Nothing Dead, All Alive, Part 2
June 23 2018
By Mark Farquharson
In the first part I covered the fact that everyone will be alive and no one would be dead, or in hell or in the second death. Not that people will not go to the second death, but that they will not incur the second death for all of time.
What then of animals, will all the animals be dead forever. Will they just not exist. If all death is to be abolished, then surely that includes animal death. Does the bible cover the fate of the animals or is it silent on the matter.
Lets first establish what is meant by flesh.
Genesis 7:21 And expiring is all flesh moving on the earth, of flyer, and of beast, and of living animal, and of every roaming animal roaming on the earth, and every human. CLV
1 Corinthians 15:39 Not all flesh is the same flesh, but there is one, indeed, of men, yet another flesh of beasts, yet another flesh of flyers, yet another of fishes. {CLV}
These two verses tell us that there are different kinds of flesh, and that there is a difference in animal, not all animal flesh is the same. Most people know that the flesh of birds is different to the flesh of fish. Why is the flesh of the animals important in establishing animal salvation?
Isaiah 40:5 Then shall be revealed the glory of Yahweh,—And all flesh shall see it together, For, the mouth of Yahweh, hath spoken! REB
Luke 3:6 And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.'" {CLV}
The above verses tells us that all flesh will see the salvation of God, that is all flesh will have salvation. From the earlier verses we find out that flesh in the bible can included animal flesh. Thus not just mankind will experience salvation, but all animals that have ever existed will also experience salvation, for it includes them as well. If the writer had just meant humans or mankind, then he could have used those words, for instance:
"For there is one God, and one Mediator of God and mankind, a Man, Christ Jesus," 1 Timothy 2:5
"Consequently, then, as it was through one offense for all mankind for condemnation, thus also it is through one just award for all mankind for life's justifying." Romans 5:18
Thus the writer clear meant all flesh, not just human flesh.
What then of the evil spirits? do they even exist?
Ephesians 6:11-12 Put on the panoply of God, to enable you to stand up to the stratagems of the Adversary, for it is not ours to wrestle with blood and flesh, but with the sovereignties, with the authorities, with the world-mights of this darkness, with the spiritual forces of wickedness among the celestials. {CLV}
Yes they do exist, for we are to put on the panoply or full armour of God, to stand up to the stratagems of the Adversary, the Devil. It is not only the devil that exists, for we are not to wrestle with flesh and blood, that is other humans, that is those we are to wrestle against are not of flesh and blood. We are to wrestle with "sovereignties, with the authorities, with the world-mights of this darkness, with the spiritual forces of wickedness" that exist among the celestials. How does one do this, through spiritual warfare, which is beyond the scope of this study.
Colossians 1:15-16 Who is the Image of the invisible God, Firstborn of every creature, for in Him is all created, that in the heavens and that on the earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones, or lordships, or sovereignties, or authorities, all is created through Him and for Him, {CLV}
Jesus Christ is the first born of every creature, whether that be human or animal, and every human or animal is created in him, through him and for him. But these verses cover more than just humans and animals, for it refers to the visible and the invisible, whether thrones, or lordships, or sovereignties, or authorities, these are the ones refer to in Ephesians 6:11-12. These thrones, lordships, sovereignties, and authorities, where created through Jesus Christ and for Him.
Colossians 1:20 and through Him to reconcile all to Him (making peace through the blood of His cross), through Him, whether those on the earth or those in the heavens. {CLV}
All will be reconciled to Christ whether they be on the earth, all humans and animals, or in heaven, that is the spiritual forces of darkness among the celestials.
Copyright © Mark J Farquharson 2018