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The graves were opened...and many bodies of the saints were raised.

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Mbongiseni:
Hi All

I have some difficulty trying to figure out whether this part of the story is indeed inspired, which is given by Matthew in chapter 27 v50-53  "And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. 51 Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, 52 and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; 53 and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many.Matthew seems to be the only one who witnessed such an event. Who did these 'sants' appear to and where did they disappear to?

Mbo

mharrell08:

--- Quote from: Mbongiseni on January 24, 2012, 01:37:31 AM ---Who did these 'sants' appear to and where did they disappear to?
--- End quote ---


This is no different than the accounts of Jesus resurrecting Lazarus [John 11:38-44] or Paul resurrecting young Eutychus [Acts 20:7-12]. All these instances were to be a witness of God's power to resurrect the dead. They all lived as long as they did and later died.


Hope this helps,

Marques

Samson:

--- Quote from: Mbongiseni on January 24, 2012, 01:37:31 AM ---Hi All

I have some difficulty trying to figure out whether this part of the story is indeed inspired, which is given by Matthew in chapter 27 v50-53  "And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. 51 Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, 52 and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; 53 and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many.Matthew seems to be the only one who witnessed such an event. Who did these 'sants' appear to and where did they disappear to?

Mbo

--- End quote ---


Hi MBO,

In My JW past, this was a tough one for Me, Well their explanation made it tough for me. They tried to say that these were just bodies thrown up from overturned graves from an Earthquake resulting from Jesus death & downplayed the Saints walking downtown to stop at Mcdonalds for everyone to see them, only kidding about the fast food poison joint,  ;D. Read an Email from Ray found below in Blue that pretty much sums it up.

Hi Ray'
> I am very much impressed about your research and
> revelations of the scriptures and I wish you can
> enlighten me on this scripture that has baffled me for
> ages. Matt.27:50-53.
> 1 Did a first resurrection happen before Christ's as
> this scripture suggest?
> 2 Does this contradict Heb. 11 especially 39,40
> 3 Where are these people who appeared to many in the
> holy city. Did they ascend with Jesus to the Father?
> Did they live and die agaian? Where are these Many
> Holy People who has been resurrected?
> I am a lover of the Truth and always want to know the
> Truth. This is DEEP!!! Talk to me Ray.
> Regards
> Reynolds.


Dear Reynolds:  You have to learn to read more carefully. Notice it says: "And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, and came out of the graves AFTER HIS [Jesus'] resurrection..."

These were saints that had recently died, and who could be easily recognized by many, hence proving that God can not only raise His Son from the dead, but anyone He wishes.  These saints were resurrected back to mortal life (they were not "vivified" as is used in reference to life of immortality). They died again as did Lazarus and all others that were resurrected from the dead by Jesus and the apostles. And no, this this not contradict Heb. 11:39 or any other Scripture of the Bible.

God be with you,

Ray

Boy, that was allot simpler to understand than the JW'S trying find another translation that made it look like the Saints really weren't raised,  ;).

Hope this Helps, Samson.

Rob M:

--- Quote from: Mbongiseni on January 24, 2012, 01:37:31 AM ---Hi All

I have some difficulty trying to figure out whether this part of the story is indeed inspired, which is given by Matthew in chapter 27 v50-53  "And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. 51 Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, 52 and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; 53 and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many.Matthew seems to be the only one who witnessed such an event. Who did these 'sants' appear to and where did they disappear to?

Mbo

--- End quote ---
A friend of mine who is a non believer, always cites this passage when arguing  if events of the Bible actually happened. From his point of view, how come no one but Matthew bothered to record this event...here are previous dead people walking around the city, appeared to many, yet the only evidence this happened is from the Bible. I can see his point of view. My point of view is, if this event did not take place, then my faith is in vain..which of course to him is a weak argument.

Mbongiseni:
Thanks Samson, thanks all!

Let me admit these bodies were resurrected together with Jesus Christ...But why is it cited as an event that took place at Jesus's death when he gave his spirit? Verse 51 start thus ' Then,...the veil of the temple was torn in two ...and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, 52 and the graves were opened...and many bodies ...

If I get it the earthquake Matthew is describing happened during Christ's resurrection yet he combies these events as if they all happened simulteneously whils he is watching.

Yes the explanation is quite the best one can find so far.

Thanks
Mbo

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