Life Everlasting: On Death, Dying, and the Future Hope
Resurrections Before the Cross
Lesson #5 for October 29, 2022
Scriptures: Jude 9;Luke 7:11-17; 9:28-36; 1 Kings 17:8-24; Mark 5:35-43; John 11:1-44.
Hebrews 11:17-19: 17 It was faith that made Abraham offer his son Isaac as a sacrifice when God put Abraham to the test. Abraham was the one to whom God had made the promise, yet he was ready to offer his only son as a sacrifice. 18God had said to him, “It is through Isaac that you will have the descendants I promised.” 19Abraham reckoned that God was able to raise Isaac from death—and, so to speak, Abraham did receive Isaac back from death.CAmerican Bible Society. (1992). The Holy Bible: The Good News Translation* (2nd ed.,Hebrews 11:17-19). New York: American Bible Society [abbreviated as Good News Bible].†‡
[From the Bible study guide=BSG:] The first resurrection was of Moses (Jude 9,Luke 9:28–36). During Israel’s monarchy, the son of the widow of Zarephath (1 Kings 17:8–24) and the Shunammite’s son (2 Kings 4:18–37) also were resurrected. Christ, when here in the flesh, resurrected the son of the widow of Nain (Luke 7:11–17), Jairus’s daughter (Luke 8:40–56), and then Lazarus (John 11). Except for Moses, all these people were raised as mortals who eventually would die again. These cases also confirm the biblical teaching of the unconsciousness of the dead (Job 3:11–13;Ps. 115:17; Ps. 146:4; Eccles. 9:5, 10). In none of these accounts, nor in any other biblical resurrection narratives, is there any mention of a supposed afterlife experience.?Adult Sabbath School Bible Study Guide* for Sabbath Afternoon, October 22.†‡§
[BSG:] Some Greek Church Fathers from Alexandria argued that, when Moses died, two Moseses were seen: one alive in the spirit, another dead in the body; one Moses ascending to heaven with angels, the other buried in the earth. (See Origen, Homilies on Joshua 2.1; Clement of Alexandria, Stromata 6.15.) This distinction between the assumption of the soul and the burial of the body might make sense to those who believe in the Greek concept of the immortal soul, but the idea is not in the Bible. Jude 9 confirms the biblical teaching of the resurrection of Moses’ body, because the dispute was “about the body of Moses” and not about any supposed surviving soul.?Adult Sabbath School Bible Study Guide* for Sunday, October 23.‡§
[From the writings of Ellen G. White=EGW:] Christ Himself, with the angels who had buried Moses, came down from heaven to call forth the sleeping saint….
For the first time Christ was about to give life to the dead. As the Prince of life and the shining ones approached the grave, Satan was alarmed for his supremacy....
Christ did not stoop to enter into controversy with Satan.... But Christ referred all to His Father, saying, “The Lord rebuke thee.” Jude 9.... The resurrection was forever made certain. Satan was despoiled of his prey; the righteous dead would live again.—Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets* 478.2-478.4.†‡ [This is absolute proof that God/Christ Jesus can come down to this earth and resurrect the dead.]‡
Deuteronomy 34:1-4: 1 Moses went up from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo, to the top of Mount Pisgah east of Jericho, and there the LORD showed him the whole land: the territory of Gilead as far north as the town of Dan; 2the entire territory of Naphtali; the territories of Ephraim and Manasseh; the territory of Judah as far west as the Mediterranean Sea; 3the southern part of Judah; and the plain that reaches from Zoar to Jericho, the city of palm trees. 4Then the LORD said to Moses, “This is the land that I promised Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob I would give to their descendants. I have let you see it, but I will not let you go there.”?Good News Bible.*†
2 Kings 13:20-21: 20 Elisha died and was buried.
Every year bands of Moabites used to invade the land of Israel. 21Once, during a funeral, one of those bands was seen, and the people threw the corpse into Elisha’s tomb and ran off. As soon as the body came into contact with Elisha’s bones, the man came back to life and stood up.?Good News Bible.* [What do you think happened next?]‡
Acts 10:38: [Peter said:] “You know about Jesus of Nazareth and how God poured out on him the Holy Spirit and power. He went everywhere, doing good and healing all who were under the power of the Devil, for God was with him.”?Good News Bible.*‡
[EGW:] There were whole villages where there was not a moan of sickness in any house, for He had passed through them and healed all their sick. His work gave evidence of His divine anointing. Love, mercy, and compassion were revealed in every act of His life; His heart went out in tender sympathy to the children of men. He took man’s nature, that He might reach man’s wants. The poorest and humblest were not afraid to approach Him. Even little children were attracted to Him.—Ellen G. White, Steps to Christ* 11.2-12.0.†‡
Luke 7:11-17: 11 Soon afterwards Jesus went to a town called Nain, accompanied by his disciples and a large crowd. 12Just as he arrived at the gate of the town, a funeral procession was coming out. The dead man was the only son of a woman who was a widow, and a large crowd from the town was with her. 13When the Lord saw her, his heart was filled with pity for her, and he said to her, “Don’t cry.” 14Then he walked over and touched the coffin, and the men carrying it stopped. Jesus said, “Young man! Get up, I tell you!” 15The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother. [What do you think the people who were carrying the stretcher did when the man sat up?]
16 They all were filled with fear and praised God. “A great prophet has appeared among us!” they said; “God has come to save his people!”
17 This news about Jesus went out through all the country and the surrounding territory.?Good News Bible.*†‡
[EGW:] More than twenty miles from Capernaum, on a tableland overlooking the wide, beautiful plain of Esdraelon, lay the village of Nain, and thither Jesus next bent His steps. Many of His disciples and others were with Him, and all along the way the people came, longing for His words of love and pity, bringing their sick for His healing, and ever with the hope that He who wielded such wondrous power would make Himself known as the King of Israel. A multitude thronged His steps, and it was a glad, expectant company that followed Him up the rocky path toward the gate of the mountain village.
As they draw near, a funeral train is seen coming from the gates. With slow, sad steps it is proceeding to the place of burial. On an open bier carried in front is the body of the dead, and about it are the mourners, filling the air with their wailing cries. All the people of the town seem to have gathered to show their respect for the dead and their sympathy with the bereaved.
It was a sight to awaken sympathy. The deceased was the only son of his mother, and she a widow. The lonely mourner was following to the grave her sole earthly support and comfort. “When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her.” As she moved on blindly, weeping, noting not His presence, He came close beside her, and gently said, “Weep not.” Jesus was about to change her grief to joy, yet He could not forbear this expression of tender sympathy.
“He came and touched the bier;” to Him even contact with death could impart no defilement. The bearers stood still, and the lamentations of the mourners ceased. The two companies gathered about the bier, hoping against hope. One was present who had banished disease and vanquished demons; was death also subject to His power?
In clear, authoritative voice the words are spoken, “Young man, I say unto thee, Arise.” That voice pierces the ears of the dead. The young man opens his eyes. Jesus takes him by the hand, and lifts him up. His gaze falls upon her who has been weeping beside him, and mother and son unite in a long, clinging, joyous embrace. The multitude look on in silence, as if spellbound. “There came a fear on all.” Hushed and reverent they stood for a little time, as if in the very presence of God. Then they “glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited His people.” The funeral train returned to Nain as a triumphal procession. “And this rumor of Him went forth throughout all Judea, and throughout all the region round about.”?Ellen G. White, Desire of Ages* 318.1-5.†‡ [The miracle had taken place in Galilee, not Judea; however, word spread quickly even to Judea!]‡
[BSG:] The resurrections prior to Jesus’ own death and resurrection were not limited to any specific ethnic group or social class. Moses was perhaps the greatest human leader of God’s people ever (Deut. 34:10–12). By contrast, the poor Phoenician widow was not even an Israelite (1 Kings 17:9). The Shunammite woman was prominent in her community (2 Kings 4:8). The widow of Nain had only one son, upon whom she was probably dependent (Luke 7:12). In contrast, Jairus [whose daughter was raised to life by Jesus] was a ruler of the synagogue, probably in Capernaum (Mark 5:22). Regardless of their different cultural backgrounds or social status, all of them were blessed by God’s life-giving power.?Adult Sabbath School Bible Study Guide* for Wednesday, October 26.†‡§
Mark 5:21-24,35-43: 21 Jesus went back across to the other side of the lake. There at the lakeside a large crowd gathered round him. 22Jairus, an official of the local synagogue, arrived, and when he saw Jesus, he threw himself down at his feet 23and begged him earnestly, “My little daughter is very ill. Please come and place your hands on her, so that she will get well and live!”
24 Then Jesus started off with him. So many people were going along with Jesus that they were crowding him from every side….
35 While Jesus was saying this, some messengers came from Jairus’ house and told him [Jairus], “Your daughter has died. Why bother the Teacher any longer?”
36 Jesus paid no attention to what they said, but told him, “Don’t be afraid, only believe.” 37Then he did not let anyone else go on with him except Peter and James and his brother John. 38They arrived at Jairus’ house, where Jesus saw the confusion and heard all the loud crying and wailing. 39He went in and said to them, “Why all this confusion? Why are you crying? The child is not dead—she is only sleeping!”
40 They laughed at him, so he put them all out, took the child’s father and mother and his three disciples, and went into the room where the child was lying. 41He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha, koum,” which means, “Little girl, I tell you to get up!”
42 She got up at once and started walking around. (She was twelve years old.) When this happened, they were completely amazed. 43But Jesus gave them strict orders not to tell anyone, and he said, “Give her something to eat.”?Good News Bible.*†‡§
The comforting metaphor by which “sleep” stands for “death” seems to have been Christ’s favorite way of referring to this experience (see onJohn 11:11-15). Death is a sleep, but it is a deep sleep from which only the great Life-giver can awaken one, for He alone has the keys to the tomb (seeRev. 1:18; cf.John 3:16; Rom. 6:23).—Article onMark 5:39. In F. D. Nichol (Ed.). The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 5, 609.7. Washington, DC: Review and Herald Publishing Association. (1956).† [See alsoMatthew 9:24 andLuke 8:52.]‡
John 11:25-26: 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me will live, even though they die; 26and all those who live and believe in me will never die. Do you believe this?”?Good News Bible.*†
[EGW:] In Christ is life, original, unborrowed, underived. “He that hath the Son hath life.”1 John 5:12. The divinity of Christ is the believer’s assurance of eternal life. “He that believeth in Me,” said Jesus, “though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die. Believest thou this?” Christ here [inJohn 11:25-26] looks forward to the time of His second coming. Then the righteous dead shall be raised incorruptible, and the living righteous shall be translated to heaven without seeing death. The miracle which Christ was about to perform, in raising Lazarus from the dead, would represent the resurrection of all the righteous dead. By His word and His works He declared Himself the Author of the resurrection. He who Himself was soon to die upon the cross stood with the keys of death, a conqueror of the grave, and asserted His right and power to give eternal life.—Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages* 530.3.†‡
[BSG:] Many writers over the centuries have written about the futility of a life that ends always in death. Along with other living creature’s [sic]—chickens, beavers, oysters, et cetera—we all die. However, for humans, in a sense our predicament is worse than for the animals, because we know that we are going to die. (SeeEccles. 9:5.) Chickens, beavers, and oysters don’t. Why, then, is the promise of the resurrection so crucial to us??Adult Sabbath School Bible Study Guide* for Friday, October 28.†‡§
[EGW:] Many expected to hear from Lazarus a wonderful account of scenes witnessed after death. They were surprised that he told them nothing. He had nothing of this kind to tell. Inspiration declares, “The dead know not anything.... Their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished.”Ecclesiastes 9:5, 6. But Lazarus did have a wonderful testimony to bear in regard to the work of Christ. He had been raised from the dead for this purpose. With assurance and power he declared that Jesus was the Son of God.?Ellen G. White, Desire of Ages* 557.4-558.0.†‡
Think of this situation.
[BSG:] If someone called and asked, “Is Sally there?” you might answer, “Yes, but she’s sleeping.” If, however, someone called and asked, “Is Sally there?” you are not going to answer, “Yes, but she’s dead.” Why not? What does this teach us about the nature of death??Adult Sabbath School Bible Study Guide* for Friday, October 28.‡
Deuteronomy 34:5-6: 5 So Moses the servant of the Lord died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the Lord.
6 And he buried him in a valley in the land of Moab, over against Beth-peor: but no man knoweth of his sepulchre unto this day.?King James Version.*
A special resurrection precedes Christ’s second advent. “All who have died in the faith of the third angel’s message” will arise at that time. In addition, those who beheld with mockery Christ’s crucifixion, and those who have most violently opposed the people of God, will be brought forth from their graves to see the fulfillment of the divine promise and the triumph of truth (see GC 637;Rev. 1:7).—Article onDaniel 12:2. In F. D. Nichol (Ed.), The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 4, 878.9. (1955).†
©2022, Kenneth Hart, MD, MA, MPH. Permission is hereby granted for any noncommercial use of these materials. Free distribution of all or of a portion of this material such as to a Bible study class is encouraged. *Electronic version. †Bold type is added. ‡Brackets and content in brackets are added. §Italic type is in the source. [email protected]
Last Modified: September 8, 2022
Lesson 1: Rebellion in a Perfect Universe
Ken Hart
58:30 | Oct. 01, 2022
Lesson 2: Death in a Sinful World
Ken Hart
58:30 | Oct. 08, 2022
Lesson 3: Understanding Human Nature
Ken Hart
58:30 | Oct. 15, 2022
Lesson 4: The Old Testament Hope
Ken Hart
58:30 | Oct. 22, 2022
Lesson 6: He Died for Us
Ken Hart
58:30 | Nov. 05, 2022
Lesson 7: Christ's Victory Over Death
Ken Hart
58:30 | Nov. 12, 2022
Lesson 8: The New Testament Hope
Ken Hart
58:30 | Nov. 19, 2022
Lesson 9: Contrary Passages?
Ken Hart
58:30 | Nov. 26, 2022
Lesson 10: The Fires of Hell
Ken Hart
58:30 | Dec. 03, 2022
Lesson 11: End-Time Deceptions
Ken Hart
58:30 | Dec. 10, 2022
Lesson 12: The Biblical Worldview
Ken Hart
58:30 | Dec. 17, 2022
Lesson 13: The Judging Process
Ken Hart
58:30 | Dec. 24, 2022
Lesson 14: All Things New
Ken Hart
56:30 | Dec. 31, 2022
Lesson 6: Laying Up Treasure in Heaven
Ken Hart
58:30 | Feb. 11, 2023
Lesson 5: Dealing With Debt
Ken Hart
58:30 | Feb. 04, 2023
Lesson 4: Offerings for Jesus
Ken Hart
58:30 | Jan. 28, 2023
Lesson 3: The Tithing Contract
Ken Hart
58:30 | Jan. 21, 2023
Lesson 2: God's Covenant With Us
Ken Hart
58:30 | Jan. 14, 2023
Lesson 1: Part of God's Family
Ken Hart
58:30 | Jan. 07, 2023
Lesson 13: Christ in the Crucible
Ken
58:30 | Sep. 24, 2022
Lesson 12: Dying Like a Seed
Ken
58:30 | Sep. 17, 2022
Lesson 11: Waiting in the Crucible
Ken Hart
58:30 | Sep. 10, 2022
Lesson 10: Meekness in the Crucible
Ken Hart
58:30 | Sep. 03, 2022
Lesson 9: A Life of Praise
Ken Hart
58:30 | Aug. 27, 2022
Lesson 8: Seeing the Invisible
Ken Hart
58:30 | Aug. 20, 2022