by HOIM Staff

TODAY, "Christianity" is divided into literally hundreds of sects and denominations -- with many interpretations about life, death, and the hereafter.

But why should there be so many different ideas regarding the afterlife? Why should there be such a state of confusion regarding what the reward of the Christian Israelite really is?

Why do so many believe they are (or have) an immortal soul which survives death in heaven, limbo, paradise or hell?

The Biblical teaching on this subject of YEHOVAH's people Israel -- what they are, their purpose in this life, their destiny and how to reach that destiny -- is crystal clear.

Isn't it high time that we cleared away the cobwebs of denominational and sectarian confusion and looked into the Word of YEHOVAH God to see what it says about the ultimate destiny of YEHOVAH's people Israel -- and how they is to attain that goal?

A Common Assumption

As a young boy I was taught by my parents, by churchmen, teachers and others, that we were born with immortality, and that every believer in the Messiah was destined for heaven -- way up beyond the clouds. I fully believed this. I thought, like all others who accepted the Messiah, I would some day go to heaven and live there forever.

Concurrent with this idea that I was immortal, or that I had an immortal soul somewhere in me, I also heard a great deal about a resurrection of the dead. These two concepts seemed, even to my young mind, to be contradictory. If I were immortal, then why would I need to be resurrected?

I found that men had various ideas to attempt to reconcile this paradox. Some taught that at death the righteous go off immediately to their reward in limbo, paradise or heaven, but the wicked go instantly to hell, where these immortal souls would burn forever and ever.

Notice how firmly this same idea of an "immortal soul" was fixed in the mind of Benjamin Franklin. In his autobiography, Franklin tells that he once considered starting his own "sect," to be called "The Society of the Free and Easy." He said his "intended creed" for this new religion was to contain what he believed to be "the essentials of every known religion." Notice how his list of "essentials" included a belief in the immortality of the soul:

"That there is one God, who made all things. That he governs the world by his providence....That the soul is immortal. And that God will certainly reward virtue and punish vice, either here or hereafter."

To the best of my memory, I was taught as a child that at death you go immediately to your reward (usually in heaven) or punishment (usually to hell fire) and remain there until the final Judgment Day. On this day the souls of the righteous in heaven and those in hell were supposed to be reunited with their resurrected bodies -- where they would then share the joys (or pains) of eternity -- depending upon whether they were saved or lost.

Let's face it. A lot of contradictory ideas regarding what happens after death have been promulgated. There is much confusion on this important question -- and "God is not the author of confusion" (I Corinthians 14:33).

Where did these unscriptural, confused ideas about what the Israelite man is and his ultimate destiny really originate? When I began studying the Bible diligently, I found it did not contradict itself. Rather, I found the same consistent teaching regarding what the Israelite man is -- and what is his destiny -- in both the Old and New Testaments.

Egyptian Belief in a Resurrection

Before we go to the Bible, let us briefly see what some of the ancients taught on this subject.

A few years ago, I visited the empty tombs of some of the ancient Egyptian Pharaohs in the Valley of the Kings, near Luxor, Egypt. I was surprised to see that Egyptian hieroglyphics on the walls of the Pharaohs' tombs depicted a rising up (or resurrection) to life after death.

But how could those ancient Egyptians, steeped in paganism and cut off from the truth of Almighty God, have known the truth about the resurrection? This puzzled me.

King Tut (Tutankhamen) was buried in a most elaborate tomb. His remains were later removed and placed in the Cairo Museum, along with many articles and artifacts (chairs, table, bed, etc.), where they have since been viewed by millions.

But why did these Pharaohs make such elaborate burial preparations, including having their dead bodies mummified? The simple answer is that they believed in an afterlife, when they would open their eyes in a resurrection. Then they would be able to enjoy all of these material objects (including, in some instances, food) at the very instant of their resurrection.

But where did the ancient, pagan Egyptians learn this truth? The Bible or history does not reveal this clearly. Noah knew about the resurrection. So did his sons Shem, Japheth and Ham -- and the Egyptians descended from Mizraim, the son of Ham. So you can see why the Egyptians were not ignorant of this truth.

But we also must remember that the patriarchs Abraham (who believed in the resurrection -- see Hebrews 11:19, 35), Jacob, and Joseph (Pharaoh's Prime Minister), had spent many years in Egypt. Since the patriarchs understood that YEHOVAH God would resurrect the dead, it is possible that even they may have communicated this truth to the Egyptians.

Immortality and the Greeks

Notice what the famous historian Edward Gibbon, in his The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, has to say about the development of the idea of man's immortal soul:

Then Gibbon shows how the belief in an immortal soul came to be looked upon as "truth." "The important truth of the immortality of the soul was inculcated with more diligence as well as success in India, in Assyria, in Egypt, and in Gaul....It is incumbent on us to adore the mysterious dispensations of Providence, when we discover that the doctrine of the immortality of the soul is omitted in the law of Moses..." (ibid., pp. 400-401).

How did this belief affect the Jewish people? Gibbon says that the Sadducees "rejected the immortality of the soul as an opinion that received no countenance from the divine book" (ibid, p. 402). He then adds that "the immortality of the soul became the prevailing sentiment of the synagogue under the reign of the Asmonaean princes and pontiffs.

"Their [the Jews'] zeal, however, added nothing to its evidence, or even probability; and it was still necessary that the doctrine of life and immortality, which had been dictated by nature, approved by reason, and received by superstition, should obtain the sanction of divine truth from the [so-called] authority and example of Christ" (ibid).

But the Messiah, by teaching and example, NEVER gave credence to the spurious doctrine of the immortality of the soul.

But what about the Greeks? They and other ancient peoples did not believe in a resurrection. They believed man had an immortal soul within him, and when he died this soul went off to some place of afterlife. It was this Hellenistic idea of an immortal soul which later influenced the beliefs of some of the Jewish people, and many professing Christians.

But, remember, this idea of man being immortal, or having an immortal soul, did not come from YEHOVAH God or His Word. It came directly from the pagans. For proof of this, look up this subject in any good encyclopedia. For example, check the article "Eschatology" in any of the later editions of the Encyclopaedia Britannica.

Do Souls Die?

What does the Bible teach about man? What happens to him at death? Is man an immortal soul?

We are told, "The LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul" (Genesis 2:7).

Man was created a "living soul" (Hebrew, nephesh), but it does not say that man was created an immortal soul. Rather, it goes on to show that man was mortal -- that he would "die" (Genesis 2:17).

This word nephesh (translated as "soul") is also used throughout the Hebrew Scriptures to refer to the lower creatures YEHOVAH God had created.

Can the soul die? "The soul that sinneth, it shall die" (Ezekiel 18:4, 20).

In many instances the Bible speaks of souls being killed, of them dying and perishing.

When the New Testament writers quoted the Old Testament passages where the word nephesh ("soul") was used, they used the Greek equivalent, psuche, meaning "a living being," identical in meaning to the Hebrew word nephesh.

Notice what the Messiah said regarding the soul (psuche): "Fear him [YEHOVAH God] which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell [Gehenna, the lake of fire]" (Matthew 10:28).

Mortal Man

Job, quoting Eliphaz, wrote: "Shall mortal man be more just than God?" (Job 4:17.) And in Deuteronomy we are told that it was possible for a man to "smite him [his neighbor] mortally that he die" (Deuteronomy 19:11). "Mortal" means that which can die.

At the resurrection "this mortal must put on immortality" (I Corinthians 15:53, 54). Paul spoke of Christian Israelites' bodies as "our mortal flesh" (II Corinthians 4:11). But he added that the time is coming (in the future) when our "mortality" will be "swallowed up of [eternal] life" (II Corinthians 5:4).

Paul was also inspired to pen a promise of immortality: "To them [of Israel] who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, [they will be granted] eternal life" (Romans 2:7).

Did you notice that the Israelite man must seek, as a gift from YEHOVAH God, immortality. Why? Only YEHOVAH God has immortality to give: "Who only [referring to the King of kings -- verse 15) hath immortality" (I Timothy 6:16). "Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever" (I Timothy 1:17).

YEHOVAH's grace, His free gift of eternal life, "is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel" (II Timothy 1:10).

Is the Israelite Man Conscious in Death?

If man is mortal, not immortal, then what happens to the Israelite man at death? Does his soul immediately waft off to heaven, hell or someplace where he is conscious; or does man go to the grave to "sleep" until the time of the resurrection?

David was inspired to write: "His [man's] breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish" (Psalm 146:4). This scripture reveals that all men cease to think at the time of their death.

David's son Solomon revealed that "there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave [sheol], whither thou goest" (Ecclesiastes 9:10).

Numerous resurrections (back to a physical life) are recorded in the Bible, but there is not one word about the dead having had any knowledge of what occurred during the interval when they were dead.

Lazarus had been dead "four days" (John 11:17), but was raised from the dead by the Messiah. And he had no knowledge or consciousness during that period of time -- rather he was as one in a deep sleep -- in a state of unconsciousness. The Messiah said: "Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep" (verse 11).

Also, in our time, there have been numerous examples of people actually brought back to life through heart massage and electrical or drug stimulation -- after their hearts had stopped for some time -- yet no such person ever reported having any consciousness during the time when he was technically "dead."

Does science have the answers to explain what man is, what happens at death, what man's ultimate destiny is to be, or how man can reach that destiny? No, for only YEHOVAH God can reveal the answers to these vital questions; and He has made known this truth only in the Bible.

What Is the Israelite Man's Hope?

The Israelite man has no other hope held out to him -- other than the hope of the resurrection. According to the Bible, this is the Israelite man's only hope.

Notice now how many Old Testament prophets spoke of the Israelite man's resurrection back to life.

The Messiah's "soul was not left in hell [Greek, hades -- the grave]," and his body did not decompose. It was buried in a rock-hewn tomb at a cool time of the year; and it was resurrected before decomposition set in, before it began to decay or putrefy.

The Messiah's resurrection was, in fact, a type of the resurrection which YEHOVAH God promises to all those Israelites who faithfully obey Him.

The apostle Paul was inspired to write: "But if the spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken [enliven] your mortal bodies by his spirit that dwelleth in you" (Romans 8:11).

We have already examined the scripture in Psalm 16:9, 10, which clearly shows that David believed in a coming resurrection for the Messiah and also for himself. David said: "My flesh also shall rest [in the grave] in hope [of the coming resurrection]. For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell...."

He knew he would some day be resurrected to see his Redeemer.

An angel appeared unto Daniel and told him: "But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest [in the grave], and stand [stand up in a resurrection] in thy lot at the end of the days" (verse l3). The word "resurrect" literally means "to stand again from below" -- re (again); sur (below); rect (to stand).

YEHOVAH's servant Hosea also believed in the resurrection: "I will ransom them [of Israel] from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction..." (Hosea 13:14).

Abraham had such faith that he accounted "that God was able to raise him [his son, Isaac] up, even from the dead" (verse 19).

Abraham knew that YEHOVAH God had promised the Holy Land to him and his children as an everlasting possession. The only way Abraham could receive the fulfillment of this promise was by a resurrection from the dead. "For he looked for a city [in which he and other faithful ones of Israel would dwell -- after their resurrection] which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God" (verse 10). Abraham knew he would be raised from his grave and would someday dwell with YEHOVAH God and with other glorified descendants -- including the Messiah -- in New Jerusalem, in the new earth, where there would be no more sin, sorrow or death to mar eternal happiness.

There were not "ten thousands of saints" with Moses at the time when YEHOVAH God gave Israel the Ten Commandments at Sinai. Only Joshua and Caleb were permitted to enter the Promised Land. Moses, Aaron and Miriam were also saints, but the vast majority of the Israelites were carnal, faithless, stiff-necked and totally rebellious. They were anything but saints!

The afore-quoted prophecy refers to the time of the coming of YEHOVAH God Himself to this earth, when many thousands of the saints of Israel will be resurrected from their graves and will be joined unto the Messiah, as his Bride. Then YEHOVAH God will give them His law to teach all nations in the wonderful, utopian World Tomorrow, in the Kingdom of YEHOVAH God (see I Thessalonians 4:13-18).

The Israelite Man's Only Hope

The Encyclopaedia Britannica, commenting on Daniel 12:2, says: "It should be noted that it is not the immortality of the soul that is spoken of but the resurrection of the dead, who have remained dead ('sleep in the dust') until the end-time (when 'your people [of Israel] shall be delivered'). This remains the hope and expectation normative in Judaism and Christianity" ("Eschatology," 14th edition, 1973, VIII, p. 696).

You will search the Bible in vain to find any other teaching. The Bible teaches the resurrection -- not the immortal soul.

Three Resurrections for Those of Israel

What are the three different resurrections, and when will they occur? Who will take part in them?

And with what body are the dead to be raised? Will those resurrected have bodies identical to their physical bodies in this life? Will they have flesh-and-blood bodies, or glorified, divine bodies, not subject to death? What will we be like in the resurrection?

What is the real hope of the true Israelite Christian? Will he spend eternity lounging in idleness and ease? Or will the resurrected, newborn son of Israel spend eternity in happy, but productive, activity -- faithfully serving his Creator?

A Foggy Idea?

Most professing Christians have a rather foggy idea of what future life in the Kingdom of YEHOVAH God will be like. They know very little about biblical teaching concerning the "resurrection of the dead" -- yet this is one of the basic doctrines of the Bible (Hebrews 6:2).

But do you realize you can know what it will be like in the next life?

The Prophet Isaiah wrote: "Since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him" (lsaiah 64:4).

But the Apostle Paul explained that a Christian Israelite can comprehend what YEHOVAH God has prepared for those that love Him. "But God hath revealed them unto us [true Israelite believers] by His spirit: for the spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God" (I Corinthians 2:9, 10). Many scriptures speak of this "mystery" (Romans 16:25; Ephesians 3:3, 5,9; Revelation 10:7).

Satan has deceived the whole world on this all-important subject of the resurrection of the dead (Revelation 12:9). Many scriptures reveal that the whole world is in darkness, ignorance and superstition.

The plain Bible teaching on the subject of the resurrection(s) has been submerged in darkness for many centuries. There are no Bible commentaries or dictionaries to which you can go to get the truth on this subject. Invariably, you are given a noxious mixture of truth and error -- light and darkness -- and wind up confused if you believe what the so-called authorities tell you.

But it is high time for professing Israelite Christians to go directly to the Word of YEHOVAH God to learn the real, unadulterated truth.

A Deceived World

How deceived has the world become on this vital subject of the resurrections?

A common misbelief is expressed in the 1972 edition of The World Book Encyclopedia: "Most Christians believe that on the last day of the world all the dead will come to life. They call the day, Judgment Day, because God will judge everyone" ("Resurrection," XVI, p. 245).

Some believe that at death their "souls" go immediately to heaven, purgatory, limbo or hell.

According to this teaching the "body" must rest in the grave till the "soul" can be reunited with it at the resurrection.

If the righteous are already in heavenly bliss, is it logical to think that they would be made to return to this earth to be reunited with their earthy "bodies"?

Stripping Off the Scales

It is time to strip off the scales of paganism from our eyes and look at the plain truth revealed in the Bible.

There are numerous references in the Old Testament to the resurrection, but only the Prophet Daniel begins to hint that there might be more than one resurrection.

Daniel wrote: "And many of them [of Israel] that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt [or abhorrence]" (Daniel 12:2).

This verse does not say that those resurrected to "everlasting life" and those resurrected to "shame" will both come up at the same time -- in the same resurrection. That is what many have mistakenly assumed.

But note that the Messiah did not say that those who had done "good" would be resurrected at the same time with those who had done "evil. "

The apostle Paul, when he was speaking before Felix, the governor of Judea, said that he had "hope toward God" of a resurrection, in which, affirmed Paul, the Israelites also believed. He plainly told Felix "that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust" (Acts 24:15). As Paul "reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come," the unjust Felix trembled (verse 25).

Paul did not say the just and the unjust would rise up at the same time.

What Paul and John Wrote

This same apostle wrote at length regarding the resurrection(s) in I Corinthians 15.

Now if one turns to the twentieth chapter of Revelation, he can see what is meant by "the end." Paul was referring to the end of the one-thousand-year reign of YEHOVAH God and the Messiah (along with the saints of Israel) on this earth. It will not be until sometime after the thousand years are over that the second resurrection occurs (see Revelation 20:7-12).

YEHOVAH God is depicted in Revelation 19:11-21 as coming on "a white horse" and then "He shall [in the future] rule them [the nations] with a rod of iron" (verse 15).

The resurrected saints of Israel (joined by the living saints of Israel) will be caught up to meet YEHOVAH God in the air at His return, and they as kings and priests will "reign on the earth" (Revelation 5:10).

To these saints the Messiah promises: "He that overcometh...to him will I give power over the nations: and he shall rule them [under YEHOVAH God and the Messiah] with a rod of iron..." (Revelation 2:26, 27).

When, How, and for How Long?

But when and how will these glorified, then-made-immortal saints of Israel rule with YEHOVAH God and the Messiah? And for how long?

John, in vision, saw those who had been beheaded now resurrected (at YEHOVAH God's triumphal return) and given governing positions or "judgment."

Paul gives more details of this glorious resurrection of the Israelite saints: "For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will [YEHOVAH] God bring with him....For the LORD [YEHOVAH God] Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the LORD in the air: and so shall we ever be with the LORD" (I Thessalonians 4:14-17).

Note that it does not say the saints of Israel will go to "heaven" to meet YEHOVAH God, but that He will come (probably billions of miles) from "heaven" to the atmosphere of this earth, and the saints will rise to meet Him "in the air. "

Now notice a prophecy back in Zechariah which shows where YEHOVAH God and the saints will go -- after this rendezvous in the air:

"And his feet [the LORD's -- YEHOVAH God's -- verse 1] shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives..." (Zechariah 14:4).

At this time will YEHOVAH God be alone? "...And the LORD [YEHOVAH] my God [wrote Zechariah] shall come, and all the saints [of Israel] with thee" (verse 5). But where will YEHOVAH God  go? Back to heaven with the saints? "And the LORD [YEHOVAH] shall be King over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one" (verse 9).

It should not amaze us to find that YEHOVAH God Himself will return to stand on the Mount of Olives.

The Apostle Paul also spoke of YEHOVAH's coming at the "last trump" -- the time when He will gather His saints unto Himself. "Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I shew you a mystery; We [of Israel] shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality" (I Corinthians 15:50-53).

Only the Just Israelites When YEHOVAH Returns

These and other scriptures show that it is only the just, the righteous (dead) of Israel, who are resurrected at YEHOVAH God's arrival.

John shows that those who had been martyred will be raised to life and to a position of rulership during the thousand-year rule of YEHOVAH God and the Messiah. But the unjust dead of Israel will not be resurrected until the end of this period: "But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This [referring to those martyred -- verse 4] is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years" (Revelation 20:5,6).

Then, after the thousand years are expired, Satan goes out to stir up more trouble on this earth. And it is still some time later before the Great White Throne Judgment takes place -- at which time the other Israelites who are still dead (years after the millennium has ended) are made to "stand before God" in the second resurrection -- when they will have their first chance.

Will YOU Be in the First Resurrection?

What is your guarantee that you will be resurrected when YEHOVAH God returns to this earth? How can you make sure you will be in the first resurrection to immortality?

It is "they [of Israel] that are Christ's at his coming" who will be in the first resurrection (I Corinthians 15:23).

But who are "Christ's"? Paul said: "Now if any man [of Israel] have not the spirit of Christ, he is none of his" (Romans 8:9).

It is only those Israelites who are filled and led by the spirit of YEHOVAH God who will be in the first resurrection. "For as many as are led by the spirit of God, they are the [begotten] sons of God" (verse 14).

YEHOVAH's spirit in those of us of Israel is like a seed that is developing into godly character.

Paul continues: "But if the spirit of him [YEHOVAH God] that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken [make alive] your mortal bodies by [the power of] his spirit that dwelleth in you" (verse 11).

There it is! If we Israelites have the indwelling presence of the holy spirit in us when we die, then we will be resurrected through the power of that same spirit -- at the return of YEHOVAH God.

Paul then explains that we are earnestly waiting for that time when we shall be born as spiritual beings into the family of YEHOVAH God. Remember, the Messiah said: "Ye must be born again" (John 3:7).

Paul explained this soon-coming new birth: "For the earnest expectation of the creature [man] waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God" (Romans 8:19). That is what the true Israelite Christian waits for -- earnestly longing for the time when he will be born into the family of YEHOVAH God -- as a glorified son of YEHOVAH God.

He continues: "...Even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption [sonship], to wit [in other words], the redemption of our body" (verse 23).

What did he mean by "the redemption of our body"? Paul begins to explain in the book of Philippians.

By way of background he mentions that he gave up everything in order to serve the Messiah and became willing to suffer "the loss of all things" (Philippians 3:7, 8). Why?

He then went on to explain that "our conversation [citizenship] is in heaven..." (verse 20).

And it is from there -- from heaven -- that we "look for the Saviour." "Who [meaning the Messiah] shall change our vile body [through YEHOVAH's power], that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself' (verses 20, 21).

This redemption of the body -- this change from mortal flesh to a spiritual body -- is the ONLY hope held out to the Christian Israelites.

How Many Israelites Will Be in the First Resurrection?

Revelation 14:4 states unequivocally that these 144,000 are "firstfruits to YEHOVAH God and to the Lamb." Can YEHOVAH count? If these 144,000 are YEHOVAH's firstfruits, then no one else is included. The firstfruits are exactly 144,000, not one person less or one more! These numbers are consistent with the "thousands" and "tens of thousands" added together from the Old and New Testaments. As the Messiah says, "Many are called, but few chosen" (Matthew 20:16).

The bride of the Messiah is also exactly 144,000. Revelation 21:2 describes the bride as "the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God." At this point, she has risen to meet the Messiah, married him and is coming back to rule on the earth with him (Revelation 5:10). She will always be with him from this time on (I Thessalonians 4:17). This occurs at the last trumpet (I Corinthians 15:50-52), the time of the resurrection of the "dead in Christ" along with those who are "alive and remain" (I Thessalonians 4:16-17).

Revelation 21 goes on to describe the bride further, beginning in verse 9: "Then one of the seven angels...talked with me, saying, ‘Come, I will show you the bride, the Lamb's wife.'" The angel refers to her as "the great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God" (verse 10).

He then describes her dimensions: Her wall is pierced by twelve gates -- each a great pearl -- having the names of the twelve tribes of Israel inscribed on them and twelve angels at them (verses 12, 21). Her twelve foundations, adorned with precious stones, are each named after the twelve apostles (verses 14, 19-20). New Jerusalem is 12,000 furlongs in length, breadth and height (verse 16). Her wall measures 144 cubits (verse 17).

Twelve tribes times 12,000 each is 144,000, just as John describes the sealed servants of YEHOVAH God in Revelation 7! Twelve and the square of twelve is New Jerusalem's description! The bride is exactly 144,000, and the firstfruits are exactly 144,000.

Revelation 14:4: "These are the ones who were not defiled with women [false churches], for they are virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb [the Messiah] wherever he goes. These were redeemed from among men [of Israel], being firstfruits to God and to the Lamb" (NKJV).

What Kind of Bodies Will We of Israel Have?

But what will "a spiritual body" be like?

If we can know what kind of body the Messiah had after his resurrection, then we can also know what kind of a spiritual body we will have in the resurrection.

The apostle John tells us: "Beloved, now are we the [begotten] sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is" (I John 3:2).

What kind of body did the Messiah have after his resurrection?

He appeared repeatedly after he was risen. "...He shewed himself alive after his passion [suffering] by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days..." (Acts 1:3). He was seen by Peter, by the twelve, and by "above five hundred brethren at once....After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles." He was seen by numerous women, and lastly by the apostle Paul (I Corinthians 15:5-8).

After his resurrection, the Messiah was, generally speaking, easily recognized.

Yeshua met with the two Marys, "And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him" (Matthew 28:9).

Doubting Thomas even felt the Messiah's side and the nail prints in his wrists to prove to himself that Yeshua was real -- and not an apparition (John 20:24-29).

On another occasion he appeared suddenly in the midst of the disciples: "But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. And he said unto them....Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have" (Luke 24:37-39). The Messiah had a glorified, spiritual body, but he was not "a spirit."

Then the disciples gave the Messiah "a piece of broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. And he took it, and did eat before them" (verses 42, 43).

Notice also that the Messiah spoke of drinking in the soon-coming Kingdom of YEHOVAH God: "I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come" (Luke 22: 18).

More of What We of Israel Will Be Like

So Yeshua the Messiah manifested himself in a physical form after his resurrection. He could suddenly appear to the disciples when they were assembled behind closed doors (John 20: 19). He could also just "vanish" out of their sight and eat regular food like a mortal (Luke 24:31).

The redeemed of Israel will still eat -- even in the new earth and in the New Jerusalem. The "tree of life" will "bare twelve manner of fruits" to be used as food (Revelation 22:2).

Once the saints of Israel have been glorified by a resurrection from the dead, they will not have to eat for sustenance; but just as the Messiah ate after his resurrection, so will the saints. Why will they eat? Probably solely for pleasure.

Let us notice further what we will be like in the resurrection. The Sadducees "which deny that there is any resurrection" asked the Messiah a trick question: "Therefore in the resurrection whose wife of them is she? for seven [brothers] had her to wife" (Luke 20:33).

The Messiah answered: "...They [of Israel] which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage" (verse 35).

He didn't say that there would not be sex differences in the appearance of "men" and "women." But there will be no sexual function of reproduction in the resurrection.

Can those who are resurrected be killed? "Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection" (verse 36).

Where did the Sadducees go wrong in their reasoning? The Messiah told them: "Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God" (Matthew 22:29).

If people really understood the Word of YEHOVAH God better, and if they understood how powerful YEHOVAH really is, then they would realize that it is very easy for Him to resurrect "all that are in the graves."

In the resurrection we shall be "as the angels of God in heaven" (verse 30).

The Messiah did not say we would be angels, but we will be like angels in that we will be immortal and will possess powers and glory now only shared by YEHOVAH God and the holy angels.

No, we will not be angels, but we of Israel will be the literal "children of God." Angels are servants of YEHOVAH God and men (see Hebrews 1:14). YEHOVAH has never called them His "begotten" sons (Hebrews 1:5).

The Bible shows that angels are sons of YEHOVAH God by creative fiat but they are not and can never become the actual begotten and finally born sons of YEHOVAH God. But we are to be born of YEHOVAH God -- born into His family. In this God family we will be given power and glory, wisdom and understanding far surpassing anything we could ever dream of now.

Finally, YEHOVAH God the Father will dwell with His people Israel, and they with him: "...Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men [of Israel], and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God" (Revelation 21:3).

Eternal Happiness

Then the resurrected, glorified, immortalized saints of Israel will live in eternal happiness for ever and ever: "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain..." (verse 4).

These sons of YEHOVAH God, then born into the very God family, will "inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son" (verse 7).

Will they ever have to suffer any more evil trials? "And there shall be no more curse...and his servants shall serve him" (Revelation 22:3).

What will they do throughout eternity? Just sit back and bask in idleness, ease and luxury, and lapping up never-ending rivers of pleasures?

No, they will be busy. "...And they shall reign [rule or govern] for ever and ever" (verse 5). And remember, "his servants shall serve him" -- throughout all eternity (verse 3). Then will come to pass the inspired words of Hebrews 2:8: "Thou hast put all things under his [Israelites'] feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him."

Therefore, we of Israel should strive to be in the "first resurrection" (Revelation 20:6). It is spoken of as "a better resurrection" (Hebrews 11:35). Those of us who rise in that resurrection will be wonderfully blessed of YEHOVAH God!

The Second Resurrection

Former Prime Minister Winston Churchill once said before the American Congress: "He must indeed have a blind soul who cannot see that some great purpose and design is being worked out here below...."

What is that purpose which the Creator is working out on this earth among His people Israel?

We have seen that Israel's only hope is the resurrection. Also, we saw biblical proof that the Israelite man is mortal -- not immortal -- and that he can only receive immortality as a gift from YEHOVAH God by a resurrection from the dead.

Furthermore, we saw that the Bible clearly reveals there is to be more than one resurrection. There is an orderly plan whereby different ones of Israel are to be resurrected at different times. "But every man [of Israel will be resurrected] in his own order..." (I Corinthians 15:23).

There will be a proper "order" or succession of resurrections.

The true, faithful Israelite Christians will be the first raised to life, and they will be resurrected to immortality at the return of YEHOVAH God (see I Corinthians 15:49-53; I Thessalonians 4:14-17).

But what about all those Israelites who are not resurrected at the return of YEHOVAH God? Will they remain forever dead, or will YEHOVAH God also resurrect them at a later date? And will they be raised back to life merely to be flung into the lake of fire?

Some say these multitudes of Israel will have a second chance. But have they really ever had a first chance to know Yeshua the Messiah as Savior?

Revelation 20:5 begins to give the answer. "But the rest of the dead [of Israel] lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection."

The expression "this is the first resurrection" is parenthetical and refers back to those of Israel in verse four who are raised to immortality at YEHOVAH's coming to become rulers with Him as kings and priests on the earth during the Millennium.

Many have made the mistake of thinking there will be only one resurrection -- when both wicked and righteous will rise in judgment to be either rewarded or punished. But Revelation 20:5 plainly brands this an error. As a matter of fact, nowhere does the Bible say that YEHOVAH God will resurrect all the dead of Israel in the same resurrection.

True, the apostle Paul affirmed "that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust" (Acts 24:15).

And Yeshua the Messiah said: "...For the hour is coming, in the which all [Israelites] that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life [eternal]; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation [or, better translated, judgment]" (John 5:28, 29).

Therefore, not thinking deeply, "Most Christians believe that on the last day of the world all the dead will come to life. They call the day Judgment Day, because God will judge everyone" (World Book Encyclopedia, 1972 edition).

But let us not fall into the common error of assuming that Paul and the Messiah meant the "just" and the "unjust" of Israel would be resurrected at the same time.

We have seen that the apostle John wrote of a "first resurrection" and a "second resurrection." So where does that leave us?

Since all the "just" or righteous dead of Israel are resurrected at the coming of YEHOVAH God, leaving the "unjust" dead of Israel in their graves, are all these unjust dead eternally lost -- without any hope of ever having an opportunity to live again and obtain immortality?

A Resurrection of Mortals

Are the unjust ones of Israel merely to be resurrected so YEHOVAH God can fling them into the lake of fire to be burned up? What did the Messiah mean when he said that "they that have done evil [will be resurrected], unto the resurrection of judgment"? (John 5:29.)

Who are the "unjust" ones mentioned by Paul in Acts 24:15? Are those Israelites who died in sin really fully accountable for their actions in their "first life"? Have they ever had a chance for eternal salvation?

Astounding as it may seem to people who do not really know the scriptural teaching regarding the resurrections, countless millions of Israelites are yet to be brought back to a mortal life to have their "first chance" to receive salvation.

Think for a moment. Could the untold millions of Israel who have lived and died possibly have received salvation? Have the vast majority ever had a chance to understand the Bible? Have they, then, really rejected salvation? No! Many Israelites have lived their entire lifetimes without ever seeing a Bible or even hearing the name of Yeshua the Messiah!

Are they forever doomed simply because they did not have the Word of YEHOVAH God, and did not know that the Messiah is the Savior of all Israel? What nonsense!

What Constitutes a "Chance"?

Is it possible that Israelites could receive salvation through some other person, or by a different way? The apostle Peter emphatically answers: "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).

Israelites can only be saved if and when they learn of Yeshua the Messiah as their Savior who died for them, and then accept that supreme sacrifice in payment for their personal sins.

The Messiah said: "I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture" (John 10:9). He made it abundantly clear that anyone who "entereth not by the door [the Messiah] into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber" (verse 1).

There is no other "door" by which we of Israel can enter the Kingdom of YEHOVAH God.

Can An Israelite Have a Second Chance?

Someone will ask: "Do you mean to say that God will resurrect Israelites back to a mortal life, and give them a second chance?" No, this is not what the Bible teaches at all.

But the scriptures plainly reveal that the time is coming when YEHOVAH God will raise the "unjust" dead of Israel -- those who through no fault of their own were deceived and never understood the way of salvation -- and will at that time reveal His plan of salvation to them.

Don't forget this basic truth: It is "impossible for God to lie" (Hebrew 6:18). And "the scripture cannot be broken" (John 10:35); therefore, whatever YEHOVAH God promises in His Word, He will do.

YEHOVAH's Word plainly says: "The LORD is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to usward, not willing that any [of Israel] should perish, but that all should come to repentance" (II Peter 3:9).

It is not YEHOVAH's will that heathen animists, pagan idolaters or other sincere Israelite people who may practice a false religion, should perish. A loving Creator wills that "all [of Israel] should come to repentance" -- in His own time and way.

The apostle Paul was also inspired to write that YEHOVAH God our Savior "will have all men [of Israel] to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth" (I Timothy 2:4). He then went on to show that "there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time" (verses 5, 6).

It is YEHOVAH's responsibility to grant His people Israel the knowledge of the truth. The vast majority of Israelites who have ever lived and died were, through no fault of their own, deprived of this knowledge which could have made salvation possible in their first lifetime. It therefore becomes imperative that YEHOVAH God give them their first real chance to hear, understand and follow YEHOVAH's way of salvation. But how? By raising them from the dead to renewed physical life in a second resurrection!

But millions of Christian Israelites erroneously believe that when one dies in sin he is lost forever.

One scripture oft quoted to prove that a person who dies in sin is forever doomed is Ecclesiastes 11:3. "...If the tree fall toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falleth, there it shall be." This scripture, referring in context to certain instructions Solomon was giving with regard to the importance of making the most out of an uncertain and relatively short human lifetime, has nothing to do with any resurrection. Solomon does not say that if one, through no fault of his own, dies in sin, he will never have a chance to repent and receive salvation.

In John 5:29, Yeshua the Messiah spoke of "the resurrection of damnation." Nearly all modern translations correctly render this last word as "judgment" rather than "damnation."

But what does it mean to be resurrected to judgment? Most Christian Israelites woefully misunderstand. They think of "judgment" as only a time when a sentence is passed -- rewarding the righteous or condemning the guilty. But that is a false concept.

Notice what the apostle Peter wrote: "For the time [beginning nearly 2,000 years ago] is come that judgment must begin at the house of God..." (I Peter 4:17). What did he mean? He did not mean just condemnation had begun at YEHOVAH's house, the Church.

Rather he referred to the fact that YEHOVAH God is now judging Israelite Christians. We are now having our chance, and we will never have another. "How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation...?" (Hebrews 2:3.) See also Hebrews 6:4-6; 10:26-29. YEHOVAH God holds every Christian strictly accountable for his actions. He is now judging every believer according to His Word. But the vast majority of Israel, to this very day, do not understand or believe the truth of YEHOVAH God. They have been deceived by the devil (Revelation 12:9). And it is YEHOVAH's responsibility to someday see that these deceived millions become undeceived and are given their chance for salvation -- for He is not willing that any of Israel perish!

When the Messiah said some would come forth in a resurrection to "judgment," he meant they would be raised up from their graves to a time when they would learn the truth and have their opportunity to walk in it. Then YEHOVAH God will render a decision -- a verdict -- for each, on the basis of how they do.

Some are amazed to learn that the Messiah made a number of statements in which he said that the peoples of Sodom, Gomorrah, Tyre, Sidon, Nineveh and those living in the Messiah's day will all rise up in the judgment together. Mercy will be shown to all, but these cities will find their judgment period more bearable than those of Israel who personally heard the teachings of Yeshua the Messiah and yet rejected him and his gospel.

The Messiah solemnly affirmed: "Verily I say unto you, it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment, than for that city [which rejected his teachings]" (Matthew 10:15).

Ezekiel 16:49 describes the sin of Sodom as being, "pride, fullness of bread, and abundance of idleness…neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy, and were haughty and committed abomination before Me." This is another picture of our society where open abominations include breaking "thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination." Today this act is publicly accepted, legal and open as it was in Sodom. 2 Peter 2:6 and Jude 1:7 picture this and say that similar open abominations are being worthy of eternal fire. On top of this, Anglo-Saxon Israel is openly flouting the word YEHOVAH God spoke to them -- namely the Ten Commandments.

Ezekiel 16:60-63: "Nevertheless I will remember my covenant with thee in the days of thy youth, and I will establish with thee an everlasting covenant. Then, thou shalt remember thy ways, and be ashamed…and I will establish My covenant with thee; and thou shalt know that I am the LORD: that thou mayest remember, and be confounded, and never open thy mouth any more because of thy shame, when I am pacified towards thee for all thou hast done, saith the LORD God."

To those cities who saw his miracles, the Messiah said: "But I say unto you [people of Bethsaida and Chorazin], It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you" (Matthew 11:21, 22).

Then Yeshua warned Capernaum that if the mighty works done by him in that city had been done in Sodom, Sodom would have existed to that very day. "But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom, in the day of judgment, than for thee" (verse 24).

Furthermore, the Messiah made a similar pronouncement regarding Nineveh: "The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here" (Matthew 12:41).

Yeshua then explained that "The queen of the south [Queen of Sheba] shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it; for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here" (verse 42).

What did the Messiah mean? Just this. The Queen of Sheba, the peoples of Nineveh, Tyre, Sidon, Sodom and Gomorrah will find repentance easier in their "day of judgment" than will those who rejected the Messiah and his gospel message.

The Messiah was not preaching a "new doctrine" when he spoke of the resurrection of the peoples of Sodom. It was clearly indicated, if the people only had eyes to see, in the 16th chapter of the book of Ezekiel.

Much of the chapter relates to the people of Jerusalem (verse 2). It details their abominations, calling Samaria the "elder sister" of Jerusalem, and Sodom her "younger sister" (verse 46). Then YEHOVAH God points out that the sins the people of Jerusalem had committed were more abominable than those of her sisters -- Sodom and Samaria.

Finally, Ezekiel prophesies of the time when the Sodomites, Samaritans and the people of Jerusalem will all be brought up out of their captivity in death and will finally receive their opportunity for salvation.

"When I shall bring again their captivity, the captivity of Sodom and her daughters, and the captivity of Samaria and her daughters, then will I bring again the captivity of thy captives in the midst of them" (verse 53).

The peoples of Sodom and Gomorrah have been held captive in the grave for nearly four thousand years. But through the Messiah's death and resurrection all of those of Abraham's line held captive in the grave will be released:

"...When he [the Messiah] ascended up on high [at his resurrection], he led captivity [death] captive..." (Ephesians 4:8).

The Messiah was held captive in the grave for three days, but at his resurrection he "led captivity captive." YEHOVAH God will do the same for all of Israel in due time by resurrecting "all that are in the graves."

When YEHOVAH God resurrects the peoples of ancient Sodom, Samaria and Jerusalem, they will "return to their former estate" -- meaning that YEHOVAH God will place them in the land where they once lived (Ezekiel 16:55).

Ezekiel also prophesied elsewhere of a coming resurrection of all the dead Israelites of past centuries. The prophet first sees them as long dead in a "valley of dry bones" (Ezekiel 37:1-10):

"Then he [YEHOVAH God] said unto me, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel....Behold, O my people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel. And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I have opened your graves, O my people, and brought you up out of your graves" (verses 11-13).

Then YEHOVAH promises He will put His spirit in them (giving them the prerequisite for salvation) and will place them in their "own land" (verse 14).

Even the apostle Paul prophesied of a coming resurrection for carnal Israel.

Paul wrote: "God hath not cast away his people [Israel] which he foreknew" (Romans 11:2).

Paul explains that the majority of Israel are spiritually blinded (verse 7). And who is responsible? "...God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear..." (verse 8). Why?

"For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world" -- it makes possible the salvation of the Israelites in dispersion! -- "what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?" (Verse 15.) Yes, they are to be raised from the dead and given life by the God who loves them and all of Israel.

Paul calls this a "mystery" -- "that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles [northern 10 tribes] be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved..." (verses 25, 26).

What Paul is saying is simply this: YEHOVAH God has determined to call and choose only a limited number from Israel in this age. He is not trying to save all Israel now! He therefore calls those Israelites whom He wills, but allows the rest to remain blinded so that He can fulfill His purpose.

"For as ye [Gentiles -- Israelites in dispersion] in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their [Israel's] unbelief: Even so have these [unbelieving Israelites] also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy. For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all" (verses 30-32).

When the apostle Paul understood the mystery of YEHOVAH's great master plan, he was filled with praise: "O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!" (Verse 33.)

YEHOVAH God is not trying to save all of Israel now! Rather, He has allowed Satan to deceive Israel with his false teaching (Revelation 12:9). He must prove to Satan and to man that Satan's way produces bad results!

Just what is the Great White Throne Judgment? The resurrection of the righteous Israelites will take place at the coming of YEHOVAH God (I Thessalonians 4:13-18; I Corinthians 15:53), the resurrection of the unsaved Israelites at the Great White Throne Judgment after the Kingdom Age (Revelation 20:11-15).

YEHOVAH God is great, merciful, loving, not willing that any of Israel should perish. He wills that all of Israel come to the knowledge of the truth and to true repentance. But He knows it is better that most people come to this knowledge of the truth in a better world than ours. That is why these people will be raised up in the second resurrection -- a resurrection to a mortal, fleshly, earthly existence.

Here is how it is depicted in the 20th chapter of Revelation. "And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it....And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God..." (Revelation 20:11, 12).

"The books [Greek, biblos -- books or Bible] were opened" (verse 12). This means that those Israelites raised up at that time will have the books of the Bible opened to their knowledge and understanding. And also the "book of life" will be open so their names will not be removed from it when each repents of his sins, accepts the Messiah as personal Savior, and receives YEHOVAH's holy spirit.

Then they will be judged "according to their works" (verse 12).

Thus we see the "rest of the dead" of Israel raised to life, standing before YEHOVAH God to be judged -- but not to be condemned, as so many falsely assume. YEHOVAH will then judge those "unjust" dead, who are at that time raised to life, just as He now judges His own house -- the Church (Ecclesia) consisting of racial Israelites (I Peter 4:17). The book of life will be opened so they can all receive eternal life, if they will!

How thrilling to understand YEHOVAH's master plan which He is working out here below among His people Israel.

The Third Resurrection

How many professing Christian Israelites really know what the Bible says about the resurrections?

Most Israelites who profess to believe in the resurrection think the "just" and the "unjust" Israelites will all be raised to life at the same time -- either to be rewarded or punished.

Some, however, believe the Bible teaches there will be two resurrections.

But how many Christian Israelites know that according to YEHOVAH God's master plan there will actually be three resurrections -- not just one or two?

Earlier in this article we have seen that the first resurrection will take place at the return of YEHOVAH God and will include only the "just" of YEHOVAH's people Israel, who will be raised to life and clothed with immortality at that time (I Thessalonians 4:13-18; I Corinthians 15:53).

We also saw clear biblical proof that after YEHOVAH God and the Messiah's one-thousand-year rule YEHOVAH will resurrect those of Israel who in past ages died in sin and ignorance, but who (through no fault of their own) never had a chance for salvation -- in many cases never heard of Yeshua the Messiah or saw a Bible in their entire lives. Or if they did hear or see, they were spiritually blinded (see Romans 11:7).

These deceived millions did not ask to be born into a world of ignorance and superstition; and since "God is not willing that any should perish," it is His responsibility to see that they are raised up and given a knowledge of the truth (II Peter 3:9; 1 Timothy 2:4-6).

The twentieth chapter of Revelation clearly speaks of three resurrections.

After mentioning the return of YEHOVAH God to this earth (Revelation 19:11-12), the apostle John writes that a mighty angel will bind the devil and cast him into an abyss, where he will be unable to deceive the nations for one thousand years (Revelation 20:1-3).

But what happens immediately after this? The saints of Israel who have been caught up to meet YEHOVAH at His return (I Thessalonians 4:13-17) will then be given charge of this earth -- ruling with YEHOVAH God and the Messiah for one thousand years. "And I saw thrones, and they [of Israel] sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded...and they lived [again] and reigned with Christ a thousand years" (Revelation 20:4).

Those of Israel who take part in this resurrection are greatly blessed by being privileged to take part in the "first resurrection" (verse 5).

"Blessed and holy is he [of Israel] that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years" (verse 6).

When do the remainder of the Israelite dead rise? "But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished" (verse 5).

This verse plainly shows that others of Israel are to be resurrected one thousand years later.

When describing the "second" resurrection earlier in this article, we saw that verses 11-12 (of Revelation 20) describe a coming resurrection and judgment of that portion of the "rest of the dead" of Israel who never had their chance for salvation. Verse 12 reads: "And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books [Greek: biblos, books of the Bible] were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life...."

When these millions of Israel are resurrected, YEHOVAH God will open up the Bible to their understanding. They will be given their first real chance to repent, accept the Messiah as their Savior and receive His Father's precious holy spirit. Their names will then be kept in the book of life.

Now consider verse 13: "And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell [Greek: hades, grave] delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works."

Here is pictured another resurrection period. Who are these dead? What resurrection is this?

Notice that there is no statement that the "book of life" is opened up to them. Why is the "book of life" not "opened" in connection with those who rise up in this final resurrection? Simply because they must have already had their chance for salvation -- and have rejected it -- thereby causing their names to be removed!

YEHOVAH God is not willing that any of His people Israel perish, yet it is not His will to force the truth on anyone. He will not force salvation down anyone's throat.

YEHOVAH offers salvation freely to all those of Israel who will receive it (Acts 2:21). And He has made every man of Israel a free moral agent -- with the power of volition, the power to choose. Those who do not voluntarily accept YEHOVAH's offer and follow that way of life necessary to receive life eternal will not receive it.

Those Israelites who will come up in this third resurrection are the incorrigibly wicked. They are the last of Israel to be resurrected from their graves -- from "the sea" (where they may have perished in their first life), from death (without burial in their first life), or from "hell" (a hole or grave in the ground).

These miserable beings will be sentenced by YEHOVAH God -- and executed: "And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire" (verses 14, 15). Lamentably, none of Israel who will be resurrected in this resurrection will continue to have their names in the Lamb's book of life. Therefore they will all perish!

Missing the Boat!

This resurrection (which will result in the second death) is vividly described in Luke's Gospel. A certain heartless "rich man" is resurrected to a horrible fate. "And in hell [Greek: hades, grave] he lift up his eyes, being in torments....[And he said,] I am tormented in this flame" (Luke 16:23-24).

The wicked will all be cremated when YEHOVAH God burns up the earth, turning it into the final Gehenna (see II Peter 3:10).

But what is the truth of this parable? The rich man is raised up out of his grave at the very end of the plan of YEHOVAH God for His people Israel on earth. He has had no knowledge of the passing of time -- "the dead know not anything" (Ecclesiastes 9:5). The "rich man" thought that his brothers were still alive (Luke 16:27, 28 -- but other scriptures reveal they, too, had died).

He now realized that he had missed the boat; he had missed out on receiving salvation. There is now "a great gulf fixed" (verse 26) between him and those who are with Abraham in the Kingdom of YEHOVAH God. It is now impossible for anyone to pass either way through this great gulf: impossible for those who are immortal to become mortal; impossible for the mortal ones to receive immortality.

The Messiah said: "Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in [the Kingdom of YEHOVAH God], and shall not be able" (Luke 13 :24). Continuing with the context, the Messiah then goes on to picture himself as one who refuses to answer the knock of incorrigible sinners of Israel who have previously rejected salvation (as shown by other scriptures). In verse 28 he says: "There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves [incorrigible Israelite sinners] thrust out [not able to enter the Kingdom]."

When the time for the third resurrection arrives, everyone of YEHOVAH's people Israel will have had his chance. Everyone's ultimate destiny will have then been "fixed" eternally. It will be forever too late for anyone who -- after receiving his chance for salvation -- sinned willfully, thereby rejecting eternal life. Those of Israel who rejected YEHOVAH God and His way must then reap the consequences of that decision -- the second death, from which there will be no resurrection. How awful! How tragic!

YEHOVAH's People Israel Must Choose

YEHOVAH God is NOT in any sense a sadist. He is "not willing that any [of Israel] should perish, but that all should come to repentance" (II Peter 3:9; I Timothy 2:4). But to those who refuse His mercy, He is a God of justice and judgment (Hebrews 10:29-31). He wants those of Israel who leave Him with no alternative but to put them to death for eternity to know what He earnestly desired and wished them to achieve.

So YEHOVAH God is going to compel the incorrigibly wicked Israelites to see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and all the prophets in the Kingdom of YEHOVAH God before they are eternally put to death (see Luke 13:28; 16:23).

Since YEHOVAH God made His people Israel free moral agents with the power of volition, each man of Israel must choose. YEHOVAH will insist that each Israelite choose either His way or the devil's way, either life or death (Deuteronomy 30:19). But YEHOVAH will not force any man of Israel to receive eternal life, nor will he arbitrarily consign anyone to death. All must choose, and reap the consequences of that choice.

What will happen if a person of Israel chooses the way of sin and suffering? "For the wages [reward] of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 6:23).

But the Bible speaks of two deaths: first and second. "...It is appointed unto men [of Israel] once to die, but after this the judgment" (Hebrews 9:27).

From the time of righteous Abel till this very day, even YEHOVAH's righteous people have had to suffer the first death. But it is the second death that is final -- not the first (Revelation 20:14, 15)!

The Lake of Fire

Notice how the apostle Peter wrote that the wicked of Israel will perish in the lake of fire -- which will occur at the time when the earth is burned up and then made into a new earth, where the righteous will dwell forevermore:

"But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men" (II Peter 3:7).

YEHOVAH God has decreed that He will not let this earth be destroyed until His great master plan for His people Israel on this earth is finished.

This time of the destruction of the wicked of Israel is explained more fully by Peter:

"But the day of the LORD will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up" (verse 10).

Furthermore, "all these things shall be dissolved" (verse 11) at the time of the perdition (annihilation) of the ungodly -- during the time of "the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat" (verse 12).

What then? After the perdition (second death) of the wicked of Israel, YEHOVAH God will make "new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth [only] righteousness" (verse 13).

The apostle John, after describing the destruction of the wicked (Revelation 20:13-15), immediately mentions "a new heaven and a new earth" (Revelation 21:1). He then gives a glowing account of the peace, happiness, beauty and glory that will characterize this new earth.

John was taken in vision to a "great and high mountain," where he was able to view "that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, having the glory of God..." (verse 10).

Notice that this indescribably beautiful city is not up in heaven, but is to be located right here on this earth. Again, the apostle John speaks of the "new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God..." (Revelation 3:12).

Nowhere in the Bible is there a promise that the people of Israel will, at death, waft off to heaven. Rather, the Scriptures plainly teach that the new Jerusalem will come down from heaven to this earth. YEHOVAH's people Israel will not go up to heaven to dwell with YEHOVAH God; but YEHOVAH God will come to this earth to dwell with them: "...Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men [of Israel], and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God" (Revelation 21:3). YEHOVAH God will also dwell here on earth from the time of the first resurrection: "Behold, the day of the LORD [YEHOVAH] is coming....Then the LORD [YEHOVAH] will go forth and fight against those nations....And in that day His [YEHOVAH's] feet will stand on the Mount of Olives....Thus the LORD [YEHOVAH] my God will come, and all the saints [of Israel] with You" (Zechariah 14:1, 3-5).

The Bible is consistent. Yeshua the Messiah plainly taught that men of Israel would eternally dwell here on this earth when he said: "Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth" (Matthew 5:5).

And David wrote: "But the meek [of Israel] shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace" (Psalm 37:9, 11).

But will YEHOVAH's people Israel only inherit this earth during the millennium, and then go to heaven? "The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever" (verse 29).

What will happen to the wicked of Israel? Will they, as some say, spend a while in hell (or in some other place) suffering for their sins, and then be taken to heaven to live forever?

Shame and Everlasting Contempt

Long ago, the Prophet Daniel spoke of the wicked of Israel who would "awake" in a resurrection "to shame and everlasting contempt [or abhorrence]" (Daniel 12:2). Malachi also spoke of the end of these wretched beings who spurned eternal life:

"For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch" (Malachi 4:1).

What about the righteous of Israel? Where will they be?

Daniel said the righteous Israelites would "awake...to everlasting life" (Daniel 12:2). They will then become glorified sons of YEHOVAH God -- living, serving their Creator eternally just like Yeshua the Messiah, their Elder Brother: "And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever" (verse 3).

The righteous of Israel will then be made immortal. But in the third and final resurrection, the wicked of Israel will be made to see that they have scoffed at YEHOVAH's priceless offer for salvation. As a punishment, and as an eternal example, they will be annihilated in the "second death."

The Prophet Malachi wrote of this triumph of the righteous over the wicked: "And ye [the righteous] shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet..." (Malachi 4:3).

The Israelite Man's Destiny

The destiny of YEHOVAH's people Israel is so great and glorious that few Christian Israelites have ever really grasped it. YEHOVAH God, through His Word, repeatedly speaks of the people of Israel becoming sons in the very family of YEHOVAH God.

Even YEHOVAH's angels are servants of these heirs of divine sonship: "Are they [angels] not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?" (Hebrews 1:14.)

Realizing the "high calling" which YEHOVAH God has given those of us of Israel, the apostle Paul wrote that Israelite Christians should "give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip" (Hebrews 2:1).

He then asked: "How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation...?" (Verse 3.)

The book of Hebrews is filled with warnings to the believer of Israel not to get careless and lose out on eternal salvation. Paul warns Christian Israelites not to let a "root of bitterness" trouble and/or defile them (Hebrews 12:15).

But the sternest warning in the entire Bible is in the tenth chapter of Hebrews: "For if we [of Israel] sin willfully [with deliberate intent] after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries" (Hebrews 10:26, 27).

The apostle Paul then speaks of the severe ("sorer") punishment which will befall that wicked person of Israel "who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the spirit of grace" (verse 29).

Truly, "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God" (verse 31).

[Editor's note: Willful sin is NOT to be equated with sin by force of habit or under heavy temptation. "Slipping," making mistakes, or occasionally falling down spiritually do not constitute willful sin. A thorough exposition of this principle may be obtained by writing or downloading our free articles, What Do You Mean -- the Unpardonable Sin? and Just What Do You Mean...Conversion?]

But can a true Israelite believer draw back and be eternally destroyed? "Now the just [of Israel] shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition [destruction]; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul" (verses 38, 39).

We have seen that YEHOVAH God is "not willing that any [of Israel] should perish." Furthermore, YEHOVAH God has ordained that there will be three resurrections for His people Israel: the first, to immortality at the return of YEHOVAH God -- immediately before the millennium begins.

The second is to take place shortly after the thousand-year rule of YEHOVAH God and the Messiah. Those who rise in the second resurrection comprise all the deceived multitudes of Israel who died without a saving knowledge of the truth.

The third resurrection occurs at the very end of YEHOVAH's plan for His people Israel on this earth. Those who rise up in the third and final resurrection are those of Israel who had their chance for salvation and deliberately turned it down. YEHOVAH God will be forced to extinguish the lives of those who have obstinately chosen the way of death! Remember, YEHOVAH God will not force eternal life down anyone's throat.

Now you should be better able to understand what the apostle Paul meant by an "order" of resurrections (I Corinthians 15:23). He simply meant that there would be a succession of resurrections, various ones rising at different times for different judgments.

Making the Right Choice

Let us remember that our Creator is a benevolent, loving God who wants to do everything possible for His people Israel. "The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy....Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him" (Psalm 103:8, 13).

Those of us of Israel who know the truth should strive with all their might to be in the first resurrection, the resurrection to eternal life, the "better resurrection" (Hebrews 11:35).

But those who are not predestined by YEHOVAH God to receive the saving knowledge of the truth now, will rise up in the second resurrection. They will then be given their first real chance to be saved.

But those Israelites who reject that knowledge and that way to eternal life -- regardless of the age in which they were given the knowledge of the truth -- will rise in the third and final resurrection, which will culminate in the "second death" in the lake of fire.

But the Israelite believer has a wonderful, eternal future ahead of him:

"He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But the [unrepentant] fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death" (Revelation 21:7, 8).

Your eternal destiny -- your future -- is up to you! You can choose the way of YEHOVAH God and eternal life, or you can choose Satan's way of lust, greed, strife and sin -- which will lead to total perdition -- to the "second death" in a lake of fire.

Let each one of us of Israel make sure that we make the right choice.