Spiritual Wakefulness
Paul wrote to the Christians in Rome to tell them not to be asleep, nor inactive and insensible to their responsibilities.
Romans 13:11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. 12. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. 13. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.
Today, is likewise, when it comes to the seasons and times we are living in. The coming destruction of wickedness is soon upon us after which, those of the people of God will then be able to transform the the Earth into an everlasting paradise of peace and harmony. The question remains, who will be among those who live through the last days of this system of things.
Spiritual Sleep
Nevertheless, the Bible does speak of those who sleep. This can be seen in the book of John chapter 11 in the account where we first hear that Lazarus was sick. (John 11:1) When the sisters of Lazarus sent a message to Jesus saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick., Jesus said to his disciples, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby. What did Jesus mean by that?
Jesus meant that even if Lazarus were to die, he would go there to show that his father has given he the power to resurrect Lazarus back to life. In fact, in verse six of chapter eleven, it says that Jesus purposely remained where he was and delayed going to help his friend Lazarus. This would be so that Lazarus might die and that his disciples could see that his Father has given Jesus the power to resurrect anyone Jesus wished to.
Jesus was so trusting in the power that his Father in heaven had given to Jesus, that in verse eleven, Jesus said, Lazarus our friend has fallen asleep, but I am traveling there to awaken him. To that statement, the disciples then said to him: Lord, if he is sleeping, he will get well.
Next, in verse 14 Then said Jesus unto them plainly, "Lazarus is dead, 15 and I rejoice for your sake that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him." When Jesus and his disciples arrive in Bethany, he found Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. In verse 43, Jesus cried out with a loud voice: Lazarus, come out? after which Lazarus awoke from his sleep. Yes, to Jesus and to his Father and our Father, those who have died are just like sleeping. Also, note that Lazarus was not resurrected to heaven but was resurrected back here to the Earth.
In fact, the same book of John, chapter 5 and verse 28 says, Do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who did good things to a resurrection of life, and those who practiced vile things to a resurrection of judgment. Yes, the Bible give us this promise, that all of those in the memorial tombs (or in the memory of God) can receive a resurrection from death back to life here on the Earth.
And, shortly after the destruction of evil ones at the Great Day of Jehovah, the general resurrection will begin and all those sleeping id death will rise, wake up and begin walking back here on Earth again.
Resurrection Back to the Earth?
You might be saying, I thought that the Bible says that men will be with Jesus in Heaven. Well, the Bible does say that for some. However, for those resurrected to be in Heaven with Jesus, the Bible also shows explicitly what these ones will be doing. Notice how Jesus is worthy to purchase the lives of these one to be with him in heaven and what assignment they will have. Revelation 5: 9 says, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; 10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
In fact, for anyone to rule with Jesus in heaven, they must be as Paul said to the Hebrew Christians be partakers of the heavenly calling. (Hebrews 3:1) Yes, these are the ones who are to rule over the Earth.
Requirement for the Heavenly Calling
The Bible makes it very clear that anyone who is to be a part of the heavenly calling must meet specific requirements. What are these requirements?
First, the person must learn from the Bible about Jesus and come to accept his as his savior. (Acts 4:12)
Second, the person must observe all the things Jesus commands, (Matthew 28:10) then Repent from his Sins, Turn Around and walk in the path of Jesus. (Acts 3:19)
Third, the person must all tell others about what he has learned, even helping others to learn. (Acts 10:42)
Forth, the person must me moved to make a personal decision to follow Jesus by dedicating his life to Jehovah God. (Ephesians 4: 22-29) Then, he would be baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. (Matthew 28:19)
Fifth, the person must, as Jesus said to Nicodemus, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Jesus continue to help Nicodemus understand this requirement and said further, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
Who will be those Ruled Over?
Who will be the ones that they rule over? Let Jesus tell us this answer which is found in Matthew 5:5. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
Furthermore, all those people who lived their lives prior to when Jesus came to the earth, which would include a long list of the people recorded in the Hebrew scriptures from Genesis to Malachi, some of who would include, Noah, Shem, Joctan, Abraham, Sarah, and more. None of these ones ever had the opportunity to learn about Jesus and come to accept his as their personal savior.
These countless thousands will be in the resurrection of those returning to the Earth, to be a part of those ruled over by Jesus and those with the Heavenly calling.
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