“For since through a man there is death, through a man also there is a resurrection (anastasis) of the dead; for as by Adam ALL die, so by the Anointed also, will ALL be restored to life.” 1 Cor 15:21,22 Diaglott.

Recognizing death as a reality, we have long seen, and often pointed out, that a resurrection of dead ones, is God’s remedy for the removal of this sin-curse. Not until very recently, however, did we recognize the full force and deep scope of the word resurrection.

We have been accustomed to regard it as meaning the giving to a dead person of a spark of life – the very faintest spark of life, such as the act of Elijah to the widow’s son, (1 Kings 17:22) or the act of Paul to the young man who fell from a window, (Acts 20:9,10) or the act of Jesus to Jairus’ daughter, to the son of the widow of Nain and to Lazarus. (Mark 5:41,42, Luke 7:14,15, John 11:43,44.) We had considered and called these, resurrections of the dead. But an examination proves that these restorations of a faint spark of life, are never called a resurrection in Scripture. An examination of the Greek word from which resurrection is translated (Anastasis) proves that its meaning is broader and fuller than we had supposed, and that we have been in the habit of misusing it, when applying it to such partial restorations of life as above mentioned.

Liddell and Scott’s Greek Lexicon defines the word anastasis to mean – “a setting up again” – “REBUILDING” – “RESTORATION.” Let us then look at the resurrection in the light of this standard definition, and also, in the light of our text.

Mankind is the subject of Paul’s discourse. Mankind as a race, had forfeited all right to life by the disobedience of Adam. The existence forfeited, was the one given by God to our representative, Adam. It was a perfect being or existence, and all the imperfections under which we as a race now labor, have come as a result of sin, and are a part of the death penalty. We are now, and have been for 6,000 years a dying race, growing weaker and weaker and dropping faster and faster into the tomb. Adam in his perfection did not lose the last spark of life for 930 years. We, less perfect, are born with but a spark, the average duration of which is 30 years (Presently a bit more at 73-79 years, this mostly due to modern medicine, nevertheless still but a merger spark of life.). This condition in which we now are, is Scripturally called death, even before we enter the tomb. We are all walking in the valley of the shadow of death and are now far down below the mountain tops of life and perfection. (Psa 23:4; Matt 8:22; 2 Cor 5:14.)

Now let us ask the question –

Where was our race when it began to fall – when death began to oppress, degrade and conquer?

The answer is: Man was perfect, on the mountain tops of life, and not at all in the valley of death; not only perfect in being but in full communion with his maker who considered his handiwork “very good.” Then as death means a falling from all this perfection, resurrection means “a setting up again” – “rebuilding” – “restoring” of humanity from every vestige of death to the perfection of their nature as represented by their head, Adam.

Now notice our text closely, and see the second clause, explaining the first, defines resurrection (anastasis) to mean restored:

“Through a man there is death” – “by Adam all die.” Then it states the remedy provided: “Through a man also (Jesus) there is a resurrection of the dead” – “by the anointed will all be restored to life.”

To restore life means to give back, or offer a thing which was lost or taken away. The thing lost by our race was perfect being, i.e., perfect human life.

But while resurrection means to restore, there is nothing connected with this word which limits it in time. All of the race shall be resurrected, but not necessarily all in a moment; on the contrary Scripture teaches us, that there are “times (years) of restitution,” and another shows us that it will be the work of a thousand years. It will be seen then that the resurrection (“rebuilding – setting up again – restoring“) of humanity will be in process, but will not be complete until the thousand years are ended.

Although we believe that the first clause in Verse 5 of Revelation Chapter 20 is an interpolation, nevertheless the statement is true, “the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished”, (viz., all mankind, save the Church, the great company, and the Ancient Worthies) who have yet reach a full resurrection or restoration to perfection are still considered “dead” not yet having attained “life” in its fullest sense. This they will reach at the end of the thousand years, when their trial is ended.

The correct rendering of Revelation 20 verses 4 and 5 minus the interpolation is as follows:

“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. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him the thousand years.”

If the Church is to judge the world, then it is self-evident that their rein takes place during the thousand years. It is during this time while still under trial not having been fully tried and proven yet, that mankind is still considered “dead” not having attained life yet, viz., a full resurrection.

We continue with our next post