Has the Resurrection Already Passed?
By James R. Faulkner

Some teach there is no resurrection.
Others teach that the resurrection has already happened, that we go to heaven or hell at death.
What does the scriptures teach us about the resurrection?

  1. In Acts 23:6-8 we find that the Sadducees did not believe in a resurrection, angels, or spirit.


  2. Acts 23:6 - 8 (NKJV) 6But when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee; concerning the hope and resurrection of the dead I am being judged! 7And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees; and the assembly was divided. 8For Sadducees say that there is no resurrectionand no angel or spirit; but the Pharisees confess both.

    In Mark 12:18-27 we find out how Jesus addresses this issue of people believing in no resurrection.

    Mark 12:18 - 27 (NKJV) 18Then some Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Him; and they asked Him, saying: 19Teacher, Moses wrote to us that if a mans brother dies, and leaves his wife behind, and leaves no children, his brother should take his wife and raise up offspring for his brother. 20Now there were seven brothers. The first took a wife; and dying, he left no offspring. 21And the second took her, and he died; nor did he leave any offspring. And the third likewise. 22So the seven had her and left no offspring. Last of all the woman died also. 23Therefore, in the resurrection, when they rise, whose wife will she be? For all seven had her as wife. 24Jesus answered and said to them, Are you not therefore mistaken, because you do not know the Scriptures nor the power of God? 25For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. 26But concerning the dead, that they rise, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the burning bush passage, how God spoke to him, saying, I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? 27He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living. You are therefore greatly mistaken.

    In Luke 20:33-38 we see a little more of what Jesus taught about the resurrection as Luke includes a few different details.

    Luke 20:33 - 38 (NKJV) 33Therefore, in the resurrection, whose wife does she become? For all seven had her as wife. 34Jesus answered and said to them, The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage. 35But those who are counted worthy to attain that age, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry nor are given in marriage; 36nor can they die anymore, for they are equal to the angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection. 37But even Moses showed in the burning bush passage that the dead are raised, when he called the Lord the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. 38For He is not the God of the dead but of the living, for all live to Him.

    Jesus stated that those who attain the resurrection are equal to the angels and are SONS of God! He did not say they become angels, he said they become sons of God and are equal to the angels. You see today we are below the angels, but after being resurrected we will be equal to them. Some may believe that because Christ said God is the God of the living that the dead are already raised and either in heaven or hell, but this is not what Christ taught and we need to study more scriptures to understand this, so we may know the scriptures and the power of God.

  3. In Matthew 10:5-15 we find Jesus taught a future day of judgement for Sodom and Gomorrah. He did not teach that they were all burning in hell forever and ever. Jesus did not teach that you go straight to heaven or hell when you die. That teacing comes from pagan traditions, not from the scriptures and certainly not from Jesus.


  4. Matthew 10:5 - 15 (NKJV) 5These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying: Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans. 6But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7And as you go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. 8Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. 9Provide neither gold nor silver nor copper in your money belts, 10nor bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor staffs; for a worker is worthy of his food. 11Now whatever city or town you enter, inquire who in it is worthy, and stay there till you go out. 12And when you go into a household, greet it. 13If the household is worthy, let your peace come upon it. But if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. 14And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet. 15Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!

    What does Jesus mean that, "it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!"? Didn't somebody tell him that they were already in hell burning and suffereing forever, since they did not repent and accept Jesus before they died? Well, I don't think Jesus is the one who needs to be taught. I think the traditional Christians who teach this heaven and hell at death falacy need to LISTEN to the teachings of Jesus like they CLAIM they do. Jesus knew that there is a future judgement day for Sodom and Gomorrah and this requires a future resurrection. Now some may have you turn to Jude 1:5-7 and claim that the people of Sodom and Gomorrah are already in hell suffering just as their teachers have been teaching them. Let's take a look at this scripture and find out.

    Jude 1:5 - 7 (NKJV) 5But I want to remind you, though you once knew this, that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe. 6And the angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own abode, He has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day; 7as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.

    I looked this phrase up in the Interlinear Bible, which has the greek words with the english. Vengence of eternal fire is translated from the phrase "Eternal Vengence of fire." The eternal adjective should go with the Vengence of God, not the fire. And that is pretty easy to prove, because where did the fire take place? On earth and Lot's wife saw it and perished and Lot saw the smoke of it. So where is that fire today if it is eternal? It went out and the people of Sodom and Gomorrah died and became ashes and they await the resurrection. We find in Matthew 11:20-24, Jesus teaching a future judgement day for Sodom again.

    Matthew 11:20 - 24 (NKJV) 20Then He began to rebuke the cities in which most of His mighty works had been done, because they did not repent: 21Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22But I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for you. 23And you, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades; for if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 24But I say to you that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment than for you.

    Jesus clearly did not believe that the people of Sodom and Gomorrah have already gone to hell to burn forever. He understood there is a future resurrection of both the just and the unjust.

  5. In Luke 14:12-14 Jesus stated that the reward shall be paid at the resurrection of the just, he did not say the just will be rewarded when they die and go straight to heaven.


  6. Luke 14:12 - 14 (NKJV) 12Then He also said to him who invited Him, When you give a dinner or a supper, do not ask your friends, your brothers, your relatives, nor rich neighbors, lest they also invite you back, and you be repaid. 13But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind. 14And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just.

    Since Jesus spoke of a future resurrection of the just, why doesn't traditional Christianity teach it?

    In John 5:24-29 we find Jesus teaching a resurrection of ALL who are in the graves.

    John 5:24 - 29 (NKJV) 24Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. 25Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live. 26For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself, 27and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man. 28Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice 29and come forththose who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.

    This scripture clearly shows Jesus taught and believed in a FUTURE resurrection, notice he said the hour is coming. He did not say the hour has already passed. Why would there be a resurrection of ALL, both Just and Unjust if they are already in heaven or hell? If people have an immortal soul, what is the reason for a resurrection anyway?

    In John 3:1-21 we find Jesus taught that nobody had gone to heaven except for himself.

    John 3:1 - 21 (NKJV) 1There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him. 3Jesus answered and said to him, Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 4Nicodemus said to Him, How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mothers womb and be born? 5Jesus answered, Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7Do not marvel that I said to you, You must be born again. 8The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit. 9Nicodemus answered and said to Him, How can these things be? 10Jesus answered and said to him, Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things? 11Most assuredly, I say to you, We speak what We know and testify what We have seen, and you do not receive Our witness. 12If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven. 14And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. 16For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. 18He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.

    Think about that. If Noone has ascended to heaven except Christ, then where is Abraham, Isaac and Jacob? Where is Joseph and Moses and Joshua and Daniel and Jeremiah? I will tell you where they are at, they are in their grave awaiting the resurrection. And the wicked are in the grave reserved for a futre resurrection of judgement just as Jesus taught.

    Jesus was not the only one that believed and taught a future resurrection.

  7. In John 11:17 - 27 we find Martha believed in a FUTURE resurrection. Martha, the sister of Lazereth, who was taught directly by Jesus did not believe people go straight to heaven or hell when you die. She did not believe that her dead brother went off to heaven. And Jesus did not tell her that her brother was already in heaven.

    John 11:17 - 27 (NKJV) 17So when Jesus came, He found that he had already been in the tomb four days. 18Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles away. 19And many of the Jews had joined the women around Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother. 20Now Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met Him, but Mary was sitting in the house. 21Now Martha said to Jesus, Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. 22But even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You. 23Jesus said to her, Your brother will rise again. 24Martha said to Him, I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day. 25Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. 26And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this? 27She said to Him, Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.

    Martha clearly believed in a future resurrection in the last day just as Jesus taught her.

  8. In Acts 24:10-16 we find the Apostle Paul also teaches a resurrection of the just and the unjust? Why don't the churches today teach what Paul taught back then?

  9. Acts 24:10 - 16 (NKJV) 10Then Paul, after the governor had nodded to him to speak, answered: Inasmuch as I know that you have been for many years a judge of this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself, 11because you may ascertain that it is no more than twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem to worship. 12And they neither found me in the temple disputing with anyone nor inciting the crowd, either in the synagogues or in the city. 13Nor can they prove the things of which they now accuse me. 14But this I confess to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect, so I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the Law and in the Prophets. 15I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust. 16This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men.

    So, we find the apostle Paul teaching the same resurrection that Jesus taught and Marhta believed in. Something different than what traditional Christrianity teaches today. Is it any wonder that many who begin going to church and being taught false doctrines and then start reading the bible for themselves lose faith in their religion? Is it a surprise to you that the Catholic Church in the past did NOT want the bible in a common tongue, so that the typical church goer, the common man, could read for himself what the Apostle and Christ really taught and compare it to the myths and pagan customs that traditional Christianity has handed them?

    In 1 Corinthians 15:1-58, the Apostle Paul once again clearly teaches a future resurrection. Why don't the people who claim to believe and follow the bible, believe these scriptures?

    1 Corinthians 15:1 - 58 (NKJV) 1Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, 2by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to youunless you believed in vain. 3For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, 5and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. 6After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. 7After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. 8Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time. 9For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. 11Therefore, whether it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed. 12Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. 14And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. 15Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up if in fact the dead do not rise. 16For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. 17And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! 18Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable. 20But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. 22For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. 23But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christs at His coming. 24Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. 25For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. 26The last enemy that will be destroyed is death. 27For He has put all things under His feet. But when He says all things are put under Him, it is evident that He who put all things under Him is excepted. 28Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all. 29Otherwise, what will they do who are baptized for the dead, if the dead do not rise at all? Why then are they baptized for the dead? 30And why do we stand in jeopardy every hour? 31I affirm, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. 32If, in the manner of men, I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantage is it to me? If the dead do not rise, Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die! 33Do not be deceived: Evil company corrupts good habits. 34Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame. 35But someone will say, How are the dead raised up? And with what body do they come? 36Foolish one, what you sow is not made alive unless it dies. 37And what you sow, you do not sow that body that shall be, but mere grainperhaps wheat or some other grain. 38But God gives it a body as He pleases, and to each seed its own body. 39All flesh is not the same flesh, but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of animals, another of fish, and another of birds. 40There are also celestial bodies and terrestrial bodies; but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. 41There is one glory of the sun, another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differs from another star in glory. 42So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption. 43It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. 44It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. 45And so it is written, The first man Adam became a living being. The last Adam became a life-giving spirit. 46However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural, and afterward the spiritual. 47The first man was of the earth, made of dust; the second Man is the Lord from heaven. 48As was the man of dust, so also are those who are made of dust; and as is the heavenly Man, so also are those who are heavenly. 49And as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man. 50Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. 51Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed 52in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: Death is swallowed up in victory. 55O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory? 56The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. 57But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

    When does this resurrection of the just occur that Paul believed in? Does it occur at ones death or at the return of Christ at the last trump?

    51Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed 52in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

    Maybe if the churches continued to keep the feast of Trumpets as they should, then they wouldn't be so blind on this issue of the resurrection.

    In Philippians 3:7-16 we find again that the Apostle Paul taught the resurrection of the dead.

    Philippians 3:7 - 16 (NKJV) 7But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. 8Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; 10that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, 11if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. 12Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. 16Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind.
    If you have an immortal soul that never dies, then why do you need to be resurrected anyway?

    In 2 Timothy 2:14-19 we see that the Apostle Paul had to deal with false doctrines about the resurrection.

    2 Timothy 2:14 - 19 (NKJV) 14Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers. 15Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness. 17And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, 18who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some. 19Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: The Lord knows those who are His, and, Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

    Think about this. If you are teaching that you go to Heaven or Hell upon death, then you are teaching that the resurrection is already passed, aren't you? Now maybe Hymenaeus and Philetus didn't teach exactly what traditional Christians teach today about heaven and hell, but they were teaching false doctrines about the resurrection, this we know for sure. Notice Paul's reaction to this false doctrine, was it one of appeasement or stating that we should ignore it?

    2 Timothy 2:14 - 19 (NKJV) 14Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers. 15Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness. 17And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, 18who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some. 19Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: The Lord knows those who are His, and, Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

    The apostle Paul thought it was a serious matter and so do I. We should not tolerate such false doctrines in the Church of God, otherwise it will spread like cancer just as Paul taught.

  10. Were people who were resurrected back to physical life in the past yanked back from heaven? In Matthew 27:50-54 we find saints being resurrected back to physical life. So did these people get yanked back from heaven?


  11. Matthew 27:50 - 54 (NKJV) 50And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. 51Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, 52and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; 53and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many. 54So when the centurion and those with him, who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God!

    These people were resurrected from their physical graves back to physical life. They were not pulled back down from heaven, but raised back up from their graves, where they were awaiting the resurrection.

  12. In Hebrews 6:1-3 we clearly see that the resurrection was a foundational doctrine of the early Church.


  13. Hebrews 6:1 - 3 (NKJV) 1Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, 2of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 3And this we will do if God permits.

    And we see in Hebrews 11:32-40 why the resurrection has not already taken place. We find out why God has chosen to let just sleep in their graves until the return of Christ.

    Hebrews 11:32 - 40 (NKJV) 32And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets: 33who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. 35Women received their dead raised to life again. Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. 36Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. 37They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented 38of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth. 39And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, 40God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us.

    Scripture makes it very clear. The just will be raised together at the return of Christ.

    In Hebrews 11:1-40 we again find a future resurrection and we are clearly shown that the patriarchs of the old testament did NOT go to heaven when they died.

    Hebrews 11:1 - 40 (NKJV) 1Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. 3By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible. 4By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks. 5By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, and was not found, because God had taken him; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God. 6But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. 7By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith. 8By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. 9By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; 10for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God. 11By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised. 12Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born as many as the stars of the sky in multitudeinnumerable as the sand which is by the seashore. 13These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. 15And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them. 17By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, 18of whom it was said, In Isaac your seed shall be called, 19concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense. 20By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. 21By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff. 22By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel, and gave instructions concerning his bones. 23By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the kings command. 24By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaohs daughter, 25choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, 26esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward. 27By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible. 28By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, lest he who destroyed the firstborn should touch them. 29By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land, whereas the Egyptians, attempting to do so, were drowned. 30By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days. 31By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace. 32And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets: 33who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. 35Women received their dead raised to life again. Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. 36Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. 37They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented 38of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth. 39And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, 40God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us.

    We know that the Holy Day of The Feast of Trumpets pictures this incredible time when Christ will return and all the saints of old will be resurrected. The traditional Churches of today have lost the truth of the Holy Days and the have also lost the truth about the future resurrection.

  14. The Apostle John wrote in Revelation 20:4-6 that the REST of the Dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This once again clearly shows that the dead are not in heaven or hell immediately after death.


  15. Revelation 20:4 - 6 (NKJV) 4And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. 5But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.

    Now these scriptures do require a little bit of explaining, but it is far easier for me, who believes in a future resurrection, than for someone that believes that the resurrection has already passed. The first resurrection happens at the return of Christ as we find from other scriptures. The first part of verse 5 is inserted by the author to clarify the other resurrection. "This is the first resurrection," should go with the first part of verse 4 and it would be more clear in our english language if you put parenthesis around the first part of verse 5 to show it is a clarification of a new point.

    Revelation 20:4 - 6 (NKJV) 4And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. 5(But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished). This is the first resurrection. 6Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.

    But even if you believe the punctuation is correct, there is no explanation that fits with the Heaven or Hell when you die doctrine. Scripture clearly teaches future resurrections, not the Heaven and Hell upon death lie.

  16. In 2 Peter 2:1-22 the apostle Peter also taught of a future judgement day for the wicked.


  17. 2 Peter 2:1 - 22 (NKJV) 1But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. 2And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. 3By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber. 4For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment; 5and did not spare the ancient world, but saved Noah, one of eight people, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood on the world of the ungodly; 6and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly; 7and delivered righteous Lot, who was oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked 8(for that righteous man, dwelling among them, tormented his righteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds) 9then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment, 10and especially those who walk according to the flesh in the lust of uncleanness and despise authority. They are presumptuous, self-willed. They are not afraid to speak evil of dignitaries, 11whereas angels, who are greater in power and might, do not bring a reviling accusation against them before the Lord. 12But these, like natural brute beasts made to be caught and destroyed, speak evil of the things they do not understand, and will utterly perish in their own corruption, 13and will receive the wages of unrighteousness, as those who count it pleasure to carouse in the daytime. They are spots and blemishes, carousing in their own deceptions while they feast with you, 14having eyes full of adultery and that cannot cease from sin, enticing unstable souls. They have a heart trained in covetous practices, and are accursed children. 15They have forsaken the right way and gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; 16but he was rebuked for his iniquity: a dumb donkey speaking with a mans voice restrained the madness of the prophet. 17These are wells without water, clouds carried by a tempest, for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever. 18For when they speak great swelling words of emptiness, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through lewdness, the ones who have actually escaped from those who live in error. 19While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage. 20For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. 21For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them. 22But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: A dog returns to his own vomit, and, a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire.

    So we have Jesus, Martha, the apostle Paul, the apostle John and the apostle Peter all believing in a future resurrection of the dead at the last day when Christ returns and yet the traditional Churches of today still refuse to accept it. They cling to this false doctrine of heaven or hell when you die even though the scriptures clearly show it to be in error.

    Some people I have known, have known of the wonderful truth of the future resurrection, but because of false teachers as Peter spoke of in the above scriptures, they have returned to this false teaching of heaven or hell immediately when you die. Some have asked me, what difference does it make? At their next consious moment they will be resurrected, so what difference does it make if they believe this heaven or hell when you die doctrine? The difference is that a future recurrection is truth and the other is a lie. The difference is that one makes God a powerless loser where most of mankind will go to Hell and suffer forever and the other shows the Power of God with a plan of salvation for ALL of mankind, where MOST will likely enter the Kingdom of God as sons and the few who refuse will be mercifully burned up as ashes not to suffer for eternity. Why would God's people propagate a lie that makes God look bad, when they have the TRUTH that shows the great power and love and mercy of God? That's the difference and that is why I expose the heaven or hell when you die doctrine for the LIE that it is. He that has an ear, let them hear.