Johannes Maccovius, Theological Distinctions XIX.
James Dodson
Chapter XIX
Of the Resurrection
I. Resurrection is taken in two ways.
First, as it is opposed to one who does not survive death; and in this way it is taken when Scripture reports concerning the Sadducees that they say there is no resurrection—that is, they deny that anyone survives death. But sometimes it is taken for the resurrection of the flesh, as in the Apostles’ Creed: “I believe the resurrection of the flesh.”
II. The same flesh will rise again as to substance, not as to qualities.
Objection from Socinus. “Flesh and blood shall not inherit the kingdom of God.” 1 Corinthians 15. Response. It is known that flesh is taken either for an essential part of man, and so it will rise again—Job 19: “In my flesh I shall see the Lord”—or it is taken for the depravity of nature, as in Romans 8:6–8. And certainly such flesh will not inherit the kingdom of God.
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III. The resurrection of believers and of reprobates has different causes.
The resurrection of believers, besides the decree of God, has the resurrection of Christ as its cause, as this is proved at length in 1 Corinthians 15. But reprobates have as the cause of their resurrection the decree of God supported by His power. Hence also, with respect to His own resurrection, Christ is called “the firstborn of the dead,” Colossians 1, namely, because He is the Head of all in the blessed resurrection.
IV. The resurrection will be in fit bodies, not unfit bodies.
Some dispute in what kinds of bodies we will rise again, whether the bodies will be equal; this question, indeed, has thus far been curious. Yet the point is not so much that the bodies will be equal, as that they will be fit. Revelation 20:12. This means that they will not be infantile bodies. For certainly an embryo will rise again, and yet it would be unsuitable for it to rise again in such a little body, which scarcely equals a tiny point. The same must be thought concerning infants, who are often born small. For example, those of whom three hundred are said to have been born at one time, each of whom scarcely had the size of a proper mouse.
V. All men will rise again with all their members, not mutilated.
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Among other things Socinus also objects this to us, that many members will have no use in heaven, such as the members of nutrition, generation, and the like. Response. Ends are twofold, unknown to us and known. We confess that we are ignorant of the ends of many things; but it does not follow from this that the things will not exist. That we will rise again with all members is clear from Christ the Savior: for as He rose again, so also we will rise again. But this is also clear from those whom the day of the Lord will find alive, for they will be changed and will rise with all their members.
VI. The resurrection will be of all, not at the same moment, but successively.
The Holy Ghost teaches this in 1 Corinthians 15:23. Meanwhile, it must be known that the resurrection of all will occur at the same time, so that we may maintain this against those who hold that the martyrs will rise again a thousand years before the resurrection of all, and will reign with Christ on earth. For the Holy Ghost sets down only two visible advents of Christ: one in the flesh when He was made man, the other in the flesh when He will come to judge the living and the dead; and with this advent He immediately joins the resurrection of the dead. Matthew 24:30–31.