Expert: John of AllFaith - 4/28/2010

Question
When will the non-believers who enter the Tribulation, and are converted during the Tribulation, and then enter the millennium still in their original physical human form, suffer the first death, the death of the body. Will they then be resurrected immediately in their new glorified bodies, to enter the new heaven and new earth. I have asked this of another site, but never received an adequate answer. Are you able to give an answer to my confusion on this matter.   Thanks and Blessing Ray Otto

Answer
Hi,

A great and important question.

As I don't know where you are coming from on the issue of the Rapture I should say first that unlike most modern prophecy students I do not believe there will be a Rapture nor that it is a biblical teaching. We can discuss this if you are interested.

I believe "the Church" at large will become (is even now becoming) lukewarm and will finish abandoning the biblical faith (Revelation 3:14-19).
Once the Antichrist is revealed most Christians and those of other religions will accept him as the Second Coming of Jesus, as the Great Ruler etc.

144,000 Jews and a "Great Multitude" of Gentiles will stand against him however throughout the seven years. Most of these will die as martyrs (Revelation 6:10).

By the end of the not-quite seven year tribulation period (those days will be "cut short" -- Matthew 24:22) around 85% of the human race will have died from war, starvation, plagues, demonic attacks etc. Following the Battle of Armageddon that number will be higher. Very few people will survive the War and enter the Kingdom alive.

Those who do walk into the Kingdom will never die. As the thousand years advance they will gradually transform into near perfect human beings (not yet in glorified bodies).

The resurrection of the dead will take place gradually with the more righteous among humanity returning first. As they are resurrected they will be taught the truth by Messiah and his representatives. The vast majority, having received the truth, will accept it. As the Kingdom reign progresses they will gradually become more and more pure (not yet in their glorified bodies).

Some however will not accept HaShem (God) and His Moshiach (Messiah), our King. These will be dealt with by the government of Moshiach as he directs. They will be given every opportunity to repent, be loyal, and accept the rule of God over the earth.

At the end of the thousand years Kingdom Lucifer will be allowed to rally those who reject the Way of God. This rebellion will be squashed by Moshiach and those who take part in it will go off into the Second and final Death. This will be the war of God of Magog described in detail by the Hebrew prophets. There will be two wars, Armageddon and the War of Gog of Magog. These are often confused but they will occur about a thousand years apart as I understand the prophecies.

Once Y'shua HaMoshiach (Jesus the Messiah) wins the War of Gog of Magog Paul's prophecy will come to pass:

I Corinthians 2:9  But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

During the thousand year Kingdom United humanity, under Messianic rule, will create the most awesome civilization the world will ever have known.

Then, with humanity at its very zenith of success, God will establish the New Heaven and the New Earth that will dwarf mankind's greatest achievement and conclusively demonstrate His glory and the benefits of accepting His reign once and for all (answering Lucifer's challenge recorded in the Book of Job). This is that which the Apostle is speaking of in this verse.

As the New Heaven and the New Earth are revealed we will all be changed and then 'shall this mortal put on immortality' etc.

This is my understanding.

If you have further questions I invite you to write back. I also discuss these and related issues on my "Thus Say the Prophets" website: http://allfaith.com/prophecy

I will be going into vacation mode here for a few days once I post this reply but should be available again Monday or Tuesday, Lord willing.

Hope this has been helpful,

~ John of AllFaith