Commentaries:
The dead in Christ are perished, not alive enjoying the promised inheritance already somewhere, but perished—utterly perished—unless there is to be a resurrection from the dead! How different from the modern fables to which a deceived people have been turned today!
So, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are dead. And, unless there is to be a resurrection—a rising up from the grave—they are perished. Abraham knew of Christ, and Jesus said Abraham rejoiced to see His day, and Abraham saw it, and was glad. And speaking of Abraham and the resurrection, Jesus said, recorded in Matthew 22:31-32: "But as touching the resurrection [notice, Jesus is using this illustration to prove the resurrection—He is speaking of the resurrection from the dead—as touching the resurrection] of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living."
This text is often twisted around and perverted to try to prove that Abraham is not dead, has already gone to and come into his promised reward, and will never be resurrected, just the diametrical opposite of what Jesus used it to prove. "As touching the resurrection ...," the resurrection of the dead, Jesus said, "God is the God of the living." Abraham died. But he will live through a resurrection.
When will Abraham and his children through Christ come into the promised reward? When will be the resurrection? The answer is found in I Corinthians 15:50-53—that inheriting the promises occurs at the same time the living Christians are to be changed from mortality to immortality. And Paul said it would be at the last trumpet—when Jesus Christ returns.
Herbert W. Armstrong (1892-1986)
What Is the Reward of the Saved?
Other commentary entries containing this verse:
Genesis 2:7
Luke 1:26-30
Luke 1:41-42
Revelation 20:10
Library resources that contain this verse:
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