July 12

THE FIRST AND SECOND RESURRECTION / PART 1

-Revelation 20:4-6 states, … 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 for the witness of Jesus, and for the Word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he that has part in the first resurrection: on such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years …

-Revelation 20:14,15 states, … And death and hell ( Hades - the grave ) 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 … ( This is the second { general } resurrection )

-John 5:28,29 states, … 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 the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation ( judgment ) … ( This speaks of the righteous and wicked in the second resurrection )

-Daniel 12:2 states, … And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting ( age-lasting ) life, and some to shame and everlasting ( age-lasting ) contempt … ( This speaks of the righteous and wicked in the second resurrection )

-The apostle John tells us in the book of Revelation that there is a “first” resurrection. This would then tell us that there is a “second” resurrection to come at a later time. The first resurrection happens 1,000 years before the second ( general ) resurrection. Hebrews 11:35 tells us that the Hebrew people served God in order to obtain a BETTER RESURRECTION. If there is a better resurrection, then there is also another resurrection that is less desirable. It is important to understand and distinguish between these two resurrections.

-Over the next few days we will attempt to look at, understand, and dissect the all-important subject of resurrection, including the nature of resurrection, seeking to understand the spiritual and physical aspects of the term resurrection. But rest assured. There shall be a first and second resurrection, in which lies the hope of all humanity, whether just or unjust.

-THANK GOD FOR THE FIRST AND SECOND RESURRECTION!-