This gets into soul sleep. But that's another discussion for another day. For sake of argument, let us say you are right. They are simply "dead". No more physical activity, no more mind activity at all.
I suppose I would be willing to concede that much. But a day will come... when both the righteous and the wicked will be resurrected.
Hello
@B-A-C,
Yes, Praise God! ' ... there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.' (Act 24:15b) (
see also Hebrews 11:35)
John 5:28; "Do not marvel at this; for an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs will hear His voice,
John 5:29; and will come forth; those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment.
Acts 24:15; having a hope in God, which these men cherish themselves, that there shall certainly be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked.
The word resurrection isn't in the old testament anywhere.
It was an unknown concept it seems. However in the New Testament, it's mentioned quite a bit. ( Over 40 times )
* No, it was not an unknown concept. For Paul in Acts 24:15 pointed out that his countrymen believed in a resurrection of the dead. As did Martha in John 11:24: and the O.T. saints in Hebrews 11.
1Cor 15:13; But if there is no resurrection of the dead, not even Christ has been raised;
1Cor 15:14; and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain.
When does this happen? On the "last day". (There are different interpretations of what that means).
John 6:39; "This is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day.
John 6:40; "For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day."
John 6:44; "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day.
John 6:54; "He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.
So it may be.. that you are correct, they are simply "dead". But they won't stay that way.
A lot of thing were revealed in the New Testament, that the prophets of the old testament never knew.
* No, Praise God! They will not stay that way, they will be raised: Some to face judgment and the second death, and others to life everlasting.
* Paul said:-
'That I may know Him,
and the power of His
resurrection, (exanastasis)
and the fellowship of His sufferings,
being made conformable unto His death;
If by any means I might attain unto
the resurrection of the dead.'
(Php 3:10-11)
* This word translated
'resurrection', used by Paul, here in Philippians 3, is not found anywhere else in Scripture, it means, '
out-resurrection', out from among the dead: whereas, the term, '
the resurrection of the dead' (anastasis nekron) is used frequently and includes the resurrection to life also of the just and the unjust. There would be no doubt of Paul attaining to that. This resurrection 'from' the dead implies the resurrection of some, with others being left behind, as in the case of the first of the two resurrections mentioned in Revelation 20:5-6 for example. This, Paul is unsure of attaining to. Perhaps, as in the case of the first of the two resurrections of Revelation 20, it required the ultimate sacrifice, of loving not their lives unto death, for the word of God, and the witness of Jesus.
'But the rest of the dead lived not again
until the thousand years were finished.
This is the first resurrection.
Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection:
on such the second death hath no power,
but they shall be priests of God and of Christ,
and shall reign with Him a thousand years.'
(Rev 20:5-6)
* Well, Paul did endure unto the end, as a faithful witness of the risen Lord, and so I have no doubt that he will attain unto that '
out-resurrection', out from among dead ones of Philippians 3, whenever that takes place.
* His life is now hid with Christ in God, awaiting His appearing, when he Paul also will appear with Him (Colossians 3:4), along with all who love His appearing (2 Timothy 4:8).
Praise God!
Thank you,
In Christ Jesus
Chris