This chart should give a helpful graphic for Bible study.

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Then  perhaps double click on image to enlarge.

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upon your system.  Look for discussion to follow later.

 

Predestination-knowing beforehand.

The word “predestination” occurs four times, foreknowledge two times and foreordained once in the Bible.  In each instance it refers to God’s omniscience knowledge, the knowing of all things from the beginning.  In Acts 26:5 Paul states in his defense to Agrippa that God knew from the beginning who would say what.   Acts 15:18 tells us that God knows all from the beginning of the world.  But with this in mind, I would like to point to some of the Scriptures that deal with predestination in relationship with Christians, the elect or the chosen.

Ephesians 1:4-5 “According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him, in love having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,”.

Ephesians 1:11 “In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will,”.

Romans 8:28-30 “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love the God, to them who are called according to his purpose.  For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the first-born among many brethren.  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.”

The Scriptures speaks of God’s predestination of Israel.

Romans 11:2 “God hath not cast away his people whom he foreknew.”

Dt. 7:6 “For thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God; the Lord thy God hath chosen there to be a special people unto himself, above all people who are upon the face of the earth.”

In the Book of Peter he is writing to the dispersed Jew predestination.

1 Peter 1:2 “Elect according to the foreknowledge of God, the Father”. 

1 Peter 1:15 “But, as he who hath called you is holy”.

1 Peter 1:20 “Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,”.

1 Peter 5:13  “The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you,”.

In each case God chose through His foreknowledge knowing which option man would chose.  God chose Israel or the Jew because He knew there would always be a remnant that would follow His plan to bring man back into a perfect righteous relationship.  God in His foreknowledge knew each person that would choose to become a Christian.  It was our choice because we have “free will”, but God knew what choice we would make and He made the correct plans for those who would chose Him.  Consequently, in His foreknowledge God predestined a purpose for each believer. 

Although God knew what choice Judas would make, it was still Judas’ choice to betray Christ.  Since it was Judas’s choice then he also will reap the reward or consequence for that decision.  We are all responsible for the all important choice that we make about God’s plan for salvation, but then we are also responsible for the choices we make afterward concerning all aspects of our life.

Does God make these choices for us?  No, but He knew what choice we would make even before the earth was created.   Because of God’s foreknowledge of the choices we make, He always knows who will do His will and who is not going to do His will.  When God wants something done to further His plan He always knows who to pick.  Even though maybe many had the choice to do what God wanted, God knows which one will actually do it.  That is how God can keep everything on target and according to His timetable.

Is a Christian predestinated to be a Christian before the foundation of the earth?  If that would be the case then would we not really have “free will”.  God does know which choice you will make and made plans for your purpose before the foundation of the earth.

A person climbs down the ladder from his safe haven above. Why is he climbing down this ladder? Because he has been selected, told to go, it is his time, his duty and his job. He has had some training but this is his first time here. Although he takes assurance in the fact that all the others that went down before have come back to the safe haven. Even though he has been told that sometimes more than one person would emerge, it is still very scary. As he places his foot on that first rung he takes one last glimpse at this bright haven and looks down to where he must go. Down the ladder he goes toward a place that is dark, foul smelling even like a sewer. As he gets to the bottom of this long ladder he finds that it is firmly bolted to a very large and stable flat rock. It is quite difficult to see any further than a couple feet because some sort of a heavy mist-like fog is everywhere. He also knows that he must be very careful here because the mist restricts his vision and also makes the rock very slippery.
Now at the bottom of the ladder he finds a metal box marked “Tools”. He opens it and starts taking out the tools. The first tool is a length rope. This is a good thing he thought. He securely tied one end around his safety belt ring and the other end around the foot of the ladder. Now even if I fall and slip I will still be safe he says aloud hoping that the sound of his own voice would somehow make him more secure. Now is a good time to look at the rest of the tools he thought. He searches in the box and all that is found is a book.
There must be some mistake, he feels. The others who had gone before him must have forgotten to return all the tools. No time to worry about that now, because he has heard someone who sounds like they are struggling in the mist somewhere over to his left. Picking up the book and slipping it into his belt he tugs on the rope one more time to make sure that it is securely fastened and starts toward that pleading voice. After several steps he feels the rope begin to tighten. He knows that he is reaching the end of the rope. As he makes one more step the rope tightens and will not allow him to go any further. But that also has turned out to be a good thing; because of the mist he has not been able to even see his feet. And as he stretched out his foot to feel what was just out of sight, he finds that he had walked within about six inches of the edge. Now he is so glad that the rope had not been any longer.
He hears the voice again and now it is very close, just below him. But the voice is very hoarse from the mist and he definitely cannot see far enough to see the struggling person. But he knows that he must get closer to save him. Tugging on the rope he finds there is no more slack and the rock has been getting slicker the closer he gets to the edge. Now it is like oil under his feet and the only holding him from going over is leaning on the rope. Getting down on his stomach and reaching over the rock as far as he could he still could not see the other person’s hand. So he told the other to wave his hand back and forth so they might be able to grasp each one another’s hand. But no avail the hands never touched. So they both came to the conclusion that there must be too much distance between them. Remembering the book he put it in his hand and told the struggling person to feel for the book. After a while they realized that they still could not reach each other. He realized that there was still some distance between them, but suddenly the idea came to him, to open the book and this will let you reach a little further. So after getting a firm grip on the opened book he yells out to the one struggling below, “reach for the book, keep reaching, have faith, grab onto this book, called The Word, and you can be saved.” After a little while he felt the book stop moving, it got solid and he could tell that weight was being applied at the other end, then in a few seconds he felt a hand grab onto his open hand. The rising up out of the awful mist and looking into each others smiling faces and with one great effort they were both now standing on the solid rock. With eyes that were unashamedly filled with tears and with great joy they hugged each other. What a beautiful sight both thought as they looked at each other. As they followed the rope back to the ladder, and after putting the only tools that had been needed back in the box for the next rescue, they both started climbing that ladder. Reaching the top and stepping out into that safe haven, what a rejoicing there was in from everyone above.
Christians are forever secured by our Savior’s strength. The rope will never break no matter how much weight is put upon it. And by following the direction God gives us in the Book we can have connection to others. Open God’s Word and learn how to please God and become a successful rescuer. Read, study, learn and present 1 Cor. 15:1-4.

Death is the barrier that separates us from the physical world and the spirit world. The physical matter remains with the physical world and that of the spirit returns to the spirit world. Since the people of the physical world are blinded to the spiritual world many believe that the spirit world does not exist. 1 Cor. 2:14; John 12:40.

Many will tell you that physical death is the end of man, that there is nothing after the grave. I have heard people preach on the subject of death and say that there is no separation of body, soul, and spirit. Once dead, you will remain there until the great judgment. I have heard others say on the subject that there is nothing until the resurrection. As Paul tells Timothy in 2 Tim 2:8, “Consider what I say, and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.”What does the word of God say? It takes a lot of studying, prayer and guidance from the Holy Spirit to rightly divide the Word. 2 Tim. 2:15. I do not want to be a stumbling block any. Therefore, be informed by the pertinent Scriptures and trust in the Holy Spirit to guide you to the truth and let it set you free.

Read and decide for yourself. Isa. 14:9-17 where the dead talk; again in Ezek. 32:21; Luke 16:19-31 many living characteristics are shown here; Eph. 4:8; Rev. 6:9-10 and again the dead conversing; decide for yourself what the Bible tells us how life continues after death. This illustrates as Scofield says, “the state of the spirit after death”.

According to Strong’s Concordance the word Tanatos occurs 119 times. “Thanatos, death has the basic meaning of separation of (1) the soul ( the spiritual part of man) from the body ( the material part). . .” Also the Greek word apothnesko for “died” which occurs 112 times “and is used (1) of the separation of the soul from the body. . .” this is the word used in Luke 16. As one can see that the Greek terms used in the New Testament for death, died, etc. show a separation of the physical body and the spiritual body.

BEWARE  A WARNING to those prophets (prophets today are those who teach the Word).

I personally believe that one second after their death they will know the truth. Remember those who teach or preach the word of God are always held to a higher standard of accountability at their day of judgment. One needs to make sure that what you teach or preach is right. I would strongly urge any who teach today to study in earnest the second chapter in 2 Timothy.

I hope that this has given an insight to the human trinity and what happens to the soul and spirit after death. The state of being after death will be also changed in the twinkling of an eye when the spirit comes back for its body. For more on this subject read the resurrection series.

Have a nice day, God bless, and hope that you have enjoyed searching for the truth that God reveals to us in His Word.

The Grave

The end of our physical life here on earth is most often called death. At the instant of death the human trinity is divided. The physical body (the earthly material part), is most often put in the grave, that is, buried in the ground.

In the Bible, where we end up after the event of death is spoken of in various ways. Some words used are Sheol, Hades, Hell, asleep, Paradise, Gehenna, grave, Tartarus and for the future Lake of Fire. Some of these words are Hebrew and some are Greek. The Hebrew refers to the Old Testament and the Greek words to the New Testament.

First lets start with the word “grave” (geber). This a place to put the corpse or body of one who has died. Normally the grave is about six feet deep. This term concerns the condition of the physical body when life as we know it ceases.

Words pertaining to the Unsaved

Sheol-is the Old Testament Hebrew word for the Greek word “hell”. Refers to a condition after death. This is a location for the spirit and soul of the body to be held after death. Sheol does not refer to one who is going to heaven. In Lk. 16 the rich man was in Sheol and Lazarus and Abraham was in Paradise.

Hades-the Greek word for Sheol.

Gehenna-a place called Valley of Hinnom, outside of Jerusalem where garbage was burnt. This place was constantly burning and had a bad odor. This place also had wild dogs feeding and fighting at night and worms that never died. Jesus described this as a disgusting place where no one would want to be.

Lake of Fire-John describes this as a place where all unsaved will end up. A place of horrible anguish and suffering. Having to do with flames, torment, gnashing of teeth, with total separation from God.

Tartarus the original Greek term used one time in 2 Peter 2:4. This is to denote a particular place where the fallen angels are held captive in chains and darkness till the Great White Throne. Most versions just lump this term in with “hell”.

Another reason that there are so many terms describing the state of beings after death is that the Old Testament was written in Hebrew and the New Testament was written in Greek. Because of this we have two words for the same meaning. Such as, the Hebrew word “Sheol” is translated in the Old testament to the word “hell”, “Grave” and “Pit”. All of these refer to a place where the soul and spirit goes after physical death.

The final conclusion is that all unsaved will end up in the “Lake of Fire”. And no matter by what name it’s called, it is not a place one will want to spend forever. Commit yourself to the Lord Jesus Christ while here on this side of death to chose heaven over hell. For “now” is the day of salvation. 2 Cor. 6:2.

Terms pertaining to the Saved.

Asleep is a term used only for the saved after death. Eleven times this Greek term (koimao) is used to denote the saved’s condition after physical death. This term is never associated with the unsaved.

Paradise is a term used to denote the location of the saved. In Luke 23:43 remember this is before the death of Christ, Jesus told the penitent thief, “Today shalt thou be with me in paradise”. In Luke 16:22and 23 it is referred to as Abraham’s bosom. Again this was before Christ’s resurrection. In Mt. 27:52-53 where the saints that slept arose right after Christ did. 2 Cor. 12:2-4, Paul tells where he was “caught up into the third heaven. . .caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words. . .” Going up tells us that Paradise has moved locations. And in Eph. 4:8-10 tells us that Christ descended to lead the captives up far above all heavens. Ps. 68:18 tell us of this prophecy, “thou hast ascended on high, thou has led captivity captive. . .”

2 Cor. 5:8, Paul says, “to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.”  Again in Phil. 1:23-24, Paul states, “having a desire to depart and to be with Christ, which is far better. Nevertheless, to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.”

I understand and even have been told face to face that God is a loving God and will not send any to hell, sheol, hades, Gehenna, lake of fire or what other name you choose for this place. I am telling you right now that this is a given, that if you are not saved then you are unsaved. All unsaved will be emptied into the lake of fire and this is not my word this is God’s word. Rev. 20:15, “And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” All of this judgment has nothing to do with God being a loving God, it has to do with God being a just God.

God being a loving God has offered salvation to the world through the sacrifice of His only begotten Son, John 3:16. God has made this offer so simple that when anyone has the ability to understand right from wrong, then they are also smart enough to follow His salvation plan. This is not a plan that man deserves. God gives salvation through His mercy and grace. 2 Peter 3:9 tells us that God’s will is that none perish. People often quote this part and misrepresent this Scripture by saying that God is not going to send any to hell, but rarely do they think about the rest of that verse. When put in context this is not a verse of love.

Lets look at the WHOLE verse, “The LORD is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” This verse is not one of love, this verse is one of warning.

This verse tells us that God gives His promise. A promise means that one is giving their word that something WILL happen. God always keeps His word.

The next phrase tells us that God puts up with a lot, BUT there is an end. This end is God’s judgment and wrath. God warns that He really does not want to punish any so all one has to do is “come to repentance”.

No where in this verse does God imply that He is not going to punish those who chose not to repent. Matt. 12:30, “He that is not with me is against me;” and Mark 9:40 “For he that is not against us is for us”. These two verse tell us that any who are not for God is against Him. And any that are against God will be cast into the lake of fire.

These are all Bible Prophecies that are God’s promises to man. Everyone will be judged according to their works and after the judgment one will be rewarded for their works. Then one will take his rewards and live in eternity in the place they have chosen, heaven or lake of fire. Forever with God or forever separated from God. Remember that God wants all to chose and accept His plan of salvation.

God says that no one deserve to go to heaven. Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death. . .” But through His love He gives a door that one can chose to walk through to get there. “. . .but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ, our Lord.” All are going to the lake of fire unless they chose Christ.

If we tell our child that, nothing good can come out of an addiction to drugs and the child chooses to go down that path anyway. When destruction comes we can say that they were warned and it was their choice to chose drugs. . .

It is not God’s choice to send us to the lake of fire, it’s our own choice.

The very next judgment is called the Bema Judgment. This is for the Church, that is, the raptured Christians. It will occur in the air. This judgment will happen before the Tribulation period. This is part of the First Resurrection. (See other writing for more on the First Resurrection and Judgments.) It is your choice whether or not you want to be here in the first resurrection or in the second at the Great White Throne Judgment.

Jesus’ Appearances after the Resurrection part one

This is the reason we celebrate Easter. Jesus resurrection three days after His death, just as prophesied. To prove that He did raise from the grave He appeared ten times to Christians.

There is a time span of forty days between Jesus’ resurrection and His ascension. Jesus only appeared to His followers during this period of time and we have record of ten events. The first five were on the day of resurrection. If we combine the four narratives of the Gospel found in Mt. 28, Mk. 16, Lk. 24 and John 20, we can get an overall or chronological perspective of Jesus’ post resurrection appearances.

Jesus’ appearances that first day.

1. Early in the morning of the day following the Sabbath (Which would be our Sunday) the women went to the sepulcher of Jesus to anoint His body. They went even though there was a 2 ton stone over the opening of the tomb. Mk. 16:2-3. And if that wasn’t enough there were armed guards there seeing that no one would disturb that stone.

Four of these were Mary Magdalene, Mary (apostle James the less’ mother), both these listed in Mt. 28:1. Salome was added to the list in Mark 16:1. Joanne was added in Luke 24:10. These last two women are not the same. These Scriptures also tell of other women that were there, but their names were not mentioned. Many of these same women had been at the crucifixion and watched from afar. These women were not all traveling in the same group.

The stone removed.

All these women found the stone removed already, Mt. 28:2. The angel told them to go and tell the disciples and Peter that Jesus would meet them in Galilee. They then went to tell the disciples. They would not be running to tell the disciples for they were heavy with many pounds of spices to anoint the body of Christ. Mt. 28:7.

Mary Magdalene found herself running to tell the disciples John 20:2. She finds Peter and John and tells them “they have taken away the Lord”. Meanwhile the other women have arrived at the sepulcher and find an empty tomb. The angel tells them that “Christ is Risen”, go tell the disciples. They leave to tell the disciples and on the way Jesus appears to them Mt. 28:9-10.

Now back to John 20 that tells us that at the tomb John arrives first, he is the youngest and can run faster. John stoops down and sees that the sepulcher is empty. Shortly Peter comes up and being the one who generally acted first and thought later, ran right on in without hesitation. Of course, not yet being “reminded” of Jesus’ words of His resurrection, being bewildered they left for home.

Now poor ol’ Mary Magdalene who had ran from the tomb to tell Peter and John tried to followed them back to the sepulcher. But after already running to the disciples now could not keep up at all with them going back to the tomb. By the time she arrives at the sepulcher Peter and John has already left. Mary is there by herself and remember that she has not by told by the angel that Jesus has been resurrected. She is distraught and starts sobbing. Looking into the tomb she then sees the two angels and ask her why is she crying? Mary replies, but does not wait for an answer, she just turns and leaves. I think this is when Jesus takes compassion and reveals Himself first to Mary, John 20:11-18. She then returns to the disciples to tell of the appearance.

Now the second appearance to all the other women that were carrying the spices back to tell then disciples, Jesus now appears to them, Matt. 28:8-10.

The first disciple Jesus appeared to was Peter. Luke 24:34, 1 Cor. 15:5. This would be the third appearance.

The fourth time would be on the road to Emmaus. Jesus appeared to a couple of His followers in that evening. Mk. 16:12, Lk. 24:13-32.

The fifth time would be to the disciples when Thomas was not present. Mk. 16:14, Lk. 24:36-43, Jn. 20:19-25.

This five appearances of our Savior occurred on the first day. Between His first and second Jesus had to apply His blood at the Mercy Seat of the atonement of sin. This would begin His high priestly duty for the day of atonement. Remember that Christ is no longer restricted by the earthly laws. He is now in His glorified body, the resurrected body. Christ is no longer restricted by time, matter, gravity or any other physical laws. He now has put on the incorruptible and has been changed just Christians will in 1 Cor. 15:52. The only thing here is that when we do this it will be our first time. Remember that Christ was immortal before the first advent and now after His resurrection He will be again forevermore.

Just as the Bible prophesied that Jesus would be resurrected and it was so fulfilled. The same will be with Christians as stated in 1 Cor. 15:51-53, 1 Thess. 4:14-17.

 

Ps. 16: 10 Triumph over death. Was not corrupted

Ps. 22: 1 “My God, my God, why has thou forsaken me;. . .”

2 “O my God I cry in the daytime, but thou hearest me not, and in the night season, and am not silent.”

7- 8 “All who see me laugh me to scorn; they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying, He trusted on the Lord that He would deliver him; let Him deliver Him; . . .”

 

13 “They gaped upon me with their mouths, like a ravening and roaring lion.”

14 “I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels.”

15 “. . . my tongue cleaveth. . .”

16 “. . .they pierced my hands and feet.”

17 “ I may tell all my bones; they look and stare upon me.”

18 “ They part my garments . . .cast lots upon my vesture.”

Ps. 34: 20 “He keepth all his bones; not one of them is broken.” Compare John 19″ 30-36

Ps. 35: 10 Accuses by false witnesses. (?)

:19 “who hated me without cause.” Compare John 16:25.

Ps 41: 9 “Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.” Compare John 13: 18-30

Ps. 69:19, 21 gall to drink; “In my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.” John 19: 28, 29

Isa. 50: 5-6 “The Lord God hath opened mine ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned backward. I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair; I hid no my face from shame and spitting.”

52: 14 “As many were astounded at thee–his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men.”

53: 3 “He is despised and rejected of men. . .”

: 4 “He was numbered with the transgressors.” Mark 15: 27, 28

53: 5 “. . .with His stripes we are healed.”

53: 6 “. . .and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.”

53: 7 “He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth; He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not His mouth.”

53: 8 “He was taken from prison and judgment; and who shall declare His generation? . . .for the transgression of my people was He stricken.”

53: 9 “Made His grave with the wicked,. . .because He had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.”

53: 10 “Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him;. . .”

53: 11 “He shall see the travail of His soul, and shall be satisfied; by His knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for He shall bear their iniquities.”

53: 12 “. . . He hath poured out His soul unto death; and He was numbered with the transgressors; and He bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.”

Zech. 11: 12, 13 “So they weighted from my price thirty pieces of silver. And the lord said unto me, cast it unto the potter; a goodly price that I was priced at of them.” Matt. 27: 3-10

Zech. 12: 10 “They shall look upon me whom they have pierced.” John 19: 34, 37

Zech. 13: 7 Forsaken by His disciples.

(Perhaps Job chapter 16)

These prophesies were made by different prophets over a 600 year span and half of these were made 1000 years before Christ was born.  There are over 30 prophecies about the crucifixion of Christ. 

Prophecy–history written in advance

twofold descriptive and predictive. Prophets were “forth-tellers” and “for-tellers” for they had insight and foresight imparted to them by the Holy Spirit.

2/3 of the Scriptures are prophetic either in type, symbol, or direct statement.

½ of them remain to be fulfilled

The ½ that has been fulfilled has been “literally” fulfilled

No prophecy is to be interpreted by itself, but in harmony with the whole body of prediction on any given subject.

The requirements of a genuine prediction

–must have been made known PRIOR to its fulfillment

–must be beyond all human foresight

–must give details

–sufficient time must elapse between publication and fulfillment. The will exclude the prophet himself fulfilling it

–clear and detailed information about the fulfillment

 

The second resurrection includes the resurrection of damnation, the Great White Throne Judgment and the second death. There are several events to the first resurrection, but only one event for the second. As always the truth about these resurrection lies in the study of the Scripture. Not all questions are answered, but some answers are overlooked by many. Through the utilization of the Holy Spirit, prayer and diligent focus can many Scriptures be opened to the true seeker.

The Bible usually speaks of the two resurrections in the same text using opposite terms. Just and unjust, life and damnation, good and evil, etc. John 5: 28 says “all” will be resurrected. And in verse 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.”

In 1 Cor. Chapter 15, Paul answers questions to the church at Corinth about the resurrections. He re-assured them of many resurrections to come. The question Paul answered here was if the resurrection had already happened or was going to be a future event. The one question not answered here is when. But Paul did enlightened us as to the order of the resurrections.

Both Paul and Peter tell us that the saved will be resurrected first and the unsaved last. 2 Peter 2:9, “The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished.” We can deduct from this that the resurrections will occur at different times. Also that the “godly” will be first and before the temptation. The Bible says that all will be resurrected and that all will be judged. And I believe that the judgment begins immediately after resurrection.

The Resurrection of the Damnation, unjust or wicked is found in Dan. 12:2; John 5:28; 2 Peter 2:9; Rev. 20:5-15. It is the last of the resurrections and commonly known as the second resurrection. It’s for all who have not been previously resurrected and judged, now it’s their turn. Remember that God gave all judgment to the Son. John 5:22. And Christ will judge these unsaved on the basis of their works at the last judgment which is called Great White Throne Judgment. Works consist of deeds, words, and thoughts. Notice that you are not judged for sin. That debt has already been paid.

The Great White Throne Judgment (Rev. 20: 11-15). This topic is fairly large and cannot be fully covered here. I will deal with this subject individually at another time, but for now I want to just emphasize some main points.

1. This is the last resurrection event, the Great White Throne Judgment will be for all that have not previously been resurrected and judged. (John 5:28-29)

2. This will take place after the Millennium Age. (Rev. 20:7)

3. This Great White Throne Judgment will be for the unsaved. Remember salvation is by grace not works. But judgment will be based on works. (Rev. 20:12)

4. It will not take place on earth nor in heaven. (Rev. 20:11)

5. Anyone ever born will be here. (1 Thess. 4:17)

6. Christ will be the Judge. (John 5:22)

7. There is a set of books for judgment

8. All who are not found in the “Book of Life” will be cast into the “Lake of Fire” (Rev 20:15).

The Great White Throne is the last judgment which means that the last resurrection has just occurred. We are told by many that the only ones appearing at the Great White Throne will be the sinner. According to the Bible that is not true. Everyone that has ever been born will be there. Of course, the unsaved will be there as they have not been judged yet. Christ will be there since He is the judge, and He was also born. All Saints were born and they will be there, for we are to be ever with the LORD.

But I believe that there will be others at the Great White Throne Judgment that have lived during the Millennium. During those 1000 years many were born and some died. It does not make any sense to me that out of the billions of people that will be present at one time or another during the Millennium that every single one of them will be unsaved.

Lets consider a few things that happened during that 1000 years up to the Great White Throne. First, Who comes into the Millennium? Only the Saints? No! There are going to be many who has survived the Great Tribulation and they will go into the Millennium. Many babies are going to be born, and since Saints cannot be the parents, then there has to be unsaved present. A baby has to be born before he can die at the age of 100 years (Isa. 65:20). These ones born in the Millennium Age still have the first Adam nature as well, the sinful nature and will require salvation. This Millennium is God’s last chance for man to repent and come to Jesus as their Savior.

Second, how many people will be there? Rev. 20:8 tells us that “the number is as the sand of the sea”. Each of the unsaved here is a candidate for salvation.

(1.) With the innumerable amount of Saints there preaching, judging nations even judging angels. Having a glorified body must very impressive to someone who just has a physical body. Surely with all these things going for us, that at least one of the Saints will be able to lead at least one sinner to Christ in 1000 years. And remember that Christ, our Savior is right there ruling the entire world. Think of the multitude of evangelists there trying to win souls, Billy Graham, Billy Sunday, Peter, Paul and millions of other Saints. I will be extremely difficult to convince that not one will be saved.

(2.) Or if perhaps during the entire 1000 years one child may die before they reach the age of accountability? Neither does it make any sense that not any children will be born at the end of the age and still be under the age of accountability at the time Gog and MaGog II.

(3.) what about all the people coming to seek Christ’s paths and ways in Isa. 2:3. “And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths; for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.”

It will only take just one person to turning to Christ in any of these three scenarios. Just one, out of all the billions of people there to make sense for the “Book of Life” to be present in Rev. 20:12.

in addition to address another misconception about the Millennium Age. If you think that we are just going to be lying around eating grapes at feasts and parties during the Millennium, then you are getting your information from the wrong book. The great Commission does not end with the great tribulation. Re-read Mt. 28:19-20 and pay particular attention to the very last phrase, “even unto the end of the world.” This means the Great White Throne, for this is where man no longer has any control. Christ will ultimately take over completely. Up until this time Christ has been open to man’s talk and questioning, even during the Millennium, Mt. 7:21-23. Christ is no longer acting as a man, mediator or high priest, or king keeping the peace. Christ is now the ultimate judge, this the finish line for sin. Christ will completely and forever separate good from evil. Amen

Sidebar: I am reasonably sure that there will be a lot of lawyers there at the Great White Throne Judgment. But I do not believe Christ is going to let them yell “Objection, Christ your Honor”. And the lawyer require Christ to prove that He is telling the truth. Showing the Book of Life, and saying, “now you look through all the billions of names and you will see that your name is not there”. And if that didn’t work then they might try filibustering or perhaps question His right to judge, or even to question His authority. And that is definitely not going to happen. Any questioning of God has stopped. Even in Job’s elevated state with God, he was not allow to question God’s judgment. People are not going to be questioning Christ, they are just going to be listening and be on bended knees.

There have been thousands of years that questioning could have and did occur, but here at the Great White Throne man has already expended his last time out it is as if he has died again and can no longer change his mind to be saved or not.

The second death. The eternal state of the wicked. First of all lets discuss what eternal means. What does eternal mean for the Christian? Some words used to describe it is forever, everlasting, without end, etc. Why would eternal mean one thing for a Christian and another for unsaved? So when the Bible tells of those being put into the Lake of Fire “shall be tormented day and night forever and ever.”, why should we think in terms other than eternal.

We have a first death which is the physical death of the physical body because of Adam’s sin. “For as in Adam all die,” 1 Cor. 15:22. And in Rom. 5:12 “and so death passed upon all men, for all have sinned.”

After death the next thing that happens to the physical body is its resurrection. For the Saved Christ said, once resurrected “neither can they die any more;” Luke 20: 35-36. But for the unsaved, just the opposite, they have a second death. The resurrected body of the unsaved, that which they have while they are going through the judgment will be stripped away and they will be returned to the state of the rich man in Luke 16. All death, hades, and unsaved will be emptied into the lake of fire. Rev. 20: 14-15. The process of taking away the resurrected body, emptying into the lake of fire, and being forever banished from God is known as the second death. The everlasting torment and gnashing of teeth is what we now refer to as hell. It would be like being cast into and confined on the interior of the Sun, the body would burn away quickly, but with no escape the eternal “soulish” body like the rich man had would forever feel the heat.

All will be resurrected, some to life and some to the second death, and all will be judged by Christ as to their works here on earth. It’s your choice where you prefer to spend eternity. But rest assured that it WILL be in heaven or the lake of fire. The Bible tells us that “now is the day of salvation” 2 Cor. 6:2 because now is all you have. The past is gone and the future may not come for you. Repent of your sins, and ask Christ to come into your heart and be your Savior and Lord. Then let someone know about your decision to follow Christ.

Resurrection of Israel

The resurrection of Israel, being brought back from the dead or a non-functioning nation to a viable one. This has now happened twice. This time Israel has become a nation that all other nations will have to contend with either for or against. This is fulfilling Bible prophecy once again.

There are many Scriptures telling about the restoration of Israel to their own land. There have been three times that Israel has been a viable (self-sustaining) nation.  The first time when Joshua led the children into the promised land, secondly after the return from the Babylonian captivity, and thirdly when the Jews  became a nation in 1948.

The first restoration was when Israel returned from the Babylonian captivity. (When Joshua led the people into the promised land was the original inhabitation of the land as a nation and not a restoration.) The first restoration account can be read in Nehemiah and in Ezra. When Artaxerxes gave Nehemiah permission and means to rebuild the city Jerusalem, in 445 B.C. Over a period of several years they rebuilt the temple, found in Ezra. The rebuilding of their homes and the walls of the city is found in Nehemiah. Most of these had been demolished during the Babylonian siege and while they were in captivity.

Israel was brought home a second time to rebuild their homeland and nation in 1948. Scripture tells us about this time when God restored His people in Isa. 11:11-12. “And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people, who shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea. And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.” Which roughly covered a radius of 1800 to 2000 miles. S to Somalia, E to Iran, W  for the Islands of the Mediterranean Sea and N toward the Black Sea. This was the geographic region then.   Today some Jews have migrated back from Russia, Africa, United States and all these regions will  encompss the “four corners of the earth”.

Notice that this is the second time for the restoration or resurrection of Israel. This is from all points of the compass, not like the return from Babylon which was just from the East. This second resurrection started in 1948 and will continue through the Millennial Kingdom and beyond. Now, for the second time Israel is brought back to life through a remnant of the Jews that have not forgotten God. Israel a country that was dead to the world for around 1900 years has once again emerged as a viable nation. Not only emerged as a viable this time, but as a “thorn” (burdensome stone, Zech. 12:2-3) in the sides of the other nations of the world.

God is setting up an “ensign”, which is a flag or a symbol for all other nations to see. When you consider the rank of Israel in size with its 8,000 square miles with the surrounding 22 Arab countries which is about 6 million square miles. The Arab countries are about 750 times larger. Then consider the rank in military might which is estimated by Global Fire Power, Israel is ranked 26^th and Iran 16^th, Egypt next, Saudi Arabia 22^nd and Iraq 34^th, and that still leaves 18 more. Now think about this question. Why if these 22 Arab countries have all this land mass and military might do they not squash Israel like a size twelve stomps a tiny insect? I will give you a few seconds to ponder this, and by now it should become very evident that this tiny country has something that others do not.

What does Israel have that the Arab countries do not. The covenant that God made with Abraham. It was and is everlasting. Gen 12:1-2. “And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing. And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee; and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.” This is a covenant that has never been and never will be withdrawn, altered or changed. Not only did God make this covenant with Abram, but it is repeated after God changes Abram’s name to Abraham in Gen. 17: 7-8.

And the covenant is repeated to Isaac in Gen 26:3. “Sojourn in this land, and I will be with thee, and will bless thee; for unto thee, and unto thy seed, I will give all these countries, and I will perform the oath which I swore unto Abraham thy father.” 

Also in Jacob’s vision in Gen. 28:10-14. “And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.”Another covenant is made with David. Called the Davidic Covenant and is found in 2 Sam. 6: 7-16, but the last verse here is very important. This verse tells us that Israel will last forever. In Ezek. 16:60-63 God says He will fulfill His covenants. God said that He would remain faithful to Israel even if they were unfaithful.

The Jews did not remain in God’s favor at all times. It is true that Israel has been chastised by God several times. She has been liked to the “harlot” wife of Hosea. The Jews have been in some sort of bondage many times. Many have been slaughtered. But when things got really bad they cried out to God, He brought them once again to freedom. Out of Egypt and into the land God promised Abraham. Then again from out of Babylonian captivity they traveled east back to Jerusalem. Finally out of the Nazi massacres to reunite and start Israel again.

Now that the Jews have been restored to a nation the second time, another prophecy about the Jews is surfacing. The prophecy about the Jews to be a problem for all the world.

Zech. 12:2-3. “Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the peoples round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem. And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all peoples; all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, and through all the people of the earth be gathered together against it.”Earlier I mentioned about Israel having many troubles. Many times Jews had their population dwindled to just a few. Many, many years ago God’s people were dwindled to eight, Noah and his family. Elijah tells about a time of only 7,000 left (1 Kings 19:18). The Bible calls this small number, “the remnant”. Isa. 1:9; Rom. 11:4-5 and in Ezek. 6:8 we read. “Yet will I leave a remnant, that ye may have some that shall escape the sword among the nations, when ye shall be scattered through the countries.” There is no question whether Israel will last forever, God said so. He has always maintained a remnant who remembers His name. A remnant will remain through the Great Tribulation and into the new world.

Scriptures prove that the remnant will continue. Read in Isa. 10:20-23. “And it shall come to pass in that day, that the remnant of Israel, and such as have escaped of the house of Jacob shall no more again stay upon him who smote them, but shall stay upon the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, in truth.”Isa. 66:22. “For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the LORD, so shall your seed and your name remain.” More Scriptures in Isa. 43: 5-7; Ezek. 20: 34-38, chapter 36 :14 to the end of chapter 37; Jer. 16: 14-15, 24: 6, 30:10-11; Amos 9: 14-15.

Even though they will have a remnant forever, there will be many troubles. There was trouble between the Jews and Arabs before either was born. In Gen. 16:4-6 when Haggar was pregnant with Ishmael, she started fussing with Sari. These two women had major trouble years before Isaac was ever conceived. Remember that out of Ishmael came a great nation (the Arabic nations). And out of Isaac came the Jews. God chose Isaac not Ishmael Gen. 17:19. The trouble has continued ever since. But here is a warning for any nation that has trouble with the Jews, beware God has foretold their fortune in Zech. 14:12 “And this shall be the plague which the LORD will smite all the peoples that have fought against Jerusalem: their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall consume away in their holes, and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth.” Perhaps nuclear?? Discuss this at another time.

The Jews have returned home. They will never be totally put out of their country again. Israel will have many more trials and even a “great tribulation” and will even be partially run out of some territory in the future, but the remnant will survive forever, and that remnant will have a ruler called the “KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS”.

Many of the subjects presented in this article will be covered more in more detail in later writings. Check in later, but until then have a great day and remember that we are not “Children of darkness” we are “Children of the light”. Watch and you will see prophecy being fulfilled at an ever increasing rate.