Answers
By BGEA Admin • September 26, 2023 • Topics: Eternal Life
Q:
The Arizona Daily Star carried a poll stating that only 36 percent believe in resurrection and that most Americans don’t believe they will experience a resurrection of their bodies when they die. Sadly, people believe in polls more than the Word of God. What kind of a body will a resurrected believer have, and what hope is there for those who have suffered physical infirmities throughout life?
A:
From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham
It’s difficult to imagine what someone would be like with anything other than a physical body. Some people visualize themselves as models or athletes, but few have what might be called “ideal bodies.” But someday we will.
Paul provides a description of what those bodies will be like. The resurrection body is compared to a seed planted in the ground that produces a plant. Gardeners know how miraculous it is to see a towering tomato plant, with yellow blossoms that become huge tomatoes, grow from a tiny seed—the continuous life of a single entity, just as our physical body, planted in death, will have the same individuality as our resurrection body. We will be recognized as ourselves, not some genetic version without a distinctive label. “It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power” (1 Corinthians 15:43).
The body that lies in the grave has been neglected. It may be worn out with age, abused by disease, or broken by an accident. But for believers in Christ, our bodies will be raised in glory—free of all infirmities. Those who were burned or maimed in wars will be whole. Old people will be young and vigorous. Resurrection bodies will know nothing of physical weakness. Human bodies are weak and dying, but resurrection bodies will be full of strength.
(This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.)
