Pod Prep 6-23-17
Is This the Only Day of Salvation?
THE REST OF THE DEAD WILL BE RESURRECTED , WHY?
God's plan of Salvation has two more steps. One is the millennial reign of Jesus at his second coming. But note that another step exists because vast numbers are being resurrected later. Why bother bringing people back from the grave if everyone is either in heaven or hell.
Re 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
The words are so meaningful “ The rest of the dead lived not again until... The true Christians both dead or alive at the second coming who have not worshiped the image of the beast will reign with Christ. They will be raised from the grave if need be, to rule with Christ. We know for certain that Billions with a 'B' have lived in the past and not been called by God or saved.
Joh 6:65 And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.
66 From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.
We have a clear statement by Jesus that many who heard him preach could not understand and be saved then because God had not called them. Their minds were still closed as are most men still today. It would be unfair of God to close their minds and not give them another chance for salvation. Many thru the centuries either never heard the name Jesus Christ or that he was only part of a rival religion they should ignore or hate. Blessed and special are those who have part in the best or first resurrection.
Re 20:6 Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.
(NKJV)
The rest of the dead never had a chance. They were not called by God. Should they burn in hell, tortured forever because of a calling which they could not control. The premise behind such a doctrine makes God into a sadist monster. Naturally it is not true. God is first of all love. He loves many so much that in Satan's age he does not want to risk their salvation now. Note what he said about the Jewish nation.
Romans 11:30 For as you were once disobedient to God, yet have now obtained mercy through their disobedience,
31 even so these also have now been disobedient, that through the mercy shown you they also may obtain mercy.
32 For God has committed them all to disobedience, that He might have mercy on all.
33 Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!
God will forgive billions because they were deceived and disobeyed out of ignorance. Mankind does not go to hell or heaven at death but sleep. People do not want to believe this wonderful truth.
1Th 4:13 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.
14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.
15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep.
16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.
17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.
18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.
IF THIS IS THE ONLY DAY OF SALVATION THEN SATAN IS WINNING
It is comforting to know that all our relatives that have passed away are asleep waiting their turn at the resurrection when they will be given an opportunity for salvation. God has promised to resurrect all the dead some to everlasting life in his family and others to a chance to be saved by God's grace. These are the 'rest of the dead'.
Titus 1:2 in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began,
1Ti 2:4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
2Pet 3:8 But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that ALL should come to repentance.
God is determined to save nearly all mankind. IF THIS IS THE ONLY DAY OF SALVATION we have to say the THE DEVIL IS WINNING OVERWHELMINGLY. God's will has to prevail. God will save the vast majority of mankind. The day is coming in the controlled environment run by God in the future when ALL will know God.
Isa 11:9 They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain, For the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD As the waters cover the sea.
In Romans 11:26 Paul says that ALL Israel shall be saved. Further all mankind will also be saved, or the vast majority. Some few will be among the defiant and wicked and go to the lake of fire. However the lake is not torture but a quick permanent death for the wicked while the devil will be tormented forever by his being locked up permanently. God does not want us to perish but to survive and that is why Jesus became our Passover sacrifice.
Joh 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
17 "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
Note that God died so we would not PERISH. Nothing in that verse is about burning forever in hell fire. Let us look carefully at Revelation 20:11-14. Key points include :
1. The books ( Biblios or Bible) was opened. People finally are able to understand the message.
2. The book of life was open for more entries.
3. They will live in a controlled world and be judged by the Bible. 4.Death itself is eliminated for all but those few rejected who die the final death, and it is over. They are put out of their misery and cannot cause others misery either.
All these points I believe are included in a careful reading of this, one of the final sections of the Bible.
Re 20:11 Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them.
12 And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books.
13 The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works.
14 Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
(NKJV)
Now is our chance to gain salvation and be baby Gods. God will help us to remain faithful and be in that first resurrection. But we do suffer a greater risk because this is not the controlled world tomorrow this is Satan's age. Be strong and obedient. The world awaits the 'sons of God' .
Rom 8:17 and if children, then heirs--heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.
18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
19 For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.
