BIBLE DOCTRINE OF RESURRECTIONS

By Bro. James Sowders & Bro. Clarance Rader

Job 14:14 ^"If a man die, shall he live again?"

Not only did Job ask this question but it has been an age-old question by all!

Individuals and religious groups have delved into the unknown regions beyond death trying to obtain the answers. Some have arrived at the conclusions that when you die you go to the grave and that is the end of you, while others believe that after death, if you are not good enough, you come back, or reincarnate into something else like a bug, or an animal. This process continues (they say) until you are good enough to die and stay dead never to come back again. In other words they are living to die.

There are others which believe that the spirit goes with God at death (being immortal) and the body will reunite with the spirit at the resurrection when Jesus splits the sky and all the graves will be opened. I am sure there are others also, but what does the Bible have to say about this subject? Because Paul told Timothy to (II Timothy 2:15) "Rightly divide the word of truth."

The doctrine of "resurrections of the dead" (Hebrews 6:2) covers a wide field of information and delves into more than one resurrection. It is the center, the focal point on which all other doctrines revolve around and are based upon. I Cor. 15:14, And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching in vain, and your faith also in vain. During our study of the resurrections of the dead, it would be well to keep in mind that there is more than one resurrection spoken of in the bible. Therefore we will try to apply the scriptures to the proper resurrection. We will study these resurrections in the following order.

1: Individuals Resurrected

There were individuals resurrected by prophets under the law. Jesus also raised individuals from the dead during his lifetime. The apostles that Jesus commissioned also raised individuals from the dead.

2:Jesus Resurrected

God resurrected Christ from the dead.

3:Prophets Resurrected

Many prophets and Old Testament greats were resurrected immediately after Jesus resurrection.

4:(Soul Resurrected)

There is a spiritual resurrection of the soul.

5:(Mental Resurrection)

There is a mental resurrection from an ignorant mind.

6:(Resurrection at Christ's Return)

There is a resurrection when Christ returns to get his bride.

7:(Natural Isreal)

There is a resurrection of the nation of Israel.

8:(Final Resurrection)

There is a final resurrection.

1:INDIVIDUALS RESURRECTED It would be good to recognize that although we will list individuals that were resurrected, it could be possible that others were resurrected, which were not recorded. The first listings are individuals raised from the dead before I Kings 17:21 Elijah raised a child. II Kings 4:32-35 Elisha raised a child. II Kings 13:21 a man was raised when he touched bones. These were seemingly raised from the dead for the purpose of manifesting God’s power in showing who his prophets were, even raising of the dead. Also it seems God was foreseeing and making shadows upon the earth of something that was going to take place in the spiritual sense later Next we have the ones recorded that Jesus raised from the dead, but remember John said, (St. John 21:25) "And there are many other things that Jesus did." We don’t know what they are, but we do have record of the confirming what Jesus told John's disciples. (Matthew 11:5) "The dead are raised." Luke 7:11-15 Jesus raised woman’s only support. Matthew 9:25, Mark 5:41, Luke 8:55, Jairus daughter raised. John 11:43, Lazarus raised. The next group confirms Jesus' command to his disciples. Matthew 10:8 1 "Raise the dead" Acts 9-40, Tabitha raised by Peter Acts 20:9-10, Boy raised by Paul. Acts 14:20, Possibility Paul was raised Please notice that those that resurrected under this first group were not raised from the dead with eternal life never to die again, but each one though he was raised from the dead, was raised temporarily and would a4ain face natural death that would take their bodies to the grave. Jesus Christ was the first one raised from the dead never to die again. Col. 1:19, "And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead." No man raised Jesus from the dead, but his FATHER, the life giver raised him and therefore, (Romans 6:9)"Death hath no more dominion over him." I Cor. 15:23, "Christ the first fruits." Heb 1:13

2:JESUS WAS RESURRECTED John 11:25 Jesus said, "I am the resurrection and the life.'1 Or I am the resurrection that gives life. If people could be raised from the dead before Jesus came, what was the reason for Jesus dying and raising from the dead? Till Jesus there wasn’t a promise of eternal life. We find Paul especially dealing with death & life in the two most profound books of the bible. Romans and Hebrews. Hebrews being a book of contrast shows the weakness of the law and all born under it. For each one although from the Levitical priesthood, still had to die. But Christ the high priest of a new order has an endless priesthood. Hebrews 7:24 "But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.'1 While Romans deals more with the curse that came from Adam; and then how Christ came to eliminate that curse. Therefore we find that everyone born into this world was born to die They were cursed by Adam’s transgression. Because Adam was cursed, all of his offspring begotten of man were likewise cursed. Romans 5:17 "For if by one mans offense death reigned." Question? If all men were cursed, wasn’t Jesus likewise under that same curse? Had he been, you or I wouldn’t have the salvation we are enjoying today. Quest ion? Didn’t the scripture say that Jesus was made in the likeness of man? (Phil. 2:7) Doesn’t that automatically put him under a curse? His body, yes. But not his soul! It was the soul of mankind that Jesus came to redeem. Because man is the begetter. Exod. 1:5 "And all the souls that came out of the loins of Jacob were seventy souls." Heb. 7:10 "For he was yet in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him." On the strength of this, Jesus said, (John 8:23) "Ye are from beneath, but I am from above." For you were begotten from man, but he told them he was not. John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 1:1 "In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God (Jesus was a mental picture in God’s mind) and the word was God: (There was a time that you were your father, or you were part of your father, having never been conceived yet.) John 1:2 "The same was in the beginning with God." (God spoke Jesus into existence in heaven and he became his only Son. Jesus made everything else including angels. Reference Col. 1:15-17. Gal. 4:4 "When the fullness of time was come, God sent forth his son made of woman" What was it that God sent forth, we see he was God’s Son in heaven, but how did he come down here? Isa. 9:8 "The Lord sent forth a word into Jacob, and it hath lighted upon Israel! St. John 1:14 "And the word was made flesh and dwelt among us. Phil. 2:5 "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus." Phil. 2:6 "Who being in the form of God thought it not robbery to be equal with God." Phil. 2:7 ‘¹But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of man." Phil. 2:8 "And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the Cross." The foregoing scriptures can lead us to believe that God spoke Jesus into existence in the beginning. God gave his son preeminence at making all things. Then when the fullness of time came God made Jesus back into a Word. His soul was a word and was placed in human flesh. Luke 1:35 "The Holy Spirit shall come upon thee, and the power of the highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God Matt 1:20 "Fear not to take unto thee Mary they wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 7herefore Jesus’ soul was from above, John 8:23 But Mary clothed or put flesh around that soul. Gal 4:4 Heb 2:14"Forasmuch as the children were made partaker of flesh and blood, he likewise took part of the same." Heb 2:16"He took not on him the nature of angels but the seed of Abraham." MARY GAVE BIRTH TO JESUS Luke 2:7 "And she brought forth her firstborn son." AND THE CHILD GREW Luke 2:40 "And the child grew and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him So he grew in sinful flesh, yet it took a sinless sacrifice to bring a sinless salvation. So never once did sin taint his blood stream Peter 2:22 "Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth." Jesus used a parable of himself concerning the new creation. John 12:24 "Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and abideth alone; but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit." Isa 53:10 "Thou shalt make his soul a sacrifice for sin." Psalms 143:3 "For the enemy hath persecuted my soul; he hath smitten my life down to the ground; he hath made me to dwell in darkness, as those that have been long dead." Isa 53:12 "Because he hath poured out his soul unto death." Matt 26:28 "My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death." Jesus did this to bring forth much fruit or Heb 2:10 "Many sons unto glory" And that the fruit souls remain (never die) John 15:16 "Go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain.¹¹ II Cor 5:14-15 "We thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: and that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again." QUESTION Why was it necessary for Christ’s soul to die? When Jesus came to this earth he took on flesh and blood as you and I, yet his soul was wrapped up in life from his father. It was necessary for Christ to become as low as we to save us were. But we had a dead soul to God₁ by sin. Christ had a live sou1 that sin had never touched, Yet to save his soul had to die, but not from sin. Instead, he died for sin, or because win was in the flesh. His father raised him from the dead that if we souls believe in Jesus that rose from the dead, we (our souls) could likewise raise and never die anymore, as Jesus. The whole world depended upon the resurrection of Christ; for we were all dead in sins, but Christ through his resurrection brought life to our souls, that is, all who believe in him. For as Adam was the begetter of the old creation, Jesus is now the begetter of the new creation. (Refer to I Cor.15:45-49) JESUS’ RESURRECTION Fulfilled the types in the law. The prophecies of the prophets. The words spoken of him in the Psalms by David in the spirit. (Luke24:44-46. The law was fulfilled in types, as Gen. 21:10 cast out the bondwoman and her son. Exod. 12:1-13 The passover lamb Lev. 14:4-7 Sacrifice for sin Heb 9:7-15 Christ our high priest. Paul said, Hebrews 10:1 "For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things." The prophecies were fulfilled in writings like, Isaiah 53:4-11 "He was cut out of the land of the living, none to declare his generation, yet seen his seed when he left none and was glad." Isaiah 9:6-7 "His name shall be called wonderful, counselor, the mighty God, the everlasting father, the prince of peace, etc." The psalms were fulfilled by, Psalms 16:9-10 "Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell: Neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Psalms 49:14-15 "Like sheep they are laid in the grave; death shall feed on them and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; and their beauty shall consume in the grave from their dwelling. But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me. Selah. Psalms 73:24 "Thou shall guide me with thy counsel, and afterwards receive me to glory." Psalms 118:17-18 "I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord. The Lord hath chastened me sore: but he hath not given me over unto death. Psalms 143:3 & 11 "For the enemy hath persecuted my soul; he hath smitten my life down to the ground; he hath made me to dwell in darkness, as those that have been long dead. Quicken me, 0 Lord, for thy righteousness sake bring my soul out of trouble. His resurrection also offered the world, Col. 1:20 John 14:19 Heb 10:20 Heb 10:14; Acts 17:31 His resurrection, To make reconciliation between God and man. That we might live also. John 16:7 A new and living way Eph 4:8-12 Perfection by accepting his plan. An assurance he would clean up the world. Romans 8:3 Condemned sin in the flesh. John 16:7-11 reproved the world of sin, righteousness and judgment. Heb 2:14 Destroyed him that had the power of death. II Tim 1:10 Abolished death brought life and immortality to light thru the gospel. Paul gives reference to these who were eyewitness of his resurrection. I Cor 15:4-8 "And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures; and that he was seen of Cephas then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. Acts 13:29-37 ^"And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a sepulchre. But God raised him from the dead: And he was seen many days of them which came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses unto the people. And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers, God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee, And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he said on this wise, I will give you the sure mercies of David. Wherefore he saith also in another Psalm, Thou shalt not suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption: But he, whom God raised again, saw no corruption. Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:" Jesus also gave witness of himself some years after to Paul, Acts 9:1-19 And Saul, yet breathing out threatening and slaughter against The deciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, and desired or ~ letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: and he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said I am Jesus wh6m thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And he trembled and astonished said what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it will be told thee what thou must do. And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man. And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink. And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias, and he said, behold, I am here, Lord. And the Lord said unto him arise, and go into the street which is called straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, and hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight. Then Ananias answered, Lord I have heard many things of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name. But the Lord said unto him, go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name 5 sake. And Ananias went his way and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. And immediately their fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight, and arose, and was baptized. And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples, which were at Damascus. Also to John on the isles of Patmos, Revelation 1:18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. Also many eyewitnesses gave witness in writing of the account of his resurrection. Matthew 28:6 He is not here; for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay Mark 16:6 And he saith unto them, be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus 0: Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him. Luke 24:5-6 and as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee John 20:17 Jesus said unto her, touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend to my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God. Acts 1:3 To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God: he following are a group of substantiating scriptures used in the letters to the churches concerning Jesus’ resurrection that can be used in your studies. Acts 2:31-32 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. Acts 3:15-16 And killed the Prince of life whom God hath raised from the lead: whereof we are witnesses. And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith, which is by him, hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all. Acts 4:10 & 33 be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. Acts 5:30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. Acts 10-40 Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly; Acts 13:30,33,34,37 But God raised him from the dead: God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; and it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee. And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he said on this wise, I will give unto you the sure mercies of David. But he, whom God raised again, saw no corruption ;r Acts 17:31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. Romans 4:24-26 But for us also, to whom it shall be Imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; who was delivered for our offenses, and was raised again for our justification. Romans 6:4,9 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism unto death; that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. Romans 8:11 But if the spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. I Cor 6:14 And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power. I Cor 15:13,15,20,23 But if there be no resurrection of the dead, the is Christ not risen: yea, we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. But every man in his own order: Christ the flrstfruits: afterwards they that are Christ’s at his coming. II Cor 4:14 Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you Gal 1:1 Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;) Eph 1:20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Col 2:12 Buried with him by baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. I Thes 1:10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come. II Tim 2:8 Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel: Heb 13:20 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, I Peter 1:21 Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God. Rev 1:18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
 3: PROPHETS RESURRECTED From the earliest of time it seems that righteous men believed that even though they died, If they died serving God, they would come forth and stand on the earth again. Job was one according to the writings that had this vision as we hear him say, "And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God." Job 19:26 Abraham also was one of the greats, as God had promised he would make him a father of many nations. Yet Abraham offered up his only son (the one to receive the promise by Sarah) Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead. Hebrews 11:11,17,18,19 and Gen 22:1-9 Question? Where did Abraham get this faith? Cod had already performed a miracle to Abraham. For Abraham and his wife Sarah were both dead as far as having a child, but God made a nation from a dead man. Moses was the one that Jesus referred to concerning this act when he said, "I am the Lord God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob" Luke 20:37,38 why not someone else? It was because he was letting Moses know he was the God that had made the Jewish lineage possible by quickening Abraham’s seed again making it possible for him to beget a son. (Which was a type of the new creation. It was also started from a dead man that was quickened, even Jesus. Two scriptures to back this, Romans 4:17-19 & Galatians 4:29 Time would not permit to speak of all the other acts listed in the Bible, wet as time drew short, the picture was magnified and became plainer so that great men like Isaiah said, "Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise." Isaiah 26:19 It was Daniel that said, "And many of them that sleep in the dust of them earth shall awake" Daniel 12:2 and Malachi said, "And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my Jewels." Mal 3:16-17 Though there was a resurrection promised to God’s people, some down through the span of historical time, caught a glimpse that if they would not cave life undone, but would keep their life straight and clean with God, hey would get a better resurrection than the great resurrection for all. Hebrews 11:35 Jesus spoke of those and confirmed their faith when he said, "There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out" Luke 13:28 and Matthew 8:11 Paul showed the undaunted faith of the fathers that God would raise them can from the dead when he testified to Felix the Roman Governor, "After the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all Things which are written in the law, and in the prophets, and have hope towards God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a_ resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust." Acts 24:14,15 They had great respect unto the recompense of the reward. Heb 11:26 The Fathers "subdued Kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, topped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that one MIGHT OBTAIN A BETTER RESURRECTION and others had trials of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment; they were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wondered about in sheep skins and goat skins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And these all obtained a good report through faith received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect." Hebrews 11:33-40 So Jesus, after he taught his church for three and one half years and making a place of refuge for the prophets of old, died and rose again and Brought forth many prophets from their graves and gave them a chance to be in the bride of Christ. Matthew 27:50-53 "Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. And behold the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent: And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, and came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many Jesus proved their faith to be real. He fulfilled the types and prophecies and opened up a salvaging process offered ‘¹First by the Lord, was confirmed by them that heard him, God also bearing them witness both with signs, wonders, and gifts of the Holy Ghost." Hebrews 2:3-4. Then they that resurrected also had access into this great promise and were granted the space to become perfect. Hebrews 11:40 Which takes us to our next listing offered by the Lord through the Church on the day of Pentecost.

4:"RESURRECTION OF THE SOUL" Without this resurrection we would have no access to the throne of God. We would be without God, without hope in a world ruled by the devil and going break-neck speed to destruction. But God through his tender love and mercy "When we were yet without strength (life) in due time Christ died for the ungodly." Romans 5:6 Resurrection depicts restoring to life from the dead; therefore the soul of man is dead (in trespasses and sins) until we are raised to walk in newness of life. In the garden it was told Adam, ‘¹For in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die." Genesis 2:17 Of course we know the serpent persuaded Eve she would not die "Ye shall not surely die’¹ Genesis 3:4 Now is we look at this from a natural standpoint, they didn't die physically that day, but they did die spiritually, for death seized their soul and they died from God, for Paul said, "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, or that all have sinned." Romans 5:12 Therefore the whole world, both Jew and Gentile had a curse in their nature from Adam. Now is Adam died to God, how could he bring anything to his offspring but death for "every seed after its own kind." "For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. (I Cor 15:22) This is the kind of a world that Jesus came to face all alone. And turn as many as would hear him to God. The people in the world were called DEAD. ‘¹The hour is coming and now is when the dead shall hear the voice of the son of God, and they that head shall live" John 5:25 They were called DARKNESS. "The people which sat in darkness saw a great light." Matthew 4:16 They were called SINNERS. "This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners." I Timothy 1:15 They were called OLD MAN. "That you put off concerning the former conversation the old man which is corrupt according to deceitful lusts." Ephesians 4:22. Col 3:9---Gal 5:13 And many other words depicting state man was in when Christ came here to take them out of that state and reconcile them back to God. Now it is evident that Jesus came to save, not the body of an individual, but the soul. For it was the soul that died. This was pictured in many ways. Two birds brought to the priest for sin was a type of two souls. One soul was killed and the blood with water was sprinkled on the other soul and set free. Lev. 14:4-7. Jesus was the one bird that was killed. Not just body, but his soul died that our soul would not have to die. Thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin." Isaiah 53:10 Because he hath poured out his soul unto death." Isaiah 53:12 My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death." Matthew 26:38 The passover lamb killed and eaten before morning, with the blood sprinkled on the lintel and door posts (Exodus I2:23)This a type of Christ Dying for you and his blood applied on your spirit, soul and body. When the destroying angel death) comes, He will go on by and the firstborn (the soul in the house) won’t be killed, but will live. The Jews with their customs were affected by other customs they had come in contact with. For instance, in Egypt when one would die they would embalm them by their special formula, then they would take cloth and wind it around and around the body to preserve them, but also it was a symbol to them that The soul of the individual was caught in that body and they would mourn them so many days. The Jews also adopted this custom, as we can see, Jesus was bound in like fashion, also we find that Lazarus had died and had been dead for four days when Jesus said, "Lazarus cone forth." (John 11:43) Lazarus came forth bound in grave clothes, but Jesus said, "Loose him and let him go." This again was a great picture to show Jesus as a life giver, as man had been dead 4,000 years (4 Days) in grave clothes. For all souls were born to Die but Jesus came and said, "I am the resurrection and the life." (John 11:25) He came to bring life to those dead souls of humanity, resurrecting them to walk in the spirit of God and not to continue in the spirit of the world, for Jesus had said, "The hour is coming and now is when the dead shall near the voice of the son of God, and they that hear shall live." John 5:25 Paul said, (Eph 2; 21) "And you hath he quickened who were dead in trespasses and sins." There the birth of the spirit or baptism of the Holy Ghost is a resurrection of that dead soul and making it alive to him. Cor. 5:17 "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: Old things are passed away: behold all things are become new." Col 2:12-13 "Buried with him in baptism where in also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. And you being dead in your sins hath he quickened together with him. Having forgiven you all trespasses." Col 3:1 "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God." Romans 6:3-10 "Therefore we are buried with him by Baptism into death like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the father, even so we also should walk in newness of life, for if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him that The body of sin might be destroyed that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is free from sin. Now is we are dead with Christ we believe that we shall also live with him: knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Death hath no more dominion over Jesus. And if we take our burial now and raise to walk in newness of life, living unto Christ, death will have no dominion over us, for we will move out a live soul and join the rest under the golden altar. THIS IS CALLED THE FIRST RESURRECTION. Rev 20:6 "Blessed and Holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection, on such the second death hath no power." You are a blessed person to be in the first resurrection, for if Christ quickens your soul from the dead, you have the opportunity to advance in God till second death hath no power over you. You’ve become as the angels of heaven and death stops in you. And you (the soul) can’t die anymore. Luke 20:34-36 And Jesus answering said unto them, the children of this world marry, and are given in marriage: 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 God, being the children of the resurrection. QUESTION? Why can’t they die anymore? Well you are dying right now, but when you overcome that, death stops working in you for, "The sting of death is sin" I Cor 15:56 If you feel corrupt, dishonorable, weak, and natural and would like to feel glorious, powerful, spiritual and incorruptible, we have good news for you. The baptism of the Holy Ghost will do just that for you. I Cor 15:42-49 "So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: it is sown in a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. And so it is written, the first man Adam was made a living soul; the last man Adam was made a quickening spirit. Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterwards that which is spiritual. The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.
 
 
  5:RESURRECTION OF MENTAL POWERS Surely we will agree that everyone of us are dull on certain lines of thought, and some times we are, well, in a fog so to speak. It has been stated that we only retain from 5% to 10% of what a speaker says. It has Also been stated that a genius as Thomas Edison or Albert Einstein only use about 10% of their brain cells during their span of life. Paul said concerning his gospel, I Cor 15:2 "By which ye are saved, If ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. Now if we can be saved only by keeping in memory the things God speaks and the things we hear, how important it should be to every one of us to wake those dead brain cells and study as deep as possible, and listen as profound as possible to the words the ministry is speaking so these sayings will go deep into the mind as Jesus said, "Let these sayings sink down into your ears." Luke 9:44 And again, "Take heed how you hear." (Luke 8:18) Consider how important it was for Jesus to have a background of knowledge. His study and living of the scriptures was proved when he met the devil. Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil? And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterwards a hungered. And when the tempter came to him, he said, "If thou be the son of God, command that these stones be made bread." But he answered and said, "It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.¹' Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, and said unto him, "If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, he shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. Jesus said unto him, "It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God." Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them, And saith unto him, "All these things will I give thee, If thou wilt fall down and worship me." Then saith Jesus unto him, "Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.¹’ Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto (Matt 4:1-11) Solomon said, "Understanding shall keep thee." (Pro 2:11-7:4-5) It was scripture that Jesus quoted to the devil to off set the temptations The devil set before him, and it will be scripture that will hold you and I when temptation hits us. psalms 119:11 "Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against thee Matt 25:1-4 Jesus said, "Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps." The oil represents knowledge or understanding of the lamp (bible). Proverbs 4:18-19 "But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble." Eight times in the book of Revelations it say, "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the spirit saveth unto the churches. (Rev. 2:7 - 11 - 17-29 Rev 3:6 13,22and Rev 13: 9 So we find that by desiring the word of God and giving explicit attention The things that are spoken or read, we find the precious mysteries unfolding before us, for "where those is no vision, the people perish". Proverbs 28:18 Otherwise we go on day by day in a sleep, not ~ a thing Proverbs 24:30-34 "I went by the field of the slothful and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down. Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction. Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and they want as an armed man." If we miss the great destruction that the world is headed for, It will be because we have been made alive by the birth of the spirit, and then became alive mentally to the scriptures awakening from a mental sleep. John 6: ~4 "Eating and drinking his flesh & blood." I Thes 5:3-6 "For when they shall say, Peace and Safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But ye brethren are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are the children of the day: we are not of the night; nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober." To attain that high calling there must be a continual adding or A resurrection to new things as Solomon said, "How long will thou sleep sluggard? When wilt thou arise out of thy sleep." (Proverbs 6~9) Eph 5:14 Paul said, "Awake thou that sleepest and arise from the dead, and Christ shalt give thee light." This is called renewing of the mind. (Rom 12:2 Eph 4:23) What you sow in your mind is what you’ll reap. (Galatians 6:7-8) Therefore if we sow the full force of the gospel in our lives and do it, we will at last reap the benefits of an overcoming life. "But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience. (Luke There are four rules to memory: Have an earnest desire Then an impression Then repetition Association To hear Paul say, "by which ye are saved, if ye keep in memory" (I Corinthians 15:2) is not enough. There has to be, and is, a definite way to remember if it be consciously or unconscious, and that’s why I give this formula of which we can even see God using the same formula over a 400Q year period of time. First, God gave man a desire to draw near to him. Second, God impressed early patriarchs that he wanted to come near man and have fellowship with them. Third, God gave Moses the law in repetition, year after year, day in and day out, to drill into the Israel of God, that there was one God and no Other. Fourth, God by association was making shadows on the earth for the time he would send his son to the earth. It was making and associating the things of heaven that we can’t see, with earthly sacrifices and rituals and feast days we could see. According to these rules the Jews truly had the greater chance to accept Christ, but muffed their chance. Romans 3:1-2, "What advantage then hath the Jew? Or what profit is there or circumcision? Much in every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God." Now in a religious world and in the body of Christ we have the opportunity to not only hear what the law repeated year after year, but also receive the meaning. We are in a land that’s free to worship as we please, we can study freely all things gaining much needed information; for its understanding that will keep us. Its time to awake.

 
 
 
 

6:RESERRECTION AT CHRIST’S RETURN St. John 14:1-3 "Let not your hearts be troubled: ye believe in Cod, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansion if it were no so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that Where I am there ye may be also." Acts 1: 9-11 "And when he had thus spoken these things, while they beheld he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while looked steadfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by then in white apparel; which also said, ye men or Galilee, why stand ye gazing into heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven." This is one of the greatest misconceived happenings of the Bible. Many have confused this period of time with the final resurrection an say that all that are in their graves shall come out and there will be a great reunion on the sunny banks of sweet deliverance, but no where in the Bible does it say anything of like manner will happen when Jesus comes. Many people reference The Rapture". They tell stories about people mysteriously disappearing. The pilot of an airplane suddenly disappears and there is no One to pilot the plane and it crashes or the driver of a city bus suddenly vanishes and is caught up to heaven and the bus crashes. Suddenly mother Is; one and no one knows where she is. All the headstone in the local graveyard are turned over and graves burst open. Please don’t get me wrong, I don’t mean to make light of what some people believe, but there is no scriptural verification for such things. The fact is, this Resurrection does not denote that people will rise from the grave at all. On the contrary, these people are ALIVE. "And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held; And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, 0 Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellow servants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfi¹ ~ Revelations 6:9-11. Jesus died that we who believe in him should not have to die. Remember the most quoted and best known scripture in the Bible. (John 3:16) Than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that by the grace of God should taste death for every man. Heb 2:9. This resurrection is an awakening of activity of the bride members that have already gone ahead and under the golden altar, and for the ones that have not been killed to be in that number, they are changed from mortal to immortal. This awakening is like a nation which was inactive, but because of conditions or a great ruler rising up in the midst of them that nation awakens and becomes popular and prominent such as, Joel 3:9 "Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles; prepare war; wake up the might men, let all the men of war draw nigh; let them come up:" Therefore the only ones that will be changed at all will be the ones that have never been killed and are present at his return. These will Jesus change from an earthly body to an immortal body so they will be with the other overcomers already in second heaven In reference to Lesson #4, the resurrection of the soul. This resurrection is then a maturity of that soul to the full growth, or image of Christ. Eph 4:13 ^"Till we all come in he unity of the faith, and the knowledge of the son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ:" Mark 4:28 "?’Err the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear." This will make a person so they will never die. Your body will die, but not your soul. Jesus said, Matthew 10:28 ‘¹And fear no: them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." We are also promised another body, house, or mansion when this body dies. II Peter 1:14 "Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me. II Cor 5:1-4 "For we know that is our earthly house of This tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from above: If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that Mortality might be swallowed up of life." I Peter 1:4 "To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you." I Cor 15:50-57 "Now this I say, brethren, that flesh & blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; 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. Death, where is thy sting? 0 grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death Is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to Cod, who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ I Thes 4:16-17 "For the Lord himself sha1l descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of Cod; and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be Caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air; and so shall we ever be with the Lord." You remember the scripture we used earlier in Revelations 6:11, where John saw the souls of them that had been killed for the Gospels sake and the were under the altar, well, this is the same as those in I Thes 4 who are "dead in Christ. The scripture says, "them will Christ bring with him" I Thes 4:14 Apparently, when Jesus Leaves heaven and. begins his return to the earth, the first group of people to see him is those who have given their lives in service to his gospel. Notice I Thes 4:15 "we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent (go before) them which are asleep. Those who are under the altar, dead in Christ or asleep in Christ see him first. God has kept their souls in his tender care until this time in a place, which some people call "second heaven". Apparently it is located somewhere near, where Jesus is residing now. After picking up this group of saints he then changes the mortal bodies of those who are still alive and catches them up to be with the others in the air and now they all will be with the Lord. When you say, "when Jesus comes" we must find out what coming the Bible is speaking about. For there is more than one coming spoken of in the bible, just as there is more than one resurrection or heaven. We won’t go into how many comings there are as. That may. Lead to another subject, however we are most. Interested in the coming when Jesus comes to get his bride, therefore we will show scripture pertaining to this event to show how fast it will be. Cor 15:52-57 KJV) "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. {53} For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. {54} 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. {55} O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? {56} The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. {57} But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." The blinking of an eye has been timed at 1/15 of a second, if someone can see faster than you can blink our eye, I imagine they will see it all happen.

 
 
 

7:RESURRECTION OF NATION OF ISRAEL Before we start to consider the scriptures about the resurrection of the nation of Israel, I think it would be good to show why it is necessary for them to be resurrected. Before a person can be raised from the dead it is necessary that they be dead. So I will use a few scriptures to show that Israel was indeed dead to God and needs to be resurrected. Hosea 8:8 Israel is swallowed up; now shall they be among the Gentiles as a vessel wherein is no pleasure. Matthew 23:37-39 0 Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets₁ and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together₁ even as a hen gathereth her chickens under wings, and ye would not. Behold your house is left unto you desolate. For I say unto you ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. Matthew 27:24-25 When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: se ye to it. Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children. Acts 13:46 Then Paul & Barnabas waxed bold, and said, I was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put It from you, judge yourselves worthy of everlasting life, lo, .we turn to the Gentiles. We can easily see the deplorable condition that Israel had gotten themselves into by their refusal or rejection of Jesus Christ. But, God had still chosen this unthankful and unholy nation for his own and he still has a plan for them. In the next few references we will try to how what that plan is and how he is to bring It to pass. Romans 11:25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in art is happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved; as It is written, There shall come out Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: for this my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins. QUESTION? What is meant by "the fullness of the Gentiles be come in. Many people feel that this mean, until the fullness of the Gentiles Will endeavor to show that this is not what is meant by this statement, but rather, that it is referring to a completion of the time which God has allotted to the Gentile nations to rule the world. Revelation 10:5-6 And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven, And swear by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer. The term "time no longer", and "until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in", are saying the same thing. They are referring to the Battle of Armageddon. This great battle brings to an end the domination over the nations over the world. Revelation 16:16-17 and he gathered them together into a place called In the Hebrew tongue Armageddon. And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done. Revelation 11:15 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. Since Armageddon marks the end of the Gentile domination and since it generally accepted that the church is caught away before the battle of Armageddon, it is evident that these two could not be the same event. After this great event God begins to turn his favor once again to Israel Zechariah 13:6-9 and one shall say unto him, What are these wounds in thine hands? Then he shall answer those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends. Awake, 0 sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the Lord of hosts; smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones. And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the Lord, two parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein. And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold Is tried: they shall call on my name and I will hear them I will say, it is my people: and they shall say, The Lord is my God. Zechariah 14:2-3 For I will gather all nation against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the rescue of the people shall not be cut off from the city. Then shall the Lord go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle. Ezekiel 37:11-14 Then he said unto me, Son of man, these bones are the whole houses of Israel: behold they say, Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost: we are cut off for our parts. Therefore prophesy and say unto them, This saith the Lord God; Behold, 0 my people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, and bring you unto the land of Israel. And you shall know that I am the Lord, when I have opened your graves, 0 my people, and brought you up out of your graves. And shall put My spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you your own land; then shall ye know that I the Lord have spoken it, an performed it, saith the Lord Ezekiel 37:21-22 And say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I will take the children of Israel from among the heathen, whither they be gone and will gather them on every side, and bring them into their own land: And I will male them one nation, In the land upon the mountain of Israel: and one king shall be king to them all: and they shall be no more two nation, neither shall they be divided into two kingdoms any more at all: Hosea 5:15, 6:l&2 I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offense, and seek my face: In their affliction they will seek me early, Come, and let us return unto the Lord: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up. After two days will he revive us in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight. Ezekiel 36:24-27 For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather You out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land. Then will sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you; and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you and heat of flesh. I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. You will notice that twice, in the above scriptures in the book of Ezekiel, God refers to putting his spirit unto them. This refers to the outpouring on the day of Pentecost to those 120 members of Jesus church. Understand that even though God will restore Israel as a nation, none will live forever unless he is born again by the spirit of God. Romans 2:28-29 For he is not a Jew, which 15 one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not In the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God. God is not going to build two churches in these last days. There will not be a church for the Gentiles and a church for the Jews. But ONE church full has born again children of God who are the only real Jews.

    8: THE FINAL RESURRECTION QUESTION: What is this resurrection for, and why will people come to life again? God loves the human family. They are created in his image. He loved the world so much he gave his only begotten son to save them, therefore God let his mercy and grace be extended as far, and as long as he sees a spark of hope to save a person. Matthew 12:20 "A bruised reed shall he not break, and a smoking flax shall Not quench till he sends forth judgment unto victory. If a person has not had justice on this side of death, and God has no satisfied himself the individual just won’t behave him; they will merit a resurrection to prove themselves on the other side. Let us suppose that you were in an auto accident and you were called to court. During your trial the other man’s lawyer said some rash things about you of which you had no chance to defend yourself. Just then the judge tapped the gavel and said, "court will be adjourned until 9:00 AM tomorrow, at which we will resume the case." But the next day when you came to court the Judge wouldn’t hear your case. Instead he had decided during the night you were guilty and had sentenced you. Would you feel you had justice? No, of course you wouldn’t and neither would anyone else that loves fairness. That’s exactly why God will raise people in this final resurrection. Everyone that has no had the time and the place to prove to God he will, or will not be governed by God’s law, will resurrect. For every Christian that ever lived upon the earth has not had a fair trial. This is not a second chance, but a completion of your only chance. God created this earth for righteous people to inhabit, but ungodly me have ruined it, but it is still promised to the people of God. Psalm 115:16 "The heavens, even the heavens, are the Lord’s: but the earth hath he given to the children of men. It was taken from man by the sin of Adam in the garden. Romans 5:12 "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned. But, Christ came to reconcile the human family back to God and restore that which was taken away by Adam. (Psa 69:4 KJV) "They that hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of mine head: they that would destroy me, being mine enemies wrongfully, are mighty: then I restored that which I took not away." Romans 5:17-19 "For is by one man’s offense death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ. Therefore as by the offense of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. QUESTION? How can God give the earth to man if man is dying? Ecclesiastes 9:4-10 "For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope: for a living dog is better than a dead lion. For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not anything, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten. Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy are now perished; neither have they any more a portion forever in anything that is done under the sun. Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepeth thy works. Let thy garments be always white; and let thy hands lack no ointment. Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of they vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all the days of they vanity: for that is thy portion in this life, and in thy labor, which thou takest under the sun. Whatsoever thy hands findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest. Ecclesiastes 1:3-4"What profit hath a man of all his labor which he taketh under the sun? One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth forever ANSWER: _ Before God could get his plan to man, millIons had died, as death was the penalty for sin. Yet there were lots of people that loved God and had they had a chance they would have served him. The answer to this first question is by a resurrection. Job 19:26 "And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:" Hannah in her prayer said I Samuel 2:6 "The Lord killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up. QUESTION? What are the requirements for this resurrection? There were different requirements for different ages, yet one requirement Remained constant. That was faith in and obedience to God. From Abel to Christ man found a nearness to God by repentance, and sacrifice: If when he sinned, he recognized his mistake, and asked forgiveness and offered a sacrifice, God would recognize and accept the blood sacrifice. Those that caw it necessary and kept their sacrifice up to the minute will come forth in the final resurrection. But those that failed to see the necessity of it came short and will sleep the perpetual sleep. After Christ came he set up a perfect standard to judge people by. (Eph 4:12-13 KJV) "For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: {13} Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:" THE FINAL RESURRECTION QUESTION: What is this resurrection for, and why will people come to life Again. God loves the human family. They are created in his image. He loved the world so much he gave his only begotten son to save them, therefore God will let his mercy and grace be extended as far, and as long as he sees a spark of hope to save a person. Matthew 12:20 "A bruised reed shall he not break, and a smoking flax shall he not quench, until he send forth judgment unto victory. If a person has not had justice on this side of death, and God has not satisfied himself the individual just won’t behave him; they will merit a resurrection to prove themselves on the other side. Let us suppose that you were in an auto accident and you were called to court. During your trial the other man’s lawyer said some rash things about you of which you had no chance to defend yourself. Just then the judge tapped the gavel and said, "court will be adjourned until 9:00 AM tomorrow, at which we will resume the case." But the next day when you came to court the Judge wouldn’t hear your case. Instead he had decided during the night you were guilty and had sentenced you. Would you feel you had justice? No, of course you wouldn’t and neither would anyone else that loves fairness. That’s exactly why God will raise people in this final resurrection. Everyone that has no had the time and the place to prove to God he will, or will not be governed by God’s law, will resurrect. For every Christian that ever lived upon the earth has not had a fair trial. This is not a second chance, but a completion of your only chance. God created this earth for righteous people to inhabit, but ungodly me have ruined it, but it is still promised to the people of God. Psalm 115:16 "The heavens, even the heavens, are the Lord’s: but the earth hath he given to the children of men. It was taken from man by the sin of Adam in the garden. Psalm 115:16 "The heavens, even the heavens, are the Lord’s: but the earth hath he given to the children of men. Romans 5:12 "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: But, Christ came to reconcile the human family back to God and restore that which was taken away by Adam. (Rom 5:17-19 KJV) "For if by one man’s offense death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) {18} Therefore as by the offense of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. {19} For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous." Romans 8:29"For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. He came to make us like his Father and eliminate sin from our lives. St. John 1:29 "The net day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. I Peter 2:22 "Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth;" Jesus never sinned, setting the pattern for us and therefore he doesn’t expect us to sin. From the day of Pentecost till the last God called, God sent, God anointed Apostle was killed and all of the pure wholesome untampered truth died with them, there was a judgment seat set up to make men perfect. I Peter 4:17 "For the time Is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if It first begin at us, what shall the end of them that obey not the gospel of God? Icier. 5:10 "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad." Hebrews 12:22-23 "Bet ye are come unto mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect" Under that great powerful ministry that lasted about forty years, approximately one hundred thousand souls accepted their gospel, and not only kept their lives straight as far as man was concerned, but perfected their nature and became over comers and moved out under the golden altar. But everyone who heard that gospel did not attain to that high calling. Some went to the grave striving but not attaining, however they had no charges against them. Every time they sinned they would ask forgiveness and straighten up the wrong they did. Matthew 5:23-24 "Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath aught against thee: Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. But because they had things in their nature that wasn’t perfect they will sleep till the thousand years are ended and come forth with nothing but good facing them, if they continue on. Tim 5:24-25 KJV) "Some men’s sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after. {25} Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid."   Others were careless. When offending they didn’t ask people to forgive them and when they sinned they neglected to ask God’s forgiveness until they had sins charged against them. They also died and come forth, but they will be under the wrath of God as soon as they come out of the grave and will remain there until God’s wrath is appeased and they pay for the last mite. Some will take it and go on the perfection, but others will have so much against them they will never come out of it, but will go down under the wrath of God in SECOND DEATH. Paul said, Ephesians 4:26 "Be ye angry, and sin not let not the sun go down upon your wrath." Jesus said, Matthew 12:36-37 "But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the Day of Judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. Solomon said, Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it he good, or whether It be evil. That is. Why It is called a resurrection of the just and unjust. Acts 24:15 "And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection or the dead, both of the just and unjust. It is also called a resurrection of life and damnation. St. John 5:29 "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. It is called the of rest the dead. Revelation 20:5"But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. Someone might say, "Who wants to lay in a graveyard for one thousand years. If I can’t be in the bride I don’t want anything." We of course know that such an attitude would be foolish, for first of all, some go to the graveyard never to be seen again. But let me ask this to such a person. Are you, or have you ever been jealous or envious of the seats of authority the twelve apostles sat in, or Paul and Silas? No, you have desired, as I, to live in that day to share in that glory, but not their authority. Well there Is only one hundred and forty-four thousand seats (Rev 20:4) to be filled, and everyone can’t fill those seats, yet we can all be part of God’s great plan and share this earth with him, yet if we had overcome we would have been in the bride of Christ. We can now start to see what this final resurrection is for. It is to perfect those that had no chance and others that didn’t have sufficient time to perfect their lives. This is actually what God was leading up to during this seven thousand years of activity. Getting a bride for Christ, ruling the world for one thousand years and binding Satan, and finally destroying him and everything he rules over. Then comes this great resurrection into a world ringing with the praises of God, and shaking under the power of God while mighty revelations are breaking upon the hearts of the people an people by the thousands going on to perfection. Oh what a sight to behold. II Peter 3:13 "Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Revelation 21:2-5 ‘¹And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither shall there be anymore pain for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, write: for these words are true and faithful. QUESTION? What Is Second Death? ANSWER. Second death is death of the soul, complete and final, never to return again. There is such a thing as being hurt of the second death as well is being destroyed by it. Everyone who does not overcome is hurt of the second death. They die because of imperfection and are hurt of the second death. Then they resurrect if they don’t perfect their lives they will be killed by second death and there is no return for that. The people of the ungodly world are killed or destroyed by second death. They die. Psalm 1:5-6 "Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish. Revelation 2:11 ‘¹He that hath an ear, let him hear what the spirit sayeth To the churches; He that overcome shall not be hurt of the second death. Revelation 20:5-6 "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 priest of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him for a thousand years." Genesis 3:15 "And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou bruise his heel. TOTAL DISTRUCTION: (Rev 20:14-15 KJV) "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." (Rev 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." BOOKS, BOOK OF LIFE, LAMB’S BOOK OF LIFE. A book is simply a record. The books referred to in revelations and other places in the Bible refer to records of people from different dispensations. Who are worthy or a resurrection? The book of life, refers to those who nave received the Holy Ghost and allowed it to work in their life to the extent that they have completely overcome. The Lambs Book of Life refers same thing. (Rev 20:12-15 KJV) "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 who 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." (Luke 10:20 KJV) "Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven." Exodus 32:33 "And the Lord said unto Moses, whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book. Psalms 69:28 "Let them be blotted cut of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous." Philippians 4:3"And I entreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which labor with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellow labourers, whose names are in the book of life. Revelation 3:5 "He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot his name out of the book of life" Phil. 3:11-14 "If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. Not as though I had already attained, either was already perfect but I follow after, If that I may apprehend that for which also apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before Ipress toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. By Bro. James Sowders & Bro. Clarance Rader