Lesson 42 — Heaven and the Resurrections

1. 1 HEAVEN AND THE RESURRECTIONS

HEAVEN AND THE RESURRECTIONS

There are two main kinds of resurrection: spiritual and material. Spiritual resurrection is that of the spirit-being, quickened from death in trespasses and sins. Such a resurrection causes one to be renewed in the image and likeness of God 1 Corinthians 11:7Ephesians 4:21-24Colossians 3:10James 3:9. It is taught in Eph. 2:1-6; 5:14; Rom. 6:11 and takes place only in this life. When physical death comes all possibility of such spiritual resurrection has passed Ecclesiastes 11:1Hebrews 9:27Revelation 22:11. Material resurrection is that of the body to which we shall confine the rest of our study.

II. The Kinds of Material Resurrection

There are two kinds of material or physical resurrection: one resurrection is of the righteous to life before the Millennium, and one is of the wicked to damnation after the Millennium Daniel 12:3John 5:28-29Revelation 20:4-6, 11. There will be 1,000 years between the two resurrections Revelation 20:4-6.

1. 1 THE FACT OF A RESURRECTION

   The following Bible characters taught it: Job (19:25-27); Isaiah (26:14-19); Daniel (12:3); David Acts 2:31; Old Testament saints Hebrews 11:35; New Testament saints (Mt. 28; Mk. 16; Lk. 24; Jn. 20-21; Acts 2; 4; etc.); Jesus Matthew 16:21Matthew 22:23-31Luke 14:14Luke 20:27-36Luke 24:13-35; Matthew (28:1-20); Mark (16:1-18); Luke (24:1-49); John Revelation 20:4-6; Mary John 11:24; Herod Matthew 14:2; Peter 1 Peter 1:31 Peter 3:21; Paul Acts 17:18, 32Acts 23:6Acts 24:15, 21Romans 1:4Romans 6:5Romans 8:34Philippians 3:10-11Hebrews 6:2Hebrews 11:35.

1. 1 THE RESURRECTIONS FORETOLD Isaiah 26:14-19Daniel 12:3Psalms 16:10Matthew 12:41-42Matthew 20:19Matthew 27:631 Thessalonians 4:14-17Revelation 20:4-6John 5:28-29.

1. 1 EXAMPLES OF RESURRECTION—TEMPORARY AND PERMANENT:

(1) Temporary—raised to mortality to die again: “a widow’s son” 1 Kings 17:17-24; “the Shunammite’s son” 2 Kings 4:18-37; “a Moabite invader” 2 Kings 13:20-21; “Jonah” Matthew 12:40; “Jairus’ daughter” Matthew 9:18-26; “a widow’s son of Nain” Luke 7:11-18; “Lazarus” (Jn. 11); “Tabitha” Acts 9:36-43; “Eutychus” Acts 20:6-12.

(2) Permanent—raised to immortality to live forever in their bodies. Christ “the firstfruits” was the first of all permanent resurrections 1 Corinthians 15:1-23, then there were many Old Testament saints Matthew 27:53.

1. 1 THE ORDER OF THE RESURRECTION 1 Corinthians 15:20-34. Christ “the firstfruits” was the guarantee of the resurrection of all men 1 Corinthians 15:20-23. The “many” Old Testament saints arose immediately after Christ did Matthew 27:53. The next in order will be those who are “in Christ” and “are Christ’s” at the rapture 1 Corinthians 15:23, 511 Thessalonians 4:14-17. Next will be the 144,000 Jews as the manchild of Rev. 12:5. Then next will be the “great multitude” of tribulation saints and the two witnesses at the end of the Tribulation who will be in time to be at the Marriage Supper and come back with Christ to establish His kingdom Revelation 6:9-11Revelation 7:9-17Revelation 11:2-13Revelation 15:2-4Revelation 20:4-6. All these companies because they are “holy,” “blessed,” and “just” will be in the first resurrection and will help complete it Revelation 20:4-6. The wicked dead will not be raised until 1,000 years later Revelation 20:4-15.

1. 1 THE METHOD OF THE RESURRECTION 1 Corinthians 15:35-50. Paul illustrates the method of the resurrection by the death and resurrection of a grain of wheat or some other grain. The process that grain goes through is clear to all, so if this process is applied to the method of resurrection it will likewise be clear to all. The main points are:

(1) The fact that there is death and resurrection 1 Corinthians 15:1-21, 36.

(2) Death must come before resurrection John 12:241 Corinthians 15:36.

(3) That which is sown is not the body that shall be reproduced 1 Corinthians 15:37.

(4) In the resurrection a body is produced just like the one sown in the ground, so if the original body (if perfect) and the reproduced body were side by side, not one particle of difference could be detected between them 1 Corinthians 13:121 Corinthians 15:38Luke 24:39Acts 1:11.

(5) A grain of corn will not reproduce a grain of wheat. All flesh is not the same flesh, so in the resurrection man will be raised with his own flesh and not with that of fish, fowls, etc. 1 Corinthians 15:38-39. He will be resurrected with his own size, shape, bodily appearance, and features and will not look unlike he did while in the natural body 1 Corinthians 13:12.

(6) Men will be raised to share more or less glory, or more or less damnation, according to what they have done in life, just as some grains that are poisonous and useless are reproduced to be destroyed, whereas good grains are reproduced for good purposes 1 Corinthians 15:40-50.

(7) A grain of wheat may be marred, shriveled, and parts of its body scattered here and there, yet in the reproduction, it will be reproduced a perfect grain (under normal conditions) regardless of where the particles of its body were or what shape it was in at the time of germination. The only thing necessary is that the life germ be in the grain. So in the resurrection each body will be reproduced a perfect body 1 Corinthians 15:35-58.

(8) The only difference between grain and the resurrected bodies of men will be in the nature of existence. Men will be raised to immortality—some to everlasting life and some to everlasting shame and contempt Daniel 12:3John 5:28-29Matthew 10:28. Both the righteous and the wicked will live again in their resurrected bodies, but only the righteous will enter into various glories and have different rewards and responsibilities of rulership in God’s eternal affairs 1 Corinthians 3:11-151 Corinthians 15:21-23, 392 Corinthians 5:10Revelation 20:4-6. See Lesson Thirty-seven for a study of the immortality of the soul and body.

The First Resurrection Revelation 20:4-6Daniel 12:3John 5:28-29

This is the resurrection of all the just, the blessed, and holy from Adam to the Millennium. It covers the period of time from Christ’s resurrection to the resurrection of the Tribulation saints and the two witnesses and includes the various companies, as under Point 4, above. Several raptures are then included in the first resurrection. All who have part in this resurrection will have some part in ruling with Christ, who will not have just a select few, as taught by many Revelation 20:4-6. This resurrection may be called the “out resurrection”; that is, a resurrection out of, or from among the dead Philippians 3:11-141 Thessalonians 4:14-171 Corinthians 15:51-58Luke 14:14Luke 20:35-36Hebrews 11:35Revelation 20:4-6. Just as Christ came out from among the dead as “the firstfruits” of the dead, so at the rapture, the “dead in Christ” will come forth from among the wicked dead according to the above passages. Even the Tribulation saints will come out from the wicked dead Revelation 20:4-6. The wicked dead live not again until the thousand years are finished Revelation 20:4-6.

The Greek expression ek nekron , “out of the dead,” is used 49 times and teaches a select resurrection from the dead—the righteous selected from among the wicked—but it does not teach a select resurrection of some righteous from among the righteous Matthew 17:9Mark 9:10Luke 24:46Acts 3:15Acts 4:10Acts 10:41Acts 13:30Acts 17:31Romans 1:4Romans 4:24Romans 6:4-9Romans 8:111 Corinthians 15:12, 20. The theory that only a few of the righteous will be selected from among the righteous is a mere human invention based upon a few historical stories of the Old Testament, which were never intended as types at all. It is not even worthy of consideration in view of the lack of one plain Scripture on the subject. All the dead and living “in Christ” will be in the first resurrection—not just a few of those in Christ. All those who are out of Christ will be raised together after the Millennium to be judged and cast into the Lake of Fire Revelation 20:4-6, 11. The “first resurrection” may also be called “the resurrection of the just,” “resurrection of life,” “a better resurrection,” and the “resurrection of [from among] the dead” Luke 14:14John 5:28-29John 11:25Hebrews 11:35Philippians 3:10-15Revelation 20:4-6.

The Second Resurrection Daniel 12:3John 5:28-29Revelation 20:4-6

This is the resurrection of all the wicked from Adam to the end of the Millennium. It will take place after the Millennium and it will also include those wicked who die during the Millennium Revelation 20:4-6, 11. They will be raised with immortal bodies to be tormented in Hell forever Matthew 10:28John 5:28-29John 12:24Daniel 12:3Acts 24:151 Corinthians 15:21, 34Revelation 14:9-12Revelation 19:20Revelation 20:4-6, 11. The theory that only the righteous will be raised to immortality is false and is not founded on one Scripture. The method of the resurrection of the just and unjust is plainly taught and illustrated by a grain of wheat or any other grain as explained above. So what makes the difference between the two resurrections? Does not a bad or poisonous seed reproduce in the same way that a good seed does? Do not both have to go through the same process? The resurrection of men follows this same process. The only difference will be in the glory of one man over another. However, saved and unsaved will be immortal as is plainly taught in all Scripture. Not one statement was ever made to the contrary.

III. The Truth About Heaven

We will not take the time and space for a lengthy study about Heaven, but the following points will give the reader the right biblical understanding of the subject.

1. 1 HEAVEN IS A CREATED PLACE Genesis 1:1Isaiah 42:5Isaiah 45:18Colossians 1:16-18Nehemiah 9:6Psalms 102:25Proverbs 8:27.

1. 1 IT IS A REAL PLANET LIKE THE EARTH Genesis 1:1Genesis 11:8-16. In this last passage it is called a “better country” than the Earth. Heaven, therefore, is not an invisible nothing or a cloud floating around in space where saints sit and play a Jew’s harp forever.

1. 1 THERE ARE THREE HEAVENS

   Besides the planet called Heaven where God dwells Genesis 21:17Genesis 22:11, 152 Corinthians 12:1-3Deuteronomy 26:151 Kings 8:30, 38 there are two other spheres called Heaven. Paul speaks of three heavens 2 Corinthians 12:1-4. Here the third Heaven is called the Paradise where God lives. The other two heavens are: the clouds Genesis 1:8Genesis 7:23Genesis 8:2Job 38:9, 34Isaiah 14:14Jeremiah 51:16 and the starry space between the Earth and the planet Heaven Genesis 1:15-20Genesis 22:17Isaiah 14:12-14Psalms 8:3.

1. 1 HEAVEN IS THE CAPITAL OF THE UNIVERSE, for God has His capital city, the New Jerusalem, His capitol building, the Heavenly Temple or Tabernacle, and His throne in the Temple in Heaven. This city is described by John in Rev. 21-22, as we shall discuss more fully in Lessons Fifty-one and Fifty-two. This capital city will continue to be in Heaven until the end of the Millennium and then it will be moved from the planet Heaven to the planet Earth Revelation 21:2, 9. Many Scriptures speak of God’s throne being in Heaven Psalms 103:19Revelation 4:1-2. That God has a real temple in Heaven is clear from Rev. 4-5; 11:19; 14:17; 16:17.

1. 1 GOD OWNS AND RULES IN THE HEAVEN OF HEAVENS Genesis 14:19, 22Psalms 11:4Psalms 89:11Luke 10:21Luke 11:2. He also owns the Earth and all things in the universe, but at present this planet is in rebellion against Him. This is why Jesus will be sent from Heaven with the armies of Heaven to seize this rebellious part of the universe and restore God’s absolute rule on Earth as before the rebellion started 1 Corinthians 15:24-28Revelation 19:11-21Revelation 20:1-102 Thessalonians 1:7-10Matthew 24:29-31Matthew 25:31-46.

1. 1 THE LOCATION OF THE PLANET HEAVEN IS IN THE NORTHERN PART OF THE UNIVERSE Isaiah 14:12-14. In this Scripture we are told that Lucifer led a rebellion into Heaven into the sides of the north. In Ps. 75:6-7 we are told that promotion comes not from the south, east, or west, but from the Lord and therefore from the north.

1. 1 HEAVEN IS INHABITED 1 Kings 22:19Matthew 18:10Matthew 22:30Matthew 24:36Revelation 12:12Revelation 13:6 Armies and hosts of Heaven are mentioned a number of times as seen in these passages and in Dan. 4:35; Lk. 2:13; Rev. 19:14. These inhabitants are listed in part as common angels, archangels, seraphim, cherubim, and other spirit-beings, as listed in Lesson Six. Heavenly bodies are mentioned in 1 Cor. 15:48-49. Rejoicing in Heaven is referred to by the inhabitants in Heaven Psalms 96:11Psalms 148:1, 4Isaiah 44:23Revelation 12:12.

1. 1 PAUL SPEAKS OF “THE INVISIBLE THINGS” IN HEAVEN AS BEING LIKE THE VISIBLE THINGS ON EARTH; THAT IS, THE THINGS IN HEAVEN ARE JUST LIKE THINGS ON EARTH Romans 1:20. The word “things” is used in many passages in referring to realities in Heaven Philippians 2:10Colossians 1:16-20Hebrews 8:12Hebrews 9:23. We know from Scripture that in Heaven there are “cities” (Rev. 21); “mansions” John 14:1-3; “trees” Revelation 22:1-3; “rivers” Revelation 22:1-3; “fountains of water” Revelation 7:17; “food” Exodus 16:4Psalms 78:25Psalms 105:40John 6:31-51Luke 22:16, 18Revelation 2:7, 17Revelation 19:1-10Revelation 22:1-3; “animals” 2 Kings 2:11-122 Kings 6:13-17Zechariah 1:8-11Zechariah 6:1-8Revelation 19:11-14, 21Romans 1:20; “furniture” Isaiah 6:1Daniel 7:9Hebrews 8:5Hebrews 9:23Revelation 4:2, 4Revelation 6:17; “altars” Isaiah 6:6Isaiah 6:9-11Isaiah 8:5; “tongs” Isaiah 6:6; “fire” and “coals” Isaiah 6:6Revelation 8:5; “censer” and “incense” Revelation 8:4-6; “smoke” Revelation 8:4Revelation 15:8; “musical instruments” Revelation 5:8Revelation 14:1-5Revelation 15:2-4; “clothes” Daniel 7:9Revelation 1:13Revelation 6:9-11; “stones” Revelation 2:17; “books” Revelation 3:5Revelation 5:1-7Revelation 10:1-11Revelation 20:11-15; “vials” or “bowls” Revelation 5:8Revelation 8:3Revelation 15:7Revelation 16:1; “crowns” Revelation 4:4Revelation 14:14Revelation 19:12; “stones” Joshua 10:11; “treasures” Matthew 6:20Matthew 19:21; “rainbows,” “thunderings,” “lightnings,” “clouds” (Rev. 3-8; 10:1-7); “lamps” Revelation 4:5; “a sea of glass” Revelation 4:6Revelation 15:2-4; “singing” Revelation 5:9Revelation 14:1-5Revelation 15:2-4; “worship” Revelation 4:9-11Revelation 5:8-14Revelation 7:9-17Revelation 15:2-4Revelation 19:1-10; “palm leaves,” so there must be palm trees Revelation 7:9; “a temple” Revelation 7:15Revelation 11:19Revelation 14:17Revelation 16:17; “silence,” so there must be noise at other times Revelation 8:1; “trumpets” Revelation 8:2-6Matthew 24:29-311 Thessalonians 4:16; “hail” Revelation 8:7Revelation 16:17-21Ezekiel 38:17-21; “mountains” Zechariah 6:1Zechariah 8:8Zechariah 14:1Hebrews 12:23; “keys” and “chains” Revelation 9:1Revelation 20:3; “measuring sticks” Revelation 11:1Revelation 21:15; “olive trees” and “candlesticks” Revelation 11:4; “the ark of the testament” Revelation 11:19; “doors” and “posts” Revelation 4:1Revelation 11:19Isaiah 6:4; “girdles” Revelation 1:13Revelation 15:6; “banquets” Revelation 19:7-10Luke 22:30; “walls,” “gates,” “pearls,” “diamonds,” and other precious stones, as well as “gold” in abundance Revelation 4:3, 4Revelation 8:3Revelation 15:7Revelation 21:12-21; “streets” Revelation 21:21Revelation 22:1-3; “fruits” Revelation 22:1-3; and “innumerable things” Romans 1:201 Corinthians 2:92 Corinthians 12:4. If the invisible things in the heavenlies are clearly seen by the things on Earth, as Paul taught in Rom. 1:20, then we have a right to believe that there are in Heaven the same kind of things that we have on Earth. We have no right to make an exception of any good thing that God created and intended for man to have before the Fall.

Several natural men have gone to Heaven and have come back or will later come back. They are “Enoch” Genesis 5:22Hebrews 11:5; “Elijah” (2 Ki. 2); “Paul” 2 Corinthians 12:1-4; and “John” Revelation 4:1. The first two of these men are still in Heaven living a natural life and will come back as the two witnesses of Zech. 4:11-14; Rev. 11:3-13). Enoch has been in Heaven over 5,142 years and Elijah has been there over 3,500 years and they are still eating, drinking, and enjoying life on the planet Heaven. If we will understand such statements made above as literal, then the doctrine or the heavenly world will no longer be a mystery.