Hello, dear IBMNAY... may you have peace!
The answer to your question actually depends… on which resurrection you’re referring to (there are two):
1. The first resurrection takes place upon the return of my Lord. At that time, the SPIRIT of those who are resurrected (i.e., those who belong to the Christ, but died before his return) are resurrected and placed into spirit bodies, at precisely the same time as the FLESH of those who belong to the Christ but have not died (i.e., are alive when he returns) is changed (metamorphoso) into spirit bodies. Those of this second group “put off corruption” (i.e., flesh with its blood and, therefore, sin, in it - "soiled outer garments") and “put on incorruption” (i.e., spirit bodies that do not have sin and death in them – “white” robes/outer garments). The "body," whether spirit or flesh is merely a “vessel” that holds the essence (spirit) of every life force, every “being” – whether celestial (spirit/spiritual) or terrestrial (earthly/physical).
2. The second resurrection takes place well after the first one; more than a 1,000 years after, in fact. It takes place AFTER the “separation of the sheep and goats” (which occurs when my Lord returns), as well as AFTER the "loosing of Satan from the abyss", and then AFTER his "misleading of Gog and Magog," and AFTER the resulting "destruction of Gog and Magog,"... and, finally, AFTER the "destruction… of Satan."
At the time of this [second] resurrection, the sea, Death, and Hades/Sheol (the “world” of Death/the dead) ALL give up those in them; thereafter, one of four (4) things occur:
a. The spirit and flesh of some are resurrected… and, if their name is written in the Book of the Lamb (the second set of “scrolls” given to JAH, the One who actually judges - Christ judges NO ONE...), after which such flesh is changed… to spirit bodies (i.e., because of having their names written in the Book of Life, they are also given “white” robes/outer garments). These are “resurrected... to life.” This is because their “bad” deeds, as written in the first set of scrolls… are “covered”… “blotted out”… “cleansed”… by means of the blood of the Lamb. That is why their names are written in [his] Book (of Life).
b. Of those remaining spirits (those who are not resurrected to flesh and then given white robes/spirit bodies):
(1) The spirit and flesh of these are also resurrected; however, if their name is NOT written in the Book of the Lamb they are JUDGED… based on their “bad” deeds (which, along with their "good" deeds, are written in the first set of scrolls, but have no “covering”). Because their sins have NOT been covered/blotted out by the blood of the Lamb, their sins are reinstated and so now these must pay the “wage” (price/cost/debt of sin)… which is death. They are resurrected to judgment, then condemnation… and destruction… of the body(of flesh) AND the spirit.
[And no, contrary to what the WTBTS falsely teaches (and I had this very discussion with Carey Barber, face to face…), these did not “pay” for their sins when they died so as to have a “right” to resurrection. NO ONE… “pays” for their sins when they die: they simply pay the PRICE of sin - death. Our blood… cannot ATONE for our sins. Our blood… is worthless… because of the sin IN IT. There is only ONE who can ATONE for our sins, Christ. When we die, therefore, died, we simply paid the debt owed for sinning; resurrection [to life] is not a “bonus” that any of are entitled to. It IS, however, a GIFT… from God… for those who belong to Christ, because he PURCHASED such ones… with HIS blood.]
(2) That leaves the spirits of the final group, those who have no flesh to be resurrected to. My apologies but I do not feel that I have the “freedom” to discuss this group in this particular post (which is why I removed it yesterday). The circumstances of this group is very different… and very difficult to relate. Should my Lord ever grant me permission to relate it here, I will do so. Until that time, I would implore any who wish to know to go directly to him… and exercise faith in what he reveals.
I hope this helps and, again, I bid you peace.
A slave of Christ,
SA
