~~~~ The Resurrection ~~~~

I awoke very early this morning and I was thinking of this subject of the resurrection. As I pondered this matter, it came to me that the words “first resurrection�?are never mentioned in connection with the resurrection of Jesus.

Then it came to me that this resurrection is not what is spoken of as the ‘first resurrection�? It also came to me that this is an O.T. resurrection. You see the N.T. times are not considered to have started until the Day of Pentecost.

The 'First Resurrection', mentioned in Rev. 20 is a N.T. Resurrection.  See there was a resurrection at the close of the O.T.  There will be a resurrection at the close of the N.T.

Look up the word 'first' in the Strong's Dictionary - it is not speaking of where is occurs, as in being the first in time of happening, as we think of a thing being first.  It means in front; superior to; above.

So, I arose around 4:30 a.m. to pray and to study this matter. It is now 5:30 a.m. I checked the Strong’s Concordance and I was astonished to find that the only time the words, “first resurrection�?are mentioned in Scripture is in Rev. 20.

So I knew the truth had begun to be opened up to me. Nothing is proven truth until you study it out and make sure it is in perfect agreement with the Written Word of God.

So I knew then that this was true, that the resurrection of Jesus is NOT the first resurrection. This is very easy to prove by the Word. Each Scripture I checked on the resurrection of Jesus called it just that, ‘the resurrection of Jesus�? It was never called the first resurrection.

This resurrection came at the close of the O.T. It included ONLY O.T. saints. There are no N.T. saints in that resurrection.

I was even more astonished to find that there is never mentioned any ‘second�?or ‘last�?resurrection. It is not in the Word. Any one who desires to know the truth in this should check out the concordance and see that this is true.

Now for an astonishing fact - one I did not know until now.

Revelation 20

1. And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.

2. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,

3. And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.

4. 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.

5. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.

6. 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.

7. And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,

8. And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog, and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.

9. And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.

10. And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

15. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

Now, I know this is a lot of Scripture to put into such a long message, but I see no other way to show you this.

Take a little time and read this message if you want to know the truth.

This clearly shows that the FIRST resurrection includes only blessed and holy people. It happened after Satan is bound up to deceive the nations NO MORE. It happened after the mark of the beast has run its course. It happened after the saints of God have all been killed for the witness of Jesus.

They lived and reigned with Christ during a time of peace, when Satan is not deceiving anyone and animals are not hurting each other. If any of you know of a time like that which has already happened, please show us.

Now what amazed me is in verse 12. This said the dead stood before God. See it did not say they had been ‘resurrected�? It did not say they were alive. It said they were dead. It said the dead was judged. See they are still dead; yet they are standing there before God.

Verse 13 says that the sea gave up the DEAD, which were in it. Then after they are judged, it said they were cast into the lake of fire. It said this is the SECOND DEATH. But it does not ever mention any SECOND RESURRECTION. This term is not in the Word of God.

Verse 15--Whosoever was not found written in the book of LIFE was cast into the lake of fire. See they have no life. They were not resurrected. They were merely brought back as mortal beings as they had been before.

Resurrection is not mentioned in the O.T. People were brought back to mortal life; but it is not called a resurrection. It is called awake in Daniel 12 and other O.T. Scriptures. So they merely awoke.

Resurrection signifies being given Spiritual life. These ‘dead�?standing before God were never given Spiritual life. They are standing there DEAD.

You who are not born of the Spirit of God are standing here DEAD.

We who have the Holy Ghost already have the resurrection inside us. It will quicken our mortal bodies. The sinners will never have their mortal bodies quickened. They will merely be brought back as they were.

This explains why it said that only Jesus had been resurrected to be given immortality.  Then resurrection means to be given immortality.  Sinners will never be given immortality.  They will suffer the pains of hell fire in their mortal bodies.

11Tim. 2: 15. Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

16. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.

17. And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;

18. Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.

Now, Paul wrote this. So it had to be after the resurrection of Jesus. He said those who say the resurrection is PAST ALREADY have erred and are overthrowing the faith of some.

So this proves the resurrection of the Saints was not the resurrection of Jesus. Jesus�?resurrection is NOT CALLED THE FIRST RESURRECTION.

There is no such thing as any SECOND RESURRECTION.

If you think there is, please find the Scripture for this and show us.

Now one last Scripture:

Heb. 11: 35. Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:

This was written AFTER the resurrection of Jesus, so it proves these saints were still looking forward to obtaining a better resurrection. So it could not pertain to Jesus�?resurrection; for that was already over with.

That better resurrection, the first resurrection is still in the future. Be not deceived - this is the Word of God.

JO