Please read Revelation 20.
www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/rev/20/1/s_1187001
Meditate on verse 6.
Blessed and holy is the one who
has a part in the first resurrection;
over these the second death has
no power, but they will be priests
of God and of Christ and will
reign with Him for a thousand years.
What a foundational chapter for understanding death and resurrection! There are two deaths and two resurrections. Christians experience only one death—that physical death when you get to leave your earthly body to be with Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:6-8). For those who do not know Jesus, there are two deaths—the one when their physical body dies, and the one when their names are not found written in the book of life, and they are condemned to eternity separated from God in the lake of fire (vs. 14-15).
Christians will be in the first resurrection when Christ returns to earth with those who belong to Him (v. 6; 1 Thessalonians 4:14). Those who do not know Jesus will experience the second resurrection when they are judged according to their deeds then thrown into the lake of fire (vs. 12-15).
It seems like an easy choice—follow Christ and die once, being in the glorious first resurrection, or deny Christ and die twice, being in the dreaded second resurrection. To be clear, you want no part in the second death and the second resurrection. Tell those you love what Revelation 20 says about death and resurrection. As their faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7), pray for them to be in the first resurrection, using the words from Revelation 20:6.
“LORD, please make ____________ a blessed
and holy one who has a part in the
first resurrection. Let the second death
have no power over them. Make them
Your priests, God, and let them reign
with You, Christ, for a thousand years.
In Your name, Jesus~”
The WATCHMAN on the WALL, 4 – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell
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