New theories are circulating about the course of the resurrection of humanity at Jesus’ return. A modified version of the pre-rapture thesis, with a separate resurrection of privileged individuals for the government on Earth.
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Two new theses on the way
The rumors circulating about the course of Jesus Christ’s return and what exactly will happen to the redeemed and lost people are varied.
Thesis 1: Everyone will rise at the same time
One of these rumors is that at Jesus’ return, all people will rise from their graves. This is based on a statement in John 5:25:
“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 that hear shall live.“
The “one hour” is the time when Jesus Christ is said to have said that all the dead would rise at the same hour. At this point, however, it would be interesting to know what would actually happen afterward, if the redeemed and the condemned were to rise simultaneously. Who would be where and why?
Thesis 2: First the privileged
Another popular view is that there is a separate resurrection for redeemed people and later for the condemned, but that the first resurrection is reserved only for a limited number of chosen ones. These include kings and priests who will rule the earth. Then comes a second resurrection for the righteous, including Moses, David, and Abraham, and at the same time, the resurrection for the wicked. They must therefore choose and prove their loyalty, just like the righteous, or their resurrection will be one of judgment rather than life.
Verses picked out like raisins
Indeed, it’s a mystery how one can come up with such visions of the resurrection sequence. It seems as if, here too, the selective cherry-picking of individual verses is being used to confirm what has been heard and read, without considering the context, let alone further biblical evidence.
With a corresponding interpretation, Daniel 12:2 would also provide a “confirmation” for thesis 1 that all people, both righteous and wicked, could wake up at the same time:
“And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.“
However, this verse could, if one were so inclined, also contain a temporal difference, because the statement as to whether the events occurred simultaneously or at a different time is not even included. Unfortunately, many are all too easily satisfied when a verse is able to support their own interpretation, even though this “correct” statement is not actually contained.
John viewed 5 times “neutrally”
Freedom of interpretation that cannot really be justified also applies to the statement in John 5:28-29:
“Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, 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.“
“Ha! All who are in the graves will hear his voice!” Again (supposed) proof that all people will rise. However, it should actually ring a bell when considering the last part of verse 25, which states: “…where the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live.”
A sentence that contains the assertion that obviously not all those lying in their graves will hear the voice. But those who hear the voice of Jesus will live. Therefore, there are also dead people who do not hear the voice and therefore will not rise from their graves.
Close to Dispensationalism – Second Chance
Thesis 2 is very closely related to another, very widespread false doctrine that the Christian community will be raptured from the earth, i.e., brought to safety, before the arrival of a “seven-year tribulation period.” After the first-coming Antichrist appears and is ultimately dismissed, a 1,000-year kingdom of peace will come into effect on earth. This, however, implies a second chance for all—both those still living and those who have not yet professed the true faith.
But there is no such second chance. Moreover, the pre-rapture theory is an idea originating from the Jesuits (Info).
The statement in Hebrews 9:27 already clearly limits the scope:
“And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:“
Complete description in Revelation 20
In the book of Revelation, chapter 20, there is a description of the different treatment between the righteous and the wicked. It’s a truly detailed depiction of the sequence. Verses 1 through 3 clarify that the great adversary (and his demons) will be incapacitated for 1,000 years. With the first resurrection of the righteous, the great judgment of the wicked will also be established. The resurrected can witness God’s judgment for themselves. Revelation 20:4:
“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.“
The unrighteous will not be raised at the first resurrection
Verses 5 and 6 describe in plain language:
“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.“
“The rest of the dead” did not come to life. Therefore, definitely not all people were resurrected, but only the followers of Jesus Christ who were declared righteous. Where there is a “first resurrection,” there will also be a “second resurrection” “at some point.”
The second resurrection after 1000 years
With verses 7 to 10, the 1,000 years have expired. Satan and his demons are released again to deceive the Gentiles. Until then, the righteous had already reigned together with Jesus Christ for 1,000 years, but the “remnant” was still in their graves. Thus, the second resurrection had already taken place, namely that of the condemned. These now constitute the Gentiles, who, finally deceived by Satan, are led to attack the city of Jerusalem.
The condemned have received their judgment and understood the reasoning. What follows is final destruction by fire descending from heaven. The “second death.” Revelation 20:11-15 describes in more detail how the judgment of the condemned will proceed. Books in which people’s deeds are recorded will be opened. Another book will be opened, the Book of Life. If someone’s name is not in the Book of Life, they are lost.
The “second death” is the final, irrevocable extinction of existence. The theory of an “eternal burning hell” is, incidentally, also one of these busy fantasy stories (Info).
Summary:
When Jesus Christ returns, all judgments will have already been made about every single person, dead or still living. How else could it be decided who will rise at Jesus’ return and who will remain in the grave? After all, it will already be decided at Jesus’ return. Revelation 22:12:
“And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.“
- Jesus is coming again
- Righteous people who have already died will awaken and approach Jesus
- Righteous people who are still alive will be transformed and approach Jesus
- Lawless people who have already died will remain in the graves
- Lawless people who are still alive will be killed by the 7th plague at the latest
- Satan and demons will be bound for 1000 years
- The 1000 years (Millennium) will begin, and the saved will confirm God’s judgments
- After 1000 years, Satan will be released again. Second resurrection, that of the lawless
- Attack on the city of Jerusalem, where the righteous are now again found
- Fire falls from heaven and consumes Satan and condemned people
- New heaven and new earth are created
- Eternity begins
And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
Revelation 22:17
Bible verses from King James Version (1611)
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