Page 89 - Prophetic Word Newsletter Archive 2011

BIBLICAL ARGUMENT FOR BURIAL 89
OF THE BODY OF A BELIEVER

“FOR WHATEVER THINGS WERE WRITTEN
BEFORE WERE WRITTEN FOR OUR LEARNING,
THAT WE THROUGH THE PATIENCE AND HOPE

OF THE SCRIPTURES MIGHT HAVE HOPE.”
Rom. 15:4

There are numerous examples in Scripture of the burial of the followers of God, but no record exists of
any believer being PURPOSELY cremated, although the practice was in existence throughout a
heathen world. Here is a list of some of the numerous burial references of the people of God:

EXAMPLES FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT:

1. Abraham buried his wife, Sarah ( Gen 23:3-4, 17-20 )
2. Abraham was buried by his sons ( Gen. 25:8-9 )
3. Deborah was buried ( Gen. 35:8 )
4. Rachel was buried by her husband Jacob ( Gen. 35:19-20 )
5. Isaac was buried by his sons ( Gen. 35:29 )
6. Jacob buried his wife Leah in the family tomb ( Gen. 49:31)
7. Jacob requested to be buried in the same place ( Gen. 47:29-31, 50:2,13 )
8. Moses buried his sister Miriam ( Num. 20:1)
9. Moses was buried by God Himself! ( Deut. 34:5-6 )
10. Joshua was buried in the land of his inheritance ( Josh. 24:30 )
11. Samuel was honored with a national burial ( 1 Sam. 25:1 )
12. David and his son Solomon were buried in the city of David ( 1 Kin. 2:10, 11:43 )

(There are also numerous references to the burial of the various kings of Judah and Israel)

EXAMPLES FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT:

1. Jesus Christ was buried in another man’s tomb ( Mat. 27:57-60, 1 Cor. 15:4 )
2. John the Baptist was buried after he was beheaded ( Mat. 14:12 )

3. Stephen was buried after his martyrdom ( Acts 8:2 )

4. Even Ananias and Sapphira were buried by believers after God slew them for lying(Acts 5:10)
From the volume of recorded evidence above, we cannot say that we do not know what is God’s will
for the body of a believer. How this truth is borne out by the fact that God Himself buried the body of
Moses:“SO MOSES THE SERVANT OF THE LORD DIED THERE IN THE LAND OF MOAB, ACCORDING TO THE WORD

OF THE LORD. AND HE BURIED HIM IN A VALLEY IN THE LAND OF MOAB, OPPOSITE BETH PEOR;
BUT NO ONE KNOWS HIS GRAVE TO THIS DAY.” Deut 34:5-7

God’s people are not fully aware of the significance of the body in God’s economy! Have you ever
wondered why this scenario took place after the death of Moses?

“YET MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL, IN CONTENDING WITH THE DEVIL,
WHEN HE DISPUTED ABOUT THE BODY OF MOSES…SAID, ‘THE LORD REBUKE YOU!’” Jude 9

God has further need for the body of Moses. He is prophesied to return to earth in his resurrected
body as one of God’s two witnesses ( see Rev.11). Read this story carefully and note how interesting it
is that the world, in retaliation against these two witnesses, “…do not allow their dead bodies to be put
into graves” (Rev. 11:9). Is not this an open defiance and mockery against what is known by man to be
God’s will for the body of His followers? Why do you think that so many martyrs were burned at the
stake by the haters of God? It is an open challenge and desire to prevent God’s desire for the honor of
the burial of a believer in anticipation of the resurrection to come.