God’s word (Bible) is full of “resurrections”, those who are dead being made alive. We read in Romans 8:14-18 that we are the “sons of God”. We are his “children” and “heirs” of his kingdom and life. How does God accomplish His promise to us to be made “alive” after death? The resurrection of mankind from death to life and living forever with God as a part of His family is the answer. Consequently we find numerous examples of “resurrections” throughout the entire Bible.
II Kings 4 all. The prophet Elisha raises the Sunammite women’s son back to life.
II Kings 13:20-21 The prophet Elisha had died. A dead man was thrown into Elisha’s burial pit and the dead man “revived, and stood up on his feet.”
John 11: 14, 24-26, 33-35, 38-44 We read of the resurrection of Lazarus by the power of Jesus. Lazarus had been dead so long that he “stank”.
Matthew 9:18-26 Jesus heals the young maiden.
Matthew 27:50-53 At the physical death of Jesus the “graves were opened” and many of the saints were made alive.
John 20:17; Matthew 16:6,9; Luke 24:6,34 and John 2:18-22 Jesus is raised from the dead.
Acts 9:36-41 The apostle Peter raises Tabitha from the dead.
Acts 20:9-10 The apostle Paul raises Eutychus from the dead.
Revelation 20:4 The saints are raised from the dead to live with God. Verse 5 the “rest of the dead” were raised 1,000 years later to learn of God’s true way of life and then they were judged out of the “books”. Verses 11-15 describe the final “White throne judgement” of the “rest of the dead.”
Resurrection facts: Acts 4:2, 33 The apostles preached the resurrection. Acts 17:18 and Romans 1:4 Paul preached the resurrection. Acts 24:15 Paul says there will be a “resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.” This is a reference to Revelation 20:4-5 and the final judgement. Romans 6:5 The resurrected saints will be like Jesus. I Corinthians 15 is known as the “Resurrection” chapter, one should carefully read and study the entire chapter written by the apostle Paul. I Corinthians 15:12-14:16-17. If there is no resurrection then there is no hope. Verse 20, Christ is risen from the dead and has become the “first fruits”. He led the way to the resurrection of life. Verse 22, “For as in Adam all die even so in Christ shall all be made alive.” Verse 24-26 The last enemy of God to be destroyed is “death”. I Thessalonians 4:13-17 The saints of God are to be resurrected up at the return of Jesus. This is the “first resurrection” spoken of in Rev. 20:4.
Nowhere in the Bible does God say deceased mankind will go to heaven or to hell. Throughout the Bible God says He will resurrect his own saints (family) at the second coming of Jesus and after the 1,000 year long millennial Kingdom of God He will raise all others to judgement (Rev. 20:5).
See CSCOG7 Heaven and CSCOG7 Hell for further information.
