Post by Jon on Sept 20, 2006 15:58:03 GMT -8
I'm going to post the same question here that I posted on the other forum to get as much response as I can. Here goes...
My current understanding of the first resurrection mentioned in Revelation 20 is that it consists of a specific group of people who meet specific criteria. First, let's look at the Scripture:
And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and the souls of them that had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus, and for the word of God, and such as worshipped not the beast, neither his image, and received not the mark upon their forehead and upon their hand; and they lived, and reigned with Christ a thousand years. The rest of the dead lived not until the thousand years should be finished. This is the first resurrection.
(Revelation 20:4-5)
To me it seems that if you are going to be part of this group who is included in the first resurrection, you must have the following characteristics:
1) beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God
2) had not worshipped the beast or his image
3) had not received the mark of the beast
In regard to the first item, I would concede that they do not necessarily have to die from having their head cut off, but that this is simply indicating that they are martyrs. Now taken by itself, the first criteria could include any saint who has been martyred throughout history. But when you look at the last two criteria, the field is considerably narrowed.
In order for a saint to meet the second and third criteria, he would obviously have to have lived at the time of the beast's reign in order for him to not worship the beast or take his mark. So taking all criteria into account, that narrows it down to saints who live during the beast's reign on the Earth, but did not worship him or take his mark--which would invariably result in their being martyred.
If this is true, then that leaves out all Old Testament saints as well as all New Testament saints who died before the beast's reign--even if they were martyred for their faith.
So what do you guys think of this? Do you believe that the Scriptures warrant the necessity of all three criteria being met in order to be included in the first resurrection? Or do you think as long as you meet at least one of the criteria you'll be included? Or maybe you don't feel that any of them are necessary; perhaps you feel that the only necessary criteria is that you died in Christ. I want to know all of your thoughts on the matter to see if we can come to an agreement on the matter.
My current understanding of the first resurrection mentioned in Revelation 20 is that it consists of a specific group of people who meet specific criteria. First, let's look at the Scripture:
And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and the souls of them that had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus, and for the word of God, and such as worshipped not the beast, neither his image, and received not the mark upon their forehead and upon their hand; and they lived, and reigned with Christ a thousand years. The rest of the dead lived not until the thousand years should be finished. This is the first resurrection.
(Revelation 20:4-5)
To me it seems that if you are going to be part of this group who is included in the first resurrection, you must have the following characteristics:
1) beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God
2) had not worshipped the beast or his image
3) had not received the mark of the beast
In regard to the first item, I would concede that they do not necessarily have to die from having their head cut off, but that this is simply indicating that they are martyrs. Now taken by itself, the first criteria could include any saint who has been martyred throughout history. But when you look at the last two criteria, the field is considerably narrowed.
In order for a saint to meet the second and third criteria, he would obviously have to have lived at the time of the beast's reign in order for him to not worship the beast or take his mark. So taking all criteria into account, that narrows it down to saints who live during the beast's reign on the Earth, but did not worship him or take his mark--which would invariably result in their being martyred.
If this is true, then that leaves out all Old Testament saints as well as all New Testament saints who died before the beast's reign--even if they were martyred for their faith.
So what do you guys think of this? Do you believe that the Scriptures warrant the necessity of all three criteria being met in order to be included in the first resurrection? Or do you think as long as you meet at least one of the criteria you'll be included? Or maybe you don't feel that any of them are necessary; perhaps you feel that the only necessary criteria is that you died in Christ. I want to know all of your thoughts on the matter to see if we can come to an agreement on the matter.
. Your testamony on how your body recuperated after 20 years of medication is outstanding. It never ceases to amaze me how wonderfully made our bodies are and that our Creator has designed it so it can regenerate. There are so many stories that I hear and read of people and their coming down with heart disease, cancers, etc. and overcoming them through natural means. If the body is given the proper nourishment, exercise, and sleep, it will and can repair itself. I can only praise the Lord for His wondrous creations! Thank you again Swordfish for your testamonials. As Ken Nagele said in a previous post, we need more people like you on this forum to inspire other folks. I pray you visit this forum frequently and continue to bless us with your insight,