Westminster Larger Catechism # 87
Commentary by Dr. Chuck Baynard
Q87. What are we to believe concerning the resurrection?
Answer: We are to believe that at the last day there shall be a general resurrection of
the dead, both of the just and the unjust: when they that are then found alive shall in a
moment be changed; and the self-same bodies of the dead which were laid in the grave,
being then united to their souls forever, shall be raised up by the power of Christ. The
bodies of the just, by the Spirit of Christ, and by virtue of his resurrection as their
head, shall be raised in power, spiritual, incorruptible, and made like to his glorious
body; and the bodies of the wicked shall be raised up in dishonor by him, as an offended
judge.
References: Acts 24:15; 1 Cor. 15:51-53; 1 Thess. 4:15-17; John 5:27-29; 1 Cor.
15:21-23, 42-44; Phil. 3:21; Mt. 25:33.
Harmony of the Standards: COF : 32.3
Let us begin with "general resurrection." There is only one resurrection of
both just and unjust. This is the answer to the dispensationalist with their special and
different means of salvation of Israel through the tribulation and the answer to those who
think the church will be "raptured before the tribulation. All of these events are
one in that they happen with the coming of the Lord at the last day. This brings much
concern to the theories of a P-Pre-millennium return of Christ. When the Lord comes, the
dead, just and just are raised to stand before Him who is worthy to judge. What then are
we to do with the nations that are in the millennium and where do we find the judgment of
both just and unjust for those in the millennium if this one and only resurrection and
judgment takes place before the millennium? The Post-mil fares no better in that he finds
no real scriptural support for the church of Christ on earth to "overcome" all
of the powers of darkness and reign supreme on earth. It is left to Christ to defeat
death, the only enemy that has not already been defeated. Yes there is evil in high
places, and the powers and principalities that most read as making reference to demonic
spiritual powers and thrones, but they are defeated, Christ came out of that grave. The
death that remains to be defeated is that of the physical death for us mortals. The second
death has been won in the blood of Christ. Christ will return to find earth as it was in
the days of Noah according to Jesus’ own words. That hardly sounds like a world
overcome by the church and the preaching of the Gospel. That only leaves the A-mil which
perhaps fits all better than most, but they have to cut out any reference to an earthly
kingdom where Christ rules with a rod of iron. The Consistent Preterist misses it
altogether as he has Christ "coming" in judgment several times, the primary one
that fulfilled all prophecy happening in 70 AD. One resurrection, one return of Christ in
judgment.
Note carefully both in the Larger Catechism and in the Confession of faith the careful
use of the word glory. ". . . made like his glorious body. . ." but not given
his glory. Or, as we find it in the Confession ". . . be made conformable to His own
glorious body." We are God’s glory, not to partake of His glory. Gods glory,
power, and kingdom (sovereignty) are not divided. Thus the first table of the moral law
concerning the worship of God alone.
As we noted in the previous question all will die, or be changed. The only two not
dying before hand in Scripture are Enoch and Elijah. We have no reason to doubt they were
changed, transformed by God into this same incorruptible image bearer that those alive on
the last day will be made.
One resurrection then, where the wicked stand before the great white throne and are to
a person there appearing before Him, condemned to hell for eternity. The believers will
stand before the judgment seat of Christ for the reception of their heavenly reward, all
according to their deeds. Be careful when considering this event in regards to being
judged according to the works of the individual. Man in no way earns his entrance into
glory, but having been elect from the foundation of the world will receive rewards in
heaven according to how he has obeyed God and thus his deeds. Good works will follow
conversion (salvation) is a given, and not something we have a choice in. We read in
Ephesians 2: 10, "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good
works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."
Once more watch that we don’t create a condition of soul sleep, or purgatory for
the souls in using words intended to give comfort concerning the resting place of the body
as we await the faithful day of the Lord. The term grave is most generic here, for it also
includes those who have departed from this world in less than ideal conditions where no
physical body was "laid" to rest in the grave. The body of all will decay and
return to dust. The physical element (body) is no more needed in the resurrection than it
was in the creation.
The Scriptures do not imply there is anything eternal about mortal flesh when it speaks
of those in the grave hearing the voice of Christ. The soul will hear from wherever it
resides, heaven or hell, not the decayed body in the grave or lack of same.
I am often asked where in the time line of human history do I place this resurrection.
At the end of time. To try and make that fit a particular millennial position is hard to
do if not impossible. Our reformed forefathers were much wiser than we in this area I
think. They had no such theory of the millennium, but spoke sparsely of the end times or
that great day. So does Scripture present this picture of the end. We find glimpses into
this glory throughout the Scriptures. Each portion revealing a little more, but in so many
places it is a parallel account and the events are the same, and each overlapping the
other to some degree. The complete picture is never given. Man being man has always
desired to look into the future. We find throughout history that the seers of the age held
a place of honor in the society. While Scripture has always forbidden such for God’s
people, we see them fail and attempt to delve into the mystery of God and the future. Such
was the final down fall of King Saul. As noted it was well into the 1800s before we see
the "church" begin to develop a refined theology of the end times, and the first
of these were from non-reformed sources.
What then are we to believe? Christ shall return at the appointed time of God, at which
time there will be a resurrection of the righteous unto eternal salvation and of the
wicked unto eternal damnation. The resurrection is as sure as the word of God and herein
we should find great comfort. The details of such a return are not really a concern for
us. We place ourselves into the hand of God in faith, then proceed about the business of
life in Christ with an attitude of watching and praying for the soon return of our master.
I believe that as such we can accept the so called "Apostle’s Creed" as
containing that which is essential to believe, and the rest either closely approaches or
is a thing indifferent. "I believe in God the father Almighty, Maker of heaven and
earth. And in Jesus Christ His Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of
the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried. He
descended into hell. The third day He arose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven,
and sitteth on the right hand of God the father Almighty. From thence He shall come to
judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Holy catholic Church, the
communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life
everlasting. Amen"
At the chance of upsetting some of my reformed brothers, I am afraid we will walk the
streets of glory with some who never heard the reformed truth, but did hear the Gospel.
The truth of the matter is that the difference in error and truth has more impact upon the
personal peace of the believer now. The reformed faith when understood and embraced will
lift much guilt and bring about a true understanding of grace. Only the reformed faith in
its full orbed beauty gives us the complete picture of God’s love and mercy toward
man and the understanding of God we need to understand self and know true peace, joy, and
love in this life from the obedience to His word of life. I would that all could view our
beloved TULIP in this way, and endeavor to share it with all I come in contact with.
Nonetheless, outside the biblical fact there is a resurrection, I know of no place we find
further beliefs concerning the resurrection a measure of orthodoxy. Personally I doubt God
left such a great truth covered beneath a veil for over eighteen hundred years. The veil
was torn at Calvary, and all of God’s truth laid bare to His chosen, not just Israel.
Thus, as I have noted elsewhere, I put little time in study of this issue, but more to the
understanding of how to practically apply God’s truth to every area of life and
effectively share the same with others.
Dr. Chuck Baynard -- November 1998
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