Resurrection: Do even unbelievers have one?
It was a long time ago that I came to realize why so many people aren’t all that concerned about death and especially how and where they’ll spend eternity. But the Bible clearly explains this to us.
2 Corinthians 4:3-4
3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
Such words as “saved” and “salvation” seem to mean nothing at all to so many. But what are we told is going to happen to those who’ve never accepted God’s provision for their salvation? Here we have a one verse summary of it.
Revelation 20:15
15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. [Emphasis added]
Does that sound like a fun experience to you? No, it certainly won’t be for those who’ll be a part of it. In fact, it will be the worst experience they’ve ever had. But that experience will be in a real body that’s similar to the one we’re in now.
John 5:28-29
28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which ALL that are in the graves shall hear his voice,
29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. [Emphasis added]
The doing of evil is to do with their rejection of God’s love and His gracious provision for their salvation. People only end up in everlasting torment because of their own foolishness. Such is not at all what God desired for anyone.
2 Peter 3:9
9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing [THELO = desiring] that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. [Emphasis added]
The apostle Paul tells us essentially the same thing.
1 Timothy 2:4-6
4 Who will have [THELO = desires] all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. [Emphasis added]
Even though you shouldn’t need one, if you want a more detailed explanation of this, please see my article about it—
Salvation: Does God desire it for everyone?
God’s love for all mankind should never be in question, considering what He’s done to provide for us all with a way to be saved from everlasting torment.
Romans 5:6-9
6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
In case you don’t know, that’s people like you and me He’s talking about here.
7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we [those of us who’ve accepted His provision for us] shall be saved from wrath through him. [Emphasis added]
The term “wrath” is used here to represent the punishment of everlasting torment that will be applied to all who do not accept God’s provision for their salvation. It will be in a type of resurrection body that they’ll suffer forever. Our Lord, in the time of His earthly ministry, told the story about the suffering of such a man who had lived and rejected God’s provision for his salvation.
Luke 16:23-26
23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
He lifts up “his eyes, being in torments” in his resurrection body.
24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.
25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.
26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. [Emphasis added]
How could He possibly make this warning any plainer? Will there be people suffering in Hell and the Lake of Fire that Christ suffered and died for? I have a whole article about that on this website. I hope you’ll make it a priority to read it—
Hell: Are there people there for whom Christ died?
The flipside to all this is the blessing that will come to all those who accept God’s provision for their salvation. Yes, they will have a wonderfully blessed life in a perfect resurrection body God will give them.
Philippians 3:20-21
20 For our conversation [POLITEUO = citizenship] is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. [Emphasis added]
What a glorious time that will be! And for YOU to get to be a part of it, all you have to do is accept the gracious provision God has made for you so that you’d have such an opportunity. Unlike the situation for unbelievers and all who reject this salvation, they will enjoy a wonderful life there for all God’s people.
Revelation 21:4
4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. [Emphasis added]
The details about Heaven are few. But there, too, I have an article for you about that on this website—
God doesn’t want you or anyone else to miss out on His blessings now or in eternity. He proved His love for you by sending a Savior for you. It is by accepting Him by faith that you can be delivered from everlasting punishment in the Lake of Fire.
Romans 5:8
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. [Emphasis added]
But how you express your volition regarding His way of salvation for you is extremely important. Either you will accept it or reject it. Either you will accept it and end up in Heaven or you’ll reject it and end up in the Lake of Fire. What have you done on this thus far? What have YOU decided as to where you’ll spend eternity? Please notice what is said right after a very well know passage of Scripture.
John 3:16-18
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. [Emphasis added]
If you want to know what “believing in His name” is all about, please see my article about it. Here’s the link to it—
