Mailbag

The Second Resurrection

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pjhmail

Pastor John,

I have some questions about the second resurrection.

(1) Does the second resurrection occur at the same time as judgment day?

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Yes.  Both take place at the end of the Millennial Reign.  In Revelation 21:7a, John wrote, “And when the thousand years come to an end….”  Then he describes the final battle, which immediately takes place; then,

  1. I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face earth and heaven fled, and no place was found for them. 
  2. And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne.  And books were opened, and another book was opened (which is the Book of Life), and the dead were judged by the things written in the books, according to their deeds.
  3. And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one, according to their deeds.
  4. And Death and Hades were cast into the Lake of Fire.  This is the Second Death, the Lake of Fire.
  5. And if anyone was not found written in the Book of Life, he was cast into the Lake of Fire.

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(2) I don’t think I understand who is included in this resurrection.  I saw it was the resurrection of the damned.  So, people who are in hell, sinners on earth, and God’s children who took the mark of the beast will be resurrected here to be judged?  Then, basically, this entire group will be judged and go to the lake of fire.

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Yes.

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(3) If one doesn’t go during the first resurrection, they will suffer the plagues and definitely go to the lake of fire?  It seems after Jesus comes, there is no hope for anyone left on/in earth/hell.  Is that accurate? 

Thanks,

Wendy 

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During the Millennial Reign, it appears that people around the world can be forgiven and converted if they (1) believe in Jesus and (2) join the Jewish nation, for “the time of the Gentiles” ended before the Millennial Reign began.  If you will read the later sections (chapters 19–21) of my book on Revelation at https://goingtojesus.com/gtj_books.html?tname=revelation, some detail is given on this point.  It is a fascinating study, for as you mentioned, the Bible says only that those who are in the first resurrection are blessed (Rev. 20:4–6), which leaves the impression that they are the only ones who will be blessed.  However, there are a lot of verses in the prophets which strongly suggest that forgiveness of sin is possible during the Millennial Reign under the two conditions I just listed.

Thanks for the questions.

Pastor John

Comments welcome:

https://x.com/WitnessofSpirit/status/1921593031548891147

 

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