Eternal Judgment / Resurrection of the Dead

It’s often said that Christians have hope—but what exactly is that hope?

Let’s take a moment and go back to a powerful moment in Scripture. Moses came down from Mount Sinai after meeting with God and found that the Israelites had made a golden calf to worship. In response to their sin, God said something striking:

“Now go, lead the people to the place I told you about.
Look, my angel will lead the way before you.
And when I come to call the people to account,
I will certainly hold them responsible for their sins.”
— Exodus 32:34 (NLT)

This is the first glimpse of a major biblical theme: God is pointing toward a day when He will “settle accounts” with all of humanity. This day is often called “The Day of the Lord”—also known as Judgment Day.

The Coming Day of the Lord

The Bible describes the Day of the Lord as a time of fierce and inescapable judgment. It will be a day when all sins are brought into the light, and justice is delivered.

“And I saw a great white throne and the one sitting on it.
The earth and sky fled from his presence, but they found no place to hide.
I saw the dead, both great and small, standing before God’s throne.
And the books were opened…
And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life
was thrown into the lake of fire.”
— Revelation 20:11–12,15 (NLT)

This is why the gospel—which means “Good News”—is so vital. The good news is that we can be saved from the coming wrath. God, in His mercy, sent a Savior—Jesus Christ—so we don’t have to face judgment alone.
Salvation isn’t just about a better life now. It’s about being rescued from the judgment to come.

But There’s More—The Promise of Resurrection

Salvation from wrath is just the beginning. For those who belong to Christ, there is even more hope ahead.

“But in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead.
He is the first of a great harvest of all who have died…
Just as everyone dies because we all belong to Adam,
everyone who belongs to Christ will be given new life.”
— 1 Corinthians 15:20,22 (NLT)

“Let me reveal to you a wonderful secret.
We will not all die, but we will all be transformed!
It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown…
For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die;
our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies.”
— 1 Corinthians 15:51–53 (NLT)

This is our hope:
🌿 New, incorruptible bodies
🌿 No more sickness or pain
🌿 A cleansed earth—restored and made new
🌿 Eternal life with God

“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth,
for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared…
I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven
like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.”
— Revelation 21:1–2 (NLT)

The Kingdom Includes Healing—and Resurrection

When Jesus walked the earth, He healed the sick and told His disciples to do the same.

“Heal the sick, and tell them, ‘The Kingdom of God is near you now.’”
— Luke 10:9 (NLT)

Why? Because every healing was a prophetic glimpse into the future—into the coming resurrection when every body will be fully restored.

“Jesus called his twelve disciples together and gave them authority
to cast out evil spirits and to heal every kind of disease and illness…
Go and announce to them that the Kingdom of Heaven is near.
Heal the sick, raise the dead, cure those with leprosy, and cast out demons.
Give as freely as you have received!”
— Matthew 10:1, 7–8 (NLT)

Jesus’ resurrection is the stamp of truth on this hope. It is the proof that resurrection is real.

God Still Heals Today

The power of healing still flows through the Church today. The Bible says:

“But he was pierced for our rebellion,
crushed for our sins.
He was beaten so we could be whole.
He was whipped so we could be healed.”
— Isaiah 53:5 (NLT)

“He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross
so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right.
By his wounds you are healed.”
— 1 Peter 2:24 (NLT)

Healing in Jesus’ name is a foretaste of the Kingdom to come—a bold declaration that Jesus reigns and the restoration of all things is near.

How Should We Live in Light of Eternity?

With these truths in mind, how will you live today?
If we know that Judgment Day is coming, and we believe in the hope of resurrection, we can’t live as if this life is all there is.

“For we must all stand before Christ to be judged.
We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body.”
— 2 Corinthians 5:10 (NLT)

The reality of eternal judgment should inspire holy living—and the hope of resurrection should bring joy and purpose.

Teaching – Heal the Sick and Preach the Kingdom

Here are key passages that reveal our call:

Matthew 10:1, 7–8 – Authority over sickness and demons
Matthew 8:1–3, 14–17 – Jesus desires to heal
Isaiah 53:5, 1 Peter 2:24 – Healing through Christ’s suffering
Mark 11:23 – Speak with faith and authority

“I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain,
‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen.
But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart.”
— Mark 11:23 (NLT)

Scripture Focus