02.49. The Resurrection of the Dead
LESSON XLIX--The Resurrection of the Dead.
What were the opinions of the Sadducees and the Pharisees in reference to the resurrection of the dead? Acts 23:8. On what ground did the Sadducees deny it? Ans.--They held that it was not taught in the Old Testament, and that it would involve strife in regard to marriage. See Matthew 22:23-28. Did any of the Old Testament saints actually believe in a resurrection? Hebrews 11:35. Will you quote a passage from the Old Testament in which the resurrection is plainly predicted? Daniel 12:2. What does Paul say as to the connection of life and immortality with the gospel? 2 Timothy 1:10. How could this be true, if the future life was taught in the Old Testament? Ans.--The Old Testament taught it obscurely; but the gospel brought it into clear light.
Who, according to Paul, was the first to rise from the dead? Acts 26:23. How does he express the same idea in another place? 1 Corinthians 15:20. How can this be true, seeing that Christ himself raised persons from the dead, and that some were raised from the dead by the Old Testament prophets? Ans.--Christ was the first who rose to die no more. All the others died a second time.
Quote a statement from Jesus which affirms the resurrection of the dead. John 5:28-29. According to this passage who is it that will raise the dead? When will the resurrection take place? 1 Corinthians 15:23. Who will be the first to rise? 1 Thessalonians 4:16. As soon as the dead saints arise, what will become of the living saints? 1 Thessalonians 4:17. What shall occur to the living saints before they are caught up? 1 Corinthians 15:51-52.
What will be heard in the sky just previous to the resurrection? 1 Thessalonians 4:16. What shall become of the earth and the visible heavens? 2 Peter 3:10. How did the scene appear to John in vision? Rev. xx: 11. By whom will Jesus be accompanied? Matthew 25:31. From these passages state the order of the events accompanying the resurrection of the just? When will the wicked be raised before, or after the saints? Will they be raised before or after the destruction of the world? Ans. Revelation on the subject is not clear: it is supposed by many that the living wicked will be burned up in the conflagration of the world, and that then all the wicked will be raised and called to the judgment.
State the points of difference between the bodies we now have, and those which we will have in the resurrection. 1 Corinthians 15:42-44. What shall our resurrected bodies be like? 1 John 3:2. Describe how Jesus appeared to the eyes of John. Revelation 1:13-15.
If the souls of the righteous are happy between death and the resurrection, what need is there for a resurrection? Ans.--The soul of man, having been created to exercise its powers of action and enjoyment through a body, cannot attain to its highest bliss and glory without a body.