What's Our "Resurrection Destination"?

The resurrection of Christ guarantees that our bodies will arise from the grave one day and be fitted for eternity (1 Cor. 15:35-58). To deny that we will rise from the dead is to deny that Jesus rose from the dead (1 Cor. 15:13, 16). To deny that Jesus rose from the dead is to deny the very Gospel itself (1 Cor. 15:1-4). There is no doubt about it—Christ rose from the dead and so shall we!

The only question that remains is: To where shall we arise? Jesus said, “Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, 29And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation” (Jn. 5:28-29). We all have a choice as to which resurrection destination will be ours: life or damnation.

Those whose resurrection destination is damnation are those who do not do God’s will. Paul comforted the persecuted by stating that when Jesus returned, He would take “vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 9Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord” (2 Thes. 1:8-9). Jesus will say at the Judgment to those who have not obeyed Him: “I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (Mt. 7:23), and “these shall go away into everlasting punishment” (Mt. 25:46). This is not the destination we want!

Those whose resurrection destination is life are those who do God’s will. Jesus is “the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him” (Heb. 5:9). Jesus will say at the Judgment, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven” (Mt. 7:21). God’s revelation closes by saying, “Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city” (Rev. 22:14).

The choice is ours to make in this life: “wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14...strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it” (Mt. 7:13-14). How we live now determines our resurrection destination. Are we living for Jesus, in full obedience to His Gospel?