Life and Relationships

What Is the Resurrection?

The resurrection is God's act of bringing the dead back to life. Scripture teaches a resurrection of the righteous to eternal life and a resurrection of the wicked to judgment.

Published 2026-09-13 · Updated 2026-09-27

Written and reviewed by the Word Oasis Editorial Team. Read our editorial policy.

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State of the DeadSecond Coming

Biblical explanation

The resurrection is one of the central teachings of the Bible. describes people who “sleep in the dust” awakening. Jesus said: “The hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth” (). Jesus' own resurrection is the foundation of Christian hope. Paul calls Christ “the firstfruits of them that slept” (). Because Christ rose, believers have the assurance that death does not have the final word. explains that the resurrected body will be transformed. What is sown in corruption is raised in incorruption. What is mortal becomes immortal (). Paul connects the resurrection of believers specifically with Christ's second coming (). The Bible therefore does not present eternal life as escape from death through an inherently immortal soul. Eternal life is ultimately received through resurrection.

In brief

The resurrection is one of the central teachings of the Bible.

Bible references

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Editorial note

This answer is written and reviewed by the Word Oasis Editorial Team, and is presented with supporting references so you can examine each passage in context. If you notice an error or unclear statement, please suggest a correction.