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JUST ONE RESURRECTION?
How many resurrections does the Bible
teach?
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The general message of the
churches is that a big battle is taking place for control of the minds of
mankind. The churches are striving to teach the Bible and trying to save
humankind, but Satan is busy leading them astray. If such a struggle be the
true situation of what is going on today, Satan is the big winner. It appears
he is gaining ground as the growing population outstrips the converts to churchianity. The ratio of “unsaved” continues to grow
faster than those being “saved!” Is Satan really outwitting and outmaneuvering
Yahweh today?
Lacking a proper understanding of Yahweh’s
plan for redeeming mankind, the churches insist they must convert everyone now!
This means even a last ditch effort to save those about to die who have not
publicly confessed they believe in the Bible’s promise and accept the Savior.
If one has stated even on the deathbed that he or she accepts the salvation
extended by “J-sus,” churchianity believes this person will be taken to heaven immediately upon death. Is this
really true? Is everyone to accept the Savior before dying, and if he/she does
not, is he/she doomed to eternal torment in the place called “hell” as they say?
Among those just starting to comprehend deeper truth, a nagging uncertainty
arises. What is to happen to them?
The question concerns the many truths which
were not understood nor practiced by parents, relatives or loved ones during
their lifetime, what is going to happen to them? Their parents or uncle Joe and
aunt Tess were good people. They lived exemplary lives, obediently keeping
Yahweh's commandments and were pillars of good to all—but were unaware that the
Sabbath is the sign that we might know Him (Ezekiel 20:12, 20). Nor did they
know Yahweh’s name which is the seal that we are His, Rev. 14:1. Neither did
they observe the Feast days. What is going to happen to them? Are they forever
lost because of their ignorance?
What about those living in the bush
countries who have never so much as heard of a Bible, not to mention the
Sabbaths or the Sacred Name of Yahweh or Yahshua? Are they cut off from
salvation because of their ignorance? Just because no one ever made the effort
to visit these bush people, are they forever committed to an eternity in
flaming vengeance?
MORE THAN ONE RESURRECTION
Yahweh is not slack concerning His
promises. He is just and because of His tender mercies everyone will be given
their opportunity for salvation. At the times of their ignorance Yahweh winks
at, (Acts 17:30). The Bible teaches more than one resurrection. The first is by
far the preferred resurrection which will be those who have been faithful and
obedient:
Blessed and holy is he that has part in the first resurrection: on such the second death has no power, but they
shall be priests of Yahweh and of Messiah, and shall reign with him a thousand
years. (Rev 20:6 AV) That wonderful first resurrection will
be the saints who faithfully obey Yahweh and follow in the footsteps of the
Savior. Right now Yahweh is calling a people that once they understand the high
calling, will cling to the truth and never let go.
They will persevere and stand fast until
the end. These overcomers comprise the first resurrection.
But every man in his own order: Messiah the firstfruits;
afterward they that are Messiah's at his coming. (1 Cor.15:23 AV)
Yahshua Himself promised an eventual
resurrection of all the dead, and spoke of more than one resurrection. He
called the first resurrection as one “to life.” He was referring to those who
would be raised or changed from flesh to the spirit realm, no longer flesh and blood. They would come forth to the resurrection of LIFE, to a never-ending
life; to immortality! Those in the first resurrection
will be changed to spirit beings. 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 damnation [judgment,
for this comes a thousand years later], John 5:28-29.
Paul, in his defense before Felix, stated
there would be a resurrection of two groups. Notice that the just are
resurrected before the unjust. Those who are striving to obey the commandments,
statutes and judgments are preparing themselves to be a kingdom of priests
under Yahshua.
And have hope toward Yahweh, which they themselves also allow, that
there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. (Acts 24:15 AV)
The Psalmist emphasizes the same concept,
calling those in the first resurrection “the upright.” Resurrection morning,
the upright shall fulfill their role as teachers and guides (have dominion) in the kingdom.
Like sheep they are laid in the grave; death shall feed on them; shall have
dominion over them in the morning; and their beauty shall consume in the grave
from their dwelling. (Psalms 49:14 AV)
Yahshua promised that in the first
resurrection, those who were obedient would then be blessed. He also urged His
hearers to be a generous, helpful, loving people doing good wherever possible,
with no expectations of being repaid. Yahshua stated one would be given their
reward or repaid at the first resurrection.
And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just. (Luke 14:14 AV)
RAISED FROM [AMONG] THE DEAD
Paul was quite clear that he was hopeful of
being in that first resurrection. Writing to the Philippians he referred to a
resurrection from the corpses. In other words and from among these dead
corpses, he hoped to be raised (known as the “out” resurrection)
If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. (Philippians 3:11 AV)
Commenting on this verse, W. J. Erdman
states “It is clear from these foregoing scriptures that believers in
[Messiah], by virtue of their union with Him, share with Him a resurrection
peculiar as to kind and as to time. It is the resurrection from among the dead,
the rest of the dead waiting until their call to judgment comes. It is not a
simultaneous raising of good and evil, nor a judgment of all in one brief
period of time.” (The Unseen World; A
Concordance with Notes, p. 40).
Yahshua emphasized the same concept when
speaking of the righteous as being worthy of that first resurrection. Note that
He states those in that first resurrection cannot die any more, but like the
angels will be spirit and are immortal. Another resurrection takes place a
thousand years later. These will be made flesh and bone to live on a physical
earth and have children. It will be a renewed earth where everyone keeps
Yahweh's law.
But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the
resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage: Neither
can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children
of Elohim, being the children of the resurrection. (Luke 20:35-36 AV)
THE FIRSTFRUIT RESURRECTION
In the Old Testament, Daniel acknowledged
there would be more than one resurrection. Take note all verses agree that the
first resurrection is the one we should strive for. It is the resurrection to
life, to the spirit realm where one will never die.
And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some
to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. (Daniel 12:2 AV)
The first resurrection is of the saints who
will be priests in the prophesied kingdom of Messiah, of which there shall be
no end, (Luke 1:33). We are now tested for our sincerity. Strive to stay on
that narrow way, do not fall by the wayside! We must always have the Kingdom
goal before us and pray that our faith fails not.
We may have to walk through the valley of
the shadow of death. But do not despair, we are given the promise we will not
be alone and Yahweh will see us through. In a sense we join those pioneers and
ancient worthies who continued steadfast in the word of truth and are an
encouragement and a lesson to us. Begat
He us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of frstfruits of His creatures, (James 1:18)
It will be a great day when Yahshua returns
and sets up His kingdom. However, much will occur before He puts down all rule
and authority. The saints will be tested and tried as no one has before.
Prophecy tells of the torture and martyrdom yet to take place. We have not seen
anything yet! Read in the Bible’s “Who’s Who” in Hebrews chapter eleven of the
ancient worthies who suffered and died for the truth:
Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were
tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better
resurrection: (Hebrews 11:35 AV)
MANY ARE CALLED, FEW CHOSEN
A study of the Bible reveals that Yahweh is
calling a few to be in the first resurrection. Reading Matthew 20:16 and 22:14,
both quote Yahshua as saying, “Many be
called, but few are chosen.” The Greek kletos has the sense of invited,
that is, invited or chosen to be in the first resurrection. In other words,
many are called, but only a few answer the call, and fewer are chosen. Take
note of John 6:70; 13:18; 15:16, 19; Luke 6:13; Acts 1:2 and other places,
Yahshua states He has chosen His disciples.
Further, adding to this puzzle, we read
Yahshua’s words, “No man can come to Me,
except the Father Which hath sent Me draw him…” John 6:44 (& 6:44 &
65).
Furthermore, no one can come to the Father
except through the Son as we read, Yahshua’s words, “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father,
but by Me,” John 14:6; Matt 11:27, etc. Our Father Yahweh calls those He
knows have the stuff to be in that first resurrection. Yahshua chooses His own.
JUDGMENT OF THE SAINTS
When the Savior returns to this earth, the
saints will rise with changed spirit bodies to meet Him in the air. Yahshua
returns to judge His people. Peter wrote that it will be the believers who will
come under His judgment and are chastised through afflictions and persecutions.
His loving correction is needed from time to time lest we fall into the ways of
the wicked. Even the righteous scarcely will be saved:
For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of Elohim: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be
of them that obey not the good news of Yahweh? And if the righteous scarcely be
saved, where shall the wicked and the sinner appear? (1 Peter 4:17-18 AV)
But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the
judgment seat of Messiah (Rom 14:10
AV)
Take note that the returning Savior will be
the judge of those who have been faithful to the high calling we have in
Messiah. He will bring His reward with Him to give to everyone his part of the
inheritance.
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Messiah; that every
one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done,
whether it be good or bad. (2
Corinthians 5:10 AV)
And behold I come quickly; and My reward is with Me, to give every man
according as his work shall be. (Revelation
22:12)
Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which
Yahweh, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but
unto all them also that love His appearing. (2 Timothy 4:8 AV)
Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that zye may be tried; of you into prison, that ye may be tried;
and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will
give thee a crown of life. (Revelation
2:10 AV)
And He commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is
He which was ordained of Elohim to be the Judge of
quick and dead. (Acts 10:42 AV)
THE WIFE MAKES HERSELF READY
Those in the first
resurrection will have glorified spirit bodies just as the Savior now has. We
will be like Him:
Beloved, now are we the sons of Yahweh, and it doth not yet appear what
we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for
we shall see Him as He is. (1 John
3:2 AV)
And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man
according as his work shall be. (Revelation
22:12 AV)
Paul goes into detail clearly showing that
those in the first resurrection shall be made spirit, no longer flesh and
blood:
Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the
kingdom of Elohim; neither doth corruption inherit
incorruption. Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall
not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an
eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be
raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on
incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible
shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality,
then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up
in victory. (1 Corinthians 15:50-54
AV)
Not
only are we promised hope beyond the grave, but we will achieve
immortality—deathlessness!
Paul reveals that we should be Israelites
in every sense of the word. We should obey the laws given to Israel. Keep the
days given to Israel. We should worship the Mighty One of Israel. We should
call upon Yahweh’s name, which He Himself has revealed to us as He anciently
revealed to Israel through Moses. When we accept the salvation given us through
His Son, we should rejoice that we are placed into the Abrahamic tree of promise, Romans 11:24. Determine now to measure up to the high calling
we have in Messiah and be a part of the Israel of Yahweh, Galatians 6:16. May
you be included in the phrase, “His wife
has made herself ready,” Rev. 19:7.
© 2007 Yahweh’s Assembly in Yahshua
2963 County Road 233, Kingdom City, Missouri 65262
View us online at: www.YAIY.org
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