July 18
THOSE WHO DO NOT BELIEVE IN THE RESURRECTION, OR SAY IT IS ALREADY PAST / PART 1
-Some say there is to be no resurrection. Others spiritualize the resurrection, saying it has already taken
place in their lives. They claim that there is no bodily resurrection that is yet futuristic. Let us look to the scriptures
to see if these statements are valid or not.
-Matthew 22:23,29 states, … The same day came to Him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection,
and asked Him, … Jesus answered and said unto them, You do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God …
1st Corinthians 15:12-19 states, … 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. Yes, 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; you 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 … ( As well, read verses 20-28. ) Daniel 12:2 states, … And many of them that sleep in the
dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life ( age-abiding life ), and some to shame and everlasting contempt (
age-abiding abhorrence ) … John 5:28,29 states, … Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all
that are in the graves shall hear His voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life;
and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation ( judgment ) …
According to Dr. Stephen Jones:
-"Paul makes it clear that the resurrection of Jesus Christ is the pattern for our own resurrection as well.
The only reason we shall be raised from the dead is because Christ was raised as the Pattern Son. Paul’s argument shows
the inherent contradiction of this Sadducee doctrine. If there is no such thing as resurrection, but that man simply goes
to heaven when he dies, then Jesus was not raised. But if Jesus was not raised, then we are yet in our sins, because he “was
raised again for our justification” (Rom. 4:25). So the only way we attain the promise of God is if Jesus was raised
from the dead. But if He was, it is the pattern of our own resurrection as well. That is the path of Paul’s logic."
( The Purpose Of Resurrection, Dr. Stephen Jones )
-HOW CAN WE SAY THERE IS NO RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD?-
