There is one chapter in the Bible which summarises the future for those God has called and chosen. Not yet ALL those who have ever lived, for there are 2 distinct resurrections and we are here looking at the “first fruits” resurrection, Revelation 14:4, as against the second resurrection of the ‘great white throne’ judgement in Revelation 20:11-12, which I will cover later.
That chapter is John chapter 17. John 17:2 tells us who the chapter is about. They understand that Jesus’ teaching was from His Father, John 17:6-9, and now they keep Gods commands and belong to both the Father and Christ.
They are the called out ones and will be kept through God’s Name, John 17:11, as we read throughout the New Testament – ‘The Church of God’. Christ has given them God’s word, but the world has then hated them, John 17:14, for it is not easy to be a true Christian in an evil world, John 17:15-18.
The next verses speak of a mystery, and you can read about that in a recent article on this site entitled, “The Mystery of The Gospel”. It explains that Jesus and His Father are “one”, as of one mind in all things, but now christ prays that these too may become ‘one’ with Himself and His Father.
This will occur fully when they are resurrected and marry Jesus Christ before His Father’s Throne, on the Sea of Glass, in Heaven. Revelation 14:1-5, 15:2, 19:7.
They are now the children of God but will become the Bride of Christ and take His Father’s Name, as they join His family, Revelation 14, and rule with Christ here on the earth, Rev. 20:4. They will remain close to their Lord and Husband for eternity, John 17:24, and share in His Glory.
These are not the beliefs of any denomination, but simply the plain words of God, John 17:17, which you may believe, or not, but your choice could determine if you will be in the better resurrection, Hebrews 11:35, ‘Women received back their dead, raised to life again. There were others who were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection. NIV. Or, in the second resurrection, which we will examine next time.’