We will begin answering your three-part question by looking at some verses in Ezekiel chapter 37. In verse 1 we learn that God “set me (Ezekiel) down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones.” God then asked him in verse 3, “Son of man, can these bones live?” And Ezekiel answered, “O Lord GOD, You know.” God then said to him, “Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, ‘O dry bones, hear the word of the LORD! Thus says the Lord God to these bones: Surely I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live. I will put sinews on you and bring flesh upon you, cover you with skin and put breath in you; and you shall live. Then you shall know that I am the LORD’” (verses 4-6). This is the only portion in Scripture that I know of where God told someone to “speak to the bones.” Was Ezekiel speaking to his loved ones? No, for we read in verse 11, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel.” This resurrection of bones pictures the NATIONAL RESTORATION OF ISRAEL, first their restoration to their homeland and then their spiritual new birth. Today Israel is back in their homeland (after being scattered/buried throughout the world for hundreds of years)  so part of this prophesy is being fulfilled, but they are still in a state of rejecting their Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ, and thus they are still “spiritually dead.” We see this in verse 8 where Ezekiel said, “Indeed, as I looked, the sinews and the flesh came upon them, and the skin covered them; but THERE WAS NO BREATH IN THEM.” But God will work in their hearts during the coming Tribulation Period to bring them to repentance and faith and then they will receive “spiritual life.” This is pictured for us in verses 9-10, “Also He said to me, ‘Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, say to the breath, Thus says the Lord God: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, THAT THEY MAY LIVE.’ So I prophesied as He commanded me, and BREATH CAME INTO THEM, AND THEY LIVED.” What a day that will be when the nation of Israel’s blindness is taken away and they turn in true repentance and faith to the Lord Jesus Christ and receive Him as their Savior/Messiah! This will be their NEW BIRTH. I would encourage you to read Ezekiel 36:24-27; Jeremiah 31:1-34 and Romans 11:25-27.

Regarding Jesus “speaking to Elijah and Moses,” let’s read Luke 9:30-31 to see exactly what “they talked about.” Those verses say, “And behold, two men talked with Him, who were Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and SPOKE OF HIS DECEASE WHICH HE WAS ABOUT TO ACCOMPLISH AT JERUSALEM.” Notice, Jesus was NOT speaking to them; rather, they were speaking with Him. What were they speaking about? Ah, they were talking about His impending death that He would experience on the cross at Jerusalem. They were already true believers who had eternal life and they were talking (no doubt with true passion and reverence) about how He would bring salvation to lost sinners which He would accomplish through His coming death at Calvary.

We will close by looking at the words Jesus spoke to Martha. Her brother Lazarus had died and in John 11:23 Jesus told her, “Your brother will rise again.” Then in verses 26-27 He said, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die.” What did Jesus mean by these words? I believe Jesus was telling Martha (and us!) that He is the One who has the power to RAISE THE DEAD. The resurrection of Lazarus (verses 43-44) proved this AND it foreshadowed the future resurrection of all believers. There will be TWO CLASSES OF BELIEVERS when He comes; those who had died and those who are still living. The dead (bodies) will be raised and LIVE; the living (bodies) will be caught up together with them (see 1st Thessalonians 4:16-17) and SHALL NEVER DIE. I would encourage you to also read 1st Corinthians 15:51-54.  (408.5)  (DO)