Dean Alford on 1st & 2nd Resurrections

"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." (Rev. 20: 4-6 kjv)

When I first settled my mind on the nature of the first and second resurrections of this text years ago as a novice in studies of eschatology, I read the following words from Greek scholar and Bible teacher Henry "Dean" Alford (1810-1871) of England, and I knew he spoke the truth as I was being enlightened on it by the Spirit. It is against the idea that the first resurrection is to be seen as spiritual, alluding to the regeneration or birth of the Spirit in conversion, while the second resurrection is physical. It is clear that both resurrections are of the same kind, i.e. a physical resurrection of corporeal bodies. "The dead" in this text cannot possibly be made to signify "the spiritual dead in trespasses and sins" but to dead physical bodies.  

The following is taken from Alford's Greek Testament, the Prolegomena [book of Revelation], Volume IV, Part 1, p. 252 (as cited here; emphasis mine)

"On one point I have ventured to speak strongly, because my conviction on it is strong, founded on the rules of fair and consistent interpretation. I mean, the necessity of accepting literally the first resurrection, and the millennial reign. It seems to me that if in a sentence where two resurrections are spoken of with no mark of distinction between them (it is otherwise in John 5:28, which is commonly alleged for the view which I am combating),--in a sentence where, one resurrection having been related, "the rest of the dead" are afterwards mentioned, --we are at liberty to understand the former one figuratively and spiritually, and the latter literally and materially, then there is an end of all definite meaning in plain words, and the Apocalypse, or any other book, may mean any thing we please. 

 

It is a curious fact that those who maintain this, studious as they generally are to uphold the primitive interpretation, are obliged, not only to wrest the plain sense of words, but to desert the unanimous consensus of the primitive Fathers, some of whom lived early enough to have retained apostolic tradition on this point. Not till chiliastic views had run into unspiritual excesses, was this interpretation departed from 

[Alford's footnote: The student will find a good account of the history of opinions on this subject in Herzog's Encyclopadie, the article entitled, "Chiliasmus."]"

The following is taken from Alford's Greek Testament, Volume IV, Part II, his note under Revelation 20:5 ("This is the first resurrection"):

"It will have been long ago anticipated by the readers of this Commentary, that I cannot consent to distort words from their plain sense and chronological place in the prophecy, on account of any considerations of difficulty, or any risk of abuses which the doctrine of the millennium may bring with it. Those who lived next to the Apostles, and the whole Church for 300 years, understood them in the plain literal sense: and it is a strange sight in these days to see expositors who are among the first in reverence of antiquity, complacently casting aside the most cogent instance of consensus which primitive antiquity presents.  

 

As regards the text itself, no legitimate treatment of it will extort what is known as the spiritual interpretation now in fashion. If, in a passage where two resurrections are mentioned, where certain "souls lived" at the first, and the rest of the "dead lived" only at the end of a specified period after that first,--if in such a passage the first resurrection may be understood to mean spiritual rising with Christ, while the second means literal rising from the grave; --then there is an end of all significance in language, and Scripture is wiped out as a definite testimony to any thing. If the first resurrection is spiritual, then so is the second, which I suppose none will be hardly enough to maintain: but if the second is literal, then so is the first, which in common with the whole primitive Church and many of the best modern expositors, I do maintain, and receive as an article of faith and hope."

Beliefs about the Afterlife (xxxxv)

As we have seen, Christ has promised rule over "the nations" to several people(s), such as to the patriarchs, king David, the twelve apostles, to members of the church (body of Christ). We have seen how these nations are the remnant of humanity who were not killed in the judgments of Christ's Apocalypse, and who did not align themselves with Antichrist and who helped Jews and Christians, and includes little children and the meek. These were not saved prior to the rapture and resurrection of the saved, but who become believers after Christ descends to earth and sets his feet on Mt. Zion in Jerusalem. These will enter the Millennial kingdom as mortals and their mortality or immortality being dependent upon their being faithful citizens. 

A Problem Text

"For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven." (Mattt. 22: 40)

"And Jesus answering said unto them, The children of this world (age) marry, and are given in marriage: But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage: Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection." (Luke 20: 34-36)

These teachings of our Lord are used by some to teach more than our Lord intended to teach. Some say that this verse affirms the impossibility of angels having sex with or entering into marriages with human females and therefore the idea that the "sons of God" in Genesis chapter six are angels who mated with human females is false. 

Some others say that the words also teach against the idea that anyone who enters "that age" of the thousand year reign of Christ in his kingdom will marry and have children. 

In each of these two cases too much is read into the text. In reply I say that the ones Jesus said will not marry or procreate in the millennial age are they who meet two qualifications: First, they "obtain that age," being allowed to enter into it and enjoy it; And, Second, obtain or experience "the resurrection from the dead." 

But, there are those who meet qualification number one but not number two. They are "the nations" who remain after the coming of the Lord, and who believed in Christ after the resurrection of the just and the smiting of the nations. They "obtain that world" but do not obtain the resurrection of the dead. They will marry and have children as described in the prophecies of Isaiah as we have previously seen. Those who are resurrected and receive glorified immortal bodies will no longer marry, have sexual intercourse, or procreate. 

In regard to Christ saying that the angels of heaven do not marry or procreate, he only affirmed that this was true of "the angels of heaven," which would be those angels which kept their first estate, in contrast to those angels who fell from heaven and took themselves wives of the daughters of men and bore giants, being the same as the Titans of Greek mythology, or in Hebrew the "Nephilim." There is a vast difference between "the angels of heaven," the "holy" angels, who chose not to do what was forbidden of them, i.e. mating with human females, and the angels who fell from heaven by choosing to leave their proper place to do so. (Jude 1: 6-8; II Peter 2: 4) 

Life In The Millennial Kingdom

Recall our previous chapters showing that eternity is made up of both "ages" and "eternal generations." Thus, we can expect to see new generations of children. Recall our text from Isaiah that speaks of children being free of harm. 

"[6] The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. [7] And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. [8] And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice’s den. [9] They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.” (Isa.11: 6-9)

Zechariah chapter eight also describes life in the new heavens and earth of the Millennial kingdom for the Jews who are allowed to enter it and to enjoy all that was promised to them.

"3 Thus saith the Lord; I am returned unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and Jerusalem shall be called a city of truth; and the mountain of the Lord of hosts the holy mountain. 4 Thus saith the Lord of hosts; There shall yet old men and old women dwell in the streets of Jerusalem, and every man with his staff in his hand for very age. 5 And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in the streets thereof. 6 Thus saith the Lord of hosts; If it be marvellous in the eyes of the remnant of this people in these days, should it also be marvellous in mine eyes? saith the Lord of hosts." (8: 3-6 kjv)

So, life in the Millennial age, for the sheep nations, for those who enter the kingdom as mortals on probation, will be much like life in this age, excepting without the evils. In other words, people will still work, play, achieve, educate themselves, have hobbies, go to worship, act as citizens and neighbors, enjoy the arts, etc. Everything that makes life worth living now will be enjoyed in the Millennial age but in a greater measure and without the admixture of all the evils of the present life. 

Imagine being able to do everything a person does while on earth, in his lifetime, and compare that with what he will do in the age to come. Ponder it as a lifetime without all adversities, calamities, and evils in life, so that you continue to work, continue to experience time and space, continue to experience joy, peace, fulfillment, self actualization, bliss, satisfaction and contentment, but all in a surpassing degree but without the evils of life.

As an example of how a sinless and immortal being can live on earth without sinning or suffering, look at Jesus Christ and his life on earth. Yes, he did die and suffer, but it was a choice, in order to identify with sinners and in order to become an atoning sacrifice for them. But, he never in his life suffered as a result of having himself sinned. In the Millennium, the sheep nations who enter that age as mortals will be able to sin and to suffer for it and the immortal and resurrected believers will not be able to sin even though they have to intermingle with mortals and sinners in that age. Further, Jesus enjoyed life. There is no reason to think otherwise. So too will both the resurrected and glorified believers and those living persons of the sheep nations enjoy the Millennium under Christ. 

As stated earlier, the new heavens and earth of Revelation chapter twenty one is not the new heavens and earth of the Millennium, or that described by Isaiah. For instance, the "city of God," called "New Jerusalem," that mega glorious city, descends from heaven when the new heavens and earth that follow the Millennium are created. It does not seem that this city was on earth during the Millennium.  That city descends from heaven after the Millennium and becomes the eternal capital of the new heavens and earth for the ages that follow. In the Millennium, the capital of the world is Jerusalem, the earthly city remade. There will be the Millennial Temple, or house of the Lord, described by Isaiah in these words:

"2 And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. 3 And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. 4 And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more." (2: 2-5 kjv)

This has never yet been fulfilled but will be literally fulfilled in the Millennial age. Notice too the things said about that age. We see "the nations," being the same nations over whom Christ and his people rule with a rod of iron. By "mountain of the Lord's house" is intended that Temple of God which will be constructed in "Zion," in "Jerusalem." Notice too how the millennial kingdom will still have citizens needing to be educated in the things of God, showing that there will be an education system for those occupants of the Millennial kingdom age. It is an age when there is no more war, no more military, and where people still farm and plant and eat, and where they still manufacture things, and where they will be reproved for wrong doing and rewarded for well doing. This is in keeping with other old prophecies, such as this word from the prophet Zechariah.

"16 And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles. 17 And it shall be, that whoso will not come up of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain. 18 And if the family of Egypt go not up, and come not, that have no rain; there shall be the plague, wherewith the Lord will smite the heathen that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles. 19 This shall be the punishment of Egypt, and the punishment of all nations that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles. 20 In that day shall there be upon the bells of the horses, Holiness Unto The Lord; and the pots in the Lord's house shall be like the bowls before the altar. 21 Yea, every pot in Jerusalem and in Judah shall be holiness unto the Lord of hosts: and all they that sacrifice shall come and take of them, and seethe therein: and in that day there shall be no more the Canaanite in the house of the Lord of hosts." (Zech. 14: 16-21)

Those expositors who do not interpret these words literally, as intended, are hard to tolerate. They who try to give a "spiritual" or non literal fulfillment of the prophecy are grossly mishandling the text. 

Also, it must be kept in mind that the scenes described above by Isaiah and Zechariah are not of the lives of the resurrected and glorified saints, but of those of the remnant of the nations who were granted right to become citizens of the kingdom of God and to be the seed of a new human race. We will discuss in another chapter what life will be like for those who are resurrected and have new spiritual bodies with new powers. 

Notice again how a judicial or criminal justice system in the Millennium is referred to in the prophecies. In the iron rule of Christ and his people, nations who do not keep the commandments are punished, with no rain or with plague. No one gets away with transgression in the kingdom age. Both angels and redeemed men will supervise all policing of behavior under Christ. Another verse we called attention to in an earlier chapter that also alludes to the criminal justice system of the millennial age is this prophecy of the new heavens and earth: 

"And it shall come to pass That from one New Moon to another, And from one Sabbath to another, All flesh shall come to worship before Me,” says the Lord. 24“And they shall go forth and look Upon the corpses of the men Who have transgressed against Me. For their worm does not die, And their fire is not quenched. They shall be an abhorrence to all flesh.” (Isa. 66: 23-24)

What a deterrence to crime and evil doing will be the iron rule of Christ and his people! We see a case example of this even in the early church when two professors of Christ lied to the apostles, to God and the Holy Spirit, and were instantly struck dead by the Lord. 

"5 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, 2 And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet. 3 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? 4 Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. 5 And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things. 6 And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him. 7 And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in. 8 And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much. 9 Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out. 10 Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband. 11 And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things." (Acts 5: 1-11 kjv)

Imagine a world where sin is punished swiftly and appropriately. If liars in the world met with the fate of Ananias and Sapphira for lying, lying would be greatly deterred. If citizens of the age to come rebel against the monarchy of Christ they are instantly killed so that people walk by their corpses and see it as an example to them all. 

We also see the kind of justice system and rule that will be at work in the Millennial Kingdom and of the means used to deter men from evil and to confirm them in well doing. Besides the scriptures already cited above about this policing of the behavior of the occupants of the millennial age, notice this also as it pertains to any would be thieves of that age.

"Then he said to me, “This is the curse that is going forth over the face of the entire land; everyone who steals certainly will be purged away according to the writing on one side, and everyone who swears falsely will be purged away according to the writing on the other side." (Zech. 5: 3 nasb)

So, not only are liars struck dead, along with those who rebel against the monarchy of God, but so too those who steal from their neighbors.

Though some commentators argue that ruling with a rod of iron does not mean rule with an iron fist, yet I think it does. It means that sin will no longer be tolerated as in previous ages, when ignorance is no longer "winked at" by Lord God. (Acts 17: 30) On that expression Albert Barnes commented in his commentary:

"God winked at - ὑπεριδὼν huperidōn. Overlooked; connived at; did not come forth to punish. In Acts 14:16 it is expressed thus: "Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways" The sense is, he passed over those times without punishing them, as if he did not see them. For wise purposes he suffered them to walk in ignorance that there might be a fair experiment to show what people would do, and how much necessity there was for a revelation to instruct them in the true know edge of God. We are not to suppose that God regarded idolatry as innocent, or the crimes and vices to which idolatry led as of no importance; but their ignorance was a mitigating circumstance, and he suffered the nations to live without coming forth in direct judgment against them." 

However, in "the age to come" sin will not be overlooked. Rather, it will be instantly punished. That is not to say that there will be no leniency and divine patience at all, only that it is not as before in previous ages. In the millennial age of the kingdom, transgression will be punished, and punishments will be both for deterrence and for justice. The Millennial age will not find every human being always obeying the laws of the kingdom, even though it will have little in the environment or culture to promote disobedience but much rather to promote righteous living. In this "present evil age" only a very small minute percentage of the human race lives godly lives, but in "the age to come" it will be the reverse, with only a very small percentage of people living ungodly lives. 

I do not doubt, as some Dispensationalists teach, that the sermon on the mount in Matthew chapters five through seven was given by the Lord as a constitution for the coming millennial kingdom. That is not to say, however, that it is not also a constitution for every individual Christian or church. Notice these words from that sermon which describe the mortal citizens of the kingdom of God in the millennium. 

"Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven." (Matt. 5: 19-20)

Status in the age to come depends upon righteous living. Minor violations make one a member of a class styled "the least in the kingdom" while keeping the commandments will entitle one to a higher standard of living. Shaming and shunning will be a strong deterrence to law breaking. Grosser violations of the commandments will be dealt with in the manner the scriptures we have cited describe.

Beliefs about the Afterlife (xxxxiv)

The Millennial reign of Christ and his people, per Revelation chapter twenty, and the heavens and earth of that period of time, will not be a perfect world. How do we know this? Because 1) people sin and suffer instant death (see Isa. 66: 22-24), and 2) nations are able at the end of the Millennium to be deceived so as to rebel against Christ the earth's King (by Satan being loosed from his imprisonment). Further, though death is rare, and people live a thousand years, death still claims its victims. However, in the eternal state following the Millennium there is no more death nor curse and all is made new. We can say therefore, that the next age, the Millennial under Christ and the saints, will be Utopian, but not yet perfect in every respect, at least for those who enter the Millennium as mortals on probation. It will be perfect for the resurrected and glorified children of God, however, as they will suffer no ills nor lack in any age of eternity. Any ills or adversities will be only for those mortals who sin against God. 

Is Utopia Possible?

The brothers at the web page "Got Questions" (See here) wrote (emphasis mine):

"A perfect society is impossible to create in a fallen world. All people are sinners, and we cannot create a “perfect” world because we are not perfect (Romans 3:23). Even if a society were constructed solely of Christians, it would be imperfect because the sin nature is still present in Christians (Galatians 5:17). No individual can perfect himself, so no group of people can perfect society. To create a true utopia would require everyone to be sinless. 

 

Various groups have attempted to establish utopian societies and thus realize a man-made paradise on earth: the Shakers, the Transcendentalists, the Perfectionists, and others all tried (and failed) to construct the ideal society. Some were motivated by a belief that Jesus’ return was imminent, others by confidence in mankind’s innate goodness—but all were disappointed."

Today we hear much about the creation of a "new world order," or simply, a new world. The ideal world for many is immortalized in the Star Trek movies by Gene Roddenberry, as in follow up series dealing with the same idea. However, in that age of technological advancement, there were still many imperfect things, even death. Though knowledge has so increased that mankind has "replicators" that can produce food or any other thing, and have devices for transportation right out of science fiction, with transporters, and other fantastic vehicles, and have cures for most illnesses, yet evils still remain. Man's evil nature, lust, and desires for what is forbidden are still present.

The brothers continue:

"Scripture informs us that once there was a “utopia” in this world: the Garden of Eden was created for Adam and Eve to tend and enjoy (Genesis 2:15). Everything that God had created was “very good,” and mankind had everything they could possibly need (Genesis 1:31; 2:22). Adam and Eve enjoyed a close and intimate relationship with the Lord, who walked with them in the garden (Genesis 3:8). Sadly, this perfect place that God had created was corrupted when Adam and Eve chose to disobey the Lord. Their sin disrupted their perfect existence and brought death into the world (Genesis 3:11–19; Romans 5:12). No longer would the earth produce abundant crops free of weeds and thorns (Genesis 3:17–18). No longer would the animals live at peace with one another and with mankind (Romans 8:20–22). No longer would Adam and Eve’s relationship with each other be perfect (Genesis 3:16). Most importantly, no longer could Adam and Eve have a close relationship with God (Genesis 3:23–24; Isaiah 59:2). The perfect world had been marred by sin, and the utopia was lost."

And just what made the Garden of Eden a utopia or paradise? And, had Adam and Eve never sinned, would all their descendants have lived lives on earth where Eden is everywhere? 

If Adam and Eve had not sinned, how would that effect their offspring? Would it have prevented Cain from killing Abel his younger brother? Would each human be on probation and born free of original sin? In such a world, would not each person be tempted to sin as was Eve by the Serpent, so that some would sin and die and others not? If there is to be a perfect world free of sin and death, it seems that God must change man, and so make him into a being where sin is not possible.

They continue:

"One day, the Lord will again set up a “utopia,” the new heaven and new earth (Revelation 21:1). Eden will be restored, and “no longer will there be any curse” (Revelation 22:3). Those who have trusted in Christ will live forever with Him, and the “utopia” they enjoy will never end, because they will no longer have a sinful nature."

True, but the new heavens and earth of the Millennial age are not the same as the new heavens and earth of the endless ages to follow. In the new heavens and earth of the Millennium there will still be sinful natures among those who enter it as mortals, and the curse of death. It is not till we reach the endless ages following the Millennial that we find no more curse and no more death. Of course, we will look more closely at these questions in the chapters ahead.

They continue:

"A utopian society is something that mankind naturally longs for. We all sense, on some level, that the world is broken as it is, and we all yearn to fix it. But it takes a perfect Being to create a perfect society, and that is why all man-made utopias are doomed to failure from the start. We need more than careful planning, lofty philosophies, and social reforms; we need our Creator. In humility, acknowledging our own brokenness, we turn to Christ and His perfection. In gratitude, praising the Lord, we trust the One who will someday turn the whole world into a Utopia for His glory."

That is certainly true. However, we are still faced with the question, as yet unanswered; just what will Christ do that will change everything? Will the creation of a Utopia or Paradise on earth require supernatural power? Why can't the Lord just give us now the power and wisdom to create such a utopia? Further, how will supernatural or magical powers be used towards making men and women into people incapable of sinning?  

In "Utopia: Is the Perfect World a Possibility?" by Gabriel Sanchez (See here) we have some things said that are worth citing at this time. She wrote (emphasis mine):

"Politics has always been about making promises to change what's broken. But is it possible to mend all the harm there is? And is utopia a real possibility?"

That is where we are focusing attention. Is utopia a real possibility?

Sanchez says further:

"By analyzing the many utopias that have existed, we will answer the question that everybody has asked themselves at one point or another: is the perfect world a possibility?"

She then says:

"Thomas More, a British philosopher, released in 1516 On the Best State of a Republic and on the New Island of Utopia. The name of the island originates from the forging of two Greek words, “ou” (no) and “topos” (place). Just like that, the term utopia was born. On its surface, utopia describes worlds and cities that aspire to be perfect, but underneath, it cheats itself, as the place that does not exist. As much credit as the Catholic saint deserves, if we are to deep-dive into the perfect society, the island of Utopia must take a step back and allow for the first-ever proposition of nowhere land."

It is an appropriate title to affirm that man has never created a perfect world, a utopia or paradise on earth, for there has never been a utopia and so it is only an ideal, a fiction, or a place in nowhere land (being a "pipe dream"). Yes, Eden was such, but it was only enjoyed a very short while and by only two people. The utopian world of Star Trek and their ilk in cinema is not real, it existing only in the imagination.  

She then says:

"Controversial as it may seem in today’s political climate, it was Plato’s Republic that initially described how a proper society must function. In his utopian vision, Plato constructed an ideal state based on his soul trifecta, which professed every human soul was composed of appetite, courage, and reason. In his republic, there were three categories of citizens: artisans, auxiliaries, and philosopher-kings, each of whom possessed distinct natures and capacities.

Artisans were dominated by their appetites and therefore destined to produce material goods. Auxiliaries were ruled by courage in their souls and possessed the spirit necessary to protect the state from invasion. Philosopher-kings had souls in which reason reigned over courage and appetite, and for that reason, they possessed the foresight and knowledge to rule wisely.

On the other hand, the island of Utopia was much more thorough in its composition and set of rules with a traced map included. Utopia had 54 cities, where all except for the capital were identical. Everything was public, and there was no private property. All houses and towns were of the same size, and to avoid sentimentalism, everybody had to move each passing decade. Everybody made their clothes identically. The only possible difference was between the clothes of men and women.

People were assigned two slaves per household. Everybody worked six hours per day, and if by any chance there were surpluses, labor hours were shortened. At eight past midday, there was a curfew, and everybody had to sleep eight hours. Education was meritocratic. If someone could perform a discipline they did, on the contrary, it was prohibited because they would not be contributing their best to the community.

Both More and Plato presented their utopias more like an essay or trial. They dealt only with the rules and standards of their world but had little regard to how human interactions would be during their perfected societies."

Again, as stated in previous chapters, what the perfect world would look like varies from person to person.

In the introduction to More's Utopia are these words (see here):

"The design of Utopia" was no doubt suggested by the Atlantis of Plato. The intention of Sir Thomas More is to set forth his idea of those social arrangements whereby the happiness and improvement of the people may be secured to the utmost extent of which human nature is susceptible. Experience proves that many of his suggestions are indeed Utopian. In his imaginary island, for instance, all are contented with the necessaries of life; all are employed in useful labor; no man desires, in clothing, any other quality besides durability; and since wants are few, and every individual engages in labor, there is no need for working more than six hours a day. Neither laziness nor avarice finds a place in this happy region; for why should the people be indolent when they have so little toil, or greedy when they know that there is abundance for each? With much that is Utopian, however, the work contains many sound suggestions. Thus, instead of severe punishment of theft, the author would improve the morals and condition of the people, so as to take away the temptation to crime; for, says he, if you suffer your people to be ill-educated, and their manners to be corrupted from their infancy, and then punish them for those crimes to which their first education disposed them, what else is to be concluded from this, but that you first make thieves and then punish them?" 

Notice the words "secured to the utmost extent of which human nature is susceptible." But, what is possible and not possible in regard to human nature? Is it possible for people to live and act each day, in close connection  with their fellowmen, without ever sinning? Could Cain and Abel compete against each other without anger, jealousy, cursing, etc.? Could they each have wives without lusting after the wives of others? 

The introduction continues:

"In Utopia, we are told, war is never entered on but for some gross injury done to themselves, or, more especially, to their allies; and the glory of a general is in proportion, not to the number, but to the fewness of the enemies whom he slays in gaining a victory. Criminals are generally punished with slavery, even for the greatest misdeeds, since servitude is no less terrible than death itself; and, by making slaves of malefactors, not only does the public get the benefit of their labor, but the continual sight of their misery is more effectual than their death to deter other men from crime. It is one of the oldest laws of the Utopians, that no man ought to be punished for his religion-"it being a fundamental opinion among them, that a man cannot make himself believe anything he pleases; nor do they drive any to dissemble their thoughts by threatenings, so that men are not tempted to lie or disguise their opinions among them; which, being a sort of fraud, is abhorred by the Utopians." Every man may endeavor to convert others to his views by the force of amicable and modest argument, without bitterness against those of other opinions."

As asked earlier, what will Christ and the saints do to make the world a better place? If there are still sports, what will keep teams from not giving place to wrath? If people marry and have families, what will keep them from sinning by lust and sexual sin? These are the kinds of questions we will seek to answer in the remaining chapters. 

Things To Do

So, let us ask ourselves as Christians what we will do under Christ to make the world into a garden of Eden once again? What things will be done in preparation for the Millennium? What will be done first when the Lord and his saints are in charge?

1. Rid the world of all wicked souls so that only the meek remain (which would be the children who survive the day of the Lord's coming and his attending judgments and meek older ones who did not give allegiance to the beast or Antichrist and aided Christians and Jews). This division of living people at the end of the day of tribulation and wrath is described in the division of the sheep and goat nations of Matthew twenty five, as we have observed in previous chapters, but is also described in other places, such as in the parable of the harvest of the wheat and the tares of Matthew thirteen. This would be a "purge" much like that which occurred by the flood in the days of Noah.

2. Remove things, such as all harmful things, as nuclear waste, and cleaning up the world of its trash and junk. Clean up the waters. Clean up the cities. How much of this will be effected by workers and how much by divine power is a matter for deeper thought. 

3. Create a new source of energy and transportation. How much of this age's needs will be a result of supernatural powers given to its rulers and used by the inhabitants of the planet? Will there still be airplanes and automobiles and telephones? 

4. Create laws and government and a police force. 

5. Set up those institutions necessary for society.

Questions

1. How will rust and decay be dealt with? Will bridges, buildings, and streets still need constant maintenance?

2. Will there still be disputes between people? How will they be handled? 

3. What will the education system look like? What subjects will be taught? Will all speak the same language? How will career choices be decided? 

4. Will there be private property in real estate? Will all be equally rich? Will all receive the same wages? Will there be social stratification? Will rewards be based upon meritocracy? 

5. Will there still be exploration, invention, and new discovery, and scientific increase in knowledge?

6. Will children still play games? Will people still do things for fun? Or, for recreation?

7. How will human waste and garbage be managed?

8. How will a single individual live life from day to day?

We will investigate these things in the next chapters.

I Cited Isaiah 54: 17 To The Lord In Prayer

Over the past few days I have had a hard battle with the effects of the Covid virus. I am hoping I am over the hump and on the down side. Thanks for any and all's prayers. My wife and brother are also over the hump I believe. Keep up the prayers.

In the midst of my burning fever and bodily pain I said "Lord you said that no weapon that is formed against the servants of God will prosper" (citing the text below). I said, "Lord, you know that this virus is a weapon of our enemies (Communist China) and designed to kill us because they hate us as your servants. So, why is it killing even your people in light of what you seem to have promised in the text?"

The text reads as follows:

"No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD." (Isa. 54: 17 KJV)

I also said to the Lord: "Lord, you know that China and other enemies of our country and the Christian community, have other weapons formed in order to harm us, especially in the time of the great tribulation, and Lord, we will not be able to survive it unless your word above becomes true for us at that time." 

But, I have cognitive dissonance, and a trial of faith, regarding the meaning of the text and wherein it applies or does not apply. That dissonance arises from the fact that what the text affirms does not seem to reflect reality. In other words, many of God's servants have been harmed or killed by weapons. So, I looked for other possible explanations. I first considered that maybe by "servants of the LORD" were meant, not every servant, but the prophets. I thought of that text which reads as follows:

"14 He suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, he reproved kings for their sakes; 15 Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm." (Psa. 105: 14-16)

Though this text seems to apply the promise to those who are anointed and who are prophets, yet verses preceding and in the context seem to apply it to all servants of Yahweh. So we read of the evils of Jezebel, and the dissonance it (and other such instances) creates: 

"While Jezebel was killing off the LORD's prophets, Obadiah had taken a hundred prophets and hidden them in two caves, fifty in each, and had supplied them with food and water." (I Kings 18: 4 NIV)

So, in one case, God kept his servants from all harm, and yet in other cases, he suffered them to be murdered. So, does it or does it not apply to all God's servants? 

Yes, I am reading some of the commentaries, but none yet have offered a lot of help. Anybody want to help rid me of the dissonance? 

More Prayer Requests

My wife and I have tested positive for Covid. She has only been off the ventilator for less than two weeks and is not what she needed at this time. However, her symptoms seem to be less than mine. I have had a rough time of it. So, I covet prayers that God will heal us. My brother Joe who lives with us also has symptoms.  

Beliefs about the Afterlife (xxxxiii)

Who will enter the Millennium? What will be the state, human abilities and character of those who do? What will the varied citizenry of that age do? What groups will there be? What kind of government will be in existence? Will it be a one world government under Christ? Will there be nations with their own leaders? Will there be cities and towns? How will people, both mortal and immortal, live from day to day? Will there still be work, recreation, fun and games, etc.? Will there be a legal and criminal justice system? An economic system? A social system? An education system? A religious and philosophical system? A health system? 

How will criminals be dealt with? How will children be deterred from following baser emotions? How will social problems be dealt with? How will human nature be deterred from doing evil? 

Many of these questions we have already addressed, in whole or in part. We have seen how the prophecies of "new heavens and earth" in Isaiah's prophecies are fulfilled in the thousand years of the reign of the risen and glorified Christ, with his people, and the apostles, on the present earth. As stated previously, there is a kind of "double exposure" of the pictures of the new heavens and earth by Isaiah versus that pictured by either John or Peter. 

There are two major parts of "the age" (aion) or "the world" (cosmos) that is destined "to come" in the thousand year reign of Christ in new heavens and earth. One concerns the changes that will occur to the environment and the other to the changes in the human race or to the social world. We have seen how the prophecies of that world speak of both categories of transformation. 

In what ways will life on earth be different than now? In answering that question, it is good to first ask - "In what ways was life different before the flood of Noah compared with afterwards or now?" 

Three Worlds & Ages

There are three worlds, or ages, focused upon in the scriptures. The first is the age of the world from Eden to Noah and the flood. The second is the age of the world from the flood till the coming millennial reign of Christ. Peter speaks of the first saying "the world that then was being overflowed with water perished" (II Peter 3: 6-7). Paul speaks of the second saying that the Lord has "delivered us from this present evil age" (Gal. 1: 4). He also spoke of "the world to come" (Heb. 2: 5; 6: 5; etc.). 

Life before the flood found men working in various fields, such as in farming and agriculture, in mining for ore and in making metals, in making musical instruments, and such like. (Gen. 4: 20-22) They had families, married and were given in marriage just as people after the flood. (Matt. 24: 37-39) They were more alike than different. However, the antediluvian age saw people living to near a thousand years, and to have, therefore, extremely large families and clans. Yet, after the flood, the lifespan of people greatly diminished. The heavens and earth were dramatically changed. 

It too seems that the pre-flood world was psychic, a time when people were able to have contact with angels and with the spirit world, and who lusted after magic and mystery. This is well described in the Book of Enoch. There were less boundaries between the physical world and the spirit world.

They also became very licentious, violent, lawless, diabolical, and so much so that God destroyed them all except for a few, a remnant who would be the seed and foundation of a new human race and a new world. (Gen. 6: 1-8) 

There is also little doubt among many bible teachers that the world before the flood was different as respects the heavens (atmosphere) and the earth (or land and water). Things were much larger and fruitful in the earth and in the atmosphere of the antediluvian age. Animals were gargantuan, as woolly mammoths, megaladon, etc., demonstrate. Even humans were much bigger and stronger in that primitive age. 

In that age, human females, through intercourse with fallen angels, produced a hybrid race of giants, or monsters, and these fallen angels and their offspring taught many magical and metaphysical ideas. This also is described in the Book of Enoch. This was the age of beginnings and inventions. It was not primitive in the sense of irrational cavemen, for evidence exists which shows that they were fast learners, knowledgeable and wise. The oldest inhabitants of that age, going back to Adam and the first family, were skilled astronomers and mathematicians, and mapped the constellations, naming them and their leading stars (by which they communicated a great understanding of the story of redemption or of the gospel), and building great buildings from mammoth stones, cutting them more finely than can be done today, and lifting and moving them with little difficulty, with a power and tools with which we know nothing. 

That age and that world, however, God saw fit to destroy and replace it with another. We are living in the age after the flood. It is true, however, that the antediluvian age, like the present age, may be subdivided into smaller units of time, into smaller ages and dispensations. So, many Dispensationalists see seven dispensations. The bible writers also divided up history, especially Israel's history, into smaller segments. Paul spoke of the time "from Adam to Moses" (Rom. 5: 14). So Luke wrote: 

"So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations." (Luke 1: 17) 

We also speak of the time before Christ and the time after Christ. Still, the bible recognizes the time before the flood as a different age and cosmos than we have now; And it affirms that the thousand years of the reign of Christ, yet to come, is different from the ages that preceded it. In all three ages we see how some things are the same and some things different. Paul, as we observed in an earlier chapter, spoke of "the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints." (Col. 1: 26) Here Paul sees more than one "age" (aion) as having preceded the age in which he lived and wrote. 

One of the hardest questions to consider is how a human race can exist where sin and evil calamities are not possible. Some believe it is not possible because the divine gift of "free will" makes sin not only possible, but in many cases makes it highly probable, if not certain. Since humans will always have free will, they may at any time choose to rebel against God and eternal life be taken away. With every person having freedom to sin, a world where no one sins is an impossibility. 

 Wrote C.S. Lewis in "The Case for Christianity" (As cited here - emphasis mine):

"Some people think they can imagine a creature which was free but had no possibility of going wrong, but I can't. If a thing is free to be good it's also free to be bad. And free will is what has made evil possible. Why, then, did God give them free will?" 

"Because free will, though it makes evil possible, is also the only thing that makes possible any love or goodness or joy worth having." 

With creatures forever having freedom to sin, then it seems that no one is unconditionally guaranteed to be kept from sinning, the being kept from sinning being a violation of man's free will, which being given by God, must be respected by God and not interfered with. 

Pelagius, the British monk, of the fourth and fifth centuries, and one who promoted "Pelagianism," taught that death was not the result of sin, but natural, and that Adam and Eve probably would have died even if they had never sinned. His views are expressed by this author who wrote (emphasis mine):

"Because he was a creature, Adam's body was mortal. That is to say, it was Adam's destiny to die physically whether or not he ever sinned. Physical death, therefore, is not a penalty for sin passed on to Adam's posterity, but is rather an inevitable corollary to man's essential character as created." (As cited here)

But, this contradicts so many direct statements of scripture. Romans chapter five teaches that death, physical, spiritual, and moral, results from sin. Paul speaks of "death by sin" and affirmed that "death passed upon all men for all have sinned" (vs. 12). He also makes this summary statement in chapter six: "for the wages of sin is death." (vs. 23) Death is not natural then. So, had Adam and Eve never sinned, would they have died? If not by disease, why not by being killed by an accident, or by a wild animal, or by some other calamity? Further, in the ages to come, will those who inherit the new heavens and earth possibly die by accidental death? How will such be prevented? How would God have prevented Adam and Eve and their sinless offspring from dying by accident? 

We know that angels were employed to prevent, if necessary, any accidental death coming to the sinless Christ. Recall these words of the Devil to Christ in his temptation by him in the desert:

"5 Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, 6 And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. 7 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God." (Matt. 4: 5-7 kjv)

Imagine that this is the case with Adam and his descendants (in a world where sin had not yet occurred). I can see why death by earthquakes and tornadoes would be non existent, for the providence of God would not allow such to occur. But, what would keep a person from dying by a fall? Would each person be saved by angels? If yes, then what would prevent people from tempting God by flirting with death? If I am a rock climber, would I fall on purpose just to see angels catch me? 

Another hard question to answer is this: "if Christ and Christians were now put in charge of the world, what would they do to make it a perfect world?" Or, "how would the world had been different had Adam and Eve not sinned and brought a curse to the race and to the world?" 

Today there is talk about how many Christians want to make America into a Christian theocracy. The Postmillennialists also believe that they will, by the preaching of the word of God and the gospel, and by taking over all governmental, social, and business leadership positions, bring in a time of global peace and prosperity under the rule of the saints, all before Christ comes again. So, what prescription for a perfect society do we as bible believers put forth? Or, in other words, how will Christ make the world free of social problems? Or, another question is whether a utopia and immortality are even possibilities. 

In the next chapter, we will continue this line of thought.

Covet Prayers For My Wife

My wife, Paulette, is now in the hospital with COPD and on a ventilator because she has too much CO2 in her blood. The doctors are hoping they can get her in ICU (they are full now) and at some point wean her off ventilator (once they think her body has adjusted to a new and different level of CO2 in the blood). I do covet your prayers for her. We have been married 38 years and she is my best friend and soul mate. I have talked to her about when this time will come and that my prayers are that each of us (and that of our loved ones) is taken quickly by the angels and not have to struggle a long time suffocating or in pain. We have also talked about how we both may be able to leave in death before the great tribulation begins but feared for our children and grandchildren, especially those who do not know the Lord.

Thanks brothers.  

Gather First The Tares (conclusion)

"13 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. 15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words." (I Thess. 4: 13-18 nkjv)

This being "caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air" is what is called "the rapture." No one disagrees on what it is, all affirming that it is the catching away of those believers who have not died at the time when Christ appears in the clouds of the air. The disagreement comes over when the rapture occurs in relation to other things, such as the second coming, the resurrection and judgment of the living and dead, and especially of "the great tribulation" spoken of by Christ in the gospels and by Christ in the Book of Revelation. Does the rapture occur before the great tribulation and before the day of wrath? Or during it? Or after it? 

Further, in the text the meeting place is the lower atmosphere, the place where are the clouds; And the Greek word for "air" being "aer" and not "ouranos," meaning the atmosphere where birds fly, clouds roam, where are the peaks of the mountains, where dust is blown in winds, etc. It is not the extreme outermost sphere, nor outer space.

Further, the Greek word for "meet" shows that it means greet, as one who greets someone who is coming to his house at some point before he comes all the way so that he can escort him back the remaining way. The text also says that this rapture of living believers occurs in conjunction with the 1) resurrection of the bodies of all the righteous dead, and the 2) descent of the spirits of the righteous dead from heaven (so as to unite with their ascending bodies in the clouds and then experience glorification, the transformation of their bodies suited for immortality and eternal life, and equipping, etc.)

Notice that the rapture takes away all the saved people on earth and this leaves only unsaved people on earth. Further, it seems that the ones who are "left" on earth are the unsaved. Yet, other scriptures seem to say that it is the wicked who are taken away in the final judgment, thus leaving only the righteous on earth. So, how can both these be true? Who is taken away and who is left on earth? Before addressing that question, let us list some of the leading passages dealing with the rapture and resurrection gathering of believers when Christ appears in the clouds of the sky. 

Texts on the Rapture Gathering

"...but gather the wheat into my barn." (Matt. 13: 30)

We have been discussing that text at length. We have also looked at this text:

"Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand." (II Thess. 2: 1-2 kjv)

Other verses that also speak of the same harvest, and let us begin with this text from the Psalmist:

"Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about him. He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that he may judge his people. Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice. And the heavens shall declare his righteousness: for God is judge himself. Selah." (Psa. 50: 3-6)

Of course, each time a righteous person dies he is "gathered unto his people" (Gen. 25: 8; Etc.) But, this is a gathering of disembodied spirits in heaven by death that has been going on every day since the beginning of the human race, and is not the gathering (rapture) of the end time harvest of all living believers that occurs when Christ returns. 

Christ spoke of the rapture as occurring when he returns, saying:

"And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other." (Matt. 24: 30-31)

"And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all, Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not. And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation; And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad." (John 11: 49-52)

Paul also wrote of it when he writes:

"That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him." (Eph. 1: 10)

Is This The Rapture?

"And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed. In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back. Remember Lot's wife. Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it. I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left. Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left." (Luke 17: 26-36 KJV)

"But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left." (Matt. 24: 37-41) 

Though these verses are often cited as dealing with the rapture and showing that it is the righteous who are taken away and the unrighteous who are left on earth, they show just the opposite. The ones who were "taken away" by the flood were the wicked and the ones left were the eight righteous souls of Noah and his family. 

On the other hand, some make the argument that the text says that Lot went out of Sodom before the destruction fell upon the wicked and so say that this is what happens when Christ returns, i.e. the righteous go out of the world and then comes the great tribulation or day of wrath. 

Again, the main idea is one of separation of those living on earth when Christ comes. Further, there is judgment and destruction for the wicked both before Christ's appearance in the clouds and the rapture of the saints and also afterward. The final destruction of the wicked occurs when Christ descends with his saints from the clouds of heaven. Recall too these words:

"For the upright will dwell in the land, And the blameless will remain in it; But the wicked will be cut off from the earth, And the unfaithful will be uprooted from it." (Prov. 2: 21-22 nkjv) 

So, many of the wicked will be taken away by the judgments of the Apocalypse before the righteous are raptured, but the rest when Christ descends with his people and with the angels.