In all my studies from various groups , this is one of the few lessons that teach about the 3 resurrections to come. Like many in Christianity I had only been taught 2, but in my own studies, I found that there were 3, but was never bold enough to believe that I may have been right from my own personal studies and so many wrong when it comes to salvation, sin, death immorality of the soul and eternal death.Here below is a small study on the 3 resurrections to come.
Death is a reality all of us must eventually face, but the hope of all Christians and the promise of the Father is the resurrection of the dead. The Bible plainly identifies three types of resurrections: special acts of mercy by God in which He raised people back to physical life, and the spiritual resurrections to eternal life. The best known resurrection is Jesus Christ's triumph over death. When He returns, He will resurrect the saints to eternal life. After the thousand years of His reign, He will resurrect to physical life all who have not had an opportunity for salvation. Finally, the incorrigibly wicked will be physically resurrected to be consumed in the Lake of Fire which is God YAHWEH HIMSELF.
Scripture References: Job 14:14-15; 19:25-26; Daniel 12:2-3; Matthew 27:52-53; Mark 5:35-42; Acts 9:40-41; 20:7-12; John 5:28-29; 11:20-24; I Corinthians 15:3-8, 20-23, 51-52; I Thessalonians 4:13-17; Revelation 20:4-6; Ezekiel 37:1-14; Revelation 20:11-15; II Peter 3:10-12;
Who is resurrected at Christ's second coming? I Corinthians 15:23, 50-53; Revelation 20:4-6; Romans 8:9, 11, 14.
Comment: Only the just, the righteous, will rise at Christ's second coming. God will raise the martyred saints to eternal life, but the unjust dead will not be resurrected until the end of this period. If we have the Holy Spirit dwelling in us when we die, we will be resurrected through the power of that same Spirit at that time. In addition to the dead in Christ, those who are true Christians at His coming will rise in the first resurrection (Matthew 24:30-31).
5. What did Paul mean by "the redemption of our body"? Romans 8:19, 23; I Corinthians 15:42-44; Philippians 3:7-12, 20-21; Colossians 1:9-18.
Comment: Paul was willing to suffer the loss of all things so he could experience the power of Christ's resurrection. Since our citizenship is in heaven, our hope lies there. Christ our Savior will change our corrupt bodies into bodies like His glorious body—from mortal flesh to immortal, incorruptible spirit.
6. What does Christ promise the overcoming saints? Revelation 2:17, 26-27; 3:5, 12, 21; Ephesians 2:6.
Comment: Jesus promises the saints that, if they overcome and live His way of life, He will give them a new name that only the recipient knows, as well as the names of God and of His city, New Jerusalem. God will give the saints power over the nations under Christ. They will also be clothed in righteousness and sit with Him on His throne. The resurrection of the saints is so certain that Paul speaks of it as already accomplished.
God has established an order of resurrections. His saints will rise first, followed at length by a second resurrection of most of mankind who never had a chance to know God's truth during their lives. Finally, in a third resurrection, the wicked—those who knew God's truth and rejected it—will come up to face eternal judgment, in the Lake of Fire. It is far better to be in the first resurrection, to live as eternal spirit beings in the God Family, filled with God's own character and incapable of sin.
Comment: Only the just, the righteous, will rise at Christ's second coming. God will raise the martyred saints to eternal life, but the unjust dead will not be resurrected until the end of this period. If we have the Holy Spirit dwelling in us when we die, we will be resurrected through the power of that same Spirit at that time. In addition to the dead in Christ, those who are true Christians at His coming will rise in the first resurrection (Matthew 24:30-31).
5. What did Paul mean by "the redemption of our body"? Romans 8:19, 23; I Corinthians 15:42-44; Philippians 3:7-12, 20-21; Colossians 1:9-18.
Comment: Paul was willing to suffer the loss of all things so he could experience the power of Christ's resurrection. Since our citizenship is in heaven, our hope lies there. Christ our Savior will change our corrupt bodies into bodies like His glorious body—from mortal flesh to immortal, incorruptible spirit.
6. What does Christ promise the overcoming saints? Revelation 2:17, 26-27; 3:5, 12, 21; Ephesians 2:6.
Comment: Jesus promises the saints that, if they overcome and live His way of life, He will give them a new name that only the recipient knows, as well as the names of God and of His city, New Jerusalem. God will give the saints power over the nations under Christ. They will also be clothed in righteousness and sit with Him on His throne. The resurrection of the saints is so certain that Paul speaks of it as already accomplished.
God has established an order of resurrections. His saints will rise first, followed at length by a second resurrection of most of mankind who never had a chance to know God's truth during their lives. Finally, in a third resurrection, the wicked—those who knew God's truth and rejected it—will come up to face eternal judgment, in the Lake of Fire. It is far better to be in the first resurrection, to live as eternal spirit beings in the God Family, filled with God's own character and incapable of sin.
At Jesus Christ's second coming the truly faithful Christians will be raised to immortality, but what will happen to those who are not resurrected then? Are all those who died in sin be held fully accountable for their actions in this life, or will God ultimately give everyone a chance for salvation? .
1. Will God resurrect all the dead in the same resurrection? Revelation 20:4-5; Acts 24:15; John 5:28-29; I Corinthians 15:23-24.
Comment: "This is the first resurrection" in Revelation 20:5 refers back to the events of verse 4, which describes those who are raised to immortality at Christ's second coming to become rulers with Him as kings and priests on the earth during the Millennium. The Bible nowhere says God will resurrect all the dead in the same resurrection. The apostle Paul affirms that both the "just" and "unjust" will be resurrected, and Jesus speaks of a "resurrection of life" and a "resurrection of judgment. However, these do not occur simultaneously. God has an orderly plan whereby He resurrects different groups of people at different times, "every man in his own order." This implies a succession of resurrections. Regarding the resurrection of the unjust, "the rest of the dead," who have not understood God's way of life, they must wait in their graves until the thousand years are over.
2. Are the unjust dead eternally lost? Acts 4:12; John 10:1, 9; Revelation 20:7-12.
Comment: The unjust dead are not eternally lost and without hope of having an opportunity to obtain immortality. God will not resurrect them merely to throw them into the Lake of Fire! Salvation only comes through one Person; only by learning of the life and work of Jesus Christ and accepting His supreme sacrifice in payment for our personal sins can human beings be saved. No one can obtain salvation except through Christ, who is the door. Anyone trying to enter another way is a thief and a robber. Therefore, we can enter the Kingdom of God only one way, through Christ.
3. Can a person have a second chance at salvation? II Peter 3:9; I Timothy 2:4-6; Ezekiel 37:1-14.
Comment: In resurrecting humans to mortal life, God will not give them a second chance for salvation—He will give them their first chance! At that time, He will raise those who were deceived and never understood His way, and reveal His plan of salvation to them. God wants all mankind to receive the gift of salvation, but He requires repentance and righteous living. He is responsible to grant people the knowledge of the truth, and only when He calls them do they have their first real opportunity to hear, understand and follow His way of life.
4. What is "the resurrection of judgment"? John 5:29; I Peter 4:17; Hebrews 2:3; 6:4-6; 10:26-29; Matthew 10:15.
Comment: Most modern translations correctly render the last word in John 5:29 as "judgment" rather than "damnation" or "condemnation." God is now judging Christians; we are having our opportunity for salvation now. He holds every Christian accountable for his actions, but the vast majority of mankind today does not understand or believe the truth of God. By "the resurrection of judgment," Christ means that, in a future time, God will raise many from their graves to learn the truth and have their opportunity to walk in it. Based on how they live, God will then decide their fates. I believe that Most of all who have ever lived He will save, but perhaps some, in stubborn rebellion against Him, will condemn themselves to eternal death. But it would seem to me when given the true facts why anyone in their right mind would ever chose never to exist again.But I will leave this option open for the time being until I have enough facts and the Spirit of God reveals the truth as to if All will be Saved or not, right now I will go for the options of Maybe a few will choose eternal death.
5. Will God resurrect physical Israel? Romans 11:2-3, 7-15, 25-27, 30-33.
Comment: God Himself has kept Israel from seeing and hearing (understanding and applying) His truth, giving Israel a spirit of slumber to make possible the salvation of the Gentiles. He has determined to call and choose only a limited number from Israel in this age, allowing the rest to remain blinded. With the rest of humanity, they will rise in the second resurrection and have the opportunity for salvation.
6. What is the Great White Throne Judgment? I Thessalonians 4:13-18; I Corinthians 15:53-54; Revelation 20:11-15.
Comment: The resurrection of the righteous takes place at Christ's return, but that of the uncalled—the second resurrection—will occur in the Great White Throne Judgment after the Millennium. God is merciful, loving and kind, not willing that any should perish. He desires all to come to the knowledge of the truth and to true repentance at the proper time. He has determined that all will receive this opportunity when He has set up His Kingdom on the earth, an environment most conducive to salvation.
These people will be raised up to physical existence. The "books" that are opened at this time are the books of the Bible in which are revealed true knowledge and understanding. The "Book of Life" will also be opened so their names can be written in it when they repent of their sins, accept Christ as personal Savior, and receive the Holy Spirit. During this time, they will be judged according to their works. Thus, we see most of if not all of humanity standing before God to be judged. God in His wisdom has determined that this is the best way to bring the most sons and daughters to glory and eternal life in His Kingdom.
1. Will God resurrect all the dead in the same resurrection? Revelation 20:4-5; Acts 24:15; John 5:28-29; I Corinthians 15:23-24.
Comment: "This is the first resurrection" in Revelation 20:5 refers back to the events of verse 4, which describes those who are raised to immortality at Christ's second coming to become rulers with Him as kings and priests on the earth during the Millennium. The Bible nowhere says God will resurrect all the dead in the same resurrection. The apostle Paul affirms that both the "just" and "unjust" will be resurrected, and Jesus speaks of a "resurrection of life" and a "resurrection of judgment. However, these do not occur simultaneously. God has an orderly plan whereby He resurrects different groups of people at different times, "every man in his own order." This implies a succession of resurrections. Regarding the resurrection of the unjust, "the rest of the dead," who have not understood God's way of life, they must wait in their graves until the thousand years are over.
2. Are the unjust dead eternally lost? Acts 4:12; John 10:1, 9; Revelation 20:7-12.
Comment: The unjust dead are not eternally lost and without hope of having an opportunity to obtain immortality. God will not resurrect them merely to throw them into the Lake of Fire! Salvation only comes through one Person; only by learning of the life and work of Jesus Christ and accepting His supreme sacrifice in payment for our personal sins can human beings be saved. No one can obtain salvation except through Christ, who is the door. Anyone trying to enter another way is a thief and a robber. Therefore, we can enter the Kingdom of God only one way, through Christ.
3. Can a person have a second chance at salvation? II Peter 3:9; I Timothy 2:4-6; Ezekiel 37:1-14.
Comment: In resurrecting humans to mortal life, God will not give them a second chance for salvation—He will give them their first chance! At that time, He will raise those who were deceived and never understood His way, and reveal His plan of salvation to them. God wants all mankind to receive the gift of salvation, but He requires repentance and righteous living. He is responsible to grant people the knowledge of the truth, and only when He calls them do they have their first real opportunity to hear, understand and follow His way of life.
4. What is "the resurrection of judgment"? John 5:29; I Peter 4:17; Hebrews 2:3; 6:4-6; 10:26-29; Matthew 10:15.
Comment: Most modern translations correctly render the last word in John 5:29 as "judgment" rather than "damnation" or "condemnation." God is now judging Christians; we are having our opportunity for salvation now. He holds every Christian accountable for his actions, but the vast majority of mankind today does not understand or believe the truth of God. By "the resurrection of judgment," Christ means that, in a future time, God will raise many from their graves to learn the truth and have their opportunity to walk in it. Based on how they live, God will then decide their fates. I believe that Most of all who have ever lived He will save, but perhaps some, in stubborn rebellion against Him, will condemn themselves to eternal death. But it would seem to me when given the true facts why anyone in their right mind would ever chose never to exist again.But I will leave this option open for the time being until I have enough facts and the Spirit of God reveals the truth as to if All will be Saved or not, right now I will go for the options of Maybe a few will choose eternal death.
5. Will God resurrect physical Israel? Romans 11:2-3, 7-15, 25-27, 30-33.
Comment: God Himself has kept Israel from seeing and hearing (understanding and applying) His truth, giving Israel a spirit of slumber to make possible the salvation of the Gentiles. He has determined to call and choose only a limited number from Israel in this age, allowing the rest to remain blinded. With the rest of humanity, they will rise in the second resurrection and have the opportunity for salvation.
6. What is the Great White Throne Judgment? I Thessalonians 4:13-18; I Corinthians 15:53-54; Revelation 20:11-15.
Comment: The resurrection of the righteous takes place at Christ's return, but that of the uncalled—the second resurrection—will occur in the Great White Throne Judgment after the Millennium. God is merciful, loving and kind, not willing that any should perish. He desires all to come to the knowledge of the truth and to true repentance at the proper time. He has determined that all will receive this opportunity when He has set up His Kingdom on the earth, an environment most conducive to salvation.
These people will be raised up to physical existence. The "books" that are opened at this time are the books of the Bible in which are revealed true knowledge and understanding. The "Book of Life" will also be opened so their names can be written in it when they repent of their sins, accept Christ as personal Savior, and receive the Holy Spirit. During this time, they will be judged according to their works. Thus, we see most of if not all of humanity standing before God to be judged. God in His wisdom has determined that this is the best way to bring the most sons and daughters to glory and eternal life in His Kingdom.
Revelation 20 clearly describes three resurrections. We have previously seen that the first resurrection will take place at Jesus Christ's Second Coming. It will include only the "just," who will be raised to life and clothed with immortality (I Thessalonians 4:13-18; I Corinthians 15:33). After Christ's Millennial rule, God will resurrect those who in past ages died in sin and ignorance, having never had a chance for salvation, and in many cases having never heard of Jesus Christ or seen a Bible. Others were spiritually blinded, and God will resurrect them in a second resurrection (Romans 11:7).
Scripture speaks of yet one more resurrection for the group not dealt with in either of the other two. This third resurrection is a resurrection to the second death, for those resurrected will be cast into the Lake of Fire Whom does God raise in the third resurrection? Revelation 20:11-15; John 5:29.
Comment : The incorrigibly wicked are the last of mankind to be resurrected from their graves—from "the sea" (where they may have perished), from death (without burial), or from hades (a grave in the ground). God Himself will sentence these unruly, miserable human beings—hopefully few—and whoever is not found written in the Book of Life will be cast into the Lake of Fire. As to what the final outcome of this final group of people will be , is for this person yet to be verified.
Scripture speaks of yet one more resurrection for the group not dealt with in either of the other two. This third resurrection is a resurrection to the second death, for those resurrected will be cast into the Lake of Fire Whom does God raise in the third resurrection? Revelation 20:11-15; John 5:29.
Comment : The incorrigibly wicked are the last of mankind to be resurrected from their graves—from "the sea" (where they may have perished), from death (without burial), or from hades (a grave in the ground). God Himself will sentence these unruly, miserable human beings—hopefully few—and whoever is not found written in the Book of Life will be cast into the Lake of Fire. As to what the final outcome of this final group of people will be , is for this person yet to be verified.
Here you can see that both the just and the unjust are resurrected. Yah'shua taught about different resurrections. Luke 14:14 talks about "the resurrection of the just" where the righteous will be rewarded. The interim or 'space' between these two resurrections defines "the Age", i.e. Aionian life. It is a special reward for certain Christians called to rule with Yah'shua. They will receive life a thousand years before their fellow Christians. They are the firstborn of Yahweh - His firstfruits as it were. It does not mean that their reward will end with that Age. Yahweh does not plan to take back immortality from them.
Likewise, when Yah'shua speaks of the wicked or the unjust receiving aionian judgment, He is once again showing us that their judgment is limited to a specific age. It has both a beginning and an end. Judgment is not perpetual without hope of restoration. The Book of Revelation shows that this age of judgment follows the Great White Throne Judgment at the end of the thousand-year Tabernacles or Sukkot age.
And so, the aionian life reward of those who rule with Messiah a thousand years will commence at the first resurrection and end with the second. The aionian judgment of the unjust will commence with the second resurrection and end with the great Jubilee at the end of time, after all things have been put under the feet of Messiah.
I conclude, with concrete and irrefutable proof, that in the original Hebrew and Greek languages, olam and aionian respectively refer to a limited period of time. That is why most of the early Messianic Community or Christian Church scholars understood the lake of fire to be only age-lasting. The Catholic Augustine was the first to actually argue against this, and he did so on a very flimsy basis (I don't have time to go into that now), because he did not understand the Doctrine of the Ages, and this because he refused to learn Greek. For centuries the Roman Catholic Church did not believe the need to learn Greek which had the effect of perpetuating the error with little chance of correction. The concept of eternal punishment became so deeply embedded in the Western psyche that it remains largely uncorrected today. Just pick up a Protestant Jack Chick tract and you'll see what I mean.
I can confidently dismiss the eternal punishment whipping-boy as an unbiblical lie. Instead, we can focus more on the redemptive heart of our Father in Heaven and really start "judging righteous judgment" (Jn.7:24, KJV). We are freed to preach a gospel of love without fear of contradicting ourselves and coming across as hypocrites worshipping a terrible deity little worse than Satan himself. We can rejoice in Yahweh's fairness, perfect justice and Torah, overflowing love and divine mercy. In short, as believers we can have real hope and give unbelievers that same hope too. Amen.
The doctrine of the resurrection is the truth that the God who resurrected Jesus Christ will also raise all the dead to life. For some, that resurrection will be to eternal life. For many others, it will be to physical life with an opportunity for eternal life.And the rest, it will be a resurrection to the JUDGEMENT that has a beginning and an end. If we obey, serve God the Father and Jesus Christ, and overcome our sins, we have a wonderful future ahead of us: We will inherit all things.
Likewise, when Yah'shua speaks of the wicked or the unjust receiving aionian judgment, He is once again showing us that their judgment is limited to a specific age. It has both a beginning and an end. Judgment is not perpetual without hope of restoration. The Book of Revelation shows that this age of judgment follows the Great White Throne Judgment at the end of the thousand-year Tabernacles or Sukkot age.
And so, the aionian life reward of those who rule with Messiah a thousand years will commence at the first resurrection and end with the second. The aionian judgment of the unjust will commence with the second resurrection and end with the great Jubilee at the end of time, after all things have been put under the feet of Messiah.
I conclude, with concrete and irrefutable proof, that in the original Hebrew and Greek languages, olam and aionian respectively refer to a limited period of time. That is why most of the early Messianic Community or Christian Church scholars understood the lake of fire to be only age-lasting. The Catholic Augustine was the first to actually argue against this, and he did so on a very flimsy basis (I don't have time to go into that now), because he did not understand the Doctrine of the Ages, and this because he refused to learn Greek. For centuries the Roman Catholic Church did not believe the need to learn Greek which had the effect of perpetuating the error with little chance of correction. The concept of eternal punishment became so deeply embedded in the Western psyche that it remains largely uncorrected today. Just pick up a Protestant Jack Chick tract and you'll see what I mean.
I can confidently dismiss the eternal punishment whipping-boy as an unbiblical lie. Instead, we can focus more on the redemptive heart of our Father in Heaven and really start "judging righteous judgment" (Jn.7:24, KJV). We are freed to preach a gospel of love without fear of contradicting ourselves and coming across as hypocrites worshipping a terrible deity little worse than Satan himself. We can rejoice in Yahweh's fairness, perfect justice and Torah, overflowing love and divine mercy. In short, as believers we can have real hope and give unbelievers that same hope too. Amen.
The doctrine of the resurrection is the truth that the God who resurrected Jesus Christ will also raise all the dead to life. For some, that resurrection will be to eternal life. For many others, it will be to physical life with an opportunity for eternal life.And the rest, it will be a resurrection to the JUDGEMENT that has a beginning and an end. If we obey, serve God the Father and Jesus Christ, and overcome our sins, we have a wonderful future ahead of us: We will inherit all things.
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