In Christian theology, the Resurrection is part of a larger redemptive story that unfolds over time. Scripture presents history as moving toward a climax—what the Bible calls the "fullness of time." God is working out a plan that involves patience, mercy, and the gathering of all who will be saved.
While resurrection is the hope, this present life still has value. It’s a time of growth, choice, and transformation. We develop character, faith, love, and perseverance through our struggles—things that may be deeply meaningful in eternity. In that sense, this time isn’t a delay so much as a necessary phase of formation.