We can easily get in a muddle when sorting out the resurrections. It's plural because the Bible speaks of two resurrections. However if you don't know how to manage them, we can misinterpret the Bible and end up with all sorts of strangeness. Rule number 1 with the two resurrections is it refers to the resurrection to eternal life and the resurrection to eternal condemnation. The second resurrection only has one part to it but the first resurrection, has subsections. So unless you categorize the resurrections you can be reading the end times wrongly.
Revelation is a book that is sectioned by Jesus when he instructs John in Chapter 1:19. John was obedient and relayed what he had seen, Jesus Glorified, what is now, the church age and what must happen after the church age. Basically:
What John had seen : Chapter 1:12-18
What is now: Chapters 2 and 3
What will take place after: 4-22
So we can consider Revelation to be a chronological account of the church age and end times. I will unpack some of the highlights of Revelation as we go on but for this article, what about the resurrections? Firstly we must note that the resurrection has in some ways already begun! Jesus is the first-fruits of the first resurrection! The next resurrection is the bride of Christ... the truly born from above saints! This will occur at the 'harpazo,' the snatching away of the church.
Then there is a seven year period where Israel make a covenant with the Antichrist, who, according to 2 Thess 2 cannot be revealed until the restrainer is taken... that's the Spirit filled church! many believe the church enters some or all of this seven year period. If that is the case then the church will be able to ballpark the return of Jesus... something that will not be known to believers of the church age. The Apostles believed the harpazo was at any time so the church cannot enter the tribulation. This is one of many reasons and to digress would make this already epic article even more complex.
During this seven years 144,000 Jews are sealed to evangelize the whole world and people can be saved during this time. Many are martyred for not following the Antichrist directive to take a mark on their forehead or arm /hand. They are part of the first resurrection but not the Bride. We have the Old Testament saints at the beginning of the Millennial Reign of Christ then the Tribulation saints. Those who die during the Millennial reign are resurrected at the end of the Millennium as I will demonstrate.
The unsaved coming out of the Great Tribulation take part in the Sheep and Goats Judgement. This occurs at the start of the Millennial Reign when Surviving Christians are divided from the unsaved. The unsaved are killed. So going into the 1000 year reign are:
Jesus (Gospels)
The Bride with Resurrection Bodies (Refer to my article on the rapture?)
Old Testament saints (friends of the Bridegroom) with Resurrection Bodies (Dan 12:1-2)
Believers from the Great Tribulation, no resurrection bodies.
It is my understanding that Rev 20:5 answers the question of the resurrection of the dead Millennial believers. Its subject is about the 1st resurrection, describing the Tribulation saints as 'blessed and Holy' for being a part of it. The 'rest of the dead' are believers dying in the Millennial reign of Christ. Rev 20:6 The second death has no power over them seems to include the dead of v5. So in a nutshell, according to Rev 20:5 the millennial believers are resurrected at the end of the Millennial reign. Then at the end of the Millennial reign the dead who rejected Christ are raised for Judgement.
Why is it important to create a model for the end times? Many say it's just going to go down how God has decreed. That's all correct! But I'm excited that the Lord has forensically outlined the end of days so we can walk in the knowledge and security of his powerful hand.
Gary Ward
everyone born into this world inherits from their father. The inherit the sinful nature. Therefore all the ill we see in this world occurs because of the mess that occurred when the first two humans disobeyed God and placed satan in leadership of the human affairs. God's plan started in Genesis 3:15 where the woman's seed would crush the serpents head (but he would strike his heel). In time God made Mary pregnant meaning the resultant baby would not come from the male bloodline. Jesus was born without a sinful nature because the father was God. He lived without sin and offered himself up to take the punishment for all sin (even though he never sinned). Your objection is to question the actions of the family while Jesus was growing up and becoming a man... then his actions during his ministry.
ReplyDeleteYour understanding is flawed. The Prophets had already told all who were listening that the virgin would be with child. Matthew confirms the 'parthenos' virgin as do the other gospels. Jesus did not behave as expected. He went to sinners and tax collectors and prostitutes and ate with them. If you had a child and an angel told you they would become a Phd is medicine youd have high hopes. But if he started hanging out with crack heads and pirates, youd question his actions. That's all we see in the gospels... a reaction to seemingly odd behaviour.
Mark its a weak argument. Theres so many other things you can highlight but this has no teeth. It's your own passing thoughts, not academic or researched. Bored. Don't post any more Mark.