Will
You Be in the
First
Resurrection?
Or
Will Evil and Sin Leave
You
in the Second Resurrection?
|
This
article is written for the benefit of those
Christians
who have an understanding and appreciation for what will
happen in the First Resurrection at Christ's Second
Coming, as taught by the late Dr. Ernest L. Martin. It
is assumed that the reader already understands that
all
have been saved
and that there are
two
future resurrection periods, as revealed in the
Bible. |
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. (KJV) Revelation 20:6
Who
Will Not Be in the First Resurrection
Many
Christians believe that they will be in the First Resurrection. But are
they really qualified? Here is what the Bible states about who will
definitely not be in the First Resurrection. Dr. Martin states:
A
person who continues deliberately practicing sinful acts, that he or she
knows to be wrong, may even be chastised to the point of not making the
first resurrection. The first resurrection (which the apostle Paul
called in Greek “the out-resurrection” in Philippians 3:11) is a
reward Christ gives to those diligent in their practice of good works
and a reasonable conduct of life. Those brought forth from the dead at
Christ’s Second Advent, will see the thousand year reign of Christ on
earth known as the Millennium (Revelation 20:1–5). But those who
persist in sinfulness and unrighteousness will not witness that glorious
reign of Christ known as the Kingdom of God. Paul warned Christians who
persist in evil,
“Know
you not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be
not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor
effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor
covetous. nor drunkards, nor revelers, nor extortioners, shall inherit
the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but you are sanctified,
but you are justified [declared righteous] in
the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.”
“For
this you know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous
man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ
and of God.”
They
will have to wait much later until the dispensation of the fullness of
times (Ephesians 1:10) before they will be resurrected to attain the
salvation that God has granted to us through His grace.
The
time for the Kingdom of Christ and of God is the Millennium period—the
one thousand-year rule of Christ. The apostle Paul said that the rule of
the Kingdom would last even beyond the period of the Great White Throne.
It will conclude at the end of the dispensation of the fullness of time
when Christ conquers the last enemy “death.” This is when the final
resurrection of the dead takes place and there are no more individuals
remaining in the “death-state.” This is the resurrection at the end
[in Greek: the telos] when even death itself is destroyed. At
that time Christ will hand all rule back to the Father. This is when the
Kingdom (that He governs on God’s behalf) will end.
“Then
comes the end [the telos, the last resurrection at
the end], when he [Christ] shall
have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father.”
It
would be a sad thing if any Christian missed out on experiencing the
Kingdom of Christ and God that will occur on earth and in other areas of
the heavens. But only those who are in the first resurrection (taking
place at Christ’s Second Advent) will witness that glorious period of
time throughout its full span. This is the reward that each Christian
receives who does not reckon grace as an opportunity to continue doing
wrongful acts. 2
The
apostle Paul made it clear that those who repudiate the doctrine of
God’s grace, and treat it with disdain or in a frivolous manner, will
not be resurrected with such attitudes or given the reward of the
Kingdom phase of history. This will be the most majestic period that
mankind will ever witness. It would be a great calamity to each person
who misses the Kingdom of God.
In
fact, if a person sins willingly after having come to the knowledge of
the truth on what grace really means, and begins to treat it with
disrespect and dishonor, sore consequences can come to the person in
this life and he or she in the future will not experience the Kingdom!
“Now
the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; adultery,
fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft,
hatred, violence, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
envyings, murders. drunkenness, reveling, and such like: of the which
I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they
which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.”
Mankind
is warned to practice the principles of right living, which after all is
only a reasonable requirement for the happiness and well being of
civilized man. But for those who persist in wrong living, the Book of
Hebrews has some strong words to say to them.
“For
we know him that has said, ‘Vengeance belongs unto me, I will
recompense,’ saith the Lord. And again, ‘the Lord shall judge his
people.’ It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living
God.”
God
tries to rescue His people from falling into a lifestyle of wrong
living. We read further in the Book of Hebrews:
“For
whom the Lord loves, he chastens, and scourges, every son whom he
receives.”
And
God can chastise severely.
“Behold
therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell,
severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in his goodness:
otherwise you also shall be cut off.”
Without
actively trying to practice right living principles, people can be
“cut off" from such rewards as the Kingdom of God. This does not
mean, however, that the grace of God would be thwarted and people will
not eventually be saved. Before these dire warnings were given in the
Book of Hebrews, the author was aware that God “hath perfected FOREVER
them that are sanctified” (Hebrews 10:14). Ultimate salvation is
something all humanity will experience. That is something that has been
secured by Christ for mankind without the works of man (either good or
bad) being involved. Yes, everyone will be saved and brought to a full
knowledge of the truth of God.
“Who
[God] will have all men to be saved and to
come to a knowledge of the truth.”
True.
All humans will finally repent of their sins and wrong attitudes and be
forgiven their sins. They will be reconciled to God.
“For
the love of Christ constrains us, because we thus judge, that if one
died for all, then were all dead. ... And all things are of God, who
has reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and has given to us the
ministry of reconciliation; to wit, that God was in Christ reconciling
the world UNTO HIMSELF, not imputing their trespasses unto
them; and has committed unto us the word of reconciliation.”
“That
in the dispensation of the fullness of times he might gather together
in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are
on earth, even in him.”
“And
having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile
all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in
earth, or things in heaven.”
“That
at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and
things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue
would confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the
Father.”
This
last verse shows a voluntary and willing submission and confession to
Jesus Christ to the glory of God. This is true because the apostle Paul
showed that such confession is inspired by the actions of the Holy
Spirit on such individuals (1 Corinthians 12:3). If one checks every
occasion in the Old or New Testaments where the word “to confess” or
its cognates are used, it will be seen that it is always placed in a
context of persons using their “free will” and with heartfelt
contrition. This scripture thus shows that all things in heaven, on
earth and under the earth (the angels who are kept in chains in the
bowels of the earth) will one day willingly proclaim the Lordship of
Christ to the glory of God the Father.
And
though every person will eventually find salvation in the dispensation
of the fullness of times, those who persist in evil acts can miss out on
the glorious period known as the Kingdom of Christ and God. Those who,
“sin
willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth,
there remains no more sacrifice for sins.”
This
applies to those who count “the blood of the covenant, wherewith he
was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit
of grace” (Hebrews 10:29). This type of sin is called “the blasphemy
against the Holy Spirit” that Christ talked about (Matthew 12:31) and
referred to by the other apostles (James 5:20; 2 Peter 2:20–21; 1 John
5:16). Yet this sin is not unpardonable in the ultimate sense. It is
only “unpardonable” during this present age (up to the Second Advent
of Christ) and in the next age to come (when the Kingdom of Christ
appears on earth and lasts for the Millennium). That is what Christ
taught. Note carefully.
“All
manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the
blasphemy against the Holy Spirit shall not be forgiven. And whosoever
speaks a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but
whosoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven
him, neither in this world [Greek: age],
neither in the world [age] to come
[the Millennium]!”
This
sin is different from ordinary sins because in this case the person who
knows better actively and deliberately turns against what he recognizes
to be the truth. Such people are doing “despite unto the Spirit of
grace.” Unlike we who can have our sins forgiven in this age and when
Christ returns to have all our sins forgiven at the judgment when the
Kingdom of Christ appears on earth (at the start of the Millennium),
these abject sinners who do despite unto the Holy Spirit will not be
forgiven in this age, nor during the Millennium. They will not be living
during the Millennium to gain forgiveness of sins.
Christ
did not mean, however, that these vile sinners would never be forgiven
sins in all circumstances. They simply will miss out on the blessings of
forgiveness in this present age and miss out on seeing the rule of
Christ on this earth during the Millennium and the judgment of the Great
White Throne. When they are finally resurrected at the beginning of the
dispensation of the fullness of times (Ephesians 1:10), they will look
back and see what they missed out on as a reward. They (and the
spiritual powers in the heavens that have sinned and caused mankind to
sin abundantly) will then submit to Christ and confess His Lordship to
the glory of God. Recall again the teaching of the apostle Paul on the
ultimate harmony to emerge between God and man, and between God and all
spiritual powers in the heavens, on earth and under the earth.
“That
at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and
things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue
should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God.”
The
proper way, therefore, is to remain faithful to Christ. If people
blatantly persist in the practice of evil and abandon all conscience
toward evil, such people will suffer great losses. Not only can such
people be handed over to Satan the Devil for punishment now, but also
they will miss out on experiencing “the world to come.” This is why
the apostle Paul was so severe in his writings toward outrageous sinners
who persisted in their sins and break off any attempt to repent of them.
He said, “Deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the
flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus”
(1 Corinthians 5:5). And, “If any man’s work shall be burned,
he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by
fire” (1 Corinthians 3:15).
Eventually
they will, much later in the dispensation of the fullness of times
(Ephesians 1:10), finally be reconciled to God and be saved. There is
not the slightest doubt that all mankind will be saved at that time. God
assures this.
Salvation
Is Assured; the Kingdom of God Is Not
At
this point it is essential to remind ourselves of one major doctrinal
fact. The important phrase “Kingdom of God and Christ” is not to be
equated solely with the teaching of “salvation.” The “Kingdom of
God” is part of a salvation, in the sense of a reward to those brought
up from the dead at the first resurrection, but it does not represent
the totality of salvation itself. The fullness of salvation is to
experience being born into the very family of God and this will happen
to all in the dispensation of the fullness of times. To be in the first
resurrection means that we will witness and experience the Kingdom of
God as well. It is an extra reward that all of us in Christ will receive
if we remain faithful and thankful to God for what Jesus Christ has done
for us. This is what Paul was endeavoring to experience by being in the
“out-resurrection” —the first resurrection that occurs at
Christ’s second advent—and this is what he wanted for all the
Christians to whom he wrote. In effect, those of us who remain faithful
in this age will inherit salvation and the Kingdom of God (the reward)
at Christ’s advent. And while all will eventually gain salvation, all
will not experience the reward—the Kingdom of God and Christ. It is
just that simple!
Again,
Dr. Martin gives us another warning:
A
Warning
While
our salvation is assured, we should always be about our Father’s
business and living in a righteous way that contributes to the glory of
Christ Jesus. We should always be pleasing Christ and the Father with an
upright and proper conduct of life. On the other hand, if we want to
live like the world after knowing this wonderful truth of "the
Mystery," we can miss out on the Millennial Kingdom phase of
salvation (Eph.5:5). But, if God and Christ are delighted with our
conduct in this life, they will resurrect us in the first resurrection
and let us enjoy the Millennial Kingdom phase of salvation (Revelation
20:4,5), Yet, if we continue to live like the rest of the world, we will
be brought to salvation all right, but God will let us inherit it with
the rest of the world -- when the world gets their salvation "in
Christ" The world obtains their salvation only
after
the Kingdom phase of a thousand years reign of Christ is over.
Paul
warned all of us who understand the teaching of "the Mystery":
"For this ye know, that no whoremonger,
nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the
kingdom of Christ and of God" (Ephesian 5:5). If we do
not please God the Father and Christ Jesus in our earthy lives, they may
well consider it appropriate not to grant us our salvation until the
thousand year "Kingdom phase" is over.
When
people read in the New Testament of those who may not make it into their
inheritance, it is always speaking about the "Kingdom phase"
of salvation, not salvation itself which has been absolutely secured to
the human race through the works and efforts of Jesus Christ, our Elder
Brother. All men will indeed be saved (I Timothy 2:4), but Paul said
mankind will only be granted a salvation "in
its own seasons" (I Timothy 2:6, see original Greek).
Salvation is awarded at different times, We should want to do good works
now in order to please the Father and Christ. If we do, we can have the
assurance that we will be in the first resurrection and enjoy along with
Abraham, Moses, David, the apostles and others, the "Kingdom
phase" of salvation. Let us remember, though all mankind is
guaranteed a salvation through the works of Christ, all do not receive
it at the same time (I Timothy 2:4-6).
We
should always be diligent in doing good works. And we should also meet
all our human obligations to our families and to our societies that are
within the boundaries of moral and ethical principles of fairness that
are found within the biblical revelation. Our legal position of
presently being on the right hand of the Father, is a position only
recognized by the Father and Christ Jesus. Mankind does not look on us
as having this august standing as the very children of God. So, all
legitimate obligations we have with the rest of mankind should be
fulfilled by Christians. For example, if we have a contract to pay a
department store money for a product we received from them, we should
pay the store precisely and meet all the obligations of the contract.
True, any default will not jeopardize our salvation in Christ, but our
wrong attitudes could keep us from experiencing the "Kingdom
phase" of salvation and we can inherit many ills during this life
by our wrongdoing.
Evil
and Sins of the 21st Century
So
now the question arises, "What constitutes evil and sin in our 21st
century Christian life?" While most Christians today lead rather
peaceful lives and know the difference between right and wrong in most
matters, there are still some evils and sins they may be practicing (that
they may not even be aware of), that may preclude them from the first
resurrection. These are:
-
 The
evil of murder. While most Christians behave themselves on a personal
level and certainly don't consider themselves criminals, they
ironically condone a certain form of murder. They have no problem in
mentally, physically or spiritually supporting the concept of warfare.
They support (at least in in their hearts) the U.S. government's (and
other governments who also support it) ongoing wars of attrition, buying
into the bogus excuses of protection from "terrorism". Many
other Christians still buy into the facade of "fighting for
freedom" (such as in the last two world wars, Korea and Vietnam). They refuse to
read any books
or articles
on the subject or to educate themselves and others on the evils of
warfare and how these wars are really contrived and managed. They
buy right into the propaganda promoted by our rulers and fall for the
government's historic false
flag operations. If we
cannot discern this evil and sin now, will we have to learn it in the
second resurrection?
-
Matthew
25:31–40. On the ASSOCIATES
ONLINE Forum,
I asked a question (on August 24, 2006), "Do we believe in Matt.
25?" The question generated 444 views and 13 replies. Recently,
the topic was picked up on the other forum,
with additional responses. Out of all of the responses from both
forums, only one
person would admit to fulfilling this scripture. All the other responses
were a complete copout on why they didn't need to fulfill Christ's
command (or, amazingly, why we shouldn't even talk about it). I had to shake my head in utter disbelief. Again, I ask the
question, if we cannot learn the lessons of Christian charity and love
(the very antithesis of evil and sin) for our fellow man in this lifetime,
will we have to learn it in the Second Resurrection? To quote Dr.
Martin:
-
In
summing up this chapter on giving monies to Christ for the
spreading of the Gospel to the world (that all of us should be
active in doing), I wish to give a final method by which anyone
can be assured that what money or contribution is given goes
directly to Christ. This is a sure way that no one who loves
the New Testament teaching can argue with. The teaching comes from
Christ himself. Christ told people this certain way to give things
directly to Him,
"When
the son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels
with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory. And
before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate
them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the
goats ... then shall the King say unto them on the right hand,
Come, ye blessed of my father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for
you from the foundation of the world: for I was an hungered, and
ye gave me meat: I was thirsty and ye gave me drink: I was a
stranger, and ye took me in: Naked and ye clothed me: I was in
prison and ye came unto me."
•
Matthew 25:31–40
-
Christ
went on to say that the righteous might be puzzled over this,
because none of them ever gave Christ these things personally.
But Christ went on to say: If you have "done
it unto one of the least of these my brethren, YE HAVE DONE IT
UNTO ME" (Matthew 25:40).
-
There
we have it! This is the assured manner to give something to
Christ. If you help out the unfortunate brother in Christ, you
have given something directly to Christ. "Ye
have done it unto me."
-
Health
- and the lack thereof. It is truly amazing that most Christians have
no concept of good health. They buy right into the evil satanic/allopathic-medicine/drug culture that prevails in our society today -
and which was also in existence
in the time of Christ. While healing the sick was one of the miracles
performed by Christ, most Christians continue to blindly destroy their
very own bodies - and those of their precious children. Drugs and
vaccinations are almost never questioned, despite the large amount of
evidence as to their ineffectiveness and dangers. A wealth of
information is now available online on good,
natural health, but most Christians choose to ignore it. Is this the
way we glorify God through our bodies? Dr. Martin states:
Is
this the way we show respect for God's Temple? Is this the way we set
an example for the world? By putting poisons in
our body - and our children's bodies? By eating the improper acidic
foods that cause us to get sick? By refusing to take the wonderful supplements
God has graced us with to keep us full of energy and free from
sickness? Again, if we cannot discern evil and sin in this lifetime, will
we have to learn of it in the Second Resurrection?
The
practice of these three evils and sins would appear, in my mind, to cast doubt on one's
qualification for the First Resurrection. All three of these evils and
sins have one thing in common; they deal with the very essence of life
itself - and the expansion of the Family of God. They deal with how we
(and/or others) will live or die in this lifetime. If we cannot
understand these basic concepts now (through biblical and non-biblical education, life
experiences and
guided by the Holy Spirit), then when
will we learn them?
 It
is my personal belief that the deciding factor for selection to be in the First Resurrection
will be one's learning ability. That is, our ability to learn basic
concepts when presented to us, either through the Bible or other
educational teaching - or through life
experiences; and then put them into practice. It will not be a
matter of scriptural enlightenment and intellectual knowledge alone. Nor
will it be based solely on not committing the more obvious and grievous
sins listed in the Bible (listed at the beginning of this article).
It
will also be based on what we have personally done with
our lives - with the
knowledge and experiences God has given us to work with. This is
manifested in our daily lives (and described in the Bible) as the fruits
of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22,23).
While
I have serious doubts that most modern day Christians will be
in the First Resurrection (including those who feel they are
"scripturally enlightened" because they may intellectually
understand some of these principles), it
is my hope that this article will help inspire changes in the lives of
today's Christians - and that all of today's Christians will be considered for
the First Resurrection!
Ken
N.
January
1, 2009
Comment
on this article here.
Additional
articles on the First Resurrection can be found here.
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