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The Resurrection of the Body from the Explanation to Luther's Small Catechism


IV. The Resurrection of the Body

187. What do the Scriptures teach about the resurrection of the body?

They teach that on the Last Day Christ "will raise me and all the dead." The same bodies that have died shall be made alive.
655 Job 19:25-27 I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end He will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see Him with my own eyes - I, and not another.
656 John 5:28-29 A time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear His voice and come out.
657 1 Thess. 4:16 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.
188. Are people reborn in bodies or forms?

Reincarnation, the belief that when people die they are reborn in other bodies or in a series of other bodies, is contrary to Scripture.
658 Heb. 9:27-28 Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and He will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him.

Note: See 1 Corinthians 15.
189. What difference will there be between believers and unbelievers in the resurrection?

A. The believers will rise with glorified bodies and enter everlasting life in heaven with God.
659 Dan. 12:2 Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt.
660 John 5:28-29 All who are in their graves will hear His voice and come out-those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned.
661 1 Cor. 15:42-43 So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power.
662 Phil. 3:21 [Christ) will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like His glorious body.
B. The unbelievers will rise to eternal death, that is, to shame and torment in hell forever.
663 Is. 68:24 Their worm will not die, nor will their fire be quenched, and they will be loathsome to all mankind.
664 Matt. 10:28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
665 Matt. 25:41 He will say to those on His left, "Depart from Me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels."
666 Rev. 1:7 Look, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of Him. So shall it be! Amen.
Bible narrative: The story of the rich man and Lazarus illustrates that there are only two places (Luke 16:19-31).




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