All the dead will be raised at the last day, the righteous and the unrighteous; and those that are then alive, not having died, will all be changed.1 However many the bodies that will have been buried, and turned to dust, and mingled with the dust of the earth, they will all be raised, individually, completely, and universally. They that have done good and they that have done evil will all come forth at the voice and by the power of the Son of God; and every soul will be again united to its own body. The body that returned to the earth will be raised, the same in substance, but different in properties and condition.2 This truth is established by the clear testimony of Scripture, and by instances mentioned in the Old and New Testaments of men raised from the dead. Moreover, the body is the soul’s companion, whether in sin or in holiness; and since there will be a general judgment, there must needs be a general resurrection.3 The resurrection of Christ proves the resurrection of the saints. He rose as their firstfruits. He redeemed the whole man, body and soul. The whole person of the believer, as well as the true church, is united to him. In virtue of their union with Christ, and of his resurrection, as their Head, all believers will be raised in power, glory, and incorruption, fashioned like unto his glorious body.4 The bodies of all the wicked also will be raised by Christ, as a righteous and powerful Judge, to everlasting shame, contempt, and torments. To the natural man, the resurrection of the dead seems improbable, if not impossible. But they that believe the word of God, believe that the dead shall be raised; yea, the doctrine is most important and full of comfort to the children of God. The denial of it casts contempt upon the truth and power of God, and subverts the hope of the saints.5
1 1 Thess. 4:16-18; 1 Cor. 15:51-52. 2 Job 19:25-27; Luke 24:29-53; Matt. 22:31-32; Dan. 12:2; 1 Cor. 15:42-44; Acts 24:15; John 5:28-29. 3 1 Kings 17:22; 2 Kings 4:32-35; 13:21; Matt. 9:25; Luke 7:15; John 11:43-44. 4 1 Cor. 15:21-23, 42-50; John 6:40; Matt. 22:32; Acts 17:32. 5 Dan. 12:2; John 5:29.
