Eschatology & The 8th Day

The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him, Saying ,(1) Master, Moses said, If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother. Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first, when he had married a wife, (2) deceased, and, having no issue, left his wife unto his brother: Likewise (3) the second also, and (4) the third, unto (5) the seventh. And last of all (6) the woman died also. Therefore in the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven? for they all had her. Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.

(1) Deuteronomy 25:5

If brethren dwell together, and one of them die, and have no child, the wife of the dead shall not marry without unto a stranger: her husband’s brother shall go in unto her, and take her to him to wife, and perform the duty of an husband’s brother unto her.

     Here is the precedent the Sadducees were using in questioning Christ about resurrection from the dead. Provided a man died (physically) without producing an heir, his Wife was to marry his brother and raise up seed (offspring) in his name.

(2-6)

     Does this example refer to people who were physically dead or those who were spiritually dead? Are the Sadducees asking about the physically dead, rising from that physical death? Some believe and teach we are born spiritually dead (original sin) others teach we become spiritually dead when we learn right from wrong and choose wrong, as this is in opposition to God therefore, we separate ourselves from God when we transgress His ways and remove ourselves from His presence, or is it remove His presence from us?

     The 7 Brothers and Woman in the example given by the Sadducees had experienced physical death and therefore it is in this belief the Sadducees ask their question in hoping to understand: “In the resurrection (from physical death) whose wife shall she be of the seven” following are the examples of this same story from the parallel accounts of Mark & Luke.

Mark 12:18-25

Then come unto him the Sadducees, which say there is no resurrection; and they asked him, saying, Master, Moses wrote unto us, If a man’s brother die, and leave his wife behind him, and leave no children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother. Now there were seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and dying left no seed. And the second took her, and died, neither left he any seed: and the third likewise. And the seven had her, and left no seed: last of all the woman died also. In the resurrection therefore, when they shall rise, whose wife shall she be of them? for the seven had her to wife. And Jesus answering said unto them, do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God? 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.

     Again; these 8 people in this example are physically dead and Christ mentions their rising (being resurrected) from this physical death. Christ also mentions that in this resurrection, they neither marry nor are given in marriage but as are the angels of Heaven. Do angels marry? If this were simply in reference to when they accept Christ: Wouldn’t this be Christ saying believers can’t or shouldn’t get married?

Luke 20:27-35

Then came to him certain of the Sadducees, which deny that there is any resurrection; and they asked him, Saying, Master, Moses wrote unto us, If any man’s brother die, having a wife, and he die without children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother. There were therefore seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and died without children. And the second took her to wife, and he died childless. And the third took her; and in like manner the seven also: and they left no children, and died. Last of all the woman died also. Therefore in the resurrection whose wife of them is she? for seven had her to wife. And Jesus answering said unto them, The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage: But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage:

     Same story, same message, same conclusion! This resurrection refers to the life one receives and enjoys in eternity; when? After physical death!

The story of Lazarus: John 11:11-44 

     These things said he: and after that he spoke unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleeps; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep. Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleeps, he shall do well. Howbeit Jesus spoke of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep. Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead. And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him. Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellow disciples, let us also go, that we may die with him. Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already. Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off: And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother. Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house. Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou had been here, my brother had not died. But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee. Jesus said unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. Martha said unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever lives and believeth in me shall never die. Do you believe this? She said unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world. And when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Master is come, and calls for thee. As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly, and came unto him. Now Jesus was not yet come into the town, but was in that place where Martha met him. The Jews then which were with her in the house, and comforted her, when they saw Mary, that she rose up hastily and went out, followed her, saying, she goes unto the grave to weep there. Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou had been here, my brother had not died. When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled, and said, where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see. Jesus wept. Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him! And some of them said, Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died? Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it. Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, said unto him, Lord, by this time he stinks: for he hath been dead four days. Jesus said unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou would believe, thou should see the glory of God? Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. And I knew that you hear me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me. And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with grave clothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus said unto them, loose him, and let him go.

     Here we see an example of physical resurrection from physical death and Christ giving us two reasons for it: “I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe” and “Said I not unto thee, that, if thou would believe, thou should see the glory of God?”

     Christ told the disciples He was glad He was not present when Lazarus had died to the intent that the disciples would believe. Christ knew what He was about to do and that it would serve as additional evidence that He was in fact, the Messiah by raising/resurrecting Lazarus from physical death. If you witnessed a 4 day physically dead body arise to life, simply by someone calling them out of their grave, wouldn’t you believe in the power of God? The second statement provides the same reasoning & belief. One additional statement in this story “I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day” Martha clearly understood resurrection to apply after physical death, didn’t she? Didn’t Martha believe & understand resurrection meant life after or beyond physical death although the time for this resurrection had not happened yet? 

Matthew 27:52-53

And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.

     Were these bodies not previously physically dead? So this resurrection also occurred after physical death? This was even more evidence, this was done as a sign.

1^st Corinthians 15:12-20

Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first fruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.

     How many of these bold examples do not refer to physical death? Dying a physical death or being raised/resurrected from physical death? At what point did Christ Himself experience resurrection? After physical death; right?

Revelation 6:9-11

And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellow servants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.

     Is this section dealing with people who had died physically? As they are speaking to God and are given white robes; doesn’t this imply they were raised/resurrected from that physical death?

Revelation 20:4

And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

     Wouldn’t this be the remainder Revelation 6:9-11 spoke of? Isn’t this speaking of Martyrs? People who had died physically? Wouldn’t they have been resurrected after physical death?

     Many believe scripture teaches physical resurrection for all believers at some point in the future: they cite these physical resurrections and the physical resurrection of Christ in their source listings. Physical resurrections in scripture were there as a sign to all believers that physical death is not the end of existence. I do not believe in physical resurrection beyond the apostolic age. My Spirit will be set free from this earthen vessel upon physical death. It was made free when I accepted Christ so I see 3 types of resurrection in Scripture, certainly not just 1 or 2.

John 6:63 It is the spirit that quickens; the flesh profits nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

1^st Corinthians 15:36 you fool, that which you sow is not quickened, except it dies:

1^st Corinthians 15:50, 54-55 now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, and then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

Ephesians 2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;

Ephesians 2:5 even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved ;)

Colossians 2:13 and you, being dead in your sins and the Uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;

1^st Peter 3:18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:

Galatians 6:8 for he that sows to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that sows to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

Regeneration is a type, vision or representation of resurrection!

Regenerate: add new life, to be born again. Born again? Yes, again from death, spiritual death, spiritual separation from God. This is what we're to be born again from. Isn't life from death Resurrection?

     In the earlier 3 examples of the resurrection story of the 7 brothers and woman; I stopped at the same place in all 3. A week later, I noticed my error in doing so. The remaining verses give the rest of the explanation Christ offered, that has with it, an extra piece of information I believe to be of utmost importance in a complete understanding of resurrection.

     One of the biggest points of contention in Christianity comes in this area of resurrection. 2,000 years of Christendom has properly interpreted a resurrection from physical death but I believe it has falsely taught a physical resurrection for believers; primarily based upon the physical resurrection of Christ, I believe these last verses should clear the understanding.

Matthew  22:31-32 But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.

     We have determined that this is a story of people who had physically died: “But as touching the resurrection of the dead” “God is not the God of the dead” A first read of this group of verses with no other supportive information might lead one to believe God is no longer the God of these people who have physically died.

Mark 12:26-27 And as touching the dead, that they rise: have ye not read in the book of Moses, how in the bush God spoke unto him, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living: ye therefore do greatly err.

     An honest first read of this section with no other supportive information could easily lead one to the same conclusion. They’re dead; God is not the God of the dead?

Luke 20:36-38 neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection. Now that the dead are raised, even Moses showed at the bush, when he called the Lord the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. For he is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto him.

     “Neither can they die any more” This is one verse that hit me hard when I first isolated it from the surrounding text. Luke is the greatest expositor of the 3 Synoptics: Matthew, Mark & Luke. This one is truly for those with the faith of a child. At what point can we not die any more? Hebrews 9:27 “and as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” After physical death! The example given was about resurrection after and from physical death.   

      3 verses tell the story of physical resurrection versus a spirit being resurrected out of the physical body; 3 verses that are the words of Christ. This understanding of course comes with accepting that this example is about resurrection after and from physical death.

Mark 12:25-27 “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 And as touching the dead, that they rise: have ye not read in the book of Moses, how in the bush God spoke unto him, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living: ye therefore do greatly err”

     Jesus plainly states “When they shall rise from the dead” but He also states “as touching the dead, that they rise” and “He is not the God of the dead” So they shall rise; from the dead, but God is not the God of the dead? I believe the key here is in “when they shall rise, FROM the dead” From means away or apart so isn’t this saying “when they shall rise from, apart or away from the dead bodies”? I also believe “are as the angels which are in heaven” Did the Angels in Heaven at this time have physical bodies?

“As touching the dead, that they rise, He is not the God of the dead” God doesn’t want our dead physical bodies; God doesn’t need our physically dead bodies. God is more concerned with the New Man, the Inner Man: The one with the New Heart & New Spirit. God is looking for none other than “Christ in you, the hope of glory” Colossians 1:27 The Inner man is not based on a New, Improved or Better You but the Inner Man is none of than Christ working in & through you.

     I believe this is an area where many get confused on what resurrection is and when it takes place. No one can deny that being Born Again is the point where one is resurrected out of, away or apart from spiritual death/separation from God, most refer to this as regeneration. Regeneration & Resurrection are essentially the same thing only regeneration is the beginning of the Metamorphosis and being raised out of, apart or away from physical death is when the Butterfly is released from the Cocoon.

     This message is not designed to destroy one’s idea of a physical resurrection; nor is it meant to under-emphasize the importance of being born again, regenerated or receiving what I think of as the first resurrection. (not to be confused with the first resurrection) mentioned in scripture as I believe mine refers to what and the Bible’s refers to when it began.

     I believe the Bible contains a story or reference that should assist us in understanding when “The Resurrection” was to begin but I believe this has been wrongly placed in time.

     The majority of Christianity believes in a one time “General Resurrection” of all people, simultaneously. Some also picture a partial resurrection prior to the Great Tribulation, to be followed by another at the end of the Great Tribulation. Most of those who hold to the Futurist view of Eschatology, or the End Times, believe in this one time “General Resurrection” which has not started yet. Many within the Preterist views of Eschatology likewise believe in a one time Resurrection but that it has already happened. I believe both camps share something in common that Paul attempted to correct in scripture.

Hymenaeus and Philetus:

“Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some” 2^nd Timothy 2:17-18

     Whatever their reasons for believing “the resurrection is past already” I believe what Hymenaeus & Philetus have in common with the earlier mentioned views is that they saw it as a one time event; or better explained as an event which has an end. I believe this stands in direct contradiction with scripture.

     “the resurrection is past already” clearly shows they believed the resurrection had already happened; past tense. It was in their teaching that the resurrection had already happened; that was “overthrowing the faith of some” by leading them to believe it was over. Imagine expecting to be raised out of, away or apart from physical death into the glorious kingdom of God & Jesus Christ, only to find out this event had already happened and you had missed your chance? If resurrection out of, away or apart from physical death was truly over, those living or even those who hadn’t been born yet had missed out, if this event (resurrection) were to have an ending.

     Many point to “Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live” from John 11:25 and single this out as the only important aspect of understanding what exactly the resurrection was and do not recognize the actual release of the spirit from the physical body upon physical death; I believe this inability or unwillingness to recognize this last stage event forces a wedge in some people’s delivery and other’s acceptance of the spirit being what is raised.

     Jesus is the Resurrection; He is the power, the source and the beginning of Resurrection, both Metaphorical and Literal. Through Christ; a personal relationship with the one true God, mankind is raised, resurrected, regenerated from spiritual death/separation from God to spiritual life and is Metaphorically or Allegorically in the Kingdom of God while still living within the confines of the Humanistic shell of a body or corpse we walk around in: “We are seated in Heavenly places” (Ephesians 1:3 & 2:6) This should be the true spiritual/metaphorical understanding & realization behind being born again.

     The Literal/Actual resurrection after, out of, away or apart from physical death seems to be the painful aspect for many when in fact, it should be the moment most sought after. Many people confuse Literal & Actual with Physical. Is God literal? Yes. Is God actual? Yes. Is God physical? No. As shown in the conversation with Christ & the Sadducees, as is shown in the conversation with Martha outside the Tomb of Lazarus, as is shown in the example of Lazarus, as is shown in the example of the Damsel, as is shown in the very example of Christ, physical death is not the end but is the very moment that you & I are raised out of, away or apart from this physical world, body & existence to spend eternity in the everlasting, spiritual kingdom with God our Heavenly Father.

Quick Synopsis:

Mark 12:19-22 Is this example based on and about people who have physically died? Yes.

Mark 12:23 “In the resurrection therefore, when they shall rise” Is Christ referring to their being raised out of, away or apart from physical death? Yes.

Mark 12:25 “For when they shall rise from the dead” Again; is Christ referring to these same people who are now physically dead? Yes.

Mark 12:26 & 27 “And as touching the dead, that they rise”& “He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living” the dead here refers to the body itself and Christ says God is not the God of the dead Body but of the living Spirit.

Luke 20:36 “Neither can they die any more” We die spiritually when we separate ourselves from God by defying Him, like Adam. We die again when we die to self and are reunited with God. We die again when our heart stops beating and the blood stops pumping. When can we not die any more?

Email us @ GAP Evangelising@Hotmail.com