by ithinkisee 12 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
Someone used this logic in a talk about the "resurrection hope" at the Kingdom Hall last week:
"If people go to heaven, then when Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead then does that mean Jesus grabbed Lazarus back from heaven and put him back in his body?"
How would those in this forum respond to this?
Thanks in advance,
-ithinkisee
No, I think he was dead. When you are dead, you are dead.
What makes the story of Lazarus interesting (besides the obvious), is the background of Jewish belief. Some of the Jews believed that the soul lingered near the body for 3 days, until they went to their final reward. Previously, when Jesus raised the dead, they had been expired for a very short period of time. Therefore, it could be reasoned by some that Jesus miracle wasn't that big of a deal, since the soul was nearby and could have reunited with it's body on it's own accord (yeah, like that's stretching it....whatever). Anyhow, if you recall, from the time that Jesus heard about his friend Lazarus, until he finally showed up, over three days later, it was obvious he was trying to make a point - this 'raising' was going to be like no other. This corpse was decaying and the spirit was 'ought of here' (so to speak). The raising of Lazarus from the dead was unique, in that it finally laid to rest (excuse the pun) any feeble notion that Jesus' power was not Devine.
"If people go to heaven, then when Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead then does that mean Jesus grabbed Lazarus back from heaven and put him back in his body?"
The witnessing jews at that time believe just that.
According to JWs when you die you cease to exist. Therefore, there was nothing to grab back except the body. So, at the most, you would have Lazarus' body, but a new re-created Lazarus inside.
"IF........." Always the big "IF"
carmel
( Alma 40:Heading - 12)
CHAPTER 40
Christ bringeth to pass the resurrection of all men?The righteous dead go to paradise and the wicked to outer darkness to await the day of their resurrection?All things shall be restored to their proper and perfect frame in the resurrection. About 74 B.C.
1 NOW my son, here is somewhat more I would say unto thee; for I perceive that thy mind is worried concerning the resurrection of the dead.
2 Behold, I say unto you, that there is no resurrection?or, I would say, in other words, that this mortal does not put on immortality, this corruption does not put on incorruption?until after the coming of Christ.
3 Behold, he bringeth to pass the resurrection of the dead. But behold, my son, the resurrection is not yet. Now, I unfold unto you a mystery; nevertheless, there are many mysteries which are kept, that no one knoweth them save God himself. But I show unto you one thing which I have inquired diligently of God that I might know?that is concerning the resurrection.
4 Behold, there is a time appointed that all shall come forth from the dead. Now when this time cometh no one knows; but God knoweth the time which is appointed.
5 Now, whether there shall be one time, or a second time, or a third time, that men shall come forth from the dead, it mattereth not; for God knoweth all these things; and it sufficeth me to know that this is the case?that there is a time appointed that all shall rise from the dead.
6 Now there must needs be a space betwixt the time of death and the time of the resurrection.
7 And now I would inquire what becometh of the souls of men from this time of death to the time appointed for the resurrection?
8 Now whether there is more than one time appointed for men to rise it mattereth not; for all do not die at once, and this mattereth not; all is as one day with God, and time only is measured unto men.
9 Therefore, there is a time appointed unto men that they shall rise from the dead; and there is a space between the time of death and the resurrection. And now, concerning this space of time, what becometh of the souls of men is the thing which I have inquired diligently of the Lord to know; and this is the thing of which I do know.
10 And when the time cometh when all shall rise, then shall they know that God knoweth all the times which are appointed unto man.
11 Now, concerning the state of the soul between death and the resurrection?Behold, it has been made known unto me by an angel, that the spirits of all men, as soon as they are departed from this mortal body, yea, the spirits of all men, whether they be good or evil, are taken home to that God who gave them life.
12 And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of those who are righteous are received into a state of happiness, which is called paradise, a state of rest, a state of peace, where they shall rest from all their troubles and from all care, and sorrow.
This is a simple question:
The hudred and fourty four thousand who are destined for heaven were only selected after Jesus died... Lazarus died for the first time before Jesus did... therefore he was not in heaven he was dead... awaiting ressurection to earth.
My question is: which death counts? the first one which makes him part of the "earthly class" or the second which would make him part of the "heavenly class"?
-Krystal
Yes. He was with the rich man and Abraham.
Whoever raised that dumb question obviously hadn't read any nde (near death experiences). A few of those could edify him, but i doubt if they would. People like that have their agenda, and they don't want other possibilities to derail them.
S
My question is: which death counts? the first one which makes him part of the "earthly class" or the second which would make him part of the "heavenly class"?
That's easy! It is the second death. The first resurrection was not one to eternal life.
