Hednesford Pentecostal Church
Contents Introduction...3 1. What is Death?...3 1.1. The Creation of Man...3 1.2. The Second Birth...4 1.3. The First Death...4 1.4. The Second Death...4 2. The Resurrection: One Event?...4 3. The Resurrection of the Righteous or The First Resurrection...5 3.1. Christ...6 3.1.1. The Fact...6 3.1.2. The Importance...6 3.1.3. The First Born From the Dead...7 3.2. Some Old Testament Saints...7 3.3. Some New Testament Saints (The Bride of Christ)...8 3.4. The Great Harvest...8 3.5. The Two Witnesses...9 3.6. The One Hundred and Forty Four Thousand...9 3.7. The Great Tribulation Martyers...9 4. The Judgement Seat of Christ...10 5. The Resurrection of the Unrighteous or The Second Resurrection...12 6. The Resurrection Body...12 7. What Happened when an Old Testament Saint Died?...13 8. What Happened to Jesus after He died and Prior to His Resurrection...14 9. What Happens when a New Testament Saint Dies?...14 10. What About Enock and Elijah?...14 30/03/2015 2 of 15 John Tyrell
INTRODUCTION To some whether there is a future physical resurrection or whether we experience eternity in some sort of spiritual state seems a superfluous distinction. The writers of the New Testament did not share this view. The resurrection of the dead is one of the central doctrines of the Christian faith, as important as Christ's divinity. A great deal of the New Testament teaching is concerning this theme. This study seeks to discuss the basic issues such as the various order of the resurrection, the resurrection body and what happens when a saint dies. 1. WHAT IS DEATH? Before considering the resurrection from the dead, it is important for us to realise what the Scriptures say about death, and before we can do that we must consider what the Scriptures teach about human life. 1.1. THE CREATION OF MAN 1 Thess 5:23. Now the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Scriptures tell us that man's total personality consists of three elements; spirit, soul and body. Therefore man has a triune nature. Further more, the Scriptures tell us that man was created in the image and in the likeness of God: Gen. 1:26 Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness..." The Hebrew word translated as image, suggests that man's physical form was created like God. The Hebrew word translated as likeness, refers to the personality. Man was originally created with a corresponding likeness to his creator in both his physical form and in his character. This is not surprising since God created man with the intention of sharing fellowship with him. We see that man is a triune being, created in the image of a God who also is a triune being; Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The Bible further describes how God made Adam: Gen. 2:7 And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being. So we see two aspects to the creation of man. Firstly his physical body was formed out of the dust from the earth, but he still was not alive. Every organ and cell within his body were perfect and complete, but nothing functioned. His heart did not pump his blood, his brain did not think, his ears did not hear. As yet there was no life, and no personality, in him. Then God breathed the breath of life into him, and he received the invisible aspects of being, his spirit and soul. Now his body burst into life, his brain functioned, his heart pumped blood through his veins and now he had a personality. So we see that part of man's total personality is from the earth, and part from heaven. The heavenly and earthly aspects of man's creation reflect the purposes for which we were created. John Tyrell 3 of 15 30/03/2015
Initially the spiritual realm was to be as real and as open to us as the physical. We were created for fellowship with God, and to manage His physical creation. 1.2. THE SECOND BIRTH We can see a great parallel between the account in Genesis of Adam's creation and the account in John's gospel of when the disciples met the resurrected Christ. John 20:22. And when He has said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit." Just as Adam's body, as perfect as it was, could do nothing to instigate life, but had to wait for the sovereign action of the creator, so we cannot come to knew birth by our own instigation or choice, but only by the Sovereign act of God breathing on us. John 1:12-13. 1.3. THE FIRST DEATH But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: {13} who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. When we die our physical bodies decay and return to the dust of the earth. However the invisible aspects of our person, our soul and spirit, continue. What happens to our spirit and soul will be discussed latter, but the body without the spirit and soul is dead, and the spirit and soul without the body are incomplete. For God to totally reverse the effects of sin and the fall and to restore mankind, He must therefore also raise our bodies from the earth. When the Bible talks about the resurrection, it is referring to the resurrection of this physical body. That is our soul and spirit are once again joined to our physical body. 1.4. THE SECOND DEATH There is a second death described in the Bible (Rev 2:11, 20:6, 20:14 and 21:8), and this is the eternal fate of those whose name is not in the book of life. It is described as being a lake of fire, and is called Gehenna. Rev 20:14. Rev 21:8. Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. "But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death." This lake of fire was created by God in preparation for the devil and his angels 1. 2. THE RESURRECTION: ONE EVENT? To some people, who have a basic knowledge of the Christian doctrine, the assumption is made that there is only one event when the dead are raised, and it is easy to appreciate how this misconception can arise. The assumption that there is only one resurrection has led some to misinterpret passages of Scripture dealing with eschatology (the study of the last things), as they attempt to tie certain Scriptures to the same chronological point. However the fact that there are more than one resurrection is plain from the Scripture. 1 Mat 25:41 "Then He will also say to those on the left hand, 'Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels 30/03/2015 4 of 15 John Tyrell
John 5:28-29. Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice {29} and come forth; those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation. Broadly speaking there are two resurrections: the resurrection of life and the resurrection of condemnation, which are commonly referred to as the first and second resurrections respectively. 3. THE RESURRECTION OF THE RIGHTEOUS OR THE FIRST RESURRECTION The first resurrection consists or more than one event and there are two aspects of the first resurrection that have already taken place. Firstly Jesus has been physically raised from the dead, and secondly certain of the Old Testament saints have already been resurrected. Mat 27:51-53. 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. We know that there is yet to be a resurrection of New Testament saints, i.e. the dead in Christ: 1 Th. 4:16. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 1 Cor 15:20-23. But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. {21} For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. {22} For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. {23} But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ's at His coming. So we see that there is more than one occasion in time when the righteous in God are raised from the dead. In his parables, Jesus refers to the resurrection as a harvest. The Jewish harvest had three aspects; the first-fruits, the harvest and the gleanings. The first fruits was a small amount selected out of the field which was presented as a representative offering to the Lord. Following the main in gathering of the harvest, the fields were gleaned by poor who gathered any remaining fruit previously missed. Paul says that the resurrection of Jesus is the firstfruits. Some commentators see all three ingatherings reflected in the First Resurrection. Careful study of the Bible show that there are seven 2 stages to the first resurrection. In some of these stages some people are transformed into their resurrection bodies without first dying, but they accompany those who at the same time are raised from the dead. 1. Christ 2. Some Old Testament saints. 3. Some New Testament saints (The Bride of Christ). 2 Some would say six. John Tyrell 5 of 15 30/03/2015
4. The innumerable multitude of all nations, tribes, peoples and tongues. 5. The two witnesses. 6. The one hundred and forty four thousand. 7. The Great Tribulation Martyrs. 3.1. CHRIST 3.1.1. The Fact The fact that Jesus was physically raised from the dead is clearly demonstrated in Scripture. Luke 24:36-43. Now as they said these things, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and said to them, "Peace to you." {37} But they were terrified and frightened, and supposed they had seen a spirit. {38} And He said to them, "Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts? {39} "Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have." {40} When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet. {41} But while they still did not believe for joy, and marvelled, He said to them, "Have you any food here?" {42} So they gave Him a piece of a broiled fish and some honeycomb. {43} And He took it and ate in their presence. Prior to His ascension Jesus was also seen by a large number of His disciples. 1 Cor 15:4-7....and that He was buried and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, and was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. After He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. 3.1.2. The Importance There were those within the church at Corinth that said the resurrection was passed, these Paul addresses strongly, initially reminding them of the evidence and then describing the importance of the resurrection to the Christian faith. 1 Cor 15:14. And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. 1 Cor 15:17-18. And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; your are still in your sins! Then those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 1 Cor 15:21-23. For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterwards those are Christ's at His coming. Paul states that if Christ was not raised from the dead then we are not saved from our sins, that our faith is futile and that we are still lost. Death resulted from the fall of mankind into sin. 3 For Jesus to restore all things, and to save mankind from the consequence of sin, then He needed to save us from death. Death is an enemy of God, which is to be destroyed. 1 Cor 15:26. The last enemy that will be destroyed is death. 3 Rom 6:23. For the wages of sin is death 30/03/2015 6 of 15 John Tyrell
The resurrection is proof to us all that Christ is the Messiah, God's chosen one. He is the only religious leader who has returned from the grave. Acts 17:31 because He [God] has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead. As we have said earlier, the spirit and soul of man without a physical body are incomplete. God created man to be a triune being. If there is no resurrection of the body, then sin has eternally marred God's creation. The resurrection of the body, also referred to as the redemption of the body 4, restores mankind completely from the effects of sin and death. 3.1.3. The First Born From the Dead Col. 1:18. And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He might have pre-eminence. Christ is described as the firstborn from the dead, yet we know that God raised certain people from the dead in the Old Testament. Also in Jesus' own ministry people were raised from the dead. The difference between these and Jesus, is that all these people latter died, they were still under the dominion of death. For these people God had reversed the process of death for a period of time. But the Scripture says of Jesus: Rom 6:9. knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. Christ is the beginning. He was the beginning because all things were created through Him, but He is also a new beginning. In Christ the whole of creation, which was sold under sin and decay, has a new start. Christ is the way back to God, and the way that the whole of creation can be restored to perfection. Nobody else could be permanently resurrected from the dead until after Jesus sacrificial death and resurrection: John 11:25-26 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. {26} "And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die " Jesus resurrection is a first fruits event, a selection out of the whole. 3.2. SOME OLD TESTAMENT SAINTS Matthew uniquely records the resurrection of saints after the resurrection of Christ. Mat 27:51-53. 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 states that many bodies of the saints, which suggests that it is not all the saints. These are a selection, or election of some out of the larger body of the Old Testament saints. Again these would be a first fruit offering a selection out of the whole. 4 Rom 8:23 John Tyrell 7 of 15 30/03/2015
3.3. SOME NEW TESTAMENT SAINTS (THE BRIDE OF CHRIST) The next group proposed consists of dead New Testament saints being resurrected and living saints being changed in an instant. This is the happening commonly known as the Rapture and is believed by some commentators to correspond to Come up here in the following verse. Rev 4:1. After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, "Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this." This group is called by some the Bride of Christ, with the suggestion that again they are a selection out of the larger body of the Church first fruit saints. The thought is, as Eve came from Adams body, so the Bride of Christ is taken from the Body of Christ. They are a definite number of these saints, who are represented by the 24 elders in John s vision. Rev 5:8-10. Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twentyfour elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. {9} And they sang a new song, saying: "You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals; for You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, {10} and have made us kings and priests to our God; and we shall reign on the earth." Some teach that this third section of the first resurrection is a small selection from church who are raptured prior to the Great Tribulation. They are the ones found ready on the day of the Lord. The remainder of the church would be included in the next group. In the KJV and NKJV these elders are described as redeemed saints who are "out of every nation. In their song they use the word us [Grk. Hemas]. Also we witness that the twenty four elders wear crowns and offering incense. That is they perform the role of priests and kings, which they are described as in verse 10. Other translations 5 of the Revelation do not contain the word us. This is because they are based on different Greek manuscripts. Although this does not mean the elders cannot be redeemed, resurrected men, it could mean that they are angelic figures who would not be part of the resurrection. Also these versions do not describe men being made into kings and priests but rather into a kingdom and priests. This is also true of Rev 1:6. If these figures are angelic figures then the whole church would have to go through some of the Great Tribulation. 3.4. THE GREAT HARVEST The innumerable multitude of all nations, tribes, peoples and tongues. Rev 7:9. After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, This the Great Harvest. They are raptured / resurrected part way through tribulation. Their number would consist of the Old Testament and New Testament saints still waiting resurrection, and those alive in the church at the time. 5 For example the NIV and the NASV 30/03/2015 8 of 15 John Tyrell
3.5. THE TWO WITNESSES Rev 11:8-12. And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. {9} Then those from the peoples, tribes, tongues, and nations will see their dead bodies threeand-a-half days, and not allow their dead bodies to be put into graves {11} Now after the three-and-a-half days the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them. {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. The activity of the two witnesses is described earlier in chapter eleven. Although they are not named, it is believed that the two witnesses in Revelation chapter 11 are Enoch and Elijah. This is discussed latter. 3.6. THE ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY FOUR THOUSAND The one hundred and forty four thousand sealed servants of God from the twelve tribes of Israel. Rev 14:1-3. Then I looked, and behold, a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His Father's name written on their foreheads. {2} And I heard a voice from heaven, like the voice of many waters, and like the voice of loud thunder. And I heard the sound of harpists playing their harps. {3} They sang as it were a new song before the throne, before the four living creatures, and the elders; and no one could learn that song except the hundred and forty-four thousand who were redeemed from the earth. These are Israeli believers, the fulfilling of the covenant with the patriarchs and the gleanings of the Old Testament saints. 3.7. THE GREAT TRIBULATION MARTYERS The saints who are killed during the Great Tribulation are first mentioned in Rev 6, where they are described as the souls of those martyred resting under the altar 6. There is a deliberately distinction between soul and body. These are the soul / spirits of saints who are yet awaiting resurrecting. Rev 6:9-11. When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held. {10} And they cried with a loud voice, saying, "How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?" {11} Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed. These wait for their fellow martyrs to be killed, and finally in Rev 20 we read of their resurrection. 6 This is the altar in heaven where Jesus literally offered His blood (Heb 9:23-24). In the Old Testament blood of the offerings where poured out at the base of the altar of incense, just outside the holy of holies. These saints are given a place close to the manifest presence of God. John Tyrell 9 of 15 30/03/2015
Rev 20:4-6. And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. {5} But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. {6} Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years. The phrase in verse four and they lived indicates that they are resurrected. The words "This is the first resurrection" refers to the completion of the first resurrection, it is over. 4. THE JUDGEMENT SEAT OF CHRIST Christians are going to give an account of the things that they have done in their bodies, before the judgement seat of Christ. This is not for receiving punishment, but rather the allocation of crowns and rewards. Rom 14:10-11 But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgement seat of Christ. {11} For it is written: "As I live, says the LORD, Every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to God." 2 Cor 5:10. For we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. 2 Tim 4:8. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing. Note that Paul says the reward is given when Jesus comes again, and not when Paul died. The thought of Christians being judged should not be unfamiliar to us, as it is a frequently mentioned theme. 1 Cor 9:27. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified. The word for disqualified is adokimos, which means castaway, rejected or reprobate. The consequence of which is eternal death. It is the word used of Esau in Heb 12:15-17. Paul responded to the possibility of being judged by disciplining himself. James also gives us a warning: James 3:1. My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. The word for teacher can also be translated as master. A leadership position requires an extremely high standard of character, born out in word and deed. Leaders are judged with a higher standard than their followers, and are held accountable for those in their care. The words often read at the Communion Service should be familiar to us all. 30/03/2015 10 of 15 John Tyrell
1 Cor 11:31-34. For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. {32} But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world. {33} Therefore, my brethren, when you come together to eat, wait for one another. {34} But if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, lest you come together for judgment. And the rest I will set in order when I come. It is possible for believers to come under judgement for wilful and persistent sin. The purpose of this judgement and chastisement is to bring us to repentance, so that we are not lost with the world. Jesus gives the example of unforgiveness bringing judgment. Mat 18:32-35. "Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. {33} 'Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?' {34} "And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him. {35} "So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses." Scriptures tell us the terms by which we shall be judged. Our personal relationship with God. Mat 7:22-23. Our faithfulness. Mat 25:21. Our labour. Rev 2:2. Our obedience. Mat 24:45-51. Our life-fruits Mat 7:16. "Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' {23} "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!' "His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.' "I know your works, your labour, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; "Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season? {46} "Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing. {47} "Assuredly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all his goods. {48} "But if that evil servant says in his heart, 'My master is delaying his coming,' {49} "and begins to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards, {50} "the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him and at an hour that he is not aware of, {51} "and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. "You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? John Tyrell 11 of 15 30/03/2015
5. THE RESURRECTION OF THE UNRIGHTEOUS OR THE SECOND RESURRECTION After the completion of the first resurrection the rest of the dead are not raised until one thousand years have past. This thousand years corresponds to the Millennial Reign of Christ on earth. Rev 20:5. But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished... Non-Christians are going to stand before the Great White Throne to be judged for the things that they did in their body. Rev 20:11-13. Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. {12} And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. {13} The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. In both cases resurrection proceeds judgement, so that we all stand before God as a complete human personality, spirit, soul and body. Judgement concerns the things done in the body, and we shall all be clothed with a physical body at the judgement. 6. THE RESURRECTION BODY As we have already seen the resurrection refers to the raising of the physical body, which God reconstitutes from the dust to which we returned. God's word tells us not to worry that although we may die, not one part of our bodies will be lost: Luke 21:16-19. You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. {17} And you will be hated by all for My name's sake. {18} But not a hair of your head shall be lost. {19} By your patience possess your souls. However, there is more to it than that. In that day, our bodies will be glorified and made like unto Jesus' body. Phil 3:21. who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself. Our present bodies are like the first Adam's body, whilst our resurrection bodies will be like the second Adam's body 7. Our current body is weak; corruptible - subject to disease, decay and ageing; it is mortal - subject to death. The Scripture calls our body "lowly", which could also be translated as humiliation. Our bodies have been humbled or brought low by the effect of the fall. But also our bodies are also a source of humiliation to us, through their lusts and sinful passions. If we allow the flesh to rule our lives, then ultimately we will be humiliated. In contrast the resurrection body will be glorious, incorruptible, immortal - incapable of death, powerful and spiritual, suited for eternal ages. No longer will sin and death be at work in our members. 7 1 Cor 15:47-49 30/03/2015 12 of 15 John Tyrell
In 1 Cor 15:44 our current bodies are referred to as a "natural body". The Greek word for natural is psuchikos which is derived from the word for soul (psuche). Our current fallen body is soulish, that is it is controlled by our soulish desire and drives, and is incapable of expressing the higher aspirations of our spirit. In contrast the same verse tells us that our new body will be spiritual, that is controlled by our spirit. 1 Cor 15:35-44 But someone will say, "How are the dead raised up? And with what body do they come?" {36} Foolish one, what you sow is not made alive unless it dies. {37} And what you sow, you do not sow that body that shall be, but mere grain; perhaps wheat or some other grain. {38} But God gives it a body as He pleases, and to each seed its own body. {39} All flesh is not the same flesh, but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of animals, another of fish, and another of birds. {40} There are also celestial bodies and terrestrial bodies; but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. {41} There is one glory of the sun, another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differs from another star in glory. {42} So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption. {43} It is sown in dishonour, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. {44} It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. Paul's analogy to the differing glory of stars, the moon and the sun could suggest that similar differences exist in the resurrection of the dead. That is, the glory of our resurrection bodies will differ, being dependant upon that which was done in the natural body. Jesus said that the resurrection body will be different from the current natural body, in that there will no longer be any sexual distinction. Mark 12:25 "For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. 7. WHAT HAPPENED WHEN AN OLD TESTAMENT SAINT DIED? The clearest insight into what happened after death was given by Jesus himself. Luke 16:22-26 "So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. {23} "And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. {24} "Then he cried and said, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.' {25} "But Abraham said, 'Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented. {26} 'And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.' So we see prior to the resurrection of Christ, the spirit / soul of a dead person went to the place of the dead, which in the Greek New Testament was called Hades, and in the Hebrew Old John Tyrell 13 of 15 30/03/2015
Testament was called Sheol. However the righteous and the unrighteous were separated by a gulf which cannot be crossed. The righteous went to "Abraham's bosom", also called Paradise; Luke 23:43. And Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise." Whilst the unrighteous went to a place of fire and torment. 8. WHAT HAPPENED TO JESUS AFTER HE DIED AND PRIOR TO HIS RESURRECTION When Christ died, His spirit/soul descended into Hades Acts 2:31. he, foreseeing this, spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ, that His soul was not left in Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption. As we have seen from what Jesus said to the thief on the cross, He went to Paradise. But Scripture tells us that He also made a proclamation to those who were held in the other part of Hades: 1 Pet 3:18-20. For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit, {19} by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison, {20} who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water. This section of Scripture should not be interpreted as people being given a second chance after death, as that is contrary to the rest of the Scriptures, but rather preached should be interpreted as making a proclamation. 9. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A NEW TESTAMENT SAINT DIES? Only after Jesus had ascended to heaven and offered the blood of atonement, could any other person by allowed into the very presence of God. After Jesus resurrection, some of the Old Testament saints were raised from the dead, but they could not ascend into heaven until after Jesus had first presented Himself to the Father, but rather they went into Jerusalem. But now both the resurrected Old Testament saints and the spirit/souls of other saints are acceptable in heaven. Therefore when we die, our spirit goes to glory. Phil 1:21-23. For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. {22} But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labour; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. {23} For I am hard pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. 10. WHAT ABOUT ENOCK AND ELIJAH? 2 Ki 2:11. Then it happened, as they continued on and talked, that suddenly a chariot of fire appeared with horses of fire, and separated the two of them; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. Heb 11:5. By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, "and was not found, because God had taken him"; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God. 30/03/2015 14 of 15 John Tyrell
Here we see the two men in Scripture who never physically died, but were taken directly into heaven (although they could no have entered the highest of the heavens). This raises some questions. Firstly the Scriptures tell us that all men will die; Heb 9:27. And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgement, So when shall Elijah and Enoch die? Secondly when will they be resurrected? The answer to these questions is given in the Book of Revelation 8. Although they are not named, it is believed that the two witnesses in chapter 11 are Enoch and Elijah. They are killed during the Great Tribulation period, and are raised from the dead three and a half days later. 8 Rev 11:3-12 John Tyrell 15 of 15 30/03/2015