Real Hope for Your Loved Ones Who Have Died - LEARNING FROM THE RESURRECTION ACCOUNTS

 

The Bible teaches that "the dead know nothing at all." (Ecclesiastes 9:5) They are not alive and have no conscious existence anywhere.  The account of Lazarus confirms this. Upon returning to lifer, did Lazarus thrill people with descriptions of heaven? Or did he terrify them with horrible tales about a burning hell?  No.  The Bible contains no such words from Lazarus.  During the four days that he was dead, he knew "nothing at all."  Lazarus had simply been sleeping in death. - JOHN 11:11.

The account of Lazarus also teaches us that the resurrection is a reality, not a mere myth.  Jesus raised Lazarus in front of a crowd of eyewitnesses.  Even the religious leaders, who hated Jesus, did not deny this miracle.  Rather, they said: "What are we to do, for this man [Jesus] performs many signs?" (John 11:47) Many people went to see the resurrected man. As a result, even more them put faith in Jesus.  They saw in Lazarus living proof that Jesus was sent by God.  This evidence was so powerful that some of the hardhearted people religious leaders planned to kill both Jesus and Lazarus. -JOHN 11:53; 12:9-11.

Is it unrealistic to accept the resurrection as a fact?  No, for Jesus taught that someday "all those in the memorial tombs " will be resurrected.  (John 5:28)  Jehovah is the Creator of life. Should it be hard to believe that he can re-create life? Of course, must would depend on Jehovah's memory. Can he remember our dead loved ones? Countless trillions of stars fill the universe, yet God knows the name of each one! (Isaiah 40:26) So Jehovah God can remember our dead loved ones in every detail, and he is ready to restore them to life.

Next time: Real Hope for Your Loved Ones Who Have Died - LEARNING FROM THE RESURRECTION ACCOUNTS

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