THURSDAY, JUNE 28
Daniel 12:2-4
John 5:24-29

“… they that have done evil,
unto the resurrection of damnation.”

THE TWO RESURRECTIONS

In Daniel 12:2, “awake” refers to bodily (not spiritual) resurrection. God had revealed this to Job in Job 19:25-26. How marvelous that the Holy Spirit gave Job this spiritual understanding in that early age. Read also our Lord’s words to the Jews in John 5:28-29.

This doctrine of the resurrection of the body is one that comforts and encourages the believers. To all others, it is a solemn warning that death does not end all. “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Heb 9:27). “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad” (2 Cor 5:10).

The two events described in Daniel 12:2 are not simultaneous. There is first the resurrection of believers, followed by a thousand-year interval (the Millennium), then the resurrection of damnation for unbelievers. This is recorded in Revelation 20:5-6.

Only believers have a part in the first resurrection. “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming” (1 Cor 15:22-23). The resurrected believers “lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection” (Rev 20:4-5).

At the end of the Millennium there will be the Great White Throne judgment. All the dead who had no part in the first resurrection will be resurrected at that time, when “the thousand years were finished” (Rev 20:5). They will then face judgment before God. Our God is perfect and just. He offers us a choice. Believe on Jesus and be saved, and have a part in the first resurrection. This is the resurrection of life (John 5:29). Everlasting life!

THOUGHT: Choose life, not condemnation!
PRAYER: I thank Thee, Lord, for giving me eternal life.