We continue once again with our subject,

Death and Resurrection

Concerning the second resurrection Seventh Day Adventist have the following to say.

“The second resurrection happens after the thousand years have passed. This resurrection is for those who were unfaithful to Christ. These are the lost people who decided not to follow Christ during their life on earth.

“The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection” (Revelation 20:5, ESV).

Unfortunately, these people are not raised to eternal life, but instead will face the second death.”

Having considered the first to points underlined above in our previous post, we move on to the third point mentioned, viz.,

3) “Unfortunately, these people are not raised to eternal life, but instead will face the second death.”

The scriptures to the contrary contradict such a supposition, for as was mentioned earlier they speak of a resurrection of BOTH the just and the unjust.

As there are those who will experience a resurrection to life (the faithful over-comers of the Gospel age) so too there are those (the heathen, the non-believing world, as well all the unfaithful believers) who will experience a resurrection of judgement (Greek: krisis, trial). Both will experience a resurrection, recall specifically what that means viz.,

“The word “resurrection” is from the Greek “anastasis” which means a full, complete rising up out of death conditions into perfection of life conditions, it signifies to raise up again, thus implying that a thing was once up and fell down, and is to be brought up again to the place where it originally was, if not higher.

Thus, the scriptures imply that as a result of the ransom price having been paid, and of the future work of Christ during the millennial age, viz., the restoration of all things (Acts 3:19-21), for “Indeed, Elijah (The glorified Christ, Head and body complete) is coming and will restore all things.” (Matt 17:11) the world will likewise experience a resurrection, howbeit a gradual one, not an instantaneous one as do those who take part in the first resurrection, but a full resurrection none the less.

The Church having received her judgement or trial now during the Gospel age will not come into judgement in the next age, and therefore will upon the faithful completion of her covenant (Psa 50:5) receive her resurrection instantaneously. The world on the other hand has not yet been judged, that judgement awaits the millennial age and has been committed to Christ and the Church. During which time, mankind will learn righteousness and its rewards as in contrast to the rewards of sin and evil which they have presently been learning.

None will face second death until first they have been given every opportunity and assistance in their recovery from the results of sin. Just as has been the case with the individual members of the Church during the Gospel age the world will also receive an individual trial, with each individual being judged upon his or her own progress.

“In those days they shall say no more: ‘The fathers (Adam) have eaten a sour grape (sinned), and the children’s (all of Adam’s children) teeth are set on edge’ (The nature of the father having been polluted by sin, was transmitted to the children, who come under the death sentence for having the same nature or disposition as he) But [In those days] every one shall die for his own iniquity; every man who eats the sour grapes (sins), his teeth shall be set on edge.” (Jer 31:29, 30)

In the Millennial Age each will receive an individual trial, and all who die will die as the result of their own sin, no longer because of Adam’s sin. This will be their SECOND DEATH, their first being the death they suffered in the past on account of Adam’s disobedience. (Rom 5:12,18)

No one save the incorrigible will face second death until their trial has been completed. At the conclusion of which the Mediatorial work having been completed they will be turned over to God to be tested directly even as Adam was. This implies that they must first be fully resurrected (restored to that human perfection the same of which was once held by father Adam when he was given his test).

We will take a look at the final point made by our Adventist friends concerning the timing of the second resurrection in our next post.