Glories In The Resurrection

There is one glory of the sun, another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star

differs from another star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead … 1 Corinthians 15:41-42

At the second coming of Christ, there will be a rapture and a resurrection of the dead. “But I am telling you this strange and wonderful secret: we shall not all die, but we shall all be given new bodies! It will all happen in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For there will be a trumpet blast from the sky, and all the Christians who have died will suddenly become alive, with new bodies that will never, never die; and then we who are still alive shall suddenly have new bodies too” (1 Cor. 15:51-52, TLB). It will not be a time of condemnation for Christians, but a time for reward (2 Cor. 5:10).

We will be judged according to the following criteria:

(1) Character. To the seven churches of Revelation 2-3, Jesus dealt with the love believers have for Him. Those who are fully consecrated will be rewarded in glory.

(2) Motives. 1 Corinthians 3:13-15 says, “Each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.” Your motive in everything you do will be tested.

(3) Faithfulness to the call. In the parable of talents, the servants that receive five and two talents produced another extra five and two talents respectively (Matt. 25:20-23). They were both rewarded with greater ministry and responsibility in glory.

(4) Treatment of the Jews. When Jesus comes in His glory, He will separate the sheep from the goats. Who are the sheep? Jesus says, “Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me” (25:40). According to the measure we have blessed Jesus’ “brethren”—the Jews—that will be the measure we will be rewarded at the resurrection.

(5) Great Commission. “Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever” (Dan. 12:3).

At the resurrection, we will be given different levels of bodies. Some will shine with blinding glory like the sun. Others like the moon. And yet others only like the stars. As such, let us never get complacent with our spiritual walk. Let us press on 100 percent “toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:14).