Originally posted by robbie carrobie
well this raises a whole series of questions, the idea for example, that a part of our make-up transcends death, for if Lazarus transcended death, why did Christ bring him back from paradise to die again, for a second time. It makes no sense. Secondly if persons from the so called old testament, did not go to heaven, then clearly not all good people go to heaven, do they.
Only the faithful went to paradise.
Why did Jesus bring Lazarus back to life?
John 11
4When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.
15And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him.
25Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
26And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
27She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.
40Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God.
41Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me.
42And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.
45Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him.
As far as I can tell the answer is in these verses.
But you think dead means dead? Don't you? You may be right, but what difference does it make to the dead? If dead means complete unconscienceness, then as soon as one that was dead is resurrected, as far as they are conserned not a moment past.