As we entered into the 2nd week of the new year, we continued on the series: ‘Victory Celebration,’ with the theme verse from 1 Cor 15:57, “But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” We further, looked in the Word of God about celebrating the resurrection, as believers, being the part of the 1st resurrection.
There are two types of resurrection: 1st resurrection: The church, the old testament saints and the martyr saints of the tribulation will be part of the 1st resurrection.
2nd resurrection: The rest of the dead, which includes all those who do not believe in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior and the other unbelievers from the Old Testament times.
The 2nd coming of Christ or rapture of the church, as we read in 1 Thes 4:15-17, will be in the midair and no one knows the hour and the timing. When this happens, only the church will know about this. We will hear our names called out. The unbelievers in the world will not know about it till the church has been caught up or raptured.
2nd advent of Jesus is to the earth and one can measure the exact day of his second advent. In Daniel, as we see, we can measure 1260 days from the mid-period(3 ½ years) into the tribulation period.
In the 2nd advent, the church will come with him from heaven. Everyone in the world will know about the second advent. They will see him coming from heaven. Rev 1:7.
Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.
1st and 2nd resurrection does not mean that there are only 2 numbers of resurrections, but 2 kinds. Departed souls in a conscious state, are either in the presence of God or separated from His presence. Believers in a conscious state, are in the presence of the lord.
In the old testament, all the souls went to Sheol, in 2 separate compartments. One side is known as the bosom of Abraham, the other a place of torment. After the resurrection of Jesus Christ, He took all the Old Testament saints with Him into His paradise.
In the new testament, it is referred to as hades, a place of departed souls. Lk 16:19-31, where Jesus talked about the rich man and Lazarus. After death, the rich man was conscious and being tormented. He could see Lazarus who was a sick beggar while alive on the earth, in peace and comfort in Abraham’s bosom. Vs 23-24.
Now we know what happens to those of our loved ones who die in the Lord Jesus Christ, after death, they are conscious, but in rest. Be at peace about them and celebrate their victory in the lord’s presence.
The 1st resurrection has three phases:
1st Phase: Resurrection of those who are asleep in Jesus Christ. 1 Thes 4:16-17. When the Lord descends, there will be a shout, the voice of the archangel and the trumpet of God and the dead in Christ shall rise first, then we who are alive will be transformed.
2nd Phase: All old testament believers: at the end of the tribulation period, when Jesus comes to this earth. Dan 12 vs 1, talks about the tribulation period and vs 2 talks about the 2nd phase of 1st resurrection. 7 years difference between 1st and 2nd phase.
The 3rd Phase: Resurrection of the tribulation martyrs or saints. Rev 20:4 I saw the souls of them that were beheaded, for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God. The rest of the dead did not live until the thousand years were finished.
BLESSED AND HOLY IS HE WHO HAS A PART IN THE FIRST RESURRECTION.
The lord’s table reminds us of this victory celebration of being part of the 1st resurrection.
The 2nd resurrection is the unbelievers’ resurrection or resurrection of condemnation. They are resurrected after the 1000 years reign of Christ. They will be standing in front of the great white judgment throne as we see in Rev 20:5, 11-15. And I saw the dead, small and great standing before the throne of God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the book of life.
ANYONE NOT FOUND WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF LIFE WAS CAST INTO THE LAKE OF FIRE.
This gives us all the more reason to celebrate victory in Jesus Christ and also pray for those who are unsaved, Have a passion to share the gospel with them and share our testimonies for them to be saved, by God’s grace. May this be our prayer that in this new year, we will ask for souls to be saved and be passionately sharing the love of God with those who do not know the Lord Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.
God Bless!
Thompson Samuel
Associate Pastor: Atlanta Christian Assembly 678-471-9636
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Scripture:
Rev 20:1-10
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