This Article: (6 Pages)
- 1. Lazarus and Resurrection
- 2. Resurrection in the Old Testament
- 3. Promises to the Fathers of... Israel require a Bodily Resurrection
- 4. The Apostles Beliefs R...egarding Resurrection
- 5. The Resurrection in Context
- 6. The Resurrection in Summary
3) Promises to the Fathers of Israel require a Bodily Resurrection
The belief system where death is like an unknowing sleep, and where in the future people should again live on earth for-ever, is central to the belief of the Hebrews. It is part of the promises to the Fathers.
Abraham is promised by God he would inherit the land he walked in after he is dead,
“Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it; for I will give it unto you”. (Genesis 13:17)
And he said unto him, “I am the LORD that brought you out of Ur of the Chaldees, to give you this land to inherit it”.
And he said, “Lord GOD, how shall I know that I shall inherit it?” ...
And he said unto Abram, “Know of a surety that your seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them 400 years; ..and afterwards shall they come out with great substance. And you shall go to your fathers in peace; you shall be buried in a good old age. But in the fourth generation they shall come here again”: (Genesis 15:7-16).
Abraham's God told him he would die and be buried. His descendants would inherit the land in the fourth generation. At some later time Abraham would again walk the earth to receive the land he was promised. There is a chapter that explains this in detail in An Enduring Earth
Following this King David of Israel (approx 1000 BCE) is also given a promise that involves him in the future standing in his kingdom, in front of his throne which would be established for-ever.
“Your house and your kingdom shall be established for ever before you: your throne shall be established for ever”. (2Samuel 7:16)
Note it does not say David would sit on this throne, only that it would be established for-ever in front of his eyes. His son, or descendant was to sit on the throne. This means David was to live again to see his descendant sit on his own throne.
Lastly Daniel the prophet is given a promise he will stand and actually see the amazing events he prophesied to occur long after he is dead.
But go your way till the end be: for thou shall rest, and stand in your lot at the end of the days. (Daniel 12:13)
This indicates Daniel must at some point be raised from death to live on earth to see the coming of Michael the 'One like God'.
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