Today it was announced that Billy Graham died at age 99. The Seattle Times called him “America’s Pastor” and a confidant to several US presidents. While growing up in Christianity, I was very familiar with Mr. Graham. He was well thought of as a pastor and evangelist.
However, as I started to really study the Bible and not just religionist doctrine, my beliefs were no longer consistent with that of Mr. Graham. He often talked about going to heaven or hell after death. The apostle John tells us in John 3:13 that “No man hath ascended up to heaven but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of Man which Is in heaven.” Luke adds to this insight in Acts 2: 34: “For David is not ascended into heaven.” Even King David, who was beloved of Yahweh, was not eligible to go to heaven immediately after death.
Now Solomon was known as a very wise man to whom much knowledge was given. Look what he tells us in Ecclesiastes 3:19-20:
“For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast; for all is vanity. All go to one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again.”
Solomon provides more insight in Ecclesiastes 9:5 where we are told: “the dead know nothing.”
According to the apostle John and Solomon, no human being or animal goes anywhere after death. They are in the grave where they know nothing. Based on what the scriptures say and not ecclesiastical doctrine, Billy Graham is asleep and is not aware of his death.
Will Mr. Graham live again? Yes! All mankind will have to die once, then the judgment. (Hebrews 9:27) If you know nothing in the grave, then to be judged, you would have to be alive to know what is happening. After death there must be a resurrection!
The apostle John confirms that all mankind is resurrected. He tells us this in Revelation 20:5-6: “But the rest of the dead lives not again until the thousand years was finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he that hath a part in the first resurrection:” This informs us that there are at least two resurrections: a first and a second. The first is for those who reign with Messiah for a thousand years. (Revelation 20:4) The second is for everyone that is not in the first resurrection.
Please note that Revelation 20:14 also tells us there is a second death. This is known as the lake of fire. This is what religionists mistakenly call, “hell”. Hell is often translated in place of the Hebrew word, sheol, which refers to the grave. In the grave or hell we know nothing. We must be alive to know something. This requires a resurrection.
The first resurrection is only for those who reign with Messiah for 1000 years. Notice what Paul tells us in first Corinthians 15:23: “But every man in his own order. Messiah the firstfruits; afterward they that are Messiah’s at his coming.”
This resurrection is just before the thousand years. Those in this resurrection will be given spiritual bodies without the possibility of further death. (Revelation 20:6) We are able to learn more about those who qualify to be in the first or better resurrection (Hebrews 11:35) by reading Revelation 14. Here you will learn that there will be only 144,000 firstfruits or saints in that first resurrection.
The next resurrection follows the 1000 years. This will be a physical resurrection. Why? Those in this resurrection may have to face the second death or lake of fire. They therefore must have a physical body. To learn more about this physical resurrection, read Ezekiel 37. Here you are introduced to the “valley, which was full of bones.” Ezekiel provides us with what the second or physical resurrection looks like. These dry bones must have flesh attached to them and then these re-created bodies are given breath. Only then can they be judged.
Those who are able to pass the judgment during this physical resurrection will be translated into the new heaven and earth. (Revelation 21:1; Isaiah 65:17) Those who must go through the lake of fire will also enter the new heaven and earth as well, but in their own order. The important truth is that not one human life is lost. Every human being who was ever conceived will be in the new heaven and earth. We don’t leave the earth. New Jerusalem with Yahweh’s throne comes to the new earth where all spiritual humanity and angels will be. (Revelation 21:10) Yahweh comes to us. How loving is that?
Religionists have a hateful concept of eternal hell fire with eternal torture. The Bible does not teach this. Yahweh is love. (1 John 4:8) Yahweh’s plan is full of love and not revenge or hatred. Yahweh wants life for all his human creation as well as the angels. This has been his goal from the beginning and is realized in the new heavens and earth.
So where is Billy Graham? He is asleep awaiting the second resurrection. He will be physically resurrected and judged. I pray he will be judged to enter the new heavens and earth without going through the lake of fire.
The first resurrection is only for the 144,000 firstfruits or saints. (Revelation 14) Only Yahweh calls those who are considered for this opportunity. (John 6:44, 65) Humans cannot call themselves; that is reserved only for the Father. Those who are called are then chosen or selected by Messiah. (John 15:16) All the rest of mankind will have their chance in the next resurrection.
The real question is not about Billy Graham but about you. He is asleep while those reading this are awake. Now is your time to consider what will happen to you when you fall asleep or die. There is much more to learn about being a firstfruit. You must first become a firstfruit to even qualify for the better resurrection. The knowledge you need is in the Scriptures. The Light of YahwehShua is here to assist you in gaining the knowledge you need and making the decision that will position you for the first resurrection.
Do not take the path Billy Graham was given. Pray to Yahweh for truth, study our website and contact us for guidance. We are firstfruits who are guided by the truth of Yahweh. We speak with the authority and knowledge that Yahweh has given to us. Consider what we are told in Psalm 37:5: “Commit thy way unto Yahweh; trust also in him; and He will bring it to pass.”
Your calling comes from the Father. You must go to him. The first resurrection is the better resurrection. Why take second best if you have an opportunity to overcome into a better resurrection?
If you wish to submit a question or comment, please email our Elder at john12e4567@gmail.com.