Letter Answering Department Survey--Resurrections for everyone

SUBJECT: Resurrections

QUESTIONS:
I am confused regarding the resurrection of the dead.
Does everyone get to be resurrected or only those God has called now?
Do those who never heard the name of Jesus Christ just get the Lake of Fire?
Do all humans get an opportunity in the Salvation Process?
Do people get a second chance to be in the Kingdom of God or just one?

ANSWER:

We understand the confusion. Let us explain. I will first present simply stated explanations. This will be followed by resource material and links to other resources.

THE GREATER PLAN OF GOD
The ultimate plan of God is to give everyone who has ever lived the opportunity to know all truth, have access to the Holy Spirit, enter the Salvation Process and, if successful there, enter the Kingdom of God with eternal life.

THE CALLING
The calling of God [John 6:44] is a miracle of God. There is no such thing as someone being called and not hearing it or not responding. Reason? So there is no excuse. God puts a person there and THEN the person chooses to stay in it or fall away.

God has called some before the return of Christ. These are called “firstfruits.” The rest of mankind is called to the Salvation Process either during the reign of Jesus Christ or in the Second Resurrection.

FIRST RESURRECTION
The first resurrection is for all who are called prior to the return of Christ. So from the creation of Adam and Eve to the last person called just before Christ returns will be in this First Resurrection. This includes the 144,000 and the great multitude [million or more?] that are called after the great tribulation and during the Heavenly Signs.

In the Old Testament, those called by God carried out specific missions and performed the will of God. In New Testament times, God is calling individuals to develop the character of Christ and to aid the Work of God in spreading the gospel message.

It is not the purpose of the spread of the gospel to convince anyone of anything or to convert, though God [the only one who can call someone] can and does use this spread of the gospel to call individuals to the Salvation Process.

Spiritually speaking, the first resurrection is the hardest resurrection to attain once one is called to it. They must, while in the Salvation Process, contend with their own human nature, the world and Satan.

Anyone falling from this process will be put into the Third Resurrection and ultimately receive a second and eternal death.

At the return of Christ, when this resurrection takes place, Satan is put away in chains for 1,000 years while Christ rules the Earth and all nations.

SECOND RESURRECTION
This is called the White Throne Judgment and comes AFTER the 1,000-year reign of Christ. It lasts for approximately 100 years. Everyone who has ever lived but died without being called to the Salvation Process will come up in this resurrection. This is their one opportunity. They go through the Salvation Process. Satan is loosed for the final time during this approximately 100-year period. He will influence several and they will fall from the process. Those who fall away will ultimately die a second and final death…called the second death in the Bible.

Everyone in this resurrection is made alive once again and given either a new human body in the 18-30 year age range, just as Adam and Eve were created or a completely healed version of the one they previously had. They retain all the memories and intelligence they had up till they died plus knowledge of all that happened since they died. This means that when a son or daughter of Adam and Eve are resurrected, they will have full knowledge and understanding of all of history from Adam to the return of Christ.

No children are born during this time, as they would not have time to get through the Salvation Process.

THIRD RESURRECTION
This is a formality. All those who fall away from the Salvation Process are put in this resurrection. A number of the firstfruits will have fallen away from the process and later died their natural first death…a physical death. They will come up in this resurrection and be thrown into the lake of fire for a quick and merciful death. Same for any person in the second resurrection who may have fallen away and died. Indications are there will be a major rebellion against Christ and He will put them to death at that time.

THE THOUSAND-YEAR REIGN OF CHRIST—WHAT OF THOSE PEOPLE?
Several million humans will be alive during the end time and Great Tribulation and be standing alive when Christ returns. They will live on into the 1,000-year reign of Christ. They will all be called into the Salvation Process. They, of all people, receive the best time to be called. Satan is put away at the return of Christ. Worldliness is curtailed as Christ is reigning. All they must contend with is their own human nature. Thousands of spirit beings will be nearby to help them in their Salvation Process.

Children will continue to be born up until about the last 100 years of this period. The children grow up and enter the Salvation Process.

There are no cemeteries during the one-thousand years of Christ’s reign. When one comes to a maturity in the Salvation Process, they will be immediately changed to spirit beings. Any falling from the process will immediately be put in the lake of fire which will burn outside of Jerusalem for the one-thousand years.

SECOND CHANCE FOR ANYONE??
There is no second chance or opportunity for Salvation. Everyone gets one opportunity. This opportunity begins when God calls the person. If one stays in the Process, they are justified, in grace and will be saved---turned into spirit beings with eternal life. If they fall from the process, they die.

No one is “saved” when they are called or baptized. They are saved when they turn to spirit. Anytime prior to that change to spirit, they could fall from the process.

UNPARDONABLE SIN AND WILLFUL SINNING
Anyone at virtually anytime could commit the unpardonable sin—blasphemy of the Holy Spirit and/or willful sinning which is described as a massive hatred of God. Anyone doing these things, regardless of time period will be given a second and final death.

IMPORTANT POINT
It is not easy to fall away from the Salvation Process. Even falling away is a process and process takes time. Falling away begins with backsliding within the Salvation Process. Backsliding is also a process and it takes time. One can repent at any time during the backsliding process. Falling away is actually harder than moving forward in and sticking with the Salvation Process. God is helping you to succeed in the Salvation. He is not going to help you fall away. You have to put in all that effort on your own.

RESOURCES

FIRSTFRUITS

1 Corinthians 15:20-23

20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.

21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.

22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at

his coming.

James 1:18

Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

Revelation 14:4 (speaking of the 144,000 who will be called just at the end)

These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.

CALLING OF GOD

John 14:6

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Philippians 3:14

I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Romans 8:28

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:30

Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

Note: The predestination being spoken of here is the preconceived plan of God to call one to the Salvation Process.

1 Corinthians 7:20

Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called.

2 Timothy 1:9

Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

FIRST RESURRECTION

1 Corinthians 15:21

For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.

1 Corinthians 15:23

But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.

1Thessalonians 4:16-17

16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

17 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.

SECOND RESURRECTION

Ezekiel 37:12-14

12 Therefore prophesy and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, O my people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel.

13 And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I have opened your graves, O my people, and brought you up out of your graves,

14 And shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land: then shall ye know that I the LORD have spoken it, and performed it, saith the LORD.

Revelation 20:11-12

11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.

12 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.

These scriptures are talking about the billions and billions of people who never really knew Christ or God. Remember, only God can impart this truth and put it in our minds and hearts. These billions of people will be raised up, given the truth and given a time to live life according to this truth. Hence, the meaning of the latter part of verse 12, "according to their works". These works are talking about how people live their lives according to the principles of God....that which we call truth.

THIRD RESURRECTION

Daniel 12:2-3

2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.

3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.

John 5:21-29

21 For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.

22 For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:

23 That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.

24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

25 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.

26 For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;

27 And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.

28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,

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.

Revelation 20:14-15

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.

SEQUENCE OF EVENTS

1) History of Man: From Adam, everyone who has been born has lived a physical life. Some have been called by God. Examples: John, Matthew, Mark, Luke, Paul, the 3000 baptized in Acts 2 and on down to this day. Most of mankind, all through history from Adam never knew the truth. Some knew the truth, but have rejected it

2) The End time...The Great Tribulation. Many, who are alive today, die in a massive World War Three. Many millions will live through this Great Tribulation.

3) Christ Returns.

A) The firstfruits of God (the called out ones) are changed to spirit and rise up to meet Christ as He comes toward earth. The dead in Christ rise first, then those that are alive at His coming.

B) Great armies try to destroy Christ....Final battle of Armageddon...millions more die. Note: Even though they fight Christ, this is not held against them. They will have the opportunity to repent of this; remember that they do not know the truth.

4) Christ Reigns 1000 years.

Satan is bound for these 1000 years. Several million people will have survived the Tribulation. These people will live on into the 1000-year period and be taught the truth. They will rebuild the earth for the simple purpose of getting ready for the Second Resurrection. It will take 1000 years to get ready for the billions and billions who will be brought back to physical life. As these people die---actually get to a normal death time, those who qualify for the Kingdom, will be changed to spirit beings immediately. Those who do not qualify will be thrown into the Lake of Fire, which will be burning throughout the one-thousand years of the Millennium.

5) The Second Resurrection – White Throne Judgment

The billions and billions who never knew Christ will be resurrected to physical life and be given the truth. They enter the Salvation Process. Satan will be loosed during this time and again try to influence the minds of mankind.

6) Eternity

After the Third Resurrection, there are no longer any humans. Everyone who has ever lived is either spirit or in the lake of fire, dead.

CONCLUSION

Do not worry about being thrown into the lake of fire. If God is calling you now, then you will know it and respond. Go to the Heart and Soul of the Gospel section of the web site at: http://www.garnertedarmstrong.org/sermons.shtml . This section will take you step-by-step through the conversion process. http://www.garnertedarmstrong.org/heartand.shtml

If you are not being called now, you will either be alive when Christ returns, be a part of the 144,000 and great multitude that are called just at the end, or you will be in the second resurrection. Regardless, you will know the truth and have every opportunity to accept it and be in the Kingdom.

Be sure to read the booklet, "What is Your Destiny?" posted at the web site at: http://www.garnertedarmstrong.org/pubs/yourdestiny.htm

See the booklet, “You Can Take it With You” http://www.garnertedarmstrong.org/pubs/TakeItWithYou.htm

SUBJECT: Third Resurrection

QUESTION: I am having trouble seeing anything about the third resurrection in Revelation or anywhere else in the Bible. Could you show me where this is indicated?

ANSWER:

As we know, the Bible is a guidebook to Salvation. Its primary focus is on the elements that help one to salvation and the Kingdom of God. Therefore, one is not going to get a "thus saith the Lord" on every little aspect and on every little question we might think up.

The third resurrection is clearly indicated for no other reason than it is absolutely logical. Think about it for a moment. Clearly there are people who have been given the Holy Spirit from Abraham to the present. These are the firstfruits the Bible speaks of. These are the more than 3000 who were baptized in Acts 2 and the beginning of God's church. Now along the way, certain people, having that Holy Spirit rejected God and their calling. Some have committed the unpardonable sin by bringing blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. These people have their fate, the Lake of Fire. Clearly many of these people are already dead and merely awaiting the Lake of Fire. There is no repentance for these people and there is no second chance at Salvation. No one ever gets a second chance. Once given the truth via the Holy Spirit, they get their ONE chance. Now, if a person has committed the unpardonable sin and/or rejected their calling and their God AND they are lying in the grave, where does God resurrect them?

Can it be the first resurrection with the firstfruits at the return of Christ? Hardly.

Can it be the second resurrection which is for all the billions who never knew Christ and/or never had the Holy Spirit? No way. This resurrection is ONLY for those who never had the truth and never had the Holy Spirit. Those rejecting their calling and/or bringing blasphemy against the Holy Spirit DID have truth and the Holy Spirit. Clearly they will not be resurrected into new physical bodies to live out 100 years learning the truth and having the Holy Spirit. Why would God give His Holy Spirit to someone who has already rejected it?

So when the 1st and 2nd resurrections are done there MUST, by definition, by logic, still be some bodies in the ground!!

Now a word about the language of the Bible. The Hebrew and the Greek do not spell things out like the English speaking world is so fond. These languages speak in such a way that certain assumptions are present such as the logic of the resurrections. Neither these languages, as used in the Bible, nor the truth of God spells out every little detail in massive discourses of explanation. The writers of the Bible, all writing under the absolute inspiration of God (2 Timothy 3:16), covered this subject of the resurrections in spiritual logic and by use of line upon line, precept upon precept (Isaiah 28:10, 13). Notice a few scriptures to understand what we have been talking about.

Luke 9:62

And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

Note: Clearly Jesus is saying something here. If a person rejects the Holy Spirit and/or his calling is NOT fit for the Kingdom and clearly will not be there.

2 Peter 2:20

For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.

Note: What do you think this "latter end" is?

James 1:6-8

6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.

8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

Note: Is a double minded man fit for the Kingdom?

Hebrews 10:38

Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.

Note: In what form will this lack of pleasure be?

2 Timothy 4:10-14

10 For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.

11 Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.

12 And Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus.

13 The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments.

14 Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works:

Note: Paul is talking of church members here. Demas and Alexander will be rewarded according according to their works by not being allowed into the Kingdom.

Luke 17:31-33

31 In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back.

32 Remember Lot's wife.

33 Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.

Note: Lose what life? Clearly we are talking about life eternal.

Now notice a very important passage of scripture that indicates both the 3rd resurrection and what happens to them.

Revelation 20:7-15

7 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,

8 And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.

9 And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.

10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.

13 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.

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.

Verse 7: Clearly the 1,000-year reign of Christ is over, the 2nd resurrection has taken place. We know this because:

1) Satan is loosed. He would not be loosed on the Spirit beings of the first resurrection. He would have no power.

2) There are humans present.

Verse 8: Satan goes out to deceive the nations. He is deceiving nations formed by the billions brought up in the second resurrection.

Since this is AFTER the 1,000 years, we are clearly in the 100-year period of that 2nd resurrection where everyone is given the absolute truth of God and given access to the Holy Spirit.

Verse 9: Satan causes war and there is a great battle in and around Jerusalem but all of the spirit beings including Christ bring fire down and devour these rebellious humans who have clearly rejected their calling and the Holy Spirit and who are rebelling against God. These humans are dead and join those humans still in the grave who rejected their calling and/or committed the unpardonable sin before the return of Christ.

Verse 10: Satan finally put away forever.

Verse 11: Judgment Day in which everyone who lived through the 1,000 years and lived through the 100 years are judged to see if they require the Second Death---eternal death.

Verse 12: The book of life is opened. In it are the names of everyone who gets to be in the Kingdom.

NOW NOTICE THE VERY IMPORTANT VERSE 13:

Verse 13: Both the sea and the earth (hell means grave) give up their dead.......THAT IS, THERE IS A THIRD RESURRECTION.

It cannot be the first, which took place at the return of Christ. It cannot be the second because that took place at verses 7 and 8 between the 1,000 years being expired and Satan being loosed to deceive physical people resurrected after the 1,000 years. This must be and IS the third resurrection!!! You also have other verses in the Bible, which firmly establish the 2nd resurrection.

Verse 14: This verse establishes the fact that the Lake of Fire is the place of the Second Death.

Verse 15: Whoever was not in the Book of Life was thrown into the Lake of Fire and are dead forever.

---END of explanation of Third Resurrection---

See sermons by Garner Ted Armstrong on the resurrection: http://www.garnertedarmstrong.org/sermons.shtml

See paper explaining the Salvation Process. http://www.intercontinentalcog.org/bibleclassspecificstudies5.php

See my Minister’s Notebook piece, “There is No Second Chance” http://www.icgchurches.org/Portland_OR/Ministers_Notebook/Notebook_44.shtml