Little Lamb, Thanks for your reply. Let me comment on one aspect of it.
Concerning anyone who was brought back to life before Christ would not be included in a permanent resurrection. Christ Himself had to be the first born of the dead.
Those brought back from the dead before Christ was raised, were to show that the power of His Father, and the Holy Spirit were in/with him, proving beyond any doubt that he was who He said He was, "Sent from God."
We know that the Jews put a great deal of emphasis on signs, wonders, and miracles. They unlike Christians did not live by faith, and God knew this.
I will comment on Heb.9:27-28, and its text a little later.
Cubinity wrote, "It doesn't say anything about those bodies being animated by the lives of their original owners, does it?"
Phil replies, "Welllll lets see. They were buried just outside Jerusalem. They walked into Jerusalem. They had to be Jews, or from the family of Seth. Why? Because their called saints. No man from Adam to Christ would not be resurrected unto eternal life unless they believed in the One true God.
Last comment, If they were not animated by the lives of their original owner, then who. It seems like your comparing it to some form of reincarnation, where the life of a person, or thing comes back in another form.
Optimax wrote, "They are OT saints. People who looked forward to the coming of the Messiah.
Let me say first, I never like to close the door on any future events discribed in the Bible. Its more fun, because I am still learning, and because of present day events going. I have discovered that once I consider a subject closed, it difficult to reopen that door to let in new ideas.
Phil replies, "To your answer, I agree."
Optimax wrote, "Doesn't say how long they were on earth, possibly the 40 days that Jesus was."
Phil replies, "Agreed, but it also does not say they did not stay. Play with the idea that they stayed; and if this were true, for what purpose could the Lord use them here on earth for the past 1900 years, if at all?
Have you ever heard of any event when men, or women who were involved in, or witnesses any event, claim to have seen people dressed in white, having come to their aid, or even saved their lives, then disappeared. All this when there seemed to be no hope for them?"
Optimax wrote, "Yes they were taken to heaven, they would be the only ones in heaven with a glorified body except Jesus."
Phil replies, "If what you say is true, I agree."
Optimax wrote, "They are not the 144,000 as they do not show up until the trib time."
Phil replies, "True that they are not seen until the tribulation, but if those raised from the grave in Matt.27, did remain to do a special work for the Lord, they would be present already. When the time was right, they are ready to be identified, as in to be marked, to be made know to all.
If these were who I claim they may be, then Rev.14:4-5, would make more sense.
1. The 144,000 were not defiled with women.
2. They were virgins. Virgins here is,
Masculine. Rev.14:4, "They are virgins," as in chaste, pure, who have not known women; or else as unmarried for the sake of greater devotedness to Christ, Compare with,
1 Cor.7:32-33, "He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord." with, "He that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife."
Seems like an impossible task for any single man today to accomplish not knowing a woman, to be virgin, dedicating to nothing, or no-one else but Christ, not to mention 144,000. Just a thought.
Phil LaSpino
