The Daily Word of Righteousness

The Second Resurrection, #14

Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, 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. (John 5:28,29)

All people except the victorious saints will be raised and judged at the end of the thousand-year period. Those whom the Lord regards as worthy will be redeemed from the moral lusts and chains of the enemy and will be brought forward to eternal life in the new world. Those whom the Lord regards as unworthy, regardless of their profession of belief in Himself, will not be redeemed but will be cast into the fire. Remember, even the demons realize there is a God and that Jesus is Christ! (Mark 1:24).

Some religionists, even Christian religionists, are heading for the Lake of Fire if they do not permit Jesus to change their deeds. But no person who has an honest and good heart ever will end up in the Lake of Fire unless, of course, he chooses not to receive Jesus when Jesus comes to him. If he rejects Jesus he has prevented his own redemption, for the Lord Jesus is the only redeemer God will accept.

There are people who are not prepared to become a citizen of the new world. They hate their brothers and sisters. They always take care of their own needs and desires and ignore the needs and desires of others. They are wealthy in material goods but do not share with the poor. They are treacherous—betrayers of those who trust in them. By their self-seeking they bring everyone around them to grief, and they will continue to do so wherever God places them.

Some Christians fit this description. How would you like to spend eternity with such an individual—Christian or not?

Again, nothing we have said in the foregoing paragraphs is intended to diminish in any manner the necessity for repenting, believing on the Lord Jesus Christ, and being baptized in water. Neither is it intended to suggest we can substitute good works for obedience to the Gospel once the Gospel has been presented to us, or that we can reject Christ in the world and then have a second chance in the spirit realm.

And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. (Revelation 20:13)

When a person dies physically a decision must be made concerning his place of residence until the first resurrection (if he has attained the first resurrection—Philippians 3:11) or the second resurrection. There are several areas of waiting set forth in the New Testament writings:

Outer darkness—Matthew 25:30.

Hell (Hades)—Luke 16:23.

Gehenna —Matthew 5:30.

The deepest abyss—II Peter 2:4.

...The sea—Revelation 20:13.

Death—Revelation 20:13.

Paradise—Luke 23:43.

To be present with the Lord—II Corinthians 5:8. (Some of these may be the same place.)

To be continued.