Why would Jesus have to come resurrect the dead if they're in heaven?

Question

John 14
2. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
3. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
the resurrection of the saints

And Isn't God the only one with immortality?

1 Timothy 6:15-17
15. Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;
16. Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.
17. Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;

Why would Jesus have to come resurrect the saints if they're in heaven?

Answer 1

The resurrection of Christ is a physical resurrection of the body. If he were to only have the spirit go to heaven, the empty tomb would not be necessary. The resurrection unites the body with the spirit. Elijah and Moses did not die so they were present on the Mount of Transfiguration. Others who died went to the bosom of Abraham to await the resurrection.

Answer 2

Sadly, both so-called "questions" have invalid premises.

The questioner's supposed quote from John 14:2,3 pretends to teach that the dead were already in heaven at the time Jesus spoke those words. Yet neither this bible passage nor any other comes close to implying that ANYONE accended to heaven before Jesus Christ did, after Christ's impalement.

(John 3:10-13) Jesus said to him: “...Moreover, no man has ascended into heaven but he that descended from heaven, the Son of man [Jesus].

(Hebrews 9:8-12) Thus the holy spirit makes it plain that the way into the holy place [heaven] had not yet been made manifest while the first tent was standing [that is, while still in pre-spirit flesh]. 9 This very tent is an illustration... They were legal requirements pertaining to the flesh... 11 However, when Christ came as a high priest of the good things that have come to pass, through the greater and more perfect tent not made with hands, that is, not of this creation, 12 he entered [heaven], no, not with the blood of goats and of young bulls, but with his own blood, once for all time into [heaven] the holy place and obtained an everlasting deliverance for us.

Ironically, the very passage that this questioner uses for his first point continues with words that prove that the idea of going to heaven is a new one to Jesus' disciples:

(John 14:5) Thomas said to [Jesus]: “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How do we know the way?”


The premise of the questioner's second point is even more poorly reasoned. He pretends that the Scriptures teach that only Almighty God is immortal. In actuality, everyone (include Jesus Christ) who is resurrected to heavenly life receives immortality.

(1 Corinthians 15:50-53) I say, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit God’s kingdom, neither does corruption inherit incorruption... 53 For this which is corruptible must put on incorruption, and this which is mortal must put on immortality

(Isaiah 25:8) [Almighty God] will actually swallow up death forever, and the Sovereign Lord Jehovah will certainly wipe the tears from all faces.


Learn more:
http://watchtower.org/library/w/2000/10/1/article_02.htm
http://watchtower.org/library/w/2002/6/1/article_01.htm

Answer 3

That is a very good question, although somewhat flawed. I think excellent proof that humans don't go to heaven can be found in the account of the Resurrection of Lazarus, beginning in John 11:11. Lazarus was a friend of Jesus, who became ill and died. When learning this,Jesus went to the tomb of his friend and resurrected him. If Lazarus had been in heaven, why would Jesus bring him back to life on earth, where he could suffer? does that sound like a loving thing to do? No. Also, Lazarus, never made mention of being in heaven.
As for the second part of your question, I don't really understand what you mean. to learn more about death and immortality please speak to your local congregation of Jehovah' witnesses or click http://www.watchtower.org

Answer 4

Jesus is coming back to judge. Then, to take all that have followed Him to Heaven. Jesus, God and the Holy Spirit have been from the beginning. Our souls will last forever either in Heaven or Hell.

Answer 5

The resurrection of the dead refers to the raising of the body and the reuniting of the soul. The souls of the righteous dead are in Heaven until the Rapture (or the Second Coming, depending on what you believe), and then Christ will reunite them with their glorified, resurrected bodies.

And as far as the second question is concerned, when we are resurrected, we will "be like Him." That means we will share in Christ's immortality since we will share His nature.

Answer 6

1Cor.15:22; As in adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive Acts 24:15; John 5:26-29; Dan.12:2; Psm.104:29,30; Rev.20L1-6; 12,13;

Answer 7

He resurrected the dead to prove the things he can do. I'm sure Jesus is immortal too. lol

Answer 8

they wait in the graves. not in heaven. and i dont think its jesus who does the resurrecting. its the angel Israfil.

the angel was the first to have life and the last. he's the one who takes away the souls of everyone. and in the end God takes his after he's finished with his job.

Answer 9

When we die, we go to purgatory to cleanse our souls and look over the sins we have done. THEN at the end of time, we are sent to Heaven by Jesus. Saints don't have to go to purgatory. They go straight from their graves to Heaven at the end of time. Thats what I've always been taught.

Answer 10

What is meant by 'resurrecting the dead' is saving their souls from Hell. After, Jesus died he went and preached to all the souls of the people who had died up to that point. It was their turn to hear his word and wheter or not they accepted it was a condition of their entry into heaven. Ressurection was simply a reference to accepting Jesus' word.