AboutBrenda Martin Expertise I have been one of Jehovah`s Witneses now for over 30 years, in those years I have brought up 4 children, teaching each of them the bible.Being one of Jehovah`s Witnesses has helped me cope with my Epilepsy and bring up a daughter with learning difficulties.I have conducted bible studies with people from nearly every denomination i.e. Muslim. Having used the bible all these years to answer peoples questions, I feel I am qualified to give any answer regarding Jehovah`s Witnesses and the bible.
Experience My experience has been one of attending bible lectures 5 times a week,taking part in these lectures in front of an audience and being with thousands of J.W. at conventions where I have seen the bible at work in peoples lives.It is truly a miracle when you see thousands of people meeting together and not one policeman needed, and not even a piece of litter in sight.It is like another world.
Question I do know about the 1000yrs reign. I do know about everything you are talking about here, we are almost in same page. But the question now is in regards to: ...may get his award for the things done through the body, according to the THINGS THAT HE HAS PRACTICED.
Q-1 What are the things that he continues to practice after his resurrection that will lead him to the second death, destruction? The first death is the price payed for the sin inherit by the disobedient of Adam & Eve. Q-2 The second death is payed by our own sin? Which is thru judgement for the things done through the body, according to the THINGS THAT HE HAS PRACTICED.
Can you also tell me about this verse, Are these the same 12 tribes judged after resurrection? If so why are they being judge if they already paid for their sin with the first death? you did say God would not repeatedly reexamine his case and then sentence him to other kinds of punishment for his sin.
(NWT)Mat19:28 Jesus said to them:"Truly I say to you, In the re-creation, when the Son of man sits down upon his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also yourselves sit upon twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of Isreal.
thanks, Luis
Answer Q-1" WHAT ARE THE THINGS THAT HE CONTINUES TO PRACTICE AFTER HIS RESURRECTION THAT WILL LEAD HIM TO THE SECOND DEATH, DESTRUCTION?"
Could be anything at all, there will be ones resurrected that do not want to live by God’s laws, even after being brought back from the dead. For instance think of kings and queens who are brought back to life, will they be happy to live as ordinary folk now, or will they still want to be served? New laws will be given to the inhabitants of the new earth,these laws have to be adhered to before God finally adopts manking as his children at the end of the 1,000 years.
Working out figures-- , the entire 20 billion (20,000,000,000) could be resurrected before 300 years of Christ’s Thousand Year Reign had elapsed, giving ample time for training and judging the resurrected ones without disrupting harmony and order on earth.
Q-2 THE SECOND DEATH IS PAYED BY OUR OWN SIN?
Yes--Satan, his demons, and the persistent practicers of wickedness on earth are cast into the “lake of fire” or “the second death.” (Re 20:10, 14, 15; 21:8; Mt 25:41) Initially death resulted from and was passed on to mankind as a result of Adam’s transgression; hence “the second death” must be distinct from this inherited death. It is evident from the cited texts that there is no release possible from “the second death.” The situation of those in “the second death” corresponds to the outcome warned of in such texts as Hebrews 6:4-8; 10:26, 27; and Matthew 12:32.
Resurrection Affords Opportunity.-- By contrast, the people of Sodom and Gomorrah as well as those of Canaanite Tyre and Sidon are spoken of by Jesus as finding “Judgment Day” more endurable than would the people of certain Jewish cities. (Mt 10:14, 15; 11:20-24) Those of pagan Nineveh are similarly spoken of. (Mt 12:41) This of itself implies that people from all such places, including the Jewish cities mentioned, will be resurrected and have opportunity to manifest humble repentance and “turn around” in conversion to God through Christ. Those failing to do so will receive everlasting destruction. (Compare Re 20:11-15
In his dying state he obviously was in no position to ‘turn around’ and produce the “works that befit repentance”; he had not been baptized. (Ac 3:19; 26:20) It therefore appears that upon his resurrection from the dead he will be given the opportunity to take this course.—Compare Re 20:12, 13.
ARE THESE THE SAME 12 TRIBES JUDGED AFTER RESURRECTION? MAT19:28
Jesus told the apostles that in “the re-creation” they would “sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” (Mt 19:28;) And he expressed a similar thought when he made a covenant with his faithful apostles for a Kingdom. (Lu 22:28-30)
Jesus meant that they would judge the 12 tribes of spiritual Israel later mentioned in Revelation, for the apostles were to be part of that group. (Eph 2:19-22; Re 3:21) Those “called to be holy ones” are said to judge, not themselves, but “the world.” (1Co 1:1, 2; 6:2) Those reigning with Christ form a kingdom of priests. (1Pe 2:9; Re 5:10) Consequently, “the twelve tribes of Israel” mentioned at Matthew 19:28 and Luke 22:30 evidently represent “the world” of mankind who are outside that royal priestly class and whom those sitting on heavenly thrones will judge.—Re 20:4.
WHY ARE THEY BEING JUDGED IF THEY ALREADY PAID FOR THEIR SIN WITH THE FIRST DEATH?
They are being judged on what they do AFTER their resurrection, their death acquitted them of the sins they had committed in their lifetime; it does not give them a license to keep on sinning though. They are being given a second chance, they can choose to obey God’s laws this time and live forever, or choose not to and be destroyed.
Those ‘who practiced vile or bad things’ during Judgment Day.-- Their return from the dead will prove to be a “resurrection of judgment.” What does this mean? It means a judgment or condemnation to death. So these persons will be destroyed either during or by the close of Judgment Day. The reason is that they do bad things; they stubbornly refuse to learn and practice righteousness.
