The Bible addresses the subject of the dead coming back through the lens of resurrection. While some may wonder about spirits or ghosts, Scripture is clear that the dead do not return to earth, but it does promise a future resurrection through Christ.
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What Does The Bible Say About The Dead Coming Back
1. John 11:25
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.”
This verse emphasizes that Jesus has the power to bring the dead back to life. It offers hope to believers that even in death, there is a promise of eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ.
It reminds us that death is not the end, but a gateway to a glorious resurrection, where believers will experience the fullness of life in the presence of God.
2. Isaiah 26:19
But your dead will live, Lord; their bodies will rise— let those who dwell in the dust wake up and shout for joy— your dew is like the dew of the morning; the earth will give birth to her dead.
This verse speaks of a future resurrection where the dead will rise and rejoice. It depicts a glorious triumph over death, as the Lord breathes new life into the bodies of those who have passed away.
It serves as a reminder of God’s power and ability to restore life, giving comfort and hope to those who have lost loved ones, knowing that one day they will be reunited in a glorious resurrection.
3. 1 Thessalonians 4:16
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.
This verse speaks of the future return of Christ and the resurrection of the dead. It assures believers that when Christ comes back, those who have died in faith will be the first to rise from the dead and be united with Christ.
It reaffirms the hope of resurrection and highlights the importance of holding firm to our faith, knowing that death is not the end, but a beginning of a glorious reunion with the Lord.
4. Romans 6:4
We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
This verse speaks of our spiritual identification with Christ’s death and resurrection through baptism. It symbolizes our old self dying and being buried with Christ, and our new self being raised to walk in a new life.
It reminds us that through our union with Christ, we participate in His resurrection, and just as He was raised from the dead, we are also granted newness of life, both now and in the future resurrection.
5. Revelation 20:6
Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.
This verse speaks of the blessedness and holiness of those who share in the first resurrection. It assures believers that the second death, which refers to eternal separation from God, has no power over them.
It promises believers that they will reign with Christ as priests of God, enjoying a glorious and eternal kingdom as a result of their participation in the resurrection.
6. Matthew 22:31-32
But about the resurrection of the dead—have you not read what God said to you, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not the God of the dead but of the living.
These words were spoken by Jesus in response to a question about the resurrection. He affirms that God is not the God of the dead but of the living. Thus, suggesting that even though these patriarchs have physically passed away, their spirits live on in the presence of God.
It presents the concept that death is not the end, but a transition into a new form of existence, where believers continue to live in a spiritual realm with God.
7. Luke 20:37-38
But in the account of the burning bush, even Moses showed that the dead rise, for he calls the Lord ‘the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ He is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive.
In this passage, Jesus uses the account of the burning bush to illustrate the reality of the resurrection. He emphasizes that God is not the God of the dead but of the living, indicating that those who have died in faith are still alive in His presence.
It reinforces the belief in the resurrection and underscores the eternal nature of life with God, where believers continue to exist and thrive in His presence.
8. 1 Corinthians 15:42
So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable.
This verse speaks of the transformation that occurs during the resurrection of the dead. It compares the perishable nature of our earthly bodies to the imperishable nature of our resurrected bodies.
It brings hope and assurance that the bodies in the resurrection will not be subject to corruption or decay but will be gloriously raised in a perfect and incorruptible state.
9. Daniel 12:2
Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt.
This verse portrays the resurrection as a universal event, where both the righteous and the wicked will awake from their slumber in the dust of the earth.
It serves as a reminder that there will be a judgment, where the righteous will receive everlasting life, while the unrighteous will face shame and everlasting contempt.
10. Job 19:25-27
I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end, he will stand on the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh, I will see God; I myself will see him with my own eyes—I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!
This verse offers a profound declaration of faith from Job amidst his suffering. He confidently expresses his belief that his redeemer lives and that he will eventually see God, even after his physical body has decayed.
It speaks to the deep longing within the human heart for an eternal existence with God and the assurance that this longing will be fulfilled through the resurrection.
11. 1 Corinthians 15:51-52
Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.
These verses reveal an extraordinary mystery regarding the future resurrection of believers. It speaks of a transformation that will occur, where those who are alive at Christ’s second coming will be instantly changed, and the dead will be raised in an imperishable state.
It fills believers with anticipation and excitement, knowing that a glorious transformation awaits them in the resurrection, where mortal bodies will be replaced with eternal, imperishable ones.
12. Philippians 3:21
who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.
This verse reveals that Christ has the power to transform our mortal bodies to be like His glorious resurrected body. It speaks of a complete transformation, where our earthly bodies will no longer be subject to weakness, suffering, or decay.
It instills hope in believers, knowing that in the resurrection, they will be conformed to the likeness of Christ and enjoy the fullness of His glory.
13. 1 Peter 1:3
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy, he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
This verse highlights the new birth and living hope that believers receive through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It emphasizes the central role of Christ’s resurrection in the redemption and salvation of humanity.
It encourages believers to rejoice and offer praise to God for His mercy, knowing that through Christ’s resurrection, they have been granted new life and a hope that surpasses all earthly circumstances.
14. 1 Corinthians 15:20
But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
This verse affirms the resurrection of Christ and refers to Him as the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. It signifies that Jesus is the first to be raised from the dead with a glorified and imperishable body.
It gives believers confidence in their future resurrection, knowing that just as Christ was raised, they too will experience the same resurrection and share in His victory over death.
15. 1 Corinthians 6:14
By his power, God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also.
This verse declares the power of God to raise not only Christ but also believers from the dead. It affirms the intimate connection between the resurrection of Christ and the future resurrection of believers.
It assures believers that just as God raised Christ from death, He will also raise them to new life, reaffirming the hope and assurance of the resurrection.
16. Acts 24:15
I have the same hope in God as these men themselves have, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked.
These words were spoken by the apostle Paul during his defense before Felix, the governor. He confidently expresses his hope in the resurrection, affirming that both the righteous and the wicked will experience a resurrection.
It reminds believers that the resurrection is not exclusive to the righteous, but it encompasses all people, highlighting the ultimate justice and judgment that will occur in the future resurrection.
17. Revelation 21:4
‘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.
This verse portrays the glorious state of the resurrected believers in the new heaven and earth. It assures believers that in the presence of God, all forms of suffering, including death, mourning, crying, and pain, will cease to exist.
It brings comfort and hope, knowing that in the resurrection, believers will enter into a realm where all the effects of sin and brokenness are completely eradicated.
18. Philippians 3:11
and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.
This verse expresses Paul’s desire to attain to the resurrection from the dead. It reflects his yearning to experience the fullness and glory of the resurrection.
It encourages believers to have a similar longing for the resurrection, recognizing it as the ultimate fulfillment of their faith and the gateway to eternal life with God.
19. Colossians 3:4
When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
This verse speaks of the future revelation of Christ and the glory that believers will share with Him when He appears. It points to the hope and expectation of being united with Christ in His glorious second coming.
It reminds believers that their future resurrection is intimately connected to Christ’s return, where they will be glorified and reign with Him in everlasting splendor.
20. John 5:29
and come out—those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned.
These words were spoken by Jesus, highlighting the future resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. It speaks of a judgment, where the actions and deeds of individuals will determine their destiny in the resurrection.
It serves as a reminder of the importance of living a righteous and obedient life, knowing that there will be a solemn reckoning in the resurrection.
21. 2 Corinthians 4:14
Because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself.
This verse assures believers that the same God who raised Jesus from the dead will also raise them to new life in union with Christ. It emphasizes the certainty and faithfulness of God’s promise of resurrection.
It instills confidence in believers, knowing that they are securely held in God’s hands and will ultimately be presented before Him in the resurrection.
22. John 6:40
For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.
In this verse, Jesus declares that everyone who believes in Him will have eternal life and will be raised up by Him on the last day. It highlights the profound connection between faith in Christ and the assurance of resurrection.
It offers hope to believers, knowing that their trust in Jesus secures their eternal destiny, and they will experience the resurrection to life everlasting.
23. Revelation 20:5
The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection.
This verse speaks of the distinction between the first resurrection and the resurrection of the rest of the dead. It suggests that there will be a sequential order in the resurrection, with the first resurrection occurring before the resurrection of the rest of the dead.
It presents a complex eschatological concept that encourages believers to diligently study and seek understanding regarding the different stages of the resurrection.
24. Ezekiel 37:12-14
Therefore prophesy and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: My people, I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them; I will bring you back to the land of Israel. Then you, my people, will know that I am the Lord when I open your graves and bring you up from them. I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the Lord have spoken, and I have done it, declares the Lord.’
These verses contain a vision given to the prophet Ezekiel, describing the resurrection of the people of Israel. It speaks of a physical and national restoration of God’s chosen people.
It emphasizes God’s sovereignty and faithfulness in fulfilling His promises, assuring believers that just as God brought life to the dry bones in the vision, He is capable of bringing about the resurrection of all His people.
25. Job 14:14
If someone dies, will they live again? All the days of my hard service I will wait for my renewal to come.
In this verse, Job raises a thought-provoking question about the possibility of life after death. He expresses his longing for renewal and eagerly awaits the prospect of a future resurrection.
It acknowledges the inherent human desire for an afterlife and reflects the hope that Job holds onto amidst his trials, recognizing that there is a deeper purpose beyond the troubles of this present life.