End Time events hold promises of resurrection

The Bible speaks of three profound resurrections, the first being the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, celebrated by many as Easter. The remaining two are often overlooked, if not ignored, by most Christian groups. One of these is singularly momentous as it holds for us the promise of eternal life.

Information on all resurrections can be found in abundance in your Bible. The Bible is the Christian’s only reliable source of information for faith and practice; it’s folly to rely on any other.

The two resurrections that are major components of the end time events:

1. The resurrection of the just, also called the first resurrection (Revelation 20:5,6), a better resurrection (Hebrews 11:35), the resurrection to everlasting life (Daniel 12:2) and the resurrection of life (John 5:29). Those who participate are called the children of God and the children of the resurrection (Luke 20:36).

2. The resurrection of the unjust, also called the resurrection of damnation (John 5:29) and the resurrection to shame and everlasting contempt (Daniel 12:2). Those who participate in this one are all those not in the resurrection of the just (Revelation 20:5 calls them “the rest of the dead”).

Neither will take place before Christ’s return.

Consider I Thessalonians 4:16-17, “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.” (all scripture quoted is from the 1769 Authorized King James Version unless noted otherwise).

The above takes place after a series of events, namely a great war, the destruction of the beast (man of sin) and his false prophet, and casting Satan bound into the bottomless pit (Revelation 19:11-20:5).

Luxuriate in the wonderful news of Revelation 20:6: “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.”

The second death is reserved for some — not all — of those in the second resurrection. No wonder the resurrection of the just is called the better resurrection.

This resurrection of the unjust will take place one millennium after the resurrection of the just. During this time the Lord Jesus will set up God’s Kingdom upon Earth and wondrous changes shall flourish.

Isaiah 35:4-10 declares, “Say to them [that are] of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come [with] vengeance, [even] God [with] a recompence; he will come and save you. Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame [man] leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert. And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water: in the habitation of dragons, where each lay, [shall be] grass with reeds and rushes. And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it [shall be] for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err [therein]. No lion shall be there, nor [any] ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk [there]: And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.”

Imagine, wolf and lambs feeding together (Isaiah 65:25), vipers harmless to children (Isaiah 11:8), swords beaten into plows (Micah 4:3) and we shall sit at the master’s feet.

God shall wipe every tear from every eye for there’ll be no more pain, sorrow, crying or death (Revelation 21:4). We long for that day when Jesus Christ shall free the entire creation from bondage (Romans 8:18-25). Albeit, in considering these resurrections we’re made to wonder why they’re needed if those who have died are already in heaven or hell.

Herein lies the rub, the Bible declares the dead to remain so until Christ’s return. John 3:13 says, “And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, [even] the Son of man which is in heaven.”

To be continued.

The Rev. Linus A. Mathis III is the founder and director of Frontier Christian Ministries.