The difference between The Resurrection and the first resurrection.

[tailgator]

What did Jesus say to the robber on the cross?
Jesus said in Luke 23:43 (NIV), "Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise." The central belief here is that Jesus was affirming that the thief on the cross would be with Him that day in heaven.

Thats where most people believe the comma would be.Othres believe it would be placed here.

"Truly I tell you today ,you will be with me in paradise."


But since the original text did not have a comma.People put one where they want

 

[Ritajanice]

Commentary.

What is the “First Resurrection” in Revelation?
Scripture Exegesis, Theology / July 25, 2023
Interpretations of Revelation 20 abound. This chapter of the Bible may be the most widely and intensely debated passage of Scripture. It is from the reference to “one thousand years” that the notion of a Millennium comes from and with it the various millennial positions: premillennialism, postmillennialism, and amillennialism, in all their various forms.

Due to the conflicting interpretations of this chapter in Revelation, one ought to approach it with humility and grace for other Christian brothers and sisters who hold to another interpretation. As I lay out a proposal for what I think is a biblical interpretation of Revelation 20:4-6, I ask for grace from you, dear reader. We may disagree on this point of theology but we can agree on much more. The doctrine of eschatology is not of peripheral concern, it is important. But the unity of the Spirit covers a multitude of theological variance.

The text in question for our purposes now is Revelation 20:4-6, which reads, “Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years.”

If we needed any more reason to be humble and gracious in our approach to interpreting this passage, Craig R. Koester points out that “the passage is short but in many ways ambiguous”¹. The truth is, Revelation 20:4-6 is just not as clearly cut out as some interpreters would like to present it as.

Premillennialism’s Interpretation

The most common interpretation of this “thousand year reign” in the American church today is premillennialism’s insistence on an earthly and “literal” (i.e. physical) reign of Christ and His saints upon His second coming. This is supported by the vision’s place in the book, following chapter 19 which many interpreters agree portrays Christ’s second coming. However, there is good reason to not read Revelation as progressing chronologically but rather read it as a cycle of visions that parallel each other. When read in this way, Revelation 20 does not follow chronologically behind chapter 19 but instead introduces a new cycle of visions that culminate with the New Heavens and Earth in Revelation 21 and 22.

Although the arguments for such a cyclical reading of Revelation are behind the scope of this article, one example directly relevant to chapters 19 and 20 can suffice. G.K. Beale argues that Revelation 16:14, 19:19, and 20:8 all refer to the same war against the saints by the forces of evil. Furthermore, he points out that in all these cases, the Greek article is used thus designating this as “the war”². If the war in these three verses is the same war then we are not dealing with a strict chronological account. Instead, we are dealing with “recapitulation” where the final war against the saints is seen in multiple visions, from multiple perspectives.

If this is true, which I believe it is, then the Millennium does not follow Christ’s second coming, but actually precedes it. Another reason to read Revelation 20:4-6 as referring to a non-physical kingdom is the presence of “thrones”. Up until now in the book of Revelation, thrones have only appeared in John’s visions of heaven (with the exception of Satan’s throne in Pergamum, see Rev. 2:13). Even in the case of Satan’s throne in Pergamum, this was not a literal physical throne but a spiritual reality. To say that Satan’s throne was in Pergamum was a reference to the demonic stronghold that existed in that city. So it is not “obvious” that the thrones in Revelation 20 are physical thrones on earth. It is more likely that they are heavenly thrones as this has been the normative way the word has been used in the book up to this point.

While there are a number of arguments for and against the premillennial understanding of these thousand years of victory, we don’t have space in this article to do a deep dive. Instead, we will move on to examine the alternative interpretations that exist. For those who deny that the Bible teaches a future earthly Millennium, often labeled “amillennialists”, there are two common viewpoints on the nature of the “first resurrection” in Revelation 20:5-6. This question of the nature of the first resurrection is where we will focus.

Premillennialists (of all varieties) take the “first resurrection” as a literal physical resurrection of saints at the end of the age, separating this from the “general resurrection” of the unsaved at the end of the Millennium. However, many passages speak of the resurrection of the righteous and the wicked and appear to set them side by side, not separated by one thousand years (Dan. 12:2, Matt. 13:30, 49).

The “Intermediate State” View

As mentioned above, two main interpretations of the “first resurrection” have been promoted by amillennialists. On one hand, some have interpreted the “first resurrection” as a reference to a believer’s physical death where their soul goes to Christ’s presence in heaven, enters the “intermediate state”, and awaits the reunion with a resurrected physical body when Christ returns to earth at the end of the age.

For example, G.K. Beale writes, “it is reasonable to interpret the ascent of the soul at the time of death into the Lord’s presence as a form of spiritual resurrection, in anticipation of the physical resurrection and consummation of eternal life, which will occur at the Lord’s return.”³

Essentially, this interpretation proposes that the first resurrection happens when faithful believers die and “come to life” in the intermediate state (the state of the soul between physical death and physical resurrection). It is now that they receive the “crown of life” (Rev. 2:10). Even in death, a believer is only passing into more glorious life on a spiritual level while they await the physical resurrection of their body.

 

[Ritajanice]

Continued.

The Regeneration View

Other amillennialists choose to interpret the “first resurrection” as the spiritual resurrection that believers experience when they are regenerated by the Spirit immediately preceding their conversion. There are a number of strong biblical arguments for this view.

The New Testament often uses the language of “resurrection” or “coming to life” to refer to regeneration. Paul writes to the church in Ephesus: “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,” (Eph. 2:4-6). Here we see the notion of believers being “made alive” and the notion of believers being raised and seated with Christ which is also strikingly found in Revelation 20:4.

Romans 6:4 reads, “We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.” We know from verse 11 of that chapter that Paul expects the church to walk in that “newness of life” now, not after their bodily resurrection at the end of the age.

Colossians 3:1-3 reads, “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” Where is the Christian’s life? It is in heaven, with Christ. They have already been “raised with Christ” in a spiritual sense as they share in His resurrection through faithful union with Him.

Two passages in the gospel of John also point to a spiritual resurrection preceding the final eschatological bodily resurrection.

In John 5:24-25, Jesus says, “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life. Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live.” Jesus is here speaking of spiritual resurrection, the regeneration of the heart. This hour for the raising of dead souls is now here. That Jesus is not speaking of the bodily resurrection is clear when we read on a verses later: “Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.” (John 5:28-29) In these verses Christ is referencing the final bodily resurrection. But He contrasts this with the inaugurated spiritual resurrection in verses 24 and 25.

Before raising Lazarus from the dead, Jesus tells Martha in John 11:25-26 that He is “the resurrection and the life”. He continues: “Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.” We ought not take this “literally” since even believers still face physical death. So Jesus is not saying that those who believe in Him will “never die” physically but rather that they enter eternal life upon believing. Death then is just a small moment in a long eternity of life which starts at the believer’s conversion.

The “regeneration” view of the first resurrection in Revelation 20:4-6 proposes then that the first resurrection is a reference to the believer’s regeneration, a spiritual resurrection. Their participation in the first resurrection keeps them safe from the “second death” which is defined in Revelation 20:10 as eternal torment in hell. In other words, the first resurrection and the second death are both “spiritual”.

A Modified “Regeneration” View

The regeneration view appears to have the most Scriptural backing out of the views expressed so far. It correctly views the “first resurrection” as a spiritual resurrection, contrary to the affirmation of premillennialism and it has more biblical weight across the whole counsel of God than the “intermediate state” view.

However, a third view may be developed when we view the first resurrection through the lens of redemptive history and the doctrine of union with Christ.

Some interpreters take the first resurrection in Revelation 20:5 as the resurrection of Jesus Christ. One commentator writes, “What does John mean by “this is the first resurrection”? I believe the best explanation is that the first resurrection is the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and the second resurrection is the general resurrection of the dead at the end of all human history…His resurrection was a resurrection that others were to participate in. When we are converted, by faith we are made partakers of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection.”⁴

This interpretation allows us to modify the strong “regeneration” interpretation above by clarifying that the first resurrection is Christ’s bodily resurrection from the dead which we share in union with Him. This makes great sense when we realize that many of the passages quoted above, in support of the regeneration view, are “union with Christ” passages. We were made “alive together with Christ“. God “raised us up with him“. “We were buried therefore with him“. We “have been raised with Christ“. Christ Himself proclaims that He is “the resurrection and the life”.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this passage is notoriously challenging to interpret and we should approach our study of it with humility, grace, and a commitment to rigorous biblical exegesis. Despite the common interpretation that the first resurrection in Revelation 20:4-6 is a bodily resurrection of saints at the second coming of Christ, I believe it is more accurate to view the first resurrection as Christ’s resurrection from the grave and our union with Him in that resurrection as those who are “in Him” by faith. This “partaking” in Christ’s resurrection is inaugurated in our life at regeneration when our souls are made alive by the Spirit’s power.

We can conclude with the promise of blessing for those who are united to Christ in His death and resurrection: “Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such"l

 

[tailgator]

Commentary.

What is the “First Resurrection” in Revelation?
Scripture Exegesis, Theology / July 25, 2023
Interpretations of Revelation 20 abound. This chapter of the Bible may be the most widely and intensely debated passage of Scripture. It is from the reference to “one thousand years” that the notion of a Millennium comes from and with it the various millennial positions: premillennialism, postmillennialism, and amillennialism, in all their various forms.

Due to the conflicting interpretations of this chapter in Revelation, one ought to approach it with humility and grace for other Christian brothers and sisters who hold to another interpretation. As I lay out a proposal for what I think is a biblical interpretation of Revelation 20:4-6, I ask for grace from you, dear reader. We may disagree on this point of theology but we can agree on much more. The doctrine of eschatology is not of peripheral concern, it is important. But the unity of the Spirit covers a multitude of theological variance.

The text in question for our purposes now is Revelation 20:4-6, which reads, “Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years.”

If we needed any more reason to be humble and gracious in our approach to interpreting this passage, Craig R. Koester points out that “the passage is short but in many ways ambiguous”¹. The truth is, Revelation 20:4-6 is just not as clearly cut out as some interpreters would like to present it as.

Premillennialism’s Interpretation

The most common interpretation of this “thousand year reign” in the American church today is premillennialism’s insistence on an earthly and “literal” (i.e. physical) reign of Christ and His saints upon His second coming. This is supported by the vision’s place in the book, following chapter 19 which many interpreters agree portrays Christ’s second coming. However, there is good reason to not read Revelation as progressing chronologically but rather read it as a cycle of visions that parallel each other. When read in this way, Revelation 20 does not follow chronologically behind chapter 19 but instead introduces a new cycle of visions that culminate with the New Heavens and Earth in Revelation 21 and 22.

Although the arguments for such a cyclical reading of Revelation are behind the scope of this article, one example directly relevant to chapters 19 and 20 can suffice. G.K. Beale argues that Revelation 16:14, 19:19, and 20:8 all refer to the same war against the saints by the forces of evil. Furthermore, he points out that in all these cases, the Greek article is used thus designating this as “the war”². If the war in these three verses is the same war then we are not dealing with a strict chronological account. Instead, we are dealing with “recapitulation” where the final war against the saints is seen in multiple visions, from multiple perspectives.

If this is true, which I believe it is, then the Millennium does not follow Christ’s second coming, but actually precedes it. Another reason to read Revelation 20:4-6 as referring to a non-physical kingdom is the presence of “thrones”. Up until now in the book of Revelation, thrones have only appeared in John’s visions of heaven (with the exception of Satan’s throne in Pergamum, see Rev. 2:13). Even in the case of Satan’s throne in Pergamum, this was not a literal physical throne but a spiritual reality. To say that Satan’s throne was in Pergamum was a reference to the demonic stronghold that existed in that city. So it is not “obvious” that the thrones in Revelation 20 are physical thrones on earth. It is more likely that they are heavenly thrones as this has been the normative way the word has been used in the book up to this point.

While there are a number of arguments for and against the premillennial understanding of these thousand years of victory, we don’t have space in this article to do a deep dive. Instead, we will move on to examine the alternative interpretations that exist. For those who deny that the Bible teaches a future earthly Millennium, often labeled “amillennialists”, there are two common viewpoints on the nature of the “first resurrection” in Revelation 20:5-6. This question of the nature of the first resurrection is where we will focus.

Premillennialists (of all varieties) take the “first resurrection” as a literal physical resurrection of saints at the end of the age, separating this from the “general resurrection” of the unsaved at the end of the Millennium. However, many passages speak of the resurrection of the righteous and the wicked and appear to set them side by side, not separated by one thousand years (Dan. 12:2, Matt. 13:30, 49).

The “Intermediate State” View

As mentioned above, two main interpretations of the “first resurrection” have been promoted by amillennialists. On one hand, some have interpreted the “first resurrection” as a reference to a believer’s physical death where their soul goes to Christ’s presence in heaven, enters the “intermediate state”, and awaits the reunion with a resurrected physical body when Christ returns to earth at the end of the age.

For example, G.K. Beale writes, “it is reasonable to interpret the ascent of the soul at the time of death into the Lord’s presence as a form of spiritual resurrection, in anticipation of the physical resurrection and consummation of eternal life, which will occur at the Lord’s return.”³

Essentially, this interpretation proposes that the first resurrection happens when faithful believers die and “come to life” in the intermediate state (the state of the soul between physical death and physical resurrection). It is now that they receive the “crown of life” (Rev. 2:10). Even in death, a believer is only passing into more glorious life on a spiritual level while they await the physical resurrection of their body.

Actually,I see the first resurection in revelation 20 pertaining to Israel and keeping the Sabbath.

I suppose you could say I believe the same as Barnabas and the early church.

 

[WPM]

We are discussing revelation 20
That is what I've been addressing.

The resurection of Israel.
The first resurection

The rest corroborate Rev 20.

 

[Ritajanice]

Ok @tailgator ...thank you.

 

[Davidpt]

Congratulations on proving that you don't understand Amil once again. For maybe the thousandth time. All you premils are able to do is misrepresent Amil. You can't argue against something you don't even understand. The souls of the dead in Christ come with Jesus when He comes and then the rapture occurs. Not all passages about the second coming contain all of the details about it. Why is that a hard concept for you to understand in relation to Revelation 19:11-21 and Revelation 20:7-10 when you are able to understand that concept enough to know that 1 Thess 4:14-17, Matthew 24:29-31 and Revelation 19:11-21 are all the same event despite the fact that they don't each have all of the same details?

It doesn't matter whether you think I understand Amil or not. This is not about that so much, this is about comparing the two accounts and then deciding whether or not Amils are correct to conclude what they do, or if they are incorrect to do so. It's called testing their theory

Revelation 19:19 And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.


Let's start with this verse. This verse is obviously meaning after the rapture already took place moments earlier. I can't imagine you having a dispute with that. But then again, you never know.

Revelation 20:7 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,
8 And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.
9 And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.


When fire comes down from heaven and devours them, notice that it happens while saints are still being surrounded on the earth at the time. As of Revelation 19:19 no one has been devoured by fire yet. No saints are even being surrounded on the earth at the time. How then can you insist these are involving the same events, same time period, the fact Revelation 20:9 indicates that when they are devoured by fire, this is when saints are being surrounded on the earth?

In Revelation 19 I don't see any saints being surrounded on the earth when anyone is devoured by fire from God out of heaven. Verse 21 could possibly be describing being devoured by fire except no saints are being surrounded by anyone when verse 21 in Revelation 19 is meaning. Therefore, it doesn't match what Revelation 20:9 records since that verse records that saints are being surrounded at the time when their enemies are devoured by fire.

 

[jeffweeder]

@tailgator .

Did anyone ascend to heaven with Jesus?

No. The time for resurrected bodies comes later.


1Cor 15
50 Now I say this, believers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit nor be part of the kingdom of God; nor does the perishable (mortal) inherit the imperishable (immortal).

51 Listen very carefully, I tell you a mystery [a secret truth decreed by God and previously hidden, but now revealed]; we will not all sleep [in death], but we will all be [completely] changed [wondrously transformed], 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at [the sound of] the last trumpet call. For a trumpet will sound, and the dead [who believed in Christ] will be raised imperishable, and we will be [completely] changed [wondrously transformed].

53 For this perishable [part of us] must put on the imperishable [nature], and this mortal [part of us that is capable of dying] must put on immortality [which is freedom from death]. 54 And when this perishable puts on the imperishable, and this mortal puts on immortality, then the Scripture will be fulfilled that says, “Death is swallowed up in victory (vanquished forever). 55 O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”

56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin [by which it brings death] is the law; 57 but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory [as conquerors] through our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

[rwb]

i do not have any doctrines !!!

i follow that which JESUS and the Apostles has spoken/taught/warned/encouraged/blessed = Their Doctrines

Your statement PROVES you have doctrines! Just saying Christ is Lord, is to embrace doctrine, because doctrine is teaching, learning, instruction, and in the case of Premillennialists, what you have been TAUGHT from man, not the Word of God.

 

[rwb]

How many people will enter His Kingdom and at what hour?

If you can answer this you are smarter then God!

So i will make the question down here at our level.

At what hour does a person come to CHRIST to be Born-Again by the Spirit of God?

Surely you know the answer!!

It's helpful to give greater context for John 5. John shows a contrast between "the hour that NOW is", and "the hour coming".

The answer to your question depends on whether one enters into the Kingdom of God by hearing the Word of God and believing on Him, or whether the hour is for the physically DEAD who hear His voice calling them to come to life again from the graves.

It is not the physically dead that hear the Word of God and believe on Him in the hour that NOW is, it is the spiritually dead. And "the hour that now is" has come. And by hearing the voice of the Son of God (Gospel proclaimed) and believing on Him they have passed from spiritual death to spiritual life through the Spirit of Christ in them. They have been born again and have entered the spiritual Kingdom of God in heaven.

John 5:24-25 (KJV) Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.

There is also an hour coming, that has not yet passed, and it is NOT the hour when the spiritually dead may be made spiritually alive by hearing His voice and believing in Him. This hour not yet come is for the physically DEAD (all that are in the graves) who shall be bodily resurrected to life again, and those who have done good, unto the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil the resurrection of damnation.

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.

This passage shows only an order for the bodily resurrection coming where the good are resurrected before they that have done evil, but all shall be bodily resurrected in the same hour that is coming, because it has not yet come, and shall not come until the last trumpet begins to sound that time given this earth whereby man might be saved, shall be no longer.

 

[Davidpt]

It's helpful to give greater context for John 5. John shows a contrast between "the hour that NOW is", and "the hour coming".

The answer to your question depends on whether one enters into the Kingdom of God by hearing the Word of God and believing on Him, or whether the hour is for the physically DEAD who hear His voice calling them to come to life again from the graves.

It is not the physically dead that hear the Word of God and believe on Him in the hour that NOW is, it is the spiritually dead. And "the hour that now is" has come. And by hearing the voice of the Son of God (Gospel proclaimed) and believing on Him they have passed from spiritual death to spiritual life through the Spirit of Christ in them. They have been born again and have entered the spiritual Kingdom of God in heaven.

John 5:24-25 (KJV) Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.

There is also an hour coming, that has not yet passed, and it is NOT the hour when the spiritually dead may be made spiritually alive by hearing His voice and believing in Him. This hour not yet come is for the physically DEAD (all that are in the graves) who shall be bodily resurrected to life again, and those who have done good, unto the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil the resurrection of damnation.

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.

This passage shows only an order for the bodily resurrection coming where the good are resurrected before they that have done evil, but all shall be bodily resurrected in the same hour that is coming, because it has not yet come, and shall not come until the last trumpet begins to sound that time given this earth whereby man might be saved, shall be no longer.

Apparently, you would have us believe that within a same literal 60 minutes, Christ is first going to raise the saved, billions of them, judge and reward each and everyone, one at a time, BTW, then within that same literal 60 minutes Christ is then going to raise all of the lost, billions of them, then judge and sentence every single one of them, one at a time, BTW, then once this literal 60 minutes has been completed, the great white throne judgment is now fully in the past and 1 Corinthians 15:28 is fulfilled within 60 literal minutes of Christ having returned? What other absurdity will Amils come up with next, though I don't think even they can top this proposed absurdity with something even more absurd? Obviously, some of you don't think outside of the box before fully deciding how to interpret something. You apparently just interpret things without even caring that your interpretation is not even logical. Who cares about it being logical, right?

Obviously, until Christ judges and rewards all the saved first, He is not going to raise and judge any of the lost in the meantime. Can Christ judge and reward every single saved person one at a time in less than 60 minutes, say 30 minutes, in order for there to be another 30 minutes reserved for judging and sentencing every single lost person within this same literal 60 minutes? That really sounds reasonable, doesn't it?

 

[Ritajanice]

In the Old Testament .

Enoch and Elijah… Genesis 5:24 KJV And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him. 2 Kings 2:11 KJV And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.

I love to stay open minded, read up on the many opinions/ beliefs , on who ascended into Heaven with Jesus...interesting read below.


Commentary





Sep 14, 2024
If you want a short and powerful story that teaches the gospel of grace, you can’t beat the story of the thief crucified next to Jesus (Luke 23:39–43; Matthew 27:38–44).

In actuality, two thieves were crucified next to Jesus. One trusted Him and received salvation, and the other did not. In this article, we will walk through the story of the first thief, the repentant one (sometimes called the penitent thief), in four parts.

1) Both thieves mocked Jesus

Crucifixion, by design, drains the life and energy out of a body. Matthew tells us in his account that the two thieves used the little breath they had to mock Jesus (Matthew 27:44). In doing so, they adopted the same behavior as the religious leaders and other onlookers who witnessed His death (see Matthew 27:39–43).

Jesus was not surprised to hear the mockery or to be crucified between two thieves (see Isaiah 53:12). Jesus quoted and fulfilled Psalm 22 when He prayed “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Psalm 22:1). The same psalm also says: “All who see me mock me; they make mouths at me; they wag their heads; ‘He trusts in the Lord; let him deliver him; let him rescue him, for he delights in him!’” (Psalm 22:7–8).

2) The repentant thief recognized his sinfulness

While one thief hurled insults at Jesus, saying “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!”, the repentant thief chided him: “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong” (Luke 23:39–41).

What a stunning transformation. The thief no longer mocked Jesus, now he defended Him. What changed? We don’t know when the repentant thief began to fear God, but we find clues when we look at the Scriptures and think what the thief experienced alongside Jesus.

John narrates that Jesus died before the robbers (John 19:32–34). This means that the repentant thief was able to observe everything that happened when Jesus was on the cross, including His cry: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). We do not know what the thief thought when he heard these words, but it’s not difficult to imagine that something like the following went through his head: “If He was ready to forgive the man who drove the spikes into His hands and feet, maybe He was ready to forgive me.”[1]

3) The repentant thief believed in the Lord Jesus Christ

After an internal transformation, the thief said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom” (Luke 23:42). The thief believed that Jesus was a king with a real kingdom. Normal kings don’t die on crosses, and certainly have no kingdoms after death. So, the thief believed that this king was more than an earthly king, He was a Savior King able to take him to His heavenly kingdom.

4) The repentant thief was saved by Jesus

Jesus answered the repentant thief with the most hopeful words possible: “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43). A thief who woke up in the morning on his way to hell had his eternal destiny changed with a simple plea to the Savior. “Jesus, remember me.”

What Does This Story Mean for Us?

This story reminds us, first of all, that salvation is a gift from God. The repentant thief had no time for good deeds. He could not repay those he had stolen from, help the poor, or be baptized. He also did not have a sophisticated faith. He probably would have failed a Bible knowledge test. All he could do was look to the Savior with faith and ask for mercy. And that’s all he needed.

The experience of the repentant thief is a perfect illustration of the biblical truth that salvation is a gift of God’s grace that we receive through faith and not by works (see Ephesians 2:8–9; Titus 3:5).

Second, the story of the repentant thief shows us that no sin is too bad to be forgiven. The repentant thief had already received a death sentence for his wrongdoing. All we know about his sin is that the Scriptures call him a thief and a criminal. This sin, according to the world, deserved death. However, according to Jesus, it was forgivable. The death of Jesus is enough to pay the debt of all our sins (Romans 6:23). What the sinner has to do is acknowledge and confess his or her sinfulness and ask Jesus for forgiveness.

Ultimately, this story means there is hope for you, too. The repentant thief believed in Jesus Christ in his last minutes. This is proof that God will show grace and forgive the sins of all those who believe in Him, even in their dying breaths.

This is a glorious truth! But you might know this truth and think, “I’ll live the way I want now and trust in Jesus when I’m older,” or “I’ll trust Jesus on my deathbed.” Two questions expose the recklessness of thinking this way:

1) How do you know you will have the opportunity later? Your heart could stop beating in a second and you’d go to hell.
2) How do you know you will want to trust Jesus in the future if you don’t want to now?

The truth is, we are like the thief. We have sinned against a holy God and deserve His wrath. One day every human being must appear for judgment (Hebrews 9:27). However, as we saw in the story of the thief, there is hope for everyone who humbles themselves before God in faith and repentance. If you do this, Jesus will say to you with “Truly I say to you: you will be with me in paradise.”

 

[Ritajanice]

@David in NJ .

I’m having problems understanding the last part of this below.

We can have the confident expectation that at the moment of physical death, our spirit will live in the presence of the Lord. Then, at the end of days resurrection, our body will reunite with our spirit, and we will serve the Lord forever.


Here is is.

Then, at the end of days resurrection, our body will reunite with our spirit, and we will serve the Lord forever.


What does end days of resurrection mean?

Our body will reunite with our spirit, ....does this mean that our resurrected body will reunite with our spirit?

In the meantime until the end days of resurrection, our spirit remains with the Lord?

Hope it’s ok that I ask you questions, .?

It’s a really interesting topic.thank you Brother.

 

[Ritajanice]

Just posted this commentary, to show different views/ interpretations/ beliefs reading scripture.


Premillennialism, in Christian eschatology, is the belief that Jesus will physically return to the Earth (the Second Coming) before the Millennium, heralding a literal thousand-year messianic age of peace.


Jesus said, “See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have” (Luke 24:39).


What is the meaning of Luke 24 39?
In Luke 24:39, Jesus said: “See My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself; touch Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” Jesus was telling His disciples that He was physically resurrected. He did not resurrect as a spirit, but Jesus was resurrected physically.

Our souls will be reunited with our transformed physical bodies, brought back to life from the dead. Scripture teaches this in many ways. First, simply to speak of a "resurrection" of the dead (Matthew 22:30-31; Luke 14:14; 1 Corinthians 15:52; 1 Thessalonians 4:16) is to imply physicality.

My physical body will be cremated, then what?

My flesh won’t be in a grave, my ashes will be scattered.....?

 

[Zao is life]

Your talk gibberish. Are you denying that the context of Ephesians 2:4-6 is being saved by grace or are you saying being saved by grace is being saved physically instead of spiritually?

Your attacks do not only falsely claim that I said what I did not and am not saying, but far worse than that they falsely claim that Ephesians 2:4-6 is saying something that it is not saying.

Grace refers to the underserved, unmerited, unearned merciful favor of God and applies both to Christ dying for our sins and to the fact that because He is the last Adam and the Son of man, in Him and with the quickening of His dead body, our dead bodies are quickened, and in Him and with His rising again bodily from death, we are bodily raised from death, and in Him we have eternal life. That is what Ephesians 2:4-6 says and it reiterates Romans 8:10-11 and a number of other passages.

But the reason why you are so good at something you very, very often do, i.e falsely claiming that someone else said or is saying something he did not, and is not saying, is because you are so good at falsely claiming that the Bible says something that it does not say, and that its authors meant something that they did not mean.

You can't be taken up seriously at all. You are too full of false assertions about what the Bible says and about what others said or what they are saying.

 

[rwb]

Apparently, you would have us believe that within a same literal 60 minutes, Christ is first going to raise the saved, billions of them, judge and reward each and everyone, one at a time, BTW, then within that same literal 60 minutes Christ is then going to raise all of the lost, billions of them, then judge and sentence every single one of them, one at a time, BTW, then once this literal 60 minutes has been completed, the great white throne judgment is now fully in the past and 1 Corinthians 15:28 is fulfilled within 60 literal minutes of Christ having returned? What other absurdity will Amils come up with next, though I don't think even they can top this proposed absurdity with something even more absurd? Obviously, some of you don't think outside of the box before fully deciding how to interpret something. You apparently just interpret things without even caring that your interpretation is not even logical. Who cares about it being logical, right?

What do you think, some things are impossible for God? Paul tells us the dead in Christ shall be changed from mortal to immortal and corruptible to incorruptible "In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed". You believe whatever your little mind desires to believe, as for me, I will believe the Word of God and not question whether or not He is able to do what He has promised!

You're thinking outside of the box has given your vivid imagination much fodder that even the cattle cannot digest! But you just keep using YOUR so-called logic to reason that which is clearly too hard for you!

That really sounds reasonable, doesn't it?

Very little that you say regarding your understanding of Scripture is reasonable! You've lost the battle with reason long ago!

 

[Stewardofthemystery]

so the second death certainly has no power over them now.

The second death has no power over those who remain in Christ while alive on this earth. BUT if one departs from the faith and does not abide in Christ the Spirit departs and they are now twice dead spiritually.

 

[Spiritual Israelite]

It doesn't matter whether you think I understand Amil or not.

It does matter that you often misrepresent Amil. It makes it almost impossible to have a reasonable and productive discussion with you. You wouldnt say it doesn't matter if I frequently misrepresented Premil.

This is not about that so much, this is about comparing the two accounts and then deciding whether or not Amils are correct to conclude what they do, or if they are incorrect to do so. It's called testing their theory

You can't test a theory that you don't even understand.

Revelation 19:19 And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.


Let's start with this verse. This verse is obviously meaning after the rapture already took place moments earlier. I can't imagine you having a dispute with that. But then again, you never know.

Yes, I agree that the rapture takes place just before that since that is when Christ's wrath comes down on His enemies.

Revelation 20:7 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,
8 And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.
9 And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.


When fire comes down from heaven and devours them, notice that it happens while saints are still being surrounded on the earth at the time.

That's your assumption. But, just like the Revelation 19 passage there is no specific reference to the rapture. Just as you assume the rapture occurs just before Christ's wrath come down in Rev. 19 even though it's not specifically mentioned, that is what I assume about Revelation 20:9 as well. I believe the rapture occurs just before the fire come down. If you are able to make that assumption about the rapture occurring just before Christ's wrath in Rev. 19 then why can't I make that same assumption regarding Rev. 20:9?

As of Revelation 19:19 no one has been devoured by fire yet. No saints are even being surrounded on the earth at the time.

You're making a lot of assumptions here about things that are not specified in these passages. Each passage refers to Christ's enemie s being gathered for battle. There is no specific mention of the rapture in either Rev 19 or Rev 20, so we both assume it occurs before Christ's wrath comes down. I make the same assumption about Revelation 20:9. If you can assume that about Rev 19, why can't I assume that about Rev. 20:9 as well? Your argument here is not making any sense.

How then can you insist these are involving the same events, same time period, the fact Revelation 20:9 indicates that when they are devoured by fire, this is when saints are being surrounded on the earth?

They are surrounded before the fire comdw down. Same thing as Rev 19. Why you are seeing any difference is beyond me. The rapture occurs before the wrath in each case. Again, if we can assume that about Rev 19, then why not Rev 20, also? I'm not seeing a strong argument being made here at all, yet you somehow think you're making a strong argument. What else is new?

In Revelation 19 I don't see any saints being surrounded on the earth when anyone is devoured by fire from God out of heaven.

It doesn't say they weren't surrounded either. Just because each passage doesn't have all the same details doesn't mean they can't be about the same event. Surely, you understand that or else you wouldn't believe 1 Thess 4:14-17, Matt 24:29-31 and Rev 19:11-21 are all the same event. What do you think the armies are doing, just gathering while waiting for Jesus to come from heaven? LOL. Did you forget that no one knows the day or hour of His coming? There is no difference between the reasoning for the gathering for battle in Rev 19 and Rev 20. In both cases the purpose is to destroy the saints (the church).

Verse 21 could possibly be describing being devoured by fire except no saints are being surrounded by anyone when verse 21 in Revelation 19 is meaning. Therefore, it doesn't match what Revelation 20:9 records since that verse records that saints are being surrounded at the time when their enemies are devoured by fire.

You are making that assumption. But, I believe the rapture occurs just before the fire comes down. This is no different than believing the rapture occurs just before Christ's wrath occurs in Rev 19 even though it's not specifically mentioned there. I don't find your argument in this post to be convincing at all.

 

[David in NJ]

@David in NJ .

I’m having problems understanding the last part of this below.

We can have the confident expectation that at the moment of physical death, our spirit will live in the presence of the Lord. Then, at the end of days resurrection, our body will reunite with our spirit, and we will serve the Lord forever.


Here is is.

Then, at the end of days resurrection, our body will reunite with our spirit, and we will serve the Lord forever.


What does end days of resurrection mean?

Our body will reunite with our spirit, ....does this mean that our resurrected body will reunite with our spirit?

In the meantime until the end days of resurrection, our spirit remains with the Lord?

Hope it’s ok that I ask you questions, .?

It’s a really interesting topic.thank you Brother.

We are comprised of 3 Parts - flesh body, soul, spirit

Genesis: 2:7 - And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.
Here in Genesis we easily see there are a minimum of Two Parts to man:
a.) physical body from the dust/earth
b.) Breath of God gave man a soul
c.) Later in scripture it is revealed that we also have a spirit

Isaiah 57:16 - For I will not contend forever, Nor will I always be angry; For the spirit would fail before Me, And the souls which I have made.

Proverbs 20:27 - The spirit of a man is the lamp of the LORD, Searching all the inner depths of his heart.

Matthew 10:28 - And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
1 Thessalonians 5:23 - Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely, and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved, entirely blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 4:12 - For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating even as far as the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrows, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

When our flesh body dies it goes back to the earth from where God made it from = Genesis 2:7

We were made in the image of God which is spirit = "God is a Spirit" John 4:24
We were also created with a mind, will, emotions which is our soul = this is where we choose to obey God or we sin
Deuteronomy 6:5 - And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.

As you continue reading scripture you will see that God will speak of the 'heart' and 'soul' as one, thus they hold the same meaning.

Then, at the end of days resurrection, our body will reunite with our spirit, and we will serve the Lord forever.

You are CORRECT and we will receive a NEW Body that can never die = Immortal Body like the LORD's


God promised that there will be a Resurrection OUT of literal Graves/Earth/Dust = Isaiah 26:19 and Matt 22:29-32

Your dead will live; their bodies will rise.
Awake and sing, you who dwell in the dust!
For your dew is like the dew of the morning, and the earth will bring forth her dead.

1 Corinthians 15: 46-55
The first man was of the earth, made of dust; the second Man is the Lord from heaven.
As was the man of dust, so also are those who are made of dust; and as is the heavenly Man, so also are those who are heavenly.
And as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man.

Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption.
Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— i
(KEY verse) = In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet.
For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”
“O Death, where is your sting?
O Hades, where is your victory?”

Corroborating Evidence of 1 Corinthians 15:46-55 = 1 John 3:1-3 and 1 Thess 4:13-18
Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

 

[David in NJ]

It's helpful to give greater context for John 5. John shows a contrast between "the hour that NOW is", and "the hour coming".

The answer to your question depends on whether one enters into the Kingdom of God by hearing the Word of God and believing on Him, or whether the hour is for the physically DEAD who hear His voice calling them to come to life again from the graves.

It is not the physically dead that hear the Word of God and believe on Him in the hour that NOW is, it is the spiritually dead. And "the hour that now is" has come. And by hearing the voice of the Son of God (Gospel proclaimed) and believing on Him they have passed from spiritual death to spiritual life through the Spirit of Christ in them. They have been born again and have entered the spiritual Kingdom of God in heaven.

John 5:24-25 (KJV) Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.

There is also an hour coming, that has not yet passed, and it is NOT the hour when the spiritually dead may be made spiritually alive by hearing His voice and believing in Him. This hour not yet come is for the physically DEAD (all that are in the graves) who shall be bodily resurrected to life again, and those who have done good, unto the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil the resurrection of damnation.

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.

This passage shows only an order for the bodily resurrection coming where the good are resurrected before they that have done evil, but all shall be bodily resurrected in the same hour that is coming, because it has not yet come, and shall not come until the last trumpet begins to sound that time given this earth whereby man might be saved, shall be no longer.

There is also an hour coming, that has not yet passed, and it is NOT the hour when the spiritually dead may be made spiritually alive by hearing His voice and believing in Him. This hour not yet come is for the physically DEAD (all that are in the graves) who shall be bodily resurrected to life again, and those who have done good, unto the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil the resurrection of damnation.

CORRECT and i NEVER said otherwise!!!

This passage shows only an order for the bodily resurrection coming where the good are resurrected before they that have done evil

CORRECT

but all shall be bodily resurrected in the same hour that is coming,

We were just shown by the LORD Jesus Christ that the "hour" is NOT a 24 hour period.

The 'hour' is a time period SPECIFIED by the GOSPEL and Governed by the GOSPEL = See here Matthew 24:14

And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.

This is the "hour" which JESUS specified that we are living in NOW/TODAY "If you hear His Voice" - John 5:28-29 Hebrews ch3

and shall not come until the last trumpet begins to sound that time given this earth whereby man might be saved, shall be no longer.

LAST TRUMPET is the Second Coming and the Resurrection of the JUST.

It is NOT the end of time which GOD created = Revelation 10:6
and he swore by the One living to the ages of the ages, who created heaven and the things in it, and the earth and the things in it, and the sea and the things in it, "There will be no more delay

KJV is Old English and has a different meaning then which you are supposing = which i used to believe until further study of TRUTH