• Welcome to Religious Forums, a friendly forum to discuss all religions in a friendly surrounding.

    Your voice is missing! You will need to register to get access to the following site features:
    • Reply to discussions and create your own threads.
    • Our modern chat room. No add-ons or extensions required, just login and start chatting!
    • Access to private conversations with other members.

    We hope to see you as a part of our community soon!

Resurrection after the last judgement

Treks

Well-Known Member
Ok, I'm only a week old at this so please bare with me, and I'm sorry for making mistakes or for causing any offence inadvertantly.

My question is, do Orthodox Christians believe the physical body is actually resurrected after the last judgement? (I understand there are two judgements, the personal judgement upon 'death' and then the last judgement when everyone is resurrected at the second coming of Christ)

Or is this symbolic/metaphorical?

If it is literal, how do you explain what will happen to people who died 2000 years ago whose bodies have long since turned to dust? If they will e provided with another body, does that mean if a body is cremated instead of buried that it will also be renewed?

Are people with disabilities resurrected with those disabilities?

Will there be enough room on earth for all of us?

I'm interested in this particular area of Christianity because I find it the most challenging for me personally to understand at this stage.

Many thanks
 

Shiranui117

Pronounced Shee-ra-noo-ee
Premium Member
Ok, I'm only a week old at this so please bare with me, and I'm sorry for making mistakes or for causing any offence inadvertantly.

My question is, do Orthodox Christians believe the physical body is actually resurrected after the last judgement? (I understand there are two judgements, the personal judgement upon 'death' and then the last judgement when everyone is resurrected at the second coming of Christ)

Or is this symbolic/metaphorical?
Actually, we believe the physical body is resurrected RIGHT BEFORE the Last Judgement, not after. We're judged after we've been bodily resurrected.

Also, your understanding about the "personal/particular judgement" and the Last Judgement is correct. :)

And the bodily resurrection is literal; mankind is composed of both body and soul, so it would be unnatural for us to have one but not the other.

If it is literal, how do you explain what will happen to people who died 2000 years ago whose bodies have long since turned to dust? If they will e provided with another body, does that mean if a body is cremated instead of buried that it will also be renewed?
If God created both the heavens and the earth, and everything that's within them, I don't think it'll be a problem for Him to reassemble and restore everyone's old, dead skeletons/piles of ash/piles of dust and restore our bodies as they once were. :)

Are people with disabilities resurrected with those disabilities?
It's an interesting question; Jesus Christ rose from the dead with the wounds of His Crucifixion. So you could make a case that, yes, we are resurrected with our old wounds and scars. But illness is a consequence of the Fall, so I personally think that all illnesses will be taken away after the Resurrection. I don't think asthma, cancer, autism or osteoporosis will be problems at that point.

Now, in the case of someone who was born with a physical disability (for example, I was born without a left ear), I'm not sure if God would "fix" our bodies at the time of resurrection... I guess it'd have to depend on what exactly having a glorified body entails, aside from our bodies reflecting the glory of God within us.

Will there be enough room on earth for all of us?
I'm sure God can make comfortable living arrangements for everyone; besides, if the Last Judgement's a long way off, then perhaps we would have already figured out how to terraform other planets, giving us extra space? :D

I'm interested in this particular area of Christianity because I find it the most challenging for me personally to understand at this stage.

Many thanks
Sure thing! And if you have any other questions about the Judgement or Resurrection, ask away! :)

Peace and God bless!
 

Treks

Well-Known Member
So many thanks to you for your help and correction, it's very much appreciated. :)
 

Shiranui117

Pronounced Shee-ra-noo-ee
Premium Member
Ahh, yes, that's basically the go-to chapter for this. :D

If I may, what understanding do you have after reading 1 Corinthians 15, and the below Scripture?

John 5
25 Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live. 26 For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself, 27 and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man. 28 Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice 29 and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation. 30 I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me.

Looking forward to talking more about this with you :)

Peace and God bless!
 

Treks

Well-Known Member
Dear Shiranui

I'm not sure I know enough about anything yet to give my understanding in a public forum. I don't want to mislead anyone who might read my posts.

Sorry.
 

Shiranui117

Pronounced Shee-ra-noo-ee
Premium Member
Treks,

I appreciate your humility and your consideration of others; that shows a great amount of prudence and discernment on your part. :)

I merely wished to hear (see :p ) what you had learned so far through your own words, so that if need be, I or someone else could help you understand something better. But, I will respect your decision to be silent until you feel ready.

May God bless and keep you!
 

Treks

Well-Known Member
Thank you Shiranui, I appreciate your offer to help and I will have more questions for you along the way. :)
 
Top