Question:
What is the resurrection of the body and what proof do you have that it will actually take place?
Answer:
The resurrection of the body is an event that will take place when Jesus comes again. At that moment, every soul that has ever lived will be reunited to its body. In other words, every human body that has ever lived will come back to life again.
These bodies will be immortal and “incorruptible,” which means that they will not deteriorate or decay. The bodies of the righteous souls will have the benefit of being “glorified,” which theologians traditionally take to mean that they will not undergo pain, they will be more physically robust and agile, and they will even glow with radiance. The bodies of the wicked souls will simply add a physical dimension to the spiritual suffering that they were already enduring in hell.
There are many passages in Scripture that speak of the resurrection of the body. Here are just a few:
Dan 12:2 And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.Isa 26:19 Thy dead shall live, their bodies shall rise.
Jn 5:28-29 Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice 29 and come forth, those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of judgment.
Jn 6:39 and this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up at the last day.
Jn 11:23-25 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live
Acts 26:8 Why is it thought incredible by any of you that God raises the dead?
Rom 8:11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through his Spirit which dwells in you.
The resurrection of the body is a great source of hope for Christians because in it we have the cure for all of the bodily suffering that we currently endure, as long as we remain united to God.
Peace of Christ to you,
Nicholas Hardesty,
WIMM Board Member
Director of Religious Education, Blessed Mother Catholic Church
Feel free to email your questions to nicholashardesty@gmail.com