Many people have died and come back to life. We really
don’t know why, and there doesn’t seem to be a magic formula, or a pattern to
raising the dead. It also seems that each one that has been raised from the
dead has had a slightly different experience. When we talk about the ideas of rising up together, seized by force, and the above
congregations, we recognize that death is not so cut and dried as if we
cease to exist forever. There is a point when every human recognizes,
regardless of his/her beliefs, that he/she is no longer in control. What
happens at that moment after the physical body expires is not controlled by the
dying person. Consequently, in a human’s last earthly minutes of life whatever
belief system one has relied on no longer matters. What matters is where the
spirit and soul will be transitioning to. If we remember our studies on the
people of the first century and their philosophies of death we remember that the
only ones who welcomed death were the Essenes/Nazarenes/Therapeutaes and
Prophets. All the other people groups feared death. But the attitude we should
have, as believers in Christ, is in placing our spirit in the hands of the
Mighty Almighty. We will also look at the people who rose from the dead as
recorded in the Bible and the people who facilitated their rising. http://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2016/02/philosophies-of-death-essenes-pharisees.html
Both Jesus and Stephen quoted this verse in Psalm 31 upon
their last moments in their earthly bodies. But Stephen, recognizing Jesus as
the Christ asks Jesus to receive his spirit.
Ps 31:5G1519Into G5495your hands G1473 G3908I shall place G3588 G4151my spirit. G1473 G3084You ransomed G1473me, G2962O lord G3588 G2316God G3588 G225of truth.
Ps 31:5 Into Your hands I commit my spirit; You have
redeemed me, O Lord, the God of truth and faithfulness. [Luke 23:46; Acts
7:59.] AMP
Luke 31:46G2532And G5455calling out G5456[2voice G31731with
a great], G3588 G*Jesus G2036said, G3962Father, G1519into G5495your hands G1473 G3908I place G3588 G4151my spirit. G1473 G2532And G3778these things
G2036having
said G1606he
expired
Acts 7:59G2532And G3036they stoned G3588 G*Stephen, G1941the one calling upon G2532and G3004saying, G2962O Lord G*Jesus, G1209receive G3588 G4151my spirit! G1473
I know there will be those who will say that they would rather someone else receive their spirit, like Buddha or satan, but Jesus is the only one who has the keys to hell and death. Therefore, there isn’t another being who is going to receive a dying person’s spirit except Jesus. However, prior to Jesus’ death, hades was the domain of satan, and extracting someone out of hades was to essentially steal them from the grave.
The first instance we have is the Prophet Elijah raising a
young boy. The record occurs in 1 Kings 17:19 in our modern Bibles and 3 Kings
in the Septuagint.
3 Kings 17:19 And Eliu said to the woman, Give me thy
son. And he took him out of her bosom, and took him up to the chamber in which
he himself lodged, and laid him on the bed. 20 And Eliu cried aloud,
and said, Alas, O Lord, the witness of the widow with whom I sojourn, thou hast
wrought evil for her in slaying her son. 21 And he
breathed on the child thrice, and called on the Lord, and said, O Lord my God,
let, I pray thee, the soul of this child return to him. 22 And it was
so, and the child cried out, 23 and he brought him down from the
upper chamber into the house, and gave him to his mother; and Eliu said, See,
thy son lives. 24 And the woman said to Eliu, Behold, I know that
thou art a man of God, and the word of the Lord in thy
mouth is true.
Who was Elijah? He was a Prophet, schooled in the ways of
the Prophets of Shem and Eber, of the Zedek’s. Zarephath is near Mt Carmel, on
the coast, where the Prophets lived in the northern kingdom. There is no record
of this boy being extra holy, or something special. Simply Elijah was grieved
for her loss, recognizing she was serving him as an act of faith and kindness
so he, the man of God, could do the work the Lord called him to do.
Understanding the culture, a widow without any children, would not be cared for
unless she was of the community of the Essenes/Nazarenes/Therapeutaes. The Jews
did not care for the widows and orphans as Moses instructed them to do, but the
Essene communities did. So Elijah caused her food to multiply, and she and her
son served Elijah. Another occurrence of a young boy being raised from the dead
happened with Elisha.
4 Kings 4: 29 And Elisaie said to Giezi, Gird up thy
loins, and take my staff in thy hand, and go: if thou meet any man, thou shalt
not salute him, and if a man salute thee thou shalt not answer him: and thou
shalt lay my staff on the child’s face. 30 And the mother of the
child said, As the Lord lives and as thy soul
lives, I will not leave thee. And Elisaie arose, and went after
her. 31 And Giezi went on before her, and laid his staff on the
child’s face: but there was neither voice nor any hearing. So he returned to
meet him, and told him, saying, The child is not awaked.
32 And Elisaie went into the house, and, behold, the
dead child was laid upon his bed. 33 And Elisaie went into the house,
and shut the door upon themselves, the two, and prayed to the Lord. 34 And
he went up, and lay upon the child, and put his mouth upon his mouth, and his
eyes upon his eyes, and his hands upon his hands; and bowed himself upon him,
and the flesh of the child grew warm. 35 And he returned, and walked
up and down in the house: and he went up, and bowed himself on the child seven
times; and the child opened his eyes. 36 And Elisaie cried out to
Giezi, and said, Call this Somanite. So he called her, and she came in to him:
and Elisaie said, Take thy son. 37 And the woman went in, and fell at
his feet, and did obeisance bowing to the ground; and she took
her son, and went out.
This woman was from Shunem, located in the northern
kingdom, south of Nazareth. She and her husband had had no children. Again, in
the culture of the times, children were an old person’s social security. She
had her husband build a room for Elisha so he could stay with her as he traveled.
Elisha prophesied that she would have a son, even though she wasn’t asking for
one. But some years later the boy went out to his father who was among the
reapers and as the Bible says the boy cried out “my head, my head”, which could
mean he got hit in the head with a sickle. The child died and the woman went to
find Elisha. She did not settle for the servant of Elisha, she wanted the
Prophet to help. Elisha warmed the child’s body which probably had been dead
for at least a day or two. The non-elite people of the day respected the
Prophets and believed the words they spoke, but the Prophets did not just speak
words, they spoke with actions.
Elisha had a double portion of what Elijah had, and the
power even permeated Elisha’s bones so that even after his death, someone was
raised from the dead.
4 Kings 13: 20 And
Elisaie died, and they buried him. And the bands of the Moabites came into the
land, at the beginning of the year. 21 And it came to pass as they
were burying a man, that behold, they saw a band of men, and they
cast the man into the grave of Elisaie: and as soon as he touched the bones of
Elisaie, he revived and stood up on his feet.
Elisha died and was put in a tomb. Later someone else died,
and while they were preparing him for burial the Moabites came to attack, so
they simply threw the dead man into the tomb Elisha’s bones were in, and ran
away. What a surprise those people had when the dead man walked out of the tomb
and left the area with them.
We see two of the Prophets under the old covenant who
raised people from the dead but there were probably many more occurrences that
were never recorded. We have to remember that the goal in life is not to live
in our earthly bodies forever. People always wonder why someone they loved had
to die, as if God doesn’t love them if their loved one dies. The body is weak,
and our mission is not to earth but to eternity. Jesus tells us we will be like
the angels in the resurrection, so when we rise we will put on immortality.
Earth is the only place where beings experience one third of their makeup in
death. Other beings don’t die physical deaths. The other two thirds of humans,
soul and spirit, pass onto an eternity, either death or life.
Our fourth occurrence is again a widow. Jesus raises her
boy, but there is something odd here. The boy is raised in the funeral
procession, being carried by pallbearers. Jesus touched the coffin. Technically
that should have made Jesus unclean. Apparently Jesus didn’t seem to think
leaving a boy dead was better than being ceremonially clean, he picks the boy
up and hands him to his mother.
Luke 7: 11G2532And G1096it came to
pass G1722in G3588the G1836next place,
G4198he went G1519into G4172a city G2564being called G*Nain; G2532and G4848going with G1473him G3588 G3101[2of
his disciples G1473 G24251 were a
fit amount], G2532and G3793[2multitude G41831a
great].
12G5613And as G1161 G1448he approached G3588to the G4439gate G3588of the G4172city, G2532that G2400behold, G1580[2was
conveyed G23481one
having died], G5207a
son, G3439an
only child G3588 G3384of his mother,
G1473 G2532and G1473she G1510.7.3was
G5503a widow; G2532and G3793a multitude G3588of the G4172city, G2425a fit amount
G4862was with
G1473her.
13G2532And G1492beholding G1473her, G3588the G2962Lord G4697was moved with compassion G1909over G1473her, G2532and G2036he said G1473to her, G3361Do not G2799weep!
14G2532And G4334coming forward G680he touched G3588the G4673coffin, G3588and the ones G1161 G941bearing it
G2476stopped.
G2532And G2036he said, G3495O young man, G1473to you G3004I say, G1453Arise!
15G2532And G339[3sat erect G35881the
G34982dead
one], G2532and G756began G2980to speak; G2532and G1325he gave G1473him G3588to G3384his mother. G1473
16G2983[3took hold G11611And
G54012fear]
G3956of all, G2532and G1392they glorified
G3588 G2316God, G3004saying G3754that, G4396[2prophet
G31731A
great] G1453has
been risen up G1722among
G1473us; G2532and G3754that, G1980God visited G3588 G2316 G3588 G2992his people. G1473
17G2532And G1831went forth G3588 G3056this word G3778 G1722in G3650the whole G3588 G*of Judea G4012concerning G1473him, G2532and G1722in G3956all G3588the G4066place round
about.
Jesus was moved with compassion. Remember how Jesus scolded
the Pharisees for stealing widow’s houses? There was no help for the widow.
Nain was just north of Shunem. It is interesting that the widows of the
northern region are receiving their sons back to life. In all four occurrences
the people rising have been in the northern kingdom. The people recognized
Jesus as a great Prophet. They understood the order of the Zedeks, and believed
Jesus to be of that order.
Our fifth incident happens in the northern regions, near
Galilee. Jairus was the ruler of the synagogue in the region and his only
child, a daughter, died. Think of that in today’s terms. If your church Pastor
had one daughter, and she died, and there was a Prophet in town, everyone would
be looking to the Prophet for a miracle. Jairus would have been dear to the
hearts of the people in the community, which is why the multitudes went along
too. Now along the way, a women gets her healing just by touching the hem of
Jesus’ garment.
Luke 8: 41G2532And G2400behold, G2064there came G435a man G3739whose G3686name G*was Jairus,
G2532and G1473he G758was a
ruler G3588of
the G4864synagogue
G5224existing
there. G2532And G4098having fallen G3844by G3588the G4228feet G3588 G*of Jesus, G3870he appealed to
G1473him G1525to enter G1519into G3588 G3624his house; G1473
42G3754for G2364his daughter G3439was an only
child G1510.7.3 G1473to him, G5613about G2094[2years old
G14271twelve],
G2532and G3778she G599was dying. G1722And in G1161 G3588 G5217his going, G1473 G3588the G3793multitudes G4846thronged G1473him……
Make special note of how highly they all regarded Jesus.
Jairus falls at his feet in his heartbreak over his daughter. Now one of the
chiefs in the synagogue reports the girl is dead. Look what he says, “do not
inconvenience the teacher”. What? They knew Jesus could heal the sick, but the
dead are dead, right?
Luke 8:49G2089And while G1161 G1473he was G2980speaking, G2064there comes G5100one G3844from G3588the G752chief of the
synagogue, G3004saying
G1473to him G3754that, G2348[3has
died G3588 G23642daughter
G14731Your],
G3361do not G4660inconvenience G3588the G1320teacher!
50G3588 G1161And G*Jesus
G191having heard G611responded G1473to him, G3004saying, G3361Do not G5399fear! G3440Only G4100trust G2532and G4982she shall be
delivered!
51G1525And entering G1161 G1519into G3588the G3614house, G3756he did not G863allow G1525[2to enter G37621anyone],
G1508except G*Peter, G2532and G*John, G2532and G*James, G2532and G3588the G3962father G3588of the G3816child G2532and G3588the G3384mother.
52G2799[3wept G11611And
G39562all],
G2532and G2875beat their
chest G1473over
her. G3588But he
G1161 G2036said, G3361Weep not! G2799 G3756She died not, G599 G235but G2518sleeps.
54G1473And he G1161 G1544having cast G1854all outside, G3956 G2532and G2902having taken hold G3588 G5495of her hand, G1473 G5455spoke out loud,
G3004saying, G3588 G3816Child, G1453arise!
55G2532And G1994[2returned G3588 G41511her
spirit], G1473 G2532and G450she rose up G3916immediately. G2532And G1299he ordered G1473for her G1325to be
given something G2068to eat.
56G2532And G1839[2were amazed G3588 G11181her
parents]; G1473 G3588and he G1161 G3853exhorted G1473them G3367[2no
one G20361to
tell] G3588the thing
G1096having
taken place
The people here regarded Jesus as a teacher. He told them
to trust. When Jesus told all the people not to weep because the girl is
sleeping, he didn’t mean she was simply taking a nap. The people knew she had
died, but the idea of sleep is a nice way of saying figuratively that someone
died. Yet Jesus said that she was asleep because he knew they knew she was
dead. He may have wanted them to think that he thought she was asleep, so they
would have thought he didn’t know what he was saying. Look at how many people
were following Jesus to Jairus’ house. As Jesus did more and more miracles,
more and more people followed him. It wasn’t that Jesus didn’t appreciate those
who believed in him, he did. But he also had a mission, to lay down his life in
Jerusalem. And look at verse 56, Jesus
doesn’t want them to reveal the exact method he used of raising this girl.
Jesus brought Peter, James, John, Jairus, and the girls’ mother into the room
and closed the door. Notice her spirit returned. Where did it go? If she was
simply sleeping or in a coma her spirit wouldn’t have gone anywhere.
Now this girl was newly dead, as compared to the boy in the
casket, but Lazarus was dead for four days. Jesus uses the term sleep meaning “dead” here with his
disciples, but they think he means Lazarus is sleeping. The disciples say if he
is sleeping he will be delivered, sozo,
healed. This tells us that many times people probably went into a coma, and it
was noted as sleep, and that they would wake up and be healed. We could also
think of this as fainting or simply passing out. So Jesus has to make it more
clear by saying that “Lazarus is dead”.
John 11: 11G3778These things
G2036he
said. G2532And G3326after G3778this G3004he says G1473to them, G*Lazarus G3588 G5384our friend G1473 G2837has went to
sleep; G235but G4198I shall go G2443that G1852I should wake G1473him.
12G2036[2said G37673then
G3588 G31011His
disciples], G1473 G2962O Lord, G1487if G2837he has went to
sleep, G4982he
will be delivered.
13G2046[3had spoken G11611But
G3588 G*2Jesus] G4012concerning G3588 G2288his death; G1473 G1565but they G1161 G1380thought G3754that G4012concerning G3588the G2838resting G3588 G5258of sleep G3004he spoke of.
14G5119Then G3767therefore G2036[2said G14733to
them G3588 G*1Jesus] G3954in an open
manner, G*Lazarus G599died.
15G2532And G5463I rejoice G1223because of G1473you, G2443(that G4100you should believe,) G3754that G3756I was not G1510.7.1 G1563there; G235but G71we should lead on G4314to G1473him.
Jesus says, ‘be happy I wasn’t there, so you can believe’.
Believe what? That he has magical powers? No that he was the Messiah. They saw
Jesus raise two other people, now this will help their unbelief. But not just
their unbelief, but the whole region of Judah was going to hear about this one.
Bethany was outside of Jerusalem. Now closer to his own death, Jesus was ready
for lots of people to hear that he had raised Lazarus from the dead. Lazarus
was in his thirties when he died.
John 11: 39G3004Jesus says, G3588 G* G142Lift G3588the G3037stone! G3004[6says G14737to
him G35882the
G793sister
G35884of
the one G23485having
died G*1Martha],
G2962O Lord, G2235already G3605he reeks, G5066[3 the fourth
day G10631for
G1510.2.32it
is].
40G3004[2says G14733to
her G3588 G*1Jesus], G3756Did I not G2036say G1473to you, G3754that G1437if G4100you should
believe, G3708you
shall see G3588the
G1391glory G3588 G2316of God?
41G142Then they lifted away G3767 G3588the G3037stone G3739where G1510.7.3[3was
G35881the
one G23482having
died] G2749situated.
G3588 G1161And G*Jesus G142lifted G3588his G3788eyes G507upward, G2532and G2036said, G3962O father, G2168I give thanks G1473to you G3754that G191you heard G1473me.
Jesus told the people at Jairus’ house to trust, here he
tells these people to believe. Now they are going to see two things, the Glory
of God, and that Jesus has the ear of His Father.
John 11: 42G1473And I G1161 G1492know G3754that G3842at all times G1473you hear me; G191 G235but G1223on account of G3588the G3793multitude G3588 G4026standing
around G2036I
spoke, G2443that
G4100they should
believe G3754that
G1473you G1473sent me. G649
43G2532And G3778these things G2036having said, G5456[2voice
G31731with
a great] G2905he
cried out, G*Lazarus,
G1204come G1854outside.
44G2532And G1831came forth G3588the one G2348having died, G1210being tied G3588of the G4228feet, G2532and G3588the G5495hands G2750swathed, G2532and G3588 G3799his face G4676with a scarf G4019tied about. G3004[2says G14733to
them G3588 G*1Jesus], G3089Untie G1473him, G2532and G863let him G5217go!
45G4183Then many G3767 G1537of G3588the G*Jews,
G3588the ones G2064having come G4314with G3588 G*Mary, G2532and G2300seeing G3739what G4160Jesus did, G3588 G* G4100believed G1519in G1473him.
The Jews who were there believed in Jesus as Messiah. Even
though they believed, some went and told the Pharisees what transpired. The
Pharisees did not have any Prophets among them. They were not seeing miracles,
healings, or the dead raised to life. They compromised on the temple service
rather than follow the Holy Spirit, and now anyone who comes to town, who has
been known in the northern regions as having raised the dead, is only going to
be trouble for the religious leaders of Jerusalem.
But there is more trouble for the religious rulers ahead.
Killing Jesus did not silence his Messiahship. In fact the next people to
testify to Jesus being the Messiah after his death are the ones who came out of
the tombs. Matthew says Jesus let go of his spirit, then the veil of the temple
tore from top to bottom. Then many of the righteous dead saints rose up and
exhibited themselves to many.
Matt 27:50G3588 G1161And G*Jesus
G3825again, G2896having cried
out G5456[2voice
G31731with
a great], G863let
go G3588the G4151spirit.
51G2532And G2400behold, G3588the G2665veil G3588of the G3485temple G4977was split G1519in G1417two G575from G509above G2193unto G2736below; G2532and G3588the G1093earth G4579was shaken, G2532and G3588the G4073rocks G4977split;
52G2532and G3588the G3419tombs G455were opened, G2532and G4183many G4983bodies G3588of the G2837[2sleeping
G391holy
ones] G1453arose;
53G2532and G1831having come forth G1537from out of G3588the G3419tombs, G3326after G3588 G1454his rising up,
G1473 G1525entered G1519into G3588the G39holy G4172city, G2532and G1718were revealed G4183to many.
This is our seventh recorded occurrence of people rising
from the dead. As we can see, there are many people who rose the day Jesus
died. As recorded in The Acts of Pontius
Pilate also known as The Book of
Nicodemus, the two sons of Simeon the Prophet who prophesied over Jesus at
his circumcision came out of the grave and recorded their testimonies. Think of
what all of that must have looked like. If you lived in that day and you were
just sitting down to dinner with your family and there happens to be a knock at
the door, and your dead relatives are standing there. Amazing. Now there is no
way to deny that Jesus took back the keys to hell and death and set the
captives free in Jerusalem. Elijah, Elisha, and Jesus had all raised the dead
in the north and the people of the north all believed in the Prophets and
Jesus. It was the stubborn people of the south that didn’t believe and decided
to crucify Jesus; but guess what? He didn’t stay in the grave.
Matt 28: 5G611[4responding
G11611And
G35882the
G323angel]
G2036said G3588to the G1135women, G3361[3not
G53992fear
G14731You]!
G1492for I know G1063 G3754that G*[2Jesus G35883the
one G47174having
been crucified G22121you
seek].
6G3756He is not G1510.2.3 G5602here, G1453for he is
risen G1063 G2531as G2036he said. G1205Come, G1492behold G3588the G5117place G3699where G2749[2was
situated G3588 G29621 the Lord]!
7G2532And G5036quickly G4198going, G2036say G3588to G3101his disciples! G1473 G3754that, G1453He is risen G575from G3588the G3498the dead,
G2532and G2400behold, G4254he goes before
G1473you G1519into G3588 G*Galilee; G1563there G1473you shall see
him. G3708 G2400Behold, G2036I told G1473to you.
Jesus is our eighth look at one rising. Notice where the
angel tells them he went, Galilee, north. The people of the northern regions
already believed on Jesus, now they were going to see him after his death.
Jesus spent a lot more time in the north than in Judah after his resurrection. The
time between the raising of Lazarus and Jesus was not very long either, so all
the miracle risings in the region of Judah happened pretty close together. Then
another miracle. On Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came on the believers in
Jerusalem. Now, the sent one’s apostles
are raising the dead.
Acts 9: 36G1722And in Joppa G* G1161 G5100there was a
certain G1510.7.3 G3102disciple, G3686by name G*Tabitha, G3739which G1329being
interpreted G3004is
called G*Dorcas. G3778She G1510.7.3was
G4134full G18of good G2041works G2532and G1654charity G3739which G4160she did.
37G1096And it came to pass G1161 G1722in G3588 G2250those days, G1473 G770she having
weakened, G1473 G599died. G3068And having
bathed G1161 G1473her, G5087they put G1722her in
G5253an upper
room.
38G1451[4near G11611And
G1510.63being
G*2Lydda]
G3588 G*Joppa, G3588the G3101disciples G191having heard G3754that G*Peter G1510.2.3is
G1722in G1473it, G649sent G1417two G435men G4314to G1473him G3870appealing for
him G3361to
not G3635be
reluctant G1330to
go G2193unto G1473them.
39G450And having risen up, G1161 G*Peter G4905came together G1473with them, G3739whom G3854having
arrived, G321they
led up G1519to G3588the G5253upper room. G2532And G3936there stood
beside G1473him G3956all G3588the G5503widows G2799weeping, G2532and G1925displaying G5509inner garments
G2532and G2440cloaks, G3745as many as G4160[2made
G33264with
G14735them
G1510.63 while being
G3588 G*1Dorcas].
40G1544[3having put G11611And
G18545outside
G39564all
G3588 G*2Peter], G5087having placed G3588 G1119his knees,
G4336he prayed. G2532And G1994having turned G4314to G3588the G4983body, G2036he said, G*Tabitha, G450rise up! G3588 G1161And G455she opened G3588 G3788her eyes, G1473 G2532and G1492seeing G3588 G*Peter, G339she sat erect.
41G1325And having given G1161 G1473to her G5495his hand,
G450he raised her
up, G1473 G5455and having
called G1161 G3588the G39holy ones G2532and G3588the G5503widows, G3936he presented G1473her G2198living.
Lydia hears Peter is in Joppa and sends people to go get
him. Peter puts the mourners out of the room, gets on his knees and prays. He
tells her to rise up. Peter is a fisherman by trade. He wasn’t of the Essenes, the
Zedeks, or the school of the Prophets. Technically, people would have said he
was uneducated, but here in Joppa, north and west of Jerusalem, Peter raises
Tabitha to life again.
Paul was stoned and left for dead in Lystra, Turkey. The
people were stirred up by Jews from Antioch and Iconium. But the disciples
raised him from the dead.
Acts 14:19G1904[3came G11611And
G5754from
G*5Antioch
G25326and
G*7Iconium
G*2Jews];
G2532and G3982having
persuaded G3588the
G3793multitudes,
G2532and G3034having stoned G3588 G*Paul, G4951they dragged
him G1854outside
G3588the G4172city G3543thinking G1473him G2348to have died.
20G2944[4having encircled G11611But
G14735him
G35882the
G31013disciples],
G450having risen
up, G1525he
entered G1519into
G3588the G4172city. G2532And G3588the G1887next day G1831he went forth G4862with G3588 G*Barnabas G1519unto G*Derbe.
Paul gives us an interesting account of what types of
physical abuse he endured.
2 Cor 11: 24G5259ByG*the JewsG3999five timesG5062[2forty strokesG38443saveG15204oneG29831I
received].
25G5151Three times G4463I was beaten with a rod; G530once G3034I was stoned; G5151three times G3489I was shipwrecked;
G3574night and
day G1722in G3588the G1037deep G4160I have spent;
26G3597in journeys G4178often; G2794in dangers G4215of rivers; G2794in dangers G3027of robbers; G2794in dangers G1537from G1085my race; G2794in dangers G1537from G1484nations; G2794in dangers G1722in G4172the city;
G2794in dangers G1722in G2047desolate places;
G2794in dangers G1722in G2281the sea;
G2794in dangers G1722among G5569false
brethren;
27G1722in G2873toil G2532and G3449trouble; G1722in G70sleeplessnesses
G4178often; G1722in G3042hunger G2532and G1373thirst; G1722in G3521fastings G4178often; G1722in G5592chilliness G2532and G1132nakedness.
Paul makes a point as to why this abuse is all worth it.
1 Cor 15:32G1487If G2596according to G444man G2341I fought with wild beasts G1722inG*Ephesus, G5100what G1473[2 is
it to me G3588 G37861benefit]
G1487if G3498the dead
G3756are not G1453raised? G2068We should eat G2532and G4095drink, G839for tomorrow G1063 G599we die?
Paul’s point is if the dead don’t eventually rise, rise up together seized by force, then
hey, let’s just party. How does Paul know the dead will really rise? Besides
revelation knowledge, Paul experienced some firsthand knowledge when he was
stoned and thrown out of the city of Lystra. He writes as if someone else arose,
and indeed the understanding is that without our mortal bodies we really are our
true selves. The Essenes understanding is that we only become our true selves
when we shed who we are in our earthly shell. So here Paul gives this account
of visiting the third heaven. We have studied Enoch’s levels of heaven and this
account and Enoch’s account seem to fit nicely. But Paul does not want to boast
of his prophetic experiences, instead he wants to make his boast in the
Lord. http://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2014/05/the-mysteries-of-heaven-heavenly.html
2 Cor 12: 1G2744To boast G1211indeed G3756is not G4851an advantage G1473to me; G2064for I will
come G1063 G1519unto G3701apparitions G2532and G602revelations G2962of the Lord.
2G1492I know G444a man G1722in G5547Christ G4253[3ago G20942years
G11801fourteen],
G1535(whether G1722in G4983body, G3756I do not G1492know; G1535or whether
G1623outside G3588the G4983body, G3756I do not G1492know, G3588 G2316God G1492knows) G726being seized by
force G3588 G5108was such
a one G2193unto G5154the third
G3772heaven.
3G2532And G1492I know G3588 G5108such G444a man, G1535(whether G1722in G4983the body, G1535or whether G1623outside G3588the G4983body, G3756I do not G1492know, G3588 G2316God G1492knows),
4G3754that G726he was seized by force G1519into G3588 G3857paradise, G2532and G191heard G731[2not
made known G44871sayings],
G3739which G3756is not allowed
G1832 G444for a man G2980to speak.
3857 παράδεισος paradeisos par-ad'-i-sos
Of Oriental origin (compare [H6508]);
a park, that is, (specifically) an Eden (place of
future happiness, “paradise”) KJV Usage: paradise.
Paul was seized by force into the third heaven, seized by
force into paradise. Jesus told the man on the cross next to him that that day
he would be with him in Paradise. 2 Ezra has some interesting words for us to
pay attention to.
2 Esd 7:48-59 O thou Adam, what hast thou done? for though
it was thou that sinned, thou art not fallen alone, but we all that come of
thee.49 For what profit is it unto us, if there be promised us an immortal
time, whereas we have done the works that bring death?50 And that there is
promised us an everlasting hope, whereas ourselves being most wicked are made
vain?51 And that there are laid up for us dwellings of health and safety,
whereas we have lived wickedly?52 And that the glory of the most High is kept
to defend them which have led a wary life, whereas we have walked in the most
wicked ways of all?53 And that there should be shewed a paradise, whose fruit
endureth for ever, wherein is security and medicine, since we shall not enter
into it?54 (For we have walked in unpleasant places.)55 And that the faces of
them which have used abstinence shall shine above the stars, whereas our faces
shall be blacker than darkness?56 For while we lived and committed iniquity, we
considered not that we should begin to suffer for it after death.57 Then
answered he me, and said, This is the condition of the battle, which man that
is born upon the earth shall fight;58 That, if he be overcome, he shall suffer
as thou hast said: but if he get the victory, he shall receive the thing that I
say.59 For this is the life whereof Moses spake unto the people while he lived,
saying, Choose thee life, that thou mayest live. KJV
This is the condition of the battle that humans fight. We
fight to enter paradise, and eternal life.
2 Esd 8:1 And he answered me, saying, The most High hath
made this world for many, but the world to come for few. KJV
Many walk in great pride, supposing they know everything
they need to know, until they are moments from death, and they realize they do
not have control of the future. Some may choke out a deathbed confession to
Jesus, but some may only declare “Rosebud” (Citizen Kane).
2 Esd 8:50-55 For many great miseries shall be done to them
that in the latter time shall dwell in the world, because they have walked in
great pride.51 But understand thou for thyself, and seek out the glory for such
as be like thee.52 For unto you is paradise opened, the tree of life is
planted, the time to come is prepared, plenteousness is made ready, a city is
builded, and rest is allowed, yea, perfect goodness and wisdom.53 The root of
evil is sealed up from you, weakness and the moth is hid from you, and
corruption is fled into hell to be forgotten:54 Sorrows are passed, and in the
end is shewed the treasure of immortality.55 And therefore ask thou no more
questions concerning the multitude of them that perish. KJV
Ezra was no different than most humans who want to know
what happens at death. Paul was seized by force into paradise. Then he came
back, not to boast about what God did for him, but to boast about God
himself. Jesus told us in his letters to
the seven churches that he would give the overcomer to eat of the tree of life
in the midst of paradise.
Rev 2:7G3588The one G2192having G3775an ear, G191hear G5100what G3588the G4151spirit G3004says G3588to the G1577assemblies! G3588To the one G3528overcoming, G1325I will give G1473to him G2068to eat G1537from G3588the G3586tree G3588 G2222of life, G3739which G1510.2.3is G1722in G3319the midst G3588of the G3857paradise G3588 G2316of my God. G1473
Paul forcibly went to the third heaven, he didn’t have a
choice. He saw Paradise and he heard rhema
that was inexpressible and it was not permitted for him to speak about. Paul’s
is the only account about what happened to the person during the time they were
dead who was then raised. Historical tradition says that Paul and Barnabas met
Lazarus, who had moved to Cypress around 33 AD to escape persecution from the
Jews. Because Lazarus went to Hades, (remember this was before Jesus set the
captives free) he never smiled again as he was saddened by what he saw in
Hades. http://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2016/05/killing-lazarus-snowballing-systemized.html
Lastly, Paul raises a young man from the dead in Troas,
located today on the Aegean Sea in Turkey.
Acts 20: 9G2521And there was sitting down G1161 G5100a certain G3494young one, G3686by name G*Eutychus, G1909by G3588the G2376window, G2702being sunk G5258[2sleep
G9011in
a deep]. G1256And
with Paul reasoning G3588 G* G1909for a long time, G4183 G2702having sunken G575from G3588the G5258sleep, G4098he fell G575from G3588the G5152third level G2736to below, G2532and G142was lifted up G3498dead.
10G2597And having descended, G1161 G3588 G*Paul G1968fell upon G1473him, G2532and G4843having wrapped
around him, G2036said, G3361Do not G2350make a disruption, G3588 G1063for G5590his life G1473 G1722[2in
G14733him
G1510.2.31is].
11G305And having ascended, G1161 G2532and G2806having broken G740bread, G2532and G1089having tasted,
G1909and for a
fit time G2425 G5037 G3656consorting G891until G827daylight, G3779thus G1831he went forth.
12G71And they brought G1161 G3588the G3816child G2198alive, G2532and G3870were comforted G3756not G3357moderately
This young man got sleepy at Paul’s preaching. Many people
nod off during intense learning. But this young man fell three stories, died,
Paul violently embraced him, threw his arms around him and brought him back
upstairs. The young man was left in the room while Paul continued to preach,
and then they all ate, and Paul preached some more, and then the young man came
back to life.
To recap what we have seen, there were eleven instances
that we looked at regarding people who died being raised from the dead. Many
more than eleven people rose up as we have the account of many in Jerusalem
coming out of the tombs upon Jesus’ death. Most of the accounts prior to Jesus’
death in the northern territory, and those were the people who believed on
Jesus, and saw him again after he rose. The people of Jerusalem/Judah saw the
rising of Lazarus, many dead people at Jesus’ death, and Jesus himself, yet
instead of responding like the people of the north, the Jews attempted to kill
Lazarus and bury the written documentation of Jesus and the others who rose. We
can see also that Paul was in Turkey and the Jews tried to kill him there too.
It is interesting to compare the attitudes of the people of the north to the
people of Judah. Yet the Pharisees as we previously learned, were fearful of
death because their future hinged on their own works. Today, for the believer
in Christ, we have the knowledge that there is no fear in death, and like
Stephen we can ask Jesus to receive our spirit, because Jesus ransomed us from
the grave.
