Page 25 - Prophetic Word Newsletter Archive 2010

…IT IS APPOINTED FOR MEN TO DIE ONCE, BUT AFTER THIS (COMES) THE JUDGMENT” Heb. 9:27 25

As a pastor I have attended and officiated at many funerals. Scenes like
this look so final. Indeed it is the end of physical life on earth for the
deceased. However, it is not the end of life, but merely the beginning.
As stated in our last newsletter, it is only the physical body that dies.
Whether believer or unbeliever, the soul and the spirit are eternal
creations that can never be eradicated. I have known personally a few
people who have committed suicide with the intent of ending their
misery. However, dying in the state of an unbeliever is but the beginning
of the state of a far worse eternal misery. They have only killed their
physical body. Their soul and spirit continue on at the moment of
physical death.

The real “bereaved” are not those left behind! When the unbeliever dies physically his spirit and soul
are immediately confined in Hades (Hell). This place called Hell (Hades) is like going to jail and
awaiting sentencing. It is a place of temporary confinement until the Great White Throne Judgment for
unbelievers. Sentencing (degree of punishment) will take place at this judgment and will be “according
to their works” (Rev. 20:12-13). Every person who has ever lived on earth faces the resurrection of their
body in order to face the eternal judgment to come.

““……MMAANNYY OOFF TTHHOOSSEE WWHHOO SSLLEEEEPP IINN TTHHEE DDUUSSTT OOFF TTHHEE EEAARRTTHH SSHHAALLLL AAWWAAKKEE,,
SSOOMMEE TTOO EEVVEERRLLAASSTTIINNGG LLIIFFEE,, SSOOMMEE TTOO SSHHAAMMEE AANNDD EEVVEERRLLAASSTTIINNGG AABBHHOORRRREENNCCEE……””

DDaann.. 1122::22

Jesus also speaks of these two distinct resurrections:

“MOST ASSUREDLY I SAY UNTO YOU, THE HOUR IS COMING, AND NOW IS,
WHEN THE DEAD WILL HEAR THE VOICE OF THE SON OF GOD…

DO NOT MARVEL AT THIS;
FOR THE HOUR IS COMING
WHEN ALL WHO ARE IN THE
GRAVES WILL HEAR HIS
VOICE AND COME FORTH-
THOSE WHO HAVE DONE
GOOD,
TO THE RESURRECTION OF THE THE
LIFE, RESURRECTION RESURRECTION OF
AND THOSE WHO HAVE CONDEMNATION
DONE EVIL, OF LIFE
TO THE RESURRECTION OF
(BELIEVERS) (UNBELIEVERS)

CONDEMNATION.”
John 5:25-29

The Book of Revelation also mentions THE TWO RESURRECTIONS in more detail. The first
resurrection finds its final fulfillment with the resurrection of martyred believers in the tribulation. Again,
without getting lost in the detail of it, the first resurrection follows the threefold harvest principle of Lev.
23 (“firstfruits, main harvest, and gleanings”). Jesus was the firstfruits from the dead (1 Cor. 15:20). The
rapture is the main harvest of believers (1 Thess. 4:13-17). The martyred tribulation saints are the
gleanings. These three events together complete the first resurrection (Rev. 20:5).

“AND I SAW THRONES, AND THEY SAT ON THEM, AND JUDGMENT WAS COMMITTED TO THEM.
AND I SAW THE SOULS OF THOSE WHO HAD BEEN BEHEADED FOR THEIR WITNESS TO JESUS AND

FOR THE WORD OF GOD…AND THEY LIVED AND REIGNED WITH CHRIST FOR A THOUSAND
YEARS. BUT THE REST OF THE DEAD DID NOT LIVE AGAIN UNTIL THE THOUSAND YEARS WERE

FINISHED. THIS IS THE FIRST RESURRECTION.
BLESSED AND HOLY IS HE WHO HAS PART
IN THE FIRST RESURRECTION.

OVER SUCH THE SECOND DEATH HAS NO POWER…”
Rev. 20:11-15 & Rev. 21:8

Note “the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished.” This will lead to
the remaining second resurrection of all unbelievers, THE RESURRECTION OF CONDEMNATION.