Bible Studies

PAULS RESURRECTION THESIS

by Jeff Van Hatten
07/22/21
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No Resurrection Say the Sadducees
Acts 23:6 – “Now when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, ‘Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. It is with respect to the hope and the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial’.”
During much of Paul’s ministry he categorically refuted the false teaching of the Sadducees which stated that “there is no resurrection of the dead” (Matthew 22:23, Mark 12:18, Luke 20:27, Acts 23:8). Yeshua also refuted that false teaching (Matthew 22:23-34, Mark 12:18-27, Luke 20:27-37, Luke 14:14, John 5:29, 11:25), as did Peter and John (Acts 4:1-3, Acts 4:33).

Paul addresses the resurrection in Romans Chapter 6, saying: Just as “the Messiah was raised from the dead, likewise we too might live a new life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will also be united with him in a resurrection like his” (Romans 6:4-5). We see Paul refuting the Sadducees’ false teaching when speaking to philosophers in Athens (Acts 17:18, Acts 17:31). Just before the Roman soldiers rescued him from the crowd and took him to their barracks, we once again find Paul engaging in that same argument over whether there is a resurrection or not (Acts 23:6-10) which he later explains to Felix, the Governor (Acts 24:15, Acts 24:21; Acts 26:6).

1 Corinthians Chapter 15
1 Corinthians 15:51-52 – “Not all of us will die! But we will all be changed! It will take but a moment, the blink of an eye, at the final shofar. For the shofar will sound, and the dead will be raised to live forever, and we too will be changed.”
Paul’s PhD dissertation, his doctoral Thesis (if you will), is found in Chapter 15 of First Corinthians. He starts his thesis saying Yeshua was resurrected, seen by Peter, then the twelve, and then by over 500 (v 4-6). Continuing on, he says last of all he himself saw the resurrected Yeshua (v 8). In verse 12 he proclaims if Yeshua has been raised then how dare you continue to teach a lie saying there is no resurrection! But, he continues, the fact is that Yeshua has been raised from the dead (v 20). Verse 29 has Paul being a bit sarcastic and asking why people bother being immersed (baptized) for those who are dead if there is no resurrection.

When asked “In what manner are the dead raised? What sort of body do they have?” Paul acerbically replies “Stupid! When you sow a seed, it doesn’t come alive unless it first dies” (v 35). And then goes on to describe the overall process, culminating in his most quoted and memorable summation in verses 51-52.

Paul succinctly refutes the Sadducees false teaching that “there is no resurrection”. He says, in essence: “Not only is there a resurrection, here's how it happens [in the twinkling of an eye], and here's when it happens [at the Last Trump].”

It is those two verses that introduces us to the words atomos [G823 ἄτομος] and rhipe [G4493 ῥιπή] which together mean: in the instantaneous, indivisible blink of an eye, which today we define as a split-second or nanosecond of time. Our bodies will instantly become immortal and incorruptible, or as some put it: Glorified.

It’s Not About The (Pre-Tribulation) Rapture
I am about to rattle some cages, upset some carts, and ruffle some feathers, so fasten your seatbelts.

The words used in the Newer Covenant describing a seizing, snatching, or carrying away are:
G726 ἁρπάζω harpazo – to seize, carry off by force, to snatch out or away, to claim for one’s self eagerly
G305 ἀναβαίνω anabaino – to ascend, to go up, to rise, mount, be borne up, spring up
G359 ἀνάλυσις analusis – a dissolving (into separate parts), a departure (as a ship from its moorings)
G867 ἄφιξις aphixis – (properly) arrival, (by implication) departure
G1841 ἔξοδος exodos – to exit, depart (from life), one’s final fate, to become deceased
G4872 συναναβαίνω sunanabaino – to ascend at the same time, come up together with to a higher place
Not one single word used to describe the Rapture [seizing, snatching, or carrying away] can be found in the entire chapter of 1 Corinthians 15. Neither are they found in the entire book of First Corinthians. The word harpazo is the single word of these six words which is found only in Second Corinthians.

The words used in the Newer Covenant describing a disappearing, becoming invisible, or vanishing:
G853 ἀφανίζω aphanizo – to snatch out of sight, to put out of view, to make unseen, to cause to vanish away
G854 ἀφανισμός aphanismos – to disappear, to vanish
G855 ἄφαντος aphantos – taken out of sight, to become invisible, vanished
Not one single word used to describe someone or something disappearing, becoming invisible, or vanishing can be found in the entire chapter of 1 Corinthians 15. Neither are they found in the entire books of First or Second Corinthians.

No matter how fully you deny it, no matter how rattled, upset, or ruffled you have become, Paul’s dissertation in First Corinthians Chapter 15 does not address the Rapture – it only addresses the Resurrection and Glorification of our bodies, both of which do take place before the Tribulation Period.

The Resurrection is NOT the (Pre-Tribulation) Rapture
I am about to even more fully rattle some cages, upset some carts, and ruffle some feathers, so hang onto your hats.

The resurrection is NOT the rapture according to Paul, even though the change from mortal to immortal, corrupted to incorruptible takes place in a twinkling of an eye at the moment of the sounding of the shofar simultaneous to the resurrection of those who have died in Yeshua (1 Corinthians 15:52). His teaching on this is found in 1 Thessalonians Chapter 4.

1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 – “We who remain alive when Yeshua comes will certainly not take precedence over those who have died. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a rousing cry, with a call from one of the ruling angels, and with Yahweh’s shofar; those who died united with the Messiah will be the first to rise; then we who are left still alive will be caught up with them in the clouds to meet Yeshua in the air; and thus we will always be with him.”

Paul starts his teaching reminding everyone that if Yeshua has been raised, then so will the dead (vv 13-14). He states in verse 15: “we who are alive, who are left until the coming of Yeshua, will surely not go ahead of those who have fallen asleep” and repeats it differently in verse 16, stating: “the dead in Yeshua will rise first.” The living do not get raptured before the dead.

In other words, when Yeshua returns, the first thing that takes place is the change of body type to Glorified Body for both the living and the dead, and the resurrection of the dead in that same moment. These are the only two events that take place simultaneously. The living do not need to be resurrected, only changed from mortal to immortal, corrupted to incorruptible! Once the dead have risen, then and only then do both the previously dead and the still living in their glorified bodies ascend together to meet Yeshua in the clouds (v 17).

Paul clearly states there is a sequence: first the change to Glorified Body for both the dead and living members of the Bride of Yeshua accompanied by a simultaneous resurrection of the dead members, second the gathering together and then the rapture, both of which do take place before the Tribulation Period. The Resurrection / Change to Glorified Body and The Rapture are not the same event.

Conclusions
1 Corinthians Chapter 15 is Paul’s succinct teaching on the how, when, and veracity of the change from mortal to immortal and the resurrection of the Dead in Yeshua. Our bodies, whether dead in the grave, or still living will instantly become immortal, and the dead will rise at that same time. 1 Corinthians Chapter 15 is Paul’s PhD dissertation and thesis, if you will, on the change and resurrection – not the rapture. Paul clearly states there is a sequence: first change of the body to a glorified body for both living and dead, and the resurrection of the Dead in Yeshua, second the rapture of both previously dead and still living.  Both events, however, do take place before the Tribulation Period. Resurrection and Rapture are not the same event.

The rapture is not addressed in the Corinthians passage – not one single word used in the Newer Covenant can be found in the entirety of Chapter 15. Applying the rapture up to the clouds to the change and resurrection is eisegesis, not exegesis – it is dividing the word of Yahweh wrongly, not rightly. Stating that the resurrection of the dead is the rapture, or that they both take place in an instant is not what scripture teaches, no matter how assiduously one denies it.

Final Thought
The prophetic signs are burgeoning and not abating. Misperceptions continue to be taught. Time is incredibly short – Yeshua Ha’Mashiach is coming soon – so be of great cheer, keep looking up, and keep maintaining an attitude of gratitude. Be sure you are believing The Truth, not The Lie. Be sure Yeshua is your Redeemer, King, and High Priest, and your sins are forgiven.