Can the dead still be raised today, just like biblical times?
John 11:1 - 57
ESV - 1 Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 It was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was ill.
For follow-up discussion and general commentary on the topic. Comments are sorted chronologically.
❖ Heb 9:27 emphasizes Death Ends Probation. After death the judgment, not a second chance to live on earth and be saved. Death ends all probation for the one who dies. If he is righteous at death, his soul and spirit go to heaven awaiting the resurrection of the body (2Cor. 5:8; Php. 1:21-24 Heb. 12:23; Rev. 6:9-11). However in the Biblical times, we read only 10 instances of temporary resurrections of getting a sencond chance to live on this earth. The innerman was be reunited with the physical body to live again
❖ Jesus raised the following 3 persons from dead
➊ Jairus' daughter (Mt. 9:18-26)
➋ A widow's son (Lk. 7:11-18)
➌ Lazarus (Jn. 11:1-44)
❖ Seven by others.
➍ The son of the Widow of Zarephath (1Ki. 17:21) by Elijah.
➎ The son of the Shunammite woman by Elisha (2Ki. 4:32-37).
➏ The dead man was resurrected when his body touched the bones of Elisha in the grave (2Ki. 13:20-25).
➐ Jonah 2:1- 10 with Mt. 12:40 (Jonah himself was dead and resurrected)
➑ Tabitha (Acts 9:36-42) was raised by Peter. It was a first miracle done by an Apostle
➒ Paul (Acts 14:19-20) himself
➓ Eutychus by Paul (Acts 20:7-12)
❖ However, one may ask is it possible to resurrect the dead nowadays?
It is possible, but it is NOT so easy as some one has to defy the law stated in Heb 9:27. "Men" is generic, speaking of all mankind. That the Lord, of His own will and sovereign choice, has, on occasion, brought back to life individuals (temporarily) does not affect this general ruling. This is for us to believe Jesus is the resurrection, and the life as Jn. 11:24 says. Jesus Himself commissioned his disciples to heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, RAISE the dead, cast out devils. (Matthew 10:8).
As a matured and seasoned follower of Christ, i discerned with the gift of discernment of spirits that there is NONE on this earth who has grown in the Lord to demonstrate such spectacular miracles. As a true follower of Christ, I believe I will execute this miracle for the glory of God and for the extension of His Kingdom as I am awaiting for His perfect will and His time to fulfill.