356. A Better Resurrection
Hebrews 11:35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection.
By faith we shall obtain a better resurrection. The resurrection of the body may be the greatest and most precious promise we have been given, as it includes many other promises. By faith the promise is substantial and real.
Women have in human history received their dead raised to life again. Elijah, Elisha and Jesus have returned dead children to their mothers. The resuscitations of Lazarus, the daughter of Jairus, and the son of the widow of Nain are wonderful signs, but they are not actually resurrections, because each of them died again later. Thousands of plain people have been resuscitated and many have had near death experiences, but they died again later. Jesus is the only real resurrection because He rose from the dead never to die again for eternity. No one else did that.
We who believe in Christ partake in His resurrection; we know that we shall rise again in the body never to die again ever. This is why it is called “a better resurrection.” It is better because it is permanent: the body lives forever with no threat of ending. By faith we have obtained that better resurrection. We have it already by faith, but it has not actually happened yet because we have not physically died yet. But we know what is going to happen and that future reality is as good as present by faith. We have life and no one can take it away. Satan and Death have been given permission to afflict us in soul and body with threats and scares, but they are not allowed to touch the soul and body with eternal death. Indeed, we have obtained a better resurrection.