THE FIRST RESURRECTION
From an old Ambassador College study paper (1973/74)
WHAT is the real hope of the true Christian? Will he spend
eternity lounging in idleness and ease? Or will the resur-
rected, newborn Christian spend eternity in happy, but
productive, activity - faithfully serving his Creator?
Most professing Christians have a rather foggy idea of what
future life in the Kingdom of God will be like. They know very
little about biblical teaching concerning the "resurrection of
the dead" - yet this is one of the basic doctrines of the Bible
(Heb-6:2).
But do you realize you can know what it will be like in the
next life? The Prophet Isaiah wrote: "Since the beginning of the
world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath
the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him
that waiteth for him" (Isa.64:4).
But the Apostle Paul explained that a Christian can
comprehend what God has prepared for those that love Him - "But
God hath revealed them unto us [true believers] by his Spirit:
for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God"
(I Cor.2:9,10). Many scriptures speak of this "mystery" (Rom.
16:25; Eph.3:3,5,9; Rev.10:7).
Satan has deceived the whole world on this all-important
subject of the resurrection of the dead (Rev.12:9). Many
scriptures reveal that the whole world is in darkness, igno-
rance and superstition.
The plain Bible teaching on the subject of the resurrection(s)
has been submerged in darkness for many centuries. There are no
Bible commentaries or dictionaries to which you can go to get the
truth on this subject. Invariably, you are given a noxious
mixture of truth and error - light and darkness - and wind
up confused if you believe what the so-called authorities tell
you. But it is high time for professing a Christians to go
directly to the Word of God to learn the real, unadulter-
ated truth.
How deceived has the world become on this vital subject of
the resurrections?
A common misbelief is expressed in the 1972 edition of The
World Book Encyclopedia: "Most Christians believe that on the
last day of the world all the dead will come to life. They call
the day, Judgment Day, because God will judge everyone"
("Resurrection," XVI, p.245).
Some believe that at death their "souls" go immediately to
heaven, purgatory, limbo or hell.
"The Westminster Shorter Catechism (question xxxvii.) states the
doctrine that the bodies of the dead rest in their graves till
the resurrection, but that their souls do immediately pass into
glory [heaven]. This was the view of the Reformers" ("Death," The
New Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge, 1911, p.
382).
According to this teaching the "body" must rest in the grave
till the "soul" can be reunited with it at the resurrection.
If the righteous are already in heavenly bliss, is it
logical to think that they would be made to return to this earth
to be reunited with their earthly "bodies"?
It is time to strip off the scales of paganism from our eyes
and look at the plain truth revealed in the Bible.
There are numerous references in the Old Testament to the
resurrection, but only the Prophet Daniel begins to hint that
there might be more than one resurrection.
Daniel wrote: "And many of them hat sleep in the dust of the
earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, ad some to shame and
everlasting contempt [or abhorrence]" (Dan.2:2).
This verse does not say that those resurrected to
"everlasting life" and those resurrected to "shame" will both
come up at the same time - in the same resurrection. That is what
many have mistakenly assumed.
Jesus Christ said: ". . . The hour is coming, in the which all
that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come
forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life
[eternal]; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of
damnation [judgment]" (John 5:28,29).
But note that Christ did not say that those who had done
"good" would be resurrected at the same time with those who had
done "evil."
The Apostle Paul, when he was speaking before Felix, the
governor of Judea, said that he had "hope toward God" of a
resurrection, in which, affirmed Paul, the Jews also believed. He
plainly told Felix "that there shall be a resurrection of the
dead, both of the just and unjust" (Acts 24:15). As Paul
"reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come,"
the unjust Felix trembled (verse 25). Paul did not say the just
and the unjust would rise up at the same time.
This same apostle wrote at length regarding the
resurrection(s) in 1 Corinthians 15. "For as in Adam all die,
even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his
own order. Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are
Christ's at his [second] coming. Then cometh the end..." (verses
22-24).
Now if one turns to the twentieth chapter of Revelation, he
can see what is meant by "the end." Paul was referring to the end
of the one-thousand-year reign of Christ and the saints on this
earth. It will not be until sometime after the thousand years are
over that the second resurrection occurs (see Rev.20:7-12).
Jesus Christ is depicted in Revelation 19:11-21 as coming on
"a white horse' and then "he shall [in the future] rule them [the
nations] with a rod of iron" (verse 15).
The resurrected saints (joined by the living saints) will be
caught up to meet Christ in the air at His second coming, and
they as kings and priests will "reign on the earth" (Rev.5:10).
To these saints Christ promises: "He that overcometh, and keepeth
my works ... to him will I give power over the nations: and he
shall rule I them [under Christ] with a rod of iron ..." (Rev.
2:26, 27).
The Time Element.
But when and how will these glorified, then-made immortal
saints rule with Christ? And for how long?
The Apostle John was inspired to give the answer: "And I saw
thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto
them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded ...and they
lived and reigned [ruled] with Christ a thousand years" (Rev.
20:4).
John, in vision, saw those who had been beheaded now
resurrected (at Christ's triumphal second coming) and given
governing positions or "judgment."
Paul gives more details of this glorious resurrection of the
saints: "For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even
so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.... For
the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the
voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead
in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain
shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the
Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord" (1 Thes.
4:14-17).
Note that it does not say the saints will go to "heaven" to
meet Christ, but that He will come (probably billions of miles)
from "heaven" to the atmosphere of this earth, and the saints
will rise to meet Him "in the air."
Now notice a prophecy back in Zechariah which shows where
Christ and the saints will go-after this rendezvous in the air:
"And his feet [the Lord's - verse 1] shall stand in that day upon
the mount of Olives..." (Zech.14:4).
At this time will Christ be alone? "...And the Lord my God
[wrote Zechariah] shall come, and all the saints with thee"
(verse 5). But where will Christ go? Back to heaven with the
saints? "And the Lord shall be king over all the earth: in that
day shall there be one Lord, and his name one" (verse 9).
It should not amaze us to find the Christ will return to
stand on the Mount of Olives. Nearly two thousand years ago, His
angels told the disciples that Christ would return to this earth
just as He left it - and He had been standing talking with His
disciples atop Mount Olivet just before this promise was given
(Acts 1:4-12).
The Apostle Paul also spoke of Christ's coming at the "last
trump" - the time when He will gather His saints unto Himself.
"Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit
the kingdom of God, neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we
shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at
the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall
be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this
corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on
immortality" (1 Cor.15:50-53).
These and other scriptures show that it is only the just,
the righteous (dead), who are resurrected at Christ's second
coming.
John shows that those who had been martyred will be raised
to life and to a position of rulership during the thousand-year
rule of Christ. But the unjust dead will not be resurrected until
the end of this period: "But the rest of the dead lived not again
until the thousand years were finished. This [referring to those
martyred - verse 4] is the FIRST resurrection. Blessed and holy
is he that hath part in the first resurrection, on such the
second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and
of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years" (Rev.20:5,
6).
Then, after the thousand years are expired, Satan goes out
to stir up more trouble on this earth. And it is still some time
later before the Great White Throne Judgment takes place - at
which the others who are still dead (years after the millennium
has ended) are made to "stand before God" in the SECOND
resurrection - when they will have their first chance.
Your Guarantee.
What is your guarantee that you will be resurrected when
Christ returns to this earth? How can you make sure you will be
in the first resurrection to immortality?
It is "they who are Christ's at his coming" who will be in
the first resurrection (I Cor.15:23).
But who are "Christ's"? Paul said: "Now if any man have not
the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his" (Rom.8:9).
It is only those who are filled and led by the Spirit of God
who will be in the first resurrection. "For as many as are led by
the Spirit of God, they are the [begotten] sons of God" (verse
14).
God's Spirit in us is like a seed that is developing into
godly character.
Paul continues: "But if the Spirit of him that raised up
Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from
the dead shall also quicken [make alive] your mortal bodies by
[the power of] his Spirit that dwelleth in you" (verse 11).
There it is! If we have the indwelling presence of the Holy
Spirit in us when we die, then we will be resurrected through the
power of that same Spirit - at the second coming of Jesus Christ.
Paul then explains that we are earnestly waiting for that time
when we shall be born as spiritual beings into the family of God.
Remember, Christ said: "Ye must be born again" (John 3:7).
Paul explained this soon-coming new birth: "For the earnest
expectation of the creature [man] waiteth for the manifestation
of the sons of God" (Rom.8:19). That is what the true Christian
waits for - earnestly longing for the time when he will be born
into the family of God - as a divine, glorified son of God.
He continues: "... Even we ourselves groan within ourselves,
waiting for the adoption [sonship], to wit [in other words], the
redemption of our body" (verse 23).
What did he mean by "the redemption of our body"? Paul
begins to explain in the book of Philippians. By way of
background he mentions that he gave up everything in order to
serve Christ and became willing to suffer "the loss of all
things" (Phil.3:7,8). Why? "That I may know him, and the power of
his resurrection ... If by any means I might attain unto the
resurrection of the dead" (verses 10,11).
He then went on to explain that "our conversation
[citizenship] is in heaven ..." (verse 20).
And it is from there - from heaven - that we "look for the
Saviour." Who [meaning Christ] shall change our vile body, that
it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the
working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto
himself" (verses, 20,21).
This redemption of the body - this change from mortal flesh
to a spiritual body - is the only hope held out to the Christian.
What Will We Be Like? W
What kind of bodies will we have in the resurrection? We
will be divested of our "natural" bodies and will put on
"spiritual" bodies. "It is sown a natural body; it is raised a
spiritual body" (I Cor.15:44).
But what will "a spiritual body" be like?
If we can know what kind of body Christ had after His
resurrection, then we can also know what kind of a spiritual body
we will have in the resurrection.
The Apostle John tells us: "Beloved, now are we the
[begotten] sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall
be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him;
for we shall see him as he is" (I John 3:2).
What kind of body did Jesus have after His resurrection?
He appeared repeatedly after He was risen. " .. He showed himself
alive after his passion [suffering] by many infallible proofs,
being seen of them forty days ..." (Acts 1:3). He was seen by
Peter, by the twelve, and by "above five hundred brethren at
nice .... After that, he was seen of James; then of all the
apostles," He was seen by numerous women, and lastly by the
Apostle Paul (I Cor.15:5-8).
After His resurrection, Christ was, generally speaking,
easily recognized. Christ met with the two Marys. "And they came
and held him by the feet, and worshipped him" (Matt.29:9).
Doubting Thomas even felt Christ's side and the nail prints
in His hands to prove to himself that Jesus was real - and not an
apparition (John 20:24-29).
On another occasion He appeared suddenly in the midst of the
disciples: "But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed
that they had seen a spirit. And he said unto them.... Behold my
hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a
spirit bath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have" (Luke
24:37-39). Christ had a glorified, spiritual body, but He was not
"a spirit."
Then the disciples gave Christ "a piece of broiled fish, and
of an honeycomb. And he took it and did eat before them" (verses
42, 43).
Notice also that Christ spoke of drinking in the soon-coming
Kingdom of God: "I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until
the kingdom of God shall come" - (Luke 22;18).
So Jesus Christ manifested Himself in a physical form after
His resurrection. He could suddenly appear to the disciples when
they were assembled behind closed doors (John 20:19). He could
also just "vanish" out of their sight (Luke 24:31).
Furthermore, Christ could travel astronomical distances at
lightning speeds - probably at the speed of thought. It was on
the first day of the week that Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene,
but she was commanded: "Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended
to my Father..." (John 20:17).
Later that same day, the two Marys did touch Him ("held him
by the feet" - Matt. 28:9), thereby proving that He had travelled
to heaven and back that same day.
If human beings were able to travel at the speed of light
(186,000 miles per second), it would take them more than four
years to travel to the nearest star. (And the Bible implies that
heaven is further away.) Yet Christ could flash to heaven and
back - undoubtedly at the speed of thought - annihilating time
and space!
How can spiritual beings travel through space at such
fantastic speeds? We simply do not know. But they can,
nonetheless.
Once the saints have been glorified by a resurrection from
the dead, they will not have to eat for sustenance; but just as
Christ ate after His resurrection, so will the saints. Why will
they eat? Probably solely for pleasure.
Let us notice further what we will be like in the
resurrection. The Sadducees "which deny that there is any
resurrection" asked Christ a trick question: "Therefore in the
resurrection whose wife of them is she? For seven [brothers] had
her to wife" (Luke 20:33).
Christ answered: ". .. They which shall be accounted worthy
to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither
marry, nor are given in marriage" (verse 35).
He didn't say that there would not be sex differences in the
appearance of "men" and "women." But there will be no sexual
function of reproduction in the resurrection.
Can those who are resurrected be killed? "Neither can they
die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the
children of God, being the children of the resurrection" (verse
36).
Where did the Sadducees go wrong in their reasoning? Christ
told them: "Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power
of God" (Math.22:29).
If people really understood the Word of God better, and if
they understood how powerful God is, then they would realize that
it is very easy for Him to resurrect "all that are in the
graves."
In the resurrection we shall be "as the angels of God in
heaven" (verse 30). Christ did not say we would be angels, but we
will be like angels in that we will be immortal and will possess
powers and glory now only shared by God and the holy angels.
(I must add here, that when we say the angels are immortal, as Christ
said we would never die but be equal to the angels, we are NOT saying
that angels have "inherent" immortality. God is the only one that has
immortality as part of His very being, inherent [you may like to look
up that word in your dictionary]. Immortality is part of the very nature
of God, He did not find it, have it given, it is part of Him as much as
holiness and perfectness is, it belongs to Him in His very being. It is true
to say that God CANNOT "will" Himself to die or into destruction, He cannot
kill Himself. Immortality is inherent in God, He is from everlasting to
everlasting. But God can WILL that other beings He creates can live forever,
never die. He has so willed that the angels shall never die; in that sense
they are immortal. God could have willed Himself to destroy them, some day,
or any time He sees fit. But no, God has not willed Himself to do that, He
did will Himslef that angels once created, would live forever. So we must
differentiate between having immortality "inherent" like God has, and
immortality given to others by God. Angels and us humans fall into the
latter category, immortality was given to angels at their creation,
immortality will be given to us the saints in a resurrection or instant
change as 1 Corinthians 15 and 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 teaches. God is
the only one with inherent immortality - 1 Timothy 6:16. So Jesus taught
us that in the resurrection we humans would be equal to the angels in that
we would never again die - Keith Hunt)
No, we will not be angels, but we will be the literal
"children of God." The Bible shows that angels are sons of God by
creative fiat but they are not and can never become the actual
begotten and finally born sons of God. But we are to be born of
God - born into His family. Then the resurrected, glorified,
immortalized saints will live in eternal happiness for ever and
ever: "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and
there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither
shall there be any more pain ..." (verse,l).
These sons of God, then born into the very God family, will
"inherit ALL THINGS: and I will be his God, and he shall be my
son" (verse 7). Will they ever have to suffer any more evil
trials? "And there shall be no more curse ... and his servants
shall serve him" (Rev.22:3).
What will they do throughout eternity? Just sit back and
bask in idleness, ease and luxury, and lapping up never-ending
rivers of pleasures?
No, they will be busy. "...And they shall reign [rule or
govern[ for ever and ever" (verse 5). And remember. "his servants
shall serve him" - throughout all eternity (verse 3). Then will
came to pass the inspired words of Hebrews 2:8: "Thou hast put
all things under his [man's] feet. For in that he put all in
subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him."
We should strive to be in the "first resurrection" (Rev.
20:6).
It is spoken of as "a better resurrection" (Heb.11:35).
Those who rise in that resurrection will be wonderfully blessed
of God!
.....................
Entered on this Website January 2008
Next is "The Second Resurrection."
THE RESURRECTIONSThe SECOND ResurrectionTHE RESURRECTIONS
From the Ambassador College study paper of 1973/74
THE SECOND RESURRECTION
FORMER Prime Minister Winston Churchill once said before the
American Congress: "He must indeed have a blind soul who cannot
see that some great purpose and design is being worked out here
below."
What is that purpose which the Creator is working out on
this earth among mere mortals?
We have seen in previous articles in this series that man's
only hope is the resurrection. Also, we saw biblical proof that
man is mortal - not immortal - and that he can only receive
immortality as a gift from God by a resurrection from the dead.
Furthermore, we saw that the Bible clearly reveals there is
to be MORE than ONE resurrection. There is an orderly plan
whereby different ones are to be resurrected at different times
"But every man [will be resurrected] in his own order..." 1 Cor.
15:23). There will be a proper "order' of succession of
resurrections.
The true faithful Christians will be the first raised to
life, and the will be resurrected to immortality at the second
coming of Christ (see 1 Cor.15:49-53: 1 Thes.4:14-17).
Resurrection of the Unjust.
But what about all those who are not resurrected at the
second coming of Jesus? Will they remain forever dead or will God
also resurrect them all at later date? And will they be raised
back to life merely to be flung into the lake of fire? What about
all the unsaved multitudes reared under Communistic atheism, who
have no Bibles, and have never heard the name of Christ or
understood the gospel?
Some say these multitudes will have a second chance. But
have they really ever had a FIRST chance to know Jesus Christ as
Saviour?
Revelation 20:5 begins to give the answer. "But the rest of
the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished.
This is the first resurrection."
The expression "this is the first resurrection" refers back
to those in verse four who are raised to immortality at Christ's
coming to become rulers with Him as kings and priests on the
earth during the millennium.
Many have made the mistake of thinking there will be only
one resurrection - when both wicked and righteous will rise in
judgment to be either rewarded or punished. But Revelation 20:5
plainly brands this an error. As a matter of fact, nowhere does
the Bible say that God will resurrect all the dead in the same
resurrection.
True, the Apostle Paul affirmed "that there shall be a
resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust" (Acts
24:15).
And Jesus Christ said: "... For the hour is coming, in the
which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall
come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of
LIFE [eternal]; and they that have done evil, unto the
resurrection of damnation [or, better translated, judgment]"
(John 5:28,29).
But let us not fall into the common error of assuming that
Paul and Christ meant the "just" and the "unjust" would be
resurrected at the same time.
We have seen that the Apostle John wrote of a "first
resurrection" and a "second resurrection." So where does that
leave us?
Since all the "just" or righteous dead are resurrected at
the second coming of Christ, leaving the "unjust" dead in their
graves, are all these unjust dead eternally, lost without any
hope of ever having an opportunity to live again and obtain
immortality?
A Resurrection of Mortals.
Are the unjust ones merely to be resurrected so God can
fling them into the lake of fire to be burned up'! What did
Christ mean when He said that "they that have done evil will be
resurrected], unto the resurrection of judgment"? (John 5:29).
Who are the "unjust" ones mentioned by Paul in Acts 24:15?
Are those who died in sin really fully accountable for their
actions in their "first life"? Have they ever had a chance for
eternal salvation?
Astounding as it may seem to people who do not really know
the scriptural teaching regarding the resurrections, countless
billions are yet to be brought back to a mortal life to have
their "first chance" to receive salvation.
Think for a moment. Could the untold billions who have lived
and died possibly have received salvation? Have the vast majority
ever had a chance to understand the Bible? Have they, then,
really rejected salvation? No! Many individuals have lived their
entire lifetimes without ever seeing a Bible or even hearing the
name of Jesus Christ.
Are they forever doomed simply because they did not have the
Word of God, and did not know that Christ is the Saviour of all
mankind? What nonsense!
What Constitutes a "Chance"?
Could countless billions of Hindus, Buddhists,
Confucianists, Taoists, animists and others who have not known
about Christ and salvation be held guilty or accountable to God
for not having received that vital knowledge?
Or is it possible that they could receive salvation through
some other person, or by a different way? The Apostle Peter
emphatically answers: "Neither is there salvation in any other..,
for there is none other name under heaven given among men,
whereby we must be saved" (Acts 6:12).
Human beings can only be saved if and when they learn of
Jesus Christ as their Saviour who died for them, and then accept
that supreme sacrifice in payment for their personal sins.
Christ said: "I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he
shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture" (John
10:9). He made it abundantly clear that anyone who "entereth not
by the door [Christ] into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some
other way, the same is a thief and a robber" (verse 1).
There is no other "door" by which we can enter the Kingdom
of God.
Can You Have a Second Chance?
Someone will ask: "Do you mean to say that God will
resurrect men back to a mortal life, and give them a second
chance?" No, this is not what the Bible teaches at all.
But the scriptures plainly reveal that the time is coming
when God will raise the "unjust" dead - those who through no
fault of their own were deceived and never understood the way of
salvation - and will at that time reveal His plan of salvation
to them.
Don't forget this basic truth: It is "impossible for God to
lie" (Heb.6:18). And "the scripture cannot be broken" (John
10:35): therefore, whatever God promises in His Word, He will do.
God's Word plainly says: "The Lord is not slack concerning his
promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to
usward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should
come to repentance" (2 Pet.3:9).
It is not God's will that heathen animists, pagan idolators
or other sincere people who may practice a false religion, should
perish. A loving Creator wills that "all should come to
repentance" - in His own time and way.
The Apostle Paul was also inspired to write that God our
Saviour "will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the
knowledge of the truth" (I Tim.2:4). He then went on to show that
"there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man
Christ Jesus; who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified
in due time" (verses 5,6).
It is God's responsibility to grant people the knowledge of
the truth. The vast majority who have ever lived and died were,
through no fault of their own, deprived of this knowledge which
would have made salvation possible in their first life-time. It
therefore becomes imperative that God give them their first real
chance to hear, understand and follow God's way of salvation. But
how? By raising them from the dead to renewed physical life in a
second resurrection.
But millions of Christians erroneously believe that when one
dies in sin he is lost forever. Many feel under a burden to see
that Christ is preached to the heathen in Africa, Asia and other
parts of the earth because they think that if these pagans die in
sin, they will miss out on salvation forever.
One scripture oft quoted to prove that a person who dies in
sin is forever doomed is Ecclesiastes 11:3 "...If the tree fall
toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the
tree falleth, there it shall be." This scripture, referring in
context to certain instructions Solomon was giving with regard to
the importance of making the most out of an uncertain and
relatively short human lifetime, has nothing to do with any
resurrection. Solomon does not say that if one, through no fault
of his own, dies in sin, be will never have a chance to repent
and receive salvation.
What Is Judgment?
In John 5:29, Jesus Christ spoke of "the resurrection of
damnation." Nearly all modern translations correctly render this
last word as "judgment" rather than "damnation."
But what does it mean to be resurrected to judgment? Most
Christians woefully misunderstand. They think of "judgment as
only a time when a sentence is passed - rewarding the righteous
or condemning the guilty. But that is a false concept.
Notice what the Apostle Peter wrote: "For the time
[beginning nearly 2,000 years ago] is come that judgment must
begin at the house of God ..." (I Pet.4:17). What did he mean? He
did not just mean condemnation had begun at God's house, the
Church.
Rather he referred to the fact that God is now judging
Christians. We are now having our chance, and we will never have
another. "How shall we escape, if we neglect so great
salvation..." (Heb.2:3.) See also Hebrews 6:4-6; 10:26-29. God
holds every Christian strictly accountable for his actions. He is
now judging every believer according to His Word. But the vast
majority of mankind, to this very day, do not understand or
believe the truth of God. They have been deceived by the devil
(Rev.12:9). And it is God's responsibility to someday see that
these deceived billions become undeceived and are given their
chance for salvation - for He is not willing that any perish!
When Christ said some would come forth in a resurrection to
"judgment," he meant they would be raised up from their graves to
a time when they would learn the truth and have their opportunity
to walk in it. Then God will render a decision - a verdict - for
each, on the basis of how they do.
Judgment of Unjust Sodom.
Some are amazed to learn that Jesus made a number of
statements in which he said that the peoples of Sodom, Go-
morrah, Tyre, Sidon, Nineveh am those living in Christ's day will
all rise up in the judgment together. Mercy will be shown to all,
but the Gentile cities will find their judgment period more
bearable than those who personally heard the teachings of Jesus
Christ and yet rejected Him and His gospel.
Christ solemnly affirmed: "Verily I say unto you, it shall
be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day
of judgment, than for that city [which rejected His teachings]"
(Matt.10:15).
To those cities who saw His miracles. Christ said, "But I
say unto you [people of Bethsaida and Chorazin], It shall be more
tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for
you" (Matt.11:21,22).
Then Jesus warned Capernaum that if the mighty works done by
Him in that city had been done in Sodom, Sodom would have existed
to that very day. "But I say unto you, That it shall be more
tolerable for the land of Sodom, in the day of judgment, than for
thee" (verse 24).
Furthermore, Christ made a similar pronouncement regarding
Nineveh: "The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this
generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the
preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here"
(Matt.12:41).
Jesus then explained that "The queen of the south [Queen of
Sheba] shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and
shall condemn it; for she came from the uttermost parts of the
earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and behold, a greater than
Solomon is here" (verse 42).
What did Jesus mean? Just this: The Queen of Sheba, the
peoples of Nineveh, Tyre, Sidon, Sodom and Gomorrah will find
repentance easier in their "day of judgment" than will those who
rejected Christ and His gospel message.
Resurrected Israel's Judgment.
Jesus Christ was not preaching a "new doctrine" when He
spoke of the resurrection of the peoples of Sodom and Gomorrah.
It was clearly indicated, if the people only had eyes to see, in
the 16th chapter of the book of Ezekiel.
Much of the chapter relates to the people of Jerusalem
(verse 2). It details their abominations, calling Samaria the
"elder sister" of Jerusalem, and Sodom her "younger sister"
(verse 46). Then God points out that the sins the people of
Jerusalem had committed were more abominable than those of her
sisters - Sodom and Samaria.
Finally, Ezekiel prophesies of the time when the Sodomites,
Samaritans and the people of Jerusalem will all be brought up out
o£ their captivity in death and will finally receive salvation.
"When I shall bring again their captivity, the captivity of Sodom
and her daughters, and the captivity of Samaria and her
daughters, then will I bring again the captivity of thy captives
in the midst of them" (verse 53). The peoples of Sodom and
Gomorrah have been held captive in the grave for nearly four
thousand years. But through Christ's death and resurrection all
of those held captive in the grave will be released.
"... When he [Christ ascended up on high [at His
resurrection], he led captivity [death] captive..." (Eph.4:8).
Christ was held captive in the grave for three days and nights,
but at His resurrection He "led captivity captive." He will do
the same for all mankind in due time by resurrecting "all that
are in the graves."
When God resurrects the peoples of ancient Sodom, Samaria
and Jerusalem, they will "return to their former estate"--meaning
that God will place them in the land where they once lived (Ezek.
16:55).
Ezekiel also prophesied elsewhere of a coming resurrection
of all the dead Israelites of past centuries.
The prophet first sees them as long dead in a "valley of dry
bones" (Ezek.37:1-10). "Then he [God] said unto me, Son of man,
these bones are the whole house of Israel.... Behold, O my
people, I will I open your graves, and cause you to come up out
of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel. And ye
shall know that I am the Lord, when I have opened your graves, O
my people, and brought you out of your graves" (verses 11-13).
Then God promises He will put His Spirit in them (giving
them the prerequisite for salvation) and will place them in their
"own land" (verse 14).
Mercy Upon All.
Even the Apostle Paul prophesied of a coming resurrection
for carnal Israel.
Paul wrote: "God hath not cast away his people [Israel]
which he foreknew" (Rom.11:2).
Paul explains that the majority of Israel are spiritually
blinded (verse 7). And who is responsible? "... God hath given
them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and
ears that they should not hear..." (verse 8). Why? "For if the
casting away of them be the reconciling of the world" - it makes
possible the salvation of the Gentiles! - "What shall the
receiving of them be, but life from the dead?" (Verse 15.) Yes,
they are to be raised from the dead and given life by the
God who loves them and all humanity.
Paul calls this a mystery "...blindness in part is happened
to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. And so
all Israel shall be saved ..." (verses 25,26).
What Paul is saying is simply this: God has determined to
call and choose only a limited number from Israel in this age. He
is not trying to save all Israel now! He therefore calls those
Israelites whom He wills, but allows the rest to remain blinded
so that He can call a number of Gentiles to fulfill His purpose.
"For as ye [Gentiles] in times past have not believed God, yet
have now obtained mercy through their [Israel's] unbelief: Even
so have these [unbelieving Israelites] also now not believed,
that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy. For God hath
concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon
all" (verses 30-32).
When the Apostle Paul understood the mystery of God's great
masterplan, he was filled with praise: "O the depth of the riches
both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable
are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!" (Verse 33).
God is not trying to save the whole world now! Rather, He
has allowed Satan to deceive the world with his false teaching
(Rev.12:9). He must prove to Satan and to man that Satan's way
produces bad results?
Great White Throne Judgment.
Just what is the Great White Throne Judgment? "The
resurrection of the righteous will take place at the coming of
Christ (I Thes.4:13-19; 1 Cor.15:53), [the resurrection) of the
unsaved at the Great White Throne Judgment after the Kingdom Age
(Rev.20:11-15)." (Unger's Bible Dictionary, 1966 ed., article,
"Resurrection.")
God is great, merciful, loving, not willing that any should
perish. He wills that all come to the knowledge of the truth and
to true repentance. But He knows it is better that most people
come to this knowledge of the truth in a better world than ours.
That is why these people will be raised up in the second
resurrection - a resurrection to a mortal, fleshly, earthly
existence.
Here is how it is depicted in the 20th chapter of
Revelation. "And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on
it.... And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God ..."
(Rev.20:11,12).
"The books [Greek, biblos - books or Bible) were opened"
(verse 12). This means that those raised up at that time will
have the books of the Bible opened to their knowledge and
understanding. And also the "book of life" will be open so their
names can be written in it when each repents of his sins, accepts
Christ as personal Saviour, and receives God's Holy Spirit. Then
they will be judged "according to their works" (verse 12).
Thus we see the "rest of the dead" raised to life, standing
before God to be judged - but not to be condemned, as so many
falsely assume. God will then judge those "unjust" dead, who are
at that time raised to life, just as He now judges His own house
- His Church (1 Pet.4:17). The book of life will be opened so
they can all receive eternal life, if they will!
How thrilling to understand God's master plan which He is
working out here below among mortal men.
...............
To be continued with "The Third Resurrection"
Note:
When one understands the truth about the second resurrection, one
wants to shout with praise and thanksgiving to the Lord, for
truly how PATIENT and LOVING and MERCIFUL He is! Yes, He really
does DESIRE that all will have an open and equal and fair chance
to be CALLED to salvation. He really does want all the millions,
nay, BILLIONS, those having lived and died, from babies to the
elderly, who never understood the Bible, or never heard the name
of Jesus.
I tell you friends the Roman Catholic world and the Protestant
world, HAS NEVER TAUGHT OR UNDERSTOOD this WONDERFUL TRUTH of the
SECOND resurrection. Even many of the 7th Day Sabbath observing
churches DO NOT KNOW OR TEACH THIS TRUTH!
There were many truths of the Bible preached and taught by the
OLD Radio Church of God (later to be called the Worldwide Church
of God) under Herbert W. Armstrong. That man and his organization
may have gone off the tracks, and became a one man cult, before
he died, but the fact is, SOME great and splendid truths did come
from that organization. The truth of the SECOND resurrection is
ONE of those truths. Few ministers or church organizations have
ever understood it.
Let us praise the Almighty that He has in the last century made
sure that this truth has been a part of the restitution of all
things. God's truths are marching on, the restitution of all
things is is taking place. You can be a part of it all, you have
the blessing of being able to find the truths of God on this
Website.
Act upon what you are being led to find, LIVE it! Then YOU can be
a part of the FIRST resurrection and be in the Family of God to
teach millions of others about the Bible, about Jesus as Savior,
about the way to salvation. Truly that is the blessing of
blessings.
Keith Hunt
The RESURRECTIONSThe Eternal end of the Wicked!THE THIRD RESURRECTION
From a study paper of Ambassador College 1973/74
HOW MANY professing Christians really know what the Bible
says about the resurrections?
Most Christians who profess to believe in the resurrection
think the "just" and the "unjust" will all be raised to life at
the same time - either to be rewarded or punished.
Some, however, believe the Bible teaches there will be two
resurrections.
But how many Christians know that according to God's master
plan there will actually be three resurrections - not just one or
two?
(Yes, I know today this is debated IF there is a third
resurrection. They have different ideas as to when the "wicked" -
those who have refused salvation through Christ, will be thrown
in the lake of fire, and suffer the second death. The fact is the
Bible does teach that the unrepentant sinner, those who refuse
salvation, will be burnt up in fire - die eternal death - just
not exist ever again. That truth is covered in the studies "Death
- then What? While there may remain some movement for debate on
when the wicked fill face their punishment, I believe this study
from Ambassador College is still the closest to the truth, if not
even right on the truth of the matter - Keith Hunt)
In previous articles in this series, we have seen that the
first resurrection will take place at the second coming of Jesus
Christ and will include only the "just," who will be raised to
life and clothed with immortality at that time (1 Thess.4:1318; 1
Cor.15:53).
We also saw clear biblical proof that after Christ's
one-thousand-year rule God will resurrect those who in past ages
died in sin and ignorance, but who (through no fault of their
own) never had a chance for salvernon - in many cases never heard
of Jesus Christ or saw a Bible in their entire lives. Or if they
did hear of Christ or see a Bible, they were spiritually blinded
(see Rom.11:17).
These deceived billions did not ask to be born into a world
of ignorance and superstition; and since "God is not willing that
any should perish;" it is His responsibility to see that they are
raised up and given a knowledge of the truth (2 Pet.3:9; 1 Tim.
2:46).
Three Resurrections.
The twentieth chapter of Revelation clearly speaks of three
resurrections.
After mentioning the second coming of Christ (Rev.
19:11-12), the apostle John writes that a mighty angel will bind
the devil and cast him into an abyss, where be will be unable to
deceive the nations for one thousand years (Rev.20:1-3).
But what happens immediately after this? The saints who have
been caught up to meet Christ at His return (I Thess.4:3-17) will
then be given charge of this earth - ruling with Christ for one
thousand years. "And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and
judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that
were beheaded ... and they lived [again] and reigned with Christ
a thousand years" (Rev.20:4).
Those who take part in this resurrection are greatly
blessed, being privileged to take part in the "first
resurrection" (verse 5).
"Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first
resurrection: on such the second death bath no power, but they
shall be priests of Gad and of Christ, and shall reign with him a
thousand years" (verse 6).
When do the remainder of the dead rise? "But the rest of the
dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished"
(verse 5).
This verse plainly shows that others are to be resurrected
one thousand years later.
Verses 11-12 (of Revelation 20) describe a coming
resurrection and judgment of that portion of the "rest of the
dead" who never had their chance for salvation. Verse 12 reads:
"And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the
books [Greek: biblos, perhaps referring to the books of the
Bible] were opened; and another book was opened, which is the
book of life ..."
When these billions are resurrected, God will open up the
Bible to their understanding. They will be given their first real
chance to repent, accept Christ as their Saviour and receive His
precious Holy Spirit. Their names will then be written in the
book of life.
Now consider verse 13: "And the sea gave up the dead which
were in it; and death and hell [Greek, hades, grave] delivered up
the dead which were in them; and they were judged every man
according to their works."
Here is pictured another resurrection period. Who are these
dead?
What resurrection is this?
Notice that there is no statement that the "book of life" is
opened up to them. Why is the "book of life" not "opened" in
connection with those who rise up in this final resurrection?
Simply because they must have already had their chance for
salvation - and rejected it!
God is not willing that any perish, yet it is not His will
to force the truth on anyone. He will not force salvation down
anyone's throat.
God offers salvation freely to all those who will receive it
(Acts 2:21). And He has made every man a free moral agent - with
the power of volition, the power to choose.
Those who do not voluntarily accept God's offer and follow
that way of life necessary to receive life eternal will not
receive it.
Those who will come up in this third resurrection are the
incorrigibly wicked. They are the last human beings to be
resurrected from their graves - from "the sea" (where they may
have perished in their first life), from death (without burial in
their first life), or from "hell" (a hole or grave in the
ground).
These miserable beings will be sentenced by God - and
executed:
"And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the
second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of
life was cast into the lake of fire" (verses 14,15).
Lamentably, none who will be resurrected in this
resurrection will have their names in the Lamb's book of life.
Therefore they will all perish!
This resurrection (which will result in the second death) is
vividly described in Luke's Gospel. A certain heartless "rich
man" is resurrected to a horrible fate. "And in hell [Greek:
bodes, grave] he lift up his eyes, being in torments .... [And he
said,] I am tormented in this flame" (Luke 16:23-24).
The wicked will all be cremated when God burns up the earth,
turning it into the final Gehenna (see 2 Peter 3:10).
But what is the truth of this parable? The rich man is
raised up out of his grave at the very end of the plan of God for
humanity on earth. He has had no knowledge of the passing of time
- "the dead know not anything" (Eccl.9:5). The "rich man" thought
that his brothers were still alive (Luke 16:27,280 but other
scriptures reveal they, too, had died).
He now realized that he had missed the boat; he had missed
out on receiving salvation. There is now "a great gulf fixed"
(verse 26) between him and those who are with Abraham in the
Kingdom of God. It is now impossible for anyone to pass either
way through this great gulf: impossible for those who are
immortal to become mortal; impossible for the mortal ones to
receive immortality.
Jesus said: "Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for
many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in [the Kingdom of God],
and shall not be able" (Luke 13:24). Continuing with the context,
Jesus then goes on to picture Himself as One who refuses to
answer the knock of incorrigible sinners who have previously
rejected salvation (as shown by other scriptures). In verse 28 He
says: "There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye
shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in
the kingdom of God, and you yourselves [incorrigible sinners]
thrust out [not able to enter the Kingdom]."
When the time for the third resurrection arrives, everyone
will have had his chance. Everyone's ultimate destiny will have
been "fixed" eternally. If will be forever too late for anyone
who - after receiving his chance for salvation - sinned
willfully, thereby rejecting eternal life. Those who rejected God
and His way must then reap the consequences of that decision -
the second death, from which there will be no resurrection. How
awful! How tragic!
God Is Just and Merciful.
God is NOT in any scest sadist. He is not willing that any
should perish, but that all should came to repentance (2 Pet.3:9;
cf., 1 Tim.2:4). But those who refuse His mercy, He is a God of
justice and judgment (Heb.10:29-31). He wants (those who leave
Him with no alternative but to put them to death for eternity) to
know what He earnestly desired and wished them to achieve.
So God is going to compel the incorrigibly wicked to see
Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and all the prophets in the Kingdom of God
before they are eternally put to death (see Luke 13:28; 16:23).
Since God made man a free moral agent with the power of
volition, man must choose. God will insist that each human choose
either His way or the devil's way, either life or death (Duet.
30:19).
But God will not force any man to receive eternal life, nor
will He arbitrarily consign anyone to death. All must choose, and
reap the consequences of that choice.
What will happen if a person chooses the way of sin and
suffering? "For the wages [reward] of sin is death; but the gift
of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Rom.
6:23).
But the Bible speaks of two deaths: first and second. "....
It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the
judgment" (Heb.9:27).
From the time of righteous Abel till this very day, even
righteous humans have had to suffer the first death. But it is
the second death that is final - not the first (Rev.20:14,15).
Notice how the apostle Peter wrote that the wicked will perish in
the lake of fire - which will occur at the time when the earth is
burned up and then made into a new earth, where the righteous
will dwell forevermore:
"But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word
are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment
and perdition of ungodly men" (2 Pet.3:7).
God has decreed that He will not let this earth be destroyed
until His great master plan for mankind on this earth is
finished.
This time of the destruction of the wicked is uxplained more
fully by Peter. "But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in
the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great
noise, and the elememts shall melt with fervent heat, the earth
also and the works that are therein shall be burned up" (verse
10).
Furthermore, "all these things shall be dissolved" (verse
11) at the time of the perdition (annihilation) of the
ungodly--during the time of "the day of God, wherein the heavens
being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt
with fervent heat" (verse 12).
What then? After the perdition (second death) of the wicked,
God will make "a new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth
(only) righteousness" (verse 13).
The Apostle John, after describing the destruction of the
wicked (Rev.20:13-15), immediately mentions "a new heaven and a
new earth" (Rev.21:1). He then gives a glowing account of the
peace, happiness, beauty and glory that will characterize this
new earth.
John was taken in vision to a "great and high mountain,"
where he was able to view "that great city, the holy Jerusalem,
descending out of heaven from God, having the glory of God ..."
(verse 10).
Notice that this indescribably beautiful city is not up in
heaven, but is to be located right here on this earth. Again, the
Apostle John speaks of the "new Jerusalem, which cometh down out
of heaven from my God ... (Rev.3:12).
Nowhere in the Bible is there a promise that man will, at
death, waft off to heaven. Rather, the Scriptures plainly teach
that the new Jerusalem will come down from heaven to this earth.
Man will not go up to heaven to dwell with God; but God will come
to this earth to dwell with men:
"...Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell
with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be
with them, and be their God" (Rev.21:3).
The Bible is consistent. Jesus Christ plainly taught that
man would eternally dwell here on this earth when He said:
"Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth" (Matt.
5:5).
And David wrote: "But the meek shall inherit the earth; and
shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace" (Ps.37:9,
11).
But will man only inherit this earth during the millennium.
and then go to heaven? "The righteous shall inherit the land. and
dwell therein for ever" (verse 29).
What will happen to the wicked? Will they, as some say,
spend a while in hell (or in some other place) suffering for
their sins, and then be taken to heaven to live forever?
Long ago, the prophet Daniel spoke of the wicked who would
"awake" in a resurrection "to shame and everlasting contempt [or
abhorrence]" (Dan.12:2).
Malachi also spoke of the end of these wretched beings who
spurned eternal life: "For, behold, the day cometh, that shall
burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do
wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn
them up, saith the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them
neither root nor branch" (Mat.4:l).
What about the righteous? Where will they be? Daniel said
the righteous would "awake ... to everlasting life"
(Dan.12:2). They will then become glorified sons of God - living,
serving their Creator eternally: "And they that be wise shall
shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many
to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever" (verse 3).
The righteous will then be made immortal. But in the third
and final resurrection, the wicked will be made to see that they
have scoffed at God's priceless offer for salvation. As a
punishment, and as an eternal example, they will be annihilated
in the "second death."
The prophet Malachi wrote of this triumph of the righteous
over the wicked: "And ye [the righteous] shall tread down the
wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your of your
feet ..." (Mal. 4:3).
Those Who Sin Willfully.
Man's destiny is so great and glorious that few Christians
have ever really grasped it. God, through His Word, repeatedly
speaks of humans becoming sons in the very family of God.
Even God's angels are servants of these heirs of divine
sonship:
"Are they [angels] not all ministering spirits, sent forth to
minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?" (Heb.1:14).
Realizing the "high calling" which God has given us, the
Apostle Paul wrote that Christians should "give the more earnest
heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we
should let them slip" (Heb.2:l).
He then asked: "How shall we escape, if we neglect so great
salvation ...?" (verse 3).
The book of Hebrews is filled with warnings to the believer
not to get careless and lose out on eternal salvation. Paul warns
Christians not to let a "root of bitterness" trouble
and/or defile them (Heb.12:15).
But the sternest warning in the entire Bible is in the tenth
chapter of Hebrews: "For if we sin wilfully [with deliberate
intent] after that we have received the knowledge of the truth,
there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful
looking for of judgment and fiery in ... dignation, which
shall devour the adversaries" (Heb.10:26,27).
The Apostle Paul then speaks of the severe ("sorer")
punishment which will befall that wicked person "who hath trodden
under foot the Son of God, and bath counted the blood of the
covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath
done despite unto the Spirit of grace" (verse 29).
Truly, "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the
living God" (verse 31).
(A word of qualification is necessary at this particular
juncture. Willful sin is NOT to be equated with sin by force of
habit or under heavy temptation. "Slipping," making mistakes, or
occasionally falling down spiritually do not constitute willful
sin. As long as the overall attitude of mind - a living mind-set
- is the desire to want to live and move along the road of
salvation with the Lord; then we have not committed the un-
pardonable sin. In a nut shell the un-pardonable sin is when you
have NO desire to serve and follow God, it is when you in essence
say "get out of here God, I do not want any party of you." or "I
just will not live or follow any of your laws and direction - I
will not acknowledge my sins, I will not repent." With that kind
of attitude of mind the Spirit of God cannot enter a person, and
they cannot be saved. A FULL rebellion against the Eternal One, a
rebellion that will not repent, is the unpardonable sin - Keith
Hunt)
But can a true believer draw back and be eternally
destroyed?
"Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back,
my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who
draw back unto perdition [destruction]; but of them that believe
to the saving of the soul" (verses 38,39).
We have seen that God is "not willing that any should
perish." Furthermore, God has ordained that there will be three
resurrections: the first, to immortality at the second coming of
Jesus - immediately before the millennium begins.
The second is to take place shortly after the thousand-year
rule of Christ. Those who rise in the second resurrection
comprise all the deceived multitudes who died without a saving
knowledge of the truth.
The third resurrection occurs at the very end of God's plan
for mortal man on this earth. Those who rise up in the third and
final resurrection are those who had their chance for salvation
and deliberately turned it down. God will be forced to extinguish
the lives of those who have obstinately chosen the way of death!
Remember, God will not force eternal life down anyone's
throat.
Now you should be better able to understand what the apostle
Paul meant by an "order" of resurrections (I Cor.15:23). He
simply meant that there would be a succession of resurrections,
various ones rising at different times for different judgments.
Let us remember that our Creator is a benevolent, loving God
who wants to do everything possible for mankind. "The Lord is
merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy ....
Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them
that fear him" (Ps.103:8,13).
Those who know the truth should strive with all their might
to be in the first resurrection, the resurrection to eternal
life, the "better resurrection" (Heb.11:35).
But those who are not predestined by God to receive the
saving knowledge of the truth now, will rise up in the second
resurrection. They will then be given their first real chance to
be saved.
But those who reject that knowledge and that way of eternal
life regardless of the age in which they were given the knowledge
of the truth will rise in the third and final resurrection, which
will culminate in the "second death" in the lake of fire.
But the believer has a wonderful, eternal future ahead of
him.
"He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his
God, and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving,
and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and
sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in
the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the
second death" (Rev.21:7,8).
Your eternal destiny - your future - is up to you! You can
choose the way of God and eternal life, or you can choose Satan's
way of lust, greed, strife and sin - which will lead to total
perdition - to the "second death" in a lake of fire.
Let each one of us make sure that we make the right choice.
..................
NOTE:
Knowing that God has a wonderful plan of salvation. Knowing that
He is a God of PATIENCE AND MERCY AND LOVE, knowing that ALL will
get an open and fair opportunity to accept Jesus as Savior and
obtain salvation, should make our hearts SING WITH PRAISE!!
What a BEAUTIFUL and GLORIOUS truth is the teaching of the Bible
on the RESURRECTIONS. Relatively speaking there will be few that
will NOT want to be in the very Family of the Eternal God.
Give Him praise and honor forever more!
Keith Hunt
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