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The Death and Body of Moses
Kindly comment on what the Bible states on the death of Moses? Was Moses resurrected and did he die again or was he caught up like Elijah and Enoch did? How does the death of Moses compare with that of Christ?
The death of Moses is easy, but I have to admit that his subsequent history is not. Let me give you the things that are established in scripture with a few comments.
- Moses died in the land of Moab before the children of Israel crossed the Jordan River to go in to possess the land.
Deuteronomy 34:5So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the LORD.
See All... - So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the LORD.
- Moses was buried by the Lord and the place of his burial was kept secret from all men. As you can see, the Bible is very clear that Moses was buried.
Deuteronomy 34:6And he buried him in a valley in the land of Moab, over against Bethpeor: but no man knoweth of his sepulchre unto this day.
See All... - And he buried him in a valley in the land of Moab, over against Bethpeor: but no man knoweth of his sepulchre unto this day.
- After his death of Moses, his body became the focus of a battle between Michael the archangel and the devil. Though we are not told when this occurred, it is probably at the time of his burial. I say this because of the verse above that points out that no man knew where he was buried. Something was going on for God to bury him (which is unusual in itself) and for God to keep the place of his burial secret. I have often heard his hidden burial explained as needed so that the Israelites would not worship his burial place. But then why were the burial places of Abraham and David not hidden? They have been revered as much as Moses. I think it had something to do with the fight over the body of Moses.
Jude 1:9Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.
See All... - Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.
- At some point, Moses must have been resurrected and taken to heaven. I believe this because of his appearance with Elijah and Christ on the Mount of Transfiguration. It would be strange to have Elijah who was taken up to heaven with Moses who was still dead appearing together with Christ. Since we know Moses died and was buried, his appearance here points to a resurrection, though no scripture directly speaks of his resurrection.
Matthew 17:2-3 [2] And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. [3] And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.
See All... - And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.
- Though his name is not used, it is likely that Moses is one of the two witnesses in the tribulation as found in Zechariah 4 and Revelation 11. The miracles they perform match the miracles of Moses and Elijah. For instance, they will turn water into blood and smite the earth with plagues (Revelation 11:6These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.
See All...), obvious specialties of Moses. And, since these two men have already appeared to Jesus (as shown above), they seem to have some sort of work they do together. Moses and Elijah are also mentioned together in reference to the end times in the last three verses of the Old Testament (Malachi 4:4-6 [4] Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments. [5] Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD: [6] And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.
See All...). There are other reasons for believing these two men will be the two witnesses, but I will stop here.
Revelation 11:3-4 [3] And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. [4] These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.
See All... - And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.
Of course, this still leaves some of the details unexplained. But that is often the nature of God's word. He tells us what we need to know and we will have to wait for the rest.
Proverbs 25:5
Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.