It appears that at least some of those who were teaching that the believers will not be raised were not looking forward to life in Heaven either. They were emphasizing the value of Christ during our present life. This is true today. A psychological gospel is being preached that emphasizes what Christ will do for us in this world in terms of health, prosperity, and wholesome family life. It is not widely understood that God has assigned our natural, adamic personality to the cross and that our entire hope is based on a new, inner born-again personality that will be given a resurrected body at the appearing of the Lord from Heaven.

But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. (I Corinthians 15:20)

Christ is "the firstfruits of them that slept." Notice in the preceding verse how closely Christ's resurrection is tied to our resurrection. The Lord Jesus is the beginning of the Kingdom of God, the Firstborn from the dead.

And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. (Colossians 1:18)

Christ was the Beginning of the first creation and now He is the Beginning of the new creation, the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom of God consists of those who have died and been raised again in Christ.

It is of the greatest importance to realize we are shaping our own resurrection. Every person who has been born on the earth will be raised from the dead at one time or another. What is important is what we are raised to.

What we are raised to depends on how we have served the Lord. Those who have served the Lord with all their strength will be clothed with a heavenly body of eternal life and power. The heavenly body will cloth their resurrected flesh and bones.

Those who have not served the Lord diligently will be clothed with that which reflects their lack of diligence or their sin and rebellion. Those who have lived in the appetites of the flesh will be clothed with corruption. Those who have lived contemptible lives will be clothed with contempt.

And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. (Daniel 12:2)

Those who practice righteous behavior and lead others to practice righteous behavior will be clothed with a body that will shine for eternity like a star in the firmament.

And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever. (Daniel 12:3)

Multitudes of believers may reap corruption in the day of the Lord because they have lived their lives in the desires of the flesh and soul.

The Kingdom law states that what we sow we shall reap. This law is not changed by faith, mercy, or grace. It is time for the watchmen to sound the alarm.

To be continued.