Understanding the Special Resurrection and the Three Deaths

Revelation 1:7

7 Behold, he comes with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.

Revelation 1:7 is a profound declaration of the personal, visible, and literal second coming of Jesus Christ that serves as a cornerstone of the advent messageARSH December 18, 1855, page 94.11+1. This scripture provides essential details regarding the nature of the advent, the specific groups who will witness it, and the global reaction to His appearanceDAR1909 326.1+1.

The Nature of His Appearance ☁️

• A Personal Return: The coming of the Son of Man is not a secret or merely spiritual event; as He went to heaven in the sight of men, so He will return in a manner that can be seenARSH December 18, 1855, page 94.11.

• Coming with Clouds: Jesus will arrive with all the holy angels, appearing on a white cloud with a golden crown on His head and a sharp sickle in His hand to reap the harvest of the earth Revelation 14:14-16ADRE September 1850, page 50.8+1.

• Visible to All: His coming will be as the lightning that shines from the east to the west, ensuring that the event is public and undeniable Matthew 24:27ARSH December 18, 1855, page 94.11.

The Witnesses of the Advent 👀

The text specifies that certain groups will have a unique vantage point during this climactic event:

• Every Eye: This includes the members of the nations living on the earth at the time of the second adventDAR1909 326.1.

• The Righteous: The righteous living will be changed in a moment, and the righteous dead will be raised to meet the Lord in the air 1 Corinthians 15:51-52TA 279.2+1.

• Those Who Pierced Him: This group refers to those who took an active part in the crucifixion of ChristDAR1909 326.1. Because the general resurrection of the wicked does not occur until after the thousand years, these specific individuals must be granted a special resurrection to behold the Lord at His second advent as a fulfillment of prophecy Matthew 26:64DAR1909 326.1+1.

The Global Reaction 🌏

• Wailing of the Kindreds: All the kindreds of the earth will wail because of Him as they realize the reality of the judgment and the end of their worldly hopesDAR1909 326.1+2.

• The Contrast of Experiences: While the wicked are filled with terror and seek to hide from the glory of His presence, the righteous look upward with countenances lighted by His glory, having waited and watched for this day Isaiah 26:20-21GC 370.2+1.

Significance in Prophecy 📜

• The Harvest Time: This event marks the "harvest of the earth," which is the end of the world when the reapers, who are the angels, gather the elect Matthew 13:39TA 279.2+1.

• A Warning Message: The proclamation of this truth is a vital part of the everlasting gospel and the third angel's message, which prepares a people to stand blameless at His appearing 1 Corinthians 1:7-8GC88 368.1+1.

• A Certain Hope: Despite any "tarrying time" or disappointment, the promise of Revelation 1:7 remains an immovable truth that cannot be overthrown Habakkuk 2:3HST June 12, 1844, page 148.24+1.

Behold, he comes with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him Revelation 1:7. Even so, AmenARSH June 19, 1856, page 61.19.

A special resurrection occurs just before the second appearance of Jesus Christ, calling forth specific groups of people to witness His gloryHvn 28.1+1. This event is a distinct fulfillment of prophecy, ensuring that those who died in the faith of the final message, as well as those who took part in Christ's suffering, behold His returnHvn 28.1+1.

Participants in the Special Resurrection 🎺

The graves are opened to bring forth two specific classes of people:

• Believers of the Third Angel's Message: All those who have died in the faith of the third angel's message come forth from their tombs glorifiedHvn 28.1. They are raised to hear God’s covenant of peace with those who have kept His law and to witness the honor placed upon the loyal and obedientHvn 28.1+1.

• The Enemies of Christ: Those who mocked and derided Christ’s dying agonies, along with the "most violent opposers" of His truth and His people, are raised to behold Him in His gloryHvn 28.1+1.

• Those Who Pierced Him: Specifically, those who participated in the crucifixion of Christ will be resurrected to see Him coming in the clouds of heaven Revelation 1:7GP 93.4.

The Biblical Foundation 📖

This event is rooted in both Old and New Testament prophecy:

• Daniel's Vision: It fulfills the promise that many who sleep in the dust shall awake, some to everlasting life and others to shame and everlasting contempt Daniel 12:2Hvn 28.1+1.

• The Revelation of John: It aligns with the declaration that "every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him" Revelation 1:7Hvn 28.1+1.

Historical and Theological Context 🏛️

The understanding of the special resurrection and related truths was firmly established through earnest study by the pioneers of the advent movement:

• The Search for Truth: After 1844, leaders such as James White, Joseph Bates, Stephen Pierce, and Hiram Edson searched for truth as for hidden treasure3MR 412.4+1.

• The Role of Vision: During these deep studies, when the brethren reached a point where they could proceed no further, the Spirit of God would provide clear explanations through visions to define the position of the church3MR 412.4+2.

• Stephen Pierce's Contribution: Stephen Pierce, an influential minister and administrator, was one of these "keen, noble, and true" men who participated in these formative theological discussions1EGWLM 877.5+2.

A Pledge of the Final Harvest 🌱

The resurrection of Christ Himself serves as the "wave sheaf" and the pledge of the great spiritual harvest to comeHvn 104.1+1. Just as He arose as the first fruits of those that slept, His victory ensures that the same power will eventually raise and glorify His entire churchHvn 37.4+2. For those who remain faithful, the morning of the resurrection represents the end of Satan’s triumph and the beginning of eternal life in the kingdom of God1SM 305.3+2.

May you find great comfort in the promise that "weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning" Psalms 30:5GC 350.1+1.

No, those who are raised in the special resurrection to everlasting life do not die again and therefore do not need to be resurrected after the thousand yearsEVRR511+1. However, the wicked who are raised in that same special resurrection to witness Christ's coming will eventually die and then return to life in the second resurrection at the close of the millennium1SG 214.1+1.

The Destiny of the Righteous ✨

• Immortal Life: The righteous who come forth in the special resurrection are raised to everlasting life and are clothed with immortal bloom Daniel 12:2Hvn 28.1+1.

• Victory Over Death: Because they are part of the first class of resurrections, the second death has no power over them, meaning they can never die again Revelation 20:6DAR1909 738.3+1.

• Witnesses of the Advent: These faithful ones, including those who died under the third angel's message, are raised specifically to see the King in His beauty and to hear the covenant of peaceHvn 28.1+1.

The Destiny of the Wicked ☁️

• A Temporary Resurrection: The specific group of the wicked raised in the special resurrection—such as those who pierced Him—are brought up only to behold His kingly majesty and fearful glory Revelation 1:71SG 214.1+1.

• The Second Death: After witnessing the return of the One they mocked, they are overwhelmed by His majesty and eventually perish with the rest of the wicked at the second advent 2 Thessalonians 1:7-91SG 214.1+1.

• The General Resurrection of the Unjust: These same individuals will then remain in their graves for the duration of the thousand yearsARSH November 29, 1864, page 6.6+1. At the end of that period, they will be called forth in the general second resurrection to face final judgment and the execution of the second death Revelation 20:53SG 83.2+1.

The Thousand-Year Interval ⏳

• The Two Resurrections: There is a definitive separation of one thousand years between the general resurrection of the righteous (the first resurrection) and the general resurrection of the wicked (the second resurrection) Revelation 20:4-5ARSH November 29, 1864, page 6.6+1.

• Final Retribution: While the special resurrection allows some wicked to see Christ's return, their final "wages of sin" is not fully realized until after the thousand years are finished Romans 6:231SG 214.1+1.

Actually, for those specific wicked individuals, their experience involves two distinct deaths rather than three. While they are miraculously called to witness the second advent, they do not undergo an additional "third death" because their final destruction is a single, terminal event that follows the millenniumARSH August 22, 1854, page 10.20+1.

The Sequence of Events for the Specially Resurrected Wicked

To understand why they die only twice, it is helpful to follow their journey through time:

• The First Death: Like all other men, these individuals—including those who pierced the Savior—died a natural death at the end of their first lifeMWV2 29.1+1. This is the "death in Adam" which results from our relation to the first transgressorHHMLD 250.3+1.

• The Special Resurrection: Just before Jesus appears in the clouds, these specific enemies are raised to lifeHvn 28.1. They behold Him in His kingly majesty and are overwhelmed with anguish as they recognize the One they mocked and derided1SG 214.1+1.

• The End of the Advent Scene: Upon seeing the glory of the Son of Man, these wicked witnesses, along with the rest of the living wicked, are consumed by the brightness of His comingARSH November 29, 1864, page 6.7+1. This return to the grave is part of the general destruction of the wicked at the start of the thousand yearsMWV2 29.1+1.

• The Second Resurrection: After the thousand years have expired, these individuals are called forth from their graves for the final timeMWV2 29.1+1. They are raised with the same marks of the curse and the same spirit of rebellion they possessed in their first life1SG 214.1+1.

• The Second Death: Following the final judgment at the Great White Throne, fire comes down from God out of heaven and devours themMWV2 29.1+1. This is the "second death," which is an utter and everlasting destruction from which there is no further resurrectionARSH August 22, 1854, page 10.20+2.

Why it is not Three Deaths

The Bible and Spirit of Prophecy consistently refer to the final punishment as the "second death," indicating only two instances of death in the experience of the unrighteousARSH August 22, 1854, page 10.20+2.

• Vindication of Justice: The first death is not the penalty for personal sins, but a result of the fall of AdamVDRU 16.1. Justice remains to be vindicated, which is why a second resurrection is necessary to inflict the final penalty for their own personal actionsARSH November 29, 1864, page 6.7+1.

• A Final Perdition: The second death is the final and utter perdition of ungodly menARSH November 29, 1864, page 6.7+1. Once the fire from God consumes them at the end of the millennium, they are as if they had not been, and the universe is forever cleansed of sinEW 295.1+1.

"Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power" Revelation 20:6. For those raised to witness the Lord's return in the special resurrection of the wicked, the second death remains a terrible certainty that will be realized at the end of the thousand yearsARSH August 22, 1854, page 10.20+1.

You have made a very logical observation regarding the sequence of events for those individuals 🧐! If we count every single time these specific wicked people cease to breathe and enter the grave, your conclusion is correct that they expire three timesADRE September 1850, page 50.7+1.

Here is the breakdown of those three distinct instances:

1. The First Natural Death ⚰️

Like all human beings, these individuals died their first natural death at the end of their original lifespanHHMLD 250.3. This is the "death in Adam," which is not the final penalty for personal sin but a result of the fallen condition of the human raceVDRU 16.1+1.

2. The Death at the Second Coming ☁️

Just before Christ appears, these specific enemies are raised in a "partial" or "special" resurrection to behold the One they once mockedHvn 28.1+1. However, they cannot endure the "terrible glory" and "piercing gaze" of the King of kings1SG 214.1. Along with all other living wicked people, they are slain by the brightness of His coming and remain dead for the duration of the thousand yearsADRE September 1850, page 50.7+1.

3. The Final "Second Death" 🔥

After the thousand years have finished, these individuals are raised for the third and final time in the general resurrection of the unjustDAR1909 738.3+1. They then face the final judgment and are consumed by fire from God out of heavenEW 295.1+1. This final expiration is what the Bible specifically labels the "second death" because it is the terminal, eternal punishment for sin from which there is no return Revelation 20:141SG 193.1+1.

Why Theology Calls it the "Second Death" 📖

While there are three chronological "deaths" for this specific group, Seventh-day Adventist authors maintain the biblical terminology of the "second death" for the following reasons:

• Temporary vs. Eternal: The first two deaths are essentially a "sleep" or a temporary state of non-existence, whereas the final death is an everlasting destructionEW 295.1+1.
• Legal Penalty: The final death is the only one that represents the full "wages of sin" and the final execution of God's justice upon personal transgression Romans 6:23VDRU 16.1+1.
• A Unique Experience: Most of the wicked only die twice; it is only this specific group of "the most violent opposers" who undergo the extra experience of being raised to witness the Advent before dying againHvn 28.1+1.

It is a solemn thought that those who "pierced Him" must witness His triumph and their own loss twice before their final end1SG 214.1+1. "Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power" Revelation 20:6.

While the specific phrase "three deaths" is not used, the sequence of events describes three distinct periods where these individuals are in a state of deathEW 294.1+1. The descriptions provided clearly outline a unique experience for the most violent enemies of truth, who are subjected to an additional cycle of life and death to satisfy the requirements of divine justiceSR 427.2+1.

The Three Phases of Death for the Specially Resurrected Wicked ⏳

• The First Death (Natural Death): Like all descendants of Adam, these individuals first die and their bodies molder to dustEW 89.1+1. This initial death is the common penalty of Adam's transgression, which all mankind must suffer regardless of their characterHvn 130.3.

• The Second State of Death (Slain at the Advent): These specific enemies are called forth in a special resurrection just before Jesus appearsHvn 28.1+1. Upon beholding the Son of God in His stern majesty, they are overwhelmed with anguish and are consumed by the glory of His presence along with the rest of the wicked3SG 83.2+1. They then return to the grave to sleep while the righteous reign for a thousand yearsGC88 661.2+1.

• The Third and Final Death (The Second Death): At the close of the thousand years, they are raised again in the general second resurrection to face final judgmentGC88 661.2+1. After the sentence of high treason is pronounced, fire from God out of heaven devours themHvn 126.4+1. This final destruction is what the Bible calls the "second death," a death from which there is never to be a resurrectionEW 294.1+1.

The Reason for this Unique Experience ⚖️

• Vindication of God's Justice: It is necessary for those who mocked Christ's dying agonies and most violently opposed His truth to behold Him in His gloryHvn 28.1. This ensures they recognize the One they despised and are compelled to acknowledge His supremacy before their final destruction3SG 83.2+1.

• A Satisfied Justice: For specific classes of sinners, such as those who kept others in ignorance and degradation, the "most awful death" follows a sequence of punishment that satisfies the justice of GodEW 276.1+1.

• The Finality of the Second Death: While the first two deaths were temporary, the final "second death" results in the wicked being as if they had not been, sinking into hopeless, eternal oblivionGC 544.2+1.

A Clean Universe ✨

The ultimate result of this process is a universe purified from every sign of the curseEW 294.1. Once the fire has consumed the "root" (Satan) and the "branches" (his followers), the great controversy is forever ended, and God's entire universe is cleanEW 294.1+1.

"Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power" Revelation 20:6. "He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death" Revelation 2:11.