Update 316

On November 3, 2007, Norbert Link will give the sermon, titled, “Did God Cause the California Firestorm?”

The services can be heard at www.cognetservices.org at 12:30 pm Pacific Time (which is 2:30 pm Central Time). Just click on Connect to Live Stream.

In the early summer of this year, the UK experienced some of the worst floods that this small island had ever seen. After a very warm start to the summer, the British did not realize what was just around the corner. Many people lost their homes, and many others had much damage to their properties.

Very recently, terrible fires have engulfed parts of the general San Diego and Malibu areas in Southern California, apparently–according to some reports–the worst on record. Once again, people were going about their daily business, not realizing what was just around the corner. Many have, again, lost their homes, and others will be living with the consequences of this disaster for a long time to come.  

In these two examples, floods and fire have been the cause with all the attendant problems that they bring in their wake. People were living normal lives in New York until 9/11 happened. Those living in that area had no idea of the coming calamity. And in many other areas of the world, serious problems have arisen that were just not foreseen, but were just around the corner, waiting to happen.

On a smaller scale, but no less importantly, are those events that happen unexpectedly in our own personal lives. One day we can be going along just fine and then, just around the corner, things can happen that turn our world upside down. How do we react? How do we cope? We have to make sure that we have a solid foundation (Matthew 7:24). We have to resolve that no matter what life has to throw at us, we will remain loyal to God and His way–being convinced that God knows what is best for us and will not allow us to be examined or tested beyond what we are able to bear (1 Corinthians 10:13).

Whatever lies ahead should not cause us to falter, because God wants us to win and make it into His Kingdom. Let us never forget what a marvelous future God has in store for those of us who come through all the tests and trials that we experience, many of which may still be just around the corner!

Little Turkey Pressures Powerful America

The International Herald Tribune republished the following article by The Associated Press, dated October 30:

“The Turkish prime minister said Tuesday that intensified military action against separatist Kurdish rebels was unavoidable and pressed the United States to crack down on guerrilla bases in northern Iraq. Turkish helicopters, meanwhile, pounded rebel positions near the border with rockets for a second day, and Turkey brought in troops by the truckload in an operation against mountainside emplacements… Erdogan is to fly to Washington on Nov. 5 to meet with President George W. Bush for talks that could be decisive in whether Turkey carries out its threats of a major military incursion… “‘I will once again express Turkey’s determination and the sensitivity of the people on the issue of terrorism to President Bush,’ Erdogan said. ‘We will openly express that we expect urgent steps from the United States, which is our strategic partner and ally and has special responsibilities regarding Iraq.’

“The United States, Iraq and other countries have called on Turkey to refrain from a cross-border campaign, which could spread disorder in one of the few stable areas in Iraq. A Turkish incursion would also put the United States in an awkward position with key allies: Turkey, a NATO member, the Baghdad government and the self-governing Iraqi Kurds in Iraq’s north.”

Iraq Warns Turkey

AFP reported the following on October 29:

“Turkey has threatened a major cross-border assault on PKK bases in northern Iraq if Baghdad and Washington fail to make good on promises to crack down on the rebels there. Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari warned Monday that such a move could have ‘disastrous consequences’ and would be met with stiff Iraqi resistance. ‘They are talking about a large-scale military incursion which is getting people extremely, extremely nervous and worried,’ Zebari told the BBC in an interview.

“Describing the situation on the Turkish-Iraqi border as ‘dead serious,’ Zebari complained that Turkey ‘was not responsive’ when Iraqi officials flew to Ankara last week for talks. According to Turkish media reports, some 100,000 Turkish troops have been deployed along the border over the past week.”

Armenians Upset With U.S. Timidity

On October 30, 2007, the Eastern Star News Agency (ESNA) wrote the following:

“The director of the Assyrian centre of genocide studies… called on Turks to put pressure on their government to recognize the Ottoman mass killing of around 2 million Assyrians/Syriacs, Armenians and Greeks during World War I. ‘It is the duty of every individual Turk to lobby his government to recognize the crimes committed in the name of their nation and religion,’ Sabri Atman, Seyfo Centre director, said in a lecture on Sunday in London. Atman’s call came days after the US House of Representatives rejected a resolution to recognize the Armenian genocide.”

Serious Water Shortage for America and the World

The Associated Press reported on October 26:

“An epic drought in Georgia threatens the water supply for millions. Florida doesn’t have nearly enough water for its expected population boom. The Great Lakes are shrinking. Upstate New York’s reservoirs have dropped to record lows. And in the West, the Sierra Nevada snowpack is melting faster each year. Across America, the picture is critically clear – the nation’s freshwater supplies can no longer quench its thirst. The government projects that at least 36 states will face water shortages within five years because of a combination of rising temperatures, drought, population growth, urban sprawl, waste and excess…

“It’s not just America’s problem – it’s global. Australia is in the midst of a 30-year dry spell, and population growth in urban centers of sub-Saharan Africa is straining resources. Asia has 60 percent of the world’s population, but only about 30 percent of its freshwater.”

The article continued:

“Coastal states like Florida and California face a water crisis not only from increased demand, but also from rising temperatures that are causing glaciers to melt and sea levels to rise. Higher temperatures mean more water lost to evaporation. And rising seas could push saltwater into underground sources of freshwater.

“Florida represents perhaps the nation’s greatest water irony. A hundred years ago, the state’s biggest problem was it had too much water. But decades of dikes, dams and water diversions have turned swamps into cities. Little land is left to store water during wet seasons, and so much of the landscape has been paved over that water can no longer penetrate the ground in some places to recharge aquifers. As a result, the state is forced to flush millions of gallons of excess into the ocean to prevent flooding. Also, the state dumps hundreds of billions of gallons a year of treated wastewater into the Atlantic through pipes – water that could otherwise be used for irrigation…

“Californians use nearly 23 trillion gallons of water a year, much of it coming from Sierra Nevada snowmelt. But climate change is producing less snowpack and causing it to melt prematurely, jeopardizing future supplies. Experts also say the Colorado River, which provides freshwater to seven Western states, will probably provide less water in coming years as global warming shrinks its flow.”

Steady Decline of the Dollar–American Economy in BIG Trouble

On October 30, The Associated Press reported the following:

“The dollar fell to a new record low against the euro and a 26-year low against the British pound Tuesday… the euro peaked at $1.4440, the latest in a string of all-time highs against the dollar, before settling at $1.4434… The pound rose to $2.0679 in late New York trading Tuesday — a level last seen in 1981, when Diana married Prince Charles and Margaret Thatcher was prime minister…

“The Canadian dollar hit a new 47-year high of $1.0510 Tuesday, according to Dow Jones’ Interbank foreign exchange rates, before settling at $1.0488… The euro and the Canadian dollar have been climbing steadily against the dollar, regularly touching new highs since August amid fears over the health of the U.S. economy — worries stoked by the subprime credit crisis and disappointing economic reports — and rising oil prices.

“Tuesday saw the release of more disheartening economic data, as the Conference Board reported that its Consumer Confidence Index fell to 95.6 — its lowest level since October 2005 — from a revised 99.5 in September. It is the index’s third consecutive monthly drop and signals consumers’ insecurities over the economy and their jobs…”

The Financial Times added on October 30:

“… experts [are] warning that the next few months will bring more bad news from consumers and the housing market… ‘The housing market, credit problems and high gasoline prices are casting a cloud over consumer confidence and the economy,’ said Lynn Franco at the Conference Board, a research organisation. According to the board, consumer confidence fell sharply in October and was now at its lowest level since the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in October 2005. The October drop in the monthly consumer confidence index was bigger than expected…”

EU and USA At Odds Over Weak Dollar

Der Spiegel Online wrote on November 1, 2007:

“Economic growth in the United States will, in the short term, slow down. That, at least, is the future seen in the US Federal Reserve’s crystal ball. The consequences of that forecast became clear on Wednesday: The central bank cut short-term lending rates by a quarter of a percentage point to 4.5 percent… In the same breath, the Fed also dropped the discount rate — which governs rates charged to banks borrowing from the Fed — by 0.25 percent to 5 percent…

“It didn’t take long for the results to make themselves felt. Anticipation of the Fed’s move had already driven the price of the euro up — and soon after the announcement, the euro reached a new record price of $1.45 before sliding back slightly. Oil prices likewise shot up, partially due to anticipation stemming from the interest rate cut that the US economy would continue to grow. And gold prices have likewise hit $800 per ounce, a price not seen since 1980.

“… inflation in Europe has recently increased dramatically… making an interest rate hike the logical conclusion. The euro, as a result, will likely continue to rise against the dollar… The stronger the euro, the more expensive European goods become. ‘The weak dollar is not a good thing,’ says Kay Mayland, head of Germany-based SMS Demag, which sells metal-working equipment the world over. Many other managers and investors from across the European continent are likewise becoming impatient. Should the euro climb to $1.50, analysts say, exporters will likely experience a drastic slowdown in sales.

“For Germany — Europe’s largest economy — the consequences could be horrendous. Much of the country’s economy, after all, is based on exports.”

Cristina Kirchner the New President of Argentina

AFP reported on October 29:

“Argentina’s First Lady Cristina Kirchner won praise and pledges of better ties from Latin American neighbors Monday after sweeping the polls to take over the presidency from her husband [on December 10]… A lawyer, senator and snappy dresser who is often compared to New York senator Hillary Clinton, Cristina Kirchner declared herself the winner… Observers say Kirchner faces big challenges, with high inflation, rising crime and low foreign investment all now threatening the economic recovery her husband oversaw in the wake of a 2001 collapse that led to a historic debt default and devaluation of the peso…

“The presidents of Chile, Venezuela and Brazil were the first to congratulate Kirchner on her win.

“Chile’s Michelle Bachelet, who was the first woman elected to the presidency in her country in January 2006, said: ‘It’s not a coincidence that these two neighboring countries, with similar characteristics, have elected women to direct their destinies.’ Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez called it ‘a triumph for women of Latin America,’ and said he hoped to deepen ties he has nurtured with the Argentine first couple.

“US State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said Washington congratulated Kirchner on her victory, and the Argentine people on participating in free and fair elections. He added that US administration hoped to work with Kirchner on bilateral and regional issues. Brazil’s Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and France’s Nicolas Sarkozy each invited Kirchner to visit them.

“Aside from the Hillary Clinton comparison, Kirchner’s glamor and confidence — some say arrogance — have also earned her references to Argentina’s most iconic woman politician: Eva, or ‘Evita’ Peron, second wife to president Juan Peron. Peron’s third wife, Isabel, was Argentina’s first-ever female president — but unlike Kirchner, she was unelected. She was elevated from the vice-presidency on her husband’s death in 1974 and ousted in a coup two years later.”

European Imperialism

The Wall Street Journal wrote on October 31:

“Europe now writes the rules for global business across the board — unapologetically to the benefit of its own industry. American companies are learning they have little choice but to obey… [European] control over access to a consumer market of 500 million lets them try to force the rest of the world to play by its cumbersome rules. The result is a quiet but concerted war on non-European commerce, and especially on U.S. companies. Antitrust policy in Brussels is a battlefield, particularly for high-tech firms. [Judge] Mario Monti, the former EU competition czar who issued the ruling against Microsoft’s software ‘bundling,’ told an Italian newspaper last month that putting such U.S. giants in their place was ‘the true strength of a united Europe.’ …

“Since 1997, the EU has banned chicken meat rinsed in such antimicrobial treatments as chlorine. In Europe, poultry meat can be ‘washed’ only in potable water. The EU said the chemicals used in the U.S. were dangerous, then changed its mind two years ago when its own Food Safety Authority declared them harmless. But the ban remains in place… U.S. poultry farmers… are losing a significant market. U.S. chicken exports to Romania were $63 million in 2005, but they stopped cold when Bucharest joined the EU this year…

“Foreign cosmetic companies, for instance, are required to register all chemicals in their products by June 1, 2008. The deadline for their European rivals is at least three years away. At stake for U.S. makers is their $2 billion in annual exports to Europe. American companies are scrambling to meet this deadline even as they wait for Brussels to approve new alternatives to animal testing, which is banned for products sold in the EU starting in 2009.”

We are glad to explain this highly misunderstood topic in detail. As we will see, the Bible clearly teaches THREE resurrections–not just one.

Paul was inspired by God to write in 1 Corinthians 15:20-26:

“But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep [who have died]. For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam ALL die, even so in Christ ALL shall be made alive. But each one IN HIS OWN ORDER: Christ the firstfruits, AFTERWARD those who are Christ’s [true converted Christians] at His coming. THEN COMES THE END, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an END to all [rebellious human and demonic] rule and all authority and power. For He must reign till he has put all ENEMIES under His feet. The LAST ENEMY that will be destroyed is death.”

Paul reveals that there is an ORDER of resurrections.

(1) THE FIRST RESURRECTION: When Christ returns, only those who died IN CHRIST will be resurrected. They will be resurrected to immortality. Not all the dead will be resurrected at that time.

Romans 8:11 reads: “But IF the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in YOU, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give [eternal] life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit [which] dwells in YOU.”

This resurrection to eternal life at the time of Christ’s return is described in 1 Corinthians 15:50-54.

It is also referred to in 1 Corinthians 6:14: “And God both raised up the Lord and will also raise US up by His power.”

The New King James Bible, as quoted above, does not accurately convey the Greek meaning of this passage–and neither do most other English translations. Paul is actually saying here that God will raise us up from among the dead.

The German Elberfelder Bible points out in a footnote that the literal meaning is that God will raise us out of the dead; that is, that He will bring us back to life from among and out of the dead. The passage shows that not all the dead will be resurrected at that time.

The same concept is conveyed in Philippians 3:11, where Paul speaks about his desire to “attain to the resurrection from the dead.” The choice of the word “from” is not the best. The German Menge Bible translates, “resurrection out of the dead.” Again, the Elberfelder Bible points out that Paul is talking about a resurrection from among the dead. In German, the word is “Heraus-Auferstehung”; that is, a resurrection out of the dead. This passage does not talk about a resurrection of all the dead. V.E. Vine, Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, gives the literal meaning of the word as “the out-resurrection from among the dead.”

That there will be more resurrections than just one, is also clearly revealed by Jesus in John 5:28-29: “… for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth–those who have done good, to the resurrection OF LIFE, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of CONDEMNATION.”

Those in the first resurrection will become immortal Spirit beings–they will be part of the resurrection of ETERNAL LIFE. In speaking to the Church of God in Smyrna, Jesus said that those who overcome, “‘…shall not be hurt by the second death'” (Revelation 2:11). The nature of the “second death” will be explained below. Jesus’ promise, not to be hurt by the second death, is made to all who are called NOW to be a part of the first resurrection–as the firstfruits of God’s plan of salvation (Compare Revelation 20:6). But, the resurrection of condemnation will come later.

The first resurrection will be attained by those God has specifically called, who have repented, overcome in this lifetime and who have endured to the end–those who have not given up on their calling and returned to the ways of the world! Christians are being judged NOW. Peter states: “For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? Now ‘If the righteous one is scarcely saved, Where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?'” (1 Peter 4:17-18).

In his second letter to the Church, Peter very specifically addresses the issue of accountability that those who are called NOW face if they turn away from God. Verses 18 through 22 of 2 Peter chapter 2, contain somber warnings for anyone so foolish as to reject God’s calling and who allow themselves to be overcome by the world, Satan or their own desires, to the point that they permanently cut themselves off from God.

(2) THE SECOND RESURRECTION: Following the first resurrection of those who died “in Christ” will be the second resurrection of those who had not accepted Christ when they died. They will come back to live, and then they are given their first opportunity. But their resurrection will come LATER–it will NOT occur at the time of Christ’s return.

Revelation 20:5, 11-12 describes the SECOND resurrection: “But the REST OF THE DEAD [who were not in the FIRST resurrection] did not live again UNTIL the thousand years [the Millennium] were finished… Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it… And I saw the dead, small and great, STANDING before God… And the dead were JUDGED…”

This second resurrection is not one to eternal life, but to physical life. It is a resurrection to JUDGMENT–but NOT to condemnation!

Ezekiel 37:7-11 describes the resurrection of the entire house of Israel to PHYSICAL LIFE. They will be resurrected in the SECOND resurrection. When the dead of Israel are brought back again to physical life, God will deal with them as He deals with true Christians today. Once a person comes to true understanding, accepts God’s way of life, repents of his sins, believes in Christ‘s sacrifice and the gospel and becomes baptized, then God grants him forgiveness and offers him the gift of the Holy Spirit. We see in Ezekiel 37:14 that the Holy Spirit is offered to the resurrected Israelites–obviously after they have repented of their sins and have become baptized. The people of the house of Israel will know God and begin to live a life pleasing to God. If they overcome and endure, they will receive immortality (compare Romans 11:32; Romans 11:26).

But it is not only the people of Israel who will be resurrected at that time. We read in Matthew 12:41-42 that the men of Nineveh and the queen of the South “will RISE UP in the JUDGMENT” with people who were alive at the time of Jesus Christ. Compare, too, Matthew 10:14-15 and Matthew 11:21-24, referring to other unconverted people who had died in the past.

Some commentaries understand that the Bible teaches more than one resurrection. The Nelson Study Bible comments on Revelation 20: “The resurrection of the dead will not encompass all people at the same time… there will be a first resurrection of dead believers before the thousand years of Christ’s reign and a final resurrection after the millennium is finished, before the great white throne judgment…” However, as we will see, the resurrection before the Great White Throne is NOT the final resurrection.

Halley’s Bible Handbook states: “… there will be Two resurrections, one before, and one after, the Millennium…”

But this is not accurate, either. There will be actually TWO resurrections after the Millennium. The SECOND resurrection, after the Millennium, was discussed above. But there will a FINAL resurrection which will follow the second resurrection. We refer to it as the THIRD resurrection.

(3) THE THIRD RESURRECTION: Sadly, there are those who have had their opportunity. They have committed the “unpardonable sin.” They knew and understood perfectly well, that they had to submit to Christ, but they refused to do so. They became bitter, hateful, resentful and malicious. They made the unchangeable decision NEVER to repent. If a person has reached that stage that he cannot repent, because he has made the final decision NOT to WANT to repent, then God will not force repentance on such a person. God grants repentance, but a person must want to receive it. A person, though, who maliciously rejects Christ, would only continue to live in misery and pain–and that is why God will save such a person from eternal misery, by DESTROYING him in a lake of fire.

Revelation 20:13-15 describes the THIRD resurrection, which will occur some time AFTER the judgment period of the second resurrection:

“The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.”

God refers to the coming THIRD resurrection in the book of Daniel. In contrasting the FIRST resurrection with the THIRD resurrection, we are told, in Daniel 12:2: “And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, Some to EVERLASTING life, Some to shame and EVERLASTING CONTEMPT.”

Notice, it does not say that they will live forever in everlasting contempt. But it says that they will WAKE UP “to” everlasting contempt–their fate will be one of everlasting consequences.

The following Scriptures also describe the fate of those who will be brought back to life in the third resurrection: Obadiah 16; Malachi 4:3; Matthew 3:10; Hebrews 6:4-8; Hebrews 10:26-27; and 2 Peter 3:7.

The vast majority of all of humanity will be judged during the second resurrection. Even at this time, it may well be that some will ultimately reject God’s offer of salvation and eternal life–just as some called before the first resurrection will have turned away from God.

However, God is “…not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9); and, God “…desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4). Yet, God will not force people to choose life– even though He will give all an opportunity for eternal life in His Kingdom.

You might also want to read Christ’s parable of Lazarus and the rich man, in Luke 16:19-31. While Lazarus was resurrected to immortal life in the FIRST resurrection, the rich man is being resurrected, more than 1,000 years later, in the THIRD resurrection. He sees the flames and acknowledges his fate, knowing that he will be cast into the lake of fire to be burnt up.

In spite of what many preach and believe today, the Bible clearly reveals that there will be some who will have committed the unpardonable sin. They will be destroyed by fire: “‘But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death'” (Revelation 21:8).

Some have wondered why there should be a third resurrection, if their fate was already sealed at the time of their death. Why wouldn’t God just leave them in their graves–rather than resurrecting them again to physical life to destroy them forever? We may not know completely the answer to this question, but God gives us several hints. God is a God of JUSTICE. In raising those who have committed the unpardonable sin to physical life, their attitude will become manifest to all alive at that time. When they witness their conduct, they will never be able to question God’s compassionate and uncompromising justice; as well as His merciful wisdom to free those hateful human beings from their emotional misery and pain.

While most professing Christians don’t believe in more than one resurrection–if they believe in a resurrection at all–the Bible clearly reveals three resurrections. True Christians are to strive to attain the FIRST or “better resurrection” (Hebrews 11:35). We read that if they attain that resurrection to eternal life, they will not “come into judgment” of the second resurrection (compare John 5:24).

God has given the responsibility of judgment to Jesus Christ (Compare John 5:22), and all will appear before Christ for this judgment–whether called now or in a future resurrection (Compare 2 Corinthians 5:10).

For further information on the important subject of the three resurrections, please read our free booklets, “Do We Have an Immortal Soul?“, “God’s Commanded Holy Days,” “The Meaning of God’s Spring Holy Days” and “The Meaning of God’s Fall Holy Days.” In addition, you might want to read our Q&A on, “Do You Teach a Resurrection of the Physical Body?,” and you may want to listen to Norbert Link’s audio sermon, dated October 18, 2003, titled, “The Three Resurrections.”

Lead Writers: Norbert Link and Dave Harris

The draft of our new booklet on the Old Testament sacrifices and the tabernacle in the wilderness has entered the first review cycle.

Two new StandingWatch programs have been posted on the StandingWatch Web and on Google Video. 

The first new StandingWatch program is titled, “Halloween–The Devil’s Curse,” and was posted on the Web on Tuesday night. In the program, Norbert Link is asking the following provocative questions: Do you keep Halloween? Is it harmless fun to do so? Are you unpatriotic if you don’t? Can you claim to be a Christian, while celebrating a festival dedicated to Satan the devil? Do you care to know the truth about Halloween–and how God looks at it? View this program on Google Video or StandingWatch.

The second new StandingWatch program is titled, “The Origins of America and Britain, Part 3.” It was posted on the Web on Wednesday night. A brief summary of the program is set forth, as follows:

Where is the throne of David today? The angel Gabriel promised Mary that God would give Jesus the throne of His father David. Is that throne in heaven, as some claim, or is it somewhere on this earth? We are also told that King David would never lack a descendant to sit on the throne of David. But David’s descendants ceased to rule over the house of Judah, when the Babylonians captured King Zedekiah–a descendant of David–and killed his sons. Did God fail to fulfill His promise to David? View this program on Google Video or StandingWatch.