Who Will Be Resurrected?
SOMETHING very unusual occurred more than 3,500 years ago. Moses was caring for the sheep that belonged to the patriarch Jethro. Near Mount Horeb, Jehovah’s angel appeared to Moses in a flame of fire in the midst of a thornbush. “As he kept looking, why, here the thornbush was burning with the fire and yet the thornbush was not consumed,” relates the Exodus account. Then a voice called to him from the thornbush. “I am the God of your father,” the voice declared, “the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.” (Exodus 3:1-6) Later, in the first century C.E., those words were recalled by none other than God’s own Son, Jesus.
Jesus was having a discussion with some Sadducees, who did not believe in the resurrection. Jesus declared: “That the dead are raised up even Moses disclosed, in the account about the thornbush, when he calls Jehovah ‘the God of Abraham and God of Isaac and God of Jacob.’ He is a God, not of the dead, but of the living, for they are all living to him.” (Luke 20:27, 37, 38) By saying these words, Jesus confirmed that from God’s viewpoint the long-dead Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob still lived in God’s memory. Like Job, they await the end of their “compulsory service,” their sleep in death. (Job 14:14) In God’s new world, they will be resurrected.
Reflecting on the biblical accounts of resurrection, it’s fascinating to see how this hope has encouraged and sustained many through centuries. The story of Moses at the burning bush, where God identifies Himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, vividly illustrates that these patriarchs are alive to God, indicating life beyond death. In my own spiritual journey, grappling with the concept of resurrection has brought a profound sense of comfort and purpose. Knowing that death is not the end but a temporary sleep changes how one views life’s challenges and losses. Many believers find strength in Jesus’ affirmation to the Sadducees, where He stresses that God is not the God of the dead but of the living—reminding us that life is eternal. This perspective not only influences personal faith but also encourages a hopeful outlook for the future of humanity. The resurrection promise fuels efforts to live with righteousness and compassion, anticipating a new world where death and suffering are no more. Moreover, understanding the theological context—such as Job’s reference to death as a period of 'compulsory service'—adds depth to the resurrection hope. This aligns with a vision of justice and restoration, where those faithful will be raised to enjoy life in God’s new creation. For those seeking to comprehend the full scope of resurrection, it’s helpful to study these scriptures alongside community discussions and personal reflection. The resurrection is not just a distant event, but a foundational belief that influences ethics, community life, and individual purpose. Engaging with these ideas can lead to a transformative spiritual experience and a deeper appreciation of divine promises.
Amen