1881 Watch Tower - A2Z.org

ANS. We understand that the resurrection is of two generaldivisions: One of which is the resurrection to the immortalcondition. ["Neither can they die any more." (Luke 20:36,) "onsuch, the second death hath NO POWER." (Rev. 20:6,)] and iscomposed exclusively of "overcomers." This is scripturallycalled "The resurrection," "The first resurrection," etc. This firstresurrection (to immortality) commenced 1,800 years ago in theperson of Jesus our Lord "who is head over the church (ofovercomers) which is His body" and it will be complete whenthe "overcomers" of this age are made like Him--theBridegroom and Bride-- head and body united. This willcomplete the resurrection to "Immortal life." (See article "Thenarrow way to life," October No. 1880, "Z.W.T.")All the balance of mankind are to be raised, but "every man inhis own order." The second company of the Gospel church--thegreat company who "come up out of great tribulation" will besecond in order. These come to the spiritual condition but neverreach Immortality, the prize for which all Christians now arerunning and of which Paul says: "So run that you may obtain,"&c.After these comes the resurrection of Jews and Gentiles of allages, (in what order we know not except that it will be God'sorder.) Their resurrection includes not only raising to partial lifebut also the bringing to perfect life, hence it is the restitution andtakes place during the Millennial age. "The times (years) ofRestitution."The words found in Rev. 20:5 of the common version of theBible, viz.: "But the rest of the dead lived not again until thethousand years were finished," are not found in the old andauthentic copies of Revelation.Read the chapter, omitting these words, and you will find itmore and better connected, and in harmony with the balance ofthe Bible. [See Z.W.T., vol. I, No. 6, page 8.]====================R214 : page 8SUPPLEMENT No. 2.Tract Supplement No. 2 goes forward this month. Let us againsuggest that you read it carefully before handing to others. Theyare for free distribution. Order as many as you can use. They arespecially designed for thinking Christians, and would be, to thenatural man, foolishness. For "the natural man receiveth not thethings of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness unto him;neither can he know them, because they are spirituallydiscerned." 1 Cor. 2:14.----------