The Two Resurrections

There is going to be two resurrections. According to the Bible, both in the beginning and at the end of the Millennial kingdom happens a resurrection. The righteous dead will resurrect in its beginning and they receive their reward (eternal life). The wicked sinners are sent into damnation at the end of the one thousand year era. During the Millennial kingdom, those who have done God’s will rise for judgment that brings them life.

Act 24:15 having hope toward God, which these also themselves look for, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.

Jhn 5:28 Don’t be amazed at this, because the hour is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice 29 and will come out—those who have done what is good to the resurrection of life, and those who have practiced what is evil to the resurrection of condemnation. – There will be two resurrections. The Book of Revelation calls the first resurrection the resurrection of life:

Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years. (Rev 20:6).

After the first resurrection, the kingdom ruled by Christ and His holy ones is established and its Millennial era begins. Those who have not received resurrection in this first round will rise again in the second resurrection of which the book of revelation says: 20:5 The rest of the dead didn’t live until the thousand years were finished…

1 Cor 6:2-3 You know that the saints will rule the world, don’t you? And if the world is going to be ruled by you, can’t you handle insignificant cases?

Jesus said to them: Truly I tell you, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne in the renewed creation, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, governing the twelve tribes of Israel. (Mat 19:28). – What and where are these twelve tribes of Israel? At the moment their remnants are scattered around the world. This involves the questions of what is Israel and who is a Jew. In addition to natural Israel, there is a so-called God’s Israel or spiritual Israel. According to Paul, a person is not a Jew because of his appearance, nor is circumcision something external and physical. No, a person is a Jew inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by a written law. That person’s praise will come from God, (Rom 2:28-29).

The saints of the resurrection will rule the kingdom with Christ. (King) David also has a significant role in governing the kingdom. Some have interpreted the Bible so that the resurrected will go to Christ in heaven. Jesus himself gave the answer to this question:

Jhn 14:1-3 Don’t let your heart be troubled. Believe in God. Believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions. If it weren’t so, I would have told you. I am going to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and will receive you to myself; that where I am, you may be there also.

Jesus says he will go to heaven to prepare a place for his disciples. Does He prepare a place in heaven? This alternative comes easily to mind because he said, “In my Father’s house are many dwelling places”. What if Jesus meant something else with preparing a place? For instance, the governing of the whole kingdom of God. Could it be that Jesus would come back, as promised, but the resurrected disciples and other righteous would go to heaven? No, Christ and the holy ones will rule with the rod of iron together on earth. When the holy ones are in spirit body, it is possible, to think that they, like angels, have access to heaven. Some interpret the epi-preposition in the Greek text as they rule over (not on) the earth from heaven. This way Jesus and the apostles were surely together, but then Jesus’ promise of coming back is unfilled.

 

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