A common misunderstanding about the resurrection of the dead exists today, both in and outside the church. That is, that there is going to be one general, all-encompassing resurrection of the dead and then a final judgment. Is there going to be a bodily resurrection? Yes; it’s one of the ABC’s of the Christian faith. However, there are two separate and distinct resurrections taught in the Bible. There is the resurrection of the just, and that of the unjust. Notice also, as explained in Revelation, there is a thousand-year period between the first and second resurrections.
The first resurrection is “the better resurrection”, the resurrection of the just, the resurrection of life. All those who have received Jesus Christ as Savior will be a part of this event. Sadly, the second resurrection is called the resurrection unto damnation because it results in the second death and eternal separation from God. All who reject Christ as Savior will participate in this event.
So my question to you is, which resurrection do you expect to be part of? What do you base your decision upon? Being a “good person”? Keeping all of your church’s rules? Believing in God all of your life isn’t sufficient. Neither is doing a lot of good works. Do you believe that Jesus only opened the door of salvation, but that you somehow must “qualify” to enter into glory? Whatever your excuse or reason for rejecting Christ is, it will not hold up on judgment day. Perhaps you are saying, “I’ll take my chances.” Let me remind you: “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”
The truth and the good news is found in John :-a. This is what being “born again” is, believing in Christ and following Him. The bad news is: “But he who does not believe is condemned already because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” Thus, the Christ-rejecter is self-condemned, and blinded by the devil.
“Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, today is the day of salvation.” If you hear His voice today, know it is the loving heavenly Father drawing you. Don’t harden your heart! Follow Paul’s words in Romans :-, and in doing so you will inspire the heavens to rejoice.
You will die someday, eventually be resurrected, and you will be judged. Which resurrection will you be part of?
