1 Timothy 4:10 states that God is “the savior of all men.” Likewise, 1 Timothy 2:3, 4 tells us how God “wants EVERYONE to be saved and to learn the truth [Greek, accurate knowledge].” This salvation happens before we gain knowledge. Jesus’ sacrifice for EVERYONE (verse 6) ensures that EVERYONE who died because of Adam will be saved from Adamic death. This means EVERYONE, (not just those chosen for the church), will be brought back from the dead and will receive an accurate understanding of the truth.
This refers to the “evil” group mentioned in John 5:28, 29, “the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation”. The King James renders it “resurrection of damnation” Why would the Lord resurrect a group of people only to damn or condemn them? This word “condemnation” is translated “Judgment” in newer translations. As stated in a previous episode, the word judgment means “krisis”, a period of time. So what we have here is a resurrection, where these individuals will be on a trial for life.
In the Kingdom, Jesus and his church will start the biggest educational program ever. Isaiah 11:9 says, “. . .for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.” Jeremiah 31:34 mentions, “. . .for they shall ALL know me from the least of them unto the greatest.” Verses 29 and 30 shows, that for most people, the Kingdom will be their first real chance for salvation. “ In those days they shall say no more: “‘The fathers have eaten sour grapes, And the children’s teeth are set on edge.’ But every one shall die for his own iniquity; every man who eats the sour grapes, his teeth shall be set on edge.”
Why the Church is Called First
Why is the true church chosen first to work with Christ in the Kingdom to help people? One reason can be shown through the important work of Alcoholics Anonymous. A key part of A.A. therapy is to pair a former alcoholic with each new alcoholic seeking help. The person struggling with alcohol often won’t easily accept help or advice from just anyone. How can someone understand his pain, sadness, and hopelessness if they haven’t gone through the same thing? But an alcoholic will be open to receive help from someone who has been there before, because they know that this person truly understands their suffering. This former alcoholic is always ready to support him, encourage him, and offer helpful tips for recovery. It takes someone who has been an alcoholic to help another alcoholic get better.
When people rise from the dead in Christ’s Kingdom, they will learn that they have been bought with the precious blood of Christ. They will understand that they are now under the rule of Jesus Christ and his church (1 Corinthians 6:2). They will feel confident that the church knows how to help them with their problems! Why is that? Because the church members were once sinners too. Additionally, humanity will see that the church has gone through all the struggles, difficulties, and emotional and mental challenges that people face. Since “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son” for them (John 3:16), the church will value every person in the human race. The real-life experiences of true Christians in overcoming sin and dealing with their own emotional and psychological issues (2 Corinthians 10:4, 5; Hebrews 12:3, 4) will give them an “understanding heart”. This means they will know when to show kindness to those who don’t know better and when to discipline those who are being stubborn (Hebrews 5:2; Luke 12:48). This plan for helping people will succeed. Most people will happily accept the guidance, discipline, and support they need to pass their test for eternal life.
This plan is the amazing “restitution” project. Acts 3:20, 21 calls it “the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.”
A Long Process
This process of restoration, that is restoring mankind to the mental, moral, and physical perfection that was lost in Eden won’t be finished until the end of the 1,000-year Kingdom of Christ. (Acts 15:17; Revelation 22:17)
Revelation 20:5 says, “The rest of the dead lived not again until the 1,000 years were finished.” There is debate among scholars as to whether this verse is spurious, as some old manuscripts don’t have these words.
BUT … If these words are real, they can’t mean the dead coming back to life because Revelation 11:15-18 shows that when the seventh trumpet sounds, which happens during Christ’s Second Advent, is also when the dead will be judged. Daniel 12:2 and John 5:28, 29 talk about two groups, good and evil, that come back from the dead.
Daniel 12:1 tells us that the time when these two groups rise from the dead is close to the great tribulation. This tribulation starts at the beginning of the 1,000 years, not after they are over. Daniel 12:2 mentions that the evil group will feel everlasting shame, but this word actually means in the Hebrew “age-lasting” or “long-duration.”
If the phrase in Revelation 20:5, “The rest of the dead [the remainder of men of Acts 15:17] lived not again until the 1,000 years were finished,” is real, the meaning is clear. Everyone who isn’t mentally, morally, and physically perfect is dead in the eyes of God. That’s why Jesus said in Matthew 8:22 “. . .let the dead bury their dead”. The rest of the 1,000 years will be needed to help everyone willing to walk up the “highway” of holiness (Isaiah 35:8) to become perfect humans. In this way, people won’t be truly alive until the end of the thousand years.
The Blessings of the Kingdom
Isaiah 35 talks about some amazing blessings of the Kingdom. “…the desert shall rejoice and blossom as a rose” (verse 1). “The blind will see, the deaf will hear, the lame will walk, and the dumb will sing” (verses 5 and 6). In verses 8 and 9, it mentions “the Highway of Holiness”, saying it will be for the “unclean,” but the unclean won’t be able to pass over it.
This is like an automatic car wash. It’s meant for dirty cars, but dirty cars don’t pass over it, because they are clean by the time they reach the end of the car wash. Similarly, the Highway of Holiness is for the morally unclean. But through the instruction and nurture of Christ and his church, they will step by step be made morally clean. Verse 9 says there will be no lion there. Peter described Satan as the “lion” in 1 Peter 5:8, and Revelation 20:1-3 shows that Satan will be bound (unable to tempt or stop people) during the 1,000-year Kingdom. “But the redeemed shall walk there.” Verse 10 finishes with, “And the ransomed [Jesus died a ransom for ALL. (1 Timothy 2:6)] of the Lord shall return and come to Zion [the Kingdom] with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads. They shall get joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing will disappear.” The peak of the Kingdom’s work is explained in Revelation 21:4, “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”
Jesus and his church will be the tools that God uses in the Kingdom to share these amazing blessings with the rest of humanity. If you meet the requirements of being a disciple, you will become one of these sources of blessing!
You See Your Calling, Friends
“Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you. Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. … God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:26-29
For the most part, God is ignoring the world’s ideas of greatness and is calling regular people to be part of the “little flock.”
How does this “bring to nothing things that are”? Throughout history, people have tried every possible philosophy and political or economic idea, but they have not been able to fix humanity’s problems. Each page of history shows how cruel people can be to one another. The problem isn’t really the ideas themselves, but rather people’s selfish hearts. History shows that the Bible is right when it says in Psalm 51:5 that people are born in sin and “shapen in iniquity”. The 20th century began with a lot of hope. People thought that through science and technology, a perfect world would be possible! That century ended in disappointment. Communism didn’t work. And now we’re in the 21st century and the rallying cry is socialism, and that too is a disappointment, because of man’s greed and selfishness.
Capitalism is close to failing.
Crime, violent behavior, drugs, and lack of morals show that a society is falling apart. Meanwhile, the planet is turning into a polluted wasteland. With more than five billion people putting themselves first, can it really be any different? So, the Lord has made everything that exists seem worthless. History has shown that human efforts are pointless. “No human can take pride in his [God’s] presence.” No president, prime minister, or leader—or anyone—can claim they have the answer to all of humanity’s problems.
However, there are some people who have figured out early on not to rely on human strength for answers. By believing in God’s word, they understand that only God’s Kingdom can truly fix the problems of humanity. They have accepted Jesus as their savior and fully committed themselves to following God’s will. Their purpose is to be judges, priests, and kings alongside Christ in God’s Kingdom. These Christians still face the same hardships that everyone else does (1 Corinthians 10:13). While many people become bitter or tough because of life’s difficulties, dedicated Christians experience “the peace of God that goes beyond all understanding” (Philippians 4:7). They believe that tragedy gives the Lord a chance to help them grow a kind and compassionate heart.
The loss of a loved one-husband, wife, parent, child-can mentally scar. Physical tragedy such as being crippled, blind or deaf can leave one a forgotten member of the humanity. Drug addicts, alcoholics, the mentally ill have found that few can understand. Then there are the scars of mental or physical abuse by a stranger or even a loved one. To those in economic poverty, nothing could be worse. Then there is loneliness. Some have experienced a darkness of loneliness that no human hand could reach. To consecrated Christians these various experiences provide a unique opportunity to patiently endure, while the Spirit of God transforms them day by day into the likeness of Christ (1 Peter 1:7; 2 Corinthians 4:16-18).
The main challenge is controlling our sinful nature and its desires. These are the “battles inside” (2 Corinthians 7:5; 10:4-6; Hebrews 12:4). A Christian’s fight against their own sinful nature helps them feel compassion and understanding for the sin that is deep in people’s hearts. A priest is someone who “… is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he is also subject to weakness.” Hebrews 5:2 -Holman
In the end, the church will be joined with Christ when he returns and will share in the glory of his Kingdom. Just like him (1 John 3:2), they will be caring priests, fair judges, and kind kings (Revelation 20:6; 1 Corinthians 6:2). Together, they will completely understand the broken, mentally troubled, emotionally hurt, and physically damaged world of humanity.
Why do you call yourself a Christian? If you want to honor God by serving Him and helping others, God will definitely fulfill this heartfelt wish. Just ask Him.