth, Jews and Gentiles in all generations from Adam till the very last man at the end of the world. Just as all seeds (good and bad) sown are quickened, so all men (good and bad, just and unjust) will be raised from the dead. The righteous will be raised “to everlasting life” while the unrighteous will be raised to “shame and everlasting contempt”.

THE RESURRECTION OF THE RIGHTEOUS

Daniel 12:2; Job 19:25-27; Isaiah 26:19-21; Luke 20:27-36; Matthew 22:29-32;John 5:25-29; Acts 24:15;1 Corinthians 15:20-22,51-58; 2 Corinthians 4:14; Philippians 3:20,21; 1 Thessalonians 4:16; Revelation 20:4-6.

“And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake” – raised from the dead. The prophets did not stagger at the revelation of God. They did not limit God’s revelation by their understanding or lack of understanding. The resurrection of the dead is revealed in Scripture from the Old Testament to the New Testament. The prophets, the Apostles and Christ, our Lord and Saviour, all revealed the truth of the resurrection. The dead body will be raised, quickened to come alive. Our Lord and His Apostles taught the doctrine of the resurrection of the just and the unjust. The righteous shall “awake to everlasting life”. “The just” or justified, who have lived by faith on earth, “shall come forth” out of their graves, “unto the resurrection of life”. Because they believed in Christ, received grace and lived by faith, walking in the Spirit and not in the flesh, they shall not come into condemnation. The saints’ resurrection will be a glorious resurrection. We shall share in the glory of the risen, reigning Christ.

THE RESURRECTION OF THE UNRIGHTEOUS

Daniel 12:2; Hebrews 9:27; Psalm 9:16,17; Jeremiah 23:40; John 5:25-29; Acts 24:15;Luke 13:23-28; Romans 2:5-9; 2 Thessalonians 1:8,9; Matthew 25:31,32,41,46; Revelation 20:11-15; 2 Corinthians 5:10,11.

The resurrection of the dead is not only for the righteous. The unrighteous will also be raised from the dead to receive their final sentence at the Great White Throne Judgment. Sinners who remain unrepentant and unbelieving until death “shall awake to shame and everlasting contempt”. The Scriptures confirm the fact “that there shall be a resurrection of the unjust”. Our Lord, Jesus Christ, revealed clearly that “ALL that are in the graves shall come forth; they that have done evil unto the resurrection of damnation” (John 5:28,29).  When a sinner dies his soul immediately goes to hell. In hell, he is conscious; his soul is not asleep and he is not at rest. He can see, feel, think, remember and hear; he suffers pain and seeks relief which he will never find (Luke 16:19-31). At the time of the resurrection of the dead, his body is raised from the dead, life and immortality will be experienced by the body. His soul, spirit and body will reunite to live forever - forever separated from God, under condemnation. His suffering and punishment will be endless.

THE REWARDS OF THE RIGTHEOUS

Daniel 12:3; Malachi 2:4-7; Luke 1:16,17; Matthew 13:43; Acts 26:16-20; 2 Timothy 4:6-8;  Matthew 24:45-47; Colossians 3:1-4; 1 John 3:1-3; Revelation 2:25-29.

The rewards of the righteous are great both here and hereafter: here on earth and hereafter in heaven. We “shall come forth unto the resurrection of life”. “To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life. Glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good” (Romans 2:7,10). “The righteous shall shine forth as the sun in the Kingdom of their Father” (Matthew 13:43). We shall “eat of the tree of life”, we shall wear crowns of life, and reign with Christ our King in His everlasting kingdom. We shall forever live with Him and He will make us pillars in the temple of His God. Our rewards and inheritance are great and glorious beyond description. And the servants of God who “turn many to righteousness” will have greater and more glorious rewards. “For one star differeth from another star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead” (1 Corinthians 15:41,42).

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