Topical Bible: Eternal Death is Called: A Resurrection to Shame

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Topical Encyclopedia

The concept of "eternal death" as a "resurrection to shame" is rooted in biblical eschatology, where the final judgment and the fate of the unrighteous are addressed. This theme is primarily derived from the prophetic and apocalyptic literature of the Bible, which speaks to the ultimate destiny of humanity.

Biblical Foundation

The notion of a resurrection to shame is most explicitly mentioned in the book of Daniel. Daniel 12:2 states, "And many who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to everlasting life, but others to shame and everlasting contempt." This passage highlights the dual outcome of the resurrection: eternal life for the righteous and eternal shame for the wicked. The "shame and everlasting contempt" signify a state of disgrace and dishonor that persists eternally, contrasting with the glory and honor bestowed upon the righteous.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, eternal death as a resurrection to shame underscores the gravity of sin and the justice of God. It reflects the biblical teaching that all individuals will be resurrected and judged according to their deeds (John 5:28-29: "Do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming when all who are in their graves will hear His voice and come out—those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment"). The resurrection to shame is thus a manifestation of divine justice, where the unrighteous face the consequences of their rejection of God and His commandments.

Eschatological Context

In the broader eschatological context, the resurrection to shame is part of the final judgment, where Christ will separate the righteous from the unrighteous (Matthew 25:31-46). The imagery of shame and contempt is consistent with the biblical portrayal of hell as a place of weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 13:42), a state of eternal separation from God, and a condition of perpetual regret and dishonor.

Moral and Ethical Dimensions

The concept of eternal death as a resurrection to shame serves as a moral and ethical warning. It calls individuals to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, emphasizing the urgency of aligning one's life with God's will. The prospect of eternal shame acts as a deterrent against sin and a motivator for righteous living, encouraging believers to pursue holiness and obedience to God's commands.

Conclusion

While the Bible presents the resurrection to shame as a sobering reality, it also offers the hope of redemption and eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ. The message of the gospel is that through Christ's atoning sacrifice, individuals can be saved from eternal death and instead receive the gift of eternal life, free from shame and contempt.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Daniel 12:2
And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Temporal Afflictions of Believers are not Correctly Termed " ...
... thus, "Christ has rendered satisfaction for eternal punishment alone ... of believers
are not correctly called chastisements, but ... be true that temporal death has a ...
/.../the works of james arminius vol 1/article ix the temporal afflictions.htm

The Resurrection of the Dead, and Eternal Judgment:
... yet Christ is their life, by the eternal purpose of God ... the dead incorruptible, which
is also called a begetting ... And there shall be no more death, neither sorrow ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the resurrection of the dead.htm

Appendix xix. On Eternal Punishment, According to the Rabbis and ...
... similarly receive the wicked in their death - and this ... divided, held the doctrine
of Eternal Punishments. ... lately broached, of a so-called Conditional Immortality ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/appendix xix on eternal punishment.htm

(On the Lord's Resurrection, ii. )
... glory in humility, lost not eternity in death, so do ... For, though by the eternal purpose
of God there was ... named Pascha, among the Hebrews is called Phase, that ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/sermon lxxii on the lords.htm

Death by Adam, Life by Christ
... derive from him, what may be called, a living ... are raised, is surely connected with
life eternal, the life of ... Lazarus was not only happy after death, but highly ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 2/sermon xli death by adam.htm

Nor Let this Promise Seem to You Contrary to the Natural Structure ...
... perfection of meaning His Spirit is called the Holy ... and be delivered from confusion
and eternal shame, through Christ our ... gives an account of the death of Peter ...
/.../47 nor let this promise.htm

Luther's Second Preface.
... houses of mourning, but, as the primitive Fathers called them, "Cemeteries ... for it
is our lasting, blessed, eternal comfort and joy, against death, hell, the ...
/.../bacon/the hymns of martin luther/luthers second preface.htm

Easter Day
... luxurious, hypocritical world, shall keep it to life eternal. ... that, if we are ever
called on to ... interest; by enduring shame, torment, death, for righteousness ...
/.../kingsley/all saints day and other sermons/sermon xi easter day.htm

Of the Last Resurrection.
... of Christ, who, with good reason, is called "The Shepherd ... But since the prophecy
that death shall be swallowed ... end of the resurrection is eternal happiness, of ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 25 of the last.htm

Seventh Sunday after Trinity Exhortation to Resist Sin.
... possessed of the power of his resurrection"in other ... appearances, being led by anything
merely called good ... other and added punishment is eternal death and the ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/seventh sunday after trinity exhortation.htm