| Author | Message | ||
| Black_sheep Registered user Username: Black_sheep Post Number: 11 Registered: 11-2006 |
Still trying to break free from the soul sleep mentality but how do we explain what happened to Lazarus? | ||
| Dljc Registered user Username: Dljc Post Number: 367 Registered: 7-2010 |
The people therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of his grave, and raised him from the dead, bare record. For this cause the people also met him, for that they heard that he had done this miracle. The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him. (John 12:17-19) For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. (James 2:26) If Lazarus was dead as Scripture says he was, one would have to ask where was the spirit? The quote from James shows the spirit is no longer in the body if it's dead. Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: (For we walk by faith, not by sight  We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. (2 Corinthians 5:6-8) So if we are walking by faith and not by sight, when we pass from this life to the next, Scripture shows we are present with the Lord. Where is He? Heaven. So although Lazarus was raised from the dead, he wasn't given his immortal body that comes when the Lord returns. So Lazarus died again at a later date that is not mentioned in the Bible, as it's not as important as the miracle Jesus performed in raising him from the dead. He was dead for 4 days and stunk, it wasn't a coma he was in. Decomposition of his body had started to happen. I have talked to one SDA who has said, "God wouldn't send him back from heaven, God is love and that wouldn't be showing love". But look at the passage I quoted first, the pharisees wanted to kill Lazarus because of the "walking" testimony that he was for Jesus. Hope this helps. (Message edited by dljc on February 27, 2011) | ||
| Asurprise Registered user Username: Asurprise Post Number: 1720 Registered: 7-2007 |
The apostle Paul mentioned how he or someone he knew (probably himself) went to Heaven "whether in the body or out of the body, I do not know" and returned. 2 Corinthians 12:2-4. I've read where someone died and then was revived, and while they were dead they went to Heaven, but then Jesus told them it wasn't yet time for them to come, so they were sent back. (I know Adventists would paint all such things as "deception" though.) Here's another place where it talks about going to Heaven when one dies.... Philippians 1:21-24 "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account." | ||
| Hec Registered user Username: Hec Post Number: 1634 Registered: 3-2009 |
OK. I'll try and get corrected. Before Jesus resurrection, the spirit of the dead went to Sheol/Hades. There were two compartments in Sheol, one for the lost and one for the saved. See Luke 16. After Jesus resurrection, Jesus took the part for the saved which was called paradise or Abraham's bosom to heaven with him. So before Jesus resurrection the spirits of the believers went to Sheol. That's where Lazarus went. After Jesus resurrection the spirit of the believers went to heaven (paradise) and that's where Lazarus went the second time he died. Hec | ||
| Animal Registered user Username: Animal Post Number: 870 Registered: 7-2008  |
Asurprise stated..... "I've read where someone died and then was revived, and while they were dead they went to Heaven, but then Jesus told them it wasn't yet time for them to come, so they were sent back. (I know Adventists would paint all such things as "deception" though.)" Question...How could Heaven make such a mistake??..Couldnt happen in a million years is my opinion. ...Animal>>>How can Heaven make a mistake??? | ||
| Asurprise Registered user Username: Asurprise Post Number: 1722 Registered: 7-2007 |
I didn't say it was a mistake. God does everything for a reason. The person was simply told that it wasn't yet time. If they saw Heaven, it was for a reason - just like in the Apostle Paul's case. (I'm sure Paul wanted to STAY in the worst way!) | ||
| Markmartin Registered user Username: Markmartin Post Number: 46 Registered: 8-2007 |
Lazarus would not have been in heaven, he would have been in "Paradise, or Abraham's" the same place the righteous "Lazarus" of Jesus teaching we refer to as The Rich Man and Lazarus was after he died. Before Jesus rose from the dead Paradise was in the lower parts of the earth (compare Luke 23:43 with Eph. 4:7-10). After Jesus' resurrection Paradise was taken to heaven, evidenced by Paul being caught up to Paradise in 2 Corinthians 12:1-4. I've ministered to several people who had the same experience as your friend and it dramatically changed their lives and I have absolutely no doubt that what they experienced was real. | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 12293 Registered: 12-2003  |
Also, Mark, you pointed out last weekend that the Greek underlying the word translated "death" is thanatos (if I have the spelling correct..!). The meaning of this word is "to separate". Death is the separation of the body and the spirit. It is not a ceasing to exist. Colleen | ||
| Rossbondreturns Registered user Username: Rossbondreturns Post Number: 106 Registered: 10-2009  |
While Lazarus was not in Heaven then I believe he's certainly there now. From the moment of Jesus first fruits appearance before the throne those in Abraham's Bosom moved to Heaven to be with Christ. | ||
| Skeeter Registered user Username: Skeeter Post Number: 1292 Registered: 12-2007 |
"From the moment of Jesus first fruits appearance before the throne those in Abraham's Bosom moved to Heaven to be with Christ." Can you please tell me where to find proof of this in the Bible ? Is it there, or is it something we assume ? Because I have a friend who believes when we die we still go to "paradise/ Abrahams bosom" and will not go to Heaven until Christ returns for the resurrection of our earthly bodies.I need a place in the Bible to show Paradise is now in Heaven and not still the place where they are able to see across the chasm to those in Hell. If Paradise "moved" did Hell also move someplace else? + why or why not ? (Message edited by skeeter on March 06, 2011) |
