The Great Judgment Day, Part 2

The Great Judgment Day

Part 2, Overlooked Judgment Day Prophecies

Chapter 1, Part 2 Preview: Most Christians believe that Judgment Day occurs for you the moment that you die. But no Christian “has ascended into heaven” (John 3:13). A minority believes that Judgment Day occurs after “the millennium” for the “firstfruits” (Revelation 14:4) but these “one hundred forty-four thousand” are flesh and blood survivors of the Great Tribulation! (Revelation 7: 14). So when is Judgment Day?

Actually, the Eighth Day, the Day following the Feast of Tabernacles, commemorates this Judgment Day. It is the final Jubilee year which ends this millennium as explained in Israel’s Holy Days, part 5, beginning about 1/3 of the way thru the segment.

The following prophecies, from Ezekiel, concisely describe the condition of the modern day nations descended from the twelve tribes of ancient Israel.

This entire 34th Chapter of Ezekiel is one the best references to the Second Exodus. During this time God will condemn the shepherds of Israel—the leaders whom we chose to guide us, for abandoning His flock. At this time the Lord God will intervene for His people:

Ezekiel 34:11-17 ... Behold, I myself, even I, will search for My sheep, and will seek them out. 16 [He] “... will seek that which was lost, and will bring back that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick: but the fat and the strong I will destroy; I will feed them in justice.” [and because this is an chapter on judgment] “but I will destroy the fat and the strong, and feed them in ‘justice’ [JUDGMENT: NKJV]. 17 And as for you, O My flock, says the Lord God: Behold I shall judge between sheep and sheep, between rams and goats.

Over the generations, Israel has had many shepherds. In the next generation, God “will establish one shepherd over the—My servant David. He shall feed them and be their shepherd. And I, the Lord, will be their God.” (v.23). There will be no new administrations after this one. I’m citing this chapter, inspiring as it is, just to establish the context for what is ahead.

Ezekiel 35 is captioned in my Bible as “Judgment on Mount Seir”. There are probably many dualities involved but it appears that every verse in this chapter is primarily aimed at the near future. Here is a very commonly expressed concept in prophecy:

Ezekiel 35:11-12 I will make Myself known among them when I judge you. Then you shall know that I am the Lord.

This implies that at this time, the reality of a Living God will no longer a secret! No more atheists, agnostics or heathens!

Ezekiel the 36th Chapter is as beautiful as any prophetic chapter in the entire Bible. From beginning to end it continues the description of the restoration of Israel. Very few Bible readers really expect for these incredible events to literally occur. The highlight of the chapter is:

Ezekiel 36:27 I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.

Yes, even this is before the Day of the Lord! (Joel 2:29-32)

At this time the survivors of the Great Tribulation (who are being spared the wrath of God—the Day of the Lord) will have God’s Holy Spirit poured on them so that they will begin to understand God’s Law! God will begin judging Israel—granting salvation to the “salvageable”. This chapter vividly describes the time when Israel’s circumstances will change for the better, after the remnant has suffered thru three and one half years of what is known as “The Time of Jacob’s Trouble ”. God will begin to regather the children of Israel and protect them, but it is also the time of Gog and Magog’s Trouble. The time period following this Great Tribulation against Israel is called the Day of the Lord. During this year long Judgment period the nations surrounding Israel will be punished for what they have done to Israel!

Ezekiel 36 You, son of man, prophesy to the mountains of Israel, and say, You mountains of Israel, hear the word of [Yehovah’]. 2 Thus says the Lord [Yehovah]: Because the enemy has said against you, Aha! and, The ancient high places are ours in possession; 3 therefore prophesy, and say, Thus says the Lord [Yehovah]: Because, even because they have made you desolate, and swallowed you up on every side, that you might be a possession to the residue of the nations, and you are taken up in the lips of talkers, and the evil report of the people; 4 therefore, you mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord [Yehovah]: Thus says the Lord [Yehovah] to the mountains and to the hills, to the watercourses and to the valleys, to the desolate wastes and to the cities that are forsaken, which are become a prey and derision to the residue of the nations that are all around; 5 THEREFORE thus says the Lord [Yehovah]: Surely in the fire of My jealousy have I spoken AGAINST THE RESIDUE OF THE NATIONS, and against all Edom, that have appointed My land to themselves for a possession with the joy of all their heart, with despite of soul, to cast it out for a prey. [Edomites are the conspirators who WILL cause the world to overthrow the modern nations of Israel.] 6 Therefore prophesy concerning the land of Israel, and tell the mountains and to the hills, to the watercourses and to the valleys, Thus says the Lord [Yehovah]: I HAVE RAISED MY HAND IN AN OATH THAT Behold, I have spoken in My jealousy and in My wrath, because you have borne the shame of the nations: 7 therefore thus says the Lord [Yehovah]: I have sworn, saying, SURELY THE NATIONS THAT ARE AROUND YOU SHALL BEAR THEIR OWN SHAME. 8 BUT YOU, mountains of Israel, you shall shoot forth your branches, and yield your fruit to My people Israel; for they are at hand to come [out of bondage]. 9 For, behold, I am for you, and I will turn into you, and you shall be tilled and sown; 10 and I will multiply men on you, all the house of Israel, even all of it; and the cities shall be inhabited, and the waste places shall be built; 11 and I will multiply on you man and animal; and they shall increase and be fruitful; and I will cause you to be inhabited after your former estate, and will do better to you than at your beginnings: and you shall know that I am [Yehovah]. 12 Yes, I will cause men to walk on you, even My people Israel; and they shall possess you, and you shall be their inheritance, and you shall no more henceforth bereave them of children. 13 Thus says the Lord [Yehovah]: Because they say to you, You are a devourer of men, and have been a bereaver of your nation; 14 therefore you shall devour men no more, neither bereave your nation any more, says the Lord [Yehovah]; 15 neither will I let you hear any more the shame of the nations, neither shall you bear the reproach of the peoples any more, neither shall you cause your nation to stumble any more, says the Lord [Yehovah]. 16 Moreover the word of [Yehovah] came to me, saying, 17 Son of man, when the house of Israel lived in their own land, they defiled it by their way and by their doings: their way before Me was as the uncleanness of a woman in her impurity. 18 Therefore I poured out My wrath on them for the blood which they had poured out on the land, and because they had defiled it with their idols; [Israel is “judged” , in the sense of punishment, during the Tribulation. The nations “shall bear their own shame” during the Day of the Lord.] 19 and I scattered them among the nations, and they were dispersed through the countries: according to their way and according to their doings I JUDGED THEM. 20 When they came to the nations, where they went, they profaned My holy name; in that men said of them, These are the people of [Yehovah], and are gone forth out of His land. 21 But I had respect for My holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the nations, where they went. 22 Therefore tell the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord [Yehovah]: I don’t do this for your sake, house of Israel, but for My holy name, which you have profaned among the nations, where you went. 23 I will sanctify My great name, which has been profaned among the nations, which you have profaned in the midst of them; and the nations shall know that I am [Yehovah], says the Lord [Yehovah], when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes. 24 For I will take you from among the nations, and gather you out of all the countries, and will bring you into your own land. 25 I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. 26 I will also give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh. 27 I will put My Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you shall keep My ordinances, and do them. 28 You shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and you shall be My people, and I will be your God. 29 I will save you from all your uncleanness: and I will call for the grain, and will multiply it, and lay no famine on you. 30 I will multiply the fruit of the tree, and the increase of the field, that you may receive no more the reproach of famine among the nations. 31 Then you shall remember your evil ways, and your doings that were not good; and you shall loathe yourselves in your own sight for your iniquities and for your abominations. 32 Nor for your sake do I this, says the Lord [Yehovah], be it known to you: be ashamed and confounded for your ways, house of Israel. 33 Thus says the Lord [Yehovah]: In the day that I cleanse you from all your iniquities, I will cause the cities to be inhabited, and the waste places shall be built. 34 The land that was desolate shall be tilled, whereas it was a desolation in the sight of all who passed by. 35 They shall say, This land that was desolate is become like the garden of Eden; and the waste and desolate and ruined cities are fortified and inhabited. 36 Then the nations that are left around you shall know that I, [Yehovah], have built the ruined places, and planted that which was desolate: I, [Yehovah], have spoken it, and I will do it. 37 Thus says the Lord [Yehovah]: For this, moreover, will I be inquired of by the house of Israel, to do it for them: I will increase them with men like a flock. 38 As the flock for sacrifice, as the flock of Jerusalem in her appointed feasts, so shall the waste cities be filled with flocks of men; and they shall know that I am [Yehovah]. WEB

Dry Bones—Modern Israel

Ezekiel 37, the legendary “dry bones” analogy, is an exceedingly misunderstood chapter. This chapter really pertains to the time immediately preceding the Second Exodus, the remnant of Israel, having endured the Great Tribulation, will have given up hope!

Ezekiel 37:11 Then He said to me: Son of man, these bones are [metaphorically] the whole house of Israel. They [the “talking bones”] indeed say, ‘Our bones are dry, our hope is lost, and we ourselves are cut off [as good as dead].

Yet, because some believe that the dry bones represent a literal physical resurrection and a second physical life, I will elaborate on it. To completely comprehend the significance of this enigmatic chapter it is necessary to read the preceding chapters—paying particular attention to chapter 36 that we just read, otherwise it is somewhat like showing up at a movie half way into it. The statements in Chapter 37 comprise the heart of the message given in most of the previous chapters of this book. These preceding chapters describe the nearly total eradication (death) of Israel as well as her rebirth! The implications of the end time are as clear as mud if you do not understand the timing and context. Most of the prophecies of the Bible pertain to this time setting; Ezekiel is describing the time leading up to The Great Judgment Day that’s soon to come. However, the rebirth of the physical nation of Israel is not Israel’s Judgment Day because these people will live out their natural lives.

Ezekiel 37:25 Then they shall dwell in the land that I have given to Jacob My servant, where your fathers dwelt; and they shall dwell there, they, their children, and their children’s children, forever; and My servant David shall be their prince forever.

The most common interpretation of this chapter is that the dry bones being reassembled depict the national restoration of the modern Jewish state of Israel. Yet Judah (and Levi) have long been separated from “all the House of Israel”, which is an expression that always refers to the ten separated tribes. JUDAH IS EXCLUDED FROM THE DRY BONES SEGMENT OF THIS PROPHECY! The unification of the separated House of Israel (the dry bones) with Judah is the story flow! It should be common knowledge that there were twelve tribes that comprised ancient “Israel”. The Jews are only 1/12 of the answer. A long list of Scriptures make quite plain that the House of Israel is presently separated from the House of Judah!

A Physical Resurrection?

Another misconception of some is that the dry bones represent a “physical resurrection” from the dead of the “unconverted” people of Israel. The justification for this theory, popularized by the late Herbert Armstrong, is that these people never had an opportunity to become true Christians, so they were thought to need a special resurrection to live, for another one-hundred years, in order to have an opportunity to be saved. My Bible footnotes accurately assess that: “This passage is not about resurrection from physical death”. This explanation, still passionately being expounded by many offshoot organizations of Armstrong’s original organization, may appeal to our sense of fairness, but it is also erroneous. For this theory to be correct, one would have to overlook a foundational aspect of Judgment Day:

Hebrews 9:27 And as it is appointed for men to die ONCE, but after this the judgment....

There is no possibility of being resurrected, blowing it a second time and then facing “the judgment”. The idea of a physical resurrection is not a new one. The Pharisees believed in a physical resurrection, however the Sadducees, who rejected the idea a resurrection back to physical life, thought that they could cause Jesus to appear foolish if He tried to support the notion. (It wouldn’t make sense for the Sadducees not to have believed in their own after life in a spiritual resurrection.) There is precious little Biblical information about the resurrection in the Hebrew Scriptures. The word “resurrection” does not even appear in the Hebrew Scriptures. Bear in mind that the Sadducees had no idea that there was a “first resurrection” of the Saints (true Believers). The “New Testament” was, of course, not yet written, and the Hebrew Scriptures only indicate the general resurrection of humanity. In response to the Sadducees question we have what Christ had to say about the nature of the then known resurrection. Their question was really quite interesting, despite their evil intent, even tho they sensationalized it a bit—given the scarcity of information available at the time:

Luke 20:27-39 Some of the Sadducees came to Him, those who deny that there is a resurrection. 28 They asked Him, “Teacher, Moses wrote to us that if a man’s brother dies having a wife, and he is childless, his brother should take the wife, and raise up children for his brother. 29 There were therefore seven brothers. The first took a wife, and died childless. 30 The second took her as wife, and he died childless. 31 The third took her, and likewise the seven all left no children, and died. 32 Afterward the woman also died. 33 Therefore in the resurrection whose wife of them will she be? For the seven had her as a wife.” 34 Jesus said to them, “The children of this age marry, and are given in marriage. 35 But those who are considered worthy to attain to that age and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage. 36 For they can’t die any more, for they are like the angels, and are children of God, being children of the resurrection. 37 But that the dead are raised, even Moses showed at the bush, when he called the Lord ‘The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ 38 Now He is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for all are alive to Him.” 39 Some of the scribes answered, “Teacher, you speak well.” 40 They didn’t dare to ask Him any more questions. WEB

There are actually three separate portrayals of this encounter recorded in scripture. The Mark 12 and Matthew 22 accounts of the seven brothers question add another detail that is significant.

Matthew 22:29 Jesus answered and said to them: You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God.

Possibly, the basis of the “physical resurrection” theory of the Pharisees stems from their “not knowing the Scriptures” , in particular about the dry bones of Ezekiel 37. I am certain that Herbert Armstrong based his physical resurrection teaching entirely on the “dry bones”.

Before getting into the meaning of the dry bones, I would like to look at some scriptures concerning the specific Judgment Day being questioned by the Sadducees.

Daniel 12:2 And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, some to shame and everlasting contempt.

Daniel’s very brief account of the resurrection is the only true account found in the Hebrew Scriptures, not based upon deduction. It is the equivalent of the White Throne Judgment of Revelation.

Jesus elaborated upon the resurrection that Daniel mentioned:

John 5:26-29 For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself, 27 and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man. 28 Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice 29 and come forth-those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.

It is important to notice that the Saints are excluded from Judgment Day!

John 5:24 Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.

They will experience “a better resurrection”.

Hebrews 11:35 Women received their dead raised to life again. And others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection.

There appears to be a distinction between simply coming out of the graves and the resurrection of the dead. There are several instances of people being raised from the dead back to physical life but none of the 40 references to the word “resurrection” apply to being brought back to live in the flesh!

Matthew 27:53 ... and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many.

Why didn’t Matthew simply say that others were resurrected?

While Jesus and others were raised from the dead, I believe that the word “resurrection” is reserved for those instances where final judgment is also implied:

1 Corinthians 15:12 Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?

When the “dry bones” analogy is taken out of the context of the physical salvation of the nations of Israel—from what appears to be a death sentence, the veritable genocide that these nations will have been undergoing as related in the previous chapters, then mystification is a predictable result! As usual, the bad news is laced with the good news of national deliverance, as witnessed to by verses 15-28 of the “bones” chapter.

Now, look back up again to the chapter just prior to the dry bones analogy briefly, and notice the context. The nations of Israel will have been nearly decimated before God “resurrects” them.

Ezekiel 36:10-11 I will multiply men upon you, all the house of Israel, all of it; and the cities shall be inhabited and the ruins rebuilt. I will multiply upon you man and beast; and they shall increase and bear young; I will make you inhabited as in former times, and do better for you than at your beginnings. Then you shall know that I am the LORD.

Ezekiel 36:33-35 Thus says the Lord GOD: On the day that I cleanse you from all your iniquities, I will also enable you to dwell in the cities, and the ruins shall be rebuilt. 34 The desolate land shall be tilled instead of lying desolate in the sight of all who pass by. 35 So they will say: ‘This land that was desolate has become like the garden of Eden; and the wasted, desolate, and ruined cities are now fortified and inhabited.’

“Death” and “grave” terminology is not unique to Ezekiel concerning the resuscitation of the national sovereignty of Israel!

Hosea 13:9- 14 O Israel, you are destroyed, but your help is from Me. 10 I will be your King; where is any other, that he may save you in all your cities? And your judges to whom you said: ‘Give me a king and princes’? 11 I gave you a king in My anger, and took him away in My wrath. 12 The iniquity of Ephraim is bound up; his sin is stored up. 13 The sorrows of a woman in childbirth shall come upon him. He is an unwise son, for he should not stay long where children are born. 14 I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death. O DEATH, I will be your plagues! O GRAVE, I will be your destruction! Pity is hidden from My eyes.

Birth and nursing analogies also apply to the restoration of Israel as a nation. Yet Israel is no more being literally born or nursed than it is being resurrected:

Isaiah 66:7-13 Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she delivered a son. 8 Who has heard such a thing? Who has seen such things? Shall a land be born in one day? Shall a nation be brought forth at once? For as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children. 9 Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to bring forth?” says [Yehovah]: “shall I who cause to bring forth shut the womb?” says your God. 10 “Rejoice with Jerusalem, and be glad for her, all you who love her: rejoice for joy with her, all you who mourn over her; 11 that you may nurse and be satisfied at the comforting breasts; that you may drink deeply, and be delighted with the abundance of her glory.” 12 For thus says [Yehovah], “Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the nations like an overflowing stream: and you will nurse. You will be carried on her side, and will be dandled on her knees. 13 As one whom his mother comforts, so will I comfort you; and you will be comforted in Jerusalem. WEB

Were this to actually be a direct prophecy pertaining to the resurrection, rather than an analogy comparing the restoration of the Nations of Israel back into sovereign statehood, there would be some serious problems! We would only have “slain” individuals being resurrected, and they would only be those of the northern ten tribes—the “House of Israel”. The Hebrew word for slain precisely conveys a violent death at the hands of other men. Some of those taking this entirely literally contend that “gentiles” , as they call them, will all remain dead because it does not mention them also being “resurrected” ! Fortunately, the verses immediately following the “dry bones” terminology explains the literal situation, tho still utilizing a “word picture”.

Ezekiel 37:15-28 The word of [Yehovah] came again to me, saying, 16 You, son of man, take one stick, and write on it, For Judah, and for the children of Israel his companions: then take another stick, and write on it, “for Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and for all the house of Israel his companions” 17 and join them for you one to another into one stick, that they may become one in your hand. 18 When the children of your people shall speak to you, saying, Will you not show us what you mean by these? 19 tell them, Thus says the Lord [Yehovah]: Behold, I will take the stick of Joseph, which is in the hand of Ephraim, and the tribes of Israel his companions; and I will put them with it, even with the stick of Judah, and make them one stick, and they shall be one in My hand. 20 The sticks whereon you write shall be in your hand before their eyes. [From this point on the essence of the preceding somewhat figurative language is stated with precise and literal clarity!] 21 Say to them, Thus says the Lord [Yehovah]: Behold, I will take the children of Israel from among the nations, where they are gone, and will gather them on every side, and bring them into their own land: 22 and I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king to them all; and they shall be no more two nations, neither shall they be divided into two kingdoms any more at all; 23 neither shall they defile themselves any more with their idols, nor with their detestable things, nor with any of their transgressions; but I will save them out of all their dwelling places, in which they have sinned, and will cleanse them: so shall they be My people, and I will be their God. 24 My servant David shall be king over them; and they all shall have one shepherd: they shall also walk in My ordinances, and observe My statutes, and do them. 25 They shall dwell in the land that I have given to Jacob my servant, in which your fathers lived; and they shall dwell therein, they, and their children, and their children’s children, forever: and David My servant shall be their prince for ever. 26 Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them; and I will place them, and multiply them, and will set My sanctuary in the midst of them forevermore. 27 My ‘tent’ [tabernacle: Strong’s 04908] also shall be with them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. 28 The nations shall know that I am [Yehovah] who sanctifies Israel, when My sanctuary [temple in Jerusalem] shall be in the midst of them forevermore. WEB

Verses 21 thru 28 convey the essence of the first 37 chapters of Ezekiel! Judgment Day, for many of the belligerent peoples of the earth, will come in the form of “fire and brimstone” !

The reason that I covered the dry bones to the extent that I did is because it posed a great dilemma to me for years. I believed in the physical resurrection theory only because of this chapter. Years after I had dismissed all of the rest of the associated teachings in regard to a physical resurrection I still thought that there would be a second lifetime for most of humanity. My outlook on the first half of this chapter was entirely literal. Later I came to realize that the “resurrection” analogy was just as figurative as the “two sticks” analogy, but I still accepted a wrong premise for thinking that. I wish to point out that resurrected people of all races will be Kings and Priests over the remnant of Israel who survive the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord.

The following thoughts are a part of the reason why I dismissed the physical resurrection theory. I had been convinced that not only were the Saints to have an opportunity to exceed the angels in status but that the rest of humanity, except for the wicked, would eventually exceed them as well. Then I noticed a passage that had totally escaped registering with me before. It was one of those light bulb experiences. I recalled that the Saints are not going to need to be in the Judgment Day resurrection, because they are already justified in God’s sight, and have a separate and “better resurrection”. I then noticed that those of the “Great Judgment Day” , as I call the Day of Judgment for the rest of humanity, will be “equal to the angels”. Why did I ever accept that all of humanity must exceed the angels?

Notice that angels can never become the literal sons of God:

Hebrews 1:5, 13- 14 For to which of the angels did he say at any time, “You are My Son. Today have I become your father?” and again, “I will be to him a Father, and he will be to Me a Son?”... 13 But which of the angels has He told at any time, “Sit at My right hand, until I make your enemies the footstool of your feet?” 14 Aren’t they all serving spirits, sent out to do service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation? [Our servants!] WEB

Continuing in the same dialog, we see that the Saints are to have far more authority than our servants the angels!

Hebrews 2:5 For He didn’t subject the world to come, of which we speak, to angels. 6 But one has somewhere testified, saying, “What is man, that you think of him? or the son of man, that you care for him? 7 You made him [temporarily] a little lower than the angels. You crowned him with glory and honor. 8 You have put all things in subjection under his feet.” For in that he subjected all things to him, He left nothing that is not subject to him. But now we don’t see all things subjected to him.... 13 Again, “I will put My trust in him.” Again, “Behold, here I am with the children whom God has given Me.” 14 Since then the children have shared in flesh and blood, He also Himself in like manner partook of the same, that through death He might bring to nothing him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and might deliver all of them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. 16 For most certainly, He doesn’t give help to angels, but He gives help to the seed of Abraham. 17 Therefore He was obligated in all things to be made like His brothers, that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make atonement for the sins of the people. 18 For in that He Himself has suffered being tempted, He is able to help those who are tempted. WEB

Notice again that those judged as righteous in the general resurrection (as opposed to the “first resurrection” ), while still sons, will only equal the angels in authority! Wouldn’t that make them servants as well?

Luke 20:36 ... nor can they die anymore, for they are EQUAL TO THE ANGELS and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection.

I had also not ever really comprehended this simple statement of Matthew. There is no resurrection for the purpose of a second chance (Daniel 12:2-3)—the resurrection is only to spirit life or condemnation:

Matthew 22:30 For in the resurrection [in the general resurrection (Judgment Day)] they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels of God in heaven.

In this resurrection the people are made on the same level of power as the angels, but no higher! There is only one standard by which people in the Great Judgment Day will be judged, note it carefully:

Revelation 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books.

Yet Jesus was less than even the angels as a human:

Hebrews 2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels....

But His resurrection made Him “much better than the angels”.

Hebrews 1:4-5 ... having become so much better than the angels, as He has inherited a more excellent name than they have. 5 For to which of the angels did He say at any time, “You are My Son. Today have I become your Father?” and again, “I will be to Him a Father, and He will be to Me a Son?

So it will be with us. We will even judge angels! The following passages explain that we in the first resurrection will have everything in God’s created universe “subjected to” us. This is a privilege that the angels do not have—they are “serving spirits”, they will serve us!

Hebrews 1: 14 Aren’t they all serving spirits, sent out to do service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation? WEB

The topic of the destiny of the saints contrasted to that of the angels is continued in chapter 2:

Hebrews 2:5 For He didn’t subject the world to come [the Everlasting Kingdom], of which we speak, to ANGELS. 6 But one has somewhere testified, saying, “What is MAN, that you think of him? Or the son of man, that you care for him? 7 You made him a little lower than the angels. You crowned him with glory and honor. 8 You have put all things in subjection under his feet.” For in that He subjected all things to him, He left nothing that is not subject to him. But now we DON’T see all things subjected to him, YET. 9 But we see Him who has been made a little lower than the angels, Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that by the grace of God He should taste of death for everyone.... 12 saying, “I will declare your name to My brothers. In the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise.” 13 Again, “I will put My trust in him.” Again, “Behold, here I am with the children whom God has given Me.” 14 Since then the children have shared in flesh and blood [the Passover commemoration], He also Himself in like manner partook of the same, that through death He might bring to nothing him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and might deliver all of them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. 16 For most certainly, He doesn’t give help to [Literally: take hold of] angels, but He gives help to [takes hold of] the seed of Abraham. 17 Therefore He was obligated in all things to be made like His brothers [made human], that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make atonement for the sins of the people. 18 For in that He Himself has suffered being tempted, He is able to help those who are tempted. WEB

Here, in a single passage, is the way that non Christians will be judged by their works:

Romans 2: 14 FOR WHEN “GENTILES” , WHO DO NOT HAVE THE LAW, BY NATURE DO THE THINGS IN THE LAW, THESE, ALTHOUGH NOT HAVING THE LAW, ARE A LAW TO THEMSELVES, WHO SHOW THE WORK OF THE LAW WRITTEN IN THEIR HEARTS, THEIR CONSCIENCE ALSO BEARING WITNESS AND BETWEEN THEMSELVES THEIR THOUGHTS ACCUSING [Culling] OR ELSE EXCUSING THEM IN THE [Great Judgment] DAY WHEN GOD WILL JUDGE THE SECRETS OF [ALL] MEN BY JESUS CHRIST ACCORDING TO MY GOSPEL.

To the best of my knowledge, none of God’s Seven “Churches” of Revelation (Seven Assemblies) teach this. This scripture is the heart and core of Chapter 5: The Called, the Culled, and the Excused.

The context clearly shows that “eternal life” (v.7) and “indignation and wrath” (v.8) are dispensed in one day, “in THE day when God will judge the secrets [thoughts] of men...” (v.16).

“I Will Save Your Children”

So if Ezekiel 37 is not about a physical resurrection, then is there a great return to physical life mentioned within the scriptures? Actually I believe that there is one, but not for the purpose of judgment! It appears that after the Great Tribulation, during the next “day of salvation”, as the redeemed of the twelve tribes of Israel are being resettled into the Holy Land, that God will give them back the very children who had died in “the land of the enemy” during the most agonizing period of human existence? In Isaiah 49, God explains that He is certainly more compassionate toward us than we are toward our own children. “I will not forget you”, God declares. So who are “the children of your bereavement” who want elbow room in the New Israel? The collective expression “WHO HAS CONCEIVED THESE FOR ME, SEEING I HAVE BEEN BEREAVED OF MY CHILDREN and WHO HAS BROUGHT UP THESE” ? indicates that God will comfort His children Israel by returning to them their most valuable possessions—their own children, as well as a new homeland.

Secondly, what better way could there be for the good (surviving) neighbors of Israel to get to know your new Israelite neighbors than for them to arrive in “welcome wagons” with cargoes of newly “brought up” children, ready to be reunited with their parents? These children will be resurrected where they died—in “the land [formerly] of the enemy” and transported to Israel by benevolent foreign civilians!

The context of this chapter strongly indicates that “the terrible” people who had destroyed so many Israelites will themselves be destroyed:

I will feed those who oppress you with their own flesh; and they shall be drunken with their own blood....

However, the surviving relatives of “the terrible” “shall bring your sons in their bosom....”

First, the time frame:

Isaiah 49: 8-26 Thus says [Yehovah], “In an acceptable time have I answered you, and in a day of salvation have I helped you; and I will preserve you, and give you for a covenant of the people, to raise up the land, to make them inherit the desolate heritage: 9 saying to those who are bound, ‘Come out!’; to those who are in darkness [or alternatively in “a secret place”], ‘Show yourselves!’ “They shall feed in the ways, and on all bare heights shall be their pasture. 10 They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun strike them: for He who has mercy on them will lead them, even by springs of water He will guide them. 11 I will make all My mountains a way, and My highways shall be exalted. 12 Behold, these shall come from far; and behold, these from the north and from the west; and these from the land of Sinim. 13 Sing, heavens; and be joyful, earth; and break forth into singing, mountains: for [Yehovah] has comforted His people [how?], and will have compassion on His afflicted. [How?] 14 But Zion said, “[Yehovah] has forsaken me, and the Lord has forgotten me.” [Now God’s statement to Israel:] 15 “Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yes, these may forget, YET I WILL NOT FORGET YOU! 16 Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of My hands [nail prints?]; your walls are continually before Me. 17 Your children make haste [to be united with their parents?]; your destroyers and those who made you waste shall go forth from you. 18 Lift up your eyes all around, and see: all these [these who?] gather themselves together, and come to you. As I live, [God swears to do this]” says [Yehovah], “you shall surely clothe yourself with them [with who?] all as with an ornament, and gird yourself with them, like a bride. 19 “For, as for your waste and your desolate places, and your land that has been destroyed, surely now you shall be too small for the inhabitants, and those who swallowed you up shall be far away. 20 The children of your bereavement [an excellent literal translation] shall yet say [“say again” NKJV] in your ears, The place is too small for me; give place to me that I may dwell. 21 Then you will say in your heart, ‘WHO HAS CONCEIVED THESE FOR ME, SEEING I HAVE BEEN BEREAVED OF MY CHILDREN, and am solitary, an exile, and wandering back and forth? WHO HAS BROUGHT UP [Literally: “caused to grow”] THESE? Behold, I was left alone; these, WHERE WERE THEY?’” 22 Thus says the Lord [Yehovah], “Behold, I will lift up My hand [“in an oath” NKJV] to the nations, and set up My banner [figuratively a “rallying point”] to the peoples; and they shall bring your sons in their bosom, and your daughters shall be carried on their shoulders. 23 Kings shall be your nursing fathers, and their queens your nursing mothers: they shall bow down to you with their faces to the earth, and lick the dust of your feet; and you shall know that I am [Yehovah]; and those who wait for Me shall not be disappointed.” 24 Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the lawful captives be delivered? 25 But thus says [Yehovah], “Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered; for I will contend with him who contends with you, and I will save your children. 26 I will feed those who oppress you with their own flesh; and they shall be drunken with their own blood, as with sweet wine: and all flesh shall know that I, [Yehovah], am your Savior, and your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.

Jeremiah also alluded to this miracle which might not be so significant were the timing not exactly the same:

Jeremiah 30:19-20 Then out of them shall proceed thanksgiving and the voice of those who make merry; I will multiply them, and they shall not diminish; I will also glorify them, and they shall not be small. 20 Their children also shall be as before, and their congregation shall be established before Me; and I will punish all who oppress them.

There is more scripture on the children in The Time After Jacob’s Trouble, Part 3 nearly half way down the page under the subheading: “Children”... “From the Land of the Enemy”.

For Christians Only?

Is Jesus the Savior of the Saints only, or is He Savior of “all men” of character; but “especially of those who believe” ? This is an astounding, but greatly disregarded, scripture verse! Notice:

1 Timothy 4:10 For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of ALL MEN, ESPECIALLY of those who believe.

The next single passage is an explanation of exactly what kind of works are required for eternal life!

Matthew 19:16-19 Now behold, one came and said to Him: Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life? 17 So He said to him: Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments. 18 He said to Him, ‘Which ones?’ Jesus said, ‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness,’ 19 ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

I should mention here that everyone in the resurrection of the just will have different degrees of praise, honor and glory, “especially of those who believe”:

1 Corinthians 15:41-42 There is one glory of the sun, another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differs from another star in glory. 42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption.

From the Online Bible Greek Lexicon we see that the word “glory” (doxa {dox’-ah}) is a term used specifically in reference to stars and their splendor:

Stars are often spoken of in connection to heavenly bodies that are actually angels, and former angels as in Genesis 37:9, Jude 1:13, Matthew 2:2-10, Numbers 24:17. This reference associates the spirit born sons of God (us) as well.

It is beyond the ability of humanity to discover the importance of the first four of the Ten Commandments without the inspiration of God Himself, because they are only spiritually discerned—BUT all of humanity is expected to obey the last six commandments because they are part of the “package” that we receive from God—our CONSCIENCE! This is the entire basis for the Great Judgment Day!

In Ezekiel Chapter 47, there is an account about healing waters (v.8), and swamps that remain salty (v.11), and special trees used for food that bear fruit every month, and whose leaves are used as medicine for sick people. (v.12). This chapter parallels Revelation 22:1-5, and reveals the timing of that whole chapter! The final quote that I’ll use concerning the New City, that Ezekiel described, is also described by the Apostle John:

Revelation 21:2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband....

This alludes to the time following shortly after the Lord and His Christ’s return, accompanying His reward the New Jerusalem. “Behold the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them and they shall be His people” (v.3) (just as in Ezekiel 37:26!) The twenty-four elders, at the sounding of the seventh trumpet, speak another perfectly clear affirmation of the timing of the judgment:

Revelation 11:18 The nations were angry, and Your wrath has come, and [first] the time of the DEAD that they should be JUDGED, and [second] that You should REWARD Your servants the prophets and the saints ... [third] and should DESTROY those [wicked] who destroy the earth.

There are many implications relating to other prophecies that arise when the timing of the Great Day of Eternal Judgment is understood in accordance with Another Perspective on Parables.

Now for Part 3

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