Lesson 12

Jesus let himself be crucified so all the scriptures about his death could be fulfilled. Knowing there had to be a sacrifice made to cover humanity’s sins, Jesus willingly made that sacrifice in our stead. Rising back to life, Jesus demonstrated what humanity can look forward to. His followers will be resurrected to eternal life when he returns for them while the rest of humanity will be resurrected as mortals when their turn comes. Knowing the plan of salvation and proclaiming the gospel of the Kingdom of God is the work of those who follow Jesus. God desires that everyone from all places and times should be saved. Those who stay true now to their calling are blessed and holy, they will be resurrected first when Jesus returns. The rest of the dead are resurrected later on when their time comes. Rejecting Jesus and salvation, some of them will experience the second death. Do you help others know Jesus and his plans by word or deed? Is one better than the other?

1 Corinthians 15:22-23 New American Bible (Revised Edition)
22 For just as in Adam all die, so too in Christ shall all be brought to life, 23 but each one in proper order: Christ the firstfruits; then, at his coming, those who belong to Christ;

Revelation 20:5-6 New King James Version
5 But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.

Isaiah 26:19 King James Version
19 Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead.

2 Corinthians 5:18-21 New Life Version
18 All this comes from God. He is the One Who brought us to Himself when we hated Him. He did this through Christ. Then He gave us the work of bringing others to Him. 19 God was in Christ. He was working through Christ to bring the whole world back to Himself. God no longer held men’s sins against them. And He gave us the work of telling and showing men this. 20 We are Christ’s missionaries. God is speaking to you through us. We are speaking for Christ and we ask you from our hearts to turn from your sins and come to God. 21 Christ never sinned but God put our sin on Him. Then we are made right with God because of what Christ has done for us.

Revelation 21:8 Disciples’ Literal New Testament
8 But for the cowardly ones, and unbelieving ones, and ones having been abominable, and murderers, and sexually-immoral ones, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all the liars— their part will be in the lake burning with fire and sulphur, which is the second death”.