This past week I was at a graveside service for a younger man who took his own life. He was born into a bible believing family. Went to church when he was a child but he then grew up... moved out on his own... and stopped. His girlfriend of 8 years had also died the same tragic way, just a few days earlier. There was lots of sorrow and sadness… perhaps confusion and distress. 

Family and friends at the service were mostly baptist or evangelical Christians. From what I know of baptists and evangelicals death has only two possible outcomes: heaven for believers or hell for non-believers.

I wondered, "what do these good people think is the eternal outcome of what has just happened...when someone dies in this manner and is not part of any Church"? Nice, friendly, hard-working  people but not walking in the way.

I know it was on people's minds because those who offered a few words about the dead said something to the effect "I know in my heart that deep down they were both good Christian people". They were seeking to offer comfort by blurring the definition of who is truly a follower of Christ.

At times like this that it is a blessing to know the truth of God from His word.

When sadness swells up like a wave on the ocean... my words... his words... her words... are not enough. The word of God is what’s needed.

Today, we will review the biblical teaching on the 2nd resurrection... the resurrection of "the rest of the dead".

Restate the the Problem

The Church' of God's proclamation from the beginning has been, and remains, consistent: one can only be saved through Jesus Christ Acts 2:38-40; 4:12. Change your ways [repent, stop disobeying God]... Accept God's new covenant through baptism into the death of Jesus Christ... Receive the down payment of eternal life through the laying on of hands… overcome... Grow in grace and knowledge... Then be raise to eternal life at His return. Seek God's forgiveness… seek salvation from death through Jesus Christ... no other power will work.

Here's a problem... through no fault of their own... the vast majority of humanity has 1) never heard of Jesus OR 2) has grossly misunderstood what they heard... making and accepting unauthorized changes to the basic program God provides.

That's a big problem if you also believe this life is your only opportunity to attain eternal life… heaven, hell, or whatever. Its a formula that has turned a lot of people off... especially since the advent of global travel because it presents the God of the bible as unfair and culturally biased.

The answer lies not in blurring the definition of what it means to receive and follow Christ... or doing away with the necessity of Christ…but in getting a better scriptural picture of how and when people get their opportunity to accept or reject Jesus Christ.

What the Bible Actually Says

2 Peter 3:9, 1 Timothy 2:3-4 - God's goal and purpose is to offer salvation to everyone. We cannot make this come true by wishful thinking, by changing what the bible says about salvation through Christ alone and the path to eternal life. Let’s look at the scriptures.

The bible indicates that offering salvation to all human beings comes in stages 1 Corinthians 15:22-26. ALL will be made alive but each in turn:

• First - Christ is raised from the dead to eternal life
• Then - those who are His followers are raised to eternal life at Christ's return
• Then - "the end" - those who have never become followers of Christ, or even had the opportunity to do so will be raised and enter into a period of judgment. "the end" marks a momentous time which, when finished, will remove death from the human experience forever.

Revelation 20:4-6 The “rest of the dead” are those who had never been true followers of Christ. They are the subjects of this third stage… the resurrection which comes after the millennium. The true followers of Chri st were all raised 1,000 years earlier.

The Path of Resurrections

This resurrection of the "rest of the dead" will be different from the resurrection the followers of Christ experience when Christ returns. It will be: 1) resurrection to mortal flesh [they are still subject to death, ie. the second death] 2) resurrection to judgment.

What’s happening is that the rest of the dead are now going through through the same steps the first-fruits went through... they just do so at a different time. Here’s what I mean:

First, through baptism the followers of Christ have already experienced a resurrection to mortal flesh when they came up out of the water Romans 6:3-4. This is the same path Jesus laid out when He Himself was baptized.

Second, when the followers of Christ rise again in mortal flesh after baptism they entered into a time of judgment 1 Peter 4:17. During this time of judgment God gives you His holy spirit... which helps you understanding of his word... then He watches you and evaluates you as you strive to overcome sin and put on the mind of Christ.

Only after this time of judgment will anyone be resurrected to eternal life.

Let’s look at the scriptures concerning 3 key elements to the 2nd resurrection. 

Resurrection to Mortal Flesh

A resurrection to mortal flesh means it is not permanent… it is still subject to the 2nd death.

Ezekiel 37:1-12 This is describing a resurrection to flesh and blood.

Note: Israel is a type or forerunner of what is in store for all nations... to the Jew first, then to the Gentile... the chosen people are first in promise, first in revelation, first in punishment, first in restoration, first in salvation... they are first but they are not only. All these things are meant to be extended to all people... in God's order.

Ezekiel 16:55 Sodom represents the deceived nations besides Israel… all are restored… this is something yet future… when Godless Sodom itself is raised.

Matthew 11:20-24; 12:41-42 Jesus gave enough examples of people living at various times and various nations to prove that every category of humanity will be brought back to life at "the end" ... “the time of judgment".

There will be pre-Flood men and women, all 12 tribes of Israel, those who lived during the Middle Ages and the vast majority living now. Everyone except those who had already been resurrected to eternal life. Jesus' examples indicate ALL people who did not know, or did not accept, the truth of God.

Access to God’s Holy Spirit

Romans 10:16-18, 21; 11:7-8   Israel had access to the word of truth but didn't understand or obey. Most have not been saved. Simply having a bible and reading a bible is not enough. Romans 11:26 if Israel is going to be saved something needs to change. What makes the difference is access to the holy spirit when resurrected.

Ezekiel 37:13-14 All these who are raised will have access to God's holy spirit, they will learn and understand the truth about Christ. To Israel first and then to all.

1 Corinthians 2:6-14 You need God's holy spirit to understand what it really teaches.

Resurrection to Judgment

John 5:28-29 Jesus spoke of 2 types of resurrection here. Some are raised to everlasting life, and some are raised to judgment. Resurrection to life is what the followers of Christ experienced at His return. Resurrection to judgment is what "the rest of the dead" experience after the millennium.

Revelation 20:11-12 the previous verses tells us this happens after the 1,000 year reign of Christ. This is the time of "the end" Paul spoke of in 1 Corinthians 15. It is the resurrection to Judgment Jesus speaks of in John 5.

This judgment would not include true Christians since they have already been judged during the life they lead after baptism… They have already received God's gift of eternal life and…  they are not subject to the second death.

Revelation 20:12 says there are books.... these books are opened... meaning open to understanding... and they are judged according to what is written in the books [Acts 26:18]. The word "book" here is biblios... the bible.

What is Judgment?

Judgment is not the pronouncement of a sentence. It is the careful process by which one reaches and is prepared to pronounce a verdict: condemnation or acquittal. So it is with the time of judgment ahead for "the rest of the dead".

Judgment requires a qualified judge… Christ Acts 10:42. We are also told that those who are Christ’s at His return [the saints] will judge alongside Christ 1 Corinthians 6:2.

The saints have already been judged and will have been raised to everlasting life at Christ’s return. Their time of judgment in the flesh lasted years, decades, even a lifetime. During their time of judgment they had God's holy spirit… the bible was opened for them to understand. Doesn't it make sense that the "rest of the dead" who rise up to mortal flesh at "the end" before the great white throne will be given the same time?

God judges, corrects, and rewards His children by how well they live according to His written word guided by the holy spirit. Doesn't it make sense that He will do the same with the "rest of the dead".

The Second Death

Revelation 20:15 after judgement “the rest of the dead” are either written into the book of life or they die the second death. Complete, permanent destruction where there is no further hope of resurrection.

Their First Opportunity

Critics of the Church of God have said all this constitutes a second chance... that such a teaching allows people to disregard Christ in this life, enjoy a life of sin, then get another shot.

The resurrection of "the rest of the dead" is not a second chance... its the first real opportunity "the rest of the dead" will have ever had to hear... understand... and obey the truth of God. Some because they never had a bible or a teacher [simple]... some who had a bible but mixed with enough error that it cannot possibly be called "the truth" [complex].

Don't Wait

I sometimes wonder if people hear this and think “maybe I should put off getting baptized... enjoy the pleasures of this life... I'll just wait for the second resurrection... then everyone will be doing it... it'll be easier... I'm not sure I have what it takes”. Let me leave you with three reasons to opt for the first resurrection… which is called the better resurrection in Hebrews 11:35:

1. No one really "has what it takes" to be part of the 1st resurrection... but God will help you like He has helped so many others. With His help you can do it.
2. The 2nd resurrection will not be easy... remember Jesus said to the people of His hometown... it will be more bearable for Sodom in the day of judgment than for you. Implying there will be correction and discipline in those days.
3. You will miss out on becoming part of the bride of Christ... having a special place of honor... and special role within the family of God and the kingdom of God. Don't wait for the 2nd resurrection!