Expert: Rev Philip Dacre - 8/20/2007

Question
Mt. 27:52,53 refers to many saints being raised from the dead and then going into the holy city, and appeared to many. How come this isn't mentioned in any other gospels if it was witnessed by many? Are there any other scriptures that prophesy or concur with this event? Would this qualify as the firstfruits, or is only christ the firstfruit? In light of Heb.9:27, what became of these saints?

Answer
Dear Greg,

In all my years as an expert and the thousands of questions i have been asked, yours is the first one concerning this issue. Yet to me it is the most amazing piece of information ever.

That dead people were raise with Christ and wandered around Jerusalem for a while.  Also that anyone recognized them, there being no photos in those days.

It is both fascinating and weird, but mostly fascinating. There is nothing to say it is the first fruits, but obviously it must have been. Whether these people had real bodies or not, we are not told but obviously they were being relocated and Christ was taking them with him to His Paradise ( as He promised the thief on the cross). The dead zone in Abraham, was down though not a place of torments, as we are told. But in Christ this would be up skyward in His Paradise.

The judgement of the believers still has not come and we are left to speculate on much concerning this advent. Assuming that these bodies were real human flesh and bone bodies then this  must be the first resurrection.

Remember there is a resurrection first and then judgement later. SO Christ took these believers with Him. They must have died first. This is our other assumption.

Taking scripture fundamentally we would see a new place for the dead other than in Abraham. In Christ, up some where in Paradise before the coming judgement of all souls. Only that these were resurrected souls into their bodies.

It is the only scripture dealing with this issue and it is unique and i have never had anyone question me about this in 25 years of full time ministry, so you have definitely had a revelation Greg. Well done.

These kind of scriptures are very encouraging and enlightening. They show the enormity of what Christ achieved, though heaven rarely broadcasts it achievements.

Its a great pity it is alone and no other supporting scriptures.

God bless Greg