Bible Discussion Thread

Verse 5 Wasn't Lazarus the first to be raise from the dead before Jesus ?

Jesus was the "first of the firstfruits" i.e. the first to be resurrected into a glorified; eternal body. It is interesting to note; that He still bears the scars from the crucifixion; which will make Him unique in heaven having any marks like that. The other resurrections such as Lazarus were only temporary still in the old bodies. This fits in with the principle of Hebrews 9:27. It would appear that at least Elijah although taken by God since He must return in the Tribulation to die that He is protected but not yet in his eternal body. Enoch we don't know about; although keeping with man destined to die once then face the judgment; and Christ being the first of the firstfruits; we could easily assume that he is the 2nd witness who must die in the Tribulation.

Note that there were many that came out of their graves AFTER Christ rose; this would be a preliminary firstfruits to our resurrection and/or rapture to come as well as others in the Tribulation. Christ is our head; hence the rest of the Body is to follow.

Cheryl,

There ae other instances in the bible of people being raised from the dead. The first is found in 1 Kings 17:17-24.