Archaeological proof of Christ's AD 70 bodily return

[3 Resurrections]

You have adopted the heretical teaching of Hymenaeus and Philetus

2 Ti 2:18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.

No, you fail to understand why Hymenaeus and Philetus were teaching a past resurrection in those days. They were correct in one respect - Christ actually HAD already been raised from the dead in the past, along with the many Matthew 27:52-53 saints coming out of their graves that same day and being seen of many. That was called "the FIRST resurrection", and included all those "FIRST-fruits" raised on the same day back in AD 33.

But these two men Hymenaeus and Philetus were also teaching that there would be no further expectation of another resurrection to come for the rest of the children of God who would die as believers. THIS is what was discouraging the saints in those first-century days. Paul had to write to correct that mistaken teaching, in both 1 Thessalonians 4 and in 1 Corinthians 15:22-24, that there would be more than just that one past "First-fruits" resurrection. There would be two more resurrection events to follow in consecutive order on the timeline.

1) Rv 1:7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.

2) 1 Th 4:16-17 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

3) Rv 19:11-16 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND Lord OF LordS.

These events above were all fulfilled in the second resurrection event which Paul listed in 1 Cor. 15:22-24. We now at present await the final THIRD bodily resurrection event in our future at "THE END, when He shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father, and shall have put down all rule, and authority and power..."

 

[IndianaRob]

No, you fail to understand why Hymenaeus and Philetus were teaching a past resurrection in those days. They were correct in one respect - Christ actually HAD already been raised from the dead in the past, along with the many Matthew 27:52-53 saints coming out of their graves that same day and being seen of many. That was called "the FIRST resurrection", and included all those "FIRST-fruits" raised on the same day back in AD 33.

But these two men Hymenaeus and Philetus were also teaching that there would be no further expectation of another resurrection to come for the rest of the children of God who would die as believers. THIS is what was discouraging the saints in those first-century days. Paul had to write to correct that mistaken teaching, in both 1 Thessalonians 4 and in 1 Corinthians 15:22-24, that there would be more than just that one past "First-fruits" resurrection. There would be two more resurrection events to follow in consecutive order on the timeline.

These events above were all fulfilled in the second resurrection event which Paul listed in 1 Cor. 15:22-24. We now a present await the final THIRD bodily resurrection event in our future at "THE END, when He shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father, and shall have put down all rule, and authority and power..."

Jesus said that whoever believes in Him will never die. If someone never dies but is instead translated directly into heaven, why would they need to be resurrected?

 

[shepherdsword]

No, you fail to understand why Hymenaeus and Philetus were teaching a past resurrection in those days. They were correct in one respect - Christ actually HAD already been raised from the dead in the past, along with the many Matthew 27:52-53 saints coming out of their graves that same day and being seen of many. That was called "the FIRST resurrection", and included all those "FIRST-fruits" raised on the same day back in AD 33.

But these two men Hymenaeus and Philetus were also teaching that there would be no further expectation of another resurrection to come for the rest of the children of God who would die as believers. THIS is what was discouraging the saints in those first-century days. Paul had to write to correct that mistaken teaching, in both 1 Thessalonians 4 and in 1 Corinthians 15:22-24, that there would be more than just that one past "First-fruits" resurrection. There would be two more resurrection events to follow in consecutive order on the timeline.

You are injecting your errant view into the text. It is heresy to preach that the resurrection has passed. 1The 4 and 1Cor 15 both speak of the second, yet to come resurrection and return of Jesus. When Jesus DOES return the scripture tells us plainly that every eye shall see him.

These events above were all fulfilled in the second resurrection event which Paul listed in 1 Cor. 15:22-24. We now a present await the final THIRD bodily resurrection event in our future at "THE END, when He shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father, and shall have put down all rule, and authority and power..."

The third resurrection only occurs at the GWT judgement. We are still waiting for the second. Revelation 20 tells of of the SECOND resurrection. Where is the "Archaeological proof" that Jesus returned in 70 AD? You have presented nothing but fantasies, imaginations and discombobulated misinterpretations.

 

[pandaflower]

We should feel sympathy for those in the cult of the JW. There is a lot they don't know.

 

[3 Resurrections]

. It is heresy to preach that the resurrection has passed.

It is NOT heresy to teach that Christ was the First-fruits, raised from the dead on the same day that the Matthew 27:52-53 saints also came out of their graves back in AD 33. This was called "the FIRST resurrection" in Revelation 20:5, when that "blessed and holy" remnant of the dead came to life again, and John labeled that event, saying, "THIS is the FIRST resurrection". And it was most definitely a past event, both for Hymenaeus and Philetus, and for us as well.

When Jesus DOES return the scripture tells us plainly that every eye shall see him.

This isn't quite the complete quote. It was going to be every eye, namely "those who pierced Him" who would see Christ bodily return. You and I did not pierce Christ. That was a charge made against the first-century generation of Israelites, whom Stephen called "the betrayers and murderers" of Christ. THEY would be the "every eye" seeing Christ return. And this view of the returning Messiah would cause all the Israelite tribes to mourn IN JERUSALEM when they saw Him.

Where is the "Archaeological proof" that Jesus returned in 70 AD?

Go and stand in the Kidron Valley and see the landslide rubble layer that was deposited in the Kidron Valley during the earthquake at Christ's AD 70 return, just as Zechariah 14:4-5 in the LXX tells us would happen. Daniel dated this resurrection at Christ's second coming return for us to a very precise day on the calendar which ended up taking place on Pentecost day in AD 70. If you wish to deny Daniel 12:11-13, then you are ignoring Christ's message in Matthew 24:15 that anyone who read Daniel would understand the timing of His return. This is not a "fantasy" or my "imagination".

Revelation 20 tells of of the SECOND resurrection.

Yes, I agree, it certainly does. And John's angel said that prophecy of the coming second resurrection event was "AT HAND" for John's own first-century audience (Rev. 1:3 and 22:10). When God speaks of an "AT HAND" event, it takes place "IN YOUR DAYS" for the ones hearing that prophecy for the first time. Read Ezekiel 12:21-28 to see just how God intends us to understand when an "AT HAND" prophecy takes place. It is NOT "prolonged into times that are far off". God both speaks the prophecy and then "performs" it in the same time frame.

 

[shepherdsword]

It is NOT heresy to teach that Christ was the First-fruits, raised from the dead on the same day that the Matthew 27:52-53 saints also came out of their graves back in AD 33. This was called "the FIRST resurrection" in Revelation 20:5, when that "blessed and holy" remnant of the dead came to life again, and John labeled that event, saying, "THIS is the FIRST resurrection". And it was most definitely a past event, both for Hymenaeus and Philetus, and for us as well.

Correct, it is heresy to say the second resurrection has passed

This isn't quite the complete quote. It was going to be every eye, namely "those who pierced Him" who would see Christ bodily return. You and I did not pierce Christ. That was a charge made against the first-century generation of Israelites, whom Stephen called "the betrayers and murderers" of Christ. THEY would be the "every eye" seeing Christ return. And this view of the returning Messiah would cause all the Israelite tribes to mourn IN JERUSALEM when they saw Him.

it says EVERY eye and THEY ALSO that pierced him. Let's get it right:

Rv 1:7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.

 

[3 Resurrections]

it says EVERY eye and THEY ALSO that pierced him. Let's get it right:

Rv 1:7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.

You do realize that the word "also" is in italics in the KJV? That is because "also" was inserted artificially by the translators. The phrase only reads "every eye shall see him (kai) they which pierced him..." The Greek word "kai" is used here in an explanatory sense only, meaning "namely" or "even". It does not mean "and" or "in addition to". That would make no sense linguistically. IF "every eye" already meant everybody in the entire world, there would be no reason to add "they which pierced him", because they would already be included.

By translating "kai" correctly in this text, it reads, "and every eye shall see him, NAMELY they which pierced him." It was specifically those tribal members IN JERUSALEM the city itself who would mourn to see Christ Jesus returning - the One whom they themselves had pierced.

Correct, it is heresy to say the second resurrection has passed

Then every author in the NT who predicted a first-century return of Christ was a heretic also. As well as Christ Himself, since He promised He would return while some of those He spoke to directly during His earthly ministry would still be alive to see it before their deaths (Matt. 16:27-28).

 

[pandaflower]

I don't think you understand what happens at the second coming.

1) Rv 1:7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.

2) 1 Th 4:16-17 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

3) Rv 19:11-16 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND Lord OF LordS.

You have adopted the heretical teaching of Hymenaeus and Philetus

2 Ti 2:18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.

Well,you know you are correct about him and the teachings of Hymenaeus and Philetus due to his latest reply to you.

 

[Ronald Nolette]

There were no Christians in Jerusalem or around it in AD 70 to be eye-witnesses who could make such a report.

Remember, Jesus was going to bodily return to the Mount of Olives location, and in the same glorified body in which He left this planet back in Acts 1. That means it was going to be "every eye" of "those who pierced Him" who saw that bodily return - eyewitnesses at that very location in Jerusalem.

Remember also, Christ had forewarned the believers that when they saw Jerusalem surrounded by armies, that they were to "flee to the mountains" to escape all the coming disasters of the "great tribulation" in Judea and Jerusalem (Luke 21:20-21). They obeyed Christ's warning, and fled Jerusalem and Judea in AD 66 when the first Roman army under Cestius Gallus showed up to surround Jerusalem. That means there were no local believers around Jerusalem to see that visible and bodily return of Christ in AD 70. Christ had wanted them to be absent from Jerusalem for the duration of the AD 66-70 siege, and they were.

We know that about 1-1/4 million believers heeded Christ's warning to flee Judea and Jerusalem in AD 66 by taking the census record at Passover in Jerusalem in AD 66 as ordered by Nero and comparing those numbers with the surviving number of individuals present in Jerusalem in September of AD 70, minus the total of Jewish casualties in between these years.

Sorry but your flimsy arguments fail in light of one Scripture passage!

Revelation 1:7

King James Version

​

7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.

And as far as your explanation of th eOlivet discourse- that fails as well.

Matthew 24 tells that when we see the Abomination that makes desolate stand in the Holy Place, people are to flee. That is the antichrist as Paul described in Thesselonians.

Luke 22 is a warning that when Jerusalem was surrounded- it was time for its judgment which was announced in Matthew 12.

Also you should take heed to the warning that Jesus gave in Matthew 24:

26 Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.

27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

Jesus' retrurn will be very visible and the earth will know He has returned!

And actually they were there in 66-67 AD. that was when Vespasian and his son Titus began the siege of Jerusalem. It was in early 69AD that the siege was temporarily lifted because Vespaisian returned to Rome to be crowneds Cesar (Titus accompanied him). After that Titus went back to Israel and finisehd the siege and the destruction. It was when the siege was lifted that Jewish believers fled to Pella across the Jordan.

Also Jesus will enter the temple through the eater gate. And there is no record of the eatern gate being unbricked and a Messiah entering. No record by Josephus or any Roman historian showing that a glorified king came down from heaven like lightening. If he returned He is a lousy king for Rome finished ransacking Israel, persecuted the church etc. Jesus will return to set up an earthly kingdom- and He hasn't returned yet.

 

[Ronald Nolette]

Shhhh .... it's a secret!

Sorry, but the JW's patented the secret return of Jesus first!

 

[3 Resurrections]

Matthew 24 tells that when we see the Abomination that makes desolate stand in the Holy Place, people are to flee. That is the antichrist as Paul described in Thesselonians.

No, that is not Scripture's own definition of what the Abomination of desolation was. It wasn't the Antichrist. Luke 21:20's comparable account of Matthew 24 and Mark 13 defines the AOD clearly as "When ye see Jerusalem surrounded by armies,...". In October of AD 66 the believers did flee Judea and Jerusalem in numbers approaching 1-1/4 million when they saw the Roman armies under Cestius Gallus first surround Jerusalem and make contact with the temple wall. Gallus retreated for no reason in the world, allowing those believers inside to flee. By fleeing in AD 66 before the war got into full swing, they escaped Jerusalem's "days of vengeance". The single "Antichrist" Paul spoke of as then existing in 2 Thess. 2 was murdered before Cestius Gallus' army ever showed up.

7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen

People keep tripping over that one statement about "every eye". It wasn't speaking of everyone in the entire world seeing Christ return to the Mount of Olives. It was the "every eye" of namely (kai) "they who pierced Him" of the tribes of Israel who would be mourning as they saw Christ's return. As for the "lightning" similarity, when did you ever see a bolt of lightening in one city be visible in another city? Christ's bodily return on the eastern side of Jerusalem at the Mount of Olives location was visible on the western side of the city as well.

6 Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.

You need to pay special attention to the term "secret chambers". There was a special reserved room in the second temple called "the chamber of secrets" in which anonymous donations for the poor were collected and distributed anonymously at intervals. Once the second temple was torn down to the last stone, this "chamber of secrets" went out of existence. So the "false christs" and the "false prophets" which Christ warned would be reported to be in those "secret chambers" would have to be making that claim at a time when the second temple was still in existence (before AD 70).

Also Jesus will enter the temple through the eater gate. And there is no record of the eatern gate being unbricked and a Messiah entering.

Christ Jesus already came and left at that eastern gate location in AD 70, taking all the resurrected saints with Him. Shortly after that, the entire temple was torn down to the last stone. The significance for which that eastern gate was built was over and done with at that point. What you have present now in Jerusalem is NOT the eastern gate of the inner court found in Ezekiel 46:1-3, at which the people were to worship in the Sabbaths and the new moons.

. If he returned He is a lousy king for Rome finished ransacking Israel, persecuted the church etc. Jesus will return to set up an earthly kingdom- and He hasn't returned yet.

Christ called those who would burn up the city of Jerusalem "HIS armies" in the parable of Matthew 22:7. "HIS armies" were the Romans, who were actually doing God's will in bringing down Jerusalem in those "days of vengeance" when God was judging His people. Persecution of the believers takes place in every generation. "Yeah, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution". And to quote Christ, "In the world ye shall have persecution, but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." This does not make the currently-reigning Christ a "lousy king". He is presently ruling in the midst of His enemies, with the kingdom of God steadily increasing in size, just as promised. And He returned exactly on the day Daniel 12:11-13 predicted, which fell on AD 70's Pentecost day.

 

[grafted branch]

The burden of proof is on the ones who make the outrageous claim that Jesus came on 70AD. Do you have proof of that?

If I were to claim all coins minted before 1970 have been melted down, all you would have to do to prove me wrong would be to present a coin with a date prior to 1970. I can’t prove the negative of no coin existing with a mint mark before 1970 but you could certainly prove my claim wrong by presenting a coin.

I can’t prove the negative of no physical human remains existing of believers who died before 70AD, but you could certainly prove my claim wrong by presenting some evidence. Do you know of any evidence? If not then the claim that there was a resurrection in 70AD remains a possibility.

 

[Berean]

Sorry, but the JW's patented the secret return of Jesus first!

No, actually, it was the Bible Students who patented the secret return; the JW's borrowed it and changed the date. Please don't confuse the two groups as being the same: they're not. Both groups still exist, separately from one another.

 

[Berean]

No, it wasn't a secret to all the tribes of Israel who were inside the besieged city of Jerusalem in AD 70. When they saw Christ's return to the Mount of Olives, they all mourned to see it, just as Zechariah 12 had prophesied they would do. Their deep mourning was because they were not included in that bodily resurrection event at that time. God "shut the door" and they were left on the other side begging Him, "Lord, lord open unto us".

The vast majority of these eye-witnesses to Christ's return at Jerusalem died shortly afterward of the sword, disease, or famine. Or if they survived, they were taken captive and sent into slavery or into Roman arenas to die on the sands for Rome's entertainment.

Let me ask you, friend, history acknowledges that Jesus existed. Writings of that period even recognize that He was put on trial and sentenced to death via crucifixion. Some historians, like Josephus, even mention his resurrection. Tell me, friend, where are the accounts of that period fulfilling Matthew 24? Eyewitnesses who saw Jesus descend from heaven and see His feet hit the ground or the first resurrection?

• Let me ask, what wars and rumors of wars were between A.D. 33 and 69-73? (Matthew 24:6). No wars plural, just the one war of the Roman armies and the Jews.
• In what century was the gospel of the kingdom first preached in America? in Australia? in Japan? (Matthew 24:14).

“When therefore ye see the abomination of desolation, which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, having stood in the holy place (let him that readeth understand), then let them that are in Judea flee unto the mountains…” (Matthew 24:15f. RVIC; McReynolds, KI concur). By the time pagan Romans were standing in the Temple (A.D. 70) it would have been too late for the Christians to flee. But if this is prophetic of Papal Rome (A.D. 538/539 to 1798/1799), then the call would not have begun before 1799 at the earliest. (Note that the “Holy Place” is in the Temple (Acts 6:13; 21:28). “Then shall be great tribulation, such as hath not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, nor ever shall be thereafter.” (Matthew 24:21ff. RVIC). How does the fall of Jerusalem and Judah compare with the Flood? with the two million people previously killed by Alexander the Great (or Alexander the Terrible, if you are Persian)? or with the hundred million killed by Mao, Stalin and Hitler in the twentieth century? “This generation shall not pass away, till all these things be come to pass” (Matthew 24:34 RVIC). A generation comprises all the children of the same father. If that be understood of the next seventy years after Jesus spoke these words (A.D. 33), that would support the Praeterist view of Matthew 24. On the other hand, if it be understood of the church as all sons of the same Heavenly Father, then all these things will at least begin happening before the church is complete, consistent with the Historicist view.

 

[3 Resurrections]

Tell me, friend, where are the accounts of that period fulfilling Matthew 24? Eyewitnesses who saw Jesus descend from heaven and see His feet hit the ground or the first resurrection?

The eye-witnesses inside the city of Jerusalem who witnessed Christ's bodily return to the Mount of Olives in AD 70 DIED soon after in the disintegrating city from rampant starvation, the sword, disease, or they were among the 97,000 taken captive by the Romans at the end and sent into slavery or into Roman arenas to die for Rome's entertainment. Dead people and captured slaves do NOT necessarily have time or materials to make a record for you in the 21st century of what they saw. Who of their Roman captors would have even kept a record for them if they had time to make one? You are demanding that Christ produce "hard copy" evidence before you will believe that He fulfilled His promise to return while some of those people He personally spoke to were still alive to see His return (Matt. 16:27-28). Why would you want to mimic a doubting Thomas?

Let me ask, what wars and rumors of wars were between A.D. 33 and 69-73? (Matthew 24:6). No wars plural, just the one war of the Roman armies and the Jews.

Vindex rebellion in AD 68, which led to other conflicts in Egypt, Spain, and Africa. The Samaritan revolt in AD 36. The continuing Roman / Parthian wars. Roman / Germanic tribal warfare continuing. The war with Queen Boudicca in AD 60. Rome's civil wars with trying to put an emperor on the throne during the "year of the four emperors". Do a little digging into first-century history, and you will find plenty of "wars and rumors of wars" taking place during those tumultuous decades preceding AD 70. "Terrible even in peace" I believe is the way one historian described this period.

In what century was the gospel of the kingdom first preached in America? in Australia? in Japan? (Matthew 24:14).

Paul taught about the gospel having been preached "to every creature under heaven"..."in all the world" (Colossians 1:6 & 23). And you are forgetting the evangelistic ministry of the glorified, resurrected Matthew 27:52-53 saints which remained on earth. Without the normal limitations of a mortal human body, each one of those resurrected saints could have gone anywhere in the world to deliver the gospel far and wide among the Gentile nations.

“When therefore ye see the abomination of desolation, which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, having stood in the holy place (let him that readeth understand), then let them that are in Judea flee unto the mountains…” (Matthew 24:15f. RVIC; McReynolds, KI concur). By the time pagan Romans were standing in the Temple (A.D. 70) it would have been too late for the Christians to flee

That's right. And that is why the believers fled Jerusalem when they saw the FIRST Roman army under Cestius Gallus surrounding Jerusalem in October of AD 66. Cestius Gallus for no reason made a suicidal decision to withdraw from Jerusalem, which gave the believers in Jerusalem a precious couple of days to flee the city before the triumphant Zealot army returned after defeating Gallus' legion, and locked the city gates again, preventing escape for anyone.

“Then shall be great tribulation, such as hath not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, nor ever shall be thereafter.” (Matthew 24:21ff. RVIC). How does the fall of Jerusalem and Judah compare with the Flood? with the two million people previously killed by Alexander the Great (or Alexander the Terrible, if you are Persian)? or with the hundred million killed by Mao, Stalin and Hitler in the twentieth century?

The "great tribulation" in Judea and Jerusalem in particular was not simply the ultimate body count of the dead for all time. What made it unprecedented and unequalled in any generation either before or since AD 66-70 was the presence of the ENTIRE SATANIC REALM which was imprisoned inside the walls of Jerusalem, making it "a habitation of devils and a prison for every unclean spirit" (Rev. 18:2). No city either before or since that time has ever been subjected to having the ENTIRE Satanic realm imprisoned along with the city's besieged inhabitants. Christ had predicted this fate for His own wicked generation's "last state" (Matt. 12:43-45). The unclean spirits which He had cast out of Israel's citizens would all return, each of them bringing with them seven more devils worse than themselves to plague that wicked generation in its last days.

 

[grafted branch]

Paul taught about the gospel having been preached "to every creature under heaven"..."in all the world" (Colossians 1:6 & 23).

And let’s not forget this concerning Colossians 1:5-6 …
The Silk Road was a well known trade route that was established well before the first century and Christ’ birth. Silk is mentioned several times in the Old Testament. No doubt the word “world” didn’t include the then known entire planet.

 

[pandaflower]

Jesus said that whoever believes in Him will never die. If someone never dies but is instead translated directly into heaven, why would they need to be resurrected?

God says when we die the soul returns to God who gave it .
And the body returns to the dust from which it sprang.

 

[3 Resurrections]

No doubt the word “world” didn’t include the then known entire planet.

Here is one simple text which tells us that Australia or Japan, etc. needn't necessarily have been included for the gospel to have gone into all the world before Christ bodily returned in AD 70. Luke 2:1 tells us that "there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed." This was the nations of the known world of the Roman empire having this decree sent to them.

 

[grafted branch]

Here is one simple text which tells us that Australia or Japan, etc. needn't necessarily have been included for the gospel to have gone into all the world before Christ bodily returned in AD 70. Luke 2:1 tells us that "there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed." This was the nations of the known world of the Roman empire having this decree sent to them.

Yes, I agree. I have run across some people who claim the word “world” referred to the then known world but since China was known, which is evidenced by the Silk Road, someone making that claim would have to prove Caesar taxed China in Luke 2:1.

 

[3 Resurrections]

Jesus said that whoever believes in Him will never die. If someone never dies but is instead translated directly into heaven, why would they need to be resurrected?

Jesus said that whoever believes in Him "shall not die forever". The bodies of believers do not stay physically dead forever. They are changed in the resurrection process into an incorruptible and immortal condition.

But there is no such thing as a promise of a translation change for us without dying first. "It is appointed unto men ONCE TO DIE, and after that the judgment." (Heb. 9:27). Nobody bodily gets off this planet to enter heaven without passing through the death process first. All believers who have the indwelling Spirit are given that Spirit as a pledge that their mortal bodies will also be eventually redeemed in a resurrection to eternal life. We have been bought with a price, both body and soul. We are to glorify Him in our body and in our spirit, both of which are God's (1 Cor. 6:20). What God has purchased with the sacrificial offering of Christ's precious blood, He cannot discard in the trash as being something inconsequential without insulting the blood offering of Christ that paid for that physical body. If the physical body of believers is left in the dust of the grave, that grants a partial victory to death. Christ conquered death in all its effects on mankind - both physical and spiritual.