Lesson 20
The early and first temple Jews may not have believed they possessed an immortal soul but they did have scripture telling them there was more to life than what they were presently living. Like their father Abraham, Jews had faith God could raise the dead. They found their faith in verses talking about God’s new life to come. Although they would all live again only the righteous would receive eternal life. Has this new peaceful world under God’s rule arrived yet? Does God keep his promises?
Hebrews 11:18-19 Easy-to-Read Version
17-18 God tested Abraham’s faith. God told him to offer Isaac as a sacrifice. Abraham obeyed because he had faith. He already had the promises from God. And God had already said to him, “It is through Isaac that your descendants will come.” But Abraham was ready to offer his only son. He did this because he had faith. 19 He believed that God could raise people from death. And really, when God stopped Abraham from killing Isaac, it was as if he got him back from death.
Isaiah 65:17-25 21st Century King James Version
17 “For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. 18 But be ye glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create; for behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy. 19 And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in My people; and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying. There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days; for the child shall die a hundred years old; but the sinner being a hundred years old shall be accursed. 21 And they shall build houses and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards and eat the fruit of them. 22 They shall not build and another inhabit; they shall not plant and another eat; for as the days of a tree are the days of My people, and Mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands. 23 They shall not labor in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for they are the seed of the blessed of the Lord, and their offspring with them. 24 And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear. 25 The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock; and dust shall be the serpent’s meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain,” saith the Lord.”
Matthew 25:46 New International Reader’s Version
“Then they will go away to be punished forever. But those who have done what is right will receive eternal life.”
Proverbs 12:28 Modern English Version
28 In the way of righteousness is life, and in its pathway there is no death.