What does “the rising of the dead” refer to?

[Hora.K]

One day,I saw the bible: "Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.（John chapter 5：25）
Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,（John chapter 5：28）"
I feel many brothers and sisters read from the Bible that when the Lord comes again, “the dead shall rise first,” so they believe that when they see the dead rise, it will be the time the Lord comes. And they take it as a reliable basis for judging whether the Lord has returned. But does the rising of the dead written in the Bible really mean what we understand or imagine?

 

[TopherNelson]

I feel that the dead refer to the people that is death of faith. (non-believers who start to believe)

 

[OzSpen]

I feel that the dead refer to the people that is death of faith. (non-believers who start to believe)

David,

What you 'feel' is irrelevant. You have provided not one shred of biblical evidence to support your 'feeling'. It's time that you learned to do exegesis of Scripture.

 

[OzSpen]

One day,I saw the bible: "Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.（John chapter 5：25）
Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,（John chapter 5：28）"
I feel many brothers and sisters read from the Bible that when the Lord comes again, “the dead shall rise first,” so they believe that when they see the dead rise, it will be the time the Lord comes. And they take it as a reliable basis for judging whether the Lord has returned. But does the rising of the dead written in the Bible really mean what we understand or imagine?

Hora,

You have chosen 2 excellent passages in John 5:25, 28 to demonstrate a common theme in the NT regarding faith. Remember that this is Jesus speaking. It's what NT scholars and Bible teachers have referred to as 'already but not yet'. Let's examine these 2 verses in context:

1. John 5:24 gives the context and explanation for John 5:25. Verse 24 talks about those who hear the word, believe and experience eternal life in the present. They pass from life to death (but this refers to the life of the soul that has been changed - with effects on believer's behaviour). This is sometimes called the first resurrection - the resurrection to eternal life in the here and now.
2. This context helps to understand the meaning of v. 25. The hour that is now coming and is now here relates to those who 'will live' in the present. Their lives have been changed through belief in Christ. My understanding is that v. 25 relates to eternal life in the present. So vv 24-25 deal with the eternal life that is 'already' experienced by believers.
3. However, when we go to John 5:28, Jesus is talking about the second resurrection that applies to all those 'who are in the tombs' and they 'will hear his voice' at his Second Coming and they will 'come out' of the tombs (John 5:29) for the 'resurrection of life' for believers and this will be a 'resurrection of judgment' for unbelievers.

In summary, John 5:24-25 discusses new life in Christ in this life, the first resurrection (of the soul) and John 5:28-29 affirms the second resurrection at Jesus' Parousia when all people will come out of the tombs, either for eternal life to be affirmed (believers) or judgement to be confirmed (for all unbelievers).

Oz

 

[TopherNelson]

I feel that the dead refer to the people that is death of faith. (non-believers who start to believe)

Um... death because of faith? That sounds more right doesn't it? Non-believer (like formal muslims) who started to believe and then got killed...

**After closely reading what I just wrote I understood what you were thinking. However, I should really start learning to do exegesis. Although, most of the time, what I want to say is placed directly in my mouth, without going through the scriptures. But, after I had said them... I will find that it is what is said in scripture...

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:
1 Thessalonians 4:16

 

[Barrd]

I would have thought that this was self-explanatory.
A day will come when the Lord will call, and even the dead in their graves will answer Him...

 

[iakov]

One day,I saw the bible: "Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.（John chapter 5：25）
Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,（John chapter 5：28）"
I feel many brothers and sisters read from the Bible that when the Lord comes again, “the dead shall rise first,” so they believe that when they see the dead rise, it will be the time the Lord comes. And they take it as a reliable basis for judging whether the Lord has returned. But does the rising of the dead written in the Bible really mean what we understand or imagine?

I don't know what you understand or imagine but scripture says that the dead will be raised from death immortal and incorruptible. There is no indication that we should not take the teaching literally.

1Co 15:53-54 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”