The Books of Life
Just what are the Books of Life that we find mentioned in the Holy Writ? Is there only one Book of Life as some would contend, or, is there more than one? If there is more than one 'Book of Life', to what do these books point concerning our lives as human beings, as creatures created by a three times Holy God. A God who gave human beings the name 'Man' and then created a manifestation of Himself in the flesh as 'the man-God' {Jesus, the Christ}.
Christ's body was identical to that of Adam and Eve {before Satan caused Eve to sin} which disqualified Adam and Eve from having dominion over the Earth and the Air {it's associated, heavenly kingdom} as God originally intended. [Genesis 1:26] [Ephesians 2:2]. Christ's body was incorruptible; even to such a degree that Christ had to will his body to die on the cross [Luke 23:46].
Let us begin our study where God began, concerning Man's creation, for in that scripture we will find some indispensable keys that we will need if we are to come to a correct understanding of the Books of Life.
[Genesis 1:26] And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
There is a couple of very important keys given us in the text of [verse 26]. First, please notice that God used the words 'us' and 'our' when He referred to the image of God [1 Corinthians 11:7]. This does not mean that there is more than 'one' God. On the contrary, God is telling us that He has manifested Himself in three different ways. God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Ghost or Holy Spirit.
2 Corinthians, The book of Hebrews, and 1 Thessalonians shows us this truth.
[2 Corinthians 13:14] The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, {the Son} and the love of God, {the Father} and the communion of the Holy Ghost, {or Holy Spirit} be with you all. Amen. Italics are mine.
So as God is a tripartite {three part} being, so also is Man for God made Man in His Image.
[Hebrews 4:12] For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, {the physical body} and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
[1 Thessalonians 5:23] And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Did you notice that our God also said "after our likeness"? This means that God made Man a tripartite {three part} being like unto Himself, in that, He made man with a physical body, a soul body and a spirit body. [Hebrews 4:12] [1 Thessalonians 5:23]
Therefore, it makes perfectly good sense that God would keep a set of books concerning each manifestation of Man's being.
One set of books concerning the physical body, one set concerning the soul body and another set concerning the spirit body. And, this is just exactly what we will find as we continue this study of the Books of Life.
Before we go on let us take notice of one other key in [verse 26]. Please take note that God also said "and let them have dominion". The word 'them' is a reference to the fact that God created Adam and Eve to rule over this dominion {the Earth and it's Heavens} together as one flesh. Man and woman were created as one body. Eve was taken from Adam's body and even though they were two separated bodies they were still one flesh since Adam's rib bone is what God used to create Eve.
[Genesis 2:24] Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh
We will not take the time or the space to pursue this line of thought at present, concerning 'dominion', with the intent that we will refer you to a previous study Ye are the "Body of Christ" not the "Bride of Christ" which you may read later on, if you wish. But, let me leave this one thought with you before we move on. Why didn't God simply scoop up another handful of clay to create Eve? Why did God, instead, first put Adam to sleep and then take 'a part' of the ribs from Adam with which He created Eve? Mull these questions over but you will be more than surprised when you learn the answer to these questions. Let us move on.
The Book of the Living
[Psalms 139] is a hymn, a meditation, on God's omnipresence and omniscience. It is to the chief Musician, a Psalm of David. In verse 16 of this Psalm we find mention of a book in which the subject matter is the physical body and all of it's parts
16 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.
The book under consideration here is a book concerning the living, physical body alone.
Let's examine another Psalm.
[Psalms 69] is a prophetic Psalm written by King David about the persecution of his enemies, but, the Psalm actually turns into a Prophetic Psalm describing the last hours and crucification of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Here David pleads in [Psalms 69:28] Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous.
The names of all human beings ever conceived have been written in this Book of the Living. Everyone who has ever died, or will die a physical death, has or will be, blotted out of this Book of the Living. Every man, after the transgressions of Adam and Eve, must experience physical death.
[1 Corinthians 15:22] For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
We know that this book cannot be the [Lamb's book of life] wherein all the names of the righteous, [the born again of the Spirit], have been written. The names of the righteous can never be blotted out of the Lamb's book of life. The righteous cannot lose their spirit salvation for any reason whatsoever. [John 3:16]
It will never be said of God that He writes the name of a saint in the Lambs Book of Life and then says oops.., I didn't mean to do that!! Why? Because the names of those whom have been written in the Lamb's Book of life have been written there since the foundation of the World and God does not make mistakes.
If God made mistakes He would not be God!!!
Because I will publish the name of the LORD: ascribe ye greatness unto our God. [He is] the Rock, his work [is] perfect: for all his ways [are] judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right [is] he. [Deuteronomy 32:3-4]
The writer in [verse 27] of Psalm 69 is pleading for the Lord not to even allow these enemies, who are apparently physically alive, to "come into His righteousness". The writer seems to be pleading that God not even consider these enemies as candidates for righteousness [spirit salvation] at all.
[verse 28] Add iniquity unto their iniquity: and let them not come into thy righteousness.
This first book mentioned in verse 28 of Psalm 69 therefore has to do with the physical body since King David is asking God to blot them out of a book of the living, but, at the same time King David is asking God not to allow this enemy to even be given the gift of spirit salvation or recognition of righteousness in God's eyes. This enemy apparently does not believe God and thus does not deserve the gift of eternal, spirit salvation and the subsequent recognition of righteousness.
David obviously didn't think these enemies deserved to be written into the Lambs Book of Life but also wanted the names of these enemies to be removed from a different book called the Book of the Living. So there are two different books being considered in [Psalms 69:28]
All of that said, let us take pause to say, it is not because of the prayer requests of men, or by men, that God will or does not recognize a man as righteous. A person is recognized as righteous on one simple precept and that is the precept of 'believing what God has said concerning His only begotten Son', plus nothing, and minus nothing. Man cannot add to, or take anything away, from God or what God has purposed to do. We do not find God for our purposes, but rather, God finds us for His purposes. Sela.
This precept was first established in the very beginning of God's revelation of Himself and His purposes concerning Man.
When in [Genesis 1:2b] the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
Man had no part of that first divine act of restoration, for man had not even been formed from the clay at this point in the scripture. The same applies to the concept of our salvation. God does it all by His divine Will. We see in [Genesis 1:2b] that from then on, when God begins a work, His Spirit moves first and only then does He speak. Notice the following verse:
[1:3] And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. So, we find another precept in [verse three]; when God speaks there is light.
When God's Spirit moved upon our dark soul, before we were saved, and then we responded, in belief, to His speaking to our dark soul, was light not created when our spirit was reborn and we were baptized into the Holy Spirit wherein the Holy Spirit took up residence in us, thus sealing our Spirit unto the day of redemption? [Ephesians 4:30] [2 Timothy 1:14]
Our dark souls cannot comprehend the light of God. Why? Because our souls according to [Jeremiah 17:9] are exceedingly deceitful.
The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
This is why God must divinely act 'first'!!! Man has no hope of redeeming or restoring himself to the perfect state of fellowship with God in which Adam and Eve were created and existed before they sinned! It takes the divine Will of a three times Holy God to restore Man to a place wherein Man might have fellowship with God once more. This does not mean that all who believe will develop a relationship with God through fellowship.
Many have believed and yet walked the wide road; instead of the narrow road leading unto the straight gate. [Matthew 7:13-14]
But, be not deceived, only God, through His manifestation of the Holy Spirit, can effect that restoration of fellowship through the previously born again spirit of a believer, then this 'new creature in Christ' may begin to literally die to 'self ' every day and allow the Spirit of God to work though his life so that a dark and dying world might see Christ working in and through the life of the new creature in Christ.
When those of our unsaved fellow human beings see the evidence of God through our testimony, of daily living of life {set apart from the World, the flesh, and the Devil}, they will be convicted, by the Holy Spirit. They will recognize that they are in need of Jesus Christ in their own lives. At that point they will either reject Christ or believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. It is that simple.
It is not up to us to convict them of their sins for conviction is the office of the Holy Spirit. It is up to us to be a witness and tell them the truth of God's Word. Period!!! In doing this we sow a seed, water a seed, or reap the harvest of those who have been made ready to rest in Christ as their only hope of ever being restored to fellowship with God.
King David had the same intent towards his enemies that Jonah had for Nineveh. [Psalms 69:28]
God had told Jonah to go down to Nineveh and to "cry against the city for their wickedness is come up before the Lord". But, Jonah let his own wants get in the way of God's wants and he refused to go. Old Jonah wanted to see God destroy Nineveh. He did not want God to save that wicked city [Jonah 1].
In {Genesis 15:6} this same Hebrew word for righteousness, [Tsdaqah] pronounced 'tsed-aw-kaw'. It is used concerning Abram's 'belief' in God's covenant promise of a son that would come from Abram's own bowels. Therefore, the context is plainly indicating a righteousness that has to do with 'believing' God. Abram was already in possession of the gift of everlasting life for He believed God.
Is that not how all, who are considered to be righteous in the eyes of God, come by righteousness? If we 'believe' on the Lord Jesus Christ, that he is the Son of God, and that he died for our sins, is that not 'believing' what God had to say about the whole matter in [John 3:16].
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.And again [John 6:29] Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.
The Lamb's book of life
As previously discussed [Psalms 69:28b] also includes the words: "and not be written with the righteous.". And, as already discussed, this means there is another book alluded to that has the names of 'the righteous' written therein. This book would have to be the Lamb's book of life {a book that has all of the names of those who have believed God and have been, or ever will be, 'born again of the spirit' and thus made righteousness in the eye's of God}.
These would include the names of all of those, throughout all dispensations, whom have believed God concerning the promise of the sacrifice of the Lamb of God, for the remission of all men's sins, wherein God counts them as righteous. This salvation of the spirit body.
These are those whom have been born again of the Holy Spirit and have the gift of eternal life. These are they who, by faith, took God at His Word and believed. Thus, this book is concerning the spirit body of all 'believers' from Adam and Eve up until the second coming of the Lord. In other words, those whose faith in what God had to say about His son, saved them. [Hebrews 11:39-40]
Consider [Philippians 4:3]
And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellow labourers, whose names are in the book of life.
The book, alluded to in the above verse, has to be the Lamb's book of life since the Apostle Paul would know that these are believers of God and therefore saved (meaning they already possess salvation of the spirit body.
But, Paul could not possibly know if these believers have possession of soul salvation at this time in their lives.
Soul salvation means that they would be worthy to stand [or be resurrected from the second death] and thus go on to be judged at the Judgment Seat of Christ [Luke 20:36] [Luke 21:36] [Ephesians 6:13] and thus capture the prize for which they were given the gift of a born again spirit in the first place. Paul didn't even know this of himself much less anyone else, at the time. That is the whole reason Paul wrote Philippians 3 and especially included [Philippians 3:10-14].
{The word for spirit is 'Pneuma', in the Greek}. Spirit salvation {being born again} is the beginning of our faith. It is the foundation from which all believers begin their 'works'. The foundation is a gift from God. [1 Corinthians 3:11]
It is similar to your earthly father giving you some property upon which he has also poured you a foundation upon which to build your house. But, then your father tells you that you have to build your own house upon that foundation.
The end of our faith is to finish the house. {'the salvation of our souls'} [Hebrews 10:39] [James 1:21] [1 Peter 1:9]
The goal of being 'born again' is 'to be brought to end of our faith' which is 'the salvation of our souls' [1 Peter 1:9]
The word for soul is 'Psuche', in the Greek} . Please take note that Peter uses the word 'souls' not spirits! [1 Peter 1:9]
No one knows if they have overcome unto the salvation of the soul until they have reached the end of life's journey, having done all they could to withstand the evil one, and their own dark soul, and the flesh, in order that they will be found worthy to stand {This is {soul salvation}. [Luke 20:36] [Luke 21:36] [Ephesians 6:13], After being allowed to stand up at the out resurrection the overcomer may then go before the Judgment Seat of Christ, to receive the reward of the inheritance that belongs to Christ, {which is ruling and reigning with Christ for 1000 years}. This is our inheritance in Christ Jesus. [1 Corinthians 3:11-15] [2 Corinthians 5:10] [Revelation 22:12] An inheritance is not a gift.
In order to overcome we must work. Our work must consist of nothing more than humbling ourselves in obedience to Christ and dying to self ,everyday, so that Christ can live through us. [1 Corinthians 15:10]
Works of the flesh, doing things for the wrong motives or doing things that God has not given us to do through His Word, will cause us to be unworthy to stand up from the second death be judged at the Judgment Seat.
The unworthy believer or to use another biblical term the believer who is an unfaithful non-overcomer will be hurt (or held) of the second death and be rendered unable to stand up from the out-resurrection [Revelation 2:11] [Revelation 20:6] and be reserved under blackness of darkness throughout the 1000 year reign of Christ over the Earth and it's heavens {the air} [1 Peter 4:17-19] [Jude 1:13]. To be rendered unable to stand is the same thing as being unworthy to be resurrected with Christians who have overcome when the out-resurrection from the dead occurs just after the rapture of the Church. For a more in depth study on the subject of the second death please read: The Mystery of the Second Death
If we appear before that Judgment Seat worthy to be judged [Luke 20:36] [Luke 21:36] [Ephesians 6:13] we will not have been hurt of the second death and will have been called out from the second death [Philippians 3:10-14] unto the 'Prize of the High Calling of God in Jesus Christ". The Judgment Seat of Christ is specifically for the purpose of rewarding those Christians with the inheritance of ruling and reigning with Christ above the Earth for 1000 years because they have been faithful to God unto the end. [Revelation 2:11] [Revelation 20:6] [1 Corinthians 3:11-15] [Philippians 3:10-14]
For a very good and comprehensive study on the various resurrections and the second death the writer suggests the reader study The Mystery of the Second Death and buy or download the free .pdf file of a book written by Gary Whipple titled Shock and Surprise, Beyond the Rapture.
Let us continue
[Revelation 13:8]and [Revelation 17:8] is also referring to the Lamb's Book of Life
[13:8] And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, [the beast] whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
[17:8] The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.
Does any one doubt that the book, in the two verses above, are one in the same book and that they are referring to the Lamb's Book of Life wherein all of the names of those who believe God and thus are considered by God to be righteous, is written?
Notice the implications in [verse 13:8] which says "whose names were not written in "the book of life of the Lamb". This part of the verse plainly states that these names are those of the un-righteous and who have worshipped the beast [anti-Christ]. The scripture never said their names were blotted out of this book, for their names have never been written into this book in the first place.
These are the enemies of Christ and of God. They have never believed God and now they will never have another chance to believe God for they have been made to believe a lie. They have been made reprobate, meaning they will be damned to die in their rebellion and be cast into the lake of fire forevermore. Why, because they snubbed their noses at God's grace in unbelief. [2 Thessalonians 4:10-12]
[Revelation 20:15] And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
So, we see the final destination of those who choose not to believe God, for, their names were never written in "the book of life of the Lamb".
Please take notice of something here in verse 12. Did you notice that the verse says to become the sons of God indicating a future event? Did you know that, when a believer is saved, they do not automatically become sons of God? No, they become children of God and my dear reader there is a vast difference between children and sons in the culture from which our scriptures are taken.
Children did not inherit the substance of the testator in the culture from which our scriptures are derived but sons most definitely do inherit the substance of a testator and firstborn sons received a double portion of the substance of the testator.
We will revisit this idea of the first born son a little later in our study of the Book of Soul life.
The Book of Soul Life
[Revelation 3:5] He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.
We know that this is not the Lamb's book of life for the names of the saved can not be blotted out of the Lamb's book of life. They can not lose their spirit salvation. Their names can never be blotted out of the Lambs book of life once they have been written in the Lamb's Book of life. This would insinuate that God did not know what He was doing; or that there was a possibility that God had mere human traits and could have, at some point, in times past or at some time in the future, say oops.. I didn't mean to write that person's name in this book!!!
God would cease to be God if anything He has purposed to do could be undone by the actions of a mere men or Angels.
God is omnipresent meaning He is and always has been and will forever be present; no matter at what point in eternity past present or future you may look to, He is present.
God is also omniscient, meaning that He knows all things, from the smallest seemingly most insignificant to the outlandishly most obvious of all things.
Do we suppose that God did not know what He was doing when He wrote the names of the righteous in the Lamb's Book of life from the foundations of the world?
God forbid, as the Apostle Paul would say.
So, this has to be a book of life concerning soul salvation and Soul salvation can be lost.
A saved person who has become apostate can indeed find their name removed from this book. Soul salvation is the reward of the out-resurrection and sharing the inheritance of Christ's Millennial Kingdom as a member of a ruling class of Servant Priest/Kings. This reward is a prize earned by all of the faithful, overcoming saints during their physical lifetimes an they receive the rewards for that faithfulness at the Judgment Seat of Christ [2 Corinthians 5:10].
Everlasting spirit salvation is a gift. One does not have to strive for or work for a gift; a gift is free. However, one is always expected to work for a prize.
Christ Himself says in [Revelation 3:5]; "He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment;". Christ is not referring to the works that He Himself worked upon the cross. No, Christ is referring to the works of every individual Christian who has overcome and only after they have been born again of the Spirit {saved}.
Soul salvation is a reward or prize. A reward or prize is something we most assuredly must strive or work for; it is earned. A prize or reward is not free. A prize is rewarded to us based on our own merits of {humility, dying to self and staying confessed up} and yet really not our merits but being obedient to the Holy Spirit working through us. [2 Corinthians 12:9]
This prize can be lost, in the sense that, an apostate believer never reaches the point of attaining soul salvation, {the prize of the high calling}, even though they had most of their life to work toward attaining the prize, as Paul explains in [Philippians 3:10-14].
The Spirit of God makes reference to being clothed in [Revelation 16:15]. Look very carefully at this verse in the context in which it is used.
16:15 Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.
First let us examine the word 'they' in this verse. Who are "they"? The Word tells us who "they" are in the previous verse.
16:14 For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth (5738) (5625) unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.
"They are the spirits of devils and the kings of the earth and them that are gathered at the great battle we all have come to know as the Battle of Armageddon. You might be saying to yourself, so, what does all of this mean? My dear friend, it means you can be saved and still stand ashamed in front of a three times Holy God at the Great White Throne judgment of God.
Unfaithful Christians, according to [Revelations 20:12] are to be judged just before God judges the spirits of devils and the kings of the earth and them that had gathered at the great battle in that great day of God Almighty. "They" will see the shame of all Christians whom are raptured to the Kingdom of Heaven with spotted garments or are raptured in a state of soulical nakedness and thus be unworthy to be out-resurrected as part of the bride of Christ but instead will be held by the second death and be judged at the Great White Throne judgment 1000 years later.
This state of being is synonymous with [Revelation 3:11].
My friend, if we lose our crown we will not go into the Kingdom of Heaven to rule and reign with Christ for a thousand years nor for that matter throughout eternity in New Jerusalem. Yes, we can be saved eternally, but, we will never rule or reign if we die in a state of apostasy and shame. [1 John 2:28]
The reward of inheritance of the Kingdom can be carelessly thrown away and disregarded and in that sense can be lost. Indeed, there are scriptural records in which examples have been written for the admonition of believers who have had access to the written Word of God since the days of Adam.
Some of those examples are noted below.
Consider Cain, the firstborn of Adam and Eve. Out of a spirit of rebellion and unbelief Cain lost his inheritance by killing his twin brother Able. [Genesis 4:11] Cain had tried to bring an unacceptable sacrifice, as an offering, to God; and God was displeased because the offering was not representative {in 'type'} of the kind of sacrifice that was acceptable to God. It was not a 'firstling' and there was no shedding of blood for the remission of sin. The required 'type' had to point forward to a time when the precious Lamb of God {Jesus Christ} would shed His blood for the propitiation of all of Adam and thus the sin's of all of mankind.
Because of his anger and rebellion, Cain lost the inheritance of the firstborn son and since he could not have it, he made sure his younger brother would not inherit what he in his rebellion had lost. [Jude 1:11]
The same thing occurred when Israel killed Jesus. Israel, as a nation, is considered, on the whole or as one individual, as being a first born son of God. [Exodus 4:22] The leadership of Israel, in their rebellion at the time, knew they were not going to inherit the heavenly kingdom for Jesus had already pronounced that judgment upon them so they made sure that the one who was worthy to rule over the heavenly kingdom would not go rule at that time either. That is why they had Jesus killed.
Another prime example {type} is Reuben, the firstborn son of Jacob, who cast away his inheritance for a moment of pleasure [Genesis 49:4]. Although Rueben was the firstborn son he lost his inheritance. Reuben threw away his inheritance for a moment of pleasure in the lust of the flesh. {A 'type', in the Old Testament, to show the New Testament believer that they can lose the out-resurrection and hence their reward of inheriting, with Christ, the 1000 year reign over the earth. This is (loss of soul salvation).
Esau, the brother of Jacob and firstborn son of Isaac, cast his inheritance away in a moment of hunger and carelessness in the flesh, for a bowl of red pottage [Genesis 25:29-34].
I wonder how many Christians have cast, or are presently casting away their inheritance with Christ for a season of sin and sensual pleasures in this age and lifetime?
Consider Lot [Genesis 11:27] who cast his inheritance away for the so called pleasure of living in Sodom and Gomorrah [Genesis 11:27] [a very good 'type' of the world of the flesh and it's pleasures}.
We can appreciate, to a very high degree, the 'type' God has set before us in Sodom and Gomorrah. Are we not living in an age when we see before our very eyes the spirits of Sodom and Gomorrah arising out of the ashes of history and shaking their un-Godly fist in the face of our God and daring to do, once more, what they, in their rebellion, had once purposed to do in the Earth [Genesis 19].
Then we have Moses who, out of unbelief, lost his inheritance of the Promised Land because he struck the rock twice when God instructed him to only speak to the rock [Numbers 20:11-12].
Has God told you, my dear reader, to do something and you have decided to do something else; something that it please you to do, instead of what God has told you to do through His written Word?
I wonder how many Christians are casting away their inheritance for sin for a season and unbelief?
After the Holy Spirit catches up {raptures} all believers [1 Thessalonians 4:16-17] who have come into the family of God during the dispensation of the church {approximately the last two thousand years}, some of these believers {the overcomer} will be rewarded by Christ {at the Judgment Seat of Christ} [2 Corinthians 5:10]. The non-over comers will not be judged at that time.
Why? Because they will have experienced 'hurt' the second death and that because they have been found unworthy to be out-resurrected [Luke 20:35-36] [Luke 21:36] [Ephesians 6:13] [Philippians 3:10-14] [Revelation 2:11] and therefore, they cannot stand up to be judged at the Judgment Seat of Christ. Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of the heavenlies.
Why? Because they are not clothed in clean and white wedding garments. Rather, they will have to wait {be reserved unto judgment} until the Great White Throne Judgment, there to be judged {just before the unsaved are judged and forever damned}. [1 Corinthians 15:50-58] [1 Peter 4:17-19] [Jude 1:13] [Revelation 20:12]
Let us take a moment to make one thing crystal clear. In [Revelation 2:11] Christ, when speaking to the churches in Revelation chapters two and three, did not say that Christians would not die the second death. Indeed, all raptured believers will die the second death. Here is exactly what Christ said:
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.
It is only those saints, who have overcome and not been hurt of the second death, that will rise from 'out' of the multitude of dead souls of raptured believers {the mystical body of Christ, or the last Adam} [Philippians 3:11] and be given a new, glorified body; animated by spirit and not animated by blood {the mystical body of the Bride of Christ, the anti-type of Eve taken from Adam's body} [Philippians 3:10]. Was Adam not put to sleep {a 'type' of second death} before Eve was taken out of Adam's body? Do you now see, why God took Eve out of Adam's body and did not create her from a separate handful of clay? God had created a type or an illustration of things that would come in the far future, thus demonstrating the unsearchable glory of God to His creation.
That body of the overcomer, who has been resurrected from the second death, will be just like the body that Christ had when He was resurrected. Christ was resurrected {quickened} into a spirit body not animated by blood but rather animated by God's Spirit [Philippians 3:10]. This is the Prize of the High calling. This is the power of Christ's resurrection. This is 'soul' salvation.
It can thus be said, for those who have ran the race well, that they have overcome. It is only then that they may stand [be resurrected from the second dead], be judged and receive their reward of the inheritance at the Judgment Seat of Christ. [Luke 20:35-36] [Luke 21:36] [Ephesians 6:13] One does not receive rewards in the Olympic games before they have finished their course. No, it is only 'after' they have finished the course that they may finally receive their crown {reward}.
It is this writers conviction that the course will not be finished until all believers have arrived and entered into the gates of the Kingdom. Was Lot's wife not on her way out of the city {a 'type' of the Christian separation from the world in this life}, having already departed from the city, when she looked back? Did she not die a 'type' of second death when she was turned into a pillar of salt? She did not finish her course.
[Luke 9:62] And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
Let us look at another 'type' of the rapture for a moment. In [Genesis 24] we find a beautiful 'type' of the bride of Christ in {Rebecca} being brought out of the old country {the earth} to Isaac {a 'type' of Christ} by Abraham's servant {a 'type' of the Holy Spirit}.
Please note that in verses 64 - 67 "Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she lighted off the camel. For she had said unto the servant, What man is this that walketh in the field to meet us ? And the servant had said, It is my master: therefore she took a Vail, and covered herself. And the servant told Isaac all things that he had done. And Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah's tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her: and Isaac was comforted after his mother's death.
Please take notice of the chain of events in these verses; "Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac," She was not looking back but rather she lifted up her eyes when she saw Isaac. She was looking forward at Isaac. This is exactly the kind of behavior Christ expects of us for are we not expected to be watching for our Lord and Saviour every moment of the day?
Please notice something else. "she lighted off the camel." Rebekah separated herself from the rest of the caravan. This is important in that the rest of the travelers could not go with her. This is a 'type' of the {out-resurrection from the dead} we find in [Philippians 3:11] Only Rebekah was prepared to go on to meet the groom and this is before she was actually in the very presence of Isaac.
Note also, that Rebekah took a Vail, and covered herself. Many Christians will not have a veil with which to cover themselves when they arrive in the Kingdom. Don't you know that this Vail was not just some ordinary Vail. No, this Vail would have been a wedding Vail; a Vail that she herself would have prepared.
That Vail is a 'type' of the garment mentioned in [Revelation 19:8] And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.
Please take note: The word righteousness in verse 8, in the original Greek text is plural and therefore the translation should have been righteousnesses or righteous acts of the saints.
Please note something else, as well, from Genesis 24. And Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah's tent, ... and she became his wife; the anti-type of this is found in [Revelation 19:7] Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And in [Revelation 19: 9a] we find these words: ... Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb.
I wonder how many Christians will be prepared to go into the marriage supper {a 'type' of the reward of the inheritance} to receive their reward of ruling and reigning with Christ?
Folks, this is soul salvation in addition to the subsequent salvation of the physical body.
This is where the saved spirit is joined with the saved soul and the saved body and becomes the incorruptible body [1 Thessalonians 5:23] that will inherit the Kingdom of Heaven with Christ and rule and reign with Him for 1000 years [Revelation 20:6] and then later, in eternity, become inhabitants of New Jerusalem forevermore. [Revelation 3:12]
But what happens to the non-overcomer?
In [2 Corinthians 5:10] we find a Greek word that can have a couple of different meanings {depending on the context of the scripture in question}. The word is receive.
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.The Greek form of the word 'receive' is 'Komizo' {kom-id'-zo }. The Strong's concordance gives us the possible uses of this Greek word.
It is the following idea that the context of verse 5:10 ,above, adheres to here:
The writer submits to the reader that {considering the context of scripture having to do with the out-resurrection from the dead} that the apostate, non-overcomer, who appears naked or clothed in spotted garments at the out-resurrection, will be hurt of the second death and be carried away to be reserved unto judgment at the Great White Throne judgment. [Matthew 22:12] [Jude 1:13] [Revelation 10:6-7] [Revelation 11:15-18] [Revelation 20:5] and [Revelation 20:12]
Those who are hurt of the second death, at the out-resurrection, can not be judged for they are dead. If they are dead then they cannot possibly be judged until 1000 years later. Therefore, they must be reserved unto judgment at the Great White Throne [Jude 1:13] [Revelation 10:6-7] [Revelation 11:15-18] and [Revelation 20:12].
Now one might, at this point, say that they disagree with the idea that these non-overcomers will not be judged at the Judgment Seat of Christ, but, this writer would like to bring up something that has turned out to be a very profound point.
What keeps coming back and getting cross-wise about placing the Judgment Seat [Bema],{ prior to the second death}, is that those who have been judged 'one time', can't be judged again. Would that not be 'double jeopardy'? Would that also not violate or contradict the scripture in that [ Hebrews 9:27] says: And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:? The word Judgment here is not plural - it is singular as it is in all of the Gospels, Acts, and Jude.
[ Hebrews 9:27] says "the judgment:" There is no more than 'one judgment' for each individual person after they have died the second death.
The key is in the idea of truly being dead which comes from the following thought.
When a saved person dies the physical death here in this plain of existence they are not truly dead for they are destined to be resurrected {either unto 'everlasting life' {for the saved overcomer} [Philippians 3:10-11] [Revelation 20:4-5], or, {for the saved non-overcomer} unto 'age lasting' second death [Revelation 20:5] from which they will experience the last resurrection found in [1 Corinthians 15:42-56], [Revelation 10:6-7] [Revelation 11:15-18] and [Revelation 20:12] , or, in the case of the unsaved, unto 'everlasting' second death. [Revelation 20:14] [Revelation 21:8].
The Apostle Paul is careful not to use the word 'death' but rather uses the word 'sleep' when he addresses the Thessalonians concerning the rapture of all believers. {1 Thessalonians 4:13-18}
Then Paul uses the word 'death' in the next verse, and again in the singular, but he also uses the term "in Christ", so we see that he is using the term synonymously with the term 'sleep' to give us the idea that those who are in the grave are not truly dead. Rather, they are simply asleep {in Christ} until that day when they will arise {resurrect} from the grave or are raptured.
So the only death that the writer of Hebrews could possibly be referring to in [ Hebrews 9:27] is the second death as the one, true death {singular}.
If a person is "in Jesus" they are not 'dead' but rather they are 'alive' in Christ. The non-overcomer may suffer the second death for the duration of the 1000 year reign of Christ, but, they will ultimately be resurrected at the culmination of the millennial reign and go into everlasting life "saved as by fire" [1 Corinthians 3:15]. Thus, when [ Hebrews 9:27] says "And as it is appointed unto men once to die" this writer is convinced that the particular 'death' being referred to is the second death not our physical deaths that we experience before or during, the rapture of the Church.
Now, when we read [Revelation 11:18] we should understand that this verse is referring to the Great White Throne of judgment, 1000 years after His reign over the heavens and the Earth has begun, for rewards are being given to His servants and the dead are being judged.
And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.
Now [Revelation 20:12] mentions a resurrection {the word "stand"}, a judgment, and the works of those who are standing to be judged. No mention is made of rewards but they are implied since rewards, whether they are positive or negative, are always the recompense of works.
And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
{The word 'stand' means to be resurrected from the second death or soul death}
The reader has to believe that Christ is either judging the non-overcomer for a second time, in [Revelation 11:18] and [Revelation 20:12] or He is judging them for the first time.
It can't be both and it can't be for a second time for men are judged only one time after they die.
This writer is convinced that He is judging the overcomers of the millennial age for the first {and only} time in [Revelation 11:18] and [Revelation 20:12] therefore placing this judgment at the very end of the 1000 year reign of Christ.
Now let us consider [Revelation 20:4] in relation to [Revelation 11:18] and [Revelation 20:12].
Those sitting in judgment over the tribulation saints in {20:4} are the overcomers of the Church dispensation who have already been judged at the Judgment Seat of Christ and have already been rewarded their eternal rewards. Those rewards would include judgeships.
However, the judgment of the tribulation saints in {20:4-5} happens as the 1000 year reign of Christ actually begins. Christ is only dealing with saints who have died in service to Christ and His kingdom or those who were saved but unfaithful during the tribulation period at this judgment seat. None of these overcomers can be considered for rewards as the bride of Christ since that dispensation has already expired prior to the tribulation period.
The judgment in [Revelation 11:18] and [Revelation 20:12] has to be at the very commencement of the Great White Throne {after the millennial reign} and in fact verse {20:11} says so in no uncertain terms.
Now that we have considered the question of 'double jeopardy' let us consider the possibility of being held without bond.
Could we not rather think of the second death for the non-overcomer as a way of being held over or being reserved unto a later judgment?
Consider the following scriptures as they pertain to sons of God being reserved unto judgment:
Do these last two verses remind the reader of certain parables which mention being bound and cast out into outer darkness?
The distinction between the use of the word 'children' and not using the term 'firstborn sons' is key to understanding this verse.
The firstborn sons of the people born into the culture of the Jews inherit a reward [the double portion] and as in the case of the use of this term in scripture, the firstborn sons [in the Semitic tribes] always inherited {the kingship or leadership position of the family}, plus {the priesthood or spiritual leadership position}, and {a double portion of any material possessions} being passed down from the testator.
In the Jewish culture, only 'firstborn sons' can inherit the double portion {a 'type' of soul salvation} of a fathers kingdom. Children are to young and immature to inherit anything more than a single portion {a 'type' of spirit salvation} of the fathers kingdom. [Ephesians 6:13] [1 Corinthians 3:11-15]
In similar manner a [bride] inherits all things in the possession of the Bridegroom.
Please understand that before the mystical bride can be identified, there has to be a separation of those who comprise the entire body of believers {known as the Church in general} and which is the mystical body of Christ, {the last Adam}, and {the worthy saint}, the mystical body of the bride of Christ {a type of Eve} [Philippians 3:10-14].
This was set down in 'type' beforehand when God created a bride for Adam from the body of Adam. Eve was taken from the body of the first Adam {as he slept} so the two could, together, have dominion over the Earth and it's heavenly kingdom as one.
The same will occur when the bride of Christ is removed from the general assembly of raptured believers, the body of {mystical Christ}, the last Adam .
Man and woman were created as one body. Eve was taken from Adam's body and even though they were two separated bodies they were still one flesh since Adam's rib bone is what God used to create Eve whom would become the one to share dominion over the Earth with Adam. [Genesis 2:21-24].
So, we see the parallel or anti-type in the idea that the saints who are found accepted or worthy {the overcomers} at the out-resurrection prior to the Judgment Seat of Christ, will share Christ's inheritance with him during the 1000 year, reign of Christ [in the Kingdom of Heaven above the Earth]. This is soul salvation. [1 Peter 1:9]
The Jews had been offered this double portion of Abraham's inheritance {by John the Baptist, Christ Jesus, and the Apostle Paul} first because Israel is God's adopted firstborn son. [Exodus 4:22] The Jews rejected the offer and that is why God brought the Church into the equation.
Our Lord, in keeping with the context of the previous verse, is referring to the children of Israel in [Mathew 8:12]. Israel was the nation being offered the kingdom at this time. Both, John, the Baptist and our Lord were preaching "Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." But, most of the Jewish people, especially the religious leaders, would not hearken to the call to inherit the kingdom with Christ.
Therefore, our Lord was telling them, in parabolic language, that, because of their unbelief, they would not inherit the kingdom of heaven {the double portion}. This is not the first generation of Jews that had refused the Kingdom of God in unbelief as Hebrews Chapters 3 and 4 will attest.
Consider this section of the parable in Matthew 22.
Doesn't this sound very much like [2 Peter 2:17] and [Jude 1:13]? Please consider the verse below.
In the above verse our lord shows us {His servants} what will become of any servants of His that are 'unprofitable' to Him on that day when they are hurt of the second death, before they ever have a chance to be judged. They will be held over or reserved unto the judgment that is to come later, after the 1000 year reign of Christ. Consider the next verse below.
[Revelation 20:5] But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished.... {this verse refers to the non-overcomer from the tribulation period who will be reserved unto judgment at the Great White Throne Judgment. [Revelation 20:12]. {Ref. [Revelation 10:6-7] [Revelation 11:15-18]
Before moving on let us address a very common misconception being taught in Churches and Seminaries throughout the world today.
Many times when we hear the parables explained in our Churches today they are said to be a special language that Christ reserved for speaking only to the Jewish people. Nothing could be further from the truth concerning this generation of Jews that have rejected their Messiah.
Parables were and are used to address those who believe that Jesus Christ is the Messiah, the Holy One of Israel.
Parables were and are used to address those who have an understanding of the gospel of the glory of Christ {Word of the Kingdom}.
Parables were not used to communicate anything to the Jews during Christ's first advent after they had rejected Christ. They did not want Christ as their King and Christ for that matter, did not want to be their King at that time. Christ had to fulfill the Law and the prophets. So, our Lord was set in His Will to do His Father's Will. Christ had to go to the cross.
This is what Christ had to say about those who were meant to hear the parables.
Do you see, do you hear, oh ye, little children of God? This message was and still is to any and all, throughout the dispensation of the Church, who can see and hear and believe the Word of the King.
Will you believe, oh ye who have been called?
Let us now consider the 'type', or example, given us in [Hebrews 3] concerning the concept of the 'Second Death' and the unbelieving Israelites that God was leading towards their promised inheritance through the covenant of Abraham.
Children let us stop right here just for a moment. Do you realize that God considers one day as a thousand years and a thousand years as one day? Do you realize then, that there has been six {1000 year} days since creation? Do you also realize that the 7th {1000 year day} is almost upon us. That day in scripture is called the Lord's Day or the day of the coming of the Lord.
The Day of the Lord is a {1000 year} age of rest. It is God's Sabbath day. This is the day of rest God is talking about in verse 3:11.
There it is. These unbelieving, and rebellious, children of God died in the wilderness. They could not finish their course until they had entered into the 'promised land' {a 'type' of the Kingdom of Heaven}. This death occurred, in the 'type', before any of the next generation went into the promised land.
Here again is the concept of the 'Second Death' set forth in 'type', and occurring before anyone is rewarded the inheritance of the kingdom, as an example for the New Testament believer to take heed to and notice with great fear and trembling.
There is a 'second death' and all believers will die the 'second death'. This will occur before, any overcomers are called out from the second dead to go into the Judgment Seat to be judged and be rewarded their inheritance in the kingdom.
It is also a sharp warning to the unfaithful Christian. Those who died in the wilderness typify all of the ungodly, unfaithful, apostate believers of the Church dispensation who, when they reach the point of the second death, will not be called out of the second death but will instead be reserved unto judgment under blackness of darkness for the duration of 1000 years.
Does this argument not make more sense when there arises the question, from many, of a split or partial rapture?
Does the scripture not say that the "dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds,"?
These terms are all inclusive. This scripture does not say 'part of the dead in Christ shall rise first' nor does it say that 'part of we which are alive and remain shall be caught up'. God does not leave details like these in question.
On the other hand, neither does the scripture say that all believers {the apostate and the overcomer} are to be judged at the same time at the Judgment Seat of Christ. Rather, we find ample scripture which supports at least two different judgments for Church dispensation believers. One for the overcomers at the Judgment Seat of Christ and one for the non-overcomers at the Great White Throne of judgment.
Sleep / Death
Here, in this context, David died and was buried with his fore-fathers and his body decomposed back to the dust. So, the context is physical death.
The overcomer is changed into the incorruptible spiritual body in the following scripture [Philippians 3:11] and Christ also promises us in [Revelation 2:11,b] "he that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.".
The overcomer can then be judged at the Judgment Seat of Christ to determine their reward. This is the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. This is soul salvation
with the subsequent and immediate salvation of the physical glorified body. [1 Peter 1:9] [Philippians 3:14] The Spirit has realized salvation since the time the believer has 'first believed' on the Lord Jesus Christ. Hence, new light is now shown upon [1 Thessalonians 5:23].And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
In addition, we must judge ourselves by confession of sin, here in this present life, [1 John 1:9] for if we won't judge ourselves Christ will judge our sins after our death. It means that Christ must be the Lord of our lives every day from now on.
To be hurt of the second death means that one has not overcome and will be excluded from ruling and reigning with Christ for 1000 years {loss of soul salvation}. If one is hurt, or, held by the second death, how then can one be judged at the Judgment seat of Christ?
[1Corinthians 15:54] is where the non-overcomer is changed into the incorruptible glorified body at the Great White Throne.
Non-over-comers do have everlasting life and will enter into eternity delivered from the lake of fire but they could have so much more in the way of everlasting, abundant, intimacy with Christ Jesus.
{By the way, Christ's 1000 year reign is still within the bubble of time given this present Earth and it's associated kingdom of the heavenlies}. If the rapture happened today there would still be at least seven years of tribulation plus 1000 years of time for the Kingdom reign of Christ before the heavens and the Earth flee away from the face of Him that will sit on the Great White Throne of Judgment.
For those of you who get real excited about heavens eternal verities let me then remind you that there is at the very least {if the rapture were to happen at this very moment} 1007 years until time is no more. [Revelation 10:6]
Please see this Chart for further clarification. Kingdom Eschatology Chart
The term "euphemism" derives from Greek words eu {ευ} "well" + pheme {φήμη} "speaking," [well speaking], words that in an ancient Greek context enjoined the "right silence" or right kind of silence that suited some religious topics.
{Where? In eternity after the 1000 year Kingdom age has expired and after the Great White Throne Judgment}.
In the 'type', did God not first put Adam to sleep {a 'type' of the second death}, before he created Eve? {a 'type' of the bride of Christ from out of the Last Adam.}
Where can one go and not be in the presence of the Lord God?
He is absolutely omnipresent. There is no where one can go that God may not be found. Thus, we can 'live together' with the Lord God no matter where we may be at any one time or place, but that does not mean we are going to be pleasing to Him. A believer can, indeed, be in His presence and be displeasing to Him. [2 Corinthians 5:11] Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men;........
The judgment of [2 Corinthians 5:10] is specifically called the Judgment Seat of Christ. In other places of the New Testament there are other resurrections and judgments held but they are not the rapture and the subsequent Judgment Seat of Christ.
See [Philippians 3:11] wherein Paul refers to "the resurrection from the dead"? That is the only place in the Holy Scripture where the Greek letters {'EK', meaning: 'out'} are placed in front of the word 'resurrection' but, you have to dig down to the Greek Text to see it, because the KJV only says "resurrection from the dead" instead of 'out-resurrection from the dead'. This is a resurrection of the over-comers from out of the dead non-overcomers who have been held by the second death.
Therefore, the resurrection that Paul is talking about in [Philippians 3] in not the rapture of the church and neither is it the resurrection that Paul describes in [1 Corinthians 15:15-56] for that matter. But, we will leave that discussion for later.
Let us also consider the parable of the ten virgins. [Mathew 25]
Did not 'all' of the ten virgins fall asleep {a 'type' of the second death} and was there not only five {the over-comers} that that was prepared to go in and be judged when the Bridegroom arrived? The others {non-over-comers} were rejected {they were not worthy and therefore were hurt of the second death}. They were not prepared to be judged and they were left outside {But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.} This does not mean that Christ did not consider these as unsaved but rather that they had never developed a personal relationship of Lordship with Him in their lives. Therefore, they were not worthy to be rewarded with entrance into the marriage.
Let us also consider a few other scriptures wherein the word death is not euphemized.
Let us remember Lots wife.
Lot's wife died while the Angels were taking her, Lot and their two daughters out of Sodom and Gomorrah. {A 'type' of the rapture of all believers.} They had been commanded by the Angels not to look back at Sodom as they were leaving. She disobeyed and the Lord turned her into a pillar of salt. Salt is a preservative and in this context the idea of salt carries with it Lot's wife being preserved or reserved unto judgment. This writer thinks there will be a whole lot of pillars of salt left behind at the out-resurrection.
I wonder how many Christians will be looking back at the things of the World, the flesh and the devil when they hear the call to meet Jesus in the air and thus {die the second death in the air}.
On the other hand we may find that the word preserve can be used to distinguish the preserving soul salvation.
[Luke 17:32-33] Christ is talking with His disciples.
The context here is that if we seek to 'save' {rule over our lives here in the flesh} we will lose soul salvation in the kingdom of the heavenlies { the air } and be held of the second death, never to rule and reign but be reserved unto judgment at the Great White Throne}.
The context of the second part of the verse is that if we humble ourselves, die to self, become obedient servants, we shall preserve and inherit the reward of soul salvation { die the second death, but be out-resurrected, then be judged at the Judgment Seat and rule and reign during the millennial and throughout eternity}.
Let us also remember the parable of the wheat and the tares. [Mathew 13:24-30, 36-43]
The householder instructed the servants to allow the tares {non-over-comers} to grow up with the wheat {over-comers} and during the harvest {rapture] the tares would be gathered up in bundles first and bound in bundles to burn them: {the second death of the non-overcomer}, but the wheat would be gathered into the householders barn. {The second death and subsequent instantaneous resurrection out from among the non-overcomers held by the second death.
Some would argue at this point that the Word of God says that the tares are to be bundled and burned while they are still in the field and that the scripture identifies the field as the world. This is not the case at all. First, the scriptures does not say "the tares are to be bundled and burned while they are still in the field". However, even if they were to be bundled and burned while still in the field and since the field is the world and since by this time the whole world is under the Kingship of Christ then it must be that the bundled tares are inside the kingdom of the heavenlies ruling over the Earth and this is exactly what we see in verses 41 and 42:
The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; and shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.The final verses concerning this parable sheds even more light on this subject. But, let us concentrate on verses 41-43.
Notice first, the place from which the angels gather out all that offend. The place is his {Christ's} kingdom. This tells us a great deal about who the householder is and who the offenders are. The householder is Jesus Christ, the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.
The offenders are believers since only believers will be caught up to meet Christ in the air, at the time of the rapture, and be separated from those who have overcome {wheat}. In addition, tares being believers who have not overcome, thus, will be cast out of the kingdom into the furnace {the second death}.
This furnace is a place where a smelter would refine gold or silver by burning off the dross. Think about that! This is not Hell or the loss of everlasting, spirit salvation in the lake of fire. Rather, the idea here is that this is a place wherein the non-over-comers must be held for further refining before they go into eternal life in the presence of God.
Adam and Eve had to be removed from Eden and the tree of Life. God would not allow them to become immortal in the fallen state that they were in. Therefore, they were cast out and Man had to undergo an age {Man's Day, 6000 years} of refining.
But, look at the reward of the overcomer who was not hurt of the second death and was given their reward of inheritance of the Kingdom with Christ. They have been resurrected into their incorruptible glorified bodies, not animated by blood but rather animated by Spirit and which shines forth as the sun just before entering into the everlasting kingdom of God the Father. It is at that point that the bodies of all believers will have received their glorified bodies for eternity. Some will simply shine forth brighter than others. [1 Corinthians 15:38-49]
My friend, does this sound like our Lord is going to allow unfaithful apostate believers to go into His millennial kingdom to rule and reign with Him? No, not hardly.
Another 'type' in scripture that seems to be very much in agreement, with the second death occurring before the Judgment Seat of Christ begins, is in the first chapter of Revelation, verse 10.
I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,Here, most agree, is a 'type' of the Church being raptured, represented by the Apostle John.
John hears a great voice and a trumpet. [1 Thessalonians 4:16], then John turns and beholds Jesus dressed in the attire of a Judge and having the fiery eyes of Judgment. But it is vs.17 that we want to pay close attention to here.
Dear reader I am convinced that this is some of the strongest evidence yet that supports that the second death occurs before the actual judgment of the saints, at the Judgment Seat of Christ. The second and third chapters of Revelation are the chapters that are considered to be the 'type' of the Judgment Seat that will occur in the Kingdom of Heaven shortly after all of the church is raptured out of the Earth.
Here, we have the 'type' of the second death occurring {in the first chapter} before the 'type' of the Judgment Seat {in the second and third chapters}.
But it doesn't stop there for Christ the Judge lays His right hand upon John and says unto John, Fear not; I am the first and the last:
Did you catch that? Christ says to John, Fear not!!! Why? Because John is not a 'type' of the believer, in general, but, John is a 'type' of the saint who will overcome and therefore, not be hurt by the second death. Those who overcome will not be ashamed. They will "fear not"!
Then Christ goes on to tell John why he has no reason to fear.
Christ is letting John know that He has been through the second death, that He lives and is alive for evermore and that now He, the Judge, has possession of the keys of hell and death in victory. In 'type' John has just experienced the the out-resurrection from the dead.
[Revelation 20:6] 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.
If this is true of tribulation saints how much more so saints from the Church dispensation?
Please take special notice of the tense of this verse. There is a very important key here in this word 'shall' which is future tense.
Notice that our Lord places the 'first resurrection' after the 'second death' with the word 'shall' {future tense} . This means that those who have part in the 'first resurrection' (the tribulation saints) must needs have died the 'second death', in the first place, before they are called out from all tribulation believers who have experienced the second death. Thus, the out-resurrected, from the second dead, partake of the 'first resurrection' and shall be priests of God and of Christ and shall reign with Him a thousand years. The only difference is that they will rule and reign on the Earth, not in the heavenlies. [Revelation 20:6]
Non-overcomers have died the 'second death'; however, they will not be part of the 'first resurrection'. Why? Because they are not worthy [Luke 20:36] [Luke 21:36] [Ephesians 6:13] to stand [be resurrected out from the second death]. They must be reserved under blackness of darkness for 1000 years [Revelation 20:5] , reserved in blackness of darkness [Jude 1:13], unto the last day of judgment, {The Great White Throne Judgment}. [Revelation 20:11]
Let us now move on.
Notice that the judgment in [1 Corinthians 3:13]. is not specifically called the Judgment Seat of Christ, but rather, the non-specific term "the day" is used instead.
This writer submits to the reader that [1 Corinthians 3:13] refers to {two} separate judgments, hence, the use of the non-specific term 'the day'. One judgment occurring on 'the day' of the Judgment Seat of Christ, for the over-comer, and the other judgment occurring on 'the day' of the Great White Throne, for the non-overcomer. [Revelation 10:6-7] [Revelation 11:15-18] [Revelation 20:12]
[2 Corinthians 5:10] is specifically referring to the judgment of the over-comer alone, at the Judgment Seat of Christ.
Now let us discuss briefly the resurrection of [1 Corinthians 15:51-56] and then we will get back to our study of 'the book of soul life'.
At the 'last trump' can only mean at the very end of time, when all who have not been judged will stand up to be judged. [Revelation 10:6-7] [Revelation 11:15-18] and [Revelation 20:12-15] Indeed, this cannot be the trumpet sound which is heard at the rapture for there are many more trumpets to be sounded throughout the tribulation period which occurs after the rapture.
Notice also that "the dead" shall be raised incorruptible". This is a reference to the non-over-comers who, having been dead by the second death for a thousand years, now stand up to be judged in [Revelation 10:6-7] [Revelation 11:15-18] and [Revelation 20:12] and, because their names are found written in the Lambs book of Life, they will receive their incorruptible {glorified} spiritual bodies, animated by Spirit and not by blood and enter into eternal New Heaven and New Earth to forever be with the family of God.
Mind you, they will never rule, they will never reign and they will never be anything more than eternally saved from the lake of fire because their apostate works were of the flesh and those works will be destroyed {purged} by the second death {thus, as it is written, saved as if by fire}. [1 Corinthians 3:15]
Let us pause once more right here to examine a bit of scripture that some, including myself, believe to be a perfect picture {type} of the overcomer surviving the second death. Let us turn to the Book of Daniel Chapter 3. Note that these three believers were subjected to a furnace of fire and they all survived the fire without so much as the stench of smoke on them.
My dear friends, the Word of God says that there is a sea of glass mingled with fire before the throne of God.
Friends these are believers who have come out of the seven years of tribulation. This is a period of time that precedes the establishment of the millennial kingdom. Notice that they are not harmed by the fire but rather they are playing harps to the glory of God on the sea of glass. They fear not!
Notice that the judgment, in verse 4 above, is carried out by those to whom judgment has been given. These are the saints who have been judged at the Judgment Seat of Christ at a previous point in time and have already received their rewards of the inheritance, as Judges. [1 Corinthians 6:3a] [1 Corinthians 6:2a]
Do you not think that these who sit in judgment also went through the fire of the 'Second Death' just before they were judged at the Judgment Seat of Christ. Yes indeed, they surely did, and they feared not in so doing.
Be not deceived, God is no respecter of persons: [Acts 10:34]
But look at what the second death does to those who do not overcome.
They are held or reserved in a state of death for 1000 years and since they will be in that state for the duration of the 1000 years it take no genius to figure out that they will have no part with those in the next verse.
It is in verse 54 above where the passage is unmistakably tied in with [Revelation 20:12-15] for where else in scripture is death finally disposed of but in these very verses?
By the way, the scripture is not saying that the lake of fire it's-self is the second death. What the scripture is saying is that second death is separation from God. That separation can be for 1000 years or for the moment of the twinkling of an eye or it can be for the everlasting ages.
Let us return now, once again, to the subject of the Book of Soul Life [Revelation 3:5]
This is the book of life containing the names of those who have overcome. [Revelation 2:11] These have proven their love for God by practicing His commandments. [John 14:15] These are the faithful and wise whom have put into practice the taking up of the cross of Christ by faith and dyed to self during their years in the flesh upon the earth. [Mark 10:21]
The 'souls' of these shall be saved at the appropriate out-resurrection and they will rule and reign with Christ for 1000 years.
These have been called out from the dead souls of all of the believers who have been slain by the second death [Philippians 3:11], and have been made part of the ruling class under Jesus, the Christ. (This is soul salvation.)
But, there are those of the family of God who will not overcome. They will have been rebellious, unbelieving, disobedient and apostate. These will, indeed, be hurt of the second death. On such the second death hath all power to destroy. (This is loss of soul salvation).
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
]Hebrews 10:31] It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
When Christ dissects the three bodies of Man, in this manner, the soul of Man is understood to have been destroyed. They have lost their soul and consequently the body as well, but the spirit, being sealed by the Holy Spirit, goes to God. God has sealed the saved man's spirit. It is God's and nothing can separate that spirit from God.
Those who will experience being held by the second death will remain in that state for the duration of the 1000 year reign of Christ.
[Revelation 20:5a] But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished.
They will dwell in blackness of darkness. [Jude 1:11-13]
Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds [they are] without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;
Twice dead, referring to the first and second deaths.
Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.
The word 'ever' in the Greek is 'Aion' meaning 'an age'. Thus, the context is that these will be held in the blackness of darkness for an age. The only age left, before that great day of judgment, is the millennial age my friend. The Lord's Day.
In blackness of darkness these apostate believers will have their part with the hypocrites.
[Matthew 24:51] And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
The non-overcomers belong to the commencement of the Great White Throne Judgment. This proves that they were excluded from ruling and reigning in the millennial Kingdom. The non-overcomer belongs to the resurrection we find in [1 Corinthians 15:52] and [Revelation 20:12] which occurs after the 1000 year reign of Christ {which is 1000 years after all believers are raptured}, and 1000 years after the tribulation saints have received their crowns in the following passages of Revelation. [Revelation 11:15-18] [Revelation 20:4].
Let us continue again with our study of the books of life.
[Revelation 20:12] And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. {ref. [Revelation 11:18]}
The Lamb's book of Life speaks of the reborn spirit of Man and eternal verities. The Book of Soul Life speaks of the salvation of the soul and ruling and reigning as Priest/Kings during the millennial kingdom of Christ and throughout eternity.
Quench not the Holy Spirit! [1 Thessalonians 5:19]
Notice the plural form of the word 'books' being used here in verse 12. All of the books are present at this time. Also notice that these who are called to stand {are resurrected} are judged prior to the unsaved dead in [verses 13 and 14]. Judgment begins at the house of the Lord.
[Verse 12] calls them dead "And I saw the dead" because they died, {the second death}, They now stand, and experience the resurrection we find in [1 Corinthians 15:26, 42-58] to be judged at the Great White Throne.
Here we see that destruction is the final state of death [Revelation 20:14].
[1 Corinthians 15:42] So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:
In [verse 42] here is reference to the last resurrection of the saved dead which occurs after the 1000 year reign of Christ and just as the Great White Throne Judgment commences. [Revelation 20:12]
In reference to the apostate believers, Paul had this to say about their bodies:
[1 Corinthians 15:43] It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power:
Again, Paul points out that this body he is speaking of is sown a 'natural' body. Very few human beings in the whole revelation of God's Word have ever had natural bodies up to this point in time and I want to mention the three natural bodies that are known to this writer here at this juncture.
Adam and Eve before they sinned and Jesus Christ who knew no sin.
The bodies that all others, have had or will have, at least until the rapture of the Church and the first resurrection, are bodies that Paul calls 'bodies of this death'. [Romans 7:24]
Paul begins, in the next verse, to use the term 'we' because he does not know to which resurrection he will belong at this moment in time. He certainly does not want to be a part of this particular resurrection for it would mean exclusion from the millennial reign of Christ in dishonor.
This resurrection in [1Corinthians 15:43-44] takes place after the millennial reign and this resurrection occurs at the beginning of the Great White Throne of Judgment; not at the Judgment Seat, for how can the dead {being hurt of the second death} be judged at the Judgment Seat? They are dead. The dead cannot be judged!!!
The second death is a condition of the spotted or naked soul being caught unaware and unworthy [Revelation 3-6] to rule and reign with Christ. They have no garment. If they do have a garment it is spotted and unclean. [Matthew 22:11-14] These souls are placed in a holding place, in shame, { in blackness of darkness } until the Great White Throne of Judgment [Jude 1:11-13].
Paul's also uses the term 'we' in [2 Corinthians 5:10] concerning those who, without question, will be judged at the Judgment Seat of Christ. It is the testimony of the Holy Spirit that ALL believers will indeed appear before the judgment seat of Christ, but, only those not hurt of the second death will be judged at that time and they will be alive forevermore, having been rewarded the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus, [the salvation of the soul and the salvation of the body joined to the eternally saved spirit, incorruptible}. [1 Thessalonians 5:23] A body just like the body of our Lord and Saviour when He came out of the tomb and appeared to his Disciples and over 500 witnesses. [John 20:24-29]
[1 John 3:2] Beloved, now are we the 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.
In the above verse John the beloved Apostle testifies of the final state of being for all believers..
Christ promises those who judge themselves during their lives upon the earth , those that have died to self and allowed the Holy Spirit to rule over their lives and them that kept their ongoing sins confessed and under the blood of Jesus Christ, even unto the end, that they will save their lives {souls} in the Kingdom. [Matthew 16:24-28]
Christ, at the Judgment Seat, will Judge the works of the over-comers to find out the just recompense and their reward. This will decide at what place each will be in the rank and file of the Kingdom of Heaven and in New Jerusalem for eternity. [2 Corinthians 5:10-11]
This is the point to which Paul referred in [Philippians 3:10-14]
It is only later on in His ministry that the Holy Spirit reveals to Paul that he will be of the 'First Resurrection'. [2 Timothy 4:7] The 'prize of the high calling' is the 'out-resurrection' and it is the very resurrection that Paul was striving for and it is the very resurrection that we should be striving for!!! [Philippians 3:10-14]
Paul continues:
[1 Corinthians 15:49] And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.
[1 Corinthians 15:50] Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
Did you catch that!!! "flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.". What kind of body are believers to be raised in? Yes, the natural body. A body of flesh and blood. These bodies cannot enter into the kingdom of heaven for they are of flesh and blood. Did Christ's body not bleed for our sakes? Was Christ's body not bloodless when He arose on the third day? Was His blood not sprinkled upon the Mercy Seat of Heaven?
Christ's body, before the cross was like that of Adam's before he sinned. It was immortal, for Christ knew no sin and therefore His body would experience no corruption. Christ's body was forced to die the second death on the cross {for He willed Himself to die}. Are we so foolish to assume that our redeemed, natural bodies will not also die the second death once they come into His presence at the Judgment Seat? See the type in [Revelations 1] where John falls down at Christ's feet as dead.
This is the death and resurrection that Paul alludes to in [Philippians 3:10].
Here is the greatest evidence that all believers must die the second death. Our Savior's second death was witnessed by many and it occurred on the cross of Calvary. He willed himself to die the 'Second Death'. [John 19:30] The 'Second Death' has every thing to do with the death of the natural body of flesh and blood for it cannot inherit the Kingdom of God. Therefore, when Christ arose, the body He arose in, was a body of flesh and bone animated by God's Spirit and not of blood.
How do I know this? Because, every drop of Christ's blood has been, still is, and will forevermore, be applied for the sacrificial evidence of the sacrificial Lamb slain for the sins of the World. Praise God!!! [Matthew 26:28] [Acts 20:28]
But, Christ also testified to the fact that His resurrected body was of flesh and bone. He did not say flesh bone and blood. His was a body of flesh and bone animated by God's Spirit and not of blood. Praise God!
What Christ meant was that a spirit body, by it's self does not have flesh and bones, and then He went a step further and showed them that He could eat.
But his body could also vanish before the eyes of the men on the road to Emmaus.
Christ's body, although it did not have the outshining of the glorified body at this time, still had attributes of a human body {having no blood}. That is, animated purely by the Spirit of God. It is only later that Christ's body took on the outshining of the glorified body.
Then Paul introduces us to a mystery.
[1 Corinthians 15:51] Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
In [verse 50] Paul brings us back to the condition of those who cannot inherit the kingdom at the out-resurrection for the bodies of those slain by the second death are of flesh and blood {they have all died}. The word 'sleep' is used here as a metaphor in the place of the word 'death'.
Indeed we shall all be changed in a moment of the twinkling of an eye, but not all at the same time; for some the change will be at the out-resurrection, but unfortunately for most believers, that change will only happen 1000 years later at the Great White Throne.
[1 Corinthians 15:52] 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.
Just in case there are some of you still insisting that this is the resurrection of the rapture, or maybe the 'First' resurrection, you can now rest; for we see in verse 52 that this resurrection occurs at the sound of the "last trumpet" and that means that this cannot be the rapture of all believers or the 'First Resurrection' {for the rapture includes only the church dispensation believers and the tribulation is still yet to come at that time and there are more trumpets yet to sound throughout the tribulation period. On the other hand the 'First Resurrection', does not occur until after the tribulation period for the tribulation saints are the participants of the 'First Resurrection.
In the 'type' set forth for us in the Old Testament, Isaac {a 'type' of Christ} was gone out into the fields when he first laid eyes on Rebekah the bride. Isaac had not gone with the caravan of ten Camels and the servant of Abraham {a 'type' of the Holy Spirit} to go and find a wife for Isaac. Thus, in the 'anti-type' Christ does not return to the Earth at this time but remains in the Air {Kingdom of Heaven} where all Christians will see Him. The Holy Ghost will take us to Him!!!
Now, those who were hurt of the second death can and will be judged, for they will have been called back to life with the difference, that they are now putting on the glorified body animated by Spirit and not animated by blood. Since they are no longer dead they will be judged and be given just recompence for their works, which according to [1 Corinthians 3:15], will be no rewards at all, for their works of the flesh will have been destroyed by the second death {yet so as by fire}. Therefore, these former apostate believers, having no works of their own, and having only the gift of everlasting life through the work of Christ on the cross, will be saved "yet so as by fire". [1 Corinthians 3:15]
Those believers who are judged here have one gift and that is the gift of everlasting spirit salvation; that which all of the children of God possess from the time that they believe on the Lord Jesus, the Christ. But, since they have never attained the place of "Firstborn Son's" [Philippians 3:11] [Revelation 21:7] they can never inherit rewards of any kind. The saved have to work {die to self} for rewards but no works whatsoever are required for the gift. The gift is free and can never be taken away.
Those who will be hurt of the second death could inherit a double portion and rule and reign with Christ for the 1000 years and throughout eternity, if they had known, if someone had taught them the tremendous difference between simply receiving the gift of being born again as a child of God compared to inheriting the Kingdom with Christ for 1000 years and then afterward, throughout the eternal ages as one of God's ruling firstborn son's {the Church of the firstborn}. Or to use another common term, as one who belongs to the ruling bride of Christ.
The name of those being considered in this next verse have been blotted out of the Book of Soul Life but their names will never be blotted out of the Lambs Book of Life.
[15:54] So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
[1 Corinthians 15:55] O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
These verses tie, seamlessly, in with [Revelation 20:14]
And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.So, we see, that these believers who, even though they were excluded from the 1000 year reign of Christ for unbelief and apostasy, will ultimately have victory over death through eternal spirit salvation [1 Corinthians 15:51-56].
This is because, they at least believed God {that Christ is the Son of God}, even though they did not live their earthly lives in Christ, with Christ as the Lord of their lives and in a manner that would cause them appear at the out-resurrection clothed in spotless garments and therefore safe from the hurt of the second death and worthy to inherit the Kingdom of Heaven with Christ for 1000 years and throughout eternity.
[1 Corinthians 15:58] Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
Now Paul, after drawing the previous picture of the resurrection of the 'Last Trump', gives us hope. "Know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord" meaning: our labor {works} of dying to self, staying in the race, fighting the good fight, unconditionally loving our Christian brethren, being an overcomer, is possible with the help of the Holy Spirit.
Just be honest and confess your sins to Christ and continue to die to self {live in love and humility} 'daily', hourly', 'minute by minute', sometimes 'second by second'.
God would not have held the 'prize of the high calling' out to us if He knew from the beginning that it was unattainable. [Philippians 3:10-14]
And finally,
The last reference to the Lambs book of Life is a reference to that Heavenly City, New Jerusalem wherein all of the righteous shall dwell for ever and ever {even those who did not overcome at the Judgment Seat of Christ, but they will never rule and reign inside that city}.
Revelation 21:27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.
And then a final warning to any one who would defile the Word of God by excluding a part of what God has to say through His divinely written Word.
And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
The book of life here referenced has to be the book of soul life not the Lambs book of Life.
Again, the names of the saved can not be taken away, blotted out or otherwise removed from the 'Lambs book of life' for they have the gift of eternal salvation through being born again of the Spirit {spirit salvation}.
Christ warns us that we can, indeed, lose our place, our reward of the inheritance of ruling and reigning with Christ from the "holy city" and from the "things {promised blessings and rewards} which are written in this book.".
This is exactly what loss of soul salvation speaks of. Soul salvation is ruling and reigning during the 1000 years and throughout eternity and the ramifications of not ruling and reigning with Christ during the Millennial reign are consequently eternal, and therefore, without end.
Why? Because if we do not rule and reign in the millennial kingdom we will not rule in the "holy city" or anywhere else for that matter.
How would you like to be a pillar of the community in that Holy City?
It is my sincere prayer that this study of the Books of Life and sub sequentially the second death, has proven to be of some eternal help to someone of the household of God or to one who even now must needs to believe on the Lord Jesus, the Christ, as their Saviour, Master, and Lord of their lives. It is in the name of Jesus I pray and for His sake I pray. AMEN
Again, for a very good, comprehensive study on the various resurrections and the second death the writer suggests the reader buy a book written by Gary Whipple titled Shock and Surprise Beyond the Rapture.
This book has influenced this writers thought and personal theology concerning the profound impact that the 'second death' will have on the children of God. It is to the readers best interests that they are encouraged to buy Shock and Surprise Beyond the Rapture and the companion book The Matthew Mysteries.
Let me again encourage you to read The Mystery of the Second Death if you are having any difficulty in understanding how Christians are effected by it's chains.
With all of that said, however, the writer also encourages the reader to never read extra-Biblical texts that attempt to interpret the Holy Writ without first testing the extra-Biblical sources against what the Word of God actually says.
To do this one must take the time to open the Bible and read for context, look for 'types', do word studies, read for cultural coloring that may be present in certain parts of the scripture.
Above all, let this writer encourage the reader to always read the Holy Writ prayerfully and with great reverence. It is God's express will that the reader fill themselves up with the Word of the living God and in this manner fill themselves up with the Spirit of God.
May the Lord bless and keep you all,
Your brother in Christ,
Copyright © 2004, Samuel M. Ennis - Arden, N.C. All Rights Reserved