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Resurrection of the dead in Matthew 27?
Addison:
Matthew 27: 50-54:50 And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. 51 And behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom, and the earth shook; and the rocks were split, 52 and the tombs were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; 53 and coming out of the tombs after His resurrection they entered the holy city and appeared to many. 54 Now the centurion, and those who were with him keeping guard over Jesus, when they saw the earthquake and the things that were happening, became very frightened and said, "Truly this was the Son of God!"
1.) Who exactly are the "saints" being resurrected here? How can you be a saint without being made so through Christ? Were these OT saints?
2.) Was it only saints who were buried in Jerusalem? I wouldn't guess that this would include any saints buried elsewhere (assuming there were any)
3.) Did these saints ascend to heaven with Jesus?
4.) In Acts 2:29, Peter said "Brethren, I may confidently say to you regarding the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day."
... So apparently David wasn't included in this resurrection of saints...?
5.) Why is Matthew the only gospel writer to mention this event and also that there was an earthquake at the time of Jesus' death?
6.) If they were raised to immortality or for only a short period only for that day? For what purpose?
Rene:
Hi Addison,
Here is an email reply from Ray regarding this scripture which should answer some of your questions:
http://www.forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/topic,86.0.html
Dear Cesar:
Those resurrected at the time of Christ's crucifixion were saints well-known in Jerusalem. Jesus had publically stated that He is the resurrection. The resurrection of these saints was proof of His statement.
These saints were resurrected physically, so that they could be seen by those who knew them and who knew that they had died. They were not given immortal bodies at that time, and hence, just like Lazarus, died again. In the resurrection to eonian life, the saints are given SPIRITUAL bodies and immortality, not physical life (I Cor.15: 44).
God be with you,
Ray
lilitalienboi16:
--- Quote from: Rene on December 23, 2014, 06:47:23 PM ---Hi Addison,
Here is an email reply from Ray regarding this scripture which should answer some of your questions:
http://www.forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/topic,86.0.html
Dear Cesar:
Those resurrected at the time of Christ's crucifixion were saints well-known in Jerusalem. Jesus had publically stated that He is the resurrection. The resurrection of these saints was proof of His statement.
These saints were resurrected physically, so that they could be seen by those who knew them and who knew that they had died. They were not given immortal bodies at that time, and hence, just like Lazarus, died again. In the resurrection to eonian life, the saints are given SPIRITUAL bodies and immortality, not physical life (I Cor.15: 44).
God be with you,
Ray
--- End quote ---
God post Rene.
Addison,
I will also add that to your quoting of paul, these verses:
Hebrews 11:13 These [The patriarchs of old, the saints?] all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
I think its safe to say that the saints that were raised were not the fathers of the old testament that we know and all the prophets but rather saints of the time that people would have known in and around Jerusalem.
After Christ's resurrection we also have this in Acts of paul:
Acts 13:36-37 "For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption:"
As for whether the saints ascended to heaven, no they did not. As ray said, they died and returned to the dust. THE resurrection of the dead has not yet happened.
2 Timothy 2:18 "Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some."
I also find this following train of thought another good reason for why no one is "in heaven" or "alive in heaven" or "ascended to heaven."
John 3:13 "And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven."
While this statement was made before Christ was resurrected it appears from the scriptures that God will be coming to us. We will not being going UP, or ascending, to be with Him.
Revelation 21:2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
While this is an entirely symbolic statement with much greater spiritual implications, I do believe it establishes a pattern for us to understand things through, including the coming millennial reign of Christ.
Luke 21:27 "And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory."
1 Thessalonians 4:17 "Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord."
Revelation 21:3 "And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God."
Isaiah 26:9 "With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness."
2 Corinthians 6:16 "What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, “I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people."
Numbers 14:21 "But as truly as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord."
Habakkuk 2:14 "For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea."
So again, while many of these verses have multiple spiritual layers to them, i believe there is a pattern here that to me seems to indicate God is coming to us. He is coming to be with us (Yes, he is already here in us and making His home in us who have been called and chosen, but like I said, many layers of spiritual truth here). The same will be when Christ returns to this world to raise the dead. Those that overcome will be raised with glorious spiritual bodies and be like Christ to help Him usher in His new kingdom here on this earth. I don't think anyone goes up to some cloudy place or "heaven" area to be with God. Of course, I don't think we can even begin to comprehend what it means to be raised completely spiritual other than what Christ said about being invisible and powerful like the wind. That's how I see it right now. It makes sense too considering the vast majority of the world including the old patriarchs will be raised in physical bodies and undergo judgement. How could that happen if not the for the coming kingdom being set up here on earth?
God bless,
Alex
Kat:
--- Quote from: Addison on December 23, 2014, 05:56:34 PM ---6.) If they were raised to immortality or for only a short period only for that day? For what purpose?
--- End quote ---
Hi Addison, I believe that these saints - followers of Christ, not yet given the Holy Spirit which came at Pentecost, were raised (though not to immortality) as a witness of the profoundness of what had just happened. That these people were raised from the dead was not insignificant and it was to call attention to the relevance that our Savior had just died! And think they could now receive the Spirit that was yet to be given. I would think these believers would had themselves been walking testimonies to who Christ was, the Son of God!
Hi Alex, just wanted to may a little comment on something you said.
--- Quote ---John 3:13 "And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven."
While this statement was made before Christ was resurrected it appears from the scriptures that God will be coming to us. We will not being going UP, or ascending, to be with Him.
--- End quote ---
Actually I believe that the elect will ascend "up" to meet Christ in the air, right before He with them descend back down to earth.
1Thess 4:17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.
The elect will have been changed and given spiritual bodies, so can and do rise up to meet/join with Christ - enter the kingdom right there in the air/clouds. I think there is a verse in Rev 11 that also is speaking of this... just simply put I think these "two (symbolic number, not literally 2) witnesses" (from verse 3) are the elect.
Rev 11:12 And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, "Come up here." And they ascended to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies saw them.
Now I'm not saying they are whisked off somewhere, they are with Christ right there in the air/clouds above the earth, preparing to descend with Christ. I can see how the "marriage supper" (Rev 19:9) may be an actual event that will take a little time, I mean I would think the elect will need at least a small adjustment period. But then they do descend back to earth with Christ.
Rev 19:11 Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war.
v. 12 His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself.
v. 13 He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God.
v. 14 And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses.
And who are these "armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen"? Back up a few verses.
Rev 19:7 Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready."
v. 8 And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.
Just thought I would give you this to consider.
mercy, peace and love
Kat
lilitalienboi16:
--- Quote from: Kat on December 23, 2014, 08:52:42 PM ---
--- Quote from: Addison on December 23, 2014, 05:56:34 PM ---6.) If they were raised to immortality or for only a short period only for that day? For what purpose?
--- End quote ---
Hi Addison, I believe that these saints - followers of Christ, not yet given the Holy Spirit which came at Pentecost, were raised (though not to immortality) as a witness of the profoundness of what had just happened. That these people were raised from the dead was not insignificant and it was to call attention to the relevance that our Savior had just died! And think they could now receive the Spirit that was yet to be given. I would think these believers would had themselves been walking testimonies to who Christ was, the Son of God!
Hi Alex, just wanted to may a little comment on something you said.
--- Quote ---John 3:13 "And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven."
While this statement was made before Christ was resurrected it appears from the scriptures that God will be coming to us. We will not being going UP, or ascending, to be with Him.
--- End quote ---
Actually I believe that the elect will ascend "up" to meet Christ in the air, right before He with them descend back down to earth.
1Thess 4:17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.
The elect will have been changed and given spiritual bodies, so can and do rise up to meet/join with Christ - enter the kingdom right there in the air/clouds. I think there is a verse in Rev 11 that also is speaking of this... just simply put I think these "two (symbolic number, not literally 2) witnesses" (from verse 3) are the elect.
Rev 11:12 And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, "Come up here." And they ascended to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies saw them.
Now I'm not saying they are whisked off somewhere, they are with Christ right there in the air/clouds above the earth, preparing to descend with Christ. I can see how the "marriage supper" (Rev 19:9) may be an actual event that will take a little time, I mean I would think the elect will need at least a small adjustment period. But then they do descend back to earth with Christ.
Rev 19:11 Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war.
v. 12 His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself.
v. 13 He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God.
v. 14 And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses.
And who are these "armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen"? Back up a few verses.
Rev 19:7 Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready."
v. 8 And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.
Just thought I would give you this to consider.
mercy, peace and love
Kat
--- End quote ---
Great addition Kat. Sure, I can see what you are saying to be entirely the case. Thanks for adding a few more pieces to the puzzle. I guess over all the point I was trying to make is still valid though. Is this how you understand it as well? Just trying to make sure I'm not the only one who is interpreting things this way: That Christ will establish His kingdom here on this earth and not that humanity will go up to Him in "heaven" (with the exception of what you just added in relation to the elect for that brief time).
God bless,
Alex
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