�??There is a time to be born and a time to die�??. The reality of death is one that stares each of us in the face yet only few ever live with a consciousness of their mortality and impermanence. There is no man on earth today who was here 150 years ago and none of us that is alive today shall be on the earth in A.D. 2150; yet the earth continues and does not die like men do. The same sun that we see today, is the sun that Abraham saw while he walked this earth 4000 years ago. Indeed the moon has seen many generations of men arise and fade away from the earth. �??For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away�?? (I Pet. 1:24). To those who take delight in pleasures and who trust in riches, I ask: �??what man is he that liveth and shall not see death? Shall he deliver his soul from the hand of the grave?�?? (Ps 89:48). Men generally take pride in the works of their hands and in the advances of science and technology but there is one thing that no man since the beginning of the world has been able to do- none [however rich or intelligent] has been able to conquer mortality. Herein is the weakness and emptiness of science made manifest-for science can never defeat or annul death.

There is however another reality which is of even greater significance than the reality of death yet this latter reality is obscure to the eyes of philosophers, scientist, idolaters, and a greater portion of men that come into this world. It is a mystery which God has hid from the foundation of the world but He is at this time revealing it to His saints. Verily, everyone that ever died or will die on this earth, shall again resurrect in this same earth from their very graves or wherever their constituent particles may be resting. They shall resurrect not as fleshless spirits but they shall have bodies such as we now have.

Let us begin this discourse by understanding the origin of death- this phenomenon over which man has no power.

�??And the Lord God took Adam and put him into the Garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it. And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: but of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die�?? (Gen 2:15-17).

Elohim spoke these words of cursing on man in the day that Adam was created. Seeing that Adam and Eve soon transgressed this commandment, the curse of a surety came on Adam and on all his posterity which as yet were in his loins. It is needful that we understand the nature of this curse for God said �??In the day that thou eatest thereof, thou shalt surely die�??. We all know that Adam did not die within 24 hours of eating the forbidden fruit. Did the word of God fail? Why then did God say �??In the day that thou eatest�?��??? Many have said in ignorance that what God meant was spiritual death. But I now know that He meant mortality and physical death; for as the Apostle Paul wrote in Rom 5:2 �??wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin, and so death passed upon all men�??. The word translated death in this scripture, is in Greek, �??thanatos�?? which is natural or temporal death. Also it is written �??for since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead�?? (I Cor. 15:21). It is obvious that the �??death�?? being spoken of in this scripture is not spiritual but physical. Therefore we conclude that the basic consequence of Adam�??s transgression was natural death (mortality). If this is so, why then did Adam not die on the same day according as God spoke? It is needful for you to understand that the �??day�?? God spoke about is not the day of sunrise and sunset for God had His own kind of �??day�?? even before the sun and moon were created. �??be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day�?? (II Pet. 3:8). We now understand that when God said �??In the day�??, this to man is a 1000 years and of a truth, Adam died in that day (within the space of 1000 years) for when he was 930 years, he went to his grave. Methuselah who has the record of having lived longest on the earth, could not still live up to 1 day (i.e. 1000 years) for when he had lived for 969 years, he also died. This is the portion of every seed of Adam: we all must die in the day we are born and none has ever lived up to 1000 years of age for God whose word CANNOT fail has said �??in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die�??. Let all that read this understand the Almightiness of God and perceive the immutability of His counsel. Though ignorant scientists and arrogant atheist may refute the existence of God, yet none of them can defy or defeat this decree of death which the Most High issued from the beginning. Once spake He, yet to this day, no man has been able to resist or escape that decree. Though men rebel against their creator and live as though He doesn�??t exist, yet all men must die within one day, according to the word of the LORD. �??For who hath resisted His will�??? (Rom 9:19). In the same way that men must die even though it is against their own wills, even so, men would one day be dragged against their own wills to the judgment seat of the Ancient of days. The will of man is to be utterly despised in the light of God�??s will. God spoke once and the sun came into being and to this day, the sun has not deviated from the circuit that God had appointed for it. Indeed all the weapons of the nations put together, cannot prevail against the Word of God. �??And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and He doeth according to His will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, what doest thou?�?? (Dan 4:35).

Though God made this decree of death, which Adam brought upon himself by transgression, mortality was not the ultimate intent for man. God thus willed within Himself even from the beginning that death should be abolished and that a chosen portion of mankind should be delivered from death by resurrection unto endless life. Even as Apostle Paul wrote �??In hope of eternal life (immortality) which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began�?? (Titus 1:2). It is thus clear that even from the beginning, God had began to speak to some men and to give them hope that there shall be a resurrection of the dead. This is a mystery that is hid from the eyes of the world and the wicked cannot hope for this. But in every generation, this has been the hope of the saints even as we see in Romans 2:7 �??To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life�?? Again scripture records in another place that �??Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection�??(Heb. 11:35). Didn�??t Paul also express his hope when said in Philippians 3:11 �??If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead�??. This also was the crux of the Gospel of the kingdom which Paul preached for he spoke about �??Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel�?? (II Tim 1:10). The gospel which Paul preached, brought life and immortality to light. Paul preached that there shall be a resurrection of the dead (Acts 24:14-15). How different this is from the gospel which is being preached on the earth today!

I will heretofore, endeavor to present to you one of the main elements of the True Gospel of the Kingdom, which is: there shall be a resurrection of the dead.

While Abraham sojourned in cannan, the LORD said unto him �??Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward: for all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give, and to thy seed forever�?? (Gen 13:15). This was the gospel which as Paul said, was preached unto Abraham by God Himself (Gal 3:8).

The promise made to Abraham was for the whole earth (Rom 4:13) of which the land of cannan was a figure, for the patriarch sojourned in that land as in a strange land though he was the heir of it (Heb 11:8-9). It is important we understand that God�??s promise to Abraham was not just for that land in the Middle East which we now call Israel. That was a token of the promise. God has avouched to give the whole earth to Abraham and to his seed as an eternal inheritance.

Though God had said to him: �??to thee will I give it�??, we understand that in the days of his flesh i.e. while he yet lived, �??God gave him none inheritance in it, no, not so much as to set his foot on�?? (Acts 7:5). It is therefore manifest that the promise was for an appointed time, God spoke of a latter time when He would give the whole earth to Abraham and to his seed. Since God said �??I will give it to thee and to thy seed forever! He implied that the land which Abraham was to inherit was going to be a kingdom having no end; also, it was going to be a land from which they will never perish and in which they will dwell forever. Abraham understood and believed this gospel that God preached to him and it was accounted unto him for righteousness. Thus the patriarch �??looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God�?? (Heb 11:10).

It is important we note that the promise was not to his seed alone but also to Abraham himself. By this, God preached eternal life unto Abraham that though he dies, he shall resurrect again in this same earth and all his seed shall resurrect with him. As the Apostle wrote �??these all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth�?? (Heb 11:13). Seeing that all these patriarchs didn�??t receive the promise in their life time, we know that since God cannot lie, Abraham and all his seed in all generations shall resurrect again in this same earth to inherit it for an eternal possession and Christ shall be the King amongst them. Thus shall the promise be fulfilled when �??the kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He shall reign forever and ever! Rev 11:15.

It is for this reason that the Holy Spirit does not omit from the sacred scriptures, the manner in which the patriarchs buried their dead for even this rite of burial was performed in faith for they believed that there shall be a resurrection of the dead. Abraham with great care purchased a sepulcher (Gen 23) and did not lightly esteem the corpse of Sarah for he knew within himself that God would one day raise her up to inherit the earth with the rest of the saints.

We also read that �??by faith Joseph when he died�?� gave a commandment concerning his bones�?? (Heb 11:22). Why would he do this-if not for the faith he had that God shall cloth his bone with flesh and he shall again walk upon this earth in immortality.

Job also being imparted with the faith of Abraham, was righteous in the sight of God in that he also lived with the hope of the resurrection of the dead for he testified thus: �??And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another,�?? (Job 19:26-27). Job also knew that at the end of ages, Jesus Christ shall again walk and reign in this very earth over His resurrected saints. Thus he said �??for I know that my Redeemer liveth and he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth�?? (Job 19:25). Job did not hope to see God as a spirit, he hoped to see God in the flesh and verily, that righteous man shall resurrect again to this earth and all the saints with him and God shall walk amongst them. It is vivid that Job did not hold the hope that today�??s �??believers�?? hold; for the latter believe that at death they will go to heaven and be with God forevermore. But we the disciples of Jesus know that it is in the flesh that we shall see God. Some may want to cavil against this by referring to the story of Lazarus and the rich man. We only need to remember that it is a parable and even at that, it is not recorded that Lazarus went to heaven neither is God mentioned in the whole scenario. Today�??s �??believers�?? are indeed in error as touching their hope of going to heaven when they die for Jesus Christ said �??no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven�?? (Jhn 3:13). Peter in preaching on the day of Pentecost, said: For David is not ascended into the heavens�?� (Ac 2:34). The Beloved Apostle also wrote: �??No man hath seen God at any time�?? (1Jhn 2:12). Christ said that �??the pure in heart shall see God�?? but we know that all the beatitudes He spoke in Matt 5 refer to the time when the kingdom of God shall come; for then, the saints will see God in the flesh. Up to this time, Isaac, David and Paul have not yet seen God; but when they resurrect, they shall see God for He shall be amongst us and Immanuel shall be King.

Let�??s also hear the testimony of David which he spake by the Spirit of Faith that was in him: �??as for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.�?? (Ps. 17:15). This saint was speaking of a time when he shall resurrect with a glorious body that shall be like that of the Glorious Christ and only then shall he behold the Holy One. This accords with the testimony that Paul gave in Phil 3:20-21 �??for our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ: who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body, according to the working whereby He is able to subdue all things unto Himself�??. Now let us come to the crux of the gospel.

About 2004 years ago, He that is to be king over Israel was born in Bethlehem. He came not by the sperm of man; therefore, He was not subject to mortality. He could have as well lived forever without tasting death for He was not conceived in iniquity like the rest of humanity and therefore there was no sin in him. Seeing that He was without blemish, the sentence of death did not abide upon him. We could therefore say that Christ was born immortal. But wherefore did He die? How was it possible that He should taste death when He was born sinless and immortal? Since we know that death came into the human race by sin, we also conclude that the sentence of death also came upon Christ because of sin; for if He had no sin, it wouldn�??t have been possible for Him to have tasted death. But for whose sin did Christ die- His own? Certainly not; for one of the Apostles wrote in Heb 4:15 that Jesus �??was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin�??. We then conclude that it wasn�??t for His own transgression that the sentence of death came upon Him. The prophet Isaiah spoke this truth of the gospel when He said �??All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all (Is 53:6). Who does the �??us�?? and �??we�?? in this scripture refer to? It refers to the whole house of Israel (the seed of Abraham) of which Isaiah was a part. It is needful we understand that Isaiah realized that he was one of those for whom Christ died. Contrary to what most �??believers�?? hold, we now understand that Christ not only died for those that lived as from His time. He actually died for all the saints from Abel to Abraham and down to all ages. Again the prophet wrote about Jesus: �??for the transgression of my people was He stricken�?? (Is. 53:8). This accords with the testimony of Jesus Himself when He said �??I am not sent but for the lost sheep of the house of Israel�?? (matt. 15:24) and also with the message given to Joseph by the Angel �??And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins (matt. 1:21). Paul also, in setting forth the mystery behind Christ�??s death, said to the saints at Corinth that God �??hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him�?? (II Cor. 5:21). Thus we conclude that God laid on Jesus, all the transgressions of the seed of Abraham and for this sake, He that was born sinless and immortal, also received the sentence of death upon Himself and thus, He became subject to death even the death of the cross. Peter also testifying to these things, wrote to the pilgrims (the elect) that were scattered abroad (around the world) and reassured them about Jesus �??who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree�?? (I peter 2:24). Since Jesus bore and died on account of the sins of the elect, we then conclude that the saints are purged and cleansed from all their sins and they are blameless before God (Eph.1:4-7) and as Paul said, the saints have become the righteousness of God by the sacrifice of Jesus. Concerning these chosen ones, it is written: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; ( Ephesians 1:4-7) So we see that in the whole wide world, it is only these elect few that are blameless in the sight of God; and this not by their works of righteousness, but on the grounds of God�??s sovereign will. �??Even as David also describeth the blessedness of man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin�?? (Rom 4:6-8)**. Upon whom cometh this blessedness? Upon the seed of Abraham-not the seed according to the flesh but the seed according to the promise and calling of God which is after the purpose of His own will.

To what end is this righteousness imputed to the saints? To the intent that, they might be able to gain an entrance into and abide in God�??s righteous kingdom. No unrighteous man shall be found on the earth when the kingdom of God comes-He shall first of all cut off the wicked from the earth before He begins to reign over Israel. Paul wrote that �??Christ also loved the Church and gave himself for it; that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that He might present it to Himself a glorious church�?? (Eph. 5:25-27). Three things are evident from here. Firstly that Christ didn�??t die for every human being but only for the Church i.e. �??the congregation (nation) of the called�??. Secondly, that those for whom He died are sanctified and clean. Thirdly, the purpose for which they were washed, is that they might be able to gain an entrance into His kingdom and to stand before Him. We therefore conclude that Jesus did not purify the saints for the sake of this world; rather, He cleansed them to make them worthy to inherit His Kingdom. They whose sins were not remitted, would not be able to resurrect into that kingdom for it is only the righteous that shall be in the earth when the kingdom of God comes. The righteous shall never be removed: but the wicked shall not inhabit the earth. (Pr 10:30) Sinners shall not stand in the congregation of the righteous and no heathen shall inherit the kingdom of God.

I like to put us to remembrance that death entered into this world by sin; but sin haven been blotted, we know that death shall also be taken away and all those whose sins have been purged, shall come back to life. The man whose sin was not purged, hath no part in the resurrection to Life. Death no longer has a right to hold the saints for there is no cause for death in them any longer. Seeing that Christ died for some, those for whom He died would have to resurrect back to life. �??And this is the Father�??s will which hath sent me, that of all which He hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of Him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.(Jhn 6:39-40, 44). Thus we conclude that by the death of Jesus and by the remission of our sins, all the saints [i.e. those who the Father draw to knowledge], shall awake to life eternal in the kingdom of God which would be on the earth in the later days.

Haven understood the mystery behind the death of Christ; it�??s even more needful that we understand the mystery behind His resurrection.

�??Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: for if the dead rise not, then is Christ not raised: but now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first fruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive�?? (I Cor 15:12-13, 16, 20-22).

God by His power raised up Jesus back to immortality and by this operation, He abolished death and brought immortality to light (II Tim 1:10). After Jesus resurrected, He appeared by the space of 40 days to those whom He chose to be Apostles and He revealed to them His immortal flesh and those men haven beheld immortality with their very eyes, became witnesses to His resurrection and they preached all over the world that there shall be a resurrection of the dead (Acts 4:2; 17:32). Seeing that God had raised up Jesus, it became evident that all that ever died will resurrect. The resurrection of Jesus was thus, to be a token of the resurrection of all; even as Paul wrote that �??as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive�??. The resurrection of Christ was to bring immortality to light and to show to all that death is not permanent but temporal. This is the hope of the saints. The resurrection of Jesus was a pledge to all the saints that God would also raise them up. Paul attests to this when he said �??God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by His own power.�?? (I Cor 6:14) and again he wrote that �??He which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you! (II Cor 4:14). Why else would scriptures record that the saints �??loved not their lives unto death�??? Was it not that they had hope that they shall resurrect again? And what gave them this hope if not that they were witnesses and had heard that God raised up Jesus from the dead (I Pet 1:3).

By the disobedience of Adam, death entered into the human race and verily all shall die; but by the obedience of Christ, death was abolished and verily all shall resurrect back to life. The Apostle wrote that Christ is the first fruit from the dead (I Cor 15:20; Col 1:18) and we know that if the first fruit be harvested, then of a surety, the rest of the crop shall also be harvested. Seeing that Christ is raised, they that are Christ�??s shall also be raised; and the wicked shall also be raised.

Daniel foresaw these things when he wrote that �??them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt! (Dan 12:2). Jesus also spoke like words in Jhn 5:28-29: �??marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear His voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation�??. Paul also testified of these things for he said �??that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust�?? (Acts 24:15). It is obvious that everyone you know that ever died shall again resurrect and you also shall die but you shall be raised up again. We could therefore conclude that death is a thing to be despised for no one dies permanently. We must however understand that there would be two kinds of resurrection. Some will be resurrected unto eternal life and glory while others will be resurrected unto everlasting shame and damnation. All shall not be resurrected at the same time for Apostle Paul writes that the resurrection would be in this order: �??Christ the first fruits; afterwards they that are Christ�??s at His coming. Then the end when He shall have delivered up the kingdom to God�?? (I Cor 15: 23-24). It is clear that the disciples of Jesus shall first of all resurrect before the rest of the world resurrects. The rest of the world shall resurrect after Christ has reigned with His saints on this earth for an appointed period of time. After this, death shall be totally defeated, the rest of humanity shall resurrect and be judged; the kingdom shall then be delivered up to God. From Revelations 20:4-6, we understand that the period between the first resurrection and the second resurrection shall be 1000 years.

At the first resurrection, the saints that are to reign over the nations with Christ, shall be crowned and rewarded and they shall ever more live in the glorious presence of Immanuel even as the scripture saith �??for since the beginning of the world man have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what He hath prepared for him that waiteth for Him�?? (Is 64:4). It is going to be impossible to describe what peace and glory would be on earth in those days when the sons of God manifest up on it. �??Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priest of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years! (Rev 20:6). To whom does the first resurrection pertain? To the saints in Christ i.e. the disciples of Jesus who Peter refer to as a �??royal priesthood�??, the whole earth shall be delivered to the saints of the Most High at that time (Dan 7:27) and they shall rule over the gentiles.

Woe unto those living in this dispensation that hath no part in the first resurrection for such shall partake of the second death. Let no one think that God would forget any human being in his grave. He that knows the number of hairs on your head, shall He not know where the bones and dust of all His creatures are? At the second resurrection, even the sea shall give up the dead that are in them (Rev 20:13). It would have been better if a man were not born at all than for his name not to be found written in the book of life which shall be opened at the second resurrection. The second resurrection is to take place on the day of judgment. All the righteous and wicked of all previous and future generations shall resurrect unto the judgment. They that are found written in the book of life shall be granted endless life and together with the [already immortal] disciples of Jesus, they shall all inherit the everlasting kingdom over which God would directly rule here on earth. They that are not found written in the book of life, shall not inherit everlasting life but shall be cast into the lake of fire that burneth with brimstone. This is the second death. This fire which was kindled by the breath of God will burn for all eternity even as God Himself is eternal. If God had an ending, only then would the death of the wicked have an ending. But we know there shall be no ending to their death. Worms which dieth not shall devour their corpse for as long as God is eternal. The after judgment scenario is clearly depicted in Isa 66:23-24 :And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the LORD. And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh. It is thus manifest that while the righteous are dwelling immortally on the earth in the presence of YHWH, the wicked shall be in everlasting death- never again to breath or see the light of life.

Many have thought over the ages that it is the soul of human beings that shall face judgment but we know that all shall resurrect and shall stand with great awe and fear before the Judgment throne of Jesus not as souls but in the flesh. Even as Jesus said �??fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear Him which is able to destroy the soul and body in Gehenna�?? It is clear that men who previously died will resurrect with flesh again before they are cast into the lake of fire. It is in the body that men sin; it is those same bodies that shall bear the punishment of their sins. The very flesh that committed the fornications will be the flesh that will be putrefied by worms forever: for there shall be a resurrection of the unjust.

Should any one still think it is impossible for God to raise the dead; I reply that even in this matter, God has not left Himself without a witness; For He has left many things in nature to teach some, and to witness against others that there shall be a resurrection of the dead. The seed which farmers sow, they sow it in death but by the operation of God the same dead seed [that had no characteristics of a living thing] sprouts up out of the soil with life again. From whence did its life come? From God. Even so, every dead man that is planted into the soil today shall eventually sprout up to life again.

What man is there that does not sleep? What man is there that does not awake after he sleeps? Do ye not know that sleep is a similitude of death? How come you did not realize that even when men sleep the sleep of death, at the appointed time they shall yet awake-some to eternal glory and others to everlasting damnation.