Doctrine

CHAPTER 8: THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD

THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD IS TAUGHT IN THE SCRIPTURES, BOTH IN THE OLD AND NEW TESTAMENTS.

Job 19:26-27 KJV And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.

Hosea 13:14 KJV I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction:

Psalms 49:15 KJV But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me. Selah.

MANY OF THE OLD TESTAMENT PROPHECIES OF THE RESURRECTION PERTAINED TO THE MESSIAH.

Psalms 16:10 KJV For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

Acts 2:27 & 31-32 KJV Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.

DURING CHRISTS MINISTRY HE EXPOUNDED ON AND CLARIFIED THE DOCTRINE OF THE RESURRECTION TO SHOW THAT IT INCLUDED ALL OF GOD'S PEOPLE.

Matthew 22:23-33 NIV That same day the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to him with a question. "Teacher," they said, "Moses told us that if a man dies without having children, his brother must marry the widow and have children for him. Now there were seven brothers among us. The first one married and died, and since he had no children, he left his wife to his brother. The same thing happened to the second and third brother, right on down to the seventh. Finally, the woman died. Now then, at the resurrection, whose wife will she be of the seven, since all of them were married to her?" Jesus replied, "You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God. At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven. But about the resurrection of the dead--have you not read what God said to you, 'I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob'? He is not the God of the dead but of the living." When the crowds heard this, they were astonished at his teaching. Luke 20:37 KJV Now that the dead are raised, even Moses showed at the bush, when he calleth the Lord the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. For he is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto him.

John 11:23-24 KJV Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

John 5:25-29 KJV Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. 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 6:39-40 NIV And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day."

John 6:44 NIV "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day.

THE RESURRECTION DOCTRINE WAS PREACHED BY THE APOSTLES AFTER CHRIST RETURNED TO THE FATHER.

Romans 6:4-5 NIV We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection.

Romans 8:11 NIV And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.

1 Corinthians 6:14-15 NIV By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also. But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?

1 Corinthians 15:13-14 NIV If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.

1 Corinthians 15:20-23 NIV But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him.

1 Corinthians 15:51-55 NIV Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed--in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory." O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

1 Thessalonians 4:13-16 NIV "Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.

1 Thessalonians 4:17 & 18 NIV "After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore, encourage each other with these words.

THERE ARE MANY MORE VERSES THAT TELL ABOUT THE RESURRECTION IN THE NEW TESTAMENT BUT THOSE ABOVE SHOULD BE SUFFICIENT TO PROVE THE POINT THAT THE BIBLE TEACHES THAT THERE WILL BE A RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD. WHEN WILL THE RESURRECTION TAKE PLACE? THE NEXT POINT OF REFERENCE IN THIS STUDY IS TO SHOW THAT FOR ALL THINGS, GOD HAS AN APPOINTED TIME, INCLUDING THE RESURRECTION.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 KJV To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

Habakkuk 2:3 NIV For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.

Matthew 8:28-29 NIV When he arrived at the other side in the region of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men coming from the tombs met him. They were so violent that no one could pass that way. "What do you want with us, Son of God?" they shouted. "Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?"

1 Corinthians 4:5 NIV Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts.

NOW THAT WE HAVE ESTABLISHED THAT THERE IS AN APPOINTED TIME FOR
EVERYTHING WE WILL SEE IF THE SCRIPTURES TELL US ANYTHING ABOUT THE APPOINTED TIME OF THE RESURRECTION.

Daniel 8:19 NIV He said: "I am going to tell you what will happen later in the time of wrath, because the vision concerns the appointed time of the end.

Daniel 11:35 NIV Some of the wise will stumble, so that they may be refined, purified and made spotless until the time of the end, for it will still come at the appointed time.

Daniel 12:1-4 NIV "At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people--everyone whose name is found written in the book--will be delivered. Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever. But you, Daniel, close up and seal the words of the scroll until the time of the end. Many will go here and there to increase knowledge."

Matthew 13:36-43 NIV Then he left the crowd and went into the house. His disciples came to him and said, "Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field." He answered, "The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels. "As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.

GOD HAS DETERMINED THAT THE RESURRECTION WILL OCCUR DURING THE TIME PERIOD THAT HE CALLS IN THE BIBLE, "THE TIME OF THE END, OR "THE END OF THE AGE."

Titus 1:2 KJV In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;

GOD HAS APPOINTED THE "TIME OF THE END" AS THE SPECIFIC TIME FOR THE RESURRECTION TO TAKE PLACE, AND IT CAN ONLY TAKE PLACE AT THAT TIME, AND NOT AT ANY OTHER TIME, BECAUSE GOD CANNOT LIE.

Matthew 28:19-20 NIV Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

CHRIST COMMANDED THE DISCIPLES AND THOSE WHO WOULD COME AFTER THEM TO PREACH THE GOSPEL UNTIL THE END OF THE AGE. THE RESURRECTION THEN CANNOT OCCUR UNTIL THE END OF THE AGE. IT COULD NOT HAVE OCCURRED TWO THOUSAND YEARS AGO AS SOME TEACH, IT CAN AND WILL OCCUR ONLY AT GOD'S APPOINTED TIME. JESUS TALKED ABOUT THE "TIME OF THE END," AND GAVE US SIGNS TO WATCH FOR SO THAT WE COULD KNOW WHEN THE TIME OF THE END WAS DRAWING NEAR.

Matthew 24:3 NIV As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. "Tell us," they said, "when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?"

Matthew 24:4-24 NIV Jesus answered: "Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains. "Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

JESUS TOLD HIS DISCIPLES EARLIER TO PREACH THE GOSPEL UNTIL THE END OF THE AGE. LATER HE TELLS THEM THAT THE TIME OF THE END WILL NOT COME UNTIL THAT TASK HAS BEEN COMPLETED. IT HAS NOT YET BEEN COMPLETED TODAY, BUT THROUGH THE USE OF RADIO, TELEVISION, COMPUTERS, AND THE PRINTED WORD, WE ARE GETTING CLOSE TO ACCOMPLISHING THAT TASK. JESUS GOES ON TO SAY THAT THE TIME OF THE END WILL BE A TERRIBLE TIME OF DISTRESS FOR THE WORLD.

Matthew 24:15-21 NIV "So when you see standing in the holy place 'the abomination that causes desolation,' spoken of through the prophet Daniel--let the reader understand--then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let no one on the roof of his house go down to take anything out of the house. Let no one in the field go back to get his cloak. How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! Pray that your flight will not take place in winter or on the Sabbath. For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now--and never to be equaled again.

Mark 13:19 NIV because those will be days of distress unequaled from the beginning, when God created the world, until now--and never to be equaled again.

THE TIME NEAR THE END OF THE AGE WILL BE THE MOST DREADFUL AND HORRIBLE TIME OF TROUBLE THAT THE WORLD HAS EVER SUFFERED.

Matthew 24:22 NIV If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened. Mark 13:20 NIV If the Lord had not cut short those days, no one would survive. But for the sake of the elect, whom he has chosen, he has shortened them.

IF THE LORD DID NOT STEP IN AND PUT AN END TO IT, ALL HUMAN LIFE WOULD BE DESTROYED.

Matthew 24:23-24 NIV At that time if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or, 'There he is!' do not believe it. For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect--if that were possible.

Mark 13:22 NIV For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and miracles to deceive the elect--if that were possible.

NOT ONLY WOULD ALL HUMAN LIFE BE DESTROYED DURING THIS TIME PERIOD IF GOD DID NOT STEP IN AND END IT, BUT DELUSION WILL BE SO STRONG THAT EVEN THE ELECT WOULD BE DECEIVED, IF THAT WERE POSSIBLE.

Mark 13:23-27 NIV So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time. "But in those days, following that distress, "'the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.' "At that time men will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens.

Matthew 24:31 NIV And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.

IT IS NOT MY INTENT TO GO INTO A LENGTHY DISCUSSION OF THE SIGNS OF THE END TIMES IN THIS BOOK, AS THAT HAS ALREADY BEEN DONE IN THE BOOK "COUNTDOWN TO 6000." BUT, THERE IS YET ONE MORE SIGN THAT WE MUST LOOK AT BECAUSE IT IS ONE OF THE KEYS TO PINPOINTING WHEN WE HAVE INDEED ENTERED THE "TIME OF THE END."

Mark 13:14 NIV "When you see 'the abomination that causes desolation' standing where it does not belong--let the reader understand--then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.

EARLIER, IN THE BOOK OF MATTHEW JESUS REFERRED TO THE SIGN OF THE
"ABOMINATION THAT CAUSES DESOLATION" THAT WAS PROPHESIED IN THE BOOK OF DANIEL. HE TOLD THE DISCIPLES THAT MANY THINGS WOULD OCCUR BEFORE THE END OR THE AGE, BUT THE FIRST THING THAT HE PREDICTED WOULD HAPPEN AFTER THE GOSPEL HAS BEEN PREACHED TO ALL NATIONS THAT SIGNIFIES THAT THE END OF THE AGE IS UPON US, IS THE APPEARANCE OF THE ANTICHRIST.

Mark 13:7 & 10 NIV When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. And the gospel must first be preached to all nations. Mark 13:14 NIV "When you see 'the abomination that causes desolation' standing where it does not belong--let the reader understand--then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.

1 John 2:18 KJV Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.

ANYONE WHO IS AGAINST CHRIST IS AN ANTICHRIST, AND THERE ARE MANY IN THE WORLD WHO FIT THAT DESCRIPTION AT ALL TIMES. THERE IS A SPECIFIC ANTICHRIST THOUGH, THE ONE PREDICTED IN THE BOOK OF DANIEL, WHO WHEN HE ARRIVES ON THE SCENE WILL VERIFY TO US THAT WE ARE INDEED IN THE "END TIMES. "PAUL TELLS US CLEARLY THAT THE RESURRECTION, OUR GATHERING TOGETHER TO CHRIST WILL NOT OCCUR UNTIL THE ANTICHRIST HAS BEEN REVEALED.

2 Thessalonians 2:1-5 NIV Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers, not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by some prophecy, report or letter supposed to have come from us, saying that the day of the Lord has already come. Don't let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God's temple, proclaiming himself to be God. Don't you remember that when I was with you I used to tell you these things?

PAUL EXPLAINS THAT BEFORE THE FIRST RESURRECTION OCCURS, A MAN, SITTING IN THE TEMPLE OF GOD, (WHICH WILL BE IN JERUSALEM) WILL DECLARE HIMSELF TO BE GOD. THIS IS THE ABOMINATION THAT DANIEL AND JESUS TALKED ABOUT. WHEN THIS HAPPENS WE WILL BE VERY CLOSE TO THE TIME OF THE FIRST RESURRECTION.

2 Thessalonians 2:8-10 NIV And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming. The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.

NOW THAT WE HAVE LOOKED AT THE SIGNS OF THE END TIMES WE WILL MOVE ON AND SEE WHAT OTHER CLUES GOD HAS GIVEN US AS TO WHEN THE RESURRECTION WILL TAKE PLACE. WE WILL NOW MOVE ON AND TRY TO DETERMINE AT WHAT POINT IN HUMAN HISTORY AND PROPHETIC TIME WILL THE RESURRECTION TAKE PLACE.

Mark 13:32 NIV "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.

Matthew 24:36 & 25:13 NIV "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.

NOW THE SCRIPTURE IS CLEAR THAT NO ONE KNOWS THE DAY AND HOUR AND THAT IS NOT WHAT WE ARE SEEKING TO FIND OUT HERE. WE ARE MERELY SEEKING TO FIND OUT IN WHAT SEQUENCE WILL THE RESURRECTION OCCUR AS IT PERTAINS TO THE OTHER FUTURE PROPHETIC EVENTS THAT HAVE NOT YET BEEN FULFILLED. THERE IS ANOTHER CLUE THAT GOD HAS GIVEN US AS TO WHEN THE RESURRECTION WILL TAKE PLACE. IT IS THE CLUE THAT IT WILL TAKE PLACE ON THE LAST DAY, THE HEAVENLY SABBATH.

John 6:39 NIV And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day.

John 6:40 NIV For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day."

John 6:44 & 54 NIV "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.

John 11:24 NIV Martha answered, "I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day."

WHEN IS THE LAST DAY? THE LAST DAY IS THE LAST DAY OF THE HEAVENLY WEEK, THE SABBATH DAY, THE LORDS DAY, OR THE DAY OF THE LORD.

2 Peter 3:2-4 & 8-9 I want you to recall the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets and the command given by our Lord and Savior through your apostles. First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, "Where is this 'coming' he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation." But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.

Psalms 90:4 KJV For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night.

GOD HINTS IN THE SCRIPTURES THAT THE RESURRECTION WILL TAKE PLACE 6000 YEARS AFTER THE CREATION OF ADAM. IN SIX DAYS GOD CREATED THE WORLD, AND THE SEVENTH DAY HE RESTED. THE HEAVENLY SABBATH DAY WILL BE THE BEGINNING OF THE ETERNAL REST FOR THE RIGHTEOUS SAINTS WHO ARE RAISED FROM THE DEAD.

NOTE: SUNDAY IS THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK. SATURDAY IS THE BIBLICAL
SABBATH DAY, THE LAST DAY OF THE WEEK.

    ORDINAL        NAME        DURATION        TOTAL

    FIRST DAY        SUNDAY    1000 YEARS        1000
    SECOND DAY    MONDAY    1000 YEARS        2000
    THIRD DAY        TUESDAY    1000 YEARS        3000
    FOURTH DAY        WEDNESDAY 1000 YEARS        4000
    FIFTH DAY        THURSDAY    1000 YEARS        5000
    SIXTH DAY        FRIDAY    1000 YEARS        6000
    SEVENTH DAY    SATURDAY    1000 YEARS        7000 SABBATH
    EIGHTH DAY        SUNDAY    ETERNITY        NEW BEGINNING

THE TERM RAISE THEM UP ON THE "LAST DAY" SEEMS TO SIGNIFY THAT GOD WILL INITIATE THE RESURRECTION OF THE SAVED AT THE VERY BEGINNING OF HEAVENLY SATURDAY, THE SEVENTH OR SABBATH DAY.

John 5:28-29 KJV 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.

ONE THOUSAND YEARS LATER, AT THE VERY END OF THE "LAST DAY," THE RESURRECTION OF THE LOST WILL TAKE PLACE. SO, BOTH RESURRECTIONS WILL TAKE PLACE ON THE "LAST DAY," ONE AT THE BEGINNING OF IT AND ONE AT THE END OF IT.

THE FIRST RESURRECTION

THE SCRIPTURE IS CLEAR THAT THERE WILL BE TWO RESURRECTIONS OF THE DEAD, ONE AT THE BEGINNING OF THE HEAVENLY SABBATH DAY, WHICH WOULD PLACE IT AT THE VERY END OF THE 6000 YEARS, AND ONE AT THE END OF THE HEAVENLY SABBATH DAY. THIS IS ALSO TAUGHT IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION.

Revelation 20:4-6 KJV 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 20:6 "Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years."

THE 2ND OR LAST RESURRECTION

ONE THOUSAND YEARS LATER THE REST OF THE DEAD WILL BE RAISED. ALL OF THE SAVED WERE RAISED AT THE FIRST RESURRECTION. THE ONLY SAVED PEOPLE WHO WILL JOIN US AT THE SECOND RESURRECTION WILL BE THOSE WHO LIVED AND DIED DURING THE MILLENNIUM. FOR THE MOST PART THE SECOND RESURRECTION WILL BE THE RESURRECTION OF THE LOST.

Revelation 20:5 NIV The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.

Revelation 20:11-14 KJV And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 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.

Matthew 25:41 KJV Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

Revelation 20:15 KJV This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

Revelation 21:8 KJV But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

SATAN AND HIS ANGELS WILL ALSO BE CAST INTO THE LAKE OF FIRE AT THIS TIME, AFTER THE ONE THOUSAND YEARS HAVE BEEN COMPLETED.

Revelation 20:1-3 NIV And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain. He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time.

Revelation 20:7-9 NIV When the thousand years are over, Satan will be released from his prison and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth--Gog and Magog--to gather them for battle. In number they are like the sand on the seashore. They marched across the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of God's people, the city he loves. But fire came down from heaven and devoured them.

Revelation 20:10 NIV And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

WE DO NOT KNOW WHEN THE FIRST SIX THOUSAND YEARS WILL BE COMPLETED. IT IS LIKELY THOUGH THAT THEY WILL BE CONCLUDED, AND THE FIRST RESURRECTION WILL TAKE PLACE SOMETIME BETWEEN THE YEARS 2000 AND 2100.

SO THEN, SO FAR WE HAVE SEEN THAT THE FIRST RESURRECTION, THE RESURRECTION OF THE RIGHTEOUS, WILL OCCUR AFTER THE GOSPEL HAS BEEN PREACHED TO ALL NATIONS, AFTER THE MAN KNOWN AS "THE ANTICHRIST HAS BEEN REVEALED, AND IT WILL OCCUR AT THE VERY START OF THE 7000TH YEAR SINCE THE CREATION OF ADAM.

NOW, WE WILL SEE IF WE CAN ZERO IN EVEN CLOSER BY FINDING OUT WHAT WILL OCCUR IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE FIRST RESURRECTION. BY WATCHING FOR THINGS TO MOVE INTO POSITION TO FULFILL THOSE EVENTS THAT HAVE BEEN PREDICTED TO OCCUR JUST AFTER WE HAVE BEEN RAISED FROM THE DEAD, WE MAY BE ABLE TO DISCERN WHEN THE TIME IS DRAWING NEAR.

THE WRATH OF GOD

THE VERY NEXT EVENT ON THE LIST OF UNFULFILLED BIBLICAL PROPHECY THAT WILL OCCUR AFTER THE FIRST RESURRECTION IS THE POURING OUT OF THE WRATH OF GOD ON AN UNBELIEVING WORLD.

Zephaniah 2:1-3 NIV Gather together, gather together, O shameful nation, before the appointed time arrives and that day sweeps on like chaff, before the fierce anger of the LORD comes upon you, before the day of the Lord's wrath comes upon you. Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land, you who do what he commands. Seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the Lord's anger.

GOD WARNS US TO REPENT BEFORE THE DAY OF HIS WRATH COMES SO THAT WE WILL BE SHELTERED FROM HIS ANGER.

Revelation 10:5-7 NIV Then the angel I had seen standing on the sea and on the land raised his right hand to heaven. And he swore by him who lives for ever and ever, who created the heavens and all that is in them, the earth and all that is in it, and the sea and all that is in it, and said, "There will be no more delay! But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.

Revelation 11:15 KJV And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

Revelation 11:18 NIV The nations were angry; and your wrath has come. The time has come for judging the dead, and for rewarding your servants the prophets and your saints and those who reverence your name, both small and great-- and for destroying those who destroy the earth."

WHEN THE SEVENTH ANGEL OF THE BOOK OF REVELATION BEGINS TO SOUND HIS TRUMPET THE FIRST RESURRECTION WILL TAKE PLACE. HE WILL SOUND IT AT THE END OF THE FIRST SIX THOUSAND YEARS OF HUMAN HISTORY.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 NIV Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words.

WE (THE SAVED) WILL BE RESCUED JUST BEFORE GOD POURS OUT HIS WRATH.

1 Thessalonians 5:9 NIV For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.

THE TIME WHEN THE LORD WILL POUR OUT HIS WRATH IS ALSO CALLED "THE DAY OF THE LORD," BECAUSE IT IS THE BEGINNING OF THE ONE THOUSAND YEAR SABBATH DAY. IF WE ARE ALERT AND IN TUNE WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO ANTICIPATE IT'S ARRIVAL.

ALL THOSE LEFT ON THE EARTH (EXCEPT FOR A FEW ISRAELITES WHOM GOD HAS SEALED TO LIVE THROUGH THE TIME OF HIS WRATH) WILL BE HEATHEN, MEANING UNBELIEVERS.

1 Thessalonians 5:1-4 NIV Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, "Peace and safety," destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief.

THERE IS SO MUCH INFORMATION IN THE BIBLE ABOUT THE "DAY OF THE LORD," THAT AN ENTIRE BOOK COULD BE WRITTEN ON JUST THAT SUBJECT ALONE. ONLY A FEW VERSES WILL BE QUOTED HERE SO WE CAN UNDERSTAND WHAT IT WILL BE LIKE TO LIVE DURING THE TIME WHEN GOD'S WRATH IS POURED OUT.

Ezekiel 30:3 KJV For the day is near, even the day of the LORD is near, a cloudy day; it shall be the time of the heathen.

Obadiah 1:15 KJV For the day of the LORD is near upon all the heathen: as thou hast done, it shall be done unto thee: thy reward shall return upon thine own head.

Ezekiel 7:5-8 NIV "This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Disaster! An unheard-of disaster is coming. The end has come! The end has come! It has roused itself against you. It has come! Doom has come upon you--you who dwell in the land. The time has come, the day is near; there is panic, not joy, upon the mountains. I am about to pour out my wrath on you and spend my anger against you;

Ezekiel 30:3 NIV For the day is near, the day of the LORD is near-- a day of clouds, a time of doom for the nations.

Isaiah 13:6-9 NIV Wail, for the day of the LORD is near; it will come like destruction from the Almighty. Because of this, all hands will go limp, every man's heart will melt. Terror will seize them, pain and anguish will grip them; they will writhe like a woman in labor. They will look aghast at each other, their faces aflame. See, the day of the LORD is coming --a cruel day, with wrath and fierce anger-- to make the land desolate and destroy the sinners within it.

Joel 1:15 KJV Alas for the day! for the day of the LORD is at hand, and as a destruction from the Almighty shall it come.

Zephaniah 1:14-18 NIV "The great day of the LORD is near-- near and coming quickly. Listen! The cry on the day of the LORD will be bitter, the shouting of the warrior there. That day will be a day of wrath, a day of distress and anguish, a day of trouble and ruin, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness, a day of trumpet and battle cry against the fortified cities and against the corner towers. I will bring distress on the people and they will walk like blind men, because they have sinned against the LORD. Their blood will be poured out like dust and their entrails like filth. Neither their silver nor their gold will be able to save them on the day of the Lord's wrath.

THANK GOD THAT THOSE OF US WHO BELIEVE HIS WORD WILL BE SPARED FROM THE TIME OF HIS WRATH BY BEING REMOVED FROM THE EARTH PRIOR TO IT. SO THEN, LET US WATCH FOR THE SIGNS AND PROPHECIES THAT WILL COME TO PASS IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

Luke 21:31-32 NIV Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near. "I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.

WE NEED TO BE ALERT CONCERNING SPIRITUAL THINGS SO THAT THE DAY OF THE FIRST RESURRECTION DOES NOT FIND US ASLEEP AND WE ARE LEFT ON EARTH TO SUFFER GOD'S WRATH.

Luke 21:34-36 NIV "Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth. Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man."

SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY

The American Heritage Dictionary, 1992, Houghton-Mifflin Company, New York, NY. (Various Definitions)

The Apostolic Fathers, J.B. Lightfoot and J. R. Hammer, Edited and revised by Michael W. Holmes. 1989 Baker Book House, Grand

Rapids, MI. (The Didache, The Teaching of the 12 Apostles.)

Babylon, Mystery Religion, Ralph Woodrow, 1966. Ralph Woodrow Evangelistic Association Inc. Riverside, CA. (The Religion of Mystery Babylon)

The Babylonian Connection (Between Ancient and Modern Religions)

Stephen E. Jones, 1978. America's Promise, Phoenix, AZ. (The Babylonian Religion)

Early Christian Writings, Matthew Staniforth 1968, Revised by Andrew Louth, 1987. Penguin books, New York, NY. (The Didache, The Teaching of the 12 Apostles.)

The Encyclopedia of Prophecy, Omar V. Garrison, Citadel Press, Secaucus, NJ. 1978. (The Prophecies of Fatima)

The History of the First Council of Nice, by Dean Dudly, copyright 1886. Reprinted 1966, by Health Research, Mokelumne Hill, CA. (Decrees of the Nicene Council, the Nicene Creed, the Arian Creed)

The Book of Jasher, 1840, M. M. Noah, Reprinted by Health Research, Mokelumne Hill, CA, 1966. (Nimrod)

The Lost Books of the Bible, and The Forgotten Books of Eden, William Collins, World Publishing Co., New York, NY. 1926 & 1927, Alpha House Inc. (The Apostles Creed)

"Popes Through The Ages", Published by Neff-Kane, San Rafael, California, copyright 1980. (Decrees of the Popes)

"Revelation Revealed", published by Jack Van Impe Ministries, copyright 1982. Royal Oak, MI. (Later Decrees of the Popes)

The Software Toolworks Illustrated Encyclopedia (TM) (c) 1990 Grolier Electronic Publishing, Inc. (Various Reference Articles)

Will the Real Heretics Please Stand up, David W. Bercot, 1989. Scroll Publishing Company, Tyler, TX. (Baptism)

The Works of Flavius Josephus, William Whitston, Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, MI. 1974. (Nimrod and the Tower of Babel)

BIBLE TRANSLATIONS

The Chronological Bible, Copyright 1977 by Edward Reese. Published by Regal Publishers, Nashville, TN.

Quickverse Bible Concordance, New International Version, by Craig Raiardin, Parsons Technology, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Copyright 1988.

The Holy Bible: New International Version, published by Zondervan Bible Publishers, Copyright 1984 by The International Bible Society. Used in conjunction with Quickverse Bible Concordance, by Craig Rairdin, Parsons Technology, Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

The Holy Bible: King James Version, used in conjunction with Quickverse Bible Concordance, by Craig Rairdin, Parsons Technology, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Copyright 1988.

The Holy Bible: New King James Version, used in conjunction with Quickverse Bible Concordance, by Craig Rairdin, Parsons Technology, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Copyright 1984, Thomas Nelson.