The Resurrection of the dead

The Coming Age and the Resurrection of the Dead

Let us consider, beloved, how the Master continually calls our attention to the future resurrection, the first fruits of which he has made the Lord Jesus Christ by raising him from the dead. Let us consider, beloved, the kind of resurrection that occurs at regular intervals. Day and night give us examples of resurrection: the night sleeps, the day rises; the day departs, the night comes on. Let us take the crops: the sowing—how and in what manner does it take place? The sower goes out and puts each of the seeds into the soil: when they fall on the soil, they are dry and bare, and decay. But once they have decayed, the Master’s wondrous Providence makes them rise, and each one increases and brings forth multiple fruit….

Do we, then, consider it a great and remarkable thing if the Creator of the universe will bring about a resurrection of those who have piously served him in the assurance engendered by honest faith? For somewhere it is said: And you will raise me and I will give you praise. And, I lay down to sleep, and I slept; and I awoke again, for you are with me. And, again, Job says: You will raise up this body of mine, which has patiently endured all these things.

Saint Clement of Rome