The battle of Gog and Magog does not happen until after the thousand year reign of Christ

[Zao is life]

1 Timothy 5:6
But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.

Matthew 8:22
But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the deadbury their dead.

Luke 9:60
Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.

Revelation 3:1
And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.

Ephesians 2:1
And you hath he quickened, who were dead intrespasses and sins;

Ephesians 2:5
Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

See Post #398 and #400

When Christ died, all the sons of Adam were dead in trespasses and sins. The wages of sin is death - the death of the body. Christ took on a human body while we were dead in trespasses and sins, took our sins upon Himself, died and rose again. Because we have been born of God, His Spirit dwells in us (for those who have indeed been born of God) and the Spirit that quickened Christ's dead body will quicken our dead and mortal bodies.

And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars says these things. I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive in the body (zao), and are dead. Reveation 3:1

"If Christ's Spirit is in you,

(1) your body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit (of Christ) is your (eternal) life [zoe] because of (Christ's) righteousness.

(2) Moreover, if the Spirit of the one who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, the one who raised Christ from the dead will also quicken [zōopoiéō] your mortal bodies through his Spirit who lives in you.".

2 Be watchful and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die. For I have not found your works being fulfilled before God.
3 Remember then how you have received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you.

It's a statement that torpedos the "once saved always saved" theology, because Jesus was speaking to a church that was once alive in Christ but was ready to die.

"If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered. And they gather and cast them into the fire, and they are burned." -- John 15:6

 

[Stewardofthemystery]

There was no spiritual life in her. The Greek word "lives" in "while she lives" is zao - which in the New Testament is always talking about someone who is alive in the body (i.e has not died, whose body is not dead in the sense of having breathed its last).

Zao is always associated with life in the body. I can supply you with the full list of all the verses (which is very long) but I already have to explain what God's gospel is to you, because you are following the gospel of human theology that you believe in and have faith in.

Do you believe that the reason Jesus took on a human body and took the sins of mankind upon Himself and died - His body died - and that the reason Jesus' dead body was quickened by the Spirit and He rose again from the dead is because death - the death of the body - is the enemy of God?

Mankind was created to live on God's created earth, in a created body. We were not created to "go to heaven when we die and live forever in heaven". Death is the enemy of God.

If you do not believe this, then consider why the resurrection of the body (through the quickening of the Spirit of God) is spoken of in all these verses:-

The Greek noun used in the New Testament for bodily resurrection from death is o anástasis: THE Resurrection. Without exception, each and every time the word anástasis appears in the New Testament, it's referring to (the) resurrection of the body (which is an integral part of the gospel):-

|| Matthew 22:23, 28 & 30-31; Mark 12:18 & 23; Luke 2:34; Luke 14:14; Luke 20:27, 33, 35-36; John 5:29; John 11:24-25; Acts 1:22; Acts 2:31; Acts 4:2; Acts 4:33; Acts 17:18, 32; Acts 23:6, 8; Acts 24:15, 21; Acts 26:23; Romans 1:4; Romans 6:5; 1 Corinthians 15:12-13, 21, 42; Philippians 3:10; II Timothy 2:18; Hebrews 6:2; Hebrews 11:35; I Peter 1:3; I Peter 3:21; Revelation 20:5-6. ||

The other words associated with The Resurrection (o anástasis) are:-

égersis; anístēmi; and egeírō.

Note: The words are not always used in reference to the resurrection: Sometimes they are used for rising up (as in "get up!"), or being raised up as a leader, or rising from sleep (in a normal sense),

but wherever and whenever they are speaking about rising from death, they are speaking about the resurrection of the body from the dead:-

|| Matthew 9:25; Matthew 10:8; Matthew 11:5; Matthew 14:2; Matthew 17:9; Matthew 16:21; Matthew 17:23; Matthew 20:19; Matthew 26:32; Matthew 27:52-53 & 63-64; Matthew 28:6-7; Mark 6:14 & 16; Mark 12:26; Mark 14:28; Mark 16:6 & 14; Luke 7:14; Luke 7:22; Luke 8:54; Luke 9:7 & 22; Luke 14:13-14; Luke 20:37; Luke 24:6; Luke 24:34; John 2:19-21; John 5:21; John 5:28-29; John 6:39, 40 & 44; John 11:23-35; John 12:1, 9 & 17; John 21:14; Acts 1:22; Acts 2:24, 31-32; Acts 3:15 & 26; Acts 4:1-2, 10 & 33; Acts 5:30; Acts 10:40; Acts 13:30 & 33-37; Acts 17:18 & 31-32; Acts 23:6-8; Acts 24:15 & 21; Acts 26:8; Romans 1:4; Romans 4:23-25; Romans 6:4-5; Romans 6:9; Romans 7:4; Romans 8:11; Romans 8:34; Romans 10:9; 1 Corinthians 6:14; 1 Corinthians 15:4, 12-23, 35-36, 42-45, 50-57; 2 Corinthians 1:9; 2 Corinthians 4:14; 2 Corinthians 5:15; Galatians 1:1; Ephesians 1:20; Ephesians 2:5-6; Ephesians 5:14; Philippians 3:10-11; Colossians 2:12-13; Colossians 3:1 (Compare with Romans 6:5); 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-16; 2 Timothy 2:8 & 18; Hebrews 6:1-2; Hebrews 11:35; 1 Peter 1:3-5; 1 Peter 1:21; 1 Peter 3:18 & 21; Revelation 20:5-6. ||

Not one New Testament verse employing any of the above listed words associated with The Resurrection (o anástasis) is not talking about the resurrection of the body. Not one.

Christ took on a human body and took the sin of humans upon Himself and died and rose again from death because death is the enemy of God and death is the wages of sin.

Your theology has Christ taking on a human body and taking human sin upon Himself, suffering in His body, dying, and His body being quickened and Christ rising from the dead all so that we can be "spiritually" quickened (made alive from the dead) so that "we can go to heaven when we die".

But God's gospel has us being born of the Spirit of God so that through the indwelling of Christ's Spirit in us, our mortal bodies will be quickened by the Spirit of Christ in us, and we will rise from the dead bodily with Christ's bodily resurrection from the dead -

Because "since death is through man, the [ἀνάστασις anástasis] resurrection of the dead also is through a Man. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all will be [ζωοποιέω zōopoiéō] made alive. -- 1 Corinthians 15:21-22."

See how the word death is associated with the body in all the above scriptures. "The resurrection" is always and only talking about the resurrection of the body in the New Testament.

But your "gospel" has mankind being spiritually "quickened" (from the dead) by Christ, and according to your gospel:

"So that's all OK now. Now we will go to heaven when we die because we are alive in our spirit, and as an extra bonus, we will receive a new body one day too".

Well that's not why Christ took on a human body and took the sin that caused the death of humans (death of the body) upon Himself, died and rose again from the dead, my friend, because mankind was created to live on God's created earth, in a created body. We were not created to "go to heaven when we die and live forever in heaven". Death is the enemy of God.

Why do you think the Revelation talks about a new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells?

When did your spirit die? Was it before you were born into the world (born of the flesh)? Or was it after you were born of the flesh? When did you receive spiritual life? Before you were born of the Spirit of God, or after you were born of the Spirit?

When was your spirit "quickened: ("from the dead") by God? Was it before you were born of the Spirit? Or after you were born of the Spirit?

"Christ is risen [egeiro] from the dead, and become the first-fruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection [anastasis] of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be quickened [zoopoieo: made alive]." -- 1 Corinthians 15:20-22.

"If Christ's Spirit is in you,

(1) your body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit (of Christ) is your (eternal) life [zoe] because of (Christ's) righteousness.

(2) Moreover, if the Spirit of the one who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, the one who raised Christ from the dead will also quicken [zōopoiéō] your mortal bodies through his Spirit who lives in you.".

When the two prophets appear, they will be rejected by the vast majority of the leaders and teachers and congregations in Christian churches, because they will be exposing all the false theology concocted in the minds of men and taught in the churches.​

The reason she is alive physically but dead spiritually is because of sin. Man is body, soul, and spirit. The body is the outward physical identity, the soul is the inward identity, and the spirit is the nature=heart/mind.

The spirit that entered into mankind after sin entered into the world was the sin nature of the Serpent. This spirit/sin nature is what causes man to be separated from God’s Divine nature/Holy Spirit.

When we are born again from above of the Holy Spirit we are given a new heart/mind/spirit made in the image of the Son of God.

Psalm 51:10
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

 

[Zao is life]

The spirit that entered into mankind after sin entered into the world was the sin nature of the Serpent. This spirit/sin nature is what causes man to be separated from God’s Divine nature/Holy Spirit.

The above is unbiblical and not even Christian.

There was no "spirit" "entering into mankind" after Adam sinned and died. If that were the case every human would be possessed by Satan. The mystery you are a steward of in the above statement is a lie - which is what Satan always produces.

This is what the Bible tells us:

In the beginning, God. -- Genesis 1:1.

God is Spirit. -- John 4:24.

In the beginning God (Spirit) created. -- Genesis 1:1.

He created something other than Spirit - He created the natural universe and earth, and all that exists in it, including humans. -- Genesis 1:1; Genesis 1:26-27; Genesis 2:7:-

Created:
"God created [bara] humankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them, male and female he created them."

Formed:
"When YHVH God created man, He formed [yatsar] man of the dust of the ground, .."

Breathed (Spirit of God):
".. and breathed (naphach) into his nostrils the breath (nshamah) of life (chay); .. "

"The Spirit breathes where He desires, and you hear His voice,
but you do not know from where He comes, and where He goes;
so is everyone who is born [γεννάω gennáō] of the Spirit."
-- John 3:8.

gennáō: to procreate (properly, of the father, but by extension of the mother); figuratively, to regenerate:--bear, beget, be born, bring forth, conceive, be delivered of, gender, make, spring. [Strongs Greek 01080]

Became (hayah:):
".. and man became [hayah] a living (chay) soul (nephesh)."
-- Genesis 1:27; 2:7.

hayah: to exist, i.e. be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary):--beacon, X altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, + follow, happen, X have, last, pertain, quit (one-)self, require, X use. [Srong's Hebrew 1961]

The created human who was formed from the dust of the earth became a living (chay) soul (nephesh) when the Spirit of God breathed the breath (Spirit of God) of (everlasting) life into him:

"That which is born [gennáō] of the flesh is flesh,
and that which is born [gennáō] of the Spirit is spirit."
-- John 3:6.

The Greek word ánōthen in the above statement of Jesus (from which the English is translated) means "from the first" as in the beginning, first time, top, above, first:

"Truly, truly, I say to you, Unless a man is born from the first (anothen), he cannot see the kingdom of God. Do not marvel that I said to you, You must be born from the first (anothen)." -- John 3:3 & 7.

It does not constitute a "resurrection from the dead" of a (dead) human spirit. The tree of (everlasting) life (chay) was in the midst of the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:9), and from it the humans could freely eat (Genesis 2:16-17), until they disobeyed the commandment of God, at which time they were driven out of the garden (Genesis 3:22-24).

So they ceased being able to freely eat of the the tree of (everlasting) life (chay) and live forever (Genesis 3:22).

Otherwise they would have lived forever in sin and eternal death. Because Adam had died. Decay had entered into his body. Unbelief of the Word of God always produces sin and sin always produces death.

In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul states,

"Christ is risen [egeiro] from the dead, and become the first-fruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection [anastasis] of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be quickened [zoopoieo: made alive]." -- 1 Corinthians 15:20-22.​

Your statement is unscriptural, hence not of God, and shows how you erect your own theology on top of what is not written. I'm surprised @rwb hasn't "liked" your post.

 

[rwb]

The reason she is alive physically but dead spiritually is because of sin. Man is body, soul, and spirit. The body is the outward physical identity, the soul is the inward identity, and the spirit is the nature=heart/mind.

The spirit that entered into mankind after sin entered into the world was the sin nature of the Serpent. This spirit/sin nature is what causes man to be separated from God’s Divine nature/Holy Spirit.

When we are born again from above of the Holy Spirit we are given a new heart/mind/spirit made in the image of the Son of God.

Psalm 51:10
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

We're pretty close in agreement here. According to the accounting from creation God says, He created man from the dust of the earth (physical form) breathed into him the breath of life (spirit) and he became a living soul. Every living breathing creature upon the earth is a living soul, because every living breathing creature has both physical body and spirit. And as long as the breath of life remains in every living breathing creature they are "living souls."

Genesis 2:7 (KJV) And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, [physical body] and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life [spirit, mind, heart, will, emotions, the ability to think & reason, gives life to the body]; and man became a living soul.

Apart from the breath of life the man God created in the beginning would remain a corpse altogether without life. Why? Because it is the spirit that gives life, and flesh profits nothing.

John 6:63 (KJV) It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

 

[Zao is life]

The reason she is alive physically but dead spiritually is because of sin.

Like all others who are alive physically and dead spiritually who have never been born of the Spirit.

 

[Zao is life]

The spirit that entered into mankind after sin entered into the world was the sin nature of the Serpent. This spirit/sin nature is what causes man to be separated from God’s Divine nature/Holy Spirit.

We're pretty close in agreement here.

Why am I not surprised ..

 

[Stewardofthemystery]

The above is unbiblical and not even Christian.

There was no "spirit" "entering into mankind" after Adam sinned and died. If that were the case every human would be possessed by Satan. The mystery you are a steward of in the above statement is a lie - which is what Satan always produces.

This is what the Bible tells us:

In the beginning, God. -- Genesis 1:1.

God is Spirit. -- John 4:24.

In the beginning God (Spirit) created. -- Genesis 1:1.

He created something other than Spirit - He created the natural universe and earth, and all that exists in it, including humans. -- Genesis 1:1; Genesis 1:26-27; Genesis 2:7:-

Created:
"God created [bara] humankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them, male and female he created them."

Formed:
"When YHVH God created man, He formed [yatsar] man of the dust of the ground, .."

Breathed (Spirit of God):
".. and breathed (naphach) into his nostrils the breath (nshamah) of life (chay); .. "

"The Spirit breathes where He desires, and you hear His voice,
but you do not know from where He comes, and where He goes;
so is everyone who is born [γεννάω gennáō] of the Spirit."
-- John 3:8.

gennáō: to procreate (properly, of the father, but by extension of the mother); figuratively, to regenerate:--bear, beget, be born, bring forth, conceive, be delivered of, gender, make, spring. [Strongs Greek 01080]

Became (hayah:):
".. and man became [hayah] a living (chay) soul (nephesh)."
-- Genesis 1:27; 2:7.

hayah: to exist, i.e. be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary):--beacon, X altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, + follow, happen, X have, last, pertain, quit (one-)self, require, X use. [Srong's Hebrew 1961]

The created human who was formed from the dust of the earth became a living (chay) soul (nephesh) when the Spirit of God breathed the breath (Spirit of God) of (everlasting) life into him:

"That which is born [gennáō] of the flesh is flesh,
and that which is born [gennáō] of the Spirit is spirit."
-- John 3:6.

The Greek word ánōthen in the above statement of Jesus (from which the English is translated) means "from the first" as in the beginning, first time, top, above, first:

"Truly, truly, I say to you, Unless a man is born from the first (anothen), he cannot see the kingdom of God. Do not marvel that I said to you, You must be born from the first (anothen)." -- John 3:3 & 7.

It does not constitute a "resurrection from the dead" of a (dead) human spirit. The tree of (everlasting) life (chay) was in the midst of the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:9), and from it the humans could freely eat (Genesis 2:16-17), until they disobeyed the commandment of God, at which time they were driven out of the garden (Genesis 3:22-24).

So they ceased being able to freely eat of the the tree of (everlasting) life (chay) and live forever (Genesis 3:22).

Otherwise they would have lived forever in sin and eternal death. Because Adam had died. Decay had entered into his body. Unbelief of the Word of God always produces sin and sin always produces death.

In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul states,

"Christ is risen [egeiro] from the dead, and become the first-fruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection [anastasis] of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be quickened [zoopoieo: made alive]." -- 1 Corinthians 15:20-22.​

Your statement is unscriptural, hence not of God, and shows how you erect your own theology on top of what is not written. I'm surprised @rwb hasn't "liked" your post.

Ephesians 2:2
Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

 

[Stewardofthemystery]

Like all others who are alive physically and dead spiritually who have never been born of the Spirit.

Right, that is why man needs to be born again from above and be given a new heart/mind/ Spirit and be made a new creature in Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a newcreature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

 

[rwb]

Right, that is why man needs to be born again from above and be given a new heart/mind/ Spirit and be made a new creature in Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a newcreature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Exactly, when man is born again of the Spirit of Christ, he/she is a new creature. That is to be spiritually quickened (made alive) in Christ. The Spirit of Christ coming in us is not being resurrected from physical death. It is to have part in the resurrection life of Christ through His Spirit in us. To be born again of the Spirit of Christ is to have part in Christ, who is the first to be resurrected to life again. Since Christ is the first to be risen from the dead, when we are born again of His Spirit we too have part in Him. The first resurrection is not of man being physically resurrected from physical death, it is to share in the resurrected life of Christ.

Colossians 2:12-13 (KJV) Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;

Romans 6:4-6 (KJV) Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

1 Peter 3:21 (KJV) The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:

 

[Stewardofthemystery]

Exactly, when man is born again of the Spirit of Christ, he/she is a new creature. That is to be spiritually quickened (made alive) in Christ. The Spirit of Christ coming in us is not being resurrected from physical death. It is to have part in the resurrection life of Christ through His Spirit in us. To be born again of the Spirit of Christ is to have part in Christ, who is the first to be resurrected to life again. Since Christ is the first to be risen from the dead, when we are born again of His Spirit we too have part in Him. The first resurrection is not of man being physically resurrected from physical death, it is to share in the resurrected life of Christ.

Colossians 2:12-13 (KJV) Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;

Romans 6:4-6 (KJV) Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

1 Peter 3:21 (KJV) The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:

In order to be a part of the first physical resurrection you must be born again of the Spirit while alive on earth in this mortal body.

The Spirit “seals” us unto the day of redemption.

Ephesians 4:30
And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

Romans 8:23
And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body

Romans 8:11
But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you

 

[rwb]

In order to be a part of the first physical resurrection you must be born again of the Spirit while alive on earth in this mortal body.

The Spirit “seals” us unto the day of redemption.

Ephesians 4:30
And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

Romans 8:23
And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body

Romans 8:11
But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you

The first physical resurrection is already a reality. It's the bodily resurrection of Christ from the dead.

Acts 26:23 (KJV) That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.

Revelation 1:5 (KJV) And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

We partake of Christ's resurrection (the first resurrection) before we physically die to overcome the second death. Scripture speaks only of the first resurrection through Christ, and the physical resurrection that shall be in a time coming when the last trumpet sounds.

 

[Stewardofthemystery]

We partake of Christ's resurrection (the first resurrection) before we physically die to overcome the second death.

In “spiritual terms” we are raised up a new man in Christ when we are born again of the Spirit. Yes

Scripture speaks only of the first resurrection through Christ, and the physical resurrection that shall be in a time coming when the last trumpet sounds.

Right, you must be born again of the Spirit to be a part of the first physical resurrection as well.
1 Corinthians 15:23
But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.

 

[rwb]

In “spiritual terms” we are raised up a new man in Christ when we are born again of the Spirit. Yes

Right, you must be born again of the Spirit to be a part of the first physical resurrection as well.
1 Corinthians 15:23
But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.

There will be only one physical resurrection in the hour that is coming when the last trumpet sounds. That is NOT the 'first resurrection' mankind MUST have part in before they die for them to overcome the second death. In the passage below John writes of the bodily resurrection that shall come. As you can see the one physical resurrection will be for all that are in the graves, both those who have done good (saints) and those who have done evil (unbelievers). This is the only physical bodily resurrection for all who have died. There will not be two bodily resurrections, separated by about one thousand years. Nowhere in Scripture does it speak of one physical resurrection for saints, and another for unbelievers.

John 5:28-29 (KJV) Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

Being born again of the Spirit IS when we become a new man. That through the power of the Holy Spirit giving spiritual life to we who were spiritually dead in trespasses and sins. To be born again means that we believe in Christ, therefore we partake of Him, being made spiritually alive, our spirit has been raised and now we are spiritually alive through the resurrection life of Christ. If Christ had not become the first resurrection from the dead, no man would be born again. To be born again through His Spirit is to partake of Christ's resurrection life spiritually, not physically.

You're confusing the 'first resurrection' that speaks of the resurrection of Christ alone, with the physical resurrection of ALL who have died, that will not happen until an hour coming when the last trumpet sounds. It is souls John sees alive in heaven after they have physically died, that had part in the 'first resurrection' through Christ. They would not be a spiritual body of saints in heaven if in life before they died, they had not been made spiritually alive through Christ. IOW, they had been born again of the Spirit of Christ before they were martyred, and for that reason John sees them as living souls in heaven, but without physical form. They had not been physically resurrected because John says they died by having their heads chopped off. Without a head one cannot be physically alive. Yet John still sees life where there should be none because they had part in Christ's resurrection (first resurrection) before they were killed.

The reason John calls them 'souls' is because they are alive. Wherever there is life, both physical and spiritual, there is a living soul. Because every living breathing creature of the earth having both a physical body and spirit to give the body life is called 'living souls'. As long as life whether physical or spiritual continues to exist there is a living soul. What separates man of faith from every other living breathing creature of the earth is the Holy Spirit sent from Christ that gives our natural spirit ETERNAL life. When man having faith in Christ dies their spirit, like every spirit returns to God who gave it. Through the Holy Spirit within believers our spirit returns to God in heaven alive.

In heaven believers are still the body of Christ, but in heaven the spiritual body without physical form i.e. like the angels of God in heaven. That's why Paul writes that when our body is dead and buried "it is raised a spiritual body" (1Cor 15:44) because man has both natural body and spiritual body. All spirits return to God, (Ecc 12:7) but only the spirit with the Holy Spirit returns to God alive. All who die without the Holy Spirit are spoken of as those who like brute beasts go down in silence and darkness and will not be alive again until the last trumpet sounds, and the DEAD are called to stand before God at the GWTJ to be judged according to what is found written in the books and the book of life.

To be made alive in Christ is to be part of Him. Christ became the firstfruits for mankind by being the first resurrection from the dead. It is through His resurrection that man must take hold of in life, and that by grace through faith. By resurrecting from the dead Christ proves that our faith is not in vain. If He had not risen from the dead, then all who have died in Him have perished because there would be no hope of life beyond this mortal earthly existence. But our faith is not in vain because we are given assurance through Christ that the life we have in Him when we believe shall never end. So, man of faith has hope beyond this life. Because we know that physical death does not end our life, it simply takes us from a physical mortal & corruptible body to spiritual body in heaven where Christ is.

1 Corinthians 15:12-14 (KJV) Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.

1 Corinthians 15:16-19 (KJV) For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.

We understand why Christ adamantly says "Ye must be born again" to know and enter the Kingdom of God. And that all who are born again possess His Spirit within and shall be with our spirit even though our body dies. To be born again IS to partake of the first resurrection that IS the resurrection of Christ, the firstfruits of the dead!

 

[WPM]

In “spiritual terms” we are raised up a new man in Christ when we are born again of the Spirit. Yes

Right, you must be born again of the Spirit to be a part of the first physical resurrection as well.
1 Corinthians 15:23
But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.

The Bible makes it clear that Christ is "the first resurrection" (Acts 26:23 and Revelation 20:6), "the firstborn from the dead" (Colossians 1:18), "the firstfruits of them that slept" (1 Corinthians 15:20), "first begotten of the dead" (Revelation 1:5).

 

[Stewardofthemystery]

There will be only one physical resurrection in the hour that is coming when the last trumpet sounds. That is NOT the 'first resurrection' mankind MUST have part in before they die for them to overcome the second death. In the passage below John writes of the bodily resurrection that shall come. As you can see the one physical resurrection will be for all that are in the graves, both those who have done good (saints) and those who have done evil (unbelievers). This is the only physical bodily resurrection for all who have died. There will not be two bodily resurrections, separated by about one thousand years. Nowhere in Scripture does it speak of one physical resurrection for saints, and another for unbelievers.

John 5:28-29 (KJV) Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

Being born again of the Spirit IS when we become a new man. That through the power of the Holy Spirit giving spiritual life to we who were spiritually dead in trespasses and sins. To be born again means that we believe in Christ, therefore we partake of Him, being made spiritually alive, our spirit has been raised and now we are spiritually alive through the resurrection life of Christ. If Christ had not become the first resurrection from the dead, no man would be born again. To be born again through His Spirit is to partake of Christ's resurrection life spiritually, not physically.

You're confusing the 'first resurrection' that speaks of the resurrection of Christ alone, with the physical resurrection of ALL who have died, that will not happen until an hour coming when the last trumpet sounds. It is souls John sees alive in heaven after they have physically died, that had part in the 'first resurrection' through Christ. They would not be a spiritual body of saints in heaven if in life before they died, they had not been made spiritually alive through Christ. IOW, they had been born again of the Spirit of Christ before they were martyred, and for that reason John sees them as living souls in heaven, but without physical form. They had not been physically resurrected because John says they died by having their heads chopped off. Without a head one cannot be physically alive. Yet John still sees life where there should be none because they had part in Christ's resurrection (first resurrection) before they were killed.

The reason John calls them 'souls' is because they are alive. Wherever there is life, both physical and spiritual, there is a living soul. Because every living breathing creature of the earth having both a physical body and spirit to give the body life is called 'living souls'. As long as life whether physical or spiritual continues to exist there is a living soul. What separates man of faith from every other living breathing creature of the earth is the Holy Spirit sent from Christ that gives our natural spirit ETERNAL life. When man having faith in Christ dies their spirit, like every spirit returns to God who gave it. Through the Holy Spirit within believers our spirit returns to God in heaven alive.

In heaven believers are still the body of Christ, but in heaven the spiritual body without physical form i.e. like the angels of God in heaven. That's why Paul writes that when our body is dead and buried "it is raised a spiritual body" (1Cor 15:44) because man has both natural body and spiritual body. All spirits return to God, (Ecc 12:7) but only the spirit with the Holy Spirit returns to God alive. All who die without the Holy Spirit are spoken of as those who like brute beasts go down in silence and darkness and will not be alive again until the last trumpet sounds, and the DEAD are called to stand before God at the GWTJ to be judged according to what is found written in the books and the book of life.

To be made alive in Christ is to be part of Him. Christ became the firstfruits for mankind by being the first resurrection from the dead. It is through His resurrection that man must take hold of in life, and that by grace through faith. By resurrecting from the dead Christ proves that our faith is not in vain. If He had not risen from the dead, then all who have died in Him have perished because there would be no hope of life beyond this mortal earthly existence. But our faith is not in vain because we are given assurance through Christ that the life we have in Him when we believe shall never end. So, man of faith has hope beyond this life. Because we know that physical death does not end our life, it simply takes us from a physical mortal & corruptible body to spiritual body in heaven where Christ is.

1 Corinthians 15:12-14 (KJV) Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.

1 Corinthians 15:16-19 (KJV) For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.

We understand why Christ adamantly says "Ye must be born again" to know and enter the Kingdom of God. And that all who are born again possess His Spirit within and shall be with our spirit even though our body dies. To be born again IS to partake of the first resurrection that IS the resurrection of Christ, the firstfruits of the dead!

Your problem is with the words of God that call this physical resurrection of the dead and living in Christ the “first resurrection”

Revelation 20:4-6

King James Version

​

4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
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.”

 

[Stewardofthemystery]

The Bible makes it clear that Christ is "the first resurrection" (Acts 26:23 and Revelation 20:6), "the firstborn from the dead" (Colossians 1:18), "the firstfruits of them that slept" (1 Corinthians 15:20), "first begotten of the dead" (Revelation 1:5).

Christ is the first of the firstfruits of Israel.
1 Corinthians 15:23
But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.

The second coming of Christ and the physical resurrection of the dead and living in Christ has not happened yet.

 

[Spiritual Israelite]

The first physical resurrection is already a reality. It's the bodily resurrection of Christ from the dead.

Acts 26:23 (KJV) That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.

Revelation 1:5 (KJV) And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

We partake of Christ's resurrection (the first resurrection) before we physically die to overcome the second death. Scripture speaks only of the first resurrection through Christ, and the physical resurrection that shall be in a time coming when the last trumpet sounds.

Amen. We need to interpret scripture with scripture. There is no other first bodily resurrection of the dead besides Christ's. So, having part in the first resurrection is only possible by having part in Christ's resurrection which we all do spiritually.

 

[Spiritual Israelite]

In “spiritual terms” we are raised up a new man in Christ when we are born again of the Spirit. Yes

Right, you must be born again of the Spirit to be a part of the first physical resurrection as well.
1 Corinthians 15:23
But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.

You missed the point. Christ's resurrection itself is the first resurrection. The resurrection of those at His coming is a second resurrection according to the order of resurrections that Paul described.

 

[Spiritual Israelite]

Christ is the first of the firstfruits of Israel.
1 Corinthians 15:23
But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.

What does this mean? Christ being the firstfruits is a reference to the fact that He was the first to be resurrected unto bodily immortality. Next in order, according to Paul, are those who are Christ's at His second coming (1 Cor 15:22-23).

Acts 26:23 That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.

The second coming of Christ and the physical resurrection of the dead and living in Christ has not happened yet.

No one is saying that His second coming has happened yet. Please read what is being said more carefully.

Look at this verse:

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.

At what point does it become true that the second death has no power over someone?

When did John say that people became "priests of God and of Christ"? Did he not indicate that was already the case in his day?

Revelation 1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, 6 And HATH MADE us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

 

[Stewardofthemystery]

The resurrection of those at His coming is a second resurrection according to the order of resurrections that Paul described.

Nope. It is called the “first resurrection”

Revelation 20:4-6

King James Version

​

4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
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 you don’t like what it is called take it up with God.;)