The Resurrection Of The Dead!

Under this caption is included the resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked, although, as will be seen later, they do not occur at the same time. This doctrine was taught in the Old and New Testament.

1. IN THE OLD TESTAMENT.

It is set forth in various ways:

In Word: Job 19:25-27- "For I know that my redeemer 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, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me." Also Psa.16:9; 17:15; Dan.12:1-3.

In Figure: Gen.22:5 with Heb.11:19- "Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure."

In Prophecy: Isa.26:19- "Thy dead men shall live; together with my dead body shall they arise, awake and sing, ye that dwell in the dust." The words "men" and "together with" may be omitted- "Thy dead (ones) shall live." These words are Jehovah's answer to Israel's wail as recorded in verse 17, 18. Even if they refer to resurrection of Israel as a nation, they yet teach a bodily resurrection. See also Hosea 13:14.

In Reality: 1 Kings 17 (Elijah); 2 Kings 4:32-35 (Elisha and the Shunamite's son); 13:21 (Resurrection through contact with the dead bones of Elisha).

The Old Testament therefore distinctly teaches the resurrection of the body. Mark 9:10, which might seem to indicate that the apostles did not know of a bodily resurrection, is accounted for by their unwillingness to believe in a crucified Christ.

2. IN THE NEW TESTAMENT.

In Word: Note the teaching of Jesus in John 5:28, 29; c.6 entire, note especially verse 39, 40, 44, 54; Luke 14:13, 14; 20:35, 36. The teaching of the apostles: Paul, Acts, 24:15; 1 Cor.15; 1 Thess.4:14-16; Phil.3:11; John, Rev.20:4-6; 13.

In Reality: The resurrection of saints (Matt.27:52, 53); of Lazarus (John 11); of Jesus Christ (Matt.28). Our Lord's resurrection assured them of what till then had been a hope imperfectly supported by Scriptural warrant, and contested by the Sadducee's. It enlarged that hope (1 Pet.1:3), and brought the doctrine of the resurrection to the front (1 Cor.15).