QT 10 Jul 14, Faith in Jesus guarantees our future

Rev 20:4-6 (ESV) Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. 5 The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection. 6  Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years.

NOTE: The first resurrection occurs in stages. Jesus is the first fruit, having already been resurrected. At the rapture, the next stage of the first resurrection occurs.  Living believers will be translated and believers in Christ who have died will be resurrected (both groups represent the entirety of the church, the bride of Christ). In essence, the home that Jesus said he went to build is ready. Also, the Father determines when the home is ready, so the Son must wait for the Father's permission to fetch the bride (this is the rapture). At the end of the seven year tribulation (Daniel refers to it as seven days), before the wedding banquet, the last stage of the first resurrection is complete with the resurrection of tribulation saints and Old Testament believers (they are the guests of the bride). The banquet occurs on earth (where the bride's family is from). The seven day marriage custom occurs in heaven (at the Groom's home during the seven "day" tribulation period).

The second resurrection involves all non-believers (Old Testament times, New Testament times, Tribulation period, and all else) and occurs at the end of the thousand year reign of Christ (Rev 20:11-15). One does not want to be a part of the second resurrection.

The exciting aspect is that we can be guaranteed to be part of the first resurrection by placing our belief in Jesus Christ as our savior. The second resurrection is for those who refuse to believe and their destiny in the lake of fire, also called the second death. A noted author has tried to argue, "love wins." Which sounds nice, but doesn't agree with scripture. "Love wins" only if we place our faith in our savior, Jesus.