Thanks Rob.
"... there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust."
Acts 24:15
I see the point you're making. The verse seems to say that there will be two resurrections based on the last part of the verse there. But it does say a resurrection. It seems that if the author wanted to refer to multiple events, he would say 'there shall be resurrections (plural) of the dead.'
How about one resurrection, for both righteous and unrighteous people.
I also believe that Christians can be referred to as unjust/unrighteous. I am of the belief, based on many verses, that some Christians will be rejected by God after their resurrection. Matthew 7:22 is one indication of that to me.
Understanding what righteous means, helped me get this cleared.
Righteous - Does what is right, knowing what is right.
Unrighteous - Does not do what is right, because of not knowing what is right.
Wicked - Does not do what is right, although knowing what is right.
We need to consider a couple things that come to mind. In Ecclesiastes 12:5-7, we are told that a person's spirit returns to God upon their death. If that is just a general spirit of physical body-animating life, and not THE Holy Spirit, as it seems to indicate, then is that the moment of judgment? Remember, there is no time in the spirit realm where God exists.
The spirit returns to God, as it belongs to him, to give it. Psalms 104:29.
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The story of Lazarus seems to show that unbelievers may go straight to the Lake of Fire upon death. Whereas the believers are said to be sleeping in the dust of the earth. Awaiting their resurrection?
Perhaps if you elaborate on that, you might help me to see how you arrived at that.
It's never made much sense to me that unbelievers would be raised physically from their graves only to be judged and punished.
That doesn't make sense to me either.
It makes more sense that it would be believers who are ashamed before God after they are resurrected. An atheist wouldn't be ashamed of anything. The guilty are only ever disappointed they got caught for their crimes, they have no shame; certainly not before a God they didn't believe in.
Based on what the Bible tells us about God's love, it follows that God would seek to save sinners, rather than destroy them, especially as many do not know their right hand from their left. I think we are more Jonah like, than God-like, so the "Ninevites" must go, but God is not like that. He gives those who died in ignorance - which many unbelievers are... especially as Satan uses religion to cause confusion - an opportunity.
So they get 1,000 years without the confusion, to get to know God. This is a thousand years of judgement... or judgment day.
One of the real kickers of this concept is whether someone embraces the Millennium doctrine or not. I do not. If one considers that doctrine legitimate, which scripture very much contradicts, then you can believe that the earth will remain long enough after Jesus' return to be capable of two resurrections 1,000 years apart. But if you see that scripture makes plain that the earth is destroyed upon Jesus' return, then there is no time for there to be a Second Resurrection a millennia later.
the Millennium doctrine?
I never heard of that. There is only one millennium - Jesus 1,000 year rule, whe the Devil and his demons are not around, to mislead those resurrected one.
The Devil will be released after the 1,000 years, which would then show up who is for or against God, and his rule.
One resurrection when Jesus returns, some to life and some to shame and damnation; then the earth is destroyed.
According to Paul, when Jesus returns, it will be for those who will rule with him in heaven. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17
When he return a second time, it will be to remove all the goats on the earth. The sheep will get life. Matthew 25:31-46
After this, Christ and his co-rulers rules the earth for 1,000 years. Revelation 20:4
The earth is here to stay. It will never be destroyed... forever. Psalms 105:4
God created it to be inhabited. Isaiah 45:18
It is mankind's home. Psalms 115:16 ...forever. Psalms 37:29
It's an ongoing analysis, to be sure. Very interesting.
Thanks for the comment.
Studying the Bible does take some time, and we grow in knowledge and understanding with time, and a humble heart.