In last week's gem we discovered that those who die in Christ Jesus will sleep until He returns to this earth in the clouds of glory to take them with Him to heaven.
But now.. what happens to the rest of the dead? And what are the righteous doing? What does the Bible say?
The Bible tells us about two resurrections:
"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." - John 5:28-29
Last week we discovered that the first resurrection, the resurrection of life, is when Jesus comes again. How much time is there between this first resurrection and the resurrection of damnation or the second resurrection?
"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 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." - Revelation 20:4-6
(Note: souls, in verse 4 simply refers to a human being)
So the righteous, who are raised at the first resurrection, live and reign with Christ a thousand years. The first resurrection is at the beginning of that thousand year period. But the rest of the dead, that is the wicked dead, live not until the end of the thousand years.
Dear reader, eternal life or death is serious, don't make a mistake in this matter, your eternal destiny is here at stake. A blessing is given to those who take part in the first resurrection, but those who take part in the second resurrection, will also experience the second death.
Let's answer two more questions before finishing this gem. Question #1; where do the saints spend the thousand years?
In Revelation 4, John (the writer of the book of revelation) was in vision and says:
"And immediately I was in the spirit; and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and [one] sat on the throne." - Revelation 4:2
So where is this vision taking place? Well, it says a throne was set in heaven, so this vision is of heaven, where God dwells.
Now a few verses down we read:
"And before the throne [there was] a sea of glass like unto crystal..." - Revelation 4:6
So we get a small glimpse of some of what is in heaven.. thrones, and a sea of glass.
Now in Revelation 15, we read:
"And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, [and] over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God." - Revelation 15:2
Who did John see on the sea of glass? Yes, a group of people who have gotten the victory over the beast, his image, his mark etc...! Now compare this with Revelation 20.
"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." - Revelation 20:4
Here the Bible speaks about the same group of people as we just read about in Revelation 15, those who had not worshipped the beast, his image, nor received his mark, etc... and here in Revelation 20:4 they live and reign for a thousand years. And from Revelation 15:2, and 4:6 where are these people? Yes, on the sea of glass which is where? In heaven!
So the righteous are resurrected and live and reign with Christ for a thousand years in heaven.
(Are you wondering what the beast, his image, and his mark are? Perhaps we'll cover this in a future gem. Feel free to contact us if you have questions in the meantime.)
Let's answer one more question before closing.
What happens to the wicked after the thousand years? What does the Bible say?
"For the wages of sin [is] death; but the gift of God [is] eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." - Romans 6:23
The righteous and wicked are opposite in character and life. In the end, their reward is opposite. The righteous receive eternal life. But what do the wicked receive? What is the opposite of eternal life? The wages of sin is death! Eternal death!
Death and Life are opposites. As long as man has existence he is not dead, but is alive. Death doesn't mean a state of misery. It doesn't matter how much someone may be suffering, they aren't dead.
The scripture is clear, the wages of sin is death, eternal death, not eternal suffering.
"The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ; who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power." - 2. Thessalonians 1:9
So the wicked will be punished with everlasting destruction. This everlasting destruction cannot mean being alive in torture for eternity, but rather the wicked will be utterly destroyed, and remain so for eternity. In other words, everlasting death, not everlasting dying.
In conclusion:
"And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell 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." - Revelation 20:13-15
At the end of the thousand years, the wicked are resurrected for the final execution of judgement. Death, the last great enemy (1. Corinthians 15:26) and hell are destroyed along with all the wicked. This is the second death.
"For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch." - Malachi 4:1
Notice, nothing is left, neither root nor branch. But all the wicked are burnt up and nothing remains.
(Please note: We haven't been able to dig into the Bible texts that seem to suggest an eternally burning fire, and tormenting forever and ever. So this week we have also written a supplementary gem for those who would like to study this further. Visit this link to read this gem.)
Dear reader, the Lord has in His great love and mercy provided a way of escape from the second death. There is a way wherein all may have victory over death and the grave, and live eternally in the paradise of God. Do you want to be part of heaven? It is God's greatest desire that you be there. He gave all of heaven, that you may be part of His family.
Next week we will conclude this series with God's glorious plan to give us victory over death.
- by Emmanuel Higgins
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