A physical resurrection will certainly shock those who have been cremated. Cremation is financially cheaper than a burial, and takes up less space than a grave or tomb, but make no mistake: God has ordained a bodily resurrection for everyone. Physical reconstruction of a human body is not hard for God; it’s just a matter of reassembling molecules. Even while living, the atoms and molecules in our bodies are replaced about every seven years. The DNA blueprint stays the same, just the molecules change.
Deliberately denying the physical resurrection is not new. About 2,000 years ago, a large religious community in Israel, called the Sadducees, claimed there was no resurrection. Jesus told them that they were not just erring somewhat, but were “greatly mistaken (emphasis added) not understanding the Scriptures nor the power of God,” Matthew 22:29. Jesus described a massive, compulsory, physical resurrection of the entire human race. The apostle Paul repeated this truth that “there will certainly (emphasis added) be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked,” Acts 24:15. The Bible makes it clear that a worldwide physical resurrection is coming, and we don’t know when. Some believe in it, and others don’t. I believe it, and I want to be ready. How can we prepare for it?
First, get registered in heaven. God has a book—a register—filled with peoples’ names. Although all people are creatures of God and made in His image, not all are children of God. A person becomes a child of God when they surrender their life to God, by trusting and obeying Jesus Christ. This is the registered part of the Registered Resurrection Account. From a human perspective, in real time, our names are written (registered) in heaven when we choose to follow Jesus Christ. Jesus told His followers (those who repented from their own ways and followed Jesus Christ) that they should rejoice at the fact that “their names are written heaven,” Luke 10:20. This first step is most important, and is possible only through the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ on the cross, and validated by His subsequent physical resurrection.
Second, make appropriate financial changes. Repentance means change—especially affecting our finances. Jesus spoke about money matters and asset management more than about heaven or hell. Sixteen of the thirty-eight parables recorded in the Bible deal with money and possessions. Obviously, Jesus knew that money was very important in our lives. Let’s consider Jesus’ financial advice. It is faith-based advice.
Tom Lipp