15-11-24 1 Cor 15 The Doctrine of the Resurrection CLICK TITLE FOR AUDIO
The doctrine of the resurrection is not a doctrine that began with Jesus Christ but it is definitely a doctrine that was fulfilled in Jesus.
The resurrection is basically the doctrine that reverses the physical effects of the sin of Adam – the result of his sin was death [Rom 5:12; Gen 3:19] and corruption of creation [Rom 8:19-25] – the resurrection provides the way for saints who have died to live again.
Abraham knew of the resurrection [Gen 22:5; Heb 11:17-19]. Abraham told the young men that traveled with him that he and the lad would return to them. Abraham believed the resurrection was fairly instantaneous. More like the resurrection of Jesus Christ, this resurrection actually typifies the resurrection of Jesus.
Job knew of the resurrection [Job 19:25-27]. Job knew that it was a physical resurrection. He said “worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God.” That’s a new body. Job knew this resurrection would take place at the latter day.
Ezekiel knew and preached the bodily resurrection [Ezek 37:1-14]. Ezekiel wrote around 573 BC and he prophesied that when this resurrection took place David would be king over Israel [Ezek 37:24, 34:23-24]. David had been dead for 442 years by this time. And he was still in the tomb in Acts 2:29. Ezekiel knew that the divided kingdoms would be united at this time [Ezek 37:15-17]. This resurrection takes place at the beginning of the millennial reign of Jesus.
Isaiah prophesied of the resurrection – Is 26:12-21 – the time of this resurrection is the millennial reign of Jesus – see v.19 for the resurrection.
Daniel knew there would be a resurrection – Dan 12:2 – but his understanding of the resurrection was that of the final resurrection as before the white throne judgment Rev 20:11-15. Jesus spoke of this resurrection in Jn 5:28-29. Martha believed in the resurrection “at the last day,” [Jn 11:24]
Moses knew of the resurrection – Lk 20:37-38 – When Jesus contended with the Sadducees, who deny the resurrection [Lk 20:27] he explained that even Moses knew of the resurrection – see Ex 3:6 – Jesus said that Moses called him the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob – that is Moses wrote what God said and thus agreed with the revelation that God gave of himself here.
None of these saints that died in the Old Testament could come up out of their graves until Jesus died and rose again, though, because in him is eternal life [1 Cor 15:21-22]. Death reigned [Rom 5:14, 17; 1 Cor 15:26]. Notice some of them arose after his resurrection [Matt 27:50-53]. That’s probably why the devil disputed with Michael about the body of Moses in Jude 9. Concerning the two Old Testament exceptions of Enoch and Elijah, neither of them died. Concerning the body of Moses, he will die again in the Tribulation [Rev 11]. Thus, Jesus is the firstborn from the dead [Col 1:18].
Furthermore, until Jesus ascended to heaven the souls of the Old Testament saints were in Abraham’s bosom [Lk 16:19-31; Eph 4:8]. They went up at his ascension on the morning of his appearance after his resurrection [Jn 20:16-17; Matt 28:7-9].
In spite of all the prophecies, when Jesus told his disciples that he would rise in three days they didn’t know what to make of that saying [Mk 9:32; Matt 16:21]. Oddly, the thief on the cross got it [Lk 23:42]. Even when the disciples heard that he was risen they were still in unbelief [Mk 16:9-14]. But once these unbelieving disciples got it [Acts 1:3] by many infallible proofs, they were willing to die for what they believed. Peter figured it out by Acts 2 and understood then what David meant in Ps 16:8-11. So did Paul, once he knew for sure that Christ was up. It was the rising in three days that threw them off – they were looking for something further out in time like Martha was.
New Testament Christians are spiritually risen with Christ when we are saved [Eph 2:6]. Our spirits and souls go to heaven the moment that we die [2 Cor 5:8]. We do not bodily rise until the rapture [1 Cor 15:50-55; 1 Thes 4:13-18].