Christ Jesus ... has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. -- 2 Tim 1:10What part of destroyed or obliterated isn't understood? Particularly for those in Christ?
The eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you," nor again the head to the feet, "I have no need of you." On the contrary, the members of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable. (1 Cor 12:21)
Christ obliterated death. The "dead" are indispensable in Christ. Through Jesus Christ, their intercession and prayer to God is indispensable for you. Are they dead to you? Where is your faith that Jesus obliterated death, particularly for those IN CHRIST?
2 Cor 1:11 You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us in answer to many prayers.
1 Tim 2:1-3 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life, godly and respectful in every way. 3 This is good, and it is acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Rom 12:4-5 For as in one body we have many members, and all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.
And the massive implications of 1 Cor 15. Better err on the side of caution, because if you underestimate Christ's power over death, your faith is in vain, and you may still be in your sins.
Note that Abraham and Lazarus have a conversation "across the chasm". If the chasm can be reached, how much easier is it to love across the chasm of Heaven and Earth with Jesus Christ?
Usually this involves complaints with intercession and claims of various forms of necromancy about those in Christ (called the Communion of Saints) of those who have gone before us. Failure to acknowledge the intercession and communion of saints through Christ seem to weaken how much Christ has obliterated death.
Mark 12:24-27 Jesus said to them, "Is not this why you are wrong, that you know neither 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. And as for being raised, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the passage about the bush, how God said to him, `I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob'? He is not God of the dead, but of the living; you are quite wrong."
Matthew 27:51-54 And behold, the veil of the sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth quaked, rocks were split, tombs were opened, and the bodies of many saints who had fallen asleep were raised. And coming forth from their tombs after his resurrection, they entered the holy city and appeared to many. The centurion and the men with him who were keeping watch over Jesus feared greatly when they saw the earthquake and all that was happening, and they said, "Truly, this was the Son of God!"
For those uneasy, here is an explicit approach:
- Jesus, I would like to ask you to ask Elijah to pray to the Father for ...
- Jesus, I would like to ask you to ask Lazarus to pray to the Father for ...
- Jesus, I would like to ask you to ask the entire Kingdom of God to pray to the Father for ...
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called— one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. -- Ephesians 4:1-6, 16
For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. -- Ephesians 5:29-32
