ESCHATOLOGICAL BIBLE STUDY (Part 7)

Continued from part 6

By Francis Akin-John

THE RESURRECTIONS

INTRODUCTION

“Marvel not at this: 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 resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto resurrection of damnation”( JOHN 5; 28-29) “ “And have hope toward God, which they themselves allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust” (Acts 24;15).

Our Lord Jesus Christ foretold His own resurrection from the dead, after the third day.(Matthew 16;21; 17:22,23; ‪20:17-19‬; Mark 8;31; 10:32-34; Luke ‪9:29-22‬; 18:31-34) Observe that the unbelief of doubters in the resurrection of Christ didn’t hinder His resurrection. Luke 24;1-46. It’s the resurrection of Christ that gives hope and assurance for the resurrection of the saints. As He arose from the dead, we too shall arise to life in Him at the last time.

So also, the unbelief of scoffers today will not hinder the resurrection of all saints and sinners who ever lived and died in this world when the time comes.(Acts 23;8; 2 Timothy2:15-18; 1 Corinthians 15;12-23)

FACT OF RESURRECTION
The doctrine of resurrection is a cardinal truth  of the word of God.( Hebrew 6;2). The Word of God, in both Testaments, clearly teaches the fact of resurrection. The hope of resurrection is also clearly associated with the Messianic hope of the “Day of the Lord”. In Daniel, the resurrection ( 12;2) is seen to be an event subsequent to the time of trouble under the anti-Christ (12;1). In Isaiah, the resurrection (26;19) is spoken of in reference to “the indignation” (26;20,21). In John’s Gospel, the resurrection is stated as a hope associated with the “last day” (11;24)
Resurrection is the rising of all the dead in the last day into a new state of
Existence. The two resurrections are yet in future, which are inclusive of “all that are in the graves”. John 5:28 There shall be literal and bodily resurrections of all the dead.
l Cor.15:22; Rev.20:12;ll Cor ‪5:10‬. The dead shall not be raised at the same time or to
the same destiny , but all the dead will be raised. John 5:28, 29; Rev.20:12-14. ‘Those in the graves shall hear his voice and come forth to judgment; the good, to the  resurrection of life’, and evil to damnation.

BETWEEN DEATH AND RESURRECTION, WHERE IS THE SOUL? Luke 23:39-43. Acts 7:54-60; 2 Corinthians 5:1-8

When a sinner dies, his soul goes immediately to hell- a place of torment. Hebrew 9;27. He is conscious; he can see, he can feel and he can hear, but in torment and pains to await judgement to Lake of fire later..

When a child of God dies here, his souls immediately goes to paradise- a place of rest. To rest, awaiting the bema seat judgement of Christ.

Jesus told the thief on the cross: “Today shalt this be with me in paradise” Luke 23;43.

At the time of resurrection, physical bodies are resurrected and souls ( from paradise for the children of God; from hell for the sinners) are united with their resurrected bodies.

THE RESURRECTION BODY OF THE BELIEVERS.

There are also celestial bodies and bodies terrestrial” l Cor.
‪15:35. ‬ The resurrection body will be God given and according to God’s own
Will: l Cor.15:38; ll Cor.5:1-4. The physical body is sown in corruption
through death and it shall be raised without corruption. I Cor.15:35-57.

The new body will be immortal incorruptible. l Cor.15:52-54; Luke
20:35,36. the body is not subject to death again. It is sown a mortal body, it
is raised an immortal body. The new body will be free from sickness, pain,
weakness, and death. Rev.21:4. God shall wipe away all tears from their
eyes’.

It will be a powerful body not subject to weakness, weariness, and
limitations of present physical bodies. it is sown in weakness, it is raised in
power. l Cor15:43; John 20:19. “Therefore are they before the throne”
Rev.7:15

It will be a celestial body for heavenly environment and adaptable for heavenly uses and purposes. l Cor.15:40,47-49. it is sown an “earthly” body but raised in heavenly body.

It will be a shinning glorious body, befitting to see God face to face. It is sown in dishonour but raised in glory. Phil. ‪3:21‬; l Cor.15:42; l John 3:2. “Then
shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father”
Matt.13:43; Dan.12:3. Those who are thoroughly instructed in Christ’s word and doctrine shall shine.

It will be an agile body able to pass through space with lighting speed, due to
the mighty energy quickening it, I These. ‪4: 13-17‬.

It will be composed of spirit, flesh and bones like the resurrection body of our
Lord. “Behold my hands and feet that it is I myself handle me and see, for a spirit has not flesh and bones as you see me have”. Luke 24:39; Phil. ‪3:21‬; I John 3:2.

The resurrection bodies will have variety of glories. “There is one glory of the sun, another star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead”. I Cor. ‪15:41‬, 42;
Dan. 12:1,3. The final resurrection and judgment will involve triumph of Christ and his church, and on the other the destruction of Satan and his followers.

THE FIRST RESURRECTION.

All saints who ‘sleep’ in the Lord in all the ages will take part in the first resurrection.
“But every man in his own order”. I Cor. ‪15:23‬. The first resurrection is known by
various other names:
(i). The resurrection of the just. Luke 14:14. I Cor. 15:3,2.
(ii). The resurrection of life. John 5:29.
(iii). First resurrection. Rev. 20:5,6.
(iv). A better resurrection. Heb. ‪11:35‬.
(v). Children of resurrection. Luke 20:36.

ORDER OF EVENTS IN THE FIRST RESURRECTION PROGRAMS 

1.The resurrection of Christ that took place many centuries ago, about 33 A.D. – Christ- the first-fruits of them that slept.

2.The resurrection of the church-age saints at the rapture. It will concern only the dead in Christ and those “who slept in Jesus”, I These. ‪4:13-16‬. the bodies of living believers will, at the same time, be instantaneously changed. I Cor. 15:50-53; Phil. 3:20,21.
This will be prior to the seven-year tribulation.

3.The resurrection of the Old Testament saints will take place just about the end of the seven-year tribulation. Dan. 12:2; Isa. 26:19-21. At the marriage supper of the Lamb, Israel will be in attendance as friends of the Bridegroom. Rev. 19:7-9; Psalm 50:1-6; John 3:29.

4.Then there will be the resurrection of the tribulation saints that must take place before the millennial reign. In fact, it is possible they are raised together with the Old
Testament saints. Rev. 20:3-6. They reign with him a thousand years.
The first four stages or phases of resurrection are included in the first resurrection to life. The last one or second resurrection is the resurrection to damnation and lake of fire.

THE SECOND RESURRECTION.

This is the resurrection of all the wicked dead from Adam to the end of the millennial
reign. It takes place between the end of the thousand-year reign of Christ upon the earth and just before the great white Throne judgment. Dan. 12:3; John
‪5:28, 29; Acts 24:14, 15; Rev. 20:5,12-14. rev. 20:4,5. There will be everlasting punishment in lake of fire for all resurrected people who ever lived from Adam, whose names are not found in the Lamb’s book of life‬

The resurrections are separated in time by one thousand years. Rev. 20:1-5. From these verses, all who have been martyred for the truth of God shall be raised a thousand years before the other dead, and reign on earth with Christ during that time, and after which the dead in general shall be raised. Rev. 20:6. They are holy and blessed. None can be blessed but those that are holy; and all that are holy shall be blessed. These were holy as a sort of first-fruits to God in this spiritual resurrection, and as such blessed by him. They are secured from the power of the second death.

THE NATURE OF THE RESURRECTIONS IS CONTRASTED BELOW

FIRST RESURRECTION   SECOND RESURRECTION
(1). Involves all those who “slept in the  Lord” from Abel to end of tribulation
( i)Involves all those who died in all the rebellion, from Cain to the last revolt- Dan 12:2; Rev. 20:4. of Satan in the millennium Rev. 20.
(i) Completed at the end of the Tribulation
(2)Occurs once at the end a
Rev. 20:4 millennium Rev. ‪20:11‬.

(iii). They are judged at the judgment seat of Christ
3)They are judged at the Throne of Rom. 14:10. judgment.

(iv). They are made priests and rulers with Christ
4)They have their part in which burns Rev. 20:7 with fire and Brimstone. Rev. 21:8.

(v). The second death has no power over them
(5)Cast into Gehenna, hell which is  Rev. 20:6 the second death. Rev. 20:14,15.

(vi). Become God’s people in his presence (
6)No place for them in God’s Rev. 21:3 presence. Rev. ‪20:11‬.

(vii). Enjoy everlasting life.
7)Matt. 25:46. Suffer everlasting punishment. Matt. 25:46.

(viii). Become blessed (happy) and holy.
(8) Weeping and gnashing teeth Rev. 20:6 become their lot. Matt. 25:30

(ix). Possessing a new body of glory and majesty.1 Joh3;1-3
(9 )The resurrection body of unsaved, is not explained in the scriptures but they have immortal bodies.

(x) First resurrection should be the earnest desire of every believer
(10)All efforts should be made Phil. 3:10 escape this resurrection unto damnation.

In the final analysis, RAPTURE is the key, if you are alive till then. And if you are dead, living for Christ before dying is the key. Once you are saved from sin, and living Christ like lives, you’ll get raptured and if you die before rapture, you’ll be part of the first resurrection. It’s only those who died in sin, unbelief, disobedience and wickedness that will not partake in rapture and first resurrection. The ball is your court now!