Resurrection In Context #1
/by Oscar M. Baker
We propose to take up some of the favorite texts used by proponents of universal resurrection and reincarnation and put them in context, as well as carefully testing the meanings.
1. Isaiah 26:14. They are dead, they shall not rise: therefore hast Thou visited and destroyed them, and made all their memory to parish. The context is in the verse before, and these dead folks are lords who had had dominion over Israel. The usual answer is that these are the Canaanites, the false seed. This is partly right. However, in Judges we find that other lords were those from Mesopotamia, Moabites, Midianites, and Philistines, as well as others over the years. Not all of these are the false seed, for even Abram came from Mesopotamia. But all these were unbelievers. So they die without hope.
2. Daniel 12:2. 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. Verse 1 makes it plain that all these are of Israel. nations have no place in this prophecy. And not even all Israel will awake, but just many. And as usual, these believers are divided into 2 classes, just and unjust. Or profitable and unprofitable servants. No place here for universal resurrection.
3. John 5:28,29. Marvel not at this; for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear His voice, 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. You will note that this is the same as you find in Dan. 12:2. Those awake because they have life; these hear His voice because they have life. The sheep hear the voice of their own shepherd. So those that hear are His. Graves are sepulchers or remembrance-places. These are the dead that God remembers (see Job 14:13). And we have here the same 2 classes as in Daniel 12:2. There is nothing to indicate that this is either a reincarnation or resurrection of unbelievers, but those who have life. And as to whether these are all raised at the same time, or possible 1,000 years apart, you judge.
4. Acts 23:6,8. Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and the resurrection of the dead I am called in question…For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both. There is little use to dwell long on this text. These here resurrected have a hope. The ungodly or unbelievers have no hope. These folks knew very well that only Israel had a resurrection-hope. Paul was in chains later for that hope. (Acts 28:20). For references, see Isaiah 66:8; John 11:25, 26; 1Cor. 15:50-55; 1Thess. 4:13-17; Rev. 11:15, 17, 18; 20:4-6, So far, we have not found any evidence that there will be a universal resurrection.
Truth For Today Reprints Bk 4, pg 42
