Questions to Research
What happened to the resurrected saints mentioned in Matthew 27:52-53?
Possible Answer:
Matthew 27:51-53 tells us what happened right after Jesus Christ died: "Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many."
This resurrection of several believers was one of the phenomena accompanying the resurrection of Jesus Christ to underscore that monumental event. These saints came back to physical life. (In the Bible, the word saints means those who are sanctified or set apart as holy, meaning all of God's true followers.) We know from such scriptures as 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 and 1 Corinthians 15:51-52 that God has resurrected no one to eternal life as an immortal spirit yet—except Christ.
For example, 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 says: "For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord."
These references teach us that God will change the righteous dead along with living Christians to immortal beings when Jesus Christ returns.
After God brought the people mentioned in Matthew 27:52-53 back to life, they undoubtedly went back to their homes, where many acquaintances saw them. It's hard to imagine how utterly startling such an experience would be for their relatives and friends!
The Bible says nothing further about these people God resurrected at Christ's death, leaving us to conclude that they eventually died (again) and their families buried them (again). Along with all other saints who died, they await in their graves their resurrection to spirit life.
However, Hebrews makes it clear that men only die once, and then the judgement..... Hebrews 9:27 "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:"
My guess is those resurrected saints were either raptured when the Son of man came in his kingdom - Matthew 16:28 - "Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom."
Did Jesus really do real miracles?
www.miracles-of-jesus-christ.com/miracles.htm
http://carm.org/questions/about-jesus/cant-all-jesus-miracles-be-explained-naturally
* Lazarus - John 11:17,38,39,43-45. It was clear to all witnesses that Lazarus had been dead four days yet came alive again.
* Blind man - John 9:1,7,18-20,21,25. It was unquestionably proved that the man could not see from birth, but then he was so healed he could see.
* Woman bowed together - Luke 13:11,13,16. All could see she was hunch-backed, but then she was straightened.
* Lame man - Acts 3:2,7,8,10; 4:22. Many people knew the man could not walk, but it was obvious that he was enabled to do so. [Cf. 14:8-11]
* Son of the widow of Nain - Luke 7:11-17. The man had died and a great multitude gathered for his funeral procession. Yet Jesus raised him in the presence of the crowd.
* Acts 3:7 - The lame man immediately leaped and walked.
* Luke 13:11-13 - The hunch-backed woman was immediately made straight.
* Mark 2:10-12 - The paralyzed man got up immediately.
* Mark 5:25-29 - The woman with an issue of blood for 12 years was healed immediately.
* Mark 5:35-42 - Jairus' daughter had been dead but arose immediately.
[Acts 9:33-42; 13:11; 14:8-11; John 9:1,6,7; Mark 1:42; Luke 7:14,15; 1 Kings 18:25-30,35-39]