So what then of our original questions concerning the survivors of Armageddon, viz. the “holy remnant” of Israel as well as the rest of mankind living at the time:

Do they need a resurrection?

Yes most assuredly they will require a resurrection. Just because they didn’t die during the great time of trouble does not in any way imply that they have no need of a resurrection as will all? They still require to be lifted up, back to the original condition of perfection and human glory once held by father Adam, and this applies not only to the survivors of the gentile nations, but likewise of the “holy remnant” of Israel as well. Yes they were declared “holy” by God, but that was because they had exercised “the faith of Abraham”, trusting in Him to deliver them during the Time of Jacob’s Trouble, not because they were actually holy, perfect yet. Nor were they promised that they would receive the same type of resurrection as the faithful of the past, the Ancient Worthies “a better resurrection” an instantaneous resurrection to human perfection, no! These like the rest of the world will acquire this perfection gradually as they come more and more into compliance with the new order.

What resurrection if any do these fall under?

Like the rest of mankind they fall under the Resurrection of Judgement.

“For more than six thousand years our earth has been under a divine condemnation because of Father Adam’s sin and its propagation through his posterity, and because of God’s sentence against sin. For these reasons, as the Apostle declares, our world has been under a “reign of Sin and Death” (Rom 5:14-19). And it still is; for the curse, or penalty, has not yet been lifted. Thank God, the Bible abounds with precious promises that a better day is soon to dawn! That glorious epoch is to be inaugurated by Messiah’s Kingdom, for which Jesus taught his people to pray, “Thy Kingdom come; thy will be done on earth, even as it is done in heaven.” Then shall come a glorious change to the world, Satan shall be bound for a thousand years. The reign of Sin and Death will cease, and a reign of Righteousness and Life will begin.

It will be a grand work. The promise of Jesus is that eventually there shall be no more sighing, no more crying, no more dying; for the former things of sin and death will have passed away and he will have made all things new, as the great King of kings and Lord of lords—(Rev 21:4,5 19:16 1 Cor 15:26,54 )

“Under the sophistries of the great deceiver, Satan, both the world and the Church nominal have been robbed of the blessed assurances of the coming time of righteous judgment. They know that the Bible tells of a coming judgment day, but they regard it with only fear and dread; and because of this fear, there is to them no more unwelcome tidings than that the day of the Lord is at hand. They put it far away from them, and do not wish to hear it even mentioned. They have no idea of the blessings in store for the world under that glorious reign of him whom God bath appointed to judge the world in righteousness. Among the greatest of the blinding influences which Satan has devised to keep men in ignorance of the truth regarding the judgment day, have been the errors which have crept into the creeds and hymn books of the various religious sects. Many have come to esteem these errors as of paramount importance to the Word of God.

How differently did the prophets and apostles regard that promised Day of Judgment! Note the exultant prophetic utterance of David (1 Chron 16:31-34). He says:

“Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; and let them say among the nations, “The Lord reigns.” Let the sea roar, and all its fullness; let the field rejoice, and all that is in it. Then the trees of the woods shall rejoice before the Lord, For He is coming to judge the earth. Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.”

To the same day the Apostle also points, assuring us that it will be a glorious and desirable day, and that for it the whole creation is groaning and travailing in pain together—waiting for the great judge to deliver and to bless the world, as well as to exalt and glorify the Church—Rom. 8:21, 22.

In John 5:28,29 a precious promise for the world of a coming judgment- trial for life everlasting is, by a mistranslation, turned into a fearful imprecation. According to the Greek, they that have done evil—that have failed of divine approval—will come forth, NOT to damnation, but unto a resurrection (raising up to perfection) by judgments, “stripes” disciplines. See the Revised Version.

“Marvel not at this: for the hour cometh, in which all that are in the tombs shall hear His voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done ill, unto the resurrection of judgement.”

In our next post we will review and elaborate a bit more on this.