Two Resurrections, Two Deaths
Today I had a much better day. In reality, yesterday and last night was fairly rough and even this morning, I wasn’t quite “up to par.”
So, we rested the morning in preparation for Mason’s baseball tournament this afternoon. Stephanie did a good job making sure I kept as cool and hydrated as possible. I did much better today than yesterday.
Mason’s team won the tournament and all the players received individual trophies. Mason played well and his team won by a “run rule” in every game they played. I return to Colorado late tomorrow.
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “….I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony about Jesus and because of the word of God….They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years. (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them…” (Revelation 20:4-6)
One of the interesting aspects of Revelation and the final judgment is the reference to two different resurrections and the “second death.”
Paul in writing to the Thessalonians, tells of the return of Christ and says, “…the dead in Christ shall rise first, to meet The Lord in the air…and so shall we ever be with The Lord…” (1 Thess. 4:16)
In Revelation, John says, those killed for their faith are raised to life, to rule and reign with Christ for 1,000 years. This is the first resurrection. The second resurrection is when all those who have rejected Christ. They will appear before the “white throne judgment.”
“And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done.” (Rev. 20:11-13)
What is notable about this second resurrection, is people are judged on the basis of their own criteria. People often say, “I have lived as good life and that should be good enough for God.” It is at this moment, they find their “best” does not meet God’s righteous standard.
These so judged, experience the “second death” which is described as eternity in the “lake of fire.” The good news for those who place their faith in Christ this “second death” is not what they need to fear. “The second death has no power over them…”
Everyone will experience a “resurrection.” For those who place their faith ion Christ, it results in eternal life and honor. For those who refuse to receive God’s gift of life, they receive the consequences of their own actions and choices.
“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.” (Daniel 12:1-3)
“The hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth – those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.” (John 5:28-30)
The Bible is clear from the Old Testament to the New Testament concerning God’s desire and the future for all people. The call goes out today, just as it did thousands of years ago, “choose life!” And as you make that choice encourage and help as many as possible to make that same decision. It matters now, and for eternity.