A very Special Resurrection

[ClubV12]

The special resurrection was mentioned in another thread, here's a "spin off" from that discussion.

As I see it, thoughts and clairification welcome.

There are TWO special resurrections that take place just before Christ returns, BOTH AFTER the close of probation.

Based on 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." Dan. 12:2

Who are these people? Sister White comments on this verse are directed at the first of TWO special resurrections.

"It was at midnight that God chose to deliver His people. As the wicked were mocking around them, suddenly the sun appeared, shining in his strength, and the moon stood still. . . . Dark, heavy clouds came up and clashed against each other. But there was one clear place of settled glory, whence came the voice of God like many waters, shaking the heavens and the earth. There was a mighty earthquake. The graves were opened, and those who had died in faith under the third angel’s message, keeping the Sabbath, came forth from their dusty beds, glorified, to hear the covenant of peace that God was to make with those who had kept His law." Maranatha pg 281

They will then accompany those living Saints, who have never tasted death (the 144,000). They will not be a PART of that esteemed group, they will ACCOMPANY that group.

The voice of God that shakes the earth was the announcement to the living Saints of the day and hour of His return. His return is not yet, but must be very soon. Some time passes, we know not how much time.

WHEN He actually returns (2nd coming, not third), coming in the clouds of glory and every eye shall see Him, a SECOND special resurrection takes place. Those who pierced and reviled Him, a select group of exceedingly wicked men who put Jesus to death, are raised to see Him coming. Then they are slain, along with any remaining living wicked who have not yet died.

So there you have it:

First special resurrection, all those who died under the third angels message AND have kept the Sabbath. Probation has already closed.

Second special resurrection, a select group of wicked who put Christ to death. Slain at the brightness of His coming.

"They also which pierced him" (Revelation 1:7), those that mocked and derided Christ’s dying agonies, and the most violent opposers of His truth and His people, are raised to behold Him in His glory and to see the honor placed upon the loyal and obedient." Maranatha pg 282

General resurrection at His 2nd coming, all the Saints who ever lived are caught up first. Then those Saints that remain are caught up with them to meet Jesus in the air.

[phkrause]

Second special resurrection, a select group of wicked who put Christ to death. Slain at the brightness of His coming.

"They also which pierced him" (Revelation 1:7), those that mocked and derided Christ’s dying agonies, and the most violent opposers of His truth and His people, are raised to behold Him in His glory and to see the honor placed upon the loyal and obedient." Maranatha pg 282

My understanding is that those that crucified him would be raised to see him coming!

[ClubV12]

Certainly true PK. I am considering a couple of things here.

Perhaps there is only ONE "special resurrection", not two (three if you count the general resurrection). In that case both those who died under the third angels message (and kept the Sabbath) AND those who crucified Him are raised at the same special resurrection. Quite possible, even likely. I was contemplating whether there is a pause in time between a first and a second, maybe not...

The select group of wicked, now raised, would behold the glorification of the Saints as well as see His return.

God speaks words that shake the earth, He speaks of at least two things. One is about a convenant of peace with His people. He pauses between sentences, how many sentences we know not. The second is to announce the time of the return of Jesus. Unless this IS Jesus Himself speaking, in which case He is announcing the time of His own return.

Glorius!

[Windsor]

Certainly true PK. I am considering a couple of things here.

Perhaps there is only ONE "special resurrection", not two (three if you count the general resurrection). In that case both those who died under the third angels message (and kept the Sabbath) AND those who crucified Him are raised at the same special resurrection. Quite possible, even likely. I was contemplating whether there is a pause in time between a first and a second, maybe not...

The select group of wicked, now raised, would behold the glorification of the Saints as well as see His return.

God speaks words that shake the earth, He speaks of at least two things. One is about a convenant of peace with His people. He pauses between sentences, how many sentences we know not. The second is to announce the time of the return of Jesus. Unless this IS Jesus Himself speaking, in which case He is announcing the time of His own return.

Glorius!

It is not Jesus Himself speaking. The Father "maketh known" the day or the hour.

The following comes from the writings of James White:

An old English version of the passage reads, "But that day and hour no man maketh known, neither the angels which are in Heaven, neither the Son, but the Father."

This is the correct reading, according to several of the ablest critics of the age. The word know is used in the same sense here that it is by Paul in 1 Cor.2:2: "For I determined not to know [make known] anything among you save Jesus Christ and him crucified." Men will not make known the day and hour, angels will not make it known, neither will the Son; but the Father will make it known.

Says Campbell, "Macknight argues that the term know is here used as a causative, in the Hebrew sense of the conjugation hiphil, that is, to make known. . . . His [Christ's] answer is just equivalent to saying, The Father will make it known when it pleases him; but he has not authorized man, angel, or the Son, to make it known. Just in this sense Paul uses the term know: 1 Cor.2:2: "I came to you making known the testimony of God; for I determined to make known nothing among you but a crucified Christ."

[ClubV12]

I agree Windsor, I to believe it is the Father speaking. If it were Jesus, the Father would have had to tell Him the day and hour just before it was announced, which is inconsistent with the biblical record.

Just leaving a little room for dialog there.

And the Father is speaking more than just the day and hour to them. He is encouraging, honoring and delivering them from a time of trouble such as the world has never before seen. I think thats beautiful, His speaking directly to them. They must continue to wait, for the time, which has been announced. As the specially raised wicked must also wait, for the time, while they experience in part the remnants of the last and final plague.

How bad is it on earth? In the flood, Lucifer actually feared for his own life the storm was so fierce. This, will be worse than that!

[ClubV12]

Note that Daniel 12:1 Says Michael stands up. THAT is the moment probation has closed.

Then in verse 12:2 we see: "SOME are raised...", not ALL. 12:2 is NOT talking about the general resurrection that includes ALL the Saints and NONE of the wicked.

[ClubV12]

So I was reading this paper (sermon I guess) by Uriah Smith on the 144K. A subject I usually try to avoid, but this caught my eye. A couple of interesting statements from Brother Smith.

1. The 144K is a literal number, BUT, it may only be counting the males, not the women and children. His reasoning: Thats the way the Children of Israel were counted.

2. The 144K COULD include some of those who have already died! Those who will be raised in the "special resurrection". I had figured they would accompany, not be a part of, the 144K. Uriah Smith has a different view. Fascinating! Assuming that is how the count is actually done, in Revelation, he estimates it could around 700,000, including women and children. I'm not sure ALL of those raised in the Special Resurrection would be included, or just accompany as he isn't clear on that point.

3. He proposes that the seven last plagues could last about a year. As the special resurrection occurs at the beginning of the seventh, those resurrected would see all the destruction and pass through it with the living Saints for about a two month period of time. They are raised as was Lazarus, as mortal, not yet transformed.

Just thought some might be interested in Brother Smiths views, I sure was!

[Samie]

Christ Himself said He will reward every man at His return:

Quote:

KJV Matthew 16:27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.

NAS Revelation 22:12 "Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done.

The fact that EVERY MAN is to be rewarded when Christ comes again, necessitates EVERY MAN to be personally present to receive his own reward. In this connection, Scriptures assure us EVERY EYE will see Him come, an indication that EVERY MAN is present when He comes:

Quote:

ESV Revelation 1:7 Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen.

Here is depicted that even those who pierced Him on the cross, already long dead by now, will see Him come; this indirectly tells us they will be resurrected. Will the wicked dead be resurrected at another period of time different from the resurrection of the righteous, or, is there a coming time when all dead, both righteous and wicked are all resurrected? Christ said:

Quote:

John 5:28-29 28 "Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice 29 "and come forth -- those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.

In that coming HOUR, Christ said "ALL in the graves" not just "SOME in the graves", will hear. And those who hear will come forth. Who are to rise? Both just and unjust. Who rises first - indicating there's a group to rise next - in that HOUR? The "dead in Christ shall rise first." (1 Thess 4:16). Then, the wicked rises next. All rise in that same HOUR. With all dead - both righteous and wicked - alive, and with all those who remained alive till Christ's return, "EVERY EYE will see Him come"; every man present in person and stands ready to receive his own reward.

Scriptures have spoken: There is no special resurrection. Only ONE general resurrection of both the just and unjust.

Quote:

NKJV Acts 24:15 "I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust.

The righteous will be rewarded with life eternal; the wicked, the wrath of God - the 7 last plagues:

Quote:

Romans 2:5-8 5 But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, 6 who "will render to each one according to his deeds": 7 eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; 8 but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness -- indignation and wrath

KJV Revelation 15:1 And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God.

True to His word, Christ, when He returns, will reward EVERY MAN - both Just and Unjust - according to what each has done.

In Christ,

Samie