TWO RESURRECTIONS
AND TWO THOUSAND YEARS
PART ONE : ATHE FIRST RESURRECTION@ - A CLOSER LOOK
compiled by Rachel Cory-Kuehl on January 12, 2008
[For many Scripture references describing the resurrection which takes place on the day that Christ returns in glory, please see those studies at this web site on
AThe Second Coming,@ and AWhat Happens When We Die?@]
ONE RESURRECTION : SOME SAVED AND SOME CONDEMNED
Daniel 12:1-3 AAnd at that time your people shall be delivered, every one who is found written in the book. And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake - some to everlasting life, some to shame and everlasting contempt.@
The fulfillment of this prophecy, given to the prophet Daniel, was placed at Athe time of the end.@ (See v.4, v.9, v.13) Daniel would Aarise@ to his own Ainheritance at the end of the days.@ (Daniel 12:13).
Note that this resurrection is for Amany,@ but NOT for ALL of those Awho sleep in the dust.@ Those raised on this day are divided:
those given Aeverlasting life,@ AND those left in Ashame.@
Question: Were the names of those raised to Ashame@ never Awritten in the book@ to begin with? No. I believe that their names were Ablotted out@ of the ABook of Life.@
John 5:28-29 ADo not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth B those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.@
Here again: those resurrected at Athe hour@ are divided ----
those given Alife@ AND those condemned.
NOTE: In this account by John, Christ was speaking to Israelites.
Christ told the high priest who condemned him: A... hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven@ (Matt. 26:64).
ABehold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, and they also who pierced Him@ (Revelation 1:7).
NOTE: God did not hold the Romans responsible for the death of His Son.
I believe that John here refers to the rulers of Israel.
Important note: The Afirst resurrection@ at the end of the age, seems to include only AIsraelites.@ That term - I believe - refers to all of those who have entered into covenant with God, thru Christ the Mediator. Gentiles who come to faith in Jesus, are Agrafted= into Israel. This is the message of Ephesians chapter 2, and Romans chapter 11. Those Araised to shame@ would be Israelites who have knowingly persisted in rebellion against God. They are in violation of the covenant, and they are Acut off@ from the people on that day. Their names are blotted out of the book of life.
Psalm 50:3‑5 AMay our God come and not keep silence; Fire devours before Him, and it is very tempestuous around Him,...Gather My godly ones to Me, those who have made a covenant with Me by sacrifice. And the heavens declare His righteousness, For God Himself is judge.@
THE BOOK OF LIFE
Daniel 12:1-3 A... your people shall be delivered, every one who is found written in the book@
Hebrews 12:23 Athe general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in Heaven@
Exodus 4:22 Athus says the LORD: >Israel is My son, My firstborn.@
Israel = firstborn = written in the book
My impression is that one=s name is entered into The Book of Eternal Life when he/she enters into a life covenant with God, thru the blood of Christ. It is blotted out only if one knowingly persists in rebellion against GOD in violation of this covenant.
Note: All believers enter into covenant thru Christ. Old Testament era believers looked forward to The Lamb thru animal sacrifice.
Luke 10:20 Arejoice ... because your names are written in heaven.@
Why would believers rejoice, if names are entered at the moment of birth?
Revelation 13:8 AAnd all who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names are not written in the Book of Life ...@
Those who Aworship the beast@ will be persons who have never entered into covenant with God, and persons whose names have been blotted out of the Book of Life.
Philippians 4:3 Athese women who labored with me in the gospel ... whose names are in the Book of Life.@
Malachi 3:16-18 ASo a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the LORD and who meditate on His name. >They shall be Mine,= says the LORD of hosts, >On the day that I make them My jewels.
BLOTTED OUT OF THE BOOK
If AThe Book of Life@ contains the names of those who have entered into life covenant with God thru Christ, then in the final judgment scene of Rev. 20:11-15, there could be two types of persons whose names do NOT appear in that book.
First - Those who have steadfastly refused ever to enter into covenant with God.
Second - Those whose names have been Ablotted out@ of the book.
Deuteronomy 29:20 AAnd every curse (of the covenant) that is written in this book would settle on him, and the LORD would blot out his name from under heaven.@
Ezekiel 14:7 AFor anyone of the house of Israel, or of the strangers who sojourn in Israel, who separates himself from Me and sets up his idols in his heart and puts before him what causes him to stumble into iniquity, ... I the LORD will answer him by Myself. I will set My face against that man and make him a sign and a proverb, and I will cut him off from the midst of My people. Then you shall know that I am the LORD.@
Hebrews 10:26, 29 AFor if we sin willfully (with rebellious attitude) after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment...@
THE DAY OF ATONEMENT: NAMES WERE BLOTTED OUT
Leviticus 23:27-32 AAlso the tenth day of this seventh month shall be the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) ... For any person who is not afflicted of soul on that same day, he shall be cut off from his people.@
Leviticus 16: 33 A... He shall make atonement for the priests and for all the people of the congregation.@ Including Athe stranger who sojourns among you@ v. 29.
The only sins atoned for on this day, were the sins of Israel, Athe congregation,@ which included non-Israelite Astrangers@ who had become part of the congregation by close association. The only persons Acut off from the people@ on this day were Israelites who refused to repent and assume an attitude of humility towards God - those who were confirmed in rebellion!
PLEASE NOTE: The Anations@ were NOT judged on this day!
Example: If a man was considered to have been judged and condemned by God, his name would be blotted out of Temple records from that time forward. This explains why the name Jehoiachin does not appear in the genealogy of Joseph (Jesus= legal Father) given by Matthew the Levite (Matthew 1:1-17, Jeremiah 22: 28-30).
PROPHECY FULFILLED
The LORD=s appointed festivals were commanded for Israelites, and were given as acted prophecy. The Passover Lamb symbolized Jesus, Athe Lamb of God which takes away the sin of the world@ (John 1:29, I Cor. 5:7). The Day of Atonement foretold a day of final atonement for sin, and a day of judgment for the rebellious.
I have believed for some years that the Day of Atonement prophecy will be fulfilled on the day that Christ returns in glory. The Alast trump@ of the festival year was sounded ON the Day of Atonement. (Lev. 25:9, I Cor. 15:52). It announced the start of the Jubilee, when the land returned to its original owner, when all Israelite slaves were set free, (Lev. 25:39-41) when all debts were cancelled and families were reunited (Lev. 25: 10). In fulfillment, the earth will return to Christ, and to those who serve Him (Daniel 7:27). All the debts (sins) of God=s people will be forgiven. The Israelite slaves of sin and death will be set free by the resurrection.
Those raised Ato everlasting life@ at the first resurrection, on the day that Jesus returns in glory, will be Israelites B those who have repented of their sins, claiming the blood of Christ as their covering. They will receive atonement (covering) - and everlasting life.
Those who remain rebellious in heart will be Acut off from the people.@ Their names will be Ablotted out@ of the ABook of Life,@ and they will be left to die. The Aplagues@ and curses of Deuteronomy Chapter 28 will overtake them. (See esp Deut. 28:21, 27 29, 59). I do not believe that they will ever rise again. They are judged worthy of Aeverlasting contempt@ (Dan. 12:3).
Note: The curses of Deuteronomy were fulfilled when the Babylonians, and then the Romans conquered and dispersed the Israelites - this was the type. They will again be fulfilled at the end of days.
NOTE: Israelite slaves were to be freed after six years of service. (Exo. 21:2, Jer. 34:14). The freedom of the 7th year symbolized our freedom at the start of the 7th millennium. Non-Israelite slaves were NOT freed at the beginning of the 7th year, nor at the Jubilee. (Lev. 25:44-46) This strongly suggests that non-Israelites are NOT raised when Jesus returns. Non-Israelites will be raised after the 1000 years. This will be the Asecond resurrection."
A KINGDOM OF PRIESTS
Revelation 20:6 ABlessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over 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.@
God brought Israel out of Egypt to make them Aa kingdom of priests and a holy nation.@ HIS PURPOSE FOR ISRAEL WILL BE FULFILLED. Down through the years He has slowly taught His people. He has prepared them. He has Abroken off@ the rebellious unbelieving branches, and grafted in those gentiles who came to faith in Messiah (Romans chapter 11, Ephesians chapter 2).
Isaiah 55:11 ASo shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please ...@
GOD WILL HAVE HIS PRIESTHOOD
Exodus 19:5-6 A... if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.@
When Israel worshiped the golden calf image at the foot of Sinai, God named the tribe of Levi to serve the Sanctuary (Exo. 32:26, Num. 1:50-53). They had not participated in the idol worship. Within that tribe, Aaron and his descendants would serve as priests.
This Aaronic priesthood was a temporary measure, until the death of Messiah. Jesus then became our High Priest, and all of those who come into covenant with God through Him become priests Aafter the order of Melchizedek.@ Today we call this Athe priesthood of all believers.@
I Peter 2:5, 9, 10 A... you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.@ ... Abut you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people ...@
Revelation 7:9, 13-14 The Agreat multitude@ who Acome out of great tribulation,@ are Aarrayed in white robes@ and Aserve Him day and night in His temple.@ These are priests.
Revelation 1:6, Revelation 5:9-10 The twenty four elders proclaim that Christ Ahas made us kings and priests to His God and Father.@ You Jesus Awere slain@... Aand have made us kings and priests to our God; and we shall reign on the earth.@
Note: Aaron and his sons, the first priests did NOT begin to serve as priests UNTIL "the eighth day." The fulfillment will follow the type. Those who will serve the LORD as priests in the coming kingdom on the earth, will not begin to serve until the 8th Day - the 8th millennium. They will remain inside the tent (which symbolized heaven) in preparation, until the 8th Day (LEV 8:33-35).
Revelation 2:26 AAnd he who overcomes ... to him I will give power over the nations B>He shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the potter=s vessels shall be broken to pieces.=@
Revelation 3:21 ATo him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.@
Revelation 5:10 A ... and we shall reign on the earth.@
The government of Christ on the earth after the second resurrection will have structure. The 12 apostles form the core, supported by the 24 elders of Revelation chapter five, the 144,000 of Revelation chapters seven and fourteen, and the priesthood - Israel. As priests, they will teach the law, judge, settle disputes and administer justice. (Eze. 44:23-24, Lev. 9:1, Exo. 29:35, Lev. 8 33-35, Deut. 21:5, Deut. 33:8, ).
Note: The 24 elders may be the Old Testament era counterpart of the 144,000.
MY FATHER=S HOUSE
John 2:16 AAnd He said to those who sold doves, >Take these things away! Do not make My Father=s house a house of merchandise!
Jesus referred to the Temple as AMy Father=s House.@ This lends support to the belief that those raised first will become priests. The place which Christ would Aprepare@ was to be Ain My Father=s house.@ It would thus be Ain@ THE Temple. Only priests could enter the Temple proper, therefore only priests will enter this place which Jesus has gone to prepare (John 14:2-3).
PRIESTS OF THE LORD
Isaiah 61:4-9 AAnd they shall rebuild the old ruins. They shall raise up the former desolations. And they shall repair the ruined cities, the desolations of many generations. Strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, and the sons of the foreigner shall be your plowmen and your vine dressers. But you shall be named the Priests of the LORD. Men shall call you the Servants of our God. You shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory you shall boast. Instead of your shame you shall have double honor, and instead of confusion they shall rejoice in their portion. Therefore in their land they shall possess double. Everlasting joy shall be theirs.@ AFor I, the LORD, love justice; I hate robbery for burnt offering; I will direct their work in truth, and will make with them an everlasting covenant. Their descendants shall be known among the Gentiles, and their offspring among the people. All who see them shall acknowledge them, that they are the posterity whom the LORD has blessed..@
The “covenant” which the LORD will make with His priests is the “New Covenant” (Jeremiah 31:31-34, 32:40; Ezekiel 36:24-27; Hebrews 8:10; Deut. 30:6). The firstborn inherited a “double portion,” the leadership of the clan or tribe, (double honor) and became the representative of the family unit before God. In other words - the firstborn became the priest. God said, “Israel is my son, even My firstborn” (Exodus 4:22). [Also see Jeremiah 33:17-22.]
Malachi 2:7 “For the lips of a priest should keep knowledge, and people should seek the law from his
mouth; for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts.”
WHY A PRIESTHOOD?
Our study begs the question - What further need will there be for a priesthood, AFTER the return of Christ in glory? The system of animal sacrifice is now “abolished.” Christ Himself was the ultimate sacrifice, making all others “obsolete.” Whatever the service of the priesthood in a future kingdom, it will not include the offering of animals for sacrifice. (See the study: “Grace and the Law: Part Three - What Was Abolished?)
The role of the priesthood is one of mediation. They act as judges helping to settle disputes. They teach the law and the truths of God (Ezek. 44:23-24) They guide the one who would approach the Lord. I believe that the priesthood will continue, with Christ as High Priest, because there will be many won to the Father, of those who are raised “second.”
Our next study continues with Part Two - Absolute Destruction and An Ark of Safety. In Part Two will examine the evidence concerning the millennium - the 1000 year period which follows the glorious return of Jesus Christ to the earth.
We pray that this study will be a blessing.
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