RESURRECTION AND JUDGMENT
CONT., page 9
MISCELLANEOUS
Following are a number of items relating to what has been addressed thus far, and are added here as further support or association.
Smyrna and the second death
This first item could well have been placed in section three titled “The Lake of Fire,” but is added here because of its remarkable and confirming testimony. It should not be lost in the scope of the evidence in that chapter, and stands alone here to proclaim, “Yes, this is indeed truth!”
What we have long seen and has been written about for many years here at RemnantBride.com, is once again attested in this study. Again, Bride truth is a seamless garment, and our study regarding the second death affirms this all the more.
We have noted that the first resurrection is specifically relative to the first Remnant. They resurrect from the dead back into their earthly bodies; and they and the second Remnant ascend alive into heaven. And for many years we have been noting that within the seven churches in Revelation 2 and 3, two of them attest to the Remnant. (See Whose Coming Is Through Water and Blood, page 3.) Smyrna is the first Remnant, and Philadelphia is the second Remnant. We have noted in this writing that these two Remnant are obviously not in the second resurrection, and thereby not in the great white throne judgment and second death as well. And in this affirming seamless truth, this is precisely what we read in Revelation 2:11 regarding first Remnant Smyrna:
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be harmed by the second death.”
If you have not already recognized this, Bride truth is amazing! It is consistent, from the Bible contradictions, to all that we have seen addressed in this writing thus far; and now we see this same affirmation when the promise to the first Remnant is that death will not hold them and they will not be in the second death. This is wonderful affirming truth! And as has been proven so many times in the course of the Bride, this truth defends itself.
The book of life
Now for another matter, and we begin with a question. What is the book of life, which is mentioned in Revelation 20:15 pertaining to the lake of fire? This is not an easy question to answer, for this matter lacks clear specificity. We will try to sort out the pieces.
First, it appears that the book of life is an account of those who are made righteous by true and living faith. In Psalm 69:28 we read: “May they be blotted out of the book of life and may they not be recorded with the righteous.” The book of life is obviously an accounting or record of the righteous. These would be from both the Old Testament and the New Testament. Beginning with the Old Testament, we read in Exodus 32:32-33 Moses’ appeal to Yahweh regarding the sons of Israel:
“But now, if You will, forgive their sin—and if not, please blot me out from Your book which You have written!” Yahweh said to Moses, “Whoever has sinned against Me, I will blot him out of My book.”
One must also conclude that there are distinctions as well within the kingdom of heaven, the church—the Body of Christ and the Bride. This is indeed the case. In Revelation 21:27 we find an account regarding specifically the Bride and the book of life. New Jerusalem here is “the bride, the wife of the Lamb” (21:2 and 9). Then in verse 27 we read that “nothing unclean, and no one who practices abomination and lying, shall ever come into it, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life.” Thus, one’s name must be written in the Lamb’s book of life in order to be in the Bride.
But additionally, there is a book of life that is assigned to the Body of Christ. We have noted that Smyrna and Philadelphia are the two Remnant. This means that the other five churches are the Body of Christ. In Revelation 3:5, we read concerning Sardis: “He who overcomes will thus be clothed in white garments; and I will not erase his name from the book of life, and I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.” Furthermore, Paul wrote to the believers in Philippi: “Indeed, true companion, I ask you also to help these women who have shared my struggle in the cause of the gospel, together with Clement also and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life” (Philippians 4:3).
These multiple books are also noted in Daniel 7:9-10, where we read of the judgment seat of Immanuel. But, we have seen that there are indeed two times of judgment when He sits upon His throne: the Millennial Reign and the great white throne judgment. So which book or books He opens at each time will undoubtedly be age specific.
“I kept looking until thrones were set up, and the Ancient of Days took His seat; His vesture was like white snow and the hair of His head like pure wool. His throne was ablaze with flames, its wheels were a burning fire. A river of fire was flowing and coming out from before Him; thousands upon thousands were attending Him, and myriads upon myriads were standing before Him; the court sat, and the books were opened.”
These multiple books are seen in Revelation 20:12 as well:
And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds.
Daniel 12:1-3 speaks of those who are “in the book,” and verse 3 has a most wonderful passage that speaks to the Remnant who rule and reign with Yahshua following the time of distress that has come upon the kingdom for two thousand years. Here we read:
Those who have insight will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.
It would also seem evident that those spoken of in Malachi 3:16 would address the Elijah Bride, where we read:
Then those who feared Yahweh spoke to one another, and Yahweh gave attention and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear Yahweh and who esteem His name.
This is the fear that second Remnant 1 Peter speaks to:
If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one's work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth [1 Peter 1:17].
The only other passages in the Scriptures pertaining to the book of life that have not been mentioned are Revelation 13:8 and 17:8. Christians falsely believe that the beast spoken of in these is a man, their antichrist. But he is not a man, for this beast has been on the earth deceiving kingdom men for two thousand years. To learn more concerning the reality of this truth, read The Great Tribulation. It is the second Remnant who are not ignorant of the true beast, and as evidenced in the church at Philadelphia, the synagogue of Satan will bow down at their feet (Revelation 3:9).
We have just looked at all of the passages concerning the book of life, and it most certainly seems that the first ones to be revealed from that book will and must be the tree of life, the Bride. Thereby, the book of life yields the tree of life. Once she is established on the earth in the Millennial Reign, then others can eat from her fruit and, as promised, not die as well. This, of course, would next bring the Body of Christ into heavenly bodies. And as we have seen, in their time the righteous of those preceding the kingdom of heaven—John the Baptist and all of those before him—will come into the kingdom temple as well.
The fire of Yahweh God
Also in section three titled “The Lake of Fire,” we noted that the purpose of fire in the ways of Yahweh is for correction, purification, and justice, but never for torture and sheer punishment. Yahweh’s fire is in fact for our ultimate good. In this brief account, we want to look at some of the examples from the Scriptures so as to see that the fire of Yahweh is not natural fire, but supernatural.
To begin with, in Hebrews 12:28-29, we read that God Himself is a consuming fire:
Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; for our God is a consuming fire.
Does this mean He is a literal fire? Of course not. But His nature is one that tests and purifies. We see this nature of God in the passage we just quoted regarding the book of life. You will recall from Daniel 7:9-10:
“I kept looking until thrones were set up, and the Ancient of Days took His seat; His vesture was like white snow and the hair of His head like pure wool. His throne was ablaze with flames, its wheels were a burning fire. A river of fire was flowing and coming out from before Him ….”
Could this be the fire that Yahshua said He had come to cast on the earth (Luke 12:49), or His baptism that would be with the Holy Spirit and fire (Luke 3:16)? And would these be natural fire as well? Of course not.
Even in the Old Testament, Yahweh’s fire was not natural. In Leviticus 10:1-5, we read about the two unfaithful sons of Aaron. Verse 2 states that “fire came out from the presence of Yahweh and consumed them, and they died before Yahweh.” When one reads this, they would think it was natural fire. But clearly it was not, for natural fire would have consumed their outer garments. But in verse 5 we read: “So they [two appointed men] came forward and carried them still in their tunics to the outside of the camp, as Moses had said.” The fire did not even burn their outer garments.
This is quite consistent with what we see in the burning bush as well. In Exodus 3:2 we read: “The angel of Yahweh appeared to him [Moses] in a blazing fire from the midst of a bush; and he looked, and behold, the bush was burning with fire, yet the bush was not consumed.”
There were some occasions when Yahweh’s fire came that it completely consumed something to the extent that it no longer existed, but it was for the purpose of attesting prophecy. The challenge on Mount Carmel was to see which offering Yahweh would receive—the prophets of Baal’s, or Elijah’s. In 1 Kings 18:38 we read: “Then the fire of Yahweh fell and consumed the burnt offering and the wood and the stones and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.” But once again, this was not natural fire, for it even consumed the rocks and the dust.
And let us not forget the fire that led the sons of Israel through the wilderness: “Yahweh was going before them in a pillar of cloud by day to lead them on the way, and in a pillar of fire by night to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night” (Exodus 13:21). This too was simply the presence of Yahweh, who we are told is fire. And as well, obviously the “tongues as of fire distributing themselves” and resting upon each of those on the day of Pentecost was not natural fire, but the attesting work of Yahweh (Acts 2:3). This is the baptismal fire that we need today to prepare us for Immanuel’s coming.
Would we all fit?
Have you ever imagined what it would be like for every person who has ever been created to come back to this earth at one time? The question thus arises: Would we all fit? The prospect of this taking place is not only a possibility, but a certainty! We have already read that at the second resurrection, all of those who died will resurrect: “The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were completed” (Revelation 20:5). This includes everyone who ever died—from Adam to the coming of Immanuel. The only exception will be those who lived in the Millennial Reign, as well as the first Remnant and the second Remnant who will already be in their born-from-above bodies.
At this present time, there are just under seven billion people on this earth. It has been estimated that since Adam, there have been one hundred and ten billion people created. That is taking into account the decimating flood at the time of Noah that started mankind over again. Can the world sustain that many people?
Keep in mind that the world we live in right now has been cursed ever since the Garden, and that at Noah’s flood the firmament was broken up, which had dramatic effects on the earth. If Yahweh removed the curse and restored the firmament, then undoubtedly these changes would be reversed, eliminating the marked seasons and the extreme temperature and rainfall variances. Possibly a mist could once again rise from the earth and water the whole surface, as it did before the flood (Genesis 2:6). This firmament change would certainly melt the polar ice caps, and the deserts would become habitable. Just exposing the land mass of the south pole would add a continent larger than the US (including Alaska) and India put together. In addition, if the firmament is restored, it could well mean the lowering of the oceans, exposing far more land than we have today.
Also keep in mind, and this is exceptionally important, the second resurrection takes place following the thousand year reign of Him who created this earth. Immanuel can well prepare this earth to accommodate one hundred and ten billion people, or more. The God who knows the end from the beginning and created the earth in six days, can well prepare an earth that will hold every soul He has ever brought forth.
Natural celibacy
We have noted equally in section three, “The Lake of Fire,” that it is evident that death will be done away with beginning in the Millennial Reign. Furthermore, in section five titled “Birth—Natural and Heavenly,” we note that it is very unlikely that natural birth will continue. As stated there, with the advent of Immanuel, the nations will no longer be ruling, and the focus and purpose in life will dramatically change! The emphasis will no longer be physical gain and pleasure, but now spiritual gain and value. So, we must ask the obvious question here: Will there continue to be copulation and the natural forces that drive it?
This question reminds us of what Yahshua said when He was asked by the Pharisees about divorce. In His answer He laid out a new law: that there is only one justification for divorce, which is fornication. “And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for fornication, and marries another woman commits adultery” (Matthew 19:9). One group there who understood exactly what He was saying was His own disciples. We can be very grateful for their response, for it confirms quite clearly what He had just said. They replied, “If the relationship of the man with his wife is like this, it is better not to marry” (verse 10). They were saying that if there is no way out of a troubled marriage, other than fornication, then it is better to remain single.
Yahshua’s answer to them was quite amazing. He did not reply at their level of thinking, but took this matter to the higher level of celibacy. In verses 11-12 He stated:
“Not all men can accept this statement, but only those to whom it has been given. For there are eunuchs who were born that way from their mother's womb; and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men; and there are also eunuchs who made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. He who is able to accept this, let him accept it.”
This is the very truth that Paul taught as well, and went on to say that in this matter he thought he had the Spirit of God. In 1 Corinthians 7:32-35 we read:
But I want you to be free from concern. One who is unmarried is concerned about the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord; but one who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how he may please his wife, and his interests are divided. The woman who is unmarried, and the virgin, is concerned about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and spirit; but one who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how she may please her husband. This I say for your own benefit; not to put a restraint upon you, but to promote what is appropriate and to secure undistracted devotion to the Lord.
In verse 38 he goes on to provide insight regarding a virgin daughter:
So then both he who gives his own virgin daughter in marriage does well, and he who does not give her in marriage will do better.
Then regarding a woman whose husband had died, he stated in verse 40:
But in my opinion she is happier if she remains as she is; and I think that I also have the Spirit of God.
Therefore, by the testimony of both Yahshua and Paul, if one desires to seek the kingdom of God first, it is better to not be inhibited and distracted by marriage. Can we not suspect then that beginning in the Millennial Reign when natural birth will very likely cease and the focus on life will not be the natural and worldly gains but the kingdom of God, that Yahweh will fulfill this truth by assigning to man and woman natural celibacy? Will He not take from man the fire that flows in his veins and causes him to fall into and even unlawfully seek the pleasures of those sensual desires?
Personally, as well as relating the expressions of other devoted men, it would be a great relief to not possess that haunting distraction and temptation. That desire can burn within a man so that he cannot even think, and leads many to defilement of the temple they occupy. This is especially true today with so many unwanted exposures and easily accessed opportunities, with the packaging of sex in all forms of advertising, media, and entertainment. Even Christian women dress, paint themselves, and act in such manner as to lead men into the temptation of sin. Oh that the desire for women would be removed from men, and that women would not distract men and seek vanity in the way they present themselves to others. Sensuality today is hell, and taking this lust from both man and woman would be one great step towards heaven, affording people to “be holy both in body and spirit.”
Also, personally, since my wife and family left me in 2003, as Paul stated, I have been able to serve Yahweh with far more undivided attention and uncompromised devotion. My focus and my time can far more be given to those things that have to do with the kingdom of heaven. The only other thing that would help immensely while in this earthly flesh is to not have these hormones flowing in our veins. Well, there is another, and that is for righteousness to be sought by mankind and for the distractions and temptations that come through the eye gate be removed. OH, OH for the day when this world is ridded of the filthy deeds of corrupt men and women who market sex in every area of life! OH for the day when, as it is written, men seek and learn righteousness! Oh for the day when Yahweh would place natural celibacy on all so that they can more completely seek the kingdom of heaven!
Can these earthly bodies really enter into heaven?
We have noted that it is essential we ascend alive into heaven in our earthly body, so that it may be regenerated into a born-from-above heavenly body. The evidence for this is that the first Remnant have to first resurrect from the dead, returning to their earthly bodies, before ascending. Also, Yahshua resurrected from the dead, recovered His earthly body, and with it ascended into heaven as a forerunner for us. We noted that of the two requirements for entering into heaven set forth by Yahshua in John 3:5, the first was that we be born of water. Additionally, we noted that Yahweh sent Michael to get Moses’ body.
In this section where we are adding even further support to truths, before continuing with the subject question, let us briefly add one more related evidence—Elijah and Enoch. These two men were provided by Yahweh to testify concerning the ascension of the Elijah Remnant. Not only Elijah, but Enoch as well, clearly ascended alive in their earthly bodies. You will recall from section 7 titled “Judgment,” that in Jude 1:14-15, Enoch prophesied in the “seventh from Adam,” looking to the sabbath Millennial Reign, saying, “Behold, the Lord came with many thousands of His holy ones, to execute judgment upon all, and to convict all the ungodly of all their ungodly deeds which they have done in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.” These are indeed the ascending Bride, and both Enoch and Elijah unmistakably demonstrated our ascent in these earthly bodies.
But even with all of these evidences, one might still wonder and even marvel how this corrupt earthly flesh could even be allowed into heaven? Yahshua took His earthly flesh there, but ours? This body of death? How can Yahweh allow this? The answer is found in Mephibosheth.
Prophetically, Mephibosheth is a most interesting individual. His name means “exterminating the idol,” and he was also called Meribbaal, which means “contender with Baal.” This is also the meaning of the additional name given to Gideon—Jerubbaal. Of course Gideon/Jerubbaal did indeed contend with Baal, as he tore down the altar of Baal that belonged to his father (Judges 6:25-32). Certainly, Gideon equally exterminated the idol. Both men are in fact testimonies of the Elijah and Remnant who contend with Baal Christianity.
Mephibosheth was the grandson of Saul, and the son of Jonathan. When Saul and Jonathan were killed, his nurse fled with him, whereupon he fell and became lame in both feet (2 Samuel 4:4). Several years later, after he was married, David enquired if there were any in Saul’s house remaining. Yes, there was one—lame Mephibosheth. David ordered him to be brought to him.
When brought before David, Mephibosheth feared for his life. Why would he fear David? Possibly because he was a descendant of Saul, and kings sometimes killed former competitors. But in addition, in 2 Samuel 5:8 we find something else most interesting about David: his soul hated the lame and the blind, to the extent that it was said regarding him, “The blind or the lame shall not come into the house.” Now, lame Mephibosheth was brought before this king who hated the lame. His fate seemed to be certain rejection, and possible death!
Was lame Mephibosheth rejected, killed? No, instead he was shown incredible mercy and favor. David told him, “Do not fear, for I will surely show kindness to you for the sake of your father Jonathan, and will restore to you all the land of your grandfather Saul; and you shall eat at my table regularly” (2 Samuel 9:7). This king who hated the lame and vowed to never allow them into his house, was now opening the way to lame Mephibosheth, and he would even eat at his table. Why? Because of the covenant David had made with Jonathan (1 Samuel 20:12-17). Thus, “Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, for he ate at the king's table regularly [as one of the king’s sons]” (2 Samuel 9:11 and 13).
Does this sound familiar? Why would Yahweh allow lame and blind earthly-flesh man to come into His house? Because Yahshua prepared the way by going before us, and because of the covenant that was made with this “Jonathan.” Yahweh would never allow the blind and the lame to ascend into heaven; but because of the covenant established by Yahshua, He allows what He had heretofore hated. Because of that covenant, this contender with Baal will be allowed to eat from the Father’s table and ascend into His house to be born from above and made entirely new. “Do not fear, for I will surely show kindness to you for the sake of [Yahshua].”
Two become one flesh
What is marriage? As early as Genesis 2:24, we are told that “a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh.” This is of course repeated in the New Testament several times. So, what is it that makes the two into one flesh? It is consummation, the covenant whereby the male passes between the split covenant parts of the female, with the outcome of bringing forth offspring.
In Revelation 19:7 and 9, just after the judgment of mystery Babylon, we read of the marriage of the Lamb. Verse 7 states: “Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready.” So, when this Bride who makes herself ready is taken into Sarah’s tent, even as was the case with Rebekah (Genesis 24:67), what will be the outcome? The two will become one flesh. We already know what kind of flesh Yahshua has—that which is born from above. So what kind of flesh will we then have? That born-from-above one flesh as well.
We are also told in 1 John 3:2: “Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is.” When we see Yahshua, when we are united with Him in heaven, we will see Him just as He is and thereupon be like Him.
One Bride brother wrote me, first restating that which is written in the writing, The Soul. There we see that man is a mirror image of God, which in fact means we are a reverse of Him, even a living soul. Because we are a mirror image, we are weaker, and in many ways opposite of Him. In a mirror, one’s right hand is their left, and the left is the right—again, the opposite. This brother stated that when we see Yahshua, and thereupon become like Him, “for the first time, God the Eternal will behold Himself [in us] as He truly is! The reflection will be no more (at least for the first-fruits Bride); and just as a man and wife come together for the first time to consummate a marriage, so too will there be a consummation of something that has never happened before—the Eternal, I AM, Yahweh God Entity will truly become One with His creation, with His first-fruits Bride (which had come from within Him all along, but had to undergo a breach period of carnal existence).”
He went on to explain, “Eve came FROM Adam. She had always been a part of him, but had to come out separate from him in order to be rejoined to him as one, as husband and wife. Can we not then conclude that this exact scenario will happen on a much larger scale? Yahweh's creation was a part of Him from the beginning, came out separate from Him, and will be reunited with Him as one in order to produce the fruit of bringing the rest of creation into the heavenly dimension, ultimately culminating with God being ‘All in All.’ ” I suggest you reread this last sentence and meditate upon it. There is much truth in it.
We see then that first the Bride enters into the God image of the incorruptible, followed by the Body of Christ three thousand years later. And, it is the union of these two works into the God image that produces the offspring this brother speaks of. Offspring are the result of the one-flesh union; and attested by natural man, this is Yahweh’s way of bringing forth offspring. These offspring will be the vast host of the nations who must learn righteousness and equally be born from above. Everyone born of water must come to the place that this brother spoke of, where “God the Eternal will behold Himself [in us] as He truly is!”
Conclusion
We have seen in this writing many truths related to resurrection and judgment. We have also sought to look at the big picture of what Yahweh is doing, as well as what He states He will do in time to come. We have sought to be consistent with His Word, as well as with His ways, including the replication of those ways. For example, if man is going to ascend alive in this flesh, then most certainly Yahshua had to go before us and ascend in like state so as to prepare our way. It makes no sense that He would come here as a flesh man, to not finish His course and leave in like manner as we are and will be at our ascension.
Furthermore, if the Bride must be split, for the same cause the Body of Christ must be split; and if the Body must be burned with fire in the third part, then the second Remnant must be purified with fire as well. And if the Bride and the Body enter into a heavenly state, then so must the rest of mankind enter into that same state—as the offspring of the union of the Bride and the Body. As it is written in 1 Corinthians 15:22, “For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive.” In both cases, all is all. And as it is written in 1 Timothy 4:10, “we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers.” Yes, as we have seen, He is indeed especially the savior of believers; but, of all men as well. Jeremiah 32:27 states, “Behold, I am Yahweh, the God of all flesh; is anything too difficult for Me?”
We saw at the outset that there are in fact two resurrections from the dead, and three ascensions with the outcome of being born from above. And this entire regenerative process is effected in large part by the salt of fire. Regarding all that is written here, the most important and relevant item today is this need for each one of us to judge ourselves, lest the salt lose its saltiness and we stand before God unkempt. This daily act on our part of holding ourselves accountable is what will endure most, and is the one thing we can and must apply today and every day. May Yahshua send His Spirit, that we may be baptized with the Holy Spirit and fire. May His Spirit cover and baptize the earth, even as it did in the days of Noah.
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