The most misunderstood term, serving to deceive Christians and non-Christians alike, concerns life after death. Varying theories have been advanced, but most of them lack sound biblical authenticity. This includes believing that the righteous go to heaven, while those refusing to accept Christ as their personal Saviour get tormented in hell for eternity.
While considered effective in whipping many into repentance, this theory sustains a self-centred philosophy, instead of altruism. The most destructive attitude, affecting humans in the current civilization is introversion.
Resurrection is as predictable as the rising sun tomorrow, as confirmed by the one who created humanity. This is why our salvation is sustained in believing, rather than works.
“Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. We are even found to be misrepresenting God because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied” (1 Corinthians 15:12-19) (ESV)
Revelation 20 outlines the sequence of events at Christ’s second coming, leading to the establishment of a new civilization. The most effective way of interpreting scripture is to always consider Christ’s attribute of being our Saviour.
As a conquering Messiah (Rev. 19), Christ comes to execute divine justice, absolutely different from the way justice is currently executed. God’s enemies get defeated, but not as envisioned by most people.
What happened at Gethsemane, reveals Jesus’ character (Matt. 26:51–52 and Luke 22:50-51). This was after Peter attempted to execute justice, using a sword, projecting the common behaviour in our current civilization. Through Peter, Christ exposed Satanism:
“From that time on, Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. ‘Never, Lord!’ he said. ‘This shall never happen to you!’ Jesus turned and said to Peter, ‘Out of my sight, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men” (Matt. 16:21–23 NIV).
Peter had simply displayed disapproval, protesting over what he considered as unfair treatment of his Master. Jesus’ response clearly shows God’s judgment being diametrically opposite. Anyone in the current civilization could be persuaded to agree with Peter. But Christ sternly described such behaviour as satanic––castigating Peter for differing with God on such matters.
Satan stands for everything that opposes God––which influenced Peter to say what Christ revealed. This civilization suggests that enemies deserve vanquishing for the sake of attaining freedoms. But Christ advocates that enemies ought to be loved and treated kindly (Matt. 5:43–48). God’s enemies will be defeated––but not in the manner that most people presume.
Evil is defeated by goodness and not by another bout of evil. Hatred is removed by love, not by another degree of hatred. This agrees with general logic in that darkness can only be removed by the brilliance of light, not necessarily driven away by another form of pitch darkness.
The establishment of God’s Kingdom, is different from the current kingdoms, under Satan’s authority (2 Cor. 4:4). This agrees with Daniel’s prophecy (Daniel 2:44; and 7:13–14).
Satan will be bound first––giving way to a New Civilization (Rev. 20:1–3). That passage confirms Satan––currently responsible for deceiving humanity––being bound to no longer deceive nations. Removing the Principal of all wickedness reveals God’s love that endures forever.
How Satan’s binding is going to be achieved is not revealed. But, just as darkness cannot co-exist with light, deception and truthfulness cannot co-exist. Satan’s kingdom and God’s Kingdom cannot co-exist. However, after one thousand years the same devil will be released, once again, to deceive nations (vs. 7).
Peace and tranquillity, having existed, specifically for one thousand years, would have prevailed in the absence of the outlandish deceiver. But many, having survived during the peaceful millennium, would have had no opportunity to experience the alternative civilization, other than God’s Kingdom. Nevertheless, choice demands alternative data.
Those people would have heard stories coming from their forefathers––or they may have read about people’s challenges before Satan’s incarceration. But nothing surpasses the knowledge that comes with experience.
This is why Christians have to overcome trials and temptations, generally imposed by Satan. Abraham was also tested before receiving God’s binding relationship (Gen. 22:1-12). Virtually, the same alternative was given to Adam, through the unchangeable outlandish deceiver (Gen. 3:1).
Salvation is a matter of free choice––offered without strings attached. The battle is won when avoiding passions of sinful nature––stemming from self-centredness. The devil tantalizes ideas appearing as good––yet leading to death (Prov. 14:12). After the millennium, Satan gets unleashed to the then peaceful humanity––just as he was unleashed on Adam.
Those to experience Satan’s influence comprise the generation at the end of Christ’s millennial reign. They would have had no opportunity to know anything else, other than Christ’s glorious government, during that period (Rev.20:4).
At Satan’s arrival, the alluring ideas of self-centredness will once again be disseminated for fallible humans to make informed decisions. Such schemes will persuade many, except the Saints. The exposure to Satan’s schemes provides alternative data, as compared with God’s ways.
Those people are given the freedom to choose and avoid being in God’s Kingdom against their will. All data needs evaluation before acceptance (vs. 7–9). The so-called revolutionaries will spring up––desiring to re-establish the attractive self-centred civilization.
Given free choice, they would have not appreciated the value of Christ’s civilization. Their appetite would be for the opposite kingdom (Matt. 12:31-32). The principles of the New Civilization will be attractive to some people, accepting it of their own volition. Those choosing Satan’s ways get thrown into the lake of fire.
Taking Jesus’ words seriously is building on solid rock. Doing the opposite is building on sand (Matt. 7:24-27). Those unwilling to accept the offer of life revealed in the entire figurative period of one thousand years get thrown into the lake of fire.
Let us revisit the beginning of events at Christ’s glorious second coming, before picking up the thread, leading to the execution of God’s justice. Such developments transpire immediately after Satan’s removal.
The first resurrection depicts the Saints (Rev. 20:4-6). The rest of the dead remain in that condition until the end of the millennium (vs. 5). The first resurrection comprises those crowned to take up positions of authority under Christ.
Such saints would have become celestial––but appearing in physical conditions––like Christ (Acts 1:11). After His resurrection, Jesus appeared in a physical body. But they would be able to miraculously enter through closed doors (John 20:26).
Those saints portray physical bodies––only for the sake of communicating with terrestrial humans––although being celestial, themselves (1 Cor.15:44-45). That dramatic episode confirms events at Jesus’ second coming.
At death, true Christians simply transfigure into what Paul implied in Philippians 1:21. The first resurrection is for those having since been purchased by Jesus’ blood (John 8:51 NIV).
Basic humans resemble God––in whose image they were created. Death, affecting the physical body was defeated on the cross. The resurrection of the saints takes place after Satan’s suspension. Satan would then be unable to deceive humanity as before (Rev. 20:3).
The saints begin to reign with Christ over those physical humans––found still alive––but not identifying with Christ, like the resurrected Saints. The first resurrection does not necessarily involve everyone associated with Christianity.
Those seated on the throne with Christ comprise a different crop of Christians. Some of them would have gone through serious trials, including physical torture and execution, confronting tough decision-making. They would have overcome by not succumbing to the dictates of sinful nature.
They detested Satan’s established civilization, to the point of sacrificing their physical bodies, like Jesus. They would not have protected their physical bodies as if more important than Christ. Such saints include those not necessarily associated with Christianity––yet conducting their lives similarly to Christians. God cannot be limited by anything as currently imagined.
Some of those saints would have, actually, been despised for not being associated with traditional Christianity. Patriarch Job possibly lived earlier than the Exodus, according to Scholars, as also confirmed in Rick Meyers’ e-sword commentaries (www.e-Sword.net).
The patriarch Job was God-fearing, yet not necessarily bound by the Israelites’ covenant. Most Old Testament heroic prophets, including many unrecorded ones, will be among the saints. That resurrection precedes transfiguration:
“For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words” (1 Thess. 4:16-18 NIV).
The Saints begin to reign under Christ––fulfilling scriptures like Psalms 37:29, Matt. 5:5, 1 Cor. 6:2, Rev. 2:26, and Rev. 5:10. Yet, Christ intimated possible devastating disappointment among Christians (Matt. 7:21-23).
The disappointed Christians will not necessarily comprise those of particular denominations––as assumed by many––in their judgmental attitudes. Indeed, pseudo-Christians caught still alive will expect to be among the Saints, but unqualified––due to deception and mere laxity.
Those known to have been critical of fellow Christians––having received common approval from many––would be regarded as having denied Christ’s testimony. True Christians, still alive, become transfigured to be united with the dramatically resurrected Saints (1 Thess. 4:16-18).
The shameful experience with pseudo-Christians translates into “gnashing of teeth.” Nevertheless, the disappointed ones become part of the populace under Christ’s rule. This providential epoch gives them another opportunity to realize their error before appreciating God’s deliverance.
They become humbled––having to be ruled over by those all along despised. Just like the Atheists and those from other religions, some disappointed Christians may still have the opportunity to access Godly principles––leading to eternal life.
Herein is referred to the deceived mainstream Christianity––having failed to achieve the intended goal. Those Christians would not be identified by Christ, although they would have assumed to be dedicated Christians.
Christians are metaphorically invited to participate in a wedding banquet. They are expected to be in specified attire, according to the dictates of the banquet owner (Matt. 22:1-14). Those without the approved outfit get thrown out, yet having been invited with pomp and fanfare.
Christians are in a spiritual competition, constantly aspiring to win (1 Cor. 9:24-27). They are a special group, compared to the rest of humanity. The possibility of losing abounds, as in athletics; one risks the disappointment of losing. Failure implies the inability to take advantage of the faith of Jesus.
The parable of the Ten Virgins is intended to motivate Christians, as Christ’s second coming is unknown (Matt. 25:1-13). Five are foolish, but the other five are found to be wise.
Foolishness is in allowing the oil to burn out. Oil symbolizes the Holy Spirit, without which a person is not Christian (Rom. 8:9). Laxity in handling Spiritual matters does not always imply deliberate intent to spurn God’s ways.
As God’s mercy endures forever, such failed Christians may not yet be condemned, except those having deliberately spurned the Holy Spirit. Christ’s millennial rule gives them another chance. That is, if they conveniently take advantage of God’s grace, instead of consciously blaspheming against the Holy Spirit (Matt. 12:31-32).
The parable of the net gives further illustration (Matt. 13:47-50). Logically, the fishermen do not throw bad fish into the fire, especially being at the seashore. Bad fish (pseudo-Christians) are metaphorically thrown into the sea––depicting the sinful world.
Having assumed being no longer part of the sinful world, pseudo-Christians realise their insincerity. The term “fiery furnace” does not imply the sulphuric fire, which gives no chance for gnashing of teeth (Rev. 20:10). This denotes the unprecedented disappointment and frustration––experienced by pseudo-Christians.
Having all along anticipated clear promises of crowning exposes them to a great disappointment––being the metaphorical fiery furnace. It must be noted that a physical body, itself, is a metaphorical fiery furnace.
This will be a period of unprecedented disappointment for most traditional Christians, having to be ruled by those all along despised. We should also be clear in understanding that this period does not involve their counterparts––having died before the first resurrection.
The first resurrection at Christ’s second coming, does not involve those not privileged to be in the first resurrection. The referred, disappointed Christians are those found still alive at Christ’s second coming. These will have, all along, assumed being more religious than those then ruling with Christ.
“He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor, his righteousness endures forever; his horn will be lifted high in honour, the wicked man will see and be vexed, he will gnash his teeth and waste away, the longings of the wicked will come to nothing” (Ps. 112:9–10 NIV).
The wicked––revealed in the above prophesy––represents those longing and expecting some reward. This is not necessarily referring to patent evil-doers––having no reason to be disappointed at Christ’s second coming.
God’s Kingdom is preserved for the poor in spirit (Matt. 5:3). There is no reason for the un-churched to be disappointed at Christ’s second coming. Interestingly, in the first century, Christ found an evil and adulterous generation (Matt. 12:39).
These were the Pharisees and Teachers of the Law––later contributing to His crucifixion––not the traditional evildoers. Pseudo-Christians receive the opposite, having worked extremely hard, to expect rewards:
“For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames” (1 Cor. 3:11–15 NIV).
Salvation cannot be earned, even when having surrendered everything in Jesus’ name. God’s Kingdom was established in the first century. Failure to attain it lies in not appreciating Christ’s Lordship. Whatever good works––Christ takes the glory.
In the Wedding Banquet Parable, invitees comprise both good and bad people (Matt. 22:10-14). But those bundled out are found not wearing wedding garments, which identifies the invitees (see vs. 13 & Rev. 19:8).
This depicts a fellow, who ignored the custom expected of him. Or having sneaked in––attracted by the bliss of the party. Yet not committed to the expected norms of the invitees. The uninvited people will not be affected.
Ordinary people may not understand the predicament of those bundled out of the banquet! When invited, one is expected to simply enjoy the party––according to prescribed terms. The guests cannot necessarily suggest terms of celebration.
This disappointment––to be experienced by many Christians––leads some to commit the unpardonable sin (Matt. 12:31). Pride, being the cause of all evil, blinds those supposing they deserve rewards for being “good.”
A person feeling quite deserving of commendation for good works done is, obviously, susceptible to being hurt. The proud get offended when receiving the opposite of the expected accolades.
Yet the penitent ones may receive solace from the one whose mercy endures forever. The parable of the Pharisee and Tax Collector portrays this episode (Luke 18:9-14). The justification of the sinful Tax Collector, ahead of the pious Pharisee, describes how disappointment comes about.
Imagine the sinful Tax Collector––then expected to superintend over a faithful law-keeper. The injured ego, ensconced in pride, causes the gnashing of teeth. Those despising others according to their standards, actually despise Jesus.
The testimony of the saints enables many to realize that, indeed, there is life beyond physical existence. Value ceases to be materialistic––as currently prevailing. God’s Word becomes most valuable. Ordinary people will still be in the flesh. But, “Flesh and Blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God” (1 Cor. 15:50).
Those people will be under God’s Kingdom, superintended by Christ, but not part of it. Only the saints––having inherited it––would have become part of God’s Kingdom, as revealed in 1 Cor. 15:44. The rest of the dead get resurrected in their terrestrial condition––being subjected to the second death (Rev. 20:6, 14). Others will be saved.
Christ is not sustained by flesh. His resurrection demonstrated the reality of life beyond the physical. At His second coming, the resurrected—including the transfigured ones––will be celestial, as not to be sustained by flesh and blood.
Andrew Masuku is the author of Dimensions of a New Civilization, laying down standards for uplifting Zimbabwe from the current state of economic depression into a model for other nations worldwide. A decaying tree provides an opportunity for a blossoming sprout. Written from a Christian perspective, the book is a product of inspiration, bringing relief to those having witnessed the strings of unworkable solutions––leading to the current economic and social decay. Most Zimbabweans should find the book as a long-awaited providential oasis of hope, in a simple conversational tone.
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