Risen from the Dust
The Second Resurrection
- The second resurrection (or resurrection of judgment) is part of Judgment Day.
- All nonbelievers will be raised up out of hell at the second resurrection.
- Similar to the first resurrection, the second resurrection will be spiritual in nature.
- At the second resurrection, people will be raised up and judged according to their deeds.
For the great multitudes of humanity, the second resurrection will be a dividing line between eternal life and eternal damnation.
The second resurrection, or resurrection of judgment, occurs after the resurrection of the righteous, and is the greater of the two in terms of the numbers of people involved. It will include not the redeemed ones, but the unjust ones that Paul speaks of when he says, “And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust” (Acts 24.15 KJV bible). Thus, the great masses of individuals who are not sanctified to partake in the first, will be raised in the second resurrection.
Jesus would say regarding the second resurrection, “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” (John 5.28-29 KJV bible). Here Jesus is not referring to any of the redeemed ones, but to the ones who dwell spiritually in the graves. At the second resurrection, all of the nonbelievers will be raised up from the graves, or dust of the earth (see ch.8 Gateways to Heaven and Hell). For the ones who make it into eternity, it will be a resurrection of life, but for the ones who are cast into Gehenna, it will be a resurrection of damnation.
The nature of the second resurrection is brought forth in Revelation, which depicts the dead being released from the power of death for the purpose of a final judgment, “And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell [Hades] delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works…And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20.13,15 KJV bible). So the second resurrection is a day of judgment for the unsanctified multitudes, when the wicked are weeded out from among the righteous, and cast into eternal damnation (see ch.30 Eternal Torment).
In speaking of the second resurrection, Jesus warns of the condemnation to come, “The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation, and condemn them: for she came from the utmost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here” (Luke 11.31 KJV bible). At this final hour of judgment, the more righteous among the nonbelievers will also rebuke the wicked, because there is nothing that is hidden that will not be revealed.
We can further understand this decisive event with the gospel of Matthew. Here Jesus portrays the second resurrection as a gathering together of the nations, “And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world…Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matthew 25.32-34,41 KJV bible). Thus, the second resurrection will be a time of judgment and reckoning, when the dead are raised up from Hades, some to receive eternal life, but others eternal condemnation in Gehenna.
The Old Testament gives us a more symbolic depiction of the second resurrection.
In the Old Testament, we are given several veiled and fleeting glimpses of the second resurrection. They all describe a literal flesh and blood scenario, where people are raised out of their graves for a final judgment.
The book of Daniel makes clear reference to the second resurrection. It says that the deceased will awaken from the dust of the earth, some to life, and others to condemnation, “And many [or the multitude] of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt” (Daniel 12.2 KJV bible). Similarly, Job makes allusion to the dead awakening from sleep at the time of the end, “So man lieth down, and riseth not: till the heavens be no more, they shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep” (Job 14.12 KJV bible). Another reference is in the book of Isaiah, where the second resurrection is described as a resuscitation of people’s corpses, “Your dead will live; Their corpses will rise. You who lie in the dust, awake and shout for joy, For your dew is as the dew of the dawn, And the earth will give birth to the departed spirits” (Isaiah 26.19 NASB bible). This more literal flesh and blood scenario is even echoed in the New Testament, “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” (John 5.28-29 KJV bible). So the question becomes how literally or symbolically should we interpret these passages about the second resurrection?
If we take these passages literally, particularly Isaiah, then we would have to conclude that the second resurrection will be a revitalization of people’s flesh bodies. However, this conclusion would seem to contradict other scriptures which tell us that ultimately spiritual things will replace physical things, “While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal” (1st Corinthians 4.18 KJV bible). This includes the abolition of flesh bodies, and the foods that they require, “Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them” (1st Corinthians 6.13 KJV bible). Further, we know that under normal conditions a human corpse, including the skeleton, completely decays and dissolves away, “Then (in death) shall the dust return to the earth as it was...” (Ecclesiastes 12.7 KJV bible). How could a corpse be raised up if there’s nothing left of it?
To better understand the nature of the second resurrection, recall what Paul says in 1st Corinthians, “flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption” (1st Corinthians 15.50 KJV bible). In light of Paul's statement that "corruption cannot inherit incorruption", consider what Jesus says to the sheep on his right hand, “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world” (Matthew 25.34 KJV bible). Now we can conclude from Paul’s statement about corruption not inheriting incorruption, that if the masses are resurrected into flesh bodies in the second resurrection, then none could have an inheritance in the Kingdom of God. However, Jesus tells us plainly in Matthew 25 that some of them will receive an inheritance. Thus, we know that for the second resurrection to be for some a resurrection unto life, it must also be a spiritual resurrection. So then why does the bible sometimes describe corpses rising from the ground, or people coming forth from their graves? Perhaps we need to discern the deeper meaning of these passages.
Recall that there is a well-established three-way connection in scripture between the dust of the earth, the underworld, and spiritual death, “My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death” (Psalm 22.15 KJV bible). Dwelling or sleeping in the dust, is another way of saying that the soul has not been redeemed, but abides in Hades, which is associated with spiritual corruption. Therefore, the dead in the second resurrection are described as corpses dwelling in graves or the dust, because their disembodied souls dwell in a spiritual state of death resulting from their sins. This is why Revelation says, “And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell [Hades] delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works” (Revelation 20.13 KJV bible). In the resurrection, the dead will be spiritually, not physically, released from the dust of the earth or Hades, and thereby freed from the hold of spiritual death which reigns over them, “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive” (1st Corinthians 15.22 KJV bible). They will all be freed from death and quickened in a spiritual sense. Then after judgment, some will go on to greater death, and others eternal life.
Thus, we can think of the second resurrection as a spiritual, and not literal, raising up of the dead. The prisoners are released from Hades and death for the purpose of standing trial, after which the sheep will enter into the eternity, but the goats will be cast into Gehenna. Similar to the first resurrection, it will be a germination of souls wherein they receive spiritual bodies (see ch.15 Resurrection of the Body). After they all receive spiritual bodies, some of them will be given a measure of inheritance in the eternal Kingdom, to be with those from the first resurrection.
However, while the second resurrection is similar in nature to the first, the masses will not be raised with the glory of the saints. This is why Daniel 12.3 says, “And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever” (Daniel 12.3 KJV bible). The wise ones from the first resurrection will shine brighter than the others, because of what they have accomplished in turning many to righteousness. Their authority and inheritance in the Lord’s Kingdom will be greater than the rest, because in proving themselves faithful over a few things, they will be put in charge of many things (Matthew 25.14-30). Also in the resurrection, people's spiritual bodies will probably be reflections of the type of seed from which they are brought forth, “God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body” (1st Corinthians 15.38 KJV bible). So the ones who have endured in Christ will be resurrected into greater power and glory than the rest.
Comments
Dewayne Short 31 Aug 2009, 00:27
Hi Doug,I enjoyed this reading thank you!
Have a good one!!!
Dewayne
Doug Buckley 31 Aug 2009, 20:40
Thanks Dewayne,The second resurrection, or resurrection of judgment, is a really important subject in the bible.
- God bless
alfredo 26 May 2011, 15:40
Hi Doug,what happens to those who never here of Jesus, i.e. a recently discovered Amazon tribe or something, if some have recently been discovered, i think its safe to say that many have died without hearing the gospel. Will there be some type of chance for them after physical death.Does Romans 2v12 give us any insight on this? Thanks
Terri D. 26 May 2011, 18:43
Doug,Interesting stuff! I've read 18 chapters so far today. One thing that is confusing me a little is that I think your saying that some people will die and go to hell and then later have their works judged on Judgement Day and can go with the sheep and have eternal life. If this is the case, how come they went to hell in the first place?
Doug Buckley 28 May 2011, 00:43
Hi Alfredo, In order for someone to be saved they need to hear and understand the truth, which is the Word of God, "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10.17 KJV bible). Who hears and understands is not up to us, but God's prerogative, "No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him..." (John 6.44 KJV bible). See also Matthew 13.16.Alot of pastors and such don't like this and so invent things like a Christ moment where people who have never heard of Jesus can be saved. None of it is scriptural.
People who aren't saved will be raised up out of spiritual death in the second resurrection. They will face God and have judgment for their works. I suppose Christians who don't understand or believe in the second resurrection and judgment day would have quite a problem explaining what happens to people who never hear the gospel. Romans 2.1-16 relates to this period of judgment. God bless
Doug Buckley 28 May 2011, 01:00
Hi Terri D., good to hear from you. Yes in the second resurrection people will be raised up out of hell (Hades) and judged by their works.I don't know if its fair to say that God sends people to hades, but they send themselves there through their sins. None of us are fit for heaven except through Christ. However, going through tribulation and reaping the consequences of our misdeeds can have a positive effect on some of us. Also, the people in Hades will be taught in the millennium as well. So it is fortunate for many that the second resurrection is scheduled for the end.
Doug Buckley 27 Jul 2011, 02:42
moving some comments over hereKyle 27 Jul 2011, 02:44
Doug, Let me clarify what I mean. Once Adam died all of his progeny meaning the entire human race after that point were born spiritually dead. If the plain understanding of scripture is really true then unsaved mankind after that point in essence is more akin to animals in many ways but not entirely.Let me expound upon this.
Body: "And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground….”
This is your lifeless physical body.
Soul: “…. and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life and man became a living soul”
This is what gives your body it’s life.
Spirit: “ "Then God said "let us make man in our image, according to our likeness.... So God created man in His own image, in the image of God….”
God is spirit. For man to be created “In his likeness” means man had to created with a living spirit.
Now if we are truly spiritually dead (Unless your saved hence born again) based upon the clear reading of scripture how can physical man (unsaved) continue to live after physical death? What could live on? If the body is dead and the spirit is dead then where is life?
I believe that life ends for the nonbeliever upon physical death except for the final judgment when temporary reanimation is given so final judgment can be executed.
The unsaved will plead their case to no avail. Their works which are likened unto filthy rags will not save them. In essence they missed the point concerning salvation by grace.
All their “works” done in the “flesh” will be worthless. Salvation is spiritual. Heaven is spiritual. What else can be done with the unbeliever except for eternal physical and spiritual death.
The final judgment upon the wicked is not a last ditch opportunity for a pardon but rather for the judge (God) to execute his final judgment. This accomplishes a few things. First, Unsaved mankind will realize their error and will be exposed as the wicked sinners they are even when they try to tell God how “good“ they were (Mathew 7: 22,23). Second, God’s fairness will be applied in that ALL will stand before him and give an account (Even the elect but their‘s is based on rewards). Three EVERY knee will bow even for a brief moment.
At that point what can the unsaved do? Nothing! They have no claim to heaven because they were never born again/born above/spiritual. Their works in the flesh (physical) were as filthy rags and furthermore God never knew them (Mathew 7: 22,23) So what else but eternal death.
Kyle 27 Jul 2011, 02:45
As I see it the scriptures plainly teach that you must be “born again” or another translation “born above”. Both of these terms would clearly imply that prior to being born above/again you are merely born from below or better stated from this earthly plane.Upon falling in the garden mankind spiritually died hence the need to be “born again”. Why again you ask? Simple! Because mankind died spiritually and hence forth all of Adam’s progeny was spiritually dead.
In the old testament mankind looked forward to the coming messiah in hopes of a resurrection. I firmly believe that this is where many sects such as Jehovah Witnesses and seven day Adventists get it wrong. They assume that at present all people who die enter “soul sleep” until the resurrection. However MATTHEW 27:52-53 would suggest that the condition of soul sleep was an old testament condition until Christ ascended into Heaven at which time the saints past and all who died in Christ thereafter would go to be with the Lord.
"And the tombs were opened; and many bodies of the saints that had fallen asleep were raised; and coming forth out of the tombs after his resurrection they entered into the holy city, and appeared unto many."
However, those people who are not saved past or present will not be resurrected spiritually and will continue in their state of natural death and unconsciousness until the second death. At the end of the millennium those not in the book of life (the unsaved) will be resurrected “physically” but not spiritually because they were NEVER born again. Only believers are born again/above/spiritually.
“He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death." Revelation 2:11
"Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power." Revelation 20:6
At this point the multitude of unsaved spiritually dead people are judged and they partake in the second death. What else can God do? As the old earth passes away being consumed with fire what will happen to the unsaved but annihilation via the burning up of the old system.
In summary I believe this is what the Bible teaches.
#1. Mankind is created both physically and spiritually.
#2. Mankind dies immediately spiritually upon sinning yet maintains physical life until physical death.
#3. God provides another chance at eternal life by faith in God and the belief in the coming messiah unto resurrection
#4. All saints at this point die physically and enter soul sleep until the messiah sets them free. All reprobates remain dead until after the millennium.
#5 Christ is resurrected at which time all the old testament saints and all saints thereafter are spiritually raised from the dead. No soul sleep for any saints after this point (MATTHEW 27:52-53 )
#6. The Lord returns and at the end of this age and snatches up the remaining believers (post trib rapture)
#7. All saints past and present are with the Lord for the Millennium
#8. All others are destroyed at the battle of Armageddon and the earth is left void of life for the 1000 years. Satan is left powerless and chained.
#9. After the 1000 years God resurrects the reprobates in physical form and Satan is released.
#10. Final judgment is served upon the unbelieving spiritually dead and they are burned up along with the Old earth. Satan who is spiritual is burned up along with the old heavens.
#11. New Heavens and new earth and new creation with no sin ever again.
Doug Buckley 27 Jul 2011, 02:47
Hi Kyle, just some observations, Matthew 27:52-53 was just a miraculous event, and not the first resurrection of the dead. This is proved by 2nd Tim 2.17-18.The first resurrection of the dead will happen when Christ returns according to 1st Thess. 4.13-17 and 1st Corinthians 15.23,52. They are not judged with the nonbelievers.
Jesus describes the judgment of the nations, or nonbelievers, in Matthew 25.31-46. He separates the sheep from the goats, and sends the goats into eternal hell, but the sheep into eternal life. You'll notice that these same nations are mentioned in Revelation 21, and they are not the bride but the ones who came out of the White throne judgment.
This is also what Revelation 20.13-15 clearly says, "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 whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire."
It says they are judged by works not faith. And only the ones not found written in the book are cast into the Lake of Fire. Why not say none are found written in the book of life, if that's what is meant?
This is also supported by Daniel 12.2, "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". God can forgive sins is he chooses. Nonbelievers rise from the dust, which symbolizes Hades.
Also Revelation 20.13 excludes believers from this judgment so the ones described as having life in Daniel 12.2 and Matthew 25 have to be the redeemed nonbelievers.
Otherwise God would just be casting aborted babies and people who never heard the gospel into eternal damnation.
Kyle 27 Jul 2011, 12:51
Doug,Let me clarify some points. I too believe that God saves many non believers including those who were mentally incapable, the aborted, and those ignorant of the gospel.
However, I disagree on it being based upon works as such because all our works are as filthy rags. I rather take more of a monergist approach and believe it is purely grace that the 3 afore mentioned examples are saved. Same result as your premise but based strictly on grace and election.
I assume that we only disagree on the condition of the presently saved and departed in Christ?
Kyle
Doug Buckley 29 Jul 2011, 13:57
Hi Kyle, I'm sure there's things we agree on and disagree on. I know that in the second resurrection the bible says nonbelievers will be judged by works. The bible doesn't teach that righteous works are like filthy rags. However, I agree that it is by God's grace, not works, that some will be forgiven and others won't. In the second resurrection they don't earn their way out of death and Hades, but are resurrected.Also, if some of the dead will make it into eternal life when they are judged, then we know that in the second resurrection people must be raised into spiritual, and not flesh bodies, because there will be no flesh bodies in the eternity.
Tom Muckian 01 Sep 2011, 07:51
I think the thing that confuses people is the idea that the soul is immortal, and can think / move / feel, after the person dies. So the departure of the soul is what induces death of the body, and God has to put this soul someplace after death. (All these ideas were elaborated by Plato, hundreds of years before Christ). And if the soul goes to hell, isn't that a permanent condition? Can there be salvation from hell?The reality is that when people die they are unconscious. (William Tyndale, the first person to translate the Bible into English firmly avowed this truth. Great man! Google his name). Anyway, nobody has gone to heaven. At the second resurrection, people will come to life and be condemned, as we all are, because their works (and ours) are inadequate. But will the gospel then be preached to them? I believe yes. The saints are to be kings and priests, we are told. The kingdom of God will not be all chiefs and no Indians. These people will be our parishioners and subjects, so to speak. These are not new ideas, but i have to admit that the above is a mixture of scripture and speculation. But it fits with one very scriptural concept: God is love.
Doug Buckley 03 Sep 2011, 05:46
Hi Tom, I'm not going to list every verse that supports people having spiritual souls, but there's alot of them, and see chapters 10,12,13, and 9 on the right. Samuel even comes back from the dead to prophecy in 1st Samuel 28.Here's something to consider. If you believe that people are nothing until the resurrection of the dead, and Jesus says only those who believe in him have eternal life, then the only conclusion is that only Christians can make it into the eternity. Even people who never hear the gospel have no chance in the resurrection. However, what Jesus is really talking about is that the souls of the faithful have eternal life in heaven and the nonbelievers abide in spiritual death in hades, until the second resurrection. Then, according to Revelation 20, the nonbelievers will be judged by their works.
Ben Hutchins 25 Nov 2011, 00:34
Question? First & Second Resurrections?I 'm having trouble understand in simple terms one forn the other.......I have understood the resurection to be the same as the "rapture"...........and the second resurrection is to be the resurection of just and unjust
Doug Buckley 27 Nov 2011, 12:19
Hi Ben, wasn't able to get back to you sooner. There's a few differences between the first resurrection and the second resurrection. The first resurrection is a gathering back of believers to Christ, both literally and on a deeper spiritual level, at his return. This resurrection will include believers who are already with Jesus in heaven (Matthew 24.31).The second resurrection will happen later, after the millennium. It is the resurrection of nonbelievers. It is the resurrection described in John 5.28-29, Daniel 12.2, and Revelation 20.13+. The dead ones will be resurrected out of the dust or tombs, not literally, but spiritually, because the dust symbolizes spiritual death and Hades. This is made clearer in Revelation 20. The nonbelievers will be judged by their works and some will receive eternal life and others eternal damnation.
Everyone who ever lived will resurrect, and alot more people will be in the second resurrection than the first. What both resurrections have in common is that every person or soul will receive a spiritual body, becoming like the angels. Even the ones who don't make it into eternal heaven will be have spiritual bodies in the resurrection.
Roger 24 Jan 2012, 12:38
I have seen many good views of the two resurrections here. But all of these comments could be argued until Jesus returns. What is more important is that everyone we know comes to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. It then really doesn't matter which view you believe for the second death has no power over us. It is more important that we be born from above and guided by the Holy Spirit. If we remain in this intimate relationship with Jesus, our dwelling place, we can be assured we are seated with Him in heavenly places right now, spiritually.Tom Muckian 24 Jan 2012, 12:57
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