Part Five

THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD AND THE COMING OF THE LORD
 

All Christians know that the foundation of our faith is that we are saved by grace and faith in Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross. Beyond that, however, few Christians understand the next foundation block of our faith. That block is the resurrection of the dead. Paul said, in 1 Corinthians 15.12-21:
“Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up—if in fact the dead do not rise. For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable. But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead.

As you read allow the word to speak for itself.

If Jesus has not risen from the dead our faith is futile. It is worthless. The resurrection of the dead is a key foundational block of our faith. If there is no resurrection our faith is no different than any other religion or belief. It is important to understand the resurrection and the timing of this event. If we understand what the word says about this event we also will begin to understand the book of Daniel and Revelation.

And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, some to shame and everlasting contempt. Dan 12.2

At that time Michael shall stand up, the great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people; and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation, even to that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered, every one who is found written in the book. And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, some to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever.
“But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.” Dan 12.1-4 Now go to Revelation 19.11-21 and read.

This understanding, according to Daniel 12.1-4 is closed until the time of the end. This book is now being opened to our understanding in these last days. This is the time of many running to and fro and knowledge increasing.

Satan Bound 1000 Years   Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; and he cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal on him, so that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years were finished. But after these things he must be released for a little while.

The Saints Reign with Christ 1000 Years  And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years. Revelation 20.1-6

According to Revelation 19.11-21 Jesus returns with His armies from heaven and the wrath of God is poured out on an unrepentant world. Those who are alive at His coming will meet Jesus in the air just after the dead in Christ are resurrected. This is the first resurrection at the Lord’s second coming.

Satanic Rebellion Crushed  Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea. They went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them. The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.

The Great White Throne Judgment Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. 14 Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire. Revelation 20.7-15

This is the second resurrection or white throne judgment. The first resurrection was those who have truly accepted Christ down through the ages and reign and rule with Him for the thousand years. Those who lived through the tribulation are included in the first resurrection. The second resurrection (death) is the final judgment of everyone else who has lived on the earth throughout history.

The Comfort of Christ’s Coming  But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words. 1 Thessalonians 4.13-18

Here we see that those who are alive and remain until His coming are caught up in the air after the resurrection of the dead. This event takes place in Revelation 19.11-21 through Revelation 20.1-5. This is at the end of the age. There is only one second coming!

Jesus said that these things will happen on the “last day”. The last day is the final day at the end of the age when he comes with His army of angels and resurrected saints!“This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.” John 6.39-40

No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.” John 6.44

Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. John 6.54

Martha said to Him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” John 11.24

We see clearly here, according to Jesus’ own words, that this event takes place at the end of the age, the last day. Now where does Jesus ever say that believers are “raptured” prior to the end of the age? These scriptures show clearly that the rapture or meeting in the air takes place at the end of the age. (Rev 19.11-21)

Tomorrow: Part 6 - Jesus' Own Words -  the Olivet Discourse.