Jesus answered and said to them, “Are you not therefore mistaken, because you do not know the scriptures nor the power of God? For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. But concerning the dead, that they rise, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the burning bush passage, how God spoke to him, saying, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living. You are therefore greatly mistaken.” (Mark 12: 24-27)
Some Sadducees had just asked Jesus a very silly question regarding marriage, the law of Moses (Deuteronomy 25:5-6), and the resurrection. (Verses 18-23). The Sadducees who were very well educated, sophisticated, influential and wealthy did not believe in immortality, spirits, or angels. So, the purpose of their question was to make the idea of resurrection seem as absurd as their question.
Jesus immediately tells them that they are mistaken and challenges their knowledge of the scriptures and the power of God. The Sadducees thought if there was a resurrection it would be life as they were used to, only it would go on forever. Jesus’ response shows that in the age to come those who are resurrected to live in heaven with God, their lives will be on a completely different principle and in a dimension that we can’t even begin to imagine.
Sadly, there a many people today who make the same mistake that the Sadducees did regarding life in heaven. They think of heaven as some glorious version of earth. The Indian culture viewed the afterlife as going to the happy hunting ground. The ancient Viking thought of heaven as Valhalla, where they fought as warriors all day long and at the end of that day the dead and wounded would rise again whole to celebrate at the end of the day at a great banquet. Suffice it to say, all these ideas mistake heaven for simply a better earth and reveal how our views of heaven can be very skewed.
This is why it is of utmost importance to dig into God’s word and study, seeking His guidance and wisdom on all matters, yes, even the resurrection and life in heaven with Him. Don’t be ignorant and cling to wrong ideas about heaven like the Sadducee’s. Look to the Scriptures and God will reveal His power and His plan. When we don’t know the Scriptures, we don’t have an anchor for truth and belief. When we don’t know the power of God, we doubt His ability to do what it is that He has promised in the Scriptures.
Worldly intelligence does not make one knowledgeable regarding the Scriptures. The Scriptures are very clear on how different Heaven will be to life here on earth; one just needs to search the Scriptures for that truth. It’s my hope and prayer that you are searching God’s word daily for His truth!
Dale LaFrance (please look up John 11:25-26 &2 Timothy 3:16-17)
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