Introduction. One of the greatest controversies among the Jews in New Testament times centered on the resurrection. “Sadducees say that there is no resurrection — and no angel or spirit; but the Pharisees confess both.” (Acts 23:8). As recorded in Matt. 22, Mark 12, and Luke 20, the Sadducees threw their most complicated debating point at Jesus and He took it apart step by step. Jesus swept away their sophistry, saying “Are you not therefore mistaken, because you do not know the Scriptures nor the power of God?” First, Jesus corrected their error regarding the seven brothers and marriage: “in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels of God in heaven.” He then showed them what a true knowledge of Scripture would reveal. At the burning bush, God had long ago revealed to Moses that life continued after death: “I am the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.” (Ex. 3:6) Since God “is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living”, the souls of those who have died were still living somewhere. Thus those who do not believe in life after death or the resurrection of the dead “are therefore greatly mistaken.” (Mk. 12:18-27).
That the soul entered Hades at death had also been revealed by David in the 16th Psalm. “David says concerning Him,” “you will not leave my soul in Hades, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.” Since he “spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ, that His soul was not left in Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption”, both the resurrection and the soul entering Hades were established facts of revelation long before Jesus came into the world. (Acts 2:25-32). Thus the soul leaving the body at death, entering Hades, then leaving Hades to return to the body were not only confirmed and established, they were actually ancient truths revealed long ago.
That the soul entered Hades at death had also been revealed by David in the 16th Psalm. “David says concerning Him,” “you will not leave my soul in Hades, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.” Since he “spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ, that His soul was not left in Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption”, both the resurrection and the soul entering Hades were established facts of revelation long before Jesus came into the world. (Acts 2:25-32). Thus the soul leaving the body at death, entering Hades, then leaving Hades to return to the body were not only confirmed and established, they were actually ancient truths revealed long ago.