The word resurrection, like many other doctrinal words is to be understood by the meaning affixed to it by the writers, and to those to whom they were immediately writing to. There is a kind of natural unity between those who write, and those who spoke the language. Therefore the writers are mutually bound to use particular words in a certain sense. To infringe upon this code, and use words or phrases in different ways, violates that compact. This will ultimately lead to error. Concerning Scripture, this would be contrary to the design of God,
1 Timothy 2:4, “Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.”
The law of cause and effect holds good in the moral as much as in the material world. We are preparing our bodies, either for glory, or for eternal destruction. The harvest of the resurrection will be according to the seed sown in this life; there is nothing arbitrary in the appointment at God’s judgment seat.
Proverbs 1:31, the wicked, “Shall eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.”
The vices of men, the abuses upon their own bodies, will be perpetuated in the future resurrection. Every member, every function, and every preference will tell the story of its own perversion. Man’s moral depravities and corruptions will contribute to make the mold into which the bodies of the wicked will be cast.
According to the Hebrew and Greek the word resurrection means and is applied in the following ways. There are three Greek words for resurrection. that will give us insight to its meaning. Let get the Lexicon’s definition first, and then apply them to the Scripture.
Resurrection, to Rise, to be Raised, caught up, etc.
Resurrection: Greek is, anastasis. A rising up, as from a seat, Septuagint for, “Rising up,” Lamentations 3:63, Zephaniah 3:8, a rising as an insurrection. In N.T.
a. Rising up, as opposed to “falling.” Putting one work for another, the author or cause of rising up, used as a metaphor. The author of a better state, of higher prosperity, of eternal happiness,
Luke 2:34, “The child (Jesus) is set for the rising again of many in Israel.”
b. Resurrection, of the body from death, returned to life.
b-1. Spoken of individuals who have returned to life.
Hebrews 11:35, “Women received their dead raised to life again,” Literally from resurrection, as in raised again to life; Compare with,
1 Kings 17:17, “There was no breath left in him,” with,
Verse 22, “The Lord heard the voice of Elijah: and the soul of the child came into him again and he revived,” in sequel to follow, and, 2 Kings 4:20, the child dies, with,
Verse 34, “the flesh of the child waxed warm = (he came back to life.)” So of the resurrection of Jesus,
Acts 1:22, 2:31, 4:33, “With great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord.”
Acts 17:18, “He preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection.”
Romans 1:4, 6:5, “We shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection.”
Philippians 3:10, “And the power of His resurrection.”
1 Peter 1:3, “A lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” 1 Pet. 3:21.
2. Spoken of the future and general resurrection at the end of all things,
John 11:24, “I know that he = (Lazarus) shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” Either simply, “Resurrection,” or,
Acts 17:32, “Resurrection of the dead,” or,
Acts 26:23, “Rise from the dead,” Acts 24:15, resurrection of the just, and unjust. Acts 24:21.
1 Corinthians 15:12, “He = (Jesus) rose from the dead,” with verses 13-21-42. Heb. 6:2.
John 5:29, “They that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.” “Unto the resurrection of life,” as in eternal happiness; resurrection unto condemnation, as in eternal misery.
Hebrews 11:35, “They might obtain a better resurrection.” A better resurrection then that just spoken of, or that they might obtain the resurrection unto life. This general resurrection the Sadducees denied, Matt. 22:23-28-30-31, Mark 12:18-23,
Luke 20:27, “The Sadducees, which deny that there is any resurrection,” and verse 33. Acts 4:2, 23:6-8, and also certain Christians,
2 Timothy 2:18, “Who concerning the truth = (believers) have erred, saying that the resurrection is past.”
3. Spoken of the resurrection of the righteous,
Luke 14:14, “Thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just,” collectively with verse 15. Luke 20:35-36, Matt. 22:30. Called also the first resurrection,
Revelation 20:5-6, “Holy is he who hath part in the first resurrection.” Compare,
1 Corinthians 15:23, “Every man in his own order: Christ the first-fruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at His coming.”
Verse 24, “Then cometh the end,” with,
1 Thessalonians 4:16, “The Lord himself shall descent from heaven — and the dead in Christ shall rise first.” It appeared that the later Jews believed only the true worshippers of God would rise, and not the Gentiles.
4. By metonymically or putting one work for another. The author of resurrection,
John 11:25, Jesus said, “I am the resurrection, and the life.”
Our second word for resurrection in the Greek is,
Resurrection: Greek egeris. A waking up from sleep, a rising up, Septuagint for “Mine uprising,”
Psalms 139:2, “Thou = (God) knowest my downsitting and mine uprising.” In N.T. resurrection, as from the dead,
Matthew 27:52-53, “And many bodies of the saints which slept arose, and came out of the graves after His = Jesus) resurrection.”
Our third word for resurrection is,
Rise: Raise: Raised: Raiseth: Greek is egeiro. To wake, to arouse, to cause to rise up, trans. Mid. to awake, to rouse up, to arise, intrans. Aoris, 1 pass. and perf. pass with middle term of a syllogism, signify to rise, to have risen.
As a Trope or metaphor, from death, of which sleep is the emblem among all nations;
Job 13:12. Psalms 13:3, “I sleep the sleep of death.”
Daniel 12:2, “Many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.”
Matthew 27:52. Thus, to raise the dead; Matt.10:8, “Raise the dead.”
John 5:21, “As the Father raiseth up the dead.”
Acts 26:8, “God should raise the dead.”
1 Corinthians 15:15-16, “If the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised.” 2 Corinthians 1:9. Also to raise from the dead, and Middle term, sequel follows, to rise from the dead;
John 12:1, “Whom He raised from the dead.”
John 12:9-17, “The people therefore — bare record.” Galatians 1:1. 1 Thessalonians 1:10.
Middle term of a syllogism is one with which the two extremes are separately compared, and by means of which they are brought together in conclusion. Sequel to follow,
Matthew 14:2, 28:6, “He = (Jesus) is risen,” Matthew 28:7. Sequel follows, “From among,” Mark 6:14-16.
Luke 9:7, “That John was risen from the dead.” John 2:22. Absolute, Matthew 16:21, 17:23, 27:63,
Jesus said, “After three days I will rise again.” Mark 16:14. Acts 5:30. Romans 4:25. 2 Corinthians 4:14.
2 Kings 4:31, “The child is not awaked.”
Isaiah 26:19, “Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise.”
The resurrected body will be a miraculous work; and represents the same body that is laid in a grave. Exactly what changes take place is not known. But what we are absolutely sure of is those who are dead, change from death unto life.
Part 2:
Did the prophets of the Old Testament have any knowledge of a resurrection?
Job. 19:25-26-27, Job said, “For I know that my Redeemer (Jehovah) liveth, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth; And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold.”
Isaiah 26:19, “Thy dead men = (those that have died) shall live, together with my dead body (Isaiah) shall they (the saved) arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust (the dead:) for thy dew is as the dew of herbs , and the earth shall cast out the dead.”
Daniel 12:2-3-13, “And many of them that sleep (the dead) in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame, and everlasting contempt. And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness, as the stars for ever and ever.
Verse 13. “But go thou thy way, till the end be: for thou shalt rest, (sleep in the dust of the ground) and stand in thy lot (portion, or destiny) at the end of the days.”
Hosea 13:14, “I will ransom them (believers) from the power of the grave, I will redeem them from death; O death, I will be thy plagues: O grave, I will be thy destruction: repentance shall be hid from mine eyes.”
Psalms 17:15, “I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.”
The Scriptures speak of two future resurrections.
There is the resurrection of the righteous, this at the coming of our Lord Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 4:16, “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.”
Then there will be the general resurrection of the wicked.
When Scripture alludes to departed saints, it refers to them as being asleep,
1 Corinthians 15:18, “They which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.” Compare with,
Verse 20, “Now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first fruits of them that slept.”
When they are called the dead, 1 Corinthians 15:12-13-15, etc, it is in allusion to the body only. The body is counted as being dead even before its dissolution:
Romans 8:10, “If Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin.” According to this view, with how much force can it be said of every person that dies in Christ, “He is not dead, but sleepeth.” Examples of this follow.
Matthew 9:24, “The maid is not dead, but sleepeth.”
Mark 5:39, “The damsel = (child) is not dead, but sleepeth.”
John 11:11, “Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.”
When our Lord appeared in Judea, the resurrection from the dead was taught as one of the principle articles of the Jewish religion. The Jewish people believed this teaching, but the sect of the Sadducees rejected it, as do modern day Sadducees.
Jesus Christ was raised, and then appeared in the same body in which He died. His resurrection is held forth as the model of what is to come. Paul writes in,
Philippians 3:20-21, “We look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body.”
We must give ourselves to the Lord in this life, if we do, He will raise us to be as He is. Refashioned and changed to the likeness, glory, and immortality of our Savior. There will not be a change of identity, but of our actions and behavior.
Upon death, man’s spirit returns to the Father; this begins to fulfil Jesus pledge concerning bodily resurrection.
Luke 23:46, Jesus said, “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit.”
1 Corinthians 15:51, Paul writes, “Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep (die), but we shall all be changed.”
Verse 53, “For this corruptible (present body) must put on incorruption (new resurrected bodies), and this mortal (limited physical life) must put on immortality (life eternal.)”
The idea behind the word mystery is to show or speak of something into which one must be initiated or instructed, before it can be known; something of itself not obvious and above human insight. In the New Testament, the word mystery speaks of facts, doctrines, principles, not fully revealed, but only obscurely or symbolically set forth.
Ps.17:15, David writes, “As for me, I will behold thy face (Jesus) in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake (when I am resurrected), with thy likeness.”
The miracle of a future life is shown on the Mount of Transfiguration. Matt.17:1-2-3, Jesus takes Peter, James, and John to a high mountain. For a brief moment Jesus shows His glory; “His face did shine as the sun,” and “His raiment (clothing) became shining, exceeding white as snow.” Light appears from His person, as one in a blaze of glory.
Moses and Elias appeared, speaking with Jesus. Both Moses and Elias had been dead for many centuries. Moses died of natural causes, but his body was hidden by God. Elias had been taken, or “translated, physically,” into heaven, he never having suffered physical death.
Yet both were recognized by the apostles, Peter, James, and John. How did they recognize them? I don’t know, but the three apostles knew who they were. Both were seen and also heard speaking. They came from nowhere, spoke with Christ, and then disappeared from view. They appeared normal in every way to the apostles. This miracle gave to us hope in a future resurrection, verifying Christ’s promise of eternal life.
Another example of resurrection can be seen in Matt. This event happened soon after the resurrection of our Lord.
Matthew 27:52-53, “The graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, and came out of the graves after His (Jesus) resurrection, and went into the holy city (Jerusalem), and appeared unto many.” This miraculous account had never been refuted or denied.
Matthew’s is the only account. The promise of the resurrection is made clear in,
1 Thessalonians 4:14, “For if we (Christians) believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep (are dead) in Jesus will God bring with Him.”
A closer examination of the words in Matthew 27:52-53, will give us a clearer view as to what had transpired.
1. “The graves were opened” In Jesus day, the dead were buried in tombs that had been carved into the hill sides. Stones were rolled across the openings, this to prevent animals from entering the tombs. Immediately after Jesus death, there occurred a great earthquake, Matthew 27:51-52, and the stones that covered the grave openings were miraculously thrown aside.
2. “Many bodies of the saints which slept arose, and came out of the graves after His resurrection.” Examine the following words.
“Many,” In the Greek language, his implies a multitude, either great, or large.
“Bodies,” These were deceased Jews, who had died well before Jesus death.
They are called, “Saints.” They were the believers of God’s promises to the prophets of old. They had been set aside for God’s purpose, for this specific period of time, to show the marvelous finished work of Jesus Christ. These were considered both devoted, and holy, this event testifying to the positive proof of a resurrection from the dead, as promised by our God.
They “Arose.” This gives the idea of a person who has awaken from a deep sleep, sits up, then stands on their feet.
Daniel 12:2, “And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake.”
“They arose After His resurrection,”
Jesus was the first born of the dead, the first fruit, 1 Corinthians 15:20. Those that followed rose after Jesus resurrection, stood upon their feet, walked into Jerusalem, and were seen by many. This event had many witness giving us a taste of what is to come. It leaves us with a far better understanding of God’s great promise. We must determine this act of resurrection is our future. If all Scripture is God breathed, the resurrection is not a fable, but true.
What happened to these saints after Jesus ascended into heaven? Before I answer this question, we must consider,
Hebrews 9:27, “It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” we were given an examples of those who had died, and were made alive. These signs, and wonders were accomplished to show Jesus power over death and the grave.
The two most basic truths of Scripture are death, and the judgment. Men shall die once physically and be judged once. These saints raised to life in Matthew’s account had been judged righteous, and according to Hebrews 9:27, are never to die again. So what happened to them, and where are they now? There are three possibilities:
In heaven with Jesus. But, I don’t think so. Why? 1 Thessalonians 4:17, because the saved, have not yet been caught up to meet the Lord in the air. This is yet future. The second possibility is,
They died again, but this would destroy the words of Heb.9:27, “It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” I don’t think so. The third possibility is,
They are still here on earth doing the Lord’s work, giving aid, help, and protection to Christians who are in need. The saints of God. Scripture tells us,
Hebrews 13:1, “Be not forgetful to entertain (show love to) strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels (messengers) unawares.”
The word “angels” here refers to those who are sent, in order to announce, teach, perform, or explore anything.
Many wonderful stories have been told by Christians concerning the appearance of men dressed in shining white garments. They are usually seen by the enemies of the church, who were attempting to kill God’s children.
They prayed for God’s help, and God sent His own. The Christians were totally unaware of the presence of these mysterious soldiers, or protectors. The events would later be revealed to them by the enemy who had been converted. This is the true power of prayer.
The attacker’s, who witnessed these men in white, had become witnesses to God’s protecting power. They speak of what they saw, and the fear that came over them, a sign for this evil generation.
John 4:48, “Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe.” The Lord works with His saints, and continually confirms His word with signs and wonders to the disciples of Satan, unbelievers.
Luke 1:37, “With God nothing shall be impossible.” Would it be easier for God to create everything from nothing, or for Jesus to raise the dead?
All men are to die once, and then the judgment, This is God’s word. Because Jesus has not returned for His bride, these saints must be alive, on earth, doing the work of God in their resurrected glorified bodies. They are seen by some, and not by others.
Jesus was seen by 500, yet many others that were near, could not see or hear Him. Those who saw, had been chosen to be witnesses to this wonderful event called the resurrection.
What are some of the physical changes that will take place in our bodies after the resurrection?
John 5:28-29, Jesus said, “Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and Shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.”
Then, 1 Corinthians 15:52, “We shall all be changed, in a moment in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump.”
Verse 52: “The dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”
Verse 53: “This mortal must put on immortality.”
Verse 54, “Death is swallowed up in victory.”
1 Corinthians 6:13, “Meats (food) for the belly, and the belly for meats (food): but God shall destroy both it and them.” Our appetite for food will no longer exist. Food for the belly, and the belly for food will be done away with.
Mark 12:25, Jesus said, “For when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as the angels which are in heaven.”
Marriage had been ordained by God to perpetuate the human race. After the resurrected there will be no more death, therefore, God’s ordinance for marriage will cease.
In our present state, our senses, sight; hearing; feeling; transmit the impressions of objects and sounds to the brain, in this we have a manifest relation to that object or sensations going on around us.
But in our new and glorifies state, our senses will be infinitely more sensitive and possibly more numerous, interesting, and wonderful. These new sharpened and more focuses senses, will no longer degrade our thoughts, our feelings, or our imaginations. Now the full glory and wonder of our Lord, His Kingdom, and all the wonders of the physical and spiritual worlds will be opened to those who love Him.
1 Corinthians 2:9, “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him.”
There shall be a new heaven and a new earth, and from God’s throne shall precede a pure river of the water of life. The tree of life, which shall bare twelve manners of fruits, and the leaves of this tree are for the healing of the nations. There will be no more curse, for the Lord’s name shall be in our thoughts continually, and we shall see His face. There will be no more night, for the light of the glory of God will radiate down on us forever.
We will never tire again physically, emotionally, or mentally. We will, “Drink of the pure river of the water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God , and of the Lamb;” and eat of the fruit from the tree of life. This is God’s promise, I believe, how about you?
Phillip LaSpino www.seekfirstwisdom.com