Table of contents of the http://yomelyah.fr/ website
The earthly resurrection
« Do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who did good things to a resurrection of life, and those who practiced vile things to a resurrection of judgment »
(John 5:28,29)
The Bible teaches the restoration of the former earthly paradise, lost by Adam and Eve. The prophecy of Isaiah (11, 35, 65), Ezekiel (40-48), and the Psalms (especially the 37) indicate the restoration of the Earthly Paradise. The last book of the Bible, Revelation describes the restoration of Earthly Paradise: “With that I heard a loud voice from the throne say: “Look! The tent of God is with mankind, and he will reside with them, and they will be his people. And God himself will be with them. And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away”” (Revelation 21:3,4). This same book indicates that at the end of the 1000 years, there will be holy ones, Jehovah’s Worshipers in the earthly Paradise: “And they advanced over the whole earth and encircled the camp of the holy ones and the beloved city. But fire came down out of heaven and consumed them » (Revelation 20:9). This text shows that the earthly holy ones will be protected from the last attack of Satan, himself being destroyed, at the end of a thousand years.
Therefore, there is no doubt that the Bible teaches that most of the dead humans will be resurrected in the earthly paradise. Only 144,000 humans, redeemed from the earth will be resurrected in heaven: “Then I saw, and look! the Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with him 144,000 who have his name and the name of his Father written on their foreheads” (Revelation 14:1-5; 7:1-8).
“And many of those asleep in the dust of the earth will wake up, some to everlasting life and others to reproach and to everlasting contempt” (Daniel 12:2).
“And I have hope toward God, which hope these men also look forward to, that there is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous” (Acts 24:15).
Moreover, faithful people, who were dead before the time of Christ and the apostles, were not in heaven: « Moreover, no man has ascended into heaven but the one who descended from heaven, the Son of man » (John 3:13). This text is clear « no man has ascended into heaven ». Even after the death and resurrection of Christ, and his ascension to heaven, this is what the Apostle Peter said about King David: “Men, brothers, it is permissible to speak with freeness of speech to you about the family head David, that he died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day” (Acts 2:29).
This text clearly shows that King David, a faithful one, was not resurrected at the time of the Apostles. During the earthly ministry of Christ, all the resurrection he did, the dead were resurrected in a human body. The most spectacular resurrection being that of Lazarus (John 11). The following Bible study will focus on the study of the prophecy of Ezekiel 40-48, on the earthly administration of this earthly resurrection during the 1,000-year reign of Christ. This prophecy reveals very encouraging information.
The Resurrections Made by Jesus Christ
to Strengthen our Faith in Hope
Jesus Christ resurrects the son of a widow: « Soon afterward he traveled to a city called Naʹin, and his disciples and a large crowd were traveling with him. As he got near the gate of the city, why look! there was a dead man being carried out, the only son of his mother. Besides, she was a widow. A considerable crowd from the city was also with her. When the Lord caught sight of her, he was moved with pity for her, and he said to her: “Stop weeping.” With that he approached and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. Then he said: “Young man, I say to you, get up!” And the dead man sat up and started to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. Now fear seized them all, and they began to glorify God, saying: “A great prophet has been raised up among us,” and, “God has turned his attention to his people.” And this news concerning him spread out into all Ju·deʹa and all the surrounding country » (Luke 7:11-17).
Jesus Christ resurrects Jairus’ daughter: « While he was yet speaking, a representative of the presiding officer of the synagogue came, saying: “Your daughter has died; do not bother the Teacher any longer.” On hearing this, Jesus answered him: “Have no fear, only have faith, and she will be saved.” When he reached the house, he did not let anyone go in with him except Peter, John, James, and the girl’s father and mother. But people were all weeping and beating themselves in grief for her. So he said: “Stop weeping, for she did not die but is sleeping.” At this they began to laugh at him scornfully, because they knew she had died. But he took her by the hand and called to her: “Child, get up!” And her spirit returned, and she rose immediately, and he ordered that something be given her to eat. Well, her parents were beside themselves, but he instructed them to tell no one what had happened » (Luke 8:49-56).
Jesus Christ resurrects his friend Lazarus, who has been dead for four days: « Jesus had not yet come into the village, but he was still in the place where Martha had met him. When the Jews who were with Mary in the house consoling her saw her get up quickly and go out, they followed her, supposing that she was going to the tomb to weep there. When Mary arrived where Jesus was and caught sight of him, she fell at his feet and said to him: “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” When Jesus saw her weeping and the Jews who had come with her weeping, he groaned within himself and became troubled. He said: “Where have you laid him?” They said to him: “Lord, come and see.” Jesus gave way to tears. At that the Jews began to say: “See, what affection he had for him!” But some of them said: “Could not this man who opened the eyes of the blind man prevent this one from dying?” Then Jesus, after groaning again within himself, came to the tomb. It was, in fact, a cave, and a stone was lying against it. Jesus said: “Take the stone away.” Martha, the sister of the deceased, said to him: “Lord, by now he must smell, for it has been four days.” Jesus said to her: “Did I not tell you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?” So they took the stone away. Then Jesus raised his eyes heavenward and said: “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. True, I knew that you always hear me; but I spoke on account of the crowd standing around, so that they may believe that you sent me.” When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice: “Lazʹa·rus, come out!” The man who had been dead came out with his feet and hands bound with wrappings, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them: “Free him and let him go.” » (John 11:30-44).
Narratives of Christ’s Resurrection
to Strengthen Our Faith in Hope
– Jesus Christ resurrected appears to women who came very early on the morning of Sunday Nisan,16:
« After the sabbath, when it was growing light on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to view the grave. And, notice! a great earthquake had taken place; for Jehovah’s angel had descended from heaven and approached and rolled away the stone, and was sitting on it. His outward appearance was as lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. Yes, for fear of him the watchmen trembled and became as dead men. But the angel in answer said to the women: “Do not you be fearful, for I know you are looking for Jesus who was impaled. 6 He is not here, for he was raised up, as he said. Come, see the place where he was lying. And go quickly and tell his disciples that he was raised up from the dead, and, look! he is going ahead of you into Galʹi·lee; there you will see him. Look! I have told you.” So, quickly leaving the memorial tomb, with fear and great joy, they ran to report to his disciples. And, look! Jesus met them and said: “Good day!” They approached and caught him by his feet and did obeisance to him. Then Jesus said to them: “Have no fear! Go, report to my brothers, that they may go off into Galʹi·lee; and there they will see me”” (Matthew 28:1-10).
***
– The women announce the good news of the resurrection of Jesus Christ to the apostles who do not believe them:
« On the first day of the week, however, they went very early to the tomb, bearing the spices they had prepared. But they found the stone rolled away from the memorial tomb, and when they entered they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were in perplexity over this, look! two men in flashing clothing stood by them. As the women became frightened and kept their faces turned to the ground, the men said to them: “Why are you looking for the living One among the dead? [He is not here, but has been raised up.] Recall how he spoke to you while he was yet in Galilee, saying that the Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be impaled and yet on the third day rise.” So they called his sayings to mind, and they returned from the memorial tomb and reported all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. They were the Magdalene Mary, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James. Also, the rest of the women with them were telling the apostles these things. However, these sayings appeared as nonsense to them and they would not believe the women » (Luke 24:1-11).
– Peter and John run to the grave to check the truth of women’s narrative:
« On the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the memorial tomb early, while there was still darkness, and she beheld the stone already taken away from the memorial tomb. Therefore she ran and came to Simon Peter and to the other disciple, for whom Jesus had affection, and she said to them: “They have taken away the Lord out of the memorial tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” Then Peter and the other disciple went out and started for the memorial tomb. Yes, the two together began to run; but the other disciple ran ahead of Peter with greater speed and reached the memorial tomb first. And, stooping forward, he beheld the bandages lying, yet he did not go in. Then Simon Peter also came following him, and he entered into the memorial tomb. And he viewed the bandages lying, also the cloth that had been upon his head not lying with the bandages but separately rolled up in one place. At that time, therefore, the other disciple who had reached the memorial tomb first also went in, and he saw and believed. For they did not yet discern the scripture that he must rise from the dead. And so the disciples went back to their homes » (John 20:1-10).
***
– Magdalene Mary meets Jesus Christ resurrected, and she does not recognize him and takes him for the gardener:
« Mary, however, kept standing outside near the memorial tomb, weeping. Then, while she was weeping, she stooped forward to look into the memorial tomb and she viewed two angels in white sitting one at the head and one at the feet where the body of Jesus had been lying. And they said to her: “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them: “They have taken my Lord away, and I do not know where they have laid him.” After saying these things, she turned back and viewed Jesus standing, but she did not discern it was Jesus. Jesus said to her: “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” She, imagining it was the gardener, said to him: “Sir, if you have carried him off, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” Jesus said to her: “Mary!” Upon turning around, she said to him, in Hebrew: “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher!”) Jesus said to her: “Stop clinging to me. For I have not yet ascended to the Father. But be on your way to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father and to my God and your God.’” 18 Mary Magdalene came and brought the news to the disciples: “I have seen the Lord!” and that he said these things to her » (John 20:11-18).
– Two disciples discuss with Jesus Christ resurrected, without recognizing him, on the road to Emmaus:
« But, look! on that very day two of them were journeying to a village about seven miles distant from Jerusalem and named Emmaus, 1and they were conversing with each other over all these things that had come about. Now as they were conversing and discussing, Jesus himself approached and began walking with them; but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. He said to them: “What are these matters that you are debating between yourselves as you walk along?” And they stood still with sad faces. In answer the one named Cleopas said to him: “Are you dwelling as an alien by yourself in Jerusalem and so do not know the things that have occurred in her in these days?” And he said to them: “What things?” They said to him: “The things concerning Jesus the Nazareneʹ, who became a prophet powerful in work and word before God and all the people; and how our chief priests and rulers handed him over to the sentence of death and impaled him. But we were hoping that this [man] was the one destined to deliver Israel; yes, and besides all these things, this makes the third day since these things occurred. Moreover, certain women from among us also astonished us, because they had been early to the memorial tomb but did not find his body and they came saying they had also seen a supernatural sight of angels, who said he is alive. Further, some of those with us went off to the memorial tomb; and they found it so, just as the women had said, but they did not see him.” So he said to them: “O senseless ones and slow in heart to believe on all the things the prophets spoke! Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to enter into his glory?” And commencing at Moses and all the Prophets he interpreted to them things pertaining to himself in all the Scriptures. Finally they got close to the village where they were journeying, and he made as if he was journeying on farther. But they used pressure upon him, saying: “Stay with us, because it is toward evening and the day has already declined.” With that he went in to stay with them. And as he was reclining with them at the meal he took the loaf, blessed it, broke it and began to hand it to them. At that their eyes were fully opened and they recognized him; and he disappeared from them. And they said to each other: “Were not our hearts burning as he was speaking to us on the road, as he was fully opening up the Scriptures to us?” And in that very hour they rose and returned to Jerusalem, and they found the eleven and those with them assembled together, saying: “For a fact the Lord was raised up and he appeared to Simon!” Now they themselves related the events on the road and how he became known to them by the breaking of the loaf » (Luke 24:13-35).
***
– Jesus Christ resurrected, appears to his disciples:
« While they were speaking of these things he himself stood in their midst and said to them: “May you have peace.” But because they were terrified, and had become frightened, they were imagining they beheld a spirit. So he said to them: “Why are you troubled, and why is it doubts come up in your hearts? See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself; feel me and see, because a spirit does not have flesh and bones just as you behold that I have.” And as he said this he showed them his hands and his feet. But while they were still not believing for sheer joy and were wondering, he said to them: “Do you have something there to eat?” And they handed him a piece of broiled fish; and he took it and ate it before their eyes. He now said to them: “These are my words which I spoke to you while I was yet with you, that all the things written in the law of Moses and in the Prophets and Psalms about me must be fulfilled.” Then he opened up their minds fully to grasp the meaning of the Scriptures, and he said to them: “In this way it is written that the Christ would suffer and rise from among the dead on the third day, and on the basis of his name repentance for forgiveness of sins would be preached in all the nations—starting out from Jerusalem, you are to be witnesses of these things. And, look! I am sending forth upon you that which is promised by my Father. you, though, abide in the city until you become clothed with power from on high” » (Luke 24:36-49).
***
– Jesus Christ resurrected appears to the Apostle Thomas who did not believe the other disciples, informing him that they had seen him at a time when he was not present:
« Therefore, when it was late on that day, the first of the week, and, although the doors were locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them: “May you have peace.” And after he said this he showed them both his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced at seeing the Lord. Jesus, therefore, said to them again: “May you have peace. Just as the Father has sent me forth, I also am sending you.” And after he said this he blew upon them and said to them: “Receive holy spirit. If you forgive the sins of any persons, they stand forgiven to them; if you retain those of any persons, they stand retained.” But Thomas, one of the twelve, who was called The Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. Consequently the other disciples would say to him: “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them: “Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails and stick my finger into the print of the nails and stick my hand into his side, I will certainly not believe.” Well, eight days later his disciples were again indoors, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and he stood in their midst and said: “May you have peace.” Next he said to Thomas: “Put your finger here, and see my hands, and take your hand and stick it into my side, and stop being unbelieving but become believing.” In answer Thomas said to him: “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him: “Because you have seen me have you believed? Happy are those who do not see and yet believe.” To be sure, Jesus performed many other signs also before the disciples, which are not written down in this scroll. But these have been written down that YOU may believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God, and that, because of believing, you may have life by means of his name » (John 20:19-31).
***
– Jesus Christ resurrected appears on the beach of the Sea of Tiberias, is recognized by his disciples by a miraculous cash. Then he encourages the Apostle Peter to spiritually feed his sheep:
« After these things Jesus manifested himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; but he made the manifestation in this way. There were in company Simon Peter and Thomas, who was called The Twin, and Nathanael from Cana of Galilee and the sons of Zebedee and two others of his disciples. Simon Peter said to them: “I am going fishing.” They said to him: “We also are coming with you.” Out they went and got aboard the boat, but during that night they caught nothing. However, just as it was getting to be morning, Jesus stood on the beach, but the disciples did not, of course, discern that it was Jesus. Then Jesus said to them: “Young children, you do not have anything to eat, do you?” They answered “No!” to him. He said to them: “Cast the net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” Then they cast it, but they were no longer able to draw it in because of the multitude of the fishes. Therefore that disciple whom Jesus used to love said to Peter: “It is the Lord!” Hence Simon Peter, upon hearing that it was the Lord, girded about himself his top garment, for he was naked, and plunged into the sea. But the other disciples came in the little boat, for they were not a long way from land, only about three hundred feet away, dragging the net of fishes. However, when they disembarked onto land they beheld lying there a charcoal fire and fish lying upon it and bread. Jesus said to them: “Bring some of the fish you just now caught.” Simon Peter, therefore, went on board and drew the net to land full of big fishes, one hundred and fifty-three of them. But although there were so many the net did not burst. Jesus said to them: “Come, take your breakfast.” Not one of the disciples had the courage to inquire of him: “Who are you?” because they knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and the fish likewise. This was now the third time that Jesus appeared to the disciples after his being raised up from the dead. When, now, they had breakfasted, Jesus said to Simon Peter: “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him: “Yes, Lord, you know I have affection for you.” He said to him: “Feed my lambs.” Again he said to him, a second time: “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He said to him: “Yes, Lord, you know I have affection for you.” He said to him: “Shepherd my little sheep.” He said to him the third time: “Simon son of John, do you have affection for me?” Peter became grieved that he said to him the third time: “Do you have affection for me?” So he said to him: “Lord, you know all things; you are aware that I have affection for you.” Jesus said to him: “Feed my little sheep. Most truly I say to you, When you were younger, you used to gird yourself and walk about where you wanted. But when you grow old you will stretch out your hands and another man will gird you and bear you where you do not wish.” This he said to signify by what sort of death he would glorify God. So, when he had said this, he said to him: “Continue following me.” Upon turning about Peter saw the disciple whom Jesus used to love following, the one who at the evening meal had also leaned back upon his breast and said: “Lord, who is the one betraying you?” Accordingly, when he caught sight of him, Peter said to Jesus: “Lord, what will this [man do]?” Jesus said to him: “If it is my will for him to remain until I come, of what concern is that to you? You continue following me.” In consequence, this saying went out among the brothers, that that disciple would not die. However, Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but: “If it is my will for him to remain until I come, of what concern is that to you?” This is the disciple that bears witness about these things and that wrote these things, and we know that the witness he gives is true. There are, in fact, many other things also which Jesus did, which, if ever they were written in full detail, I suppose, the world itself could not contain the scrolls written » (John 21:1-25).
Jesus Christ teaches us about the hope of everlasting life and the resurrection
« I am the resurrection and the life »
(John 11:25)
Jesus Christ is the source of the everlasting life, he said it shortly before the resurrection of his friend Lazarus, who had been dead for four days (John 11). His teaching about the resurrection, gives us a complete understanding of this Christian hope (The hyperlinks refer to other Bible study articles).
The resurrection is a re-creation or a rebirth
(Matthew 19:28)
The time of « re-creation » is the moment of the earthly resurrection which will begin shortly after the great tribulation, mentioned in the prophecy of Daniel: « During that time Michael will stand up, the great prince who is standing in behalf of your people. And there will occur a time of distress such as has not occurred since there came to be a nation until that time. And during that time your people will escape, everyone who is found written down in the book. And many of those asleep in the dust of the earth will wake up, some to everlasting life and others to reproach and to everlasting contempt » (Daniel 12:1,2). The twelve tribes of Israel (also in Luke 22:30), represent the resurrected humanity and the great crowd that will come out of the great tribulation, during the thousand years reign of Jesus Christ, mentioned in the prophecy of Ezekiel chapters 40 to 48 (The 12 tribes of Israel are presented as the prototype or model of the future world people resurrected in the earthly paradise).
It will be an administration of the earthly resurrection and judgment, which will last 1000 years according to the information in the book of Revelation (20:1-7). Here is the prophetic description of that period: “And I saw a great white throne and the One seated on it. From before him the earth and the heaven fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and scrolls were opened. But another scroll was opened; it is the scroll of life. The dead were judged out of those things written in the scrolls according to their deeds. And the sea gave up the dead in it, and death and the Grave gave up the dead in them, and they were judged individually according to their deeds » (Revelation 20:11-13). The « scrolls » that are opened, will be new divine instructions, like to those found in the Bible, and which will facilitate the worldwide administration of the resurrection. In the « scroll of life » will be written the names of the resurrected people who will have everlasting life, as the names of the resurrected righteous ones.
Coming back to the word « re-creation », translated from the Greek text: (παλιγγενεσία) palengenesia (re=palen; creation=genesia), new birth, reproduction, renewal, recreation, regeneration (Strong’s Concordance (G3824). Therefore, it is easy to understand that the resurrected ones will be « re-created » with a new human body. There will not be the resurrection of the flesh, or the old dead body turned to dust, but new atoms and new cells, will make up this new human body. It is clearly evident that the resurrection is not a « reincarnation ». Moreover, it is not part of a cycle of several lives and deaths or rebirths of the same person. In the prophecy of Daniel 12:1,2, but also in the teaching of Christ, it is written that after this first resurrection, there will be a judgment which will decide whether the resurrected ones will live forever or not. In the event of an unfavorable judgment, the person will definitively cease to exist: « Do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who did good things to a resurrection of life, and those who practiced vile things to a resurrection of judgment » (John 5:28,29).
The resurrection or re-creation will bring back to life the same individuality or unique personality, with its own characteristics, which will allow to be recognized by the people of his own family and possibly of his old relationships. However, that person will have a new body, free from the defects associated with his old life under the law of the Adamic sin (inherited from Adam), which caused old age, sickness and death (Romans 5:12; 6:23). It is obvious, that even if this man or woman will be physically similar, maybe, it will not always be easy to recognize him (or her) at first, because there could be a big difference between his youth and his newfound physical beauty, and that (perhaps) we may always have known, old, sick, or disabled, in the old system of things (Job 33:25).
The resurrected Jesus Christ was recognized by the expression of his own past individuality and not by the different human bodies that he had (it seems) (because he has been resurrected as a spirit and, for to be seen, he had a human body (1 Corinthians 15:45)). After the death and resurrection of Christ, he remained about forty days on earth and presented himself several times to his disciples who did not always recognize him immediately, but only by his way of speaking (John 20:16 « Jesus said to her: “Mary!” On turning around, she said to him in Hebrew: “Rab·boʹni!” (which means “Teacher!”) », To bless and to break the bread before eating it (Luke 24:30,31 « And as he was dining with them, he took the bread, blessed it, broke it, and began handing it to them. At that their eyes were fully opened and they recognized him; but he disappeared from them ») or perhaps old shared memories (John 21:4-7, his disciples recognized Jesus when he remade the miraculous catch (Compare with Luke 5: 5-8))… The return to life is of a unique personality that existed before, in a new human body, without sin or physical defect which in the past caused aging and death (Romans 5:12; 6:23).
Born Again
Returning again to the Greek word palengenesia, translated as re-creation, it is also a question of rebirth. Is this rebirth or resurrection the same evoked in the conversation of Jesus Christ with a teacher named Nicodemus, in John chapter 3? “In response Jesus said to him: “Most truly I say to you, unless anyone is born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God ». Nicodemus said to him: “How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter into the womb of his mother a second time and be born, can he?” Jesus answered: “Most truly I say to you, unless anyone is born from water and spirit, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God. What has been born from the flesh is flesh, and what has been born from the spirit is spirit. Do not be amazed because I told you: You people must be born again. The wind blows where it wants to, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from and where it is going. So it is with everyone who has been born from the spirit.” In answer Nic·o·deʹmus said to him: “How can these things be?” Jesus replied: “Are you a teacher of Israel and yet do not know these things? Most truly I say to you, what we know we speak, and what we have seen we bear witness to, but you do not receive the witness we give. If I have told you earthly things and you still do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? Moreover, no man has ascended into heaven but the one who descended from heaven, the Son of man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so the Son of man must be lifted up, so that everyone believing in him may have everlasting life » (John 3:3-15).
Depending on the context of the whole conversation, it can be said without hesitation that the expression « born again » applies to both everlasting life and the heavenly and earthly resurrection. However, being born again from water and spirit evokes Christ’s baptism in the water and with the holy spirit which culminated in his death and resurrection. Likewise, the 144,000 who will have a heavenly resurrection are to be born again from water and in the spirit according to the example of Christ. The symbolism of Christian baptism in the moment of the immersion represents the death and after, the rebirth through resurrection, rising from the water (which acts as a womb), being revived by the holy spirit, from Jehovah God. Regarding the baptism of Christ, the disciples must take it as pattern (Matthew 3:13-17; Matthew 28: 19,20): « Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, in order to be baptized by him. (…) After being baptized, Jesus immediately came up from the water; and look! the heavens were opened up, and he saw God’s spirit descending like a dove and coming upon him. Look! Also, a voice from the heavens said: “This is my Son, the beloved, whom I have approved”” (Matthew 3:13-17).
The Baptism into the Death and The Resurrection
The Baptism is a complete immersion of the body (and not a simple sprinkling). Then the person is immediately raised out of the water (βαπτίζω baptizō: to dip repeatedly, to immerse, to submerge (Strong’s Concordance (G907)). This ceremony is a prophetic description of the whole Christ ministry on earth, beginning from his baptism, until his death and resurrection. His new birth did indeed take place, in a spiritual sense, at the time of his baptism. He became Christ, the nly-begotten Son of God, by his new birth. It had a value of the promise of God, which would be fulfilled only at the end of his ministry, in the time of his death and then his resurrection which would constitute his effective rebirth as a resurrected spirit (1 Corinthians 15:45). So this ceremony of a few minutes, only summed up the three and a half years of the Ministry of Jesus Christ on earth, leading to his death, and then to his resurrection, or rebirth to join his Father in Heaven. Thus, his immersion in water represented, the baptism into the death of Christ, his earthly ministry from that moment which would inevitably lead him to his sacrificial death (John 3:16). And the rising from the water, the rebirth and resurrection as a spirit that could return to the Heavens.
The apostle Paul explained, under inspiration, the meaning of the baptism into the death, like to that of Christ: a Christian ministry that would inevitably lead to death, and then, a similar rebirth, the resurrection as spirit (for the 144,000): « What are we to say then? Should we continue in sin so that undeserved kindness may increase? Certainly not! Seeing that we died with reference to sin, how can we keep living any longer in it? Or do you not know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? So we were buried with him through our baptism into his death, in order that just as Christ was raised up from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also should walk in a newness of life. If we have become united with him in the likeness of his death, we will certainly also be united with him in the likeness of his resurrection” (Romans 6:3-5).
Therefore, the Christian rebirth (in John 3), does indeed take place at the time of baptism, as a promise (if we remain faithful until the end (Matthew 24:13)), but it has an effective value, after the death and then, the resurrection: « But Jesus answered them: “The hour has come for the Son of man to be glorified. Most truly I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just one grain; but if it dies, it then bears much fruit » (John 12:23,24). In the illustration, the grain of wheat which dies to give more fruit is the death (the immersion in water, or the burial as a « grain of wheat ») and the resurrection, the grain which becomes an ear of wheat that bears fruit. In the conversation with Nicodemus, in John 3, the ear of wheat which gives fruit finds its correspondence with the lifting up of the copper serpent in the wilderness which saved the Israelites who were looking at him, after being stung by a serpent: « And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so the Son of man must be lifted up, so that everyone believing in him may have everlasting life » (John 3:14,15).
The apostle Paul used exactly the same illustration (of the grain which dies in the earth and is revived giving fruit) to describe the Christian ministry which leads to death (immersion in water) and then to the resurrection (the rising of water, during baptism): « You unreasonable person! What you sow is not made alive unless first it dies; and as for what you sow, you sow, not the body that will develop, but a bare grain, it may be, of wheat or any one of the rest; but God gives it a body just as it has pleased him, and to each of the seeds its own body. Not all flesh is the same flesh, but there is one of mankind, and there is another flesh of cattle, and another flesh of birds, and another of fish. And there are heavenly bodies, and earthly bodies; but the glory of the heavenly bodies is one sort, and that of the earthly bodies is a different sort » (1 Corinthians 15:36-40).
In a much more general way, the symbolism of Christian baptism, immersion in water, representing death or change of condition, and rising water, rebirth or resurrection, is equally applicable to all of humanity, the offspring of Adam. Humankind is currently under the Adamic law of sin that leads to death, under water (Romans 5:12). In the prophecy of Isaiah chapter 25, this worldwide death sentence inherited from Adam is described by the image of an envelope « shroud that is enveloping all the peoples », and the resurrection by its withdrawal (which is similar to baptism, the disappearance in water, and reappearance by resurrection or new birth): « In this mountain Jehovah of armies will make for all the peoples A banquet of rich dishes, A banquet of fine wine, Of rich dishes filled with marrow, Of fine, filtered wine. In this mountain he will do away with the shroud that is enveloping all the peoples And the covering that is woven over all the nations. He will swallow up death forever, And the Sovereign Lord Jehovah will wipe away the tears from all faces. The reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth, For Jehovah himself has spoken it » Isaiah 25:6-8). It is written this (a little farther on) of the prophetic narrative of the worldwide resurrection and the passing away of death inherited from Adam: “Your dead will live. My corpses will rise up. Awake and shout joyfully, You residents in the dust! For your dew is as the dew of the morning, And the earth will let those powerless in death come to life » (Isaiah 26:19). By the worldwide resurrection officially fulfilled at the end of the thousand years, mankind will be raised from the water, with a new birth (Revelation 20:5).
The Resurrection and the Marriage
Jesus Christ answered the question about the resurrection and the marriage. The Sadducess asked this question to embarrass him, because they did not believe in the resurrection: « On that day the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came and asked him: “Teacher, Moses said: ‘If any man dies without having children, his brother must marry his wife and raise up offspring for his brother.’ Now there were seven brothers with us. The first married and died, and having no offspring, he left his wife for his brother. The same thing happened with the second and the third, through all seven. Last of all, the woman died. So in the resurrection, of the seven, whose wife will she be? For they all had her as a wife.” In reply Jesus said to them: “You are mistaken, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God; for in the resurrection neither do men marry nor are women given in marriage, but they are as angels in heaven. Regarding the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was spoken to you by God, who said: ‘I am the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob’? He is the God, not of the dead, but of the living.” On hearing that, the crowds were astounded at his teaching » (Matthew 22:23-33).
The marriage covenant instituted by Jehovah God was a way of populating the earth by procreation: « And God went on to create the man in his image, in God’s image he created him; male and female he created them. Further, God blessed them, and God said to them: “Be fruitful and become many, fill the earth and subdue it, and have in subjection the fish of the sea and the flying creatures of the heavens and every living creature that is moving on the earth”” (Genesis 1:27,28). The introduction of sin into the world by Adam changed the situation by destroying his offspring through death: « That is why, just as through one man sin entered into the world and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because they had all sinned » (Romans 5:12). The resurrection of most of this offspring, this time, will be the result of a re-creation (not procreation). This is why Jesus Christ said that the resurrected ones will be « as angels in heaven », in the sense that they will be directly created with a new human body, just as the angels in heaven were directly created without the process of procreation. The response of Jesus Christ is therefore logical: « in the resurrection neither do men marry nor are women given in marriage ».
According to the Bible, death ends the marriage covenant between a man and a woman: « For instance, a married woman is bound by law to her husband while he is alive; but if her husband dies, she is released from the law of her husband » (Romans 7:2). Therefore, when two former spouses meet in the earthly paradise, at the resurrection, they will no longer be under the law of marriage. They will be able to continue to have human relationships based on brotherly affection, but without the privacy permitted only in marriage (Hebrews 13:4a). In Revelation 20:12 it is written that there will be new scrolls, that is, new divine instructions, which could, perhaps, fix the modalities of these brotherly relationships between the former spouses, without necessarily legislating in fine detail, but rather with the insight that comes with Christian maturity (Hebrews 5:14). God is love, therefore He will ensure that the gatherings at the resurrection, between former spouses who will have loved each other dearly (in the old system of things), will take place in the joy and the continuity of a brotherly affection, for ever (1 John 4:8).
The Resurrection of the Righteous and the Unrighteous
Jesus Christ taught that the righteous resurrected ones will not be « judged » or « scrutinized », but they will pass from death to life: « so that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. Most truly I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes the One who sent me has everlasting life, and he does not come into judgment but has passed over from death to life. (…) and come out, those who did good things to a resurrection of life » (John 5:23-24,29a). The apostle Paul referred to this resurrection of the righteous leading to everlasting life, and without judgment, by the expression « better resurrection »: « Women received their dead by resurrection, but other men were tortured because they would not accept release by some ransom, in order that they might attain a better resurrection. Yes, others received their trial by mockings and scourgings, indeed, more than that, by chains and prisons. They were stoned, they were tried, they were sawn in two, they were slaughtered by the sword, they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, while they were in need, in tribulation, mistreated; and the world was not worthy of them. They wandered about in deserts and mountains and caves and dens of the earth » (Hebrews 11:35-38; chapter 11 there are some names of faithful people who will have a « better resurrection » without judgment, passing from death to everlasting life).
Jesus Christ taught that the unrighteous resurrected will be judged: « Do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who did good things to a resurrection of life, and those who practiced vile things to a resurrection of judgment » (John 5:28,29). in the « resurrection of judgment », the unrighteous will live again in good conditions in the earthly paradise and will be taught and judged over a long time, enough to rule on whether he will obtain everlasting life or not. It is written in the prophecy of Isaiah that this period of observation, even leading to an unfavorable outcome, could last a hundred years or perhaps more: « For anyone who dies at a hundred will be considered a mere boy, And the sinner will be cursed, even though he is a hundred years of age » (Isaiah 65:20b).
The Final Test
The last part of the judgment of the unrighteous, will end with the final test at the end of the thousand years. At this time, according to the book of Revelation, there will be a last « sifting » of the whole of humanity, by the provisional release of Satan the devil and the demons of the abyss (the first « sifting » will take place during the great tribulation which is coming (Matthew 24:21)): « Now as soon as the 1,000 years have ended, Satan will be released from his prison, and he will go out to mislead those nations in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together for the war. The number of these is as the sand of the sea. And they advanced over the whole earth and encircled the camp of the holy ones and the beloved city. But fire came down out of heaven and consumed them. And the Devil who was misleading them was hurled into the lake of fire and sulfur, where both the wild beast and the false prophet already were; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever » (Revelation 20:7-10).
According to this prophecy, as the humanity will be completely regenerated both physically and spiritually, a strange phenomenon will occur, due to the temporary release of Satan the devil and the horde of rampaging demons, ready for the latest worldwide campaign of homicidal lies that previously in the old system of things caused the deaths of Adam and Eve and all their offspring (Romans 5:12). The situation will be likely just as strange as that described in Genesis 3:1-6, where it is written that the devil used a serpent as a puppet to preach a murderous lie (John 8:44 ). As it is written, many will believe and fall into the trap, « the number of these is as the sand of the sea », which does not necessarily mean that it will represent the majority of mankind. However, the prophetic record informs that their considerable number will be enough to put « the camp of the holy ones and the beloved city » in a critical situation. Since the prophecy mentions the expression « Gog of Magog » for Satan and his last earthly coalition, « to gather them together for the war », this will indeed be a last criminal attempt to exterminate the earthly holy ones, temporarily in a critical situation.
It is written that this time, according to the prophecy of Genesis 3:15, the head of the serpent will be permanently crushed with its heavenly and earthly offspring (Romans 16:20). It is written in Revelation 20:10: « And the Devil who was misleading them was hurled into the lake of fire and sulfur, where both the wild beast and the false prophet already were; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever » (Revelation 20:10). The « lake of fire and sulfur » is just as symbolic, as the wild beast and the false prophet, it represents the everlasting destruction. It is also written in Revelation 20:14, that « death and Hades” (Hades=Grave) were cast into the lake of fire, demonstrating, once again, that this is indeed a symbolic place.
However, it is worth dwelling on the careful consideration of the curious expression, « they will be tormented day and night forever and ever ». It is also to be taken on a symbolic meaning, in the same way as the lake of fire. What does it mean? It is an everlasting imprisonment which is to be put in perspective with the fact that the devil had previously been thrown into the abyss for a limited time of thousand years (Revelation 20:2). However, in order to ensure that this is the correct interpretation, it is important to see the original Greek verb translated as « torment » or torture: (βασανίζω) basanizo: torment, pain, toss, vex, toil (G928 Strong’s Concordance). In the Bible, there is a word with the same root, in the form of a name in Matthew 18:34: « With that his master, provoked to wrath, handed him over to the jailers until he repaid all that he owed ». The word translated as « jailers » comes from the Greek word (βασανιστής) basanistes (the same root as basanizo) (tortoribus in Latin), which means tormentor, executioner (G930 Strong’s Concordance). This means that Satan will be « imprisoned » forever in destruction. This is consistent with the prophecies of Genesis 3:15 and Romans 16:20, which describe the complete destruction of Satan (and not keeping alive for the purpose of everlasting torment (or torture) (which would be contrary to love of God (1 John 4: 8)).
The Second Resurrection
It is after the final test, that will be decreed the fulfillment of the second resurrection of the whole of humanity who will have the everlasting life in the earthly paradise (the first being that of the 144,000 at the beginning of the millennial reign): « (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the 1,000 years were ended.) This is the first resurrection » (Revelation 20: 5). Which will close, at the same time, the seventh day mentioned in Genesis: « And by the seventh day, God had completed the work that he had been doing, and he began to rest on the seventh day from all his work that he had been doing. And God went on to bless the seventh day and to declare it sacred, for on it God has been resting from all the work that he has created, all that he purposed to make » (Genesis 2:2,3).
Treacherously Satan the devil took advantage of this situation to attack God’s right to sovereignty (Genesis 3:1-6). However, in his immense wisdom, Jehovah God has been able to temporarily delegate his authority to his beloved Son Jesus Christ: « All authority has been given me in heaven and on the earth » (Matthew 28:18). As it is written, Jesus Christ will restore to his Father this authority, at the end (or before the end) of this seventh day, so that, finally, it will end as it began, with the divine blessing of Jehovah God: « But when all things will have been subjected to him, then the Son himself will also subject himself to the One who subjected all things to him, that God may be all things to everyone » (1 Corinthians 15:28).
The power of the Word of God will not fail to be glorified by the ineluctable fullfilment of his purpose, even when God « has been resting from all the work that he has created », to use the expression of Genesis 2:2,3: « For my thoughts are not your thoughts, And your ways are not my ways,” declares Jehovah. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So my ways are higher than your ways And my thoughts than your thoughts. For just as the rain and the snow pour down from heaven And do not return there until they saturate the earth, making it produce and sprout, Giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, So my word that goes out of my mouth will be. It will not return to me without results, But it will certainly accomplish whatever is my delight, And it will have sure success in what I send it to do » (Isaiah 55:8-11).
***