Acts 17:31 – “Yahweh has set a Day when he will judge the inhabited world, and do it justly, by means of a man whom he has designated. And he has given public proof of it by resurrecting this man, Yeshua, from the dead.”

Resurrections

Matthew 22:31-32 – “As for whether the dead are resurrected, haven’t you read what Yahweh said to you, ‘I am the Elohim of Abraham, the Elohim of Isaac and the Elohim of Jacob’? He is not Elohim of the dead but of the living!”

Acts 4:33 – “With great power the emissaries continued testifying to the resurrection of the Lord Yeshua, and they were all held in high regard.”

There are several resurrections mentioned in scripture other than the many I listed in my article: The Importance of a Witnessed Rapture. These resurrections are listed below in chronological order:

The 1st Resurrection – Resurrection of Yeshua and the Holy Ones

Colossians 1:18 – “He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything.”

Matthew 27:52 – “The tombs were opened, and many bodies of the holy ones who had fallen asleep were raised.”

Ephesians 4:8-10 – “When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.”

Yeshua is the first fruit, the first to be resurrected to eternal life. The resurrected Holy Ones were very likely part of the firstfruits offering to Yahweh (1 Corinthians 15:22-23), the captivity he led captive.

NOTE:

The first resurrection above is a chronological resurrection in history and is not be confused with the first resurrection mentioned in Revelation, which is a type of resurrection (Revelation 20:5-6). Confusing these two firsts is a common mistake that many make.

The 2nd Resurrection – Resurrection of the Dead in Yeshua – Before the Rapture

1 Corinthians 15:52 – “The trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable.”

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 – “Yeshua shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of Yahweh: and the dead in Yeshua shall rise first.”

This resurrection applies to “the Dead in Yeshua” and also to those who are raptured at Yeshua’s coming to take His bride home. This is what is most commonly spoken of as “THE Resurrection,” as if there are no others, a mistake many also make.

The 3rd Resurrection – At the Middle or End of the Tribulation Period

Daniel 12:1-2 – “At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will stand up. There will be a time of much trouble, the worst time since nations have been on earth, but your people will be saved. Everyone whose name is written in Elohim’s book will be saved. Many people who have already died will live again.”

Revelation 12:7-9 – “Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. But it was not strong enough to win, so that there was no longer any place for them in heaven. The great dragon was thrown out, that ancient serpent, also known as the Devil and Satan [the Adversary], the deceiver of the whole world. He was hurled down to the earth, and his angels were hurled down with him.”

Many people (Older Covenant Believers) who have already died will live again. This resurrection appears to occur in the middle of the Tribulation Period, though some place it after the second coming of Yeshua. Once Yeshua returns, however, these Older Covenant believers are ushered into the millennium kingdom.

The 4th Resurrection – At the End of the Tribulation Period – Right After the Second Coming

Revelation 7:9-17 – “After this, I looked; and there before me was a huge crowd, too large for anyone to count, from every nation, tribe, people and language.”

Revelation 20:4-5 – “I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony for Yeshua and because of the word of Yahweh. They had not worshiped the beast or his image and had not received his mark on their fore-heads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Yeshua a thousand years (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended).”

This resurrection applies to those who are martyred (beheaded) by the Antichrist during the last 3 ½ years of the Tribulation Period. This resurrection occurs at the end of the tribulation period, just after the second coming of Yeshua and the tossing of Satan into the abyss. These people will live and reign with Yeshua a thousand years.

Judgments

Deuteronomy 32:36-37 – “Yahweh will judge his people, taking pity on his servants, when he sees that their strength is gone, that no one is left, slave or free. Then he will ask, ‘Where are their gods, the rock in whom they trusted?'”

Isaiah 26:21 – “Yahweh emerges from his place to punish those on earth for their sin. Then the earth will reveal the blood shed on it and no longer conceal its slain.”

There are several judgments mentioned in scripture. These judgments are listed below in chronological order:

1st Judgment – Right after the Rapture at the Bema Seat of Yeshua

1st Corinthians 4:5 – “Therefore judge nothing before the time, until Yeshua comes, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man praise of Yahweh.”

2nd Corinthians 5:10 – “For all of us must appear before the judgment seat of Yeshua, so that each may receive recompense for what has been done in the body, whether good or evil.”

This judgment does not determine whether or not a person is cast into Hell or finally, the Lake of Fire – the person who has placed their trust in Yeshua is not condemned but has already received eternal life. According to 1st Corinthians 4:5, this judgment will occur right after the rapture when the Lord brings to light what is hidden in darkness and exposes the motives of men’s hearts. At that time, each person will receive his praise from Yeshua, and they will either receive rewards for faithfulness and service or will lose rewards due to unfaithfulness, also referred to as receiving crowns to lay at Yeshua’s feet.

2nd Judgment – The Judgment of Older Covenant Believers – At the Middle or End of the Tribulation Period

Daniel 12:1-2 – “Many people who have already died will live again. Some of them will wake up to have life forever, but some will wake up to find shame and disgrace forever.”

This judgment appears to occur in the middle of the Tribulation Period, though some place it after the second coming of Yeshua. Older Covenant believers are ushered into the millennium kingdom.

The 3rd Judgment – The Judgment of Surviving Jews – Right After the Second Coming

Ezekiel 20:34-38 – “I will bring you among the nations as I brought your ancestors into the desert with Moses. There I will judge you face to face.”

This judgment occurs just after the second coming of Yeshua. The Jews are gathered once again in the wilderness, right after the second coming. The saved enter the millennium kingdom, and the lost are purged.

The 4th Judgment – The Judgment of Surviving Nations (Sheep and Goats) – Right After the Second Coming

Matthew 25:31-46 – “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the nations one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.”

This resurrection and judgment also occurs just after the second coming of Yeshua. Yeshua will be seated on his Glorious White Throne and will judge all nations according to those who have blessed the nation and/or people of Israel and those who have not. The nations that have blessed Israel and its people will be ushered into the millennium kingdom, and the nations that have cursed Israel will be cast into the Lake of Fire.

The 5th Judgment– The Judgment of All Others (Great White Throne) – At the End of the Millennium

Revelation 20:11-15 – “And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne. Then books were opened, and the book of life was opened. The dead were judged by what they had done, which was written in the books.”

At the end of the millennium years, all who have died will be resurrected, and along with the surviving humans, will be judged according to their works. The righteous will enter eternity in the kingdom, and the unsaved will be cast into the Lake of Fire. The severity of the judgments against the unsaved are detailed in Isaiah 14:13-15: Matthew 10:15, 11:21-23; Luke 10:12; Romans 2:5-6; and Revelation 14:10, 20:10, 21:8.

The Final Judgment – The Judgment of Satan and His Demons – Right After the End of the Millennium

Revelation 20:1-3 – “Next I saw an angel coming down from heaven, who had the key to the Abyss and a great chain in his hand. He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the Devil and Satan [the Adversary], and chained him up for a thousand years. He threw him into the Abyss, locked it and sealed it over him; so that he could not deceive the nations any more until the thousand years were over. After that, he has to be set free for a little while.”

Revelation 20:10 – “And Satan, who tricked them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur with the beast and the false prophet. There they will be punished day and night forever and ever.”

This is the final judgment – Satan and his demons are thrown into the Lake of Fire. Hades and Thanatos (Hell and Death), two of the little ‘g’ Divine Council gods (Psalm 82:1, 82:6-7) who rebelled against Yahweh, are also cast into the Lake of Fire at this time.

Conclusions

1st Corinthians 15:23 – “But each in his own order: the Messiah is the firstfruits; then those who belong to the Messiah, at the time of his coming.”

Many believe there is only one resurrection and only one judgment. Scripture, however, details multiple resurrections and judgments.

Each of these resurrections or judgments takes place in the proper order at the proper time and only applies to a specific group of peoples, nations, or Heavenly beings.

Do not be like the Sadducees and deny the resurrection, or like many who deny that a loving God will judge those who refuse to walk according to his law, (Torah H8451), commandments (mitsvah H4687), ordinances (mishpat H4941), and statutes (chuqqah H2708). Yes, Yahweh is loving, gracious, and forgiving, but he is also Holy and will judge sin.

Final Thought

The prophetic signs are burgeoning and not abating. Time is incredibly short – Yeshua Ha’Mashiach is coming soon – so be of great cheer, keep looking up, and keep maintaining an attitude of gratitude. Be sure you are believing The Truth, not The Lie. Be sure Yeshua is your Redeemer, King, and High Priest, and your sins are forgiven.

Website: https://raptureparty.net

Email: jeff@raptureparty.net

 

One of the principal misunderstandings concerning the Rapture revolves around its purpose. Critics of a pre-Tribulation Rapture deride it as some pie-in-the-sky ‘Great Escape’ for Christians living in the last days.

There is no such promise of ‘escape’ from tribulation, they argue, and (correctly) point out the Bible’s promise that “in this world ye shall have tribulation.” So the pretribulational hope of a ‘Great Escape’ is not only delusional, it is unscriptural [they say].

The fact is, if the pretribulational hope WAS for a ‘Great Escape’ from tribulation, they would be correct. There is NO promise that the Church will escape tribulation, but there is an iron-clad promise that the Church will not go through the seven years of tribulation described by Jeremiah as the “Time of Jacob’s Trouble” or outlined by Daniel as Israel’s “70th Week.”

There are several reasons for a pretribulational Rapture, not the least of which is the purpose of the Tribulation in God’s unfolding Plan for the ages.

The purpose of the seven-year Tribulation Period is two-fold. The first reason is to fulfill Daniel’s prophecy of the 70 Weeks. The angel told Daniel that:

“Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy” (Daniel 9:24).

Note there are six elements to the fulfillment of this prophecy. First, to finish Israel’s sin – the rejection of the Messiah at the First Advent.

Then there is a skip forward in time to His Second Advent, at which time an end will be made of sin; reconciliation will be made for Israel’s iniquity; everlasting righteousness will be introduced to Israel; Israel’s Scriptures will be vindicated by the fulfillment of all prophecy; and finally, the return of Christ at the conclusion of the war of Armageddon, at which time He will be anointed and will take His seat at the Throne of David.

Between the First and Second Advents, there is the Church Age, a ‘mystery’ unrevealed to the Hebrew prophets. That is why Daniel’s outline of 490 years of Israeli history doesn’t anticipate a gap between the ‘cutting off of the Messiah’ at the end of the sixty-nine weeks of years and the confirmation of the covenant by the antichrist at the onset of the 70th (Daniel 9:27).

From Daniel’s perspective, it is an unbroken narrative of what would befall ‘his people’ (the Jews) and ‘his holy city’ (Jerusalem), culminating with the ‘anointing of the Most Holy’ at the conclusion of the 70th week and the ushering in of Isaiah’s Millennial Kingdom. There is no role set aside for the Church in prophecy during the 70th Week since it is reserved for Israel’s national redemption and their acceptance of the Messiah.

The Church has, by definition, already accepted the Messiah and was redeemed at the Cross.

The second purpose Scripture gives for the Tribulation Period is that it is a period of judgment against those who reject Christ and embrace the antichrist.

Since Christians who accept Christ were already judged at the Cross, there is no role set aside for the Church in the judgments pronounced because,

“Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts” (Revelation 9:21).

*Repentance is a necessary condition of salvation. It is that repentance that causes us to seek forgiveness at the Cross in the first place. Since believers in the Church Age became believers by repenting, there is no purpose for bringing the judgment of an unrepentant world on the Church.

*[To clarify, Jack said in another article: “The gifts and calling of God are without repentance. He isn’t going to change His mind. You need to change yours.” The definition of repentance is a change of mind that results in a change of action.]

The Rapture isn’t a ‘Great Escape,’ contrary to popular belief. The Rapture occurs when the restraining influence of the Holy Spirit is removed with the Church to allow the onset of the 7-year period of unrestrained evil that occurs during the Tribulation (2nd Thessalonians 2:7).

The Rapture is the Blessed Hope of the Church, but its primary purpose is not so much a ‘rescue mission’ as it is a necessary function of the withdrawal of the Holy Spirit’s ministry of restraining evil. Since we are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, when the Restrainer is withdrawn, so are we since we are His vessels.

Therefore, it is certain to conclude that the Church won’t be here for the Tribulation itself since withdrawing the indwelling of the Holy Spirit from the believing Church would leave them spiritually defenseless at a time of maximum need, something Jesus promised He would never do.

Jesus said we could trust Him that He would never forsake His Church, and His Church is defined as being composed of believers who are indwelt by the Holy Spirit.

“And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you FOREVER. Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth Him: but ye know Him; for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you” (John 14:16-17).

But there is no reason to conclude the Church will be Raptured for the purpose of providing a ‘Great Escape’ for, as I said, the Rapture is necessary to the withdrawal of the Restrainer rather than a rescue mission to the Church.

“I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you” (John 14:18).

Christians have suffered in every generation and continue to suffer persecution and death for their faith today in places like Vietnam, China, Sudan, and most of the Islamic world.

There is no promise to the Church of the last days for a ‘rescue,’ but rather, the Rapture is the fulfillment of an EXISTING Promise Jesus made that the Holy Spirit would Personally indwell believers and guide us in all truth ‘forever.’

“In My Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:2-3).

For believers, our finite understanding of ‘forever’ begins with Pentecost and continues to the Rapture, at which point ‘forever’ takes on its eternal meaning for all believers covered under the Covenant between Jesus and the Church.

“Wherefore comfort one another with these words” (1 Thessalonians 4:18).

The late Jack Kinsella’s articles can be found in the Omega Letter archives at this link