#124: A Comment and Reply Worthy of Publishing

Jemuhammad@aol.com wrote:

YOU, WHO BELIEVE LITERALLY IN THE PHYSICAL RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD, MUST REMEMBER THE BIBLE [REV. 14:4 ] TEACHES THAT THE FIRST RIGHTEOUS TO BE SAVED [THE 144, 000 ] ARE REDEEMABLE FROM AMONG MEN,NOT OUT OF THE GRAVE . SURELY, THERE IS A RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD,BUT NOT THE PHYSICALLY DEAD IN THE GRAVEYARD. IT IS THE MENTALLY DEAD, THE IGNORANT, WHOM THE DEVILS' FALSEHOOD HAS KILLED TO THE KNOWLEDGE OF TRUTH, THE DEVINE TRUTH.THIS TRUTH MUST NOW BE PREACHED TO THEM TO AWAKEN THEM INTO THE KNOWLEDGE OF HIM AGAIN. WHAT ABOUT THE PEOPLE WHO DIED BEFORE THE FLOOD AND AFTER ? EVEN ADAM ? THEY HAVE NOTHING TO RISE FROM . REMEMBER, THE OLD TESTAMENT [THE TORAH] DOSEN' T TEACH OF A RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD, ACCORDING TO JOB [7:9], WHEREIN IT SAYS "HE THAT GOETH DOWN TO THE GRAVE SHALL COME UP NO MORE." HE MUST BE RIGHT AS WE ,YOU JAY AND I HAVEN'T SEEN ONE COME UP YET FROM THE GRAVE THAT WAS REALLY DEAD. SURELY, IF IT HAD MEANT A PHYSICAL DEATH GOD WOULD HAVE TAUGHT IT TO ADAM, NOAH, ABRAHAM AND MOSES AND ALL THE ANCIENT PROPHETS WOULD HAVE HAD A KNOWLEDGE OF IT, EVEN JOB, BUT NOT SO IS THE CASE. THINK ON THIS MY BROTHER, WHY A [HERE] AFTER AND NOT [THERE] AFTER? WHY A PROMISE [LAND] NOT PROMISE [SKY].AND ONE MORE THING , WHY WHEN JESUS TAUGHT THE DISIPLES TO PRAY HE SAID ON [EARTH] AS IT IS IN HEAVEN. I THINK WERE IN HELL RIGHT NOW, SOME OF US THAT IS. PLEASE RESPOND AND FILL FREE TO POST THIS COMMENT YOUR BROTHER AND FRIEND BRO.JEFF

Dear Sir: Thank you for your interesting comments. As far as I can gather, the point you are Biblically attempting to make is that the dead are not physically raised; do you mean the bones and other remains that lay in the grave? I am not certain what I believe, although I can’t speak for others. Let me throw a few verses at you—not to change your beliefs, but so you can mentally/spiritually chew on them for a while and tell us what they imply/mean. I will start with Matthew 27:52-53, “The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs, and after Jesus’ resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many holy people.” John 5:28. "Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when ALL who are in the graves will hear his voice will come out–those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned.” [emphasis added]. Another exception is in the account of Lazarus’ death, in John 11th chapter. After four days in the grave, do you think Lazarus’ body would start to give off a foul odor, as in verse 39?

To tell you the truth, however the dead are raised, from the grave or another place, or by some other means, it isn’t worth my/your time to make an issue out of it. Nevertheless, as you well know, there are many verses that say the dead will rise. Where or how or when is insignificant.

As to your last comment: Will we be on a solid earth or in the sky? Again, who cares? Those of us who are the Lords will be with Him wherever He is, or wherever He desires.

Thanks for your interest in this spiritual blog. Keep checking on me and others. God bless you in the midst of these terrible times. Some of us are so used to what is happening around us that it may seem the norm/status quo. But it isn't. Things are getting really bad and quickly. That should be a clue to all that the end may not be far away. My suggestion is to read the New Testament and comply with what is commanded, regardless of how absurd it may sound.