The Final State of the Souls of Men! Phillip Eldred

Transcription

1 The Final State of the Souls of Men! Phillip Eldred 2010

2 Preface The following study was not undertaken with preconceived ideas or beliefs, but was written with the perception and belief that God has a perfect plan for the Final State of the Souls of Men. God proves the truth of all things, and does so with here a little and there a little. Isaiah 28:10 KJV. Through this method of revealing, mankind has been given instruction that can only be understood by the scriptures given on this particular topic. Jesus stated that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. Matthew 18:16 KJV. This implies that for something to be the true, we must find the same information from two or three different sources. Paul spoke of the mystery of God and that by His Spirit the deep things of God are revealed: And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power; That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect; yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to naught; But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory; Which none of the princes of this world knew; for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But as it is written, eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit; for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? Even so the things of God knoweth no man, except he has the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness unto him; neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ. 1 Corinthians 2:1-16 KJV Peter spoke of a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 1 Peter 1:3-5. Thus we find that this is one of the mysteries of God that was to be reveled in the last time. It is with a sense of urgency that we study that which the Lord has revealed. All scriptures in this paper are from the King James Version of the Bible. 2

3 Table of Contents Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 9 Page 11 Page 13 Page 15 Page 17 Page 18 Page 20 Page 20 Page 22 Page 25 Page 26 Page 39 Page 48 Page 56 Part 1 MAN IS A SPIRITUAL & PHYSICAL BEING! Part 2 PHYSICAL DEATH: The Physical Body Returns to the Earth Part 3 PHYSICAL DEATH: The Spiritual Body Returns to God Part 4 PARADISE HEAVEN: A Place for the Righteous Part 5 PRISON HOUSE: A Place for those who knew No Law Part 6 HELL: A Place for the Wicked Part 7 RESURRECTION: The Reuniting of Body and Spirit Part 8 PARADISE: Resurrected in the Resurrection of the Just Part 9 PRISON HOUSE: Resurrected at the Resurrection of the Just Part 10 MILLENNIUM: 1,000 years on earth with the Lord Part 11 LITTLE SEASON: Satan Loosed after the 1,000 years Part 12 SECOND RESURRECTION: Resurrection of the Unjust Part 13 THE JUDGEMENT Part 14 FINAL OUTCOME OF MAN: Kingdom of God or Cast Out Part 15 OPTION ONE Dwell in the Kingdom of God Part 16 OPTION TWO Cast Out Part 17 GLORY RECEIVED Part 18 OUR PURPOSE IN THIS LIFE! 3

4 Part 1 Man is a Spiritual & Physical Being! Mankind has pondered and asked the following questions: Is there life after death? And if there is, what is the final state of the souls of men? The Lord has answered these questions, but only for those who believe in his written word. The Lord has caused much to be written so that we may gain insight and knowledge concerning our future. The Apostle Paul said: For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. Romans 15:4 KJV God promised eternal life to us, on His terms, before the world began. Paul wrote: Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness; In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began. Titus 1:1-2 KJV In the beginning: So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. Genesis 1:27 KJV Every person created by God has a natural body and a spiritual body. Paul stated: There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. 1 Corinthians 15:44 KJV If even the plants were created spiritually before they were on earth in physical form it seems true that our spiritual bodies were created in heaven in the beginning before we were born: And every plant of the field before it was in the earth, and every herb of the field before it grew And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. Genesis 2:5, 7 KJV When the spiritual and the physical were joined, they were referred to as souls. The word soul in Hebrew is defined as a breathing creature; used very widely in a literal or figurative sense. The word soul in Greek is defined as breath, and by implication spirit, abstractly or concretely; which is the rational and immortal soul; even of plants; 4

5 these terms thus exactly correspond respectively to the heart, life, and mind. Therefore a soul is a living, breathing, creation of God. The Lord has told us: and of his fruitful field, both soul and body; Isaiah 10:18 KJV And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 5:23 KJV And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Matthew 10:28 KJV For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Matthew 16:26 KJV And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God. Luke 12:15-21 KJV One of the mysteries of the kingdom is that we are here to lay up treasures in heaven not on earth. Mortal Life Part 2 PHYSICAL DEATH: The Physical Body Returns to the Earth When separation of the body and spirit takes place there is physical death, and the body returns to the earth from which it came. By the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, until thou shalt return unto the ground, for thou shalt surely die; for out of it wast thou taken, for dust thou wast, and unto dust shalt thou return. Genesis 3:19 KJV 5

6 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was; and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it. Ecclesiastes 12:7 KJV And as it is appointed unto men once to die Hebrews 9:27 KJV But man dieth, and wasteth away; yea, man giveth up the ghost, and where is he? Job 14:10 KJV Mortal Life Death Physical Body Returns to the Earth Part 3 PHYSICAL DEATH: The Spiritual Body Returns to God At death, the spiritual body and the physical body separate and the spirit returns to God from which it came. The Lord has revealed this through the following scriptures: Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was; and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it. Ecclesiastes 12:7 KJV And they stoned Stephen; and he, calling upon God, said, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. Acts 7:59 KJV But man dieth, and wasteth away; yea, man giveth up the ghost, and where is he? Job 14:10 KJV Where is man once he dies? We observe that man s body returns to the earth, and we are told that the spirit returns to God. Where does the spirit go after returning to God? Paul stated that after death there will be a judgment: And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment Hebrews 9:27 KJV This appears to be an initial judgment from God that determines the habitation of the spirit before the resurrection. The scriptures speak of three places called: (1) Paradise or Heaven, (2) Prison House, and (3) Hell. Mortal Life Death Spiritual Body Returns to God 6

7 Part 4 PARADISE HEAVEN: A Place for the Righteous While Jesus hung on the cross, two thieves were crucified on either side of him and one conversed with him: And he said to Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee; Today shalt thou be with me in Paradise. Luke 23:42-43 KJV Paradise is mentioned three times in the King James Version of the Bible. Heaven is mentioned 551 times in the King James Version of the Bible. Is paradise the same as Heaven? Paul spoke of paradise and the third heaven as one and the same: I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell; God knoweth;) such a one caught up to the third heaven. And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell; God knoweth;) How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. 2 Corinthians 12:2-4 KJV Concerning the above scripture, it is written in Henry s Bible Commentary: There can be no doubt the apostle speaks of himself. Whether heavenly things were brought down to him, while his body was in a trance, as in the case of ancient prophets; or whether his soul was dislodged from the body for a time, and taken up into heaven, or whether he was taken up, body and soul together, he knew not. We are not capable, nor is it fit we should yet know, the particulars of that glorious place and state. He did not attempt to publish to the world what he had heard there, but he set forth the doctrine of Christ. In A New Standard Bible Dictionary on page 223 we find the following: A counterpart of Gehenna (Hell), a place for the righteous after death, was found in the idea of Paradise. But the location of Paradise is uncertain. By some it was thought to be a portion of Sheol (Hell) separated by a chasm from the abode of the wicked, by others it was a place in the presence of God Himself (Heaven). In The Layman s Bible Encyclopedia on page 584 we find the following:...in post-biblical Christian theology, the term (Paradise) was used interchangeably with heaven. 7

8 John spoke of the paradise of God and how eternal life is given to those who overcome in this life: He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; to him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. Revelation 2:7 KJV Jesus spoke of the rich man and Lazarus, the beggar: And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried of the angels into Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died, and was buried. And in hell he lifted up his eyes, being in torments, and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried, and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus, evil things; but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. And beside all this, between us and you, there is a great gulf fixed; so that they who would pass from hence to you, cannot; neither can they pass to us that would come from thence. Luke 16:22-26 KJV Jesus informs us that there is a great gulf between hell and Abraham s bosom. Bosom is defined as to enclose or between the arms and apparently is used to speak of a place of protection and love. In A New Standard Bible Dictionary on page 224 we find the following: John wrote: Paul wrote: Abraham s bosom can not be regarded as anything more than the name of a fellowship with the righteous and faithful. Similarly, the statement that a gulf is fixed between those who are in Abraham s bosom and those in torment, altho perhaps reflecting the intertestamental notion that a chasm separates the two compartments of Sheol can be given here only a figurative significance. And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth; yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them. Revelation 14:13 KJV For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance. Hebrews 10:34 KJV 8

9 Jesus spoke of there being many mansions : In my Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And when I go, I will prepare a place for you, and come again and receive you unto myself; that where I am, ye may be also. And whither I go ye know; and the way ye know. John 14:2-4 KJV The Lord told the thief on the cross that he would be with him in Paradise. Paul spoke of Paradise as the Third Heaven. The Lord has stated that there are many mansions in his Father s house. This place for the righteous has been called Paradise, Heaven, or Abraham s Bosom and has many mansions prepared for those who enter therein. {Paradise Mortal Death Spirit Returns to God Judged Spirit sent to: {Prison {Hell Part 5 PRISON HOUSE: A Place for Those Who Knew No Law Again, there appears to be an initial judgment after death that sends each of us to one of three places. The second place that the spirit may go after returning to God and having this initial or preliminary judgment is called the Prison House. Jesus went to Paradise after his crucifixion as He told the thief on the cross, but he also visited the Prison House and taught those who had been disobedient due to their ignorance, or those who knew not the law of God. Isaiah spoke of this prison and prophesied that those therein would be visited: And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall punish the host of the high ones that are on high, and the kings of the earth upon the earth. And they shall be gathered together, as prisoners are gathered in the pit, and shall be shut up in the prison, and after many days shall they be visited. Isaiah 24:21-22 KJV Isaiah also spoke of those in this Prison being released from that Prison: I the Lord have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles; To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house. Isaiah 42:6-7 KJV The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are 9

10 bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion; to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified. Isaiah 61:1-3 KJV Peter explained that the Lord suffered a physical death and was raised from the dead that he might bring us to God. Peter then explained that this was the same reason bring us to God that caused Jesus to preach unto the spirits in prison. We know that this is a Spiritual Prison because some of the people in this Prison were disobedient in the days of Noah. Why would the Lord bother going to the Prison House if those in the Prison had no hope of being released? For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit. By which also, he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; Which sometime were disobedient when once the long-suffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. 1 Peter 3:18-20 KJV Peter continued to explain that the gospel is preached to those who are physically dead so that they will be taught the things of God and that they will be able to choose righteousness or wickedness so that their judgment will be just: Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead. For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit. 1 Peter 4:5-6 KJV Jesus went to Paradise Today thou shalt be with me in paradise (Luke 23:43 KJV), and he went to the Prison For which cause also, he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; some of whom were disobedient in the days of Noah. (1 Peter 3:19-20 KJV) There are others in Prison who were disobedient all throughout history. The days of Noah is given to help us understand that he was speaking of the dead. Christ also has the keys to Hell (Revelation 1:18 KJV). {Paradise Mortal Death Spirit Returns to God Judged Spirit sent to: {Prison {Hell 10

11 Part 6 HELL: A Place for the Wicked The third place after death that the spirit may go after returning to God and having this preliminary judgment is called Hell. The Lord prepares a place for all people, and the wicked are assigned to a place called Hell. In A New Standard Bible Dictionary on page 222 we find the following: Sheol or Hell must be distinguished from the grave...sheol is then a distinct place in the depths of the earth. It is a region of darkness. It is the land where light is as midnight. It is a vast place, for it receives all and is never full. It is known also by other names, such as the pit; Abaddon, i.e., destruction ; the lower parts of the earth ; also poetically a place of silence, the land of forgetfulness ; and in a still more imaginative description it is compared to a huge monster with wide-open mouth swallowing those who come near. The Lord stated: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and behold, I am alive forevermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. Revelation 1:18 KJV Paul spoke of Jesus descending into the lower parts of the earth Hell, as well as ascending into heaven Paradise. Jesus has the keys of hell, but we are not told the reason he descended first into the lower parts of the earth : Wherefore he saith, when he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended, is the same also who ascended up into heaven, to glorify him who reigneth over all heavens, that he might fill all things.) Ephesians 4:8-10 KJV The wicked are sent to Hell: The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God. Psalms 9:17 KJV whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. Matthew 5:22 KJV The following scriptures speak of Hell: Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves. Matthew 23:15 KJV 11

12 Let death seize upon them, and let them go down quick into hell; for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them. Psalms 55:15 KJV Therefore hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure; and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth, shall descend into it. Isaiah 5:14 KJV And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shall be cast down to hell. Luke 10:15 KJV For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly; And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly; And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked; (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;) The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptation, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished; 2 Peter 2:4-9 KJV O Lord, thou hast brought up my soul from the grave; thou hast kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit. Psalm 30:3 KJV Jesus spoke of the rich man in hell and the beggar in Abraham s bosom. There is a great gulf between hell and Abraham s bosom and one cannot go from one to the other: And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried of the angels into Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died, and was buried. And in hell he lifted up his eyes, being in torments, and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried, and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus, evil things; but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. And besides all this, between us and you, there is a great gulf fixed; so that they who would pass from hence to you, cannot; neither can they pass to us that would come from thence. Luke 16:22-26 KJV {Paradise Mortal Death Spirit Returns to God Judged Spirit sent to: {Prison {Hell 12

13 Part 7 RESURRECTION: The Reuniting of Body and Spirit Jesus spoke of the three days that his physical body would be in the tomb or in the heart of the earth, but just as Jonah was brought forth out of the whale, so was Jesus raised from the dead: An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas; for as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale s belly, so shall the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. Matthew 12:39-40 KJV What is the Resurrection? When the Resurrection occurs it will be a time when our spiritual bodies and our physical bodies will be united again. Job asked the question: If a man die, shall he live again? All the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come. Job 14:14 KJV Job answers his own question by stating that he will wait until his change comes. His change will be when he is resurrected: His mortal body being again united with his spiritual body. He knew he would live again in the flesh. He further testified of his resurrection when he would be in the flesh after his body is destroyed and decayed: Oh that my words were now written! Oh that they were printed in a book! That they were graven with an iron pen and lead in the rock forever! For I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth; And though after my skin worms destroy this body; yet in my flesh shall I see God; Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me. Job 19:23-27 KJV Approximately seven-hundred years before the birth of Christ, Isaiah spoke of the resurrection that was to come: Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust; for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead. Isaiah 26:19 KJV Jesus spoke of the resurrection: Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life; he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live; And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? John 11:25-26 KJV 13

14 Paul spoke of being alive through the resurrection because of Jesus Christ, and he brings out an important aspect of the resurrection in that all die and all be made alive. This means that whether we are righteous or wicked, we will be resurrected: For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order; Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. Afterward cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule, and all authority and power. For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. 1 Corinthians 15:22-26 KJV So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption; It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. 1 Corinthians 15:42-44 KJV David spoke of his soul being redeemed from the grave: He restoreth my soul; he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Psalm 23:3 KJV But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave, for he shall receive me. Selah. Psalm 49:15 KJV Peter also spoke of the resurrection from the dead: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 1 Peter 1:3-5 KJV The resurrection will be revealed in the last time. Peter is referring to the time of the resurrection when our temporal bodies will be united with our spiritual bodies and we will be in an immortal condition. This condition is like that of Jesus after his resurrection from the dead. He was able to eat fish and honeycomb and had his disciples feel his physical body. He was also able to enter a room even with the doors and windows shut: And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and said unto them, Peace be unto you. But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. And he said unto them, Why are you troubled, and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I, myself. Handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as you see me have. When he had thus spoken, he showed them his hands and his feet. And 14

15 while they yet wondered and believed not for joy, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat? And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and a honey comb. And he took it and did eat before them. Luke 24:36-43 KJV Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. And when he had so said, he showed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. John 20:19-20 KJV After Jesus was resurrected: And the graves were opened; and the bodies of the saints which slept, arose, who were many. And came out of the graves after his resurrection, went unto the holy city, and appeared unto many. Matthew 27:52-52 KJV {Paradise Resurrection Mortal Death Spirit Returns to God Judged {Prison {Hell Part 8 THOSE IN PARADISE are Resurrected in the Resurrection of the Just John spoke of the first resurrection, but also speaks of the rest of the dead who will not be resurrected until the thousand years are finished. This shows that there will be two resurrections; one at the beginning of the thousand years and one at the end of the thousand years. The first is called the resurrection of the just and the second is called the resurrection of the unjust: And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them; and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshiped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands: and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy are they who have part in the first resurrection; on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. Revelation 20:4-6 KJV There will be a resurrection of the just or life (1 st Resurrection) at the glory coming of Christ and a resurrection of the unjust or damnation (2 nd Resurrection) after the 15

16 thousand year reign of Jesus and the little season on the earth. (This will be explained later) The following scriptures speak of these two resurrections: And have hope toward God that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. Acts 24:15 KJV 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 who hear shall live. For as the Father hath life in himself, so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of Man. Marvel not at this; for the hour is coming, in the which all who are in their graves shall hear his voice. And shall come forth; they who have done good, in the resurrection of Life; and they who have done evil, in the resurrection of Damnation. John 5:25-30 KJV Paul speaks of attaining the resurrection of the dead: If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. Philippians 3:11 KJV In the following statement, Paul speaks of obtaining a better resurrection : Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: Hebrews 11:35 KJV A better resurrection in the King James Version implies that if there is a better resurrection (resurrection of the just) then there must be a resurrection that is not as good (resurrection of the unjust). Jesus spoke of the resurrection of the just: And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee; for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just. Luke 14:14 KJV Paul spoke of the first resurrection at the glory coming of Christ: 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; 1 Thessalonians 4:16 KJV Life Death Spirit Returns to God Judged {Paradise 1 st Resurrection {Prison {Hell 16

17 Part 9 All or some in the PRISON HOUSE are also resurrected at the Resurrection of the Just The following scriptures speak of those in the Prison House being resurrected: I the Lord have called thee in righteousness to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house. Isaiah 42:6-7 KJV The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound Isaiah 61:1-3 KJV Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name; the righteous shall compass me about; for thou shalt deal bountifully with me. Psalms 142:7 KJV Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope; Because thou wilt not leave my soul in prison, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Acts 2:26-27 KJV Many of those in the Prison House ignorantly sinned or did not know the law of God. Paul explained that without the law there is no consequence: For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law; and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law; (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves; Which show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the meanwhile accusing or else excusing one another;) In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to the gospel. Romans 2:12-16 KJV Because the law worketh wrath; for where no law is, there is no transgression. Romans 4:15 KJV (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Romans 5:13 KJV But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead. For once I was alive without 17

18 transgression of the law, but when the commandment of Christ came, sin revived, and I died. Romans 7:8-9 KJV To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. 1 Corinthians 9:21 KJV As previously stated, Peter explained that the Lord went to the Prison to preach unto the spirits in prison. Why would the Lord bother going to the Prison House after his death if those in the Prison had no hope of being released? These are they who died without the law, and Christ desired to gain them that are without law. For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit. By which also, he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; Which sometime were disobedient when once the long-suffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. 1 Peter 3:18-20 KJV Paradise & Prison 1 st Resurrection Millennium Part 10 MILLENNIUM: (1,000 years on earth with the Lord after the First Resurrection) It is during this thousand-year period on the earth, after the Lord has come in glory, that the knowledge of the Lord shall cover the entire earth. The following scriptures testify of the millennium: They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea. And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek; and his rest shall be glorious. Isaiah 11:9-10 KJV For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea. Habakkuk 2:14 KJV Those resurrected in the resurrection of the just shall be privileged to be with the Lord on the earth during this thousand-year period of time when Satan is bound and those in Hell remain there until after the thousand years are finished: And hast made us unto our God kings and priests; and we shall reign on the earth. Revelation 5:10 KJV 18

19 And I saw an angel come down out of heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled; and after that he must be loosed a little season. And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them; and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshiped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands: and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy are they who have part in the first resurrection; on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. Revelation 20:1-6 KJV During the thousand years on earth after the first resurrection, children will continue to be born. They will not die as we now know death, but when a person reaches the age of one hundred, a change happens and they become immortal without ever going through the process of having their spiritual and physical bodies separated by death. This change replaces death and the resurrection. Paul informs us that there will be no more death: The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. 1 Corinthians 15:26 KJV We need to understand that sin will still be upon the earth even during the thousand years while Satan is bound because of the statement: but the sinner, living to be an hundred shall be accursed. Our own rebellion against God, even without temptation, brings sin into the world. Isaiah stated: In those days there shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days; for the child shall not die, but shall live to be an hundred years old; but the sinner, living to be an hundred years old, shall be accursed. And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them. They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat; for as the days of a tree are the days of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands. They shall not labor in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for they are the seed of the blessed of the Lord, and their offspring with them. And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear. The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock; and dust shall be the serpent s meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the Lord. Isaiah 65:20-25 KVJ { Paradise 1 st Resurrection Millennium { Prison 1 st Resurrection Millennium { Hell (These remain in Hell until after the Millennium) 19

20 Part 11 LITTLE SEASON: Satan Loosed after the 1,000 years Satan will be bound during the thousand-year reign of Jesus on the earth, but Satan will be loosed for a little season after the thousand years are concluded. The following scripture speaks of this little season: And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled; and after that he must be loosed a little season And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, 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. And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city... Revelation 20:3, 7-9 KJV { Paradise 1 st Resurrection Millennium Little Season { Prison 1 st Resurrection Millennium Little Season { Hell (These remain in Hell until after the Millennium) Part 12 SECOND RESURRECTION: Resurrection of the Unjust (After the 1,000 Years and the Little Season) Those in Hell will be resurrected after the thousand years and the Little Season. This resurrection is also known as the Resurrection of Damnation. Paul spoke of being alive because of Jesus Christ, and he brings out an important aspect of the resurrection in that all be made alive. This means that whether we are righteous or wicked, all mankind will be resurrected: For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 1 Corinthians 15:22 KJV The author of Acts spoke of the resurrection of the just and unjust : And have hope toward God that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. Acts 24:15 KJV 20

21 Jesus spoke of the two resurrections: 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 who hear shall live. For as the Father hath life in himself, so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of Man. Marvel not at this; for the hour is coming, in the which all who are in their graves shall hear his voice. And shall come forth; they who have done good, in the resurrection of life (the just); and they who have done evil, in the resurrection of damnation (the unjust). John 5:25-29 KJV Justice claims those who willfully rebel rather than being claimed by mercy: He that despised Moses law died without mercy under two or three witnesses Hebrews 10:28 KJV There is a Second Death John said that the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. He also stated that those who come forth in the first resurrection, the resurrection of the just, will not have a second death. Those who are not resurrected until after the thousand years will be in the second death, which is a spiritual death. This does not mean that they will cease to exist because the soul will never die, but rather they will not be allowed to dwell in the Lord s presence. And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection; on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. Revelation 20:4-6 KJV 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. 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. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. Revelation 20:12-15 KJV {Paradise 1 st Ress. Millennium-(Satan Bound) Little Season-(Satan Loosed) {Prison 1 st Ress. Millennium-(Satan Bound) Little Season-(Satan Loosed) {Hell (These remain in Hell until after the Millennium & the Little Season) 2 nd Ress. 21

22 Part 13 THE JUDGEMENT There is a misconception among some people that if they are saved, then God will not judge them. The scriptures testify that all men will be judged before the Lord, whether they are good or evil. Paul stated: Jesus stated: But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at naught thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For I live, saith the Lord, as it is written. And every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall swear to God. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. Romans 14:10-12 KJV For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. 2 Corinthians 5:10 KJV But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world. 1 Corinthians 11:32 KJV And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? Romans 2:3 KJV But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God. Romans 2:5 Be not deceived; God is not mocked; for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. Galatians 6:7-8 KJV Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city. Matthew 10:15 But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you. Matthew 11:22 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. Matthew 12:36 22

23 Jude stated that even the angels will be judged: And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day. Even as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. Jude 6-7 KJV Jude quoted Enoch and stated: John stated: Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him. Jude And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth. Revelation 11:18 KJV Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters. Revelation 14:7 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. 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. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. Revelation 20:12-15 KJV Jesus spoke a parable of those who enter the kingdom versus those who do not: 21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. 24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 23

24 Jesus stated: 25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. 26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: 27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. 28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: 29 For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. Matthew 7:21-29 KJV Break not my commandments for to save your lives; for whosoever will save his life in this world, shall lose it in the world to come. And whosoever will lose his life in this world, for my sake, shall find it in the world to come. Therefore, forsake the world, and save your souls; for what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man shall come in the glory of his Father, with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works. Matthew 16:25-27 KJV Solomon stated: For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil. Ecclesiastes 12:14 KJV Malachi explains the difference between the righteous and the wicked: Jesus stated: Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another; and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name. And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not. Malachi 3:16-18 KJV Marvel not at this; for the hour is coming, in the which all who are in their graves shall hear his voice. And shall come forth; they who have done good, in the resurrection of the life (just); and they who have done evil, in the resurrection of the damnation (unjust). And shall all be judged of the Son of Man. For as I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just; John 5:28-30 KJV 24