Lesson 17

At the end of the second resurrection period Satan will be set free from his chains and he deceives many into making war on those who are living at peace with God. This resurrection is not just for Isrealites but includes the bulk of mankind. At the end of this age those who go to battle against God include non-Israelites. Having had free access to the salvation of Jesus and the love of God, those who fight God in this final battle have freely made their choice of allegiance and are destroyed by fire. Dieing for a second and final time, they become ashes under the feet of the saints. These resurrections and final war demonstrate that humans will have two lives. Those who do not follow Jesus will have two deaths. There is no mention of a third death in the Bible, eliminating a third life, so the second death will be permanent and will do them great harm. Having willingly rejected Jesus and God, they will never be resurrected back to life again. The Bible refers to a second death which demands a need for humans to have a second life. Resurrected into spirit bodies at the return of Jesus, those who have conquered begin their second lives immortal and can not be hurt by the second death. Which resurrection do you think the thief from the cross will be in? Which resurrection fulfills the thief’s request and Jesus’ answer the best and why? When does Jesus come into his kingdom? Which resurrection best reflects paradise, building it, or living in it? Is it important to have our faith tested? Can we build character without trials? How do we show we have faith in Jesus?

Revelation 20:7-9 King James Version
7 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, 8 And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog, and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. 9 And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.

Malachi 4:1-3 The Message
1-3 “Count on it: The day is coming, raging like a forest fire. All the arrogant people who do evil things will be burned up like stove wood, burned to a crisp, nothing left but scorched earth and ash—a black day. But for you, sunrise! The sun of righteousness will dawn on those who honor my name, healing radiating from its wings. You will be bursting with energy, like colts frisky and frolicking. And you’ll tromp on the wicked. They’ll be nothing but ashes under your feet on that Day.” God-of-the-Angel-Armies says so.

Revelation 2:11 New Testament for Everyone
11 Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the spirit is saying to the churches. The second death will not harm the one who conquers.”