(Scripture Reading: Ezek 37:1-14)
Thesis: To instruct the hearers on what the bible teaches concerning its various resurrections and the application that they have for us today.
Text: John 11:17-26
Joh 11:17 Now when Jesus came, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days.
Joh 11:18 Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles off,
Joh 11:19 and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them concerning their brother.
Joh 11:20 So when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, but Mary remained seated in the house.
Joh 11:21 Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.
Joh 11:22 But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you."
Joh 11:23 Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again."
Joh 11:24 Martha said to him, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day."
Joh 11:25 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. (he who; singular; NASB) Whoever (plural; incorrect) believes in me, though he die (aorist; past tense), yet shall he live,
Joh 11:26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?"
Introduction,
In this text we see what transpired prior to the account of the raising of Lazarus from the dead, which is commonly referred to as being “resurrected.” Jesus states here in v 25 “he who believes in me”, the word “he” here is likely a reference to Lazarus in v 24 where Martha refers to him as “he,” who Martha believed would be raised on the Last Day, though he Lazarus died, he will live, Jesus is about to literally raise him from the dead, and then the Lord extends this promise to others in the next verse “whosoever (everyone who) lives and believes in Me shall never die” those that continue to believe in Jesus will be alive spiritually in this life, they shall experience the abundant life that is promised to His followers (Jn 10:10), therefore this passage does not have Jesus saying that His followers will be physically resurrected, but rather that they will be spiritually raised, yet in another passage He states that they shall also be resurrected bodily to the resurrection of life (John 5:28), thus “they shall never die” spiritually (v 26), they will never experience “the second death,” (Rev 2:11; 20:6, 14; 21:8) that final separation between God and man by being cast into that place known as “the lake of fire” (Rev 20:15).
The word translated “resurrection” in the NT is “anastasis” which literally means “a standing up again” “a raising up,” thus a raising up from the dead, this could refer to a literal raising as seen in the case of Lazarus, or the spiritual raising up of one morally, which can be seen when the spiritually dead believe and obey the gospel of Christ and are raised from the waters of baptism being determined to walk in newness of life (Rom 6:4-5).
This word occurs 44 times in the NT and is translated “resurrection” 39 times, and “rise” “rising” “raised” and “again” the other 5 occurrences, and for the most part it refers to the literal raising of a person’s body from the state of physical death, wherein the body began to see corruption, beginning to return to the dust whence it came, and the spirit had returned to God Who gave it (Eccl 12:7).
We need to remember that the resurrection is basically a 2-fold operation when it is used in its most literal sense; the spirit of the person enters into the physical body of that person, for the person is biblically dead without one’s spirit (Ja 2:26; Gen 35:18), then the body, by the spirit (Jn 6:63) at that same time is regiven the breath of life (Gen 2:7) from that spirit, which enables said body to function as God designed, breathing with one’s lungs, pumping blood through the body with one’s heart, the sending of electric impulses through one’s nervous system which enables the mind to control the motor functions of the body.
So basically the literal resurrection is quite a complex undertaking, and the finite mind may have a little trouble fully comprehending just exactly how God brings this all about, yet 1 Cor 15 teaches us that He surely can, but we really do not have to understand these things any more than the scriptures reveal, for (Deut 29:29) . . .
Deu 29:29 "The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever . . .
Let us also remember the inspired words of the apostle Paul in (1 Cor 4:6b). . .
1Co 4:6b that you may learn by us not to go (think; YLT) beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another.
Yet there is still a good amount of information concerning the “resurrection” in God’s word, for it reveals “all things” that pertain unto life and godliness (2 Pet 1:3), and gives us “everything” we need to be “complete” in all aspects that God considers important for His people (2 Tim 3:16-17), and seeing that the resurrection of Christ is the firstfruits of our own resurrection (1 Cor 15:23), and thereby our living hope (1 Pet 1:3), it is a topic the bible reveals quite fully.
The NT teaches 3 basic “resurrections,” a spiritual resurrection, and two literal resurrections (even though some may assert that one of the literal resurrections is a reference to the spiritual resurrection), but that is something that you will have to decide for yourselves as we go through this study, for there are a few difficulties that arise in either of these interpretations, but they are few at best, and the end result of this topic should only help us have more faith in Him Who created and sustains all the works of His hands.
Thus in this lesson we will take a closer look at . . .
The Spiritual Resurrection (John 5:25; Rom 6: 3-4; Col 2:12; 3:1-4; Eph 2:5-6; Rom 5:17; 1 Cor 4:8).
The First Resurrection (Rev 20:4-6; 3:21; 6:9-10; Mt 19:28; Phili 1:21-23; 3:8-11; Luke 14:14; 20:34).
The General (Second) Resurrection (Dan 12:2; John 5:28-29; 6:39-40, 44; Acts 24:15; 1 Cor 15:22-23; 2 Cor 5:1-4; Heb 6:2; 11:35; Rev 20:5, 13; Luke 14:14; Mt 22:31)
I. THE SPIRITUAL RESURRECTION (John 5:24-25; Rom 6:3-4; Eph 2:5-6; Col 2:12; 3:1-4; Rom 5:17)
A. (John 5:24-25)
Joh 5:24 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.
Joh 5:25 "Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live.
These two verses are basically parallel statements made by the Lord, it states that those that are dead (spiritually) shall hear God’s word, believe it, and they shall live, they shall come alive spiritually.
For the bible plainly teaches that those that seek after earthy desires instead of God and His will for them, are dead in the eyes of He Who is over all, as seen in the case of the pleasure seeking widow in 1 Tim 5 (look at 1 Tim 5:5-6) . . .
1Ti 5:5 She who is truly a widow, left all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day,
1Ti 5:6 but she who is self-indulgent (gives herself to pleasure) is dead even while she lives.
a. Look at this picture of comparison, one is alone, her husband died, the only hope she has is God, all she does is pray to God continually, by worldly standards, this woman is pathetic, all she has is the crutch of God, but in God’s sight she is alive, vibrant, looking for the day that she might be with her Creator.
b. And on the other hand we have the woman that gives herself to pleasure, what type of pleasure? It would seem to be that of a sensual nature, but possibly not, maybe just the simple pleasures of this world, being enjoyed apart from God, this woman is a corpse in the sight of God.
Jesus also refers to those that follow Him not as being in a state of death (turn to Mt 8:19-22) . . .
Mat 8:19 And a scribe came up and said to him, "Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go."
Mat 8:20 And Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head."
Mat 8:21 Another of the disciples said to him, "Lord, let me first go and bury my father."
Mat 8:22 And Jesus said to him, "Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead."
a. “The dead” in v 22 seem to be the friends and family of this potential follower of Christ, they live in this world, but without Christ, they are pictured as the spiritually dead, whose end is not eternity with God, but rather the second death, the lake of fire, for no one accountable comes to God except through Christ (Jn 14:6).
And also in the parable of the prodigal son, he is pictured as being dead (turn to Luke 15:11-24, 32)
Luk 15:11 And he (Jesus) said, "There was a man who had two sons.
Luk 15:12 And the younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.' And he divided his property between them.
Luk 15:13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living.
Luk 15:14 And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need.
Luk 15:15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs.
Luk 15:16 And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.
Luk 15:17 "But when he came to himself, he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger!
Luk 15:18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you.
Luk 15:19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants."'
Luk 15:20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.
Luk 15:21 And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.'
Luk 15:22 But the father said to his servants, 'Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet.
Luk 15:23 And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate.
Luk 15:24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.' And they began to celebrate.
Luk 15:32 It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.'"
a. This son realized he was starving without his Father, we also are in a state of spiritual starvation, without God, thus he repented, he recognized his spiritually dead state (he was lost), he regained his senses and returned to his Father, and lived.
b. We also are born into this world in fellowship with God, to little children belongs the kingdom of heaven (Mt 19:14), but as we grow and learn to love the world instead of God, we lose our innocence in His sight, and when we reach the age of accountability in His sight, we die, spiritually, but we can come back, through the gospel of Jesus Christ, and that is the “good news!”
It is God’s word that gives us spiritual life, the Lord said (John 6:63).
Joh 6:63 It is the S(s)pirit who (that) gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.
a. But that word has to be responded to, if one hears and believes, yet does nothing about it, they are just like the demons described in Ja 2:19-20.
Jas 2:19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!
Jas 2:20 Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless?
b. But the one that “hears” (continues to hear), and “believes” (continues to believe), and manifests an outward demonstration of that belief by obedience to the commands of God (the “obedience of faith”; Rom 1:5; 16:26) by repenting, confessing Christ, and being baptized (“baptizo” immersed”) that person is passing from that state of spiritual death, to life and is counted among those “being saved” (Lk 13:23; Acts 2:47; 1 Cor 1:18; 15:2; 2 Cor 2:15).
c. But I want you to keep in mind that salvation (being saved) is a process (Lk 13:23; Acts 2:47; 1 Cor 1:18; 15:2; 2 Cor 2:15), it is ongoing, and when a person enters into that process, not at the end of it, or somewhere in the middle of it, is when the Lord Jesus states the spiritual crossover takes place (Jn 5:24) . . .
Joh 5:24 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.
d. Believing is to lead one to repent, confess Christ, and be baptized, and continue bringing holiness to completion, believing and being baptized are coupled together by our Lord in Mark’s account of the great commission (Mk 16:16) . . .
Mar 16:16 Whoever believes and is baptized will (shall; future tense) be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
5. Believers baptism (immersion) is pictured as a death, burial, and resurrection which shadows that of Christ’s (look at Rom 6:3-5).
Rom 6:3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?
Rom 6:4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
Rom 6:5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.
a. And the person that is buried (immersed) in the waters of baptism, and comes up out of the water (Acts 8:39) with their sins washed away (Acts 22:16) is continuing in that process of being raised from the state of spiritual death, being determined to walk in newness of life, living a holy life (1 Pet 1:15-16) according to the divine directions contained in the Holy Spirit revealed and confirmed gospel of Christ, this changing state, this metamorphosis, is referred to as the renewal, in fact it is an ongoing thing for all that believe and obey the gospel, through which God prepares, fits them for heaven (Rom 12:2; 2 Cor 4:16; Eph 4:21-24; Col 3:5-10; Tit 3:5).
2Co 4:16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is (decaying) wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.
6. This raising, this spiritual resurrection is also pictured in Col 2:11-13 (turn there)
Col 2:11 In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ,
Col 2:12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.
Col 2:13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses,
a. Let us note that in the act of baptism, it is God that does the work, the cutting away, the forgiving of one’s sins, and yet we are to believe, to have faith, concerning that this is being accomplished just as He has said, that is why faith, belief is essential and is the beginning point of salvation, we need to possess it first, and act in accordance with it, that is something infants can’t do, and the church actually realized it, and because of this truth instituted (concocted) the God-parent system that is seen today in the Catholic church.
b. And just like in Rom 6:3-5, the person that is raised is to lead a different, a new life, according to God’s divine commands, they are to be new (spiritual) creatures (2 Cor 5:17; Gal 6:15) now focused upon their future eternal home, and not their old way of life, which they are supposed to have died to (look at Col 3:1-4).
Col 3:1 If then you have been raised with Christ (this looks back at Col 2:12; having been raised with Him through baptism), seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
Col 3:2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
Col 3:3 For you have died (your old person), and your life (your new life) is hidden with Christ in God.
Col 3:4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
c. This is how God raises us up, from the quagmires of spiritual doom, formerly headed for that lake of fire (for all are guilty sinners and are heading there; Rom 3:23), He raises us up spiritually through the gospel to have us figuratively sitting with Christ in heaven (Eph 2:1-6), this is the spiritual resurrection (turn to Eph 2:1-6),
Eph 2:1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins
Eph 2:2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—
Eph 2:3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature (longstanding practice) children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.
Eph 2:4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us,
Eph 2:5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—
Eph 2:6 and raised us up (through faith prompted baptism; Col 2:12) with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
d. And in this condition, alive together with Christ “in Christ,” we are pictured raised, resurrected with Him, sitting with Him in the heavenly places, and therein we figuratively reign with Him in heaven while here on earth (Rom 5:17; Rev 5:9-10),
Rom 5:17 For if, because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one (man) Jesus Christ.
Rev 5:9 And they sang a new song, saying, "Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation,
Rev 5:10 and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth."
7. This is “the spiritual resurrection” as seen in John 5:24-25 . . .
Joh 5:24 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.
Joh 5:25 "Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live.
II. THE FIRST RESURRECTION (Rev 20:4- 6; 3:21; 6:9-10; Mt 19:28; Phili 1:21-23; 3:8-11; 20:34)
A. (Rev 20:4-6)
Rev 20:4 Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. Also (and) I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.
Rev 20:5 The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection.
Rev 20:6 Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years.
In this passage it is important to note that this is something John saw, this is a vision, not an actual event that was taking place, even though I am sure that something similar to this is taking place, but it is important to keep these things in their proper perspectives, this is the passage that many use to state that Christ is going to rule upon this earth with His followers in the future, yet this passage, which describes the first resurrection (which implies that there is a second; as in Jesus being Mary’s firstborn son implies that she had other sons; Luke 2:7), this resurrection describes a distinct group of individuals (those martyred for the cause of Christ), and a specific place where these individuals are reigning, and that place is what we might refer to as the throne-room in Heaven, where these thrones are pictured in the book of Revelation (Rev 4:1-4; 11:16).
1. Many look at this passage as referring to all believers, being highly figurative, all believers are persecuted for living godly lives in Jesus (2 Tim 3:12), the godly lives are represented by not being affiliated with the beast, the persecutions are represented by the beheading, the coming to life and reigning with Christ refers to the spiritual raising through the gospel, and all Christians are priests (1 Pet 2:5, 9). “The rest of the dead” is a reference to those spiritually dead without Jesus who won’t be spiritually raised because of their freewill choices, but will be physically raised on the Last Day like everyone else (Jn 5:28-29; Acts 24:15), and this makes a lot of sense and might be true, the book of Revelation indeed is highly figurative.
2. But if we take this literally, and try to align it with the rest of the bible, it too makes sense, and also starts to clear up some difficulties we see in the biblical text.
a. Note first of all that this speaks of “the souls of those (them)” (v 4) this is not referencing these peoples bodies and souls joined together, but “only” their souls, this exact wording is used in Rev 6:9-11 (turn there) . . .
Rev 6:9 When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne.
Rev 6:10 They cried out with a loud voice, "O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?"
Rev 6:11 Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves had been.
b. In this passage we see again “the souls of those (them)” (v 9) that had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held, these are martyrs who were killed because of their bringing forth of the word of God, they are pictured as being “underneath the altar” (v 9) in the heavenly places.
c. Yet I believe that these souls (spirits) are literally with God at this time in His dwelling place, instead of being in Hades as most are (Luke 16:19-31), but figuratively they are depicted as being underneath the altar, because the altar was the place that the blood was shed in the OT system (Lev 4:7, 18; 17:11), thus the faithful service of God’s people unto death is depicted as and is similar to a sacrifice (Rom 12:1; Phili 2:17; 2 Tim 4:6).
d. The question is put forth “how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” (v 10), this looks back at Christ’s statement in Mt 23:34-38 which looked forward to the destruction of Jerusalem, and the Jewish system,
Mat 23:34 Therefore I send you prophets and wise men and scribes, some of whom you will kill and crucify, and some you will flog in your synagogues and persecute from town to town,
Mat 23:35 so that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah the son of Barachiah, whom you murdered between the sanctuary and the altar.
Mat 23:36 Truly, I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation.
Mat 23:37 "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!
Mat 23:38 See (Behold), your house is left to you desolate.
e. This judgment would come upon “this generation” (Mt 23:36; 24:34), those living at the time Jesus made this statement, but there was a specific course of events that would have to take place before this would come to fruition, which it did in AD 70.
f. But the point I am making here is this refers to disembodied souls, “the souls of those” (Rev 6:9) is the very same wording as seen in Rev 20:4.
g. And these are not just any souls (in Rev 20:4), but those that were “beheaded for the testimony of Jesus, and worshiped not the beast, neither his image, and received not the mark upon their forehead and upon their hand.
h. This refers to a specific group of people from the first century, who spread the gospel in the most trying of circumstances, and did not succumb to the evils of emperor worship nor the worldly ways of that system, they were faithful, and proved it by giving their lives for the cause of Christ (while the souls pictured in Rev 6:9-11 are Old Testament prophets [spoken of in Mt 23:30] that were also killed for doing God’s will).
i. Thus they (the NT martyrs) are pictured seated on thrones ruling with Christ in heaven seeing that they overcame, as promised by Christ in Rev 3 (look at Rev 3:21).
Rev 3:21 The one who conquers (overcomes), I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.
j. In this context (Rev 3) the congregation at Laodicea was lukewarm, Christ was going to spew them out of His mouth, but if they went out and did the Lord’s work and thereby were exposed to persecutions, they would be refined by fire, possibly killed, martyred, and be made rich, and receive white garments, which indicate salvation, they were faithful to the point of death and thus were given the crown of life (Rev 2:10).
3. This “sitting upon thrones” was promised also to His apostles, who all but John were martyred, in this manner they also followed (imitated) Christ (turn to Mt 19:28).
Mat 19:28 And Jesus said to them, Truly I say to you, You who have followed Me, in the regeneration (the time when individuals are regenerated, born again, the gospel dispensation) when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory (as He is now), you also will sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. (LITV)
4. This is how Paul was going to be with Christ immediately upon his death, and not go to the Hadean realm like everyone else (turn to Phili 1:21-23).
Php 1:21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
Php 1:22 If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell.
Php 1:23 I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.
a. We need to understand that Paul speaks of the resurrection “of” the dead (in Acts 23:6; 24:21) which refers to the general (2nd) resurrection on the Last Day as spoken of by Martha (John 11:24).
Act 23:6 Now when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, "Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. It is with respect to the hope and the resurrection OF the dead that I am on trial."
Act 24:21 other than this one thing that I cried out while standing among them: 'It is with respect to the resurrection OF the dead that I am on trial before you this day.'"
b. But in Philippians he speaks of the resurrection “from” (Gr. “ek”) the dead, indicating a separation from the other dead (Phili 3:11) while they were still in their state of physical death in Hades, indicating that this is prior to the general resurrection, this was likened unto Jesus’ resurrection (Rom 1:4), and I believe is a reference to the first resurrection (look at Phili 3:8-11).
Php 3:8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ
Php 3:9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—
Php 3:10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,
Php 3:11 that (if) by any means possible I may attain the resurrection FROM the dead.
c. Now Paul and our Lord plainly teach that all will be resurrected (Jn 5:28-29; Acts 24:15), if that is the case, why is Paul using this type of language “IF by any means possible I may (might) attain the resurrection from the dead”, this has caused such problems for some that they have even changed God’s word in Phili 3:11 to make it line up with what they want Paul to be saying (NASB - “if by any means” changed to “in order that”).
5. Now Paul in 2 Cor 12 speaks of a place a man went which is referred to synonymously as “the third heaven” (2 Cor 12:2) and “Paradise” (2 Cor 12:4). I used to believe that this referred to the same place where Jesus and the thief on the cross went to at physical death (Hades; Acts 2:27, 31); but seeing that most believe it is Paul speaking of himself when he was stoned and left for dead at Lystra (Acts 14:19), and he could have very well been dead (even though we are not given that information), if that was the case then I believe this is a reference to the first resurrection (Rev 20:4-5), which is reserved for martyrs of Christ (look at 2 Cor 12:2-4),
2Co 12:2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows.
2Co 12:3 And I know that this man was caught up into paradise—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows—(I would say out of the body, i.e. only his spirit/soul)
2Co 12:4 and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter.
a. “The third heaven” is likely a reference to Heaven proper, the specific dwelling place of God, which is referred to as Paradise in Rev 2:7 turn there . . .
Rev 2:7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who (overcomes) conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.'
b. Concerning the term “Paradise” it is a Persian word that is a general term which denotes “a park or pleasure ground,” and can appropriately be any place especially prepared for enjoyment, especially those abodes meant for God’s people, whether it be the Garden of Eden, comfort in Hades, or Heaven the abode of God
c. And tradition teaches us that Paul indeed was beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and his spreading of the word of God, thus I am sure that he has gotten his desire, his soul/ spirit is literally in Heaven at this time, with Christ reigning, like those others who followed Christ demonstrating their faithfulness unto God to the point of death (Rev 2:10, as per Stephen in Acts 7), and didn’t bow down to the heathen worship of those days, turn to Rev 12:11 . . .
Rev 12:11 And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.
6. This is the first resurrection, it was meant specifically for the recipients of the book of Revelation (“the seven churches that are in Asia;” Rev 1:4), and the specific circumstances that they had to deal with in their day, and I don’t believe that it directly applies to us today.
a. Yet it could be that one, who does not follow the ways of the world, but rather the Way of God, and is put to death for their spreading of the gospel, could still partake in the first resurrection, they could go straight to Heaven and bypass the Hadean realm, or be taken to comfort in Hades by the angels, and then to Heaven upon their arrival, while their bodies go back to the dust whence it came, I am not exactly sure how it would take place, but it certainly does seem possible, for all things are possible with God!
7. Turn your bibles to Luke 20:35-36 (Mk 12:25).
Luk 20:35 but those who are considered worthy to attain to that age and to the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage,
Luk 20:36 for they cannot die anymore, because they are equal to angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection.
Mar 12:25 For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven.
a. Again, I believe this speaks of the first resurrection (as also seen in Mk 12:25, “from” “ek” the dead, also in Matthew’s account (Mt 22:31) “of the dead” declensioned “ων” (omega nu) could be translated the genitive “of” as seen in most translations, or either the ablative [genitive source] “from” thus aligning it with the 2 other accounts and probably is the more correct rendering all things considered (as seen in the ISV) even though most apply this passage to the general resurrection, these don’t seem to have any sort of body whatsoever (incorruptible; 1 Cor 15:42-44), therefore they are likened unto angels (who are spirit not physical beings), thus they can’t participate in the physical consummating act of the marriage.
b. Another thought on this matter, concerning the marriage state in whatever resurrection is in view (1st or 2nd [general]), the state of death dissolves the marriage bond (Rom 7:2-3; 1 Cor 7:39) even though I am sure that loving spouses will continue to have special feelings one for another.
c. This interpretation of the first resurrection also solves a few difficulties where the saints are pictured coming with Christ at His second coming (Jude 14), or at least gives us another option (look at Jude 14) . . .
Jud 1:14 It was also about these that Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied, saying, "Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of his holy ones,
d. Remember these are already in Heaven with Christ (even though this; Jude 14; could refer to “all the souls” of “all” the redeemed, those that were waiting in Hades (which will be emptied at the end of time; 1 Thess 4:14; Rev 20:13), and those martyrs that were in Heaven who will come with Christ on That Day to be reunited with their incorruptible bodies; 1 Cor 15:42-49)
e. But “why” are they accounted “worthy” (Luke 20:35) of that world (age; eternity), and the first resurrection while others may not be worthy? Because not only did they believe and obey God, they actually died for believing and obeying God, as did Christ (Phili 2:8-9; Heb 5:7-9).
Php 2:8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
Php 2:9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is
above every name,
Heb 5:7 In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence.
Heb 5:8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered.
Heb 5:9 And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him,
8. Another point concerning the first resurrection, I believe when you put all that God says together concerning this topic it looks like on the Last Day (John 11:24) those that are “worthy” to inherit the first resurrection will then (on the Last Day) be joined up with their resurrected, changed, incorruptible bodies, as will all the rest of mankind (John 5:28-29; Acts 24:15; 1 Cor 15:22-23; 1 Thess 4:17), the Final Judgment will take place, and the eternal separation made (Mt 25:31-46; Rev 20:11-15).
III THE GENERAL (SECOND/FINAL) RESURRECTION (Dan 12:2; John 5:28-29; 6:39-40, 44; Acts 24:15; 1 Cor 15:22-23; 2 Cor 5:1-4; Heb 6:2; 11:35; Rev 20:5, 13; Luke 14:14; Mt 22:31)
B. (Rev 20:5a)
Rev 20:5a The rest of the dead did not come to life (lived not; again) until the thousand years were ended.
Note that this verse says nothing concerning “the souls of them” as in verse 4, but simply states “the rest OF the dead,” this would refer to all those that have tasted death, those that are righteous because they believed and lived according to the commands of God, and everyone else, those who were not in a saving relationship with God while upon this earth.
“Lived not” (come to life; again) refers to physically dead souls/spirits being taken up out of the Hadean realm (the good side and the bad; Lk 16:19-31) and being rejoined with their physical bodies which are resurrected/raised out of the dust of the earth, specks in the sea, and so forth.
“The thousand years” here and in other places in the scriptures simply refers to a long period of time and in this context is specifically a reference to the Christian age which will continue till the Last Day (Jn 11:24), this verse therefore is a reference to the “general” (second, or final) resurrection which will happen at the end of time, on the Last Day, when Christ comes again (1 Cor 15:51-52; 1 Thess 4:16-17).
1Co 15:22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.
1Co 15:23 But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ.
1Th 4:16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a (shout) cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trump(et) of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.
1Th 4:17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.
These passages (1 Cor 15:22-23; 1 Thess 4:16-17) refer only to the redeemed, for they are the topic under consideration in these contexts (though the unbelieving are addressed in 1 Thess 5:1-11), but the bible plainly teaches that there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust, it was spoken of by the prophet Daniel (turn to Dan 12:2).
Dan 12:2 And many (the multitude; YLT) of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.
The general (second/final) resurrection was also taught by our Lord Jesus (which is strikingly similar to our Daniel passage; look at John 5:28-29) . . .
Joh 5:28 Do not marvel at this, (at the spiritual resurrection that Christ just spoke of in John 5:25-27), for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice
Joh 5:29 and come (forth) out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.
a. This, the general (second/final) resurrection was also spoken of by the apostle Paul when he was before Felix (turn to Acts 24:14-15).
Act 24:14 But this I confess to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our fathers, believing everything laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets,
Act 24:15 having a hope in God, which these men themselves accept, that there will be a resurrection (singular) of both the just and the unjust (implying together).
b. I believe also that Paul and his accusers (“these, themselves”) are in like manner looking back at our Daniel passage in the OT (Dan 12:2), if he is not then what passage are they looking at?
c. And remember our passage in John 11, where Martha spoke of her belief in the resurrection at the Last Day, which was not discounted by the Lord (John 11:24).
Joh 11:24 Martha said to him, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day."
d. This too is likely a reference also to our Daniel passage, look back at Dan 12:4,
Dan 12:4 But you, Daniel, shut up the words and seal the book, until the time of the end. Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase."
e. The time of the end could be synomonous with “the Last Day” (Jn 11:24)
2. And this (the general/second/final resurrection) is what is spoken of in Rev 20:13 (turn there).
Rev 20:13 And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to (their works) what they had done.
a. Note that “the sea, death, and Hades” are mentioned here, this therefore refers to individuals “souls and bodies” all those in Hades, whether they died on land and were buried, or drowned being bodily lost at sea, they are referred to as “dead,” (Ja 2:26), souls/spirits separated from their bodies, they are those that “did not come to life (lived not; again) until the thousand years were ended” (Rev 20:5).
3. Also consider this (Heb 9:27) . . .
Heb 9:27 And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment,
a. This verse teaches a preliminary individual judgment, that when a person dies, their fate is sealed based upon their lives, their works, and there seems to be no crossing over (Luke 16:26), but as we see in 1 Cor 15:51-52; 1 Thess 4:17; there will be one generation that will not taste physical death.
1Co 15:51 Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
1Co 15:52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed.
1Th 4:17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.
b. But I believe that this is just addressing the saints in these passages, I believe it is a hope only the saints (and the unaccountable) can have . . .
c. I believe that the bible teaches that God is able and will cause the unrighteous to suffer physical death at the Lord’s coming on the Last Day based upon Paul’s statement concerning the lost in 1 Thess 5:3…
1Th 5:3 While people are saying, "There is peace and (safety) security," then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
4. Turn to Rev 20:11-15 . . . this passage teaches the final judgment.
Rev 20:11 Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. (this is a picture of the end of the physical universe)
Rev 20:12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened (here is the Bible, which contains “books”). Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books (the Bible; i.e. God’s word), according to (their works) what they had done.
Rev 20:13 And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to (their works) what they had done.
Rev 20:14 Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire (death will be no more at the end of time, and also Hades will no longer be needed in which to keep the dead’s spirits).
Rev 20:15 And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.
a. Salvation is not determined by one’s works, but rather by one’s name being written in the book of life.
b. “The book of life” is no new thing, it is seen in the OT in Ps 69:28 (turn there).
Psa 69:28 Let them be blotted out of the book of life, And not be written with the righteous.
c. And also in Ex 32:31-33 (look there).
Exo 32:31 So Moses returned to the LORD and said, "Alas, this people has sinned a great sin. They have made for themselves gods of gold.
Exo 32:32 But now, if you will forgive their sin—but if not, please blot me out of your book that you have written."
Exo 32:33 But the LORD said to Moses, "Whoever has sinned against me, I will blot out of my book.
d. And of course we know that this includes all (Rom 3:9-10, 23).
Rom 3:9 What then? Are we Jews any better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin,
Rom 3:10 as it is written: "None is righteous, no, not one;
Rom 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
e. We see a similar phrase used by Paul in Phili 4:3 (turn there).
Php 4:3 Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.
f. Is your name written in the book of life? It just doesn’t happen to a person by chance, no one accountable is accidentally going to make it to Heaven as depicted in (Isa 35:8) . . .
Isa 35:8 And a highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but is shall be for the redeemed: the wayfaring men, yea fools, shall not err therein. (Godless fools won't wander onto it; GW).
g. This verse (Isa 35:8) teaches that no one unknowingly, erringly, by accident, becomes a child of God
h. It happens the same way that it happened in Paul’s day, there is no other gospel (Gal 1:6-9), there is but one Faith (Eph 4:5), one Way (Acts 24:14), one Truth (John 8:32; 17:17), and it was delivered in its entirety in the 1st century (Jude 3), all of it (John 16:13).
One is to . . .
1) Hear the word of God (Acts 2:37; Rom 10:17);
Rom 10:17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ (God).
One is to . . .
2) Believe that Jesus is the Divine Christ (Acts 8:37; John 8:24), and that God rewards those that earnestly seek after Him (Heb 11:6), belief (faith) is the point where one enters into the process of “being saved’ (Lk 13:23; Acts 2:47; 1 Cor 1:18; 15:2; 2 Cor 2:15) Jesus said in Jn 5:24 . . .
Joh 5:24 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.
One is to also . . .
3) Repent of sins, (Acts 17:30; Luke 13:3, 5) Jesus stated . . .
Luk 13:5 . . . unless you repent, you will all likewise perish."
Repentance is a change of mind that results in a changed life.
One is to . . .
4) Confess Christ before men as did the eunuch (Acts 8:37), he proclaimed. . .
Act 8:37 . . . I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
For it is written (Rom 10:9) . . .
Rom 10:9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will (shall) be saved.
One is to . . .
5) Be baptized (immersed) into Christ (Gal 3:27), into the death of Christ (Rom 6:3), where His blood was shed (John 19:34), unto (for) the remission of sins (Acts 2:38; 22:16); this is the point where one is to determine to die to self and sin and live unto God in righteousness (Rom 6:1-14).
And then one is to continue to
(6) Live a holy life unto God (1 Pet 1:15-16; Heb 12:14; 2 Cor 7:1),
1Pe 1:15 But because the God who called you is holy you must be holy in every aspect of your life.
1Pe 1:16 Scripture says, "Be holy, because I am holy." (GW)
Heb 12:14 Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.
2Co 7:1 Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.
Be determined to follow God’s divine instructions, being renewed day by day (2 Cor 4:16), being made fit (prepared) for Heaven, thereby demonstrating our hope in the truth of the resurrection (1 Pet 1:3-4; 1 Cor 15:23) . . .
1Pe 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
1Pe 1:4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you,
1Co 15:23 But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ.
7) Setting our sights on heavenly things (Col 3:1-4), while serving our God with His earthly blessings (Mt 6:19-21).