The Apostle Paul says, “Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies” (Romans 8:23).

         The resurrection is complete salvation: “Salvation” according to the Bible is not limited to the salvation of the soul, but includes the redemption of the body; it is not merely the awakening of the soul, but the resurrection of the body. As Paul says in 2 Corinthians: “For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling” (2 Corinthians 5:1–2). The “earthly tent” Paul refers to is our present body.

       God’s promise is this: “Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them” (Hebrews 7:25).

        The resurrection is the hope of holiness: “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… I declare to you, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable” (1 Corinthians 15:42–43, 50). Only the resurrected body can enter the holy home of heaven.

        This resurrected life has already been manifested in the lives of us believers who have received grace, just as Paul says: “…and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:24).

          The resurrection is the ultimate healing: “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away” (Revelation 21:4). Resurrection is the complete healing of our body, soul, and spirit.

        Christ’s resurrection from the dead has also become an eternal song of praise, for it is said in Revelation: “Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they were saying: ‘Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!’” (Revelation 5:11–12). Because of the resurrection, Christ’s death has become an eternal song of praise, igniting the hearts of people.

          The resurrection is the hope of the Second Coming: “For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him… For 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” (1 Thessalonians 4:14, 16).

          The day of resurrection is the moment of the Lord’s return, the day we anticipate through our monthly Holy Communion and our daily life. Christ is our Savior, our Sanctifier, our Healer, and our Coming Lord!