THE EXTENT OF THE RESURRECTION

EXTENT OF THE RESURRECTION

• In the Old Testament

The OT knows nothing about a "General Resurrection"

The Old Testament teaches Resurrection only for the Righteous "thy people" (including Messiah)

See Dan. 12:2 cf. vs. 1. suggests an exception.

"And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt."

"And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which stands for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book."

 But Resurrection of Unrighteous is in OT by implication

 Doctrine of Judgment - Eccl. 12:14 "Whether it be good or evil."

"For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil."

• Doctrine of Man as soul and body
• In the Inter-Testament Literature

Resurrection for both Righteous and Unrighteous. Cf. I.S.B.E. --Unrighteous in Enoch 22:11, Baruch 50:2, 2 Esdra 5:45, 7:32

Even here we find no "General Resurrection"

•  In the New Testament

Resurrection for both Righteous and Unrighteous - Acts 24:15 "Resurrection of just and unjust."

"And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust."

 Only one exception - Righteous living at Second Coming of Christ.

1 Cor. 15:51 "Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,"

Matt. 13:43, 49 "Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear." "So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just,"

Matt. 25:46 "And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal."

 Resurrection for Unrighteous demanded by NT doctrine of Final Judgment

John 5:29 "And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation."

Rev. 20:12 "And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works."