THE RESURRECTION HOPE IS SURE!

They Received Their Dead by Resurrection

In a thrilling review of the faith displayed by Jehovah's pre-Christian witnesses, the apostle Paul wrote:  "Women received their dead by resurrection."  (Hebrews 11:35; 12:1) One of those women was a poor widow in the Phoenician town of Zarephath.  Because she was hospitable to God's prophet Elijah, her flour and oil were miraculously sustained during a famine that would have claimed her life and that of her son.  When the child later died, Elijah laid him on a couch, prayed, stretched himself out upon the boy three times, and pleaded:  "O Jehovah my God, please cause the soul of this child to come back within him."  God did cause the soul,  or life, to come back within the boy.  (1 Kings 17:8-24)  Imagine that widow's joy as her faith was rewarded by the first recorded resurrection -that of her own dear son!

Another woman who received her dead by resurrection lived in the town of Shunem.  The wife of an aged man, she showed kindness to the prophet Elisha and his attendant.  She was rewarded with a son.  Several years later, however, she summoned the prophet, who found the boy dead  in her  home.  After Elisha prayed and took certain steps,  "gradually the child's flesh grew warm."  He began to sneeze as many as seven times, after which the boy opened his eyes."  This resurrection undoubtedly brought great joy to both the mother and her son.  (2 Kings 4:8-37; 8:1-6)  But  how much happier they will be when raised  to life on earth in the "better resurrection" -one that sets before them the possibility of never having to die again!  What a cause for  thankfulness to the loving God of resurrection, Jehovah! - Hebrews 11:35.

Even after Elisha's death and burial, God made  his bones powerful by holy spirit.  We read:  "As [certain Israelites] were burying a man, why, here they saw [ a Moabite]marauding band.  At once they threw the man into Elisha's burial place and went off.  When the [dead] man touched the bones of Elisha, he immediately came to life and stood upon his feet."  (2 Kings 13:20, 21)  How surprised and happy that man must have been!   Imagine the joy that will be experienced when  our loved one are raised  to life in harmony with the unfailing  purpose of Jehovah God!

Next time: God's Son Raised the Dead

Watchtower, 2000