It is not only those who believe in Christ who will experience the resurrection of their bodies. All people will be raised physically from the dead on the last day. The difference is that Christians will be raised to everlasting glory; those who will not trust in Christ will be raised to judgment.

There are many passages which teach that both believers and unbelievers will be raised. In Acts 24:15 Paul says, "There shall certainly be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked." John 5:28-29 says, "For an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs shall hear His voice, and shall come forth; those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment." The Scriptural teaching, then, is that for those who reject the gospel hell involves both spiritual and physical anguish: "And do not fear those who kill the body, but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell" (Matthew 10:28).

Further Resources

• Read or listen to the sermon, "What Happens When You Die? Part III: All Appear Before the Judgment Seat of Christ"
• See all sermons in the series, "What Happens When You Die?"