Lesson 31
God has not left humanity without hope of a future beyond the grave. God has logically revealed, in his word, how he will bring about humanity’s return. His plan is revealed a little at a time, scattered throughout the Bible. One of the first mentions of God’s chosen process is revealed with Abraham knowing God could bring the dead back to life. Coming back to life is known as resurrection from the dead. God describes his process in some scriptures as a physical mortal resurrection, and in others as a resurrection to immortal life. The resurrections occur at different times for different people. Within scripture God confirms he plans to use a resurrection process for humanity. Unlike the immortal soul doctrine, God’s logical plans demand that to be resurrected from the dead, one must first be dead, not alive somewhere else. Apply the rules of logic to these scriptures. Using your critical thinking, what conclusions does your reasoning lead you to? Can all the beliefs be equally true because someone believes in them? Does the Bible lie? Does God directly say believers will be resurrected from death or go to heaven?
Hebrews 11:18-19 Contemporary English Version
17-18 Abraham had been promised that Isaac, his only son, would continue his family. But when Abraham was tested, he had faith and was willing to sacrifice Isaac, 19 because he was sure that God could raise people to life. This was just like getting Isaac back from death.
Ezekiel 37:4-6 New King James Version
4 Again He said to me, “Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, ‘O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! 5 Thus says the Lord God to these bones: “Surely I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live. 6 I will put sinews on you and bring flesh upon you, cover you with skin and put breath in you; and you shall live. Then you shall know that I am the Lord.” ’ ”
Daniel 12:2 International Standard Version
2 Many of those who are sleeping in the dust of the earth will awaken—some to life everlasting, and some to disgrace and everlasting contempt.
Revelation 20:4-5 International Children’s Bible
4 Then I saw some thrones and people sitting on them. They had been given the power to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been killed because they were faithful to the truth of Jesus and the message from God. They had not worshiped the beast or his idol. They had not received the mark of the beast on their foreheads or on their hands. They came back to life and ruled with Christ for 1,000 years. 5 (The others that were dead did not live again until the 1,000 years were ended.) This is the first raising of the dead.
1 Corinthians 15:52 Holman Christian Standard Bible
52 in a moment, in the blink of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we will be changed.