Hebrews 6:1-3 – The Christian Curriculum (3) – Bible study

Hebrews 6:1-3 The Christian Curriculum (3) The messages that I have been preaching on Sunday morning are much more like the messages that I normally preach on Sunday night. I do more teaching/preaching in the evening service. However, one reason why I continue these messages on Sunday morning is because of what the writer of the book of Hebrews said concerning these six topics. The writer pointed out that these doctrines are what he called the "principles of the doctrine of Christ," that is, the basics, the first doctrines, the beginner doctrines. He further stated that we need to learn these doctrines and then move on to perfection, to maturity, to the deeper truths of the Christian faith. From that I gather that these doctrines should not be too deep or too teachy for the Sunday morning crowd and if they are, then I need to learn how to speak more plainly and you need to learn how to listen more intently. This passage is one of the few that sets a standard between the new-born Christian and the mature Christian, at least in terms of specific doctrines that they need to comprehend. We have seen the first four. This morning, lets consider the last two topics, the resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment. I. Jesus Resurrection A. We cannot have a discussion on the resurrections until we first discuss the resurrection – Jesus resurrection. B. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is a basic Bible doctrine. 1. Paul listed faith in Jesus resurrection as a requirement for salvation \#2\. 1Cor 15:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: 2. Paul stated that there are three essential truths that he preached and by which the Corinthians were saved. C. Paul went on to teach us that Jesus resurrection was just the first phase of a series of resurrections. 1Co 15:20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. 1. Firstfruits means the fruit or harvest that comes first. 2. It implies there is to be a second fruit or a second harvest and more beyond that. 1Co 15:23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christs at his coming. 24 Then cometh the end. 3. So Christs resurrection was the first part of Gods resurrection plan. 4. There are actually 3 other parts of the resurrection, each one associated with one the remaining ages that were left and each one associated with a judgment for that age. II. The Church Age Resurrection A. After the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, the church age began. 1. The Church Age will run until a two-fold event happens, i.e. the rapture and resurrection of the church. 1Thess 4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 2. I am going to call this the Church Age Resurrection. Why that name? a. Because it happens at the end of the church age. b. The only ones going to be raised in this resurrection are those "who are asleep in Jesus Christ" \#14\. (1) Unsaved people are not going to be raptured or resurrected. (2) Old Testament saints are not going to be raptured or resurrected. B. This is the next major event on Gods calendar of events. 1. If you are not part of the Church Resurrection, you will go through the Tribulation. 2. If you go into the Tribulation, changes are very good that you will die without Jesus and be forever lost. 3. Another of my expression – I do not see a person accepting Jesus in Gods wrath if they would not accept Him in His love and grace. C. There is also a judgment that goes along with this resurrection. 1. It is often called the Bema Seat Judgment. 1Cor 3:11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13 Every mans work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every mans work of what sort it is. 14 If any mans work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15 If any mans work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. 2. The Bible makes it clear that EVERY believer will stand before God at this judgment. Romans 14:10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. 2Cor 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. III. The Tribulation Age Resurrection A. As the Church Age Resurrection occurs at the end the church age so the Tribulation Age Resurrection occurs at the end the tribulation. B. We need a clear concept on conditions at that time. 1. The church and its worship will be gone. 2. There will be a Jewish temple with priests and sacrifices. a. During the tribulation, Old Testament Judaism will be reinstituted as Daniels 70th week resumes the Jewish calendar. \#Dan 9:26-27\ b. The anti-Christ be revealed at the Jewish temple: 2Thess 2:3 the son of perdition; 4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. c. In the book of Revelation, a book that details the tribulation, John was commanded to measure the temple: Rev 11:1 And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein. d. Daniel spoke of the anti-Christ stopping the sacrifices: Dan 12:11 And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away. C. There is also a resurrection that occurs at that time. Rev 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 1. Notice that all of those who died for "the witness of Jesus " and "the word of God" while not worshipping the beast are the ones being resurrected. the tribulation are resurrected at that time. 2. I believe this is when Old Testament saints will also be resurrected. Why? a. Mainly because of Daniel. Dan 12:1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time.   2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. (1) Daniel said it was a time of trouble for Israel such as had never come before. That sound like the tribulation. (2) And it is at that time that "many of them" (the Jews" "that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake" (be resurrected). b. But also because after the tribulation begins the millennial when Christ rules and reigns over Israel and the world for 1,000 years. (1) That is the promise made to the Old Testament Jews. (2) The millennium is THEIR kingdom. (3) It would not make sense for them to be asleep and in the ground during it. D. This group will be rewarded with thrones. Rev 20:4 and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 1. Many Christians believe that this is a reference to Christians ruling with Christ for 1,000, but the text says those that were just raised will rule and reign with Jesus on the earth. a. Christians were raised and rewarded 7 years before. b. This is the Jewish/Tribulation resurrection and they probably will not need our help. 2. The kingdom is the reward for being faithful to God. IV. The Millennial Resurrection A. Just like there was a resurrection and judgment associated with the church age and the tribulation, so there is a resurrection and judgment associated with the millennium. Rev 20:11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. B. This is the resurrection for the lost of all ages. 1. If you are lost from Adam to the end, this is your resurrection. 2. There will be only one resurrection for those who rejected God. 3. However, IF there is death for the saved during the millennial, those would also be raised at this time. a. I am moving into the camp that believes there will be no death for the saved during the millennium. b. I am also moving into the camp that believes those saints alive at the end of the tribulation could live forever. V. What does this mean? A. It means that all will be raised to stand before God. ALL. B. It means you get to choose your resurrection. C. I believe your choices are primarily between two resurrections. 1. You can be saved now and be a part of the church rapture/ resurrection. 2. You can reject Jesus and be a part of the Millennial resurrection. 3. Some believe you can reject Jesus now and be saved in the Tribulation. a. Whether you can or not, I dont think you will. b. If you reject God in His grace, I dont see you accepting Him in His wrath. Get this. It does not matter whether you believe in these resurrections or not. They are going to happen.