John 5 verses 28 and 29 will be our sermon text. John chapter 5 beginning at verse 28. Marvel not at this, for the hour is coming in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice. 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. Amen. May God bless the reading of His word. Now if you would turn to the back of the Psalter hymnals to a shorter catechism question and answer. Turn to the shorter catechism, and we'll be looking at question and answer 38 shorter catechism question and answer 38. It's found on page 970 page 970 Question 38 asks, what benefits do believers receive from Christ at the resurrection? Answer, at the resurrection, believers being raised up in glory shall be openly acknowledged and acquitted in the day of judgment and made perfectly blessed in the full enjoying of God to all eternity. Well then, this morning, with God's help, we'll be meditating on the benefits that believers will receive at the resurrection. You know, we read in Hebrews chapter 2 and verse 17 that it behooved Christ to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. So Jesus Christ, who is the Lord of glory, who is the second person in the Godhead, the only begotten Son of God, the Lord of glory humbled himself. Jesus Christ became man and he took to himself a true body and a reasonable soul. and was made flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory. Glory is of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth." And why is it that the Lord Jesus became man and came into our world? He came in order to redeem His people, right? Our Redeemer, the God-man, obeyed the law of God perfectly in his life and died for our sins on the cross and appeased the wrath of God, satisfied divine justice and accomplished eternal redemption for his people. Amen? So Jesus Christ is a most excellent Savior. Hebrews 7 and verse 25 says, Wherefore he is also able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. for them, for his people. So Jesus didn't die merely on the cross to make salvation possible, but he died in order to save his people. He died in order to redeem his people. And those who are united to the Lord Jesus Christ are blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ. And so we've been meditating on those benefits. We receive benefits as Christians in this life. We receive benefits at death, that we looked at two weeks ago, but we will also receive benefits, by virtue of our union with Christ, at the resurrection, when our bodies will be raised. Remember this, Jesus Christ redeemed us. He accomplished and obtained our eternal redemption. Does that redemption only apply to our souls? not just to our souls, but also to our bodies. Jesus Christ will not only save our souls, He will also save our bodies and will raise us imperishable in glory. And so we meditated two Lord's days ago on this question, what benefits do believers receive from Christ at death? The answer that the Shorter Catechism gives us this, the souls of believers at their death, are made perfect in holiness and do immediately pass into glory, and their bodies, being still united to Christ, do rest in their graves, listen, until the resurrection. Until the resurrection. So by way of reminder, we said two weeks ago that when people die, Their bodies return to dust and see corruption, but their souls, which neither die nor sleep, but will live forever, immediately go to one of the two places, heaven or hell. This is what's called the intermediate state, the place where we're going to be after we die until the resurrection, until that last day when our bodies will be raised and united to our souls. Remember this, children, we are created body and soul. Those are the two aspects of our constituent nature. We're created body and soul. So when a believer dies, when a Christian dies, His soul is immediately made perfect and in holiness and passes into glory and received into the highest heavens in the presence of God and is waiting for the full redemption of his body. And when an unbeliever dies, when a wicked person dies who would not bow his knees to the Lord Jesus Christ, His soul is immediately cast into hell where he experiences torments and utter darkness. Those are the only two places, heaven and hell, only two places after death for the souls that are separated from their bodies. There is no purgatory. Paul says in 2 Corinthians 5 that for the Christian to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. Jesus said to the thief on the cross who trusted in him, who was saved by his grace, what did Jesus say to the thief? Verily I say unto thee, today, not a million years later, after you've spent some time in purgatory, today shalt thou be with me. Where? In paradise. In Luke 16 we read that when Lazarus died, He was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom. That is, speaking of the intermediate state of believers between death and the final resurrection. So Lazarus immediately went into heaven. But the rich man, after he died, his body was buried. But in hell, he lift up his eyes, being in torments. And one day, It's true of you as well that you will die. Every one of you will go the way of all the earth, and you will meet your Maker. Where are you going to be? Are you going to be in heaven or in hell? Are you ready for eternity? It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this, the judgment. And so we need to meditate on these important matters of life and death. But people of God, those of you who are Christians, listen. Let me remind you again. Jesus Christ not only saves your souls, praise God He does, But He will also save your bodies. He redeems His people, body and soul, and the wicked will be punished, body and soul. So listen, on the last day, when Jesus Christ returns, the bodies of the wicked will be raised to dishonor. and the bodies of the just will be raised to honor. There will be a resurrection of the dead. This is your final state. This is your final destination when you will be raised physically and united to your soul and will be with the Lord forever. And so we read in 1 Corinthians 15, So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption. It is raised in incorruption. Speaking of the body, it is sown in dishonor. It is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness. It is raised in power. So when a believer dies, his soul is immediately with the Lord. But his body sees corruption, right? The body of the Christian sees corruption. It is sown in corruption. But one day it will be raised. in glory. It is sown in weakness, it will be raised in power. It is sown in humiliation and dishonor, it will be raised in honor. And so our theme this morning then, Benefits at the Resurrection. Benefits at the Resurrection. As we meditate on John 5 verses 28 and 29, with God's help, we'll meditate on this passage under three heads. Number one, 2. Resurrection of Believers But then thirdly, resurrection of unbelievers. So there will be a general resurrection, and then we'll meditate on the resurrection of believers, and then the resurrection of unbelievers. So firstly then, our first head, there will be a general resurrection of the dead. What do I mean by that? A general resurrection. By that I mean this. There will be a resurrection both of believers and unbelievers. That means that the physical bodies that have returned to the dust will one day rise again to stand upon the earth. Not only of believers, but also of the wicked. So look with me at verse 28 of our sermon text. John 5 and verse 28. Notice what Jesus says. Marvel not at this, for the hour is coming, listen, in the which, what's the next word? All that are in the graves, all that are in the graves shall hear his voice. Do you see that? Everyone will be raised, whether rich or poor, whether male or female, just or unjust, all that are in their graves, all the dead shall hear his voice and will be raised. This is an appointment that no one will miss. No one will miss this appointment with God. The question is this, however. Are you ready for that appointment? Are you ready to meet with your Maker? You will have that appointment one day, but are you ready for that now? Remember again, it is appointed unto men once to die, and after this, the judgment. There is no reincarnation. There is no second chance after you die. But judgment, you will meet with God. And so consider a few verses. Romans 14, verse 12 says, so then every one of us, every one of us, shall give account of himself to God. 2 Corinthians 5, verse 10 says, for we must all appear before the judgment seed of Christ, that everyone may receive the things done in his body according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. We will all stand before God one day. Now as we think about that general resurrection, notice what Jesus says in verse 28 again. All that are in the graves shall do what? Hear His voice. Hear His voice. Children, think about the power That is in the voice of Jesus Christ. Think about the power of the word of Christ. When Jesus Christ speaks, even the dead hear. When Jesus Christ speaks, you have no option but to listen. And you will be raised one day as Jesus Christ speaks to the dead that have returned to the dust. And that is because Jesus Christ is the Lord of glory. He is the only begotten Son of God, truly God and truly man. And the Father has given him authority to execute judgment. You hear me? Jesus Christ will judge one day the world. In his first coming, Jesus Christ stood before Pontius Pilate. In his second coming, Pontius Pilate will stand before Jesus. Christ is the judge of the universe. In his first coming, Jesus Christ came to save. In his second coming, he will come to judge. You need to hear the voice of Christ today, right? One day you will hear His voice, but what about today? Are you hardening your hearts, or are you hearing the voice of Christ as He's speaking to you through His Word? You need to hear the Word of Christ And you need to respond with repentance and faith. 2 Corinthians 1 says that the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, taking vengeance upon them. that know not God and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the power of his glory, when he shall come to be glorified in his saints and to be admired in all them that believe. One day the Lord Jesus Christ will return in burning wrath. taking vengeance on those who do not obey the gospel. Today, you must obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Today, you must repent and hear the word of God with faith and obedience. Repent ye and believe the gospel. Repent before it's too late. Once you die, it is too late. And listen, the only refuge from the wrath of the Lamb that is coming is the Lamb, right? The only refuge from the burning wrath of the Lamb of God is the Lamb of God. Kiss the son, lest he be angry, and he perish from the way. When his wrath is kindled but a little, blessed are all they that put their trust in him. So we see the first thing here, that there will be a general resurrection, both of the righteous and of the wicked, listen, at the same time. Not separated by some thousand years, but at the same time, The wicked and the righteous will be raised. There will be a general resurrection. But notice also, this resurrection will be a physical resurrection. This will be a resurrection of your bodies. Look again at verse 28 with me. Marvel not at this, for the hour is coming in the which all that are where? In the graves. You put bodies in the graves, right? All that are in the graves shall hear his voice. And then verse 29 says, and shall come forth. From where? From those graves. The dead will rise from the graves. This will be a physical resurrection, a physical resurrection, a resurrection of the bodies. Jesus Christ is here speaking of the physical resurrection of believers unto glory and the physical resurrection of the unbelievers unto damnation. You know, false religions like Hinduism, And many other Eastern religions and many cults have a negative view of the body, like Gnosticism. And they teach that there is no salvation for the flesh. There is no salvation for the body. This is why Hindus cremate the dead. This is why Hindus burn the bodies of those that have died. Because in Hinduism, there is no salvation for the body. One of the ways, according to Hinduism, that you could be sure that you will achieve nirvana, or you will achieve salvation, and be delivered from this endless cycle of life and death and reincarnations and so on, one of the sure ways to do that is by making sure that when you die, your body is burnt and your ashes are scattered in the holy river Ganges in India. And if your ashes are scattered in that river, that is a sure way for you to be saved, or to become one with God, or to be rescued from becoming reincarnated again in the next life. And so the river Ganges is filled with dead bodies floating, or half-burned bodies, or just ashes. And the reason is this. There is no salvation, according to Hinduism, for the body. or Gnosticism. But the reason in the Bible we see burial, you bury people in the grave, is because we have a blessed hope as Christians that the dead body, the lifeless body, the soul that has departed from the body of the believer and that is put in the grave, we're putting that body down with the hope the blessed hope and the certainty that one day that selfsame body will be transformed and glorified and will come out of the grave on the last day. The body will be transformed in glory. Jesus Christ is not done with your body. He's a perfect Savior, and He saves both the body and the soul. Well, you might ask then, well, what about those Christians who have been cremated? What about those Christians who have been burnt? Or the Christians who have died at the sea or in the ocean? What about someone like William Tyndale, whose body was burnt? He was burnt at the stake. by the Roman Catholic Church because he translated the Bible into the English language so that we can read the Bible in our own tongue. What about him? What about his body? Well, people of God, Jesus Christ is able. to raise all those bodies to glory, right? That is not a hard thing for our Lord Jesus Christ, to bring about all those parts and particles together and raise all those bodies that have either been buried or that have been burned or that have drowned. Christ will raise up all those bodies by His power. Remember, what is sown in dishonor will be raised in glory. What is sown in weakness will be raised in power. What is sown in corruption will be raised in incorruption. Well, that brings us to then our second point, our second head, the resurrection of believers. Let's meditate on that and let's draw comfort from this blessed hope that we have that believers will be raised to glory, the resurrection of believers. Look at verse 29. Verse 29 says, and shall come forth. These are the dead in their graves. They will come forth. This will happen on the last day. Notice, they that have done what? Good unto the resurrection of life. So believers will have the resurrection of life. They that have done good. This is a description of true Christians. Well, we're not saved by our good works, right? Of course not. We're saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. But listen, good works are the fruits of saving faith, right? Christians do good works not out of a slavish fear, but out of obedience and gratitude toward God. Good works of love and obedience flow out of saving faith. And so Jesus can describe his people as those that have done good, right? Listen to Ephesians 2, For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves. It is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast. But then what does verse 10 say? For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. So when Jesus says, they that have done good, in verse 29, he's speaking about his people. He's speaking about true believers who are justified by faith alone without the deeds of the law. And since they are saved by the grace of Jesus Christ, they pursue holiness and they love the law of God. Is that true of you? Is that true of you if you have experienced the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ? Do you love the law of God and desire to do good for the glory of the one who saved you? Notice what Jesus says about his people then. They that have done good will be raised unto the resurrection of life. Right? That's a key phrase. Unto the resurrection of life. And that word resurrection, It simply means to arise again, to be made to stand up again. The bodies that have been laid will stand up on this earth and we will be raised to life. And why is that? That's because we, those of you who are believers, are united to Jesus Christ by faith, right? And since Jesus lives, that would be true of you as well. Since Jesus, after he died on the cross, his body was laid in the tomb, but on the third day, that first day of the week, his body was raised and united to his soul, that would be true of you as well. Your bodies will be raised. Since Jesus lives, you too, Christian, shall live. So the bodies of believers by the Spirit of Christ and by the virtue of His resurrection as their head shall be raised in power, spiritual, incorruptible, and made like unto His glorious body. I want you to see that as a consistent testimony and teaching of all scriptures. So let's begin. Turn with me to Job chapter 19. Of course, Job is one of the earliest books in the Old Testament, Job chapter 19. And I want you to see where the hope of Job is. Job chapter 19, look at verse 25. Job 19, verse 25, for I know that my Redeemer, what? Liveth. I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth. And though after my skin worms destroy this body, Of course, that is speaking of what? Once you're buried, once you die, your body sees decay, experiences corruption. So Job says in verse 26, and though after my skin worms destroy this body, watch, yet in my flesh shall I see God. Job believed in the resurrection of the dead, right? Job believed that one day his body that will perish and return to the dust will be raised, and in the glorified body, in the flesh, Job will see his Redeemer. Verse 27, whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another, though my reins be consumed within me. This was the hope of Job. Well, Christian, you, like Job, can defy death by looking at death right in the eyes. As death comes to seek, as death comes to swallow you up, you can look death right in the eyes and you can say to death, oh death, where is thy sting? It's gone. Oh death, where is thy victory? It's gone because Jesus has risen and He has won the victory. I know that my Redeemer lives, and on the last day His feet shall be upon this earth, and one day I will see Him in my flesh. As death comes to swallow you up, Christian, remember, death is swallowed up in victory. Death is swallowed up in victory. You are united to the Lord Jesus Christ. And since your Redeemer lives, you too shall live, soul and body. Let's turn to Philippians chapter 3. Philippians chapter 3. Philippians 3, look at verse 20. Philippians 3 verse 20, for our conversation, that means our citizenship, for our citizenship is in heaven, from whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Listen, who shall, what? Change our vile body. that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he's able even to subdue all things unto himself." Notice, not only is Jesus going to save our souls, but he's going to change our vile bodies. And our bodies will be transformed and will be made like unto his own glorious body. We will be raised physically unto glory. Let's turn to John chapter 6 and notice that Jesus declares the same thing in that great sermon in John 6. John chapter 6, let's look at a few verses together. John 6, look at verse 37. John 6, 37. All that the Father giveth me shall come to me, and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. Verse 38. For I came down from heaven not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Father's will. Verse 39. This is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing. but should raise it up again at the last day." All that the Father has given to Jesus, the elect from every tribe, tongue, and nation, Jesus will lose nothing. But Jesus will raise his people at the last day. At the last day. Look at verse 40 of the same chapter. And this is the will of him that sent me, that everyone which seeth the Son and believeth on him may have everlasting life, and I will raise him up at the last day. Look at verse 44. No man can come to me except the Father which has sent me draw him. And then what? And I will raise him up at the last day, again and again. Here's the Lord Jesus speaking about His people, that those whom the Father has given Him, He will save them to the uttermost. And on the last day, He will raise up His people to glory, incorruptible. Well, dear people of God, again, let us draw comfort from these glorious truths by applying God's Word to our lives. Isn't that wonderful to know that death has lost its sting? It has no power over the believer. So we can say with the Apostle Paul, for to me to live is Christ and to die is gain. Of course, we want to be with our family members. We want to be with those that we love. And of course, death is painful, but it has lost its sting. It has lost its power over the believer. Because when a Christian dies, he enters into uninterrupted communion with his savior forever. So let us not fear death. And let us not fear men. Let us not fear what men can do to us, but instead let us fear God and let us obey His commandments. Pray that God would give you more of His fear. The more you fear God, the less you will fear your enemies, the less you will fear men, the less you will fear Satan and death. Fear the Lord. Love Him. He will take care of you, whatever tomorrow might bring. We don't know. None of us can know here what is the time and the day that we will die. We will die, every one of us. But if you are a Christian, you don't even have to be worried about that. you can be sure that God will take care of you when the time comes. And all along the way, every step of the way, every single day, He will take care of you. Do not fear men and do not fear death. Obey the Lord, fear the Lord, love the Lord, submit to the Lordship of Christ, and every day live by faith in Him. Whatever situation you find yourself in, obey the Lord Jesus Christ and honor Him. Did you hear me? Whatever situation, whatever vocation God has given you, glorify God in that vocation. You know, as an illustration, you may know of John Payton, the Presbyterian minister who wanted to go to New Hebrides as a missionary in 1800s. And New Hebrides back then was filled with tribes that were cannibals. And John Payton wanted to go there to bring the gospel to the natives. And as he was getting ready to get on his missionary journey with his family, Back in England, he was strongly warned by some of his friends to not go there. One of his friends told him, the cannibals, you'll be eaten by cannibals, to which Peyton famously responded, Mr. Dixon, you are advanced in years now, and your own prospect is soon to be laid in the grave. there to be eaten by worms. I confess to you that if I can but live and die serving and honoring the Lord Jesus, it will make no difference to me whether I'm eaten by cannibals or by worms. And in the great day, my resurrection body will rise as fair as yours in the likeness of our risen Redeemer." End quote. Think about it, congregation. Death has lost its sting. You know, as your minister is out preaching the gospel in the open air, what could be the worst thing that someone can do to your minister as he preaches the gospel? They can kill him and send him immediately into heaven, right? And one day, your bodies and your minister's body will be raised imperishable in glory and will be made like unto Christ's glorious body. Listen, nothing can separate you from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord, including death. Death cannot separate you from the love of Christ, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. So we read these gloriously comforting words in Romans chapter 8. Verse 35, who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Name it. Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword, as it is written, for thy sake we're killed all the day long, we're accounted as sheep for the slaughter? Nay, none of these things can separate you from God. In all these things, we're more than conquerors through him that loved us, for I am persuaded that neither death nor life, whatever life may bring, whatever uncertainties await you tomorrow or next year, neither death nor life nor angels nor principalities like the devil and the demons nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. How much should that encourage us as Christians to live lives unto the glory of God? Remember, we read earlier from 1 Corinthians 15, your labor as Christians, Your labor in the Lord is not in vain. When you work by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, it doesn't matter who is taking notice. It doesn't matter whether you get praise from men. Your labor is not wasted. Your prayers are not wasted. As you pray, As you cry out to God, as you pour out your heart unto the Lord in prayer, He knows what you go through. He knows your suffering. He knows you. And your labor in the Lord will never be wasted because Jesus Christ is risen. So do not be ashamed of the gospel. Don't live to please men. We want to live at peace with people. It's good when people are pleased, but we don't live to please men. We live to please the Lord of Glory. Jesus Christ, confess Him boldly before men. He will take care of you. In Matthew 10, Jesus says, And fear not them which kill the body. but are not able to kill the soul, but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? And one of them shall not fall on the ground without your father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Can you number the hairs on your head, however many you have? Can you? Of course not. But all the hairs on your head are numbered before God. He knows you intimately. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. And whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven. Confess the Lord Jesus Christ before men. Don't worry about what man can do to you, Christian. Live by faith in Jesus Christ and love your enemies. Love your enemies by faith in Christ and He will take care of you. Here's another application for us as Christians. As we continue to grow older, year by year, we're reminded of our frailty. Our bodies begin to ache and not function so well. And we experience pain. And many of you, many in our congregation, experience chronic pain, chronic pain and chronic difficulties on a regular basis. I mean, our bones are getting weaker. Our eyesight is getting weaker. Be patient, Christian. Be patient also in your adversity, in your trials, because one day your suffering will be over. One day your suffering will end. So if you were in Romans 8, if you look in Romans 8 at verse 18, notice what the Word of God says. And notice, this encouragement is connected to the redemption of our bodies. Look at verse 18. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. The sufferings, whatever sufferings you experience today, can't even begin to be compared with what awaits you in glory. Verse 19, For the earnest expectation of the creature waited for the manifestation of the sons of God. For the creature was made subject to vanity. Creation was put under a curse. Not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subdued the same in hope. Look at verse 21. Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption and to the glorious liberty of the children of God. So verse 21 is saying that one day this earth And this universe, which is under a curse right now, will be redeemed. And the curse will be removed. And this earth will be transformed into the new heavens and the new earth, where we will dwell with the Lord forever. Look at verse 22. that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit. Even we ourselves groan within ourselves, right? You can relate to that. You can relate to this groaning as Christians longing for that day when your redemption will be complete. We groan within ourselves. Look at the end of verse 23, waiting for the adoption to wit, the redemption of our body. Do you see that? We're waiting as Christians for that day when our bodies will be redeemed, when our bodies will be redeemed and all of the pain and all of the suffering will come to an end. Verse 24, for we are saved by hope. This is our blessed hope. Take heart, Christian, and be patient. Your eyesight may be getting weaker by the day, but one day you will see perfectly. 2 Corinthians 4 verse 16 says, But though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is what? Renewed day by day. As our outward man is growing weary and older and will one day perish, every day your soul is being renewed day by day. And one day your bodies will also be raised. So do not faint. The pattern of the Christian life is this. Listen. Today, You experience pain and suffering, but then you will experience glory. First, the cross, then the crown. First, humiliation, and then exaltation. As was with our Lord Jesus, we too shall endure suffering in this life, but then glory heart. Be patient as you seek to live by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. And so we read in our short a catechism answer At the resurrection, believers being raised up in glory shall be openly acknowledged and acquitted in the day of judgment. So when we're raised into glory on that day, on that great general assembly, when every person who's ever died will be brought up and will stand before Christ as the judge of the universe, on that day, believer, Not only will your body be raised in glory, you will be openly acknowledged and acquitted in the day of judgment. Jesus Christ will not be ashamed to call you his brethren. He will not be ashamed to own you. Remember that parable that Jesus taught about Christ separating the sheep from the goats? On that day, listen to Matthew 25, and he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the king say unto them on his right hand, to you, come, ye blessed of my father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from before the foundation of the world. Jesus Christ will not be ashamed to own you, but He will confess you before His Father in heaven. And you will be declared as those that have been justified by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. And then our Shorter Catechism says, and we will be made perfectly blessed in the full enjoying of God to all eternity. We will be made perfectly blessed to the full enjoying. You know, when we die, our souls go into glory and we're enjoying the presence of God, but there is something missing, right? You know what's missing? Our bodies, because they're still in the graves. But on that day, there will be perfect and complete joy, as we will be fully satisfied, body and soul, in the full enjoyment of God to all eternity. So 1 John 3 verse 2 says, Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be. But we know that when he shall appear, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. And then Psalm 16, verse 11 says, thou will show me the path of life in thy presence is what? What kind of joy? Fullness of joy. In thy presence is fullness of joy. At thy right hand, there are pleasures forevermore. And we will experience those pleasures and the fullness of joy for all eternity. Christian, this is your destination. This is where you're headed. Be encouraged. Take comfort in the Lord. He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ. He will not leave you. He will not forsake you. And one day he will confess you before the watching world. Turn with me to Revelation 21. The last book of the Bible, Revelation 21. Verse 1, And I saw a new heaven and a new earth. For the first heaven and the first earth were passed away, and there was no more sea. And I, John, saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men. And He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God. 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. And he that sat upon the throne said, behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, write, for these words are true and faithful. And he said unto me, it is done. I'm Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is the thirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things and I will be his God and he shall be my son. But look at the state, the final destination of unbelievers. Look at verse eight. But the fearful and unbelieving And the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone. which is the second death. And this brings us to our final point, our final head, resurrection of unbelievers. Resurrection of unbelievers. Not only will there be a resurrection of believers, but there will also be the resurrection of unbelievers. So back to our sermon text, John chapter 5. Verse 28 says, Marvel not at this, for the hour is coming in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, verse 29, and shall come forth they that have done good unto the resurrection of life. But watch this, end of verse 29. And they that have done evil unto the resurrection of damnation. Unto the resurrection of damnation. So we see here, that the bodies of unbelievers will also be raised unto dishonor and damnation and will be united to their souls and they shall be cast out from the favorable and comfortable presence of God and the glorious fellowship with Christ and his saints, they will be cast out into hell to be punished with unspeakable torments both of body and soul forever. So turn with me to Mark chapter nine and listen to your Lord Jesus as he teaches about the reality of hell. Mark chapter nine. Mark chapter nine, look at verse 43. Mark nine and verse 43. And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off. It is better for thee to enter into life maimed than having two hands to go into hell. And then notice the description. Into the fire that never shall be quenched. Verse 44, where their worm dieth not and the fire is not quenched. And if thy foot offend thee and cut it off, it is better for thee to enter halt into life than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched. Verse 46, where their worm dieth not and the fire is not quenched. Verse 47, if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out. It is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire. Verse 48, where their worm dieth not and the fire is not quenched. Three times the Lord Jesus describes hell as the place where their worm dieth not and the fire is not quenched. Verse 44, verse 46, and verse 48. And here we have this graphic imagery that comes from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. And the imagery is one of A dead body that is undergoing decay, but it doesn't end. It continues to experience decay with torments and with pain. And worms and maggots are eating and eating without end. Where there are worms, dieth not. Where there are worm, dieth not. And the fire is not quenched. The wicked will be tormented. And the torment will continue forever and ever in hell. And the wicked will experience unending decay, unending disgrace, death, and damnation. Hell is a real place. Your Lord Jesus warns you about the place called hell. If you turn to Revelation 20, Revelation 20 and notice in verse 10, Revelation 20 in verse 10. And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are and shall be tormented day and night forever and ever. And I saw a great white throne and him that sat on it from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead. I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God. And the books were opened, and another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead." All the people that have drowned at the sea, the sea would give up those would give up the dead. All those dead bodies would rise which were in it. And death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them. And they were judged every man according to their works. Verse 14. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. Those of you who are still unbelievers today, why would you perish in hell? Why would you be tormented forever, body and soul, when Jesus Christ is being freely offered to you in the gospel right now? If you would simply embrace Him and rest in Him, repent of your sins, and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, you will be saved. You will be saved from the wrath of God which is to come. This is how you must respond. Cast yourselves today at the mercies of Jesus Christ. God is merciful, and he has provided a way for sinners to be forgiven and reconciled to him through the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ. Repent today and rest in Jesus Christ. And if you do that, if you trust in Christ alone for your salvation, He will save your soul from hell, and one day He will raise your body unto life and glory. Come to Jesus Christ today by faith. He has won the victory, and those who trust in Him will never be put to shame. You know that passage in Philippians 2 where it says how Jesus, being our faithful high priest, obeyed all the way to the point of death, even the death on the cross, wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him the name which is above every name, so that one day at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, including the knees of Muhammad, and the knees of all the wicked, as well as the knees of believers. Every knee will bow at the name of Jesus. Every tongue will confess. that Jesus Christ is Lord. You would either confess Jesus as Lord in judgment, or you will confess Him as Lord in worship. But every knee will bow. If you refuse to bow your knees to Jesus today, your knees will be broken with a rod of iron, and you will fall down before the Lord of glory. and give him the glory that is due unto his name. And he will be glorified for all eternity in the damnation of the wicked in the lake of fire, as he will be glorified for all eternity in the salvation of sinners in the new heavens and the new earth by his grace. Well, the Lord Jesus calls you. He says in John 11, I am the resurrection and the life. He that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Do you believe that? Come to the Lord Jesus Christ. Maranatha. Come, Lord Jesus. Come quickly. Amen. Let us stand for prayer.