If by any means I might attain unto [arrive at] the resurrection of the dead. (Philippians 3:11)

The resurrection from the dead is the goal of redemption.

And not only they [the material creation], but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. (Romans 8:23)

The goal of redemption is the release of the physical body from the grip of sin and death. Resurrection to immortality is the overcoming of the last enemy. The term last suggests that all prior enemies have been conquered and there now are no more enemies. We have made a complete success through Christ of entering our land of promise when we arrive at the redemption of our mortal body. "The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death" (I Corinthians 15:26).

The resurrection of our body is one of the major objectives of the Christian salvation.

Dying and going to Heaven will be a marvelous occurrence in our individual life if we have served the Lord faithfully. All true saints await with eager expectation the moment when they will leave the present cursed, demon-oppressed environment and go to be at home with the Lord. However, dying and going to Heaven is not the resurrection from the dead.

The resurrection from the dead, which has little to do with going to Heaven, is a state that must be pursued each day, as Paul pointed out in Philippians, Chapter Three. The resurrection from the dead is the making alive of our mortal body so we can serve God on the earth.

The blowing of the trumpet of God and the coming of Jesus will be a worldwide historical event in which we Christians shall participate. The first resurrection will be witnessed by all people as we understand it. The first resurrection from the dead, the resurrection of the blessed and holy priesthood, is a personal state of redemption that must be pursued with all the energy and attention of the Christian.

There also will be a resurrection of the wicked and it will be a dreadful judgment on those taking part in it.

But we are speaking of the resurrection of the righteous, which will be a raising of their physical bodies from the grave so they can serve God in righteousness and holiness throughout eternity, in spirit, in soul, and in body.

The members of the Body of Christ must prepare themselves for the coming resurrection from the dead. We must purify ourselves (I John 3:3), washing our robes and making them white in the blood of the Lamb.

There are at least four major aspects of the resurrection from the dead:

The development of eternal life in the Christian personality.

Putting to death the deeds of the body.

The process of transformation from mortality to immortality.

Coming forth from the grave.

We Christians throughout our discipleship are in the pursuit of eternal life. Although in one sense we have eternal life the moment we receive Him who is the resurrection and the life; yet we are to be sowing to eternal life each day of our discipleship.

To be continued.