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Judgment Day—“The Last Day”
What is the Dry Bones Resurrection?
Chapter 10, 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 Judgment Day. It is the final Jubilee year that ends this millennium, as explained in Israel’s 7 Apocalyptic Days, part 5, beginning about 1/3 of the way thru the segment.
Before getting to the “dry bones”, let’s check out the context of the preceding chapters. 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 Yehovah (God) will condemn the shepherds of Israel—the leaders who we chose to guide us, for abandoning His flock. At this time Yehovah will intervene for His people:
Ezekiel 34:11-17 This is what the Sovereign Yehovah says: I’ll Personally search for My sheep and look after them! 12 Like a shepherd looking for his scattered flock on a day when his sheep are scattered all around, that is how I’ll search out My sheep, and I’ll recover them from every place where they were scattered on a dark cloudy day. 13 I’ll get them away from the people, and gather them from the countries, and bring them into their own land, and graze them on the mountains of Israel, by the streams, and in all the inhabitable places of the land. 14 I’ll graze them in a good pasture, and the mountainous heights of Israel will be their pasture land. They’ll lie down in a good fold and feed in lush pasture on the mountains of Israel. 15 I’ll tend My flock and lead them to rest,’ declares the Sovereign Yehovah. 16 I’ll search for the lost, bring back the strays, bandage the injured and strengthen the feeble, but I’ll destroy the fat and the strong. I’ll tend them fairly.
17 “Now concerning you, My flock, the Sovereign Yehovah says: I’ll judge between one sheep and another, between the rams and the large male goats! —The Gabriel Version
Over the generations, Israel has had many shepherds. In the next generation, Yehovah will “... feed them—My servant David. He’ll feed them, and he’ll be their shepherd.” (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 So As long as I live,” declares the Sovereign Yehovah, “I’ll deal with you in direct proportion to the anger and envy that you’ve shown in your hatred for them, and I’ll make Myself known to them when I judge you! 12 You’ll know that I, Yehovah, have heard all the insults that you’ve spoken against the mountains of Israel, 'such as', ‘They’ve been devastated and given to us to devour.
This implies that at this time, the reality of a Living Elohim (God) will no longer a secret! No more atheists, agnostics, heathens or pagans!
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’ll put My spirit in you and enable you to 'live' within My unchanging rulings and be careful to obey My regulations.[3]
[3] When people truly have His spirit within them they never claim that the Commandments are impossible to keep!
Yes, even this is before the Day of Yehovah! (Joel 2:29-32)
At this time the survivors of the Great Tribulation (who are being spared the wrath of Yehovah—the Day of the Lord) will have Yehovah’s 'special' (holy) spirit poured on them so that they will begin to understand Yehovah’s Torah! Yehovah 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”. Yehovah 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 Yehovah (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, human son, prophesy to the mountains of Israel. Say, ‘Mountains of Israel, hear the Word of Yehovah.” 2 The Sovereign Yehovah [“Yeshua”] says that the enemy has been saying about you, ‘'Great', the ancient heights belong to us now!’ 3 So prophesy and tell them that the Sovereign Yehovah says: They’ve ravaged you and trampled you on every side and made you the property of the rest of the nations, and they began to talk and 'gossip' about you, 4 so you mountains of Israel, hear the Word of the Sovereign Yehovah: ‘The Sovereign Yehovah says to the mountains and the hills, to the ravines and the valleys, to the empty ruins and the deserted cities that have become booty and a derision to the rest of the surrounding nations: 5 The Sovereign Yehovah says that in the fire of His jealousy He has spoken against the rest of the nations and against all the Edomites who have gleefully taken His land for themselves as a possession with complete scorn, driving them out like 'game'.
6 “So prophesy about the land of Israel, and tell the mountains and the hills, the ravines and the valleys that the Sovereign Yehovah says: ‘I’ve spoken in My jealousy and in My fury, because you’ve endured the insults of the nations. 7 So the Sovereign Yehovah says: I’ve sworn that the nations around you will endure their own insults! 8 “But the mountains of Israel will produce branches, and yield fruit for My people Israel, because they’ll soon come home! 9 I care about you. I’ll favor you, and your ground will be worked [not really plowed] and sown.
10 I’ll increase the number of people who live in the House of Israel in its entirety [1], and the cities will be inhabited. The empty ruins will be rebuilt. 11 I’ll increase the people and the animals. They’ll be increasingly prolific, and I’ll cause you to be inhabited like you were before, and make it better for you than before. Then you’ll realize that I am Yehovah. 12 I’ll cause My people Israel to walk on you, and they’ll possess you, and you’ll be their inheritance. From now on you won’t bereave them of children. 13 “The Sovereign Yehovah says: ‘'Israel' is a nation that devours its own people and robs them of their children!’ 14 But you won’t devour people any more or bereave your nation of children any more,’ declares the Sovereign Yehovah.” 15 I won’t allow you to hear the insults of the nations any more. You’ll no longer suffer the scorn of the nations. You’ll never cause your nation to fall again,’ declares the Sovereign Yehovah.”
16 The Word of Yehovah came to me. He said: 17 “Human son, when the House of Israel lived in their own land, they defiled it by their way of life and their behavior. Their ways before Me were like the impurities of a woman in her menstrual 'cycle'. 18 So I poured out My wrath on them for the blood that they had shed on the land, and because they had defiled it with their idols. 19 I dispersed them among the nations, and they were scattered thru the countries. I judged them based on their way of life and their behavior. 20 Everywhere they went among the nations, they profaned My 'special' name, because people said of them, ‘These are the people of Yehovah, yet they had to abandon His land.’ 21 But I had concern for My 'special' name that the House of Israel had profaned among the nations, wherever they went.
Israel Returns Home
22 “So tell the House of Israel that the Sovereign Yehovah says: ‘I don’t do this for your sake, House of Israel, but for My 'special' name, that you’ve profaned wherever you went among the nations. 23 I’ll vindicate My great name that has been dishonored among the nations, [the name] that you’ve dishonored among them. Then the nations will realize that I am Yehovah,’ declares the Sovereign Yehovah, when I prove Myself 'special' thru you before their very eyes [2] 24 I’ll remove you from among the heathens, gather you out of all those countries and bring you into your own land. 25 “I’ll sprinkle clean water on you, and you’ll be cleansed of all your filthiness and from all your idolatry. 26 Then I’ll give you a new heart, and I’ll put a new spirit within you, and remove the heart of stone from your bodies and give you hearts of flesh. 27 I’ll put My spirit in you and enable you to 'live' within My unchanging rulings and be careful to obey My regulations.[3]
28 “You’ll live in the land that I gave to your ancestors, and you’ll be My people and I’ll be your Elohim. 29 I’ll rescue you from all your impurities, and I’ll summon the grain and make it abundant and never bring famines on you. 30 I’ll increase the fruit production of the trees and the production of your field crops, so that you’ll never suffer the reproach of the nations due to famine. 31 Then you’ll remember your evil ways and your evil behavior, and you’ll loathe yourselves in your own sight for your sins and your highly detestable things. 32 I want you to know that I am not doing this for your sake, declares the Sovereign Yehovah. You should be ashamed and humiliated by everything you’ve done, House of Israel.
33 “The Sovereign Yehovah says: On the day that I cleanse you from all of your sins I’ll enable you to inhabit the cities, and your ruins will be rebuilt. 34 The desolate land will be worked rather than remain lying desolate in the plain view of everyone who passes by. 35 They’ll say, ‘This land that was desolate has become like the Garden of Eden, and the waste and desolate and ruined cities are fenced and inhabited.’ 36 Then the nations that are left around you will know that I, Yehovah, have rebuilt the ruined places, and replanted the land that was desolate. I, Yehovah, have said it and I’ll do it.
37 “The Sovereign Yehovah says: Once again I’ll allow the House of Israel to ask Me to do this for them. I’ll repopulate them like a flock, 38 like the flock for the atoning zebakim [sacrifices], like the flock in Jerusalem at her appointed feasts. The ruined cities will be filled with flocks of men. Then they’ll realize that I am Yehovah!”
[1] Some Jews and Christians realize that today’s Israel is not remotely the prophesied repentant 12 tribes of Israel. See also: Should we move to Israel now?
[2] The United Nations almost unanimously denounces modern “Israel”.
[3] When people truly have His spirit within them they never claim that the Commandments are impossible to keep!
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, “Human son, these bones 'represent' the entire House of Israel. They say, ‘Our bones have dried up and our hope is lost, we’ve been completely 'exterminated'. 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 was 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 Judgment Day—The Last Day that’s soon to come. However, the rebirth of the physical nation of Israel is not Israel’s Judgment Day, because the survivors of Israel, a remnant, will live out their natural lives. Ezekiel 37:25 They’ll live in the land that He gave to His servant Jacob, where their ancestors lived. They and their children and their grandchildren will live there forever, and His servant David will 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 . 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! The late Herbert Armstrong popularized a theory that he ripped from the context of an entire book devoted to the rebirth of the soon to be virtually dead nation of Israel. He taught that the dry bones represent a “physical resurrection” from the dead of the “unconverted” people of Israel (and the entire human population of all time). He taught that most of humanity never had an opportunity to become true Christians, so everyone needs a resurrection to live out another life in order to have an opportunity to be saved. To believe that is to miss the whole point of the book of Ezekiel. Ezekiel is all about the restoration of the whole house of Israel, not just today’s soon to be all but exterminated nation of Israel (Judah). The present Jewish nation is a human attempt to fulfill the ancient Biblical prophecies of a restored Israel, but without submission to Yehovah. Even His name Yehovah is foreign to them. The description of a twelve tribed nation of Israel, with a far larger territory is illustrated in great detail in my Ezekiel’s Warning to Gog & Magog, and The 12 Captive Tribes of Israel. The prophecy of all 12 tribes of Israel returning to the promised land is the backbone of the book of Ezekiel, and the “dry bones” returning to the land in particular. The pagan Greeks used a similar analogy to the resurrected Israel with their Phoenix bird arising from the ashes of its predecessor. I have never seen any Bible commentary that concludes that the dry bones represent a literal resurrection. My Bible footnotes accurately assess that: “This passage is not about resurrection from physical death”. I also doubt that any church, aside from Armstrong splinter groups teach that this as a literal resurrection. The physical resurrection explanation may appeal to our sense of fairness, but it is erroneous. There is a much simpler explanation for what will become of the “unsaved”. For the physical resurrection/second chance theory to be correct, you would have to overlook foundational aspects of Judgment Day: Hebrews 9:27 And just as people are destined to die once, and after their death comes Judgment Day, There is no possibility of being resurrected, blowing it a second time and then facing “the judgment”. For the dry bones to represent another opportunity for life, a special resurrection of unrepentant Israelites, one would have to reject the near simultaneous righteous/wicked resurrection accounts in Daniel 12:1-3; the judgment day of the wheat and the tares in Matthew 13:24-30; the judgment account of the sheep and the goats in Matthew 25; the plain account in John 5:29; and the end time white throne judgment of Revelation 20:24-30. These plain judgment accounts judge everyone without giving Israel a preferential special opportunity to live a more righteous life the second time around. In order for a second chance resurrection to work, one would have to ignore all of these judgment day accounts—so Herbert Armstrong taught his universal second chance theology without referencing any of these accounts. 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 Yeshua (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” doesn’t even appear in the Hebrew Scriptures. Bear in mind that the Sadducees had no idea that there was a “first resurrection” of the just. 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 Yeshua 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 who claim there is no resurrection, came and questioned Him.
28 They asked, “Sovereign, Moses wrote to us that if a man’s brother dies, leaving a wife but no children, his surviving brother must 'marry' the widow and raise up descendants for his deceased brother.
29 Now there were seven brothers. The first one married a woman and died without children.
30 The second married her and he died without children.
31 Then the third married her, as did all seven, they all died and left no children.
32 Finally, the woman also died.
33 So in the resurrection, which of them will she be married to, since all seven had married her?
34 Yeshua responded, “The 'people' of this age marry, and the women are given in marriage.
35 But those who are worthy of that age and the resurrection from the dead will never marry or be given in marriage.
36 They can no longer die because they are like spirit messengers, and are Yehovah’s children, because they are children of the resurrection.
37 But even Moses showed that the dead will be raised to life, because in the burning bush passage he mentioned that Yehovah is the Aloha of Abraham, the Aloha of Isaac, and the Aloha of Jacob.
38 Now Yehovah isn’t the Aloha of the dead, but of the living, because all kinds of people live for Him.
39 Some of the Torah teachers said, “Well said, Sovereign. There are actually three separate portrayals of this encounter recorded in the Bible. The Mark 12 and Matthew 22 accounts of the seven brothers question add another detail that is significant. Matthew 22:29 Yeshua replied, “Your mistake is that you don’t understand the Scriptures or the power of Yehovah. 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 interpretation of the dry bones, I would like to look at some Bible verses concerning the specific Judgment Day being questioned by the Sadducees. Daniel 12:2 Multitudes of people sleeping in the dust of the earth will wake up, some of them to everlasting life, and the others 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 on deduction. It is the equivalent of the White Throne Judgment of Revelation. Yeshua (Jesus) elaborated on the resurrection that Daniel mentioned: John 5:26-29 The Father has life in Himself, so He has also enabled the Son to have life in Himself, in the same way.
27 More importantly, He has also given Him the authority to judge everyone, because He is the Human Son.
28 Don’t be amazed at this, because the time is coming when everyone in their graves will hear His voice
29 and come out—those who have done good things to a Resurrection resulting in life, and those who have committed evil to a Resurrection resulting in Condemnation [4]. It is important to notice that the saints) are excluded from Judgment Day! John 5:24 I tell you with absolute certainty that anyone who hears My Word, and believes in the One who sent Me has eternal life. They won’t come into condemnation, but have passed from death to life. They will experience “a better resurrection”. Hebrews 11:35 Women received their children by a resurrection from the dead. Others were put to death during torture, not even hoping to be rescued [6], so that they could secure a better resurrection. [6] Aramaic: “not hoping for deliverance” (or “to escape”), Greek: “refusing deliverance” or “ransom.” Presumably the torture was an unsuccessful attempt to get them to recant. The unintended consequence is that their victims will be even better compensated, receiving “A better resurrection.”Dry Bones—Modern Israel
A Physical 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 They came out of the tombs after His resurrection, they entered the distinguished city and appeared to many. [4]
[4] The resurrection to physical life of the 'chosen ones' at this time pictures the First Resurrection, when Yeshua returns in the same manner that He ascended on Wave Sheaf Day (Acts 1:9-11). We are His first priority!Why didn’t Matthew simply say that others were resurrected?
While Yeshua 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 we announce that the Messiah has been raised from the dead, why do some of you claim that there’s 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 Yehovah “resurrects” them.
Ezekiel 36:10-11 I’ll increase the number of people who live in the House of Israel in its entirety [1], and the cities will be inhabited. The empty ruins will be rebuilt. 11 I’ll increase the people and the animals. They’ll be increasingly prolific, and I’ll cause you to be inhabited like you were before, and make it better for you than before. Then you’ll realize that I am Yehovah.
Ezekiel 36:33-35 The Sovereign Yehovah says: On the day that I cleanse you from all of your sins I’ll enable you to inhabit the cities, and your ruins will be rebuilt. 34 The desolate land will be worked rather than remain lying desolate in the plain view of everyone who passes by. 35 They’ll say, ‘This land that was desolate has become like the Garden of Eden, and the waste and desolate and ruined cities are fenced and inhabited.
Hosea 13:9-14 Israel, you are destroyed, because you are against Me, against your help. 10 Where is the king who was supposed to save you now? Where are all the leaders of your cities that you demanded, insisting ‘Give 'us' a king and officials?!’ 11 I gave you a king in My anger, and took him away in My wrath.
12 “The guilt of Ephraim is stored up. His sin is hidden away. 13 The pains of a woman in childbirth will come to him, but he is an unwise son. When the time to be born arrives he doesn’t come out of its mother’s womb.” 14 “I’ll ransom them from the power of the grave [sheol]. I’ll redeem them from death! Death, where are your plagues? Sheol, where is your destruction?
“I will have no compassion.
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 has any labor pains, before any pain, she will give birth to a son! 8 Who has heard of such a thing? Who has ever seen such a thing? Can a country be born in one day? Can a nation be born instantly? Yet as soon as Zion has labor pains, she’ll give birth to her children! 9 Would I bring to the moment of birth and not bring about the delivery?” Asks Yehovah, “Would I, the One who brings about births shut the womb?” Asks your Elohim.
10 “Celebrate with Jerusalem and be happy for her. Everyone who mourns over her should be extremely delighted. 11 You can nurse and be satisfied with her comforting breasts. You can drink deeply and be delighted with her overflowing splendor.” 12 Yehovah says: “I’ll extend peace to her like a river, and the splendor of the nations like an overflowing stream. You’ll nurse and be carried on her side, and bounced on her knees! 13 As a mother comforts her child, that’s how I’ll comfort you, and you’ll be comforted in Jerusalem
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 restoration of Israel, tho still utilizing a “word picture”. The sister account is not literally about a broken stick.
Ezekiel 37:15-28 The Word of Yehovah came to me again. He said: 16 “Human son, take a stick and write on it: ‘Praise Judah and his Israelite companions.’ Then take another stick, (the stick representing Ephraim) and write on it: ‘Joseph increases, as well as the House of Israel, his companions.’ 17 Then join them together as if they were one stick, and they’ll become one in your hand. 18 When your 'fellow Israelites' ask you, ‘Are you going to tell us what you mean by this’? 19 Tell them, ‘The Sovereign Yehovah says He’ll take the stick of Joseph that’s in the hand of Ephraim, and the tribes of Israel his companions, and put them with the stick of Judah, and make them one stick, and they’ll be one in His hand!’ 20 “The sticks that you write on will be in your hand where they can see them.
The Analogies Explained:
21 Then explain to them: “The Sovereign Yehovah says He’ll take the Israelites from among the nations where they’ve gone, and gather them from all around and bring them back into their own land. 22 He’ll make them one nation in the land on the mountains of Israel. One king will be over all of them. They’ll never be two nations or two kingdoms again. 23 They will no longer defile themselves with their idols or their detestable things or with any of their rebellion, because He’ll rescue them from everywhere they’ve settled and everywhere they’ve sinned. He’ll cleanse them so they’ll be His people, and He’ll be their Elohim.
Israel Cleansed, King David Ruling
24 “His servant David will be their king, and all of them will have one Shepherd [John 10:11]. They’ll 'live by' His regulations and carefully obey His unchanging tenets. [2] 25 They’ll live in the land that He gave to His servant Jacob, where their ancestors lived. They and their children and their grandchildren will live there forever, and His servant David will be their prince forever. 26 He’ll make a [New] Covenant of peace with them. It will be an EVERLASTING COVENANT [3] with them, and He’ll establish them and increase their numbers, and set His 'Cherished' Place among them forever. 27 His home [New Jerusalem] will also be ABOVE them. He’ll be their Elohim, and they’ll be His people. 28 The nations will know that Yehovah made Israel 'special', when His 'Cherished' Place [an earthly 'Temple'] [4] is among them forever
[2] Fig tree Nation or Fig tree Generation? Aside from the years/dates mentioned, this is the best explanation I know of about what the fig tree represents—the dry bones! [3] Learn more about the Everlasting Covenant in Isaiah 55:3-5, Isaiah 61:8-9, Jeremiah 32:40-41, Jeremiah 50:4-5, Psalm 105:7-11.d These all refer to the same FUTURE EVENT! In 2 Samuel 23:5, David essentially explained that the entire plan of the Bible as given to Abraham—and that David had inherited—was yet to be realized! Yeshua was actually crucified and resurrected to ensure the fulfilment of the Everlasting Covenant, and now it is about to actually happen: Hebrews 13:20—The New Covenant, Coming Soon! [4] “I go to prepare a Place for you...” John 14:3Verses 21 thru 28 convey the essence of the first 37 chapters of Ezekiel! Judgment Day, for many of the belligerent nations 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 I was taught strictly 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. I thought that my outlook on the first half of this chapter was entirely literal (even tho it only literally deals with dead soldiers on a single battlefield). Later I came to realize that the “resurrection” analogy was just as figurative as the “two sticks” analogy later in the chapter, 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 Yehovah.
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 'chosen ones' (saints) to have an opportunity to exceed the spirit messengers [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 'chosen ones' are not going to need to be in the Judgment Day resurrection, because they are already justified in Yehovah’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 Messengers”. Why did I ever accept that all of humanity must exceed the Messengers?
Notice that Messengers (angels) can never become the literal sons of Elohim:
Hebrews 1:5,13-14 To which of the spirit messengers did Yehovah ever say, “You are My SON, today I have become your Father”, or, “I’ll be His Father and He’ll be My Son?”... 13 To which of the spirit messengers did He ever say, “Sit by My right hand side until I make Your enemies a footstool under Your feet?”
14 Aren’t they all spirits who serve Him—who are sent out to serve on behalf of those who will inherit eternal life?
Continuing in the same dialog, we see that the 'chosen ones' are to have far more authority than our servants, the Messengers!
Hebrews 2:5-18 It is not the spirit messengers [angels] who will be assuming responsibility in the future world that we’re talking about. 6 As the Scriptures say, “What is the human race that you are aware of us, or a human son [1] that You would visit us?
7 You have made us for a little while lower than Elohim [Quoted from Psalm 8:5-6] and crowned us with splendor and honor, by putting everything [on earth] under 'our' control” [Lit: feet].” When giving control of everything to us, You left nothing outside of our control. But we have yet to see everything [the universe] under our control. 9 But now we see Someone who was made slightly inferior to Aloha, 'namely' Yeshua Himself, because of His suffering and His death was 'crowned' with majesty and honor. For Aloha Himself, by His mercy, 'experienced' death for everyone [A].
10 It was appropriate that the One responsible for everything, who is the reason that everything exists, would bring many children into His majestic realm by means of the Pioneer of their eternal life being perfected, by undergoing suffering. 11 The One who sets us apart, and those who are already set apart are all from one family. So He isn’t ashamed to call them 'brothers and sisters'. 12 As He said, “I’ll announce Your name to My brothers and sisters, I’ll praise you within the assembly.” 13 In addition, “I’ll confide in Him”, and, “Here I am with the children Yehovah has given Me!”
14 Since the children all shared a flesh and blood existence, He too shared in these very things, so that by His death, He could [ultimately] destroy the one who possessed the power of death, namely Satan, 15 and liberate those who were slaves all of their lives due to their fear of death. 16 He didn’t take on the nature of Elohim [2], rather, He took on the 'nature of a descendant of Abraham. 17 So He had to be made like His brothers and sisters in every way to become a compassionate and faithful High Priest in everything pertaining to Yehovah, in order to make atonement for the sins of the people. 18 Since He personally suffered and has been tested, He is able to help others who are being tested.
Notice again that those judged as righteous in the general resurrection (as opposed to the “first resurrection” ), while still sons, will only equal the Messengers in authority! Wouldn’t that make them servants as well?
Luke 20:36 They can no longer die because they are like spirit messengers, and are Yehovah’s children, because they are children 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 In the resurrection of the dead, men don’t take wives, nor are wives married to husbands, but they are like the messengers of Yehovah in Heaven.
In this resurrection the people are made on the same level of power as the Messengers, but no higher! There is only one standard that people on Judgment Day—The Last Day—will be judged, note it carefully:
Revelation 20:12 I saw the dead, those of lower status [small] and the highly esteemed [great] standing in front of the throne, and the books were opened [8], including the Book of Life. The dead were judged by the 'records' in the books based on what they had done [their ‘works’].
Yet Yeshua was less than even the Messengers as a human:
Hebrews 2:9 But now we see Someone who was made slightly inferior to Aloha, 'namely' Yeshua Himself, because of His suffering and His death was 'crowned' with majesty and honor. For Aloha Himself, by His mercy, 'experienced' death for everyone [A]
[A] This is what the Eastern Aramaic copies say, but the Western copies (Yeshua’s dialect) omit, “for Aloha Himself.”
But His resurrection made Him “much better than the Messengers”.
Hebrews 1:4-5 He is far superior to the spirit messengers, and He has inherited a name that is far superior to theirs.
5 To which of the spirit messengers did Yehovah ever say, “You are My SON, today I have become your Father”, or, “I’ll be His Father and He’ll be My Son?”
So it will be with us. We will even judge Messengers! The following passages explain that we in the first resurrection will have everything in Yehovah’s created universe “subjected to” us. This is a privilege that the Messengers do not have—they are “serving spirits”, they will serve us!
Hebrews 1:14 Aren’t they all spirits who serve Him—who are sent out to serve on behalf of those who will inherit eternal life?
The topic of the destiny of the 'chosen ones' contrasted to that of the Messengers is continued in Hebrews 2, as we saw above
Here, in a single passage, is the way that ignorant unbelievers will be judged by their works:
Romans 2:14-16 WHEN PEOPLE OF OTHER ETHNICITIES WHO DON’T HAVE THE TORAH INSTINCTFULLY DO WHAT THE TORAH REQUIRES, THEY, WHILE NOT UPHOLDING THE TORAH, ARE ESSENTIALLY THEIR OWN TORAH [2]! 15 THEY DEMONSTRATE BEHAVIORS ASSOCIATED WITH THE TORAH, BECAUSE IT IS WRITTEN IN THEIR HEARTS—WHILE THEIR CONSCIENCES ALSO BEAR WITNESS. THE DECISIONS OF THEIR CONSCIENCE ARE EITHER A LEGAL ACCUSATION OR A LEGAL DEFENSE EXCUSING THEM 16 ON THE JUDGMENT DAY, WHEN YEHOVAH WILL JUDGE THE SECRET BEHAVIOR OF HUMANITY, AS MY GOOD NEWS DECLARES THRU YESHUA MESSIAH.
[2] This chapter about Judgment Day for those in total ignorance of the New Covenant of Jeremiah 31 explains who the sheep are in the parable of the sheep and the goats of Matthew 25:31-46.
To the best of my knowledge, none of Yehovah’s Seven “Churches” of Revelation (Seven Assemblies) teach this.
The context clearly shows that “eternal life” (v.7) and “wrath and punishment” (v.8) are dispensed in one day, “on THE day when Yehovah will judge the secrets [thoughts] of humanity...” (v.16).
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 somewhat concealed in Isaiah 49, as we are about to read, 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 'Special' Land, that Yehovah 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, Yehovah explains that He is certainly more compassionate toward us than we are toward our own children. , Yehovah 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 Yehovah will comfort His children Israel by returning to them their most valuable possessions—their own bereived children, as well as giving them a new homeland!
Secondly, what better way could there be for the good (surviving) neighbors of Israel to get to know their 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 are seemingly 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’ll feed your oppressors their own flesh, and they’ll be drunk on their own blood, as if it were new wine...
However, the surviving relatives of the oppressors “bring your sons in their ‘arms’, and your daughters will be carried on their shoulders.”
First, the time frame:
Isaiah 49:8-26 'But look' around and see all Zion’s children gathering together and returning to You. ‘Yehovah says, As surely as I [the Husband, Isaiah 54:5] live, You [Zion/New Jerusalem] will adorn yourself with them all like jewelry, and put them on you like a bride does [Revelation 21:2]. 19 “As for your desolate places and your devastated land—surely now you’ll be too small for the inhabitants [tho 2/3rds of the local Jews had just died: Zechariah 13:8], and those who engulfed you will be far away. 20 The children of your bereavement will yet again say in your ears, ‘The place is too small for me, give me a place to live.’ 21 Then you’ll ask yourself, ‘Who has begotten these children for me since I was bereaved of my children and barren, exiled, and then a wanderer? Who raised these children? We were separated! Where did these children come from?’” [a special resurrection?]
22 The Sovereign Yehovah says: “I’ll 'wave' My hand in a summoning gesture to the nations. They’ll bring your sons in their 'arms', and your daughters will be carried on their shoulders. 23 Kings will be your foster fathers, and their queens your nursing mothers, they’ll bow down to you with their faces to the ground, and lick the dust at your feet, and you’ll [finally] realize that I am Yehovah. Those who anticipate My arrival won’t be disappointed.” 24 Can loot be taken from warriors, or even legally obtained captives be set free? 25 But Yehovah says, “Even the captives of the warriors will be 'brought back', and the plunder of terrorists will be retrieved, because I’ll fight with those who fought with you, and I’ll save your descendants! 26 I’ll feed your oppressors their own flesh, and they’ll get drunk on their own blood as if it were new wine. Then all of 'humanity' will know that I, Yehovah, am your Deliverer, and your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.”
The context of Isaiah 49 is the Second Exodus—another fulfillment of the Passover. Many of the survivors of the Great Tribulation are returning to the Promised Land, but their children died in captivity. What a horrible way to start the millennium! But this time there is a ‘twist’: I’ll feed your oppressors their own flesh, and they’ll be drunk on their own blood (v.26)! For this Passover, no innocent blood needs to be shed. In this surprising turn of events our enemies lose and our children win!
Jeremiah also alluded to this miracle. It might not seem relevant, were the timing not exactly the same:
Jeremiah 30:19-20They’ll 'exude' songs of thanksgiving—jubilant sounds from those who celebrate, and I’ll increase their population, and they won’t be few. I’ll bring them honor, and they won’t be insignificant. 20 Their children will be like they were long ago, and their assembly will be established in My presence, and I’ll punish all their oppressors.
For 'chosen ones' [Saints] Only?
Is Yeshua the Savior of the 'chosen ones' only, or is He Savior of “humanity” of character; but “particularly of the faithful”? This is an astounding, but greatly disregarded, Bible verse! Notice:
1 Timothy 4:10 That is why we’re working so hard and are discredited so much, because we trust in the living Aloha who is the Life Giver of all humanity, especially of those who believe. [4].
[4] This statement is careful not to exclude the ignorant from being given the opportunity for life!
The next single passage is an explanation of exactly what kind of works are required for eternal life!
Matthew 19:16-19 Someone came to Him and asked, “Good Sovereign, what good thing should I do to have eternal life ?” 17 He replied, “Why are you calling Me good? No one is good but One, namely Aloha [God]. But if you want to enter into eternal life, OBEY THE COMMANDMENTS” [2]. 18 Then he asked, “Which ones?” So Yeshua told him, “Never murder. Never commit adultery. Never steal. Never give false testimony, 19 honor your father and your mother, and you must love your neighbor as yourself.
[2] This is the world’s most important question, but virtually no one believes His answer, even tho it is repeated in Mark 10:17-22 & Luke 18:18-23! These are the six “love your neighbor” Commandments, (counting covetousness, vss.21-22). The first four Commandments are the “love your Aloha” Commandments, while the last six Commandments apply to human relationships. There is a greatly overlooked means of obtaining eternal life for righteous people who are ignorant of the Torah, as explained in Are the “unsaved” Lost?.
I should mention here that everyone in the resurrection of the just will have different degrees of praise, honor and splendor, “particularly of the faithful”:
1 Corinthians 15:41-42 The magnitude of the sun is unique, as is the brightness of the moon and the stars. Each star differs from the other stars in apparent magnitude [5].
42 It is the same with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable, but what is raised will never decay.
[5] The point is that in the Everlasting Kingdom we will all be unique individuals with varying degrees of “brightness”!
Stars are often spoken of in connection to heavenly bodies that are actually spirit messengers, and former Messengers, as in Genesis 37:9, Jude 1:13, Matthew 2:2-10, Numbers 24:17. This reference associates the spirit born sons of Yehovah (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 Yehovah 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 Yehovah—our CONSCIENCE! This is the entire basis for Judgment Day—The Last 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 New City, that Ezekiel described, is also described by the Envoy [Apostle] John:
Revelation 21:2 I saw the 'cherished' city, the New Jerusalem, coming down out of Heaven from Yehovah, like a bride beautifully adorned for her husband [Isaiah 49:18].
This alludes to the time following shortly after Yehovah and His Messiah’s return, accompanying His reward the New Jerusalem. “Yehovah’s tabernacle [dwelling place] is among humanity [Gr. anthropos]. He will live with them and they’ll 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, but Your anger has come, and it’s time for the dead to be judged, and for You to compensate Your servants the prophets, and the 'chosen ones' and those who fear Your name, both small and great, and to destroy those who are destroying the earth! [7]
[7] The earth will likely be more damaged than it was when the great flood destroyed the earth. Genesis 9:11. But heaven and earth will be renewed again: Isaiah 65:17; Isaiah 66:22.
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.
Part 3
