Dr. Couch, is it possible that the resurrected saints who came out of
the grave when Christ came forth from the tomb were resurrected OT
saints who were given glorified bodies and ascended up with Christ at
His ascension?
That they were OT saints is not in doubt. The church dispensation
begins at Pentecost in Acts 2. You cite Matthew 27:52-53 to prove the
point of their ascension: "And the graves were opened and many bodies of
the saints which slept arose, and came out of the graves after His
resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared to many."
First of all the passage does not say they
ascended up with Christ to heaven. They went into the city of Jerusalem
and were seen by many. But like Lazarus, their resurrection was not
eternal in nature. Lazarus would die again and be resurrected at some
point in the future.
We all have to avoid wild speculations. While
there are times we can postulate about things the Bible does not address
specifically, do not be one who always goes out into left field and
comes up with strange ideas!
Thanks for asking.
Dr. Mal Couch
