What is the “Better Resurrection” Noted in Hebrews 11:35?
The Hall of Faith chapter of the Bible makes a statement that some have found puzzling:
Women received back their dead, raised to life again. There were others who were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection.
The contrast in this verse is between:
- Women in the Old Testament period who received back their dead, such as the widow of Zarephath’s son in 1 Kings 17:17-24,
- And those in the Old Testament era who were persecuted in captivity, refusing to deny their faith in the LORD for quick release so that they might acquire an even better resurrection.
To explain, the widow only received her son back to this temporal life whereas the latter people were looking forward to the resurrection unto eternal life, which is obviously the better resurrection (John 5:29). Keep in mind that contextually Christ was specifically referring to the resurrection of Old Testament saints (Daniel 12:2 & Matthew 19:28).
Which is preferable: Being brought back from death to this fallen world with an aging, perishable body or being resurrected to eternal life in the New Heavens and New Earth with a glorified, imperishable body (1 Corinthians 15:42-44)? There’s no comparison. The latter is the “better resurrection” by far.
Related Topics:
What will the Believer’s Glorified Body be Like?
RESURRECTIONS: Firstfruits, Harvest & Gleanings
The Believer’s “INTERMEDIATE STATE” (between Physical Death and Bodily Resurrection
Is CHRIST’S BODY after Resurrection PHYSICAL or SPIRITUAL (or Both)?
Sheol / Hades: The “Intermediate State” of the Unsaved Dead
Are Christians Commissioned to RAISE THE DEAD?
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