Resurrection Review

Step into the fascinating realm of biblical prophecy and fulfillment as we delve into a topical Bible study examining the recorded and predicted resurrections throughout Scripture. From the resurrection of Jesus Christ to the prophesied resurrection of the dead, join us on a journey to uncover the profound significance and timeless truths woven into these miraculous accounts.

Hebrews 9:27

And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, (use)

Genesis 2:17

but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die. (use)

Genesis 5:24

Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him. (use)

2 Kings 2:11

And as they still went on and talked, behold, chariots of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. (use)

Psalm 133:3

It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion! For there the LORD has commanded the blessing, life forevermore. (use)

Ecclesiastes 3:11

He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. (use)

1 Samuel 28:11

Then the woman said, "Whom shall I bring up for you?" He said, "Bring up Samuel for me." (use)

Matthew 17:3

And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him{Jesus}. (use)

What is death?

Nature's way of reminding you that health foods don't work.

Fearman,. 2007. Death. Urban Dictionary.
fearman-2007-death~a1

Changing medical technology poses new problems for our old standards of what constitutes death.

Sarbey, B., 2016. Definitions of death: brain death and what matters in a person.
sarbey-2016-definitions~a1

...the legal definition of death in the UK is merely the judicial application of the current medical definition of death.

Wicks, E., 2017. The Legal Definition of Death and the Right to Life.
wicks-2017-legal~a1

...you're dead when a doctor says so...

The Uniform Determination of Death Act. 1981.

Job 14:14

If a man dies, shall he live again? All the days of my service I would wait, till my renewal should come. (use)

Job 19:26

And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God, (use)

Mark 12:18

And Sadducees came to him, who say that there is no resurrection. And they asked him a question, saying, (use)

John 5:29

and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment. (use)

The fury of the resurrected atheist: that would be something worth seeing. [pg. 64]

Barnes, J., 2008. Nothing to be Frightened of.
barnes-2008-nothing~a3

1 Corinthians 15:55

O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? (use)

We stand where earth and heaven meet, where life is brought to death, and death is made the gate to glory.

Church of England., 2022. Service of Thanksgiving.
coe-2022-thanksgiving~a1

Uncertain

Jonah

Jonah 1:17

And the LORD appointed a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights. (use)

Jonah 2:10

And the LORD spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah out upon the dry land. (use)

Matthew 12:40

For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. (use)

Paul

Acts 14:19–20

But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and entered the city, and on the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe. (use)

Future

Revelation 13:3

One of its{beast} heads seemed to have a mortal wound, but its mortal wound was healed, and the whole earth marveled as they followed the beast. (use)

Probable

Resurrection of Jairus' daughter

Mark 5:41

Taking her by the hand he said to her, "Talitha cumi," which means, "Little girl, I say to you, arise." (use)

Mark 5:39

And when he had entered, he said to them, "Why are you making a commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but sleeping." (use)

In conclusion, the classical visions of three legendary people by the names of Er of Pamphylia, Aridaeus-Thespesius of Soli, and Timarchus of Chaeronea, as relayed in the writings of Plato and Plutarch, meet modern criteria sufficiently to qualify as credible examples of ancient NDEs.

Van der Sluijs, M., 2009. Three ancient reports of near-death experiences: Bremmer revisited. Journal of Near-Death Studies, 27(4), p.223. pg. 251
van-2009-three~a1

...yet this too is a tale of a hero, Er the son of Armenius, a Pamphylian by birth. He was slain in battle, and ten days afterwards, when the bodies of the dead were taken up already in a state of corruption, his body was found unaffected by decay, and carried away home to be buried. And on the twelfth day, as he was lying on the funeral pile, he returned to life...

Plato,. 375BC. The Republic.
plato-375-republic~a1

Daniel 12:2

And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. (use)

John 11:11

After saying these things, he said to them, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to awaken him." (use)

John 11:14

Then Jesus told them plainly, "Lazarus has died," (use)

1 Thessalonians 4:13

But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. (use)

But Christianity is not just a useful lifeboat for stranded intellectuals. If it isn't literally true, it isn't valuable. Whether Jesus Christ actually rose from the dead matters.

Brierley, J., 2024. A Christian revival is under way in Britain.
brierley-2024-christian~a2

Certain

Historical

Resurrection of the widow's son in Zarephath

1 Kings 17:17–22

After this the son of the woman, the mistress of the house, became ill. And his illness was so severe that there was no breath left in him. And she said to Elijah, "What have you against me, O man of God? You have come to me to bring my sin to remembrance and to cause the death of my son!" And he said to her, "Give me your son." And he took him from her arms and carried him up into the upper chamber where he lodged, and laid him on his own bed. And he cried to the LORD, "O LORD my God, have you brought calamity even upon the widow with whom I sojourn, by killing her son?" Then he stretched himself upon the child three times and cried to the LORD, "O LORD my God, let this child's life come into him again." And the LORD listened to the voice of Elijah. And the life of the child came into him again, and he revived. (use)

See the power of prayer and the power of him that hears prayer, who kills and makes alive.

Henry, M., 1896. Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on the Whole Bible. UK. 1 Kings
mhcom-1-kings~17v22a

...this is the first instance of anyone being raised from the dead; this Satan has imitated; hence the many fabulous stories with the Heathens of persons being raised to life after death...

Gills, J., 1748. Exposition of the Bible Commentary.
gills-1748-exposition~1-kings17v22

Resurrection of the Shunammite's son

2 Kings 4:32-37

When Elisha came into the house, he saw the child lying dead on his bed. So he went in and shut the door behind the two of them and prayed to the LORD. Then he went up and lay on the child, putting his mouth on his mouth, his eyes on his eyes, and his hands on his hands. And as he stretched himself upon him, the flesh of the child became warm. Then he got up again and walked once back and forth in the house, and went up and stretched himself upon him. The child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes. Then he summoned Gehazi and said, "Call this Shunammite." So he called her. And when she came to him, he said, "Pick up your son." She came and fell at his feet, bowing to the ground. Then she picked up her son and went out. (use)

This scene also shows that prophets not only are preachers of sin and repentance; they also are agents of God's healing mercy and kind compassion.

House, P.R., 1995. 1, 2 Kings. New American Commentary series.
house-1995-12kings~2-kings-4v35

Resurrection of the man thrown into Elisha's grave

2 Kings 13:20-21

So Elisha died, and they buried him. Now bands of Moabites used to invade the land in the spring of the year. And as a man was being buried, behold, a marauding band was seen and the man was thrown into the grave of Elisha, and as soon as the man touched the bones of Elisha, he revived and stood on his feet. (use)

Since Elisha was dead there was no question that the power was Yahweh's, not the prophet's.

Constable, T., 2022. Expository Notes.
constable-2022-expository~2-kings-13v21

What other glory consumes like fire What other power can raise the dead What other name remains undefeated Only a Holy God

CityAlight, 2016. Only a Holy God.
cityalight-2016-only~a2

Resurrection of the young man at Nain

Luke 7:14

Then he came up and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, "Young man, I say to you, arise." (use)

It may well be that here we have a miracle of diagnosis; that Jesus with those keen eyes of his saw that the lad was in a cataleptic trance and saved him from being buried alive, as so many were in Palestine.

Barclay, W., 1953. Daily Study Bible.
barclay-1953-dsb~luke-7v14

Resurrection of Lazarus

John 11:38–44

Then Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. Jesus said, "Take away the stone." Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, "Lord, by this time there will be an odor, for he has been dead four days." Jesus said to her, "Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?" So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, "Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me." When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out." The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, "Unbind him, and let him go." (use)

he calls him by his name, not only as being his friend, and known by him, but to distinguish him from any other corpse that might lie interred in the same cave; and he bids him come forth out of the cave, he being quickened and raised immediately by the power which went forth from Christ as soon as ever he lifted up his voice; which showed him to be truly and properly God, and to have an absolute dominion over death and the grave.

Gills, J., 1748. Exposition of the Bible Commentary.
gills-1748-exposition~john-11v43

Resurrection of unknown saints during the crucifixion

Matthew 27:52–53

The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many. (use)

Another and more difficult question is, What became of those saints afterwards? For it would appear to be absurd to suppose that, after having been once admitted by Christ to the participation of a new life, they again returned to dust. But as this question cannot be easily or quickly answered, so it is not necessary to give ourselves much uneasiness about a matter which is not necessary to be known.

Calvin, J., 1555. Commentary.
calvin-1555-com~matthew-27v52

Resurrection of Christ

Matthew 28:1–6

Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay." (use)

In summary, given the age of these traditions concerning Christ's appearances and Paul's personal contact with the people involved, there would appear to be little doubt that these persons really did experience something and that they described it as Jesus's appearing to them alive from the dead.

Craig, W.L., 2024. Assessing the New Testament Evidence for the Historicity of the Resurrection of Jesus. pg.61
craig-2024-assessing~a7

Resurrection of Tabitha/Dorcas

Acts 9:36–42

Now there was in Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which, translated, means Dorcas. She was full of good works and acts of charity. In those days she became ill and died, and when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him, urging him, "Please come to us without delay." So Peter rose and went with them. And when he arrived, they took him to the upper room. All the widows stood beside him weeping and showing tunics and other garments that Dorcas made while she was with them. But Peter put them all outside, and knelt down and prayed; and turning to the body he said, "Tabitha, arise." And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. And he gave her his hand and raised her up. Then, calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive. And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. (use)

I admire the diligence of Peter, in being here, and there, and everywhere, at the call of the Lord's people, and in the Lord's service. The Apostle felt, what every faithful minister of Jesus ought to feel; that when embarked in the Lord's service, his time and talents, yea, his very life is not his own. And that service where he can be most useful, is the very spot where he should be always found. Hence from the bed of Eneas to the chamber of Tabitha, and from Lydda to Joppa, Peter hastens for employment.

Hawker, R., 1805. Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary.
hawker-1805-poor~acts-9v36

Resurrection of Eutychus

Acts 20:7–12

On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and he prolonged his speech until midnight. There were many lamps in the upper room where we were gathered. And a young man named Eutychus, sitting at the window, sank into a deep sleep as Paul talked still longer. And being overcome by sleep, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead. But Paul went down and bent over him, and taking him in his arms, said, "Do not be alarmed, for his life is in him." And when Paul had gone up and had broken bread and eaten, he conversed with them a long while, until daybreak, and so departed. And they took the youth away alive, and were not a little comforted. (use)

Although Christianity teaches of the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come, attempts to literally resurrect dead bodies are unusual in the religion.

Griffith, K., 2019. GoFundMe campaign for Christian couple who are seeking to resurrect their dead two-year-old daughter with prayer raises them more than $50,000.
griffith-2019-gofundme~a1

Future

Matthew 24:24

For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. (use)

Revelation 13:14

and by the signs that it is allowed to work in the presence of the beast it deceives those who dwell on earth, telling them to make an image for the beast that was wounded by the sword and yet lived. (use)

1 Thessalonians 5:21

but test everything; hold fast what is good. (use)

Resurrection of the Church

1 Thessalonians 4:13–18

But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words. (use)

1 Corinthians 15:23

But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. (use)

Resurrection of the Two Witnesses

Revelation 11:7–11

And when they have finished their testimony, the beast that rises from the bottomless pit will make war on them and conquer them and kill them, and their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city that symbolically is called Sodom and Egypt, where their Lord was crucified. For three and a half days some from the peoples and tribes and languages and nations will gaze at their dead bodies and refuse to let them be placed in a tomb, and those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them and make merry and exchange presents, because these two prophets had been a torment to those who dwell on the earth. But after the three and a half days a breath of life from God entered them, and they stood up on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them. (use)

Resurrection of OT Saints and Martyrs

Revelation 20:4

Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. (use)

Daniel 12:2

And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. (use)

Resurrection of the Wicked

Revelation 20:5

The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection. (use)

Evidently Jesus will bring all the elect together. This implies the resurrection of Old Testament saints (Dan. 12:2) and Tribulation saints who have died (Rev. 6:9-11). Probably Christians, specifically saints of the Church Age who have gone to heaven at the Rapture or by death, will return with Him (1 Thess. 4:17). Saints living on the earth when Jesus returns will also assemble to Him (cf. Matt. 25). Jesus pictured all believers converging to Him at His Second Coming—whether alive or dead, on earth or in heaven. He will become the universal center of attention, and then He will begin reigning. Unbelievers will not experience resurrection until the end of Jesus' millennial reign (Rev. 20:7-15).

Constable, T., 2022. Expository Notes.
constable-2022-expository~mark-13v27

On that bright and cloudless morning when the dead in Christ shall rise, And the glory of his resurrection share; When his chosen ones shall gather to their home beyond the skies, And the roll is called up yonder, I'll be there.

Black, J.M., 1893. When the roll is called up yonder.
black-1893-when~v2

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow; Because He lives, all fear is gone; Because I know He holds the future, And life is worth the living just because He lives!

Gaither, B., 1971. Because He lives.
gaither-1971-because~a1