The LORD heard Elijah's cry, and the boy's life returned to him, and he lived. (1 Kings 17:22)
This is one of just three instances in the Old Testament where a dead person was temporarily miraculously brought back to life. The other two events are related to us in 2 Kings 4:32-36 and 2 Kings 13:21.
Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, “Tabitha, get up.” She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. (Acts 9:40)
Here is one of two New Testament cases where people were miraculously brought back to life by an apostle. The other is found in Acts 20:9-12.
When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.” (John 11:43-44)
This, of course, is the familiar story of Jesus bringing Lazarus to life. We are told of two other events where Jesus, as the God-man, brought a person temporarily back to life. They can be found in Matthew 9:18-25 and Luke 7:12-15.
But, Jesus' resurrection from the dead was much different:
I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And, behold I hold the keys of death and Hades. (Revelation 1:18)
How gloriously different this resurrection was! There was only one eternal resurrection from the dead and that was Christ's. Others are welcomed to join into this eternal life through faith in Christ. What a deal!
