There was a heated discussion about death and cremation. One pastor vehemently argued that those who are cremated can never be resurrected. Graham Staines and his two sons were burnt alive on 22 January 1999 in Odisha for their significant service among lepers by anti-gospel people. Will they rise in the glorified body to live with the Lord forever?
First Resurrection: All the saints of God, who died in the Lord Jesus Christ will be resurrected. Whether they are drowned, buried, burnt, or their dust blown by wind, all will come back alive again to live in the Lord forever. (Revelation 20:5-6) They are blessed, second death has no power over them, and they are privileged priests of God who will reign with Him for a thousand years. Almighty Creator God could do this for all saints of God in history, in a fraction of a second or a twinkling of an eye.
Second Resurrection: All those who are dead in their trespasses and sins, will also be raised. All human beings who were ever born and dead would be made alive. They shall stand before the White Throne of Judgement. (Revelation 20:11-13) Those who committed spiritual suicide by rejecting the Lord Jesus Christ will be thrown into the Lake of Fire which is the second death.
Burial or cremation: For God, it does not matter. God who created man from the dust could easily retrieve a dead person back from the dust effortlessly. Many saints of God were burnt in stakes for translating the bible, preaching the gospel, and being faithful to the Truth revealed. The wicked who think, they can cheat or deceive God by asking their relatives to spread their ashes around the world, cannot escape the Judgement of God.
Second Death: Burial is a ceremony or a ritual act and has no power over the death, so does the cremation. Those who are born-again will experience the first resurrection and not see the Second Death, which is eternal hell.
As a born-again believer do I celebrate the Promise of victory over Second Death?