Three Resurrections-The Theme of the New Testament 3-6-15
THE HEAVEN AND HELL MYTHS MISLEADS MANY FROM THE TRUE THEME OF THE GOSPEL
John 3:13 and Acts 2:34 clearly state that no one has gone to heaven including great Bible heroes of the past. Christians will be resurrected at the second coming of Christ. This clear understanding has been obfuscated by the pagan heaven and hell myths. The ever burning hell doctrine is a common theme of pagan religions. Pagans are able to recruit and control their adherents by fear tactics and threats of eternal hell fire. This doctrine was promulgated by ancient Egyptian, Greek and Roman writings. Plato provides an example in his hell discussion in ‘Gorgias’. (Pronounced, Gore ‘gee us)
St. Augustine, Tertullian and others who were influenced by Greek culture, helped bring this pagan doctrine into nominal Christianity. St. Augustine included, in one of his writings, how flesh could burn forever and not be destroyed thus, and torturing people forever. A loving God obviously does not engage in sadistic matters such as these they are pagan and used to frighten the superstitious. An ever tortuous hell fire fosters a self-righteous vindictive spirit which has been used to justify persecutions.
A VITAL KEY TO UNDERSTANDING THE GOSPEL IS SEEING THE FIRST AND BEST RESURRECTION
I Cor 15:5-6 mentions the hundreds of witnesses to the resurrected Jesus Christ. Evidence is based on having numerous witnesses. The resurrection of Christ is one of the best historically documented events in human history. Paul says that the resurrection is essential to the Gospel message. See I Cor 15:12-19. Paul then mentions that people will be handled in ‘their own order’ in verse 23. Those of us that are truly in Christ will be raised at his second coming. I Thess 4:13-18 describes how believers should not grieve as others do because the dead brethren are just sleeping awaiting the trumpet blast at Christ second coming.
Rev 5:10, 20:4-6 describes how the saints will rule with Christ on earth when he returns and they will usher in the millennial paradise. The Bible here labels this the FIRST AND BLESSED RESURRECTION. If one has a first resurrection then a second must follow. The second resurrection is called the Great White throne or Last Great Day Resurrection, verses 11-12. Note that everyone will get a chance to have the Bible (books or Biblios in Greek) opened to their minds. They will further have the opportunity to have their names written in the book of life.
THE HOLY DAYS OF GOD ARE A GUIDE OR SHADOW TO THE RESURRECTIONS AND BASIC DOCTRINE
Christ is the Lamb of God the real Passover and when he was resurrected he became the first of the first fruits to God the wave sheaf offering. John 20:19 indicates that the wave sheaf ceremony at God’s Throne was about to happen. Pentecost represents the coming of the spirit to empower the smaller summer/spring harvest which is the New Testament Church. It is clearly a small portion of mankind being saved. Then the Feast of Trumpets the coming of the Messiah to save all mankind and bring the world to at-one-ment with God. Rev 20:14-15 tells the tragic story of the third and LAST GREAT DAY OF JUDGEMENT. Some will have failed to repent and let God help them grow out of evil. They will face the lake of fire and no longer exist. They will no longer be able to make themselves or others unhappy. See Heb 10:29-31. Then God’s heavenly throne will come to earth. He come to unified happy righteous new world full of the sons of God. See I John 3:`1-2 and Heb 6:1-8.
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