13 - The Resurrections and Ascensions
The Resurrections and Ascensions
261. We have now to deal with a mighty subject, and one of surpassing interest to every living soul. Would that we were enabled to realize, to a far more intense degree, its vast importance! For, if we were, how much more earnestly would our thoughts be turning towards the future, and how easily should we brush aside the impeding cares and anxieties of the present! How much more firmly would our hopes and affections be fixed upon the things that are above, and how ready should we be to relinquish the things that are below!
262. In paragraph 95, we have already remarked, that the difference between the rewards of the Old Testament saints and of the children of God in this Dispensation, that is, of the Church, will be very great. For the latter will succeed to a heavenly inheritance; whereas the former will be restored to their own land, the Land of Israel, as we are distinctly taught in Ezekiel 37:12-14. But, in both cases, it will be through resurrection that the glory will be obtained.
263. Of the Israelitish resurrection we read in other passages besides the one quoted above. For instance in Isaiah 26:19, we have:- "Thy dead men shall live; My dead bodies shall arise."
264. The last verse of Daniel - as, indeed, Daniel 12:1-13, especially Daniel 12:1-3 appears to refer to the same crisis:- "Go thou thy way till the end be; for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at t he end of the days." Daniel must go down [into Hades] the way of all flesh [the dead]; but, on the resurrection morning, he should stand in the place reserved for him.
265. In a peculiarly interesting passage - Jeremiah 31:15-17 - we have a description of Rachel weeping for her children who had been slain (Matthew 2:18). But the Lord comforts her with the promise, "They shall come again from the land of the enemy," "shall return to their own border."[Jeremiah 31:17] What, then, can the last clause mean, if it be not intended to convey an assurance, that the dead children should be raised [resurrected] and restored to their own Land? And this wonderful restoration will be effected at the time referred to in verse 10, that is, just at the commencement of the Millennial reign.
266. Again, in Jeremiah 30:9, God says, "They shall serve the Lord their God and David their king, whom I will raise up unto them." Here we have a plain indication, that a future reign over Israel upon earth is reserved for David, after his resurrection from the dead.
267. It is also possible, perhaps, that Isaiah 49:6, may allude to the same resurrection to earthly power, when it is declared of the Lord Jesus, that He shall "raise up the Tribes of Jacob."
268. In Hosea 6:2, we find the words, "In the third day He will raise us up, and we shall live in His sight." And, in Hosea 13:14, God says, "I will ransom them from the power of the grave, I will redeem them from death." Then in Isaiah 33:14-17, it is said to Israel, "Thine eyes shall see the King in His beauty: they shall behold a far-stretching land," literally, "a land of distances." Here the King is, of course, the Lord Jesus on His Millennial Throne, while the land of extended boundaries is the whole of the great territory promised to Abraham, which will then have become Immanuel’s Land.
269. Lastly, in Ezekiel 48:9-11, in the prophetic description of the Millennial Land of Israel, we read of a Holy Oblation to the Lord, in the midst of which is to be the Sanctuary. And of this Sanctuary we are told, "It shall be for the priests ... which went not astray when the Children of Israel went astray." Now, since the aspostasy referred to must have taken place many centuries ago, it follows that these faithful priests will have to be brought up from the grave, according to the promise in Hosea 13:14, and Ezekiel 37:12-14.
270. But, besides all these indications, we have also certain confirmatory facts. When God for the first time promised to give the Land to Abraham (Genesis 13:14-17), He did not at once fulfil the promise, neither, indeed, has He yet done so. In Genesis 15:1-21., the promise is repeated in a somewhat different form, and it is made, not so much to Abraham personally as to his seed. Now, many have assumed that this promise was fulfilled when Israel took possession of the Land of Canaan; but a careful investigation will enable us to show that such was not the case.
271. Let us, however, first make it clear, that the promise to Abraham himself has not yet been redeemed. For, in Acts 7:5, Stephen declares, that God gave Abraham none inheritance in the Land, "no, not so much as to set his foot on." In Hebrews 11:9, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, are mentioned, not as possessors, but as heirs of the promises; while, in Hebrews 11:13, we are told plainly, that they all "died in faith, not having received the promises." Romans 4:13, also, points out, that the promise to Abraham and to his seed was by faith - a plain indication that neither he nor they were at that time to inherit the Land. Yet, notwithstanding all this delay, the promises remain sure, and in due season will be fulfilled.
272. There is, however, a still stronger proof, that neither Abraham himself nor his descendants have as yet received the promised inheritance. We have already seen, that, in Genesis 13:17, God promises the Land to Abraham, and, in Genesis 15:18, to Abraham’s seed. And, in Galatians 3:16, these passages are combined in the words, "Now, to Abraham and his seed were the promises made." But Paul adds a very important explanation, namely, that the "seed" is to be taken in a singular sense, and to be understood, not of the whole family of Israel who were, indeed, at one time in temporary and partial possession of the Land. but of the Christ Alone.
273. We are, therefore, forced upon the conclusion, that these promises are still unfulfilled, and are to be referred to the times of the Second Advent, when "many shall come from the East and West,” and when He, the Seed, "shall reign over the House of Jacob for ever, and of His Kingdom there shall be no end" (Luke 1:33). For the Israelite, no less than the Christian believer, can obtain the fulfilment of the promises only through the Lord Jesus Who died for him.
274. We may, then, confidently accept all these wonderful indications, that the promises to Israel are yet in the future, and will be fulfilled upon earth; and that, when the Tribes of Jacob are raised from the dead, they will reign with Christ on the earth, with a restored Jerusalem as their capital City.
275. But now the question arises, Is there a distinct destiny for the spiritual people of Christ who are connected with the present Dispensation; or do they share the reward of the faithful Israelites?
276. We may reply, without hesitation, that the hope of the Church is altogether distinct from that of Israel.* This we might readily infer from the emphatic statement of Paul in Galatians 4:30, that the son of the bondwoman, that is, those who are under the law, shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman,** that is, with those who are under grace. The passage has, of course, a spiritual reference first of all; but it, also, necessarily implies a separate material inheritance. And it is significant, that, in the very same chapter (Galatians 4:25-26), Paul draws a clear distinction between the earthly Jerusalem - which is the headquarters of the earthly sphere of the Kingdom, or of the inheritance of the Twelve Tribes [those who are un-resurrected]- and the Jerusalem which is above, and which is the Mother City, or Metropolis, of us all, namely, of the Church [‘of the firstborn’] which will dwell there with Christ as His Body, and of the raised Israelites, or some of them, who will be His Bride.
[* It is difficult to see how Old Testament saints and prophets, have "a separate material inheritance." Furthermore, I see no distinction made in Scriptures, in relation regenerate believers and that promised "inheritance" as a "reward" (Colossians 3:23-24). Is it not a stated fact in the Scriptures that Abraham is described as the regenerate believer’s "father" also? - "Our father Abraham" (Romans 4:1). He is the father OF ALL THEM THAT BELIEVE (verse 11); Galatians 3:7).
**Hagar’s name, significantly means ‘Flight’ or ‘Wandering’. Is there not a distinction made here also in two lines of conduct amongst the regenerate? See Galatians 5:13-26. The pull of Egypt (typical of the world) drew Hagar away from Abraham’s home in Mamre. Hagar was doing wrong in returning to Egypt. Her propensity to wander had gained control: but the Lord turned her face towards the only place of blessing.
It was amazing grace for God to reveal Himself to Hagar - (in angelic or ‘human-angelic’ form known as ‘Theophany’ in the early history of Old Testament times) - and writ large over the divine record of this divine phenomenon is God’s kindness. For the first time in history One of the Godhead was manifested to Hagar on earth in angelic form. “And to whom? To a low-born Egyptian woman; a slave; a wanderer; to one whose insolence to and contempt of Sarah her mistress compelled the latter abruptly to alter her attitude towards her.” Is there not a lesson here which Paul allpies to those in “the churches in Galatia” (1:2)? Were there no wanderers amongst them? Are there no wanderers in God’s ‘churches’ today? Hagar’s naming of the well - a revelation from God – shows to what extent this desert experience had been to Hagar: it was an unveiling of His thoughts and counsels which filled her with wonder: and Hagar obeyed, returned; but how she ended her days we are not told. Is there not instruction here for those of us who have wandered from the narrow way? That is, from the way of obedience: (James 2:21)?]
277. We have thus found in the Old Testament very clear teaching as to the resurrection and earthly inheritance of Israel, and must now turn to the New Testament, and inquire what is revealed concerning the resurrection and subsequent destiny of the members of that Body which is the great Mystery of God.
278. Now, we have, doubtless, observed, that ascensions to God are typified by the firstfruits and the harvest; while the Law, in Leviticus 23:10-13, teaches us, that a firstfruits of every harvest had to be gathered and presented to the Lord before the harvest itself was reaped. The firstfruits was, indeed, but a handful, a mere nothing as compared with the harvest: nevertheless, God commanded that it should be brought to Him. And, as we shall presently find, there is to be a similar division in the gathering in of His Own spiritual people.
279. A few, a very few, who, like Enoch, are walking with God, will be accounted worthy to escape the terrible period of testing and sifting which is to come upon all flesh during the Final seven of Years, to which we have so often referred in previous paragraphs.
280. In Luke 21:36, the Lord Jesus urges His disciples to watch and pray always, that they may be accounted worthy "to escape all these things that shall come to pass," these things being the plagues and judgments of the Last Seven of Years. Again, in Revelation 3:10, He promises the Philadelpliian Church, that, because they have kept the word of His patience, He, also, will keep them from the hour of temptation, or trial, which is to come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. These passages, however, merely indicate a great event, which is elsewhere described with more detail.
281. In Revelation 12:1-17., we read of the Woman which represents "the House of God" set to witness upon the earth, that is, at the time intended, the Church. She is in serious straits; for she is in the pains of travail, and yet, at the same time, is faced by a Dragon, a remorseless foe, who waits hard by with intent to devour her child as soon as it is born. The Church is in that condition now, and may at any time give birth to the Firstfiruits. But this is well known to the great enemy of mankind, who is zealous that not even the Firstfruits may escape him, while he is still at liberty to persecute and slay God’s people, - whether Jews or Christians. Nay, we may be sure that he is specially eager to avenge himself upon the Firstfruits, since they will be those who will have obtained the most complete victory over him through the Blood of the Lamb, and who will have denounced him and his ways, and have remained faithful to the Lord Jesus, his Foe, That is about shortly to bring him to naught.
282. But, blessed be God, He, too, is well aware of the circumstances of the Firstfruits, and has accounted them worthy to escape the things that shall come to pass. Therefore, He has made provision that they may be caught away to Himself and to His Throne at the very moment in which they are made manifest. And this rapture appears to be the next event which will happen in the fulfilment of prophecy, and which may happen at any time. As soon as the appointed period has arrived for the resumption of’ God’s dealings with His people Israel, then the Firstfruits, those living believers who by His grace are accounted worthy to escape all the impending terrors, will be caught up and presented to Him as He sits upon His Throne, just as the handful of ripe ears - the firstfruits of the harvest - was wont to be carried to His earthly Temple in the days of old.
283. Of course, this event will not, strictly speaking, be a resurrection; for those who have part in it will not have died, and, therefore, cannot be raised from the dead. But it will he an ascension, and the opening event of what, in Revelation 20:5-6, is called the First Resurrection (see NO. 35 on Diagram G).
284. It is followed by scenes of woe, anguish, and persecution, and by wars, famines, plagues, and every kind of calamity, on earth. But, while these judgments are being poured out, the Firstfruits will be safe with their Lord in heaven, and are, doubtless, the same as the 144,000 who are described in Revelation 14:1-5, who sing a new song before the Throne, and are said to be "redeemed from among men, being a Firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb."
285. We must carefully observe, that this ascension of the Firstfruits is not the same as the ascension referred to in 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17, and 1 Corinthians 15:52, both of which passages are concerned with the Harvest, and not with the Firstfruits.
286. The Firstfruit, which will consist of saints who are found to be serving the Living and True God and waiting for His Son from heaven, will be removed before the scourge of God is lifted up against the inhabitants of the earth, and before the persecutions and Tribulation begin. But the Harvest, that is, those who not be ready at the time of the Lord’s first summons, will by no means be delivered from the affliction which they will need to make the world bitter to them. On the contrary, in addition to the persecutions of the wicked, they will have to endure the woes of all the Seals and of six of the Trumpets; but they be spared the horrors of the Vials. For, just as the Seventh Angel is about to sound the Seventh or Last Trumpet, the Mystery of God - that is, His Kingdom in Mystery, or Church upon earth - will be finished, and all the remaining members of His Body, the living and the dead alike, will be summoned to meet Him in the air. These, when joined to the already translated Firstfruits, will complete the number of those blessed ones who will have part in the First Resurrection, and, after standing before the judgment-seat of Christ, "will be priests of God and of Christ, and will reign with Him a thousand years" (Revelation 20:6).
287. After this great event, more than a thousand years will have to pass by before the hour comes for the next and final Resurrection. For, between these two risings of the dead, not only the Millennium, but also the time occupied by Satan’s last rebellion and its suppression, must intervene. In the First Resurrection, the blessed and holy alone will be raised. But, in the Last, all that still remain in their graves will come forth, "they that have done good unto a resurrection of life, and they that have done evil unto a resurrection of judgment" (John 5:28-29). The first-named class will include those believers who, although they had received life through their faith in the Lord Jesus, had not been "reckoned worthy to obtain that age” - namely, the Millennial Age of Reward – “and the resurrection out from among the dead" (Luke 20:35). Therefore, they will have to remain among the dead [in Hades] until the general Resurrection; but, since their names will then be found written in the Lamb’s Rook of Life, they will, at last, be permitted to enter into the full enjoyment of that which He has purchased for them at the price of His Own Blood. Others, also, may be raised to the Resurrection of Life at the same time. But, alas! it is to be feared that a vast number of the dead will prove to be those who have persistently rejected the Lord Jesus, and who will awake to find, that the end has come at last, and the time of grace passed by for ever; and that nothing remains for them but the fearful expectation of immediate judgment and fiery indignation.
288. May we be moved by the [Holy] Spirit to meditate continually on these interesting and most vital truths, and, by the grace of God, so to live that we may have a well-grounded hope of a joyful resurrection! Language fails when one strives to express the unspeakable importance of the stupendous events with which we have been dealing. But, if we have been enabled to concentrate our minds upon them, and in some slight degree to realize what they will be, how quickly do we feel the insignificance and triviality of all that is earthly! May, then, these sublime predictions of the future be ever impressed upon our hearts, together with the fact, that, whether for weal [an old word for ‘happiness’ or ‘well being’] or for woe, we have, each of us, his own part to play in them. May the thought of this draw us nearer to our God, and stimulate us to pray without ceasing, that He may be pleased so to sanctify us, spirit, soul, and body, that we may be found blameless at the coming of our Lord, and be accounted worthy to escape the things that shall come to pass, and to stand in His presence. Then, throughout the Ages of Eternity, shall we praise Him for the glorious Plan revealed in His Word, whereby He redeemed us from all our iniquities, and restored us to light and to immortality.