The statement, “You only live once,” is widely believed by most of humanity, as it reflects a common human experience. The thought that humans will live more than one life cycle is strange to most people. It is, however, biblically accurate. As demonstrated by people in the Bible, humans have returned from the dead and lived a second life. This is an exception to the normal human process of one life cycle. The Bible records cases of the dead coming back to life. Describing what it is like to be dead, Jesus and the disciples euphemistically refer to the dead as sleeping. As Lasurus demonstrated, death can only be disturbed by the call of God. John 11:11-14 English Standard Version. 11 After saying these things, he said to them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to awaken him.” 12 The disciples said to him, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover.” 13 Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that he meant taking rest in sleep. 14 Then Jesus told them plainly, “Lazarus has died, Acts 7:60 King James Version. 60 And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep. 1 Thessalonians 4:13 Disciples’ Literal New Testament. 13 And we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, concerning the ones falling-asleep, in-order-that you may not grieve as indeed the others— the ones not having a hope.

Lazarus and the others who were raised from death were resurrected to mortality and lived a second life cycle that ended at death. A full life cycle begins by drawing in the breath of life at birth and is completed when that breath is exhaled for the final time at death. Gaining a second life is out of the ordinary for most humans. Biblical examples demonstrate that resurrection is the process God uses to grant a second life. God alone creates life and can restore it whenever He decides, so humanity will only be brought back to life when God wills it. Job looked forward to living a second life after he died and decayed back into the dirt. It happened sooner for the godly men and women resurrected out of their tombs when Jesus died. Staying in the graveyard, they entered Jerusalem after Jesus was resurrected to immortality. Resurrected to mortal life, they all died again later on. Counting the Life cycles that begin at birth and end with death will determine how many lives a person has. Job 19:26-27 Easy-to-Read Version. 26 After I leave my body and my skin has been destroyed, I know I will still see God. 27 I will see him with my own eyes. I myself, not someone else, will see God. And I cannot tell you how excited that makes me feel! Matthew 27:51-53 Living Bible. 51 And look! The curtain secluding the Holiest Place in the Temple was split apart from top to bottom; and the earth shook, and rocks broke, 52 and tombs opened, and many godly men and women who had died came back to life again. 53 After Jesus’ resurrection, they left the cemetery and went into Jerusalem, and appeared to many people there.

Humanity’s ability to live more than one life totally depends upon the will of God. Having more promises from God than Job had, the Israelites expected to dwell in a prosperous land with God as their Lord and King. Knowing that people can have more than one life transforms Ezekiel’s valley of dry bones from macabre fantasy to future truth, and God’s ancient prophecies from fable into a Godly reality. The ability to have two lives makes the Old Testament prophecies, where God promises to restore the people of Israel alive to a land He rules, feasible. Describing a future time when the Lord will rule the earth from Jerusalem, the promises God made were both national and personal to those to whom He made them. God describes the Israelites being resurrected beside other Gentile nations within His earthly Kingdom of peace and prosperity. There, those who choose to follow Him will gain eternal life. Despite God’s repeated promises, Israel is still waiting for God’s promises to be fulfilled. That fact only leaves two options. Either God has abandoned His chosen people and the promise of bringing His Kingdom to rule over Israel, or He is still going to fulfill His promises to them in the future. Like the dry bones Ezekiel was told to command back to life, a second life for humanity will come through the resurrection power of God, after Jesus returns to rule the earth. Ezekiel 37:1-6…12-14 International Children’s Bible 1 I felt the power of the Lord was on me. He brought me out by the Spirit of the Lord. And he put me down in the middle of a valley. It was full of bones. 2 The Lord led me around among the bones. There were many bones on the bottom of the valley. I saw the bones were very dry. 3 Then he asked me, “Human being, can these bones live?” I answered, “Lord God, only you know.” 4 The Lord said to me, “Prophesy to these bones. Say to them, ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. 5 This is what the Lord God says to the bones: I will cause breath to enter you. Then you will live. 6 I will put muscles on you. I will put flesh on you. I will cover you with skin. Then I will put breath in you, and you will live. Then you will know that I am the Lord.’” … 12 So, prophesy, and say to them: ‘This is what the Lord God says: My people, I will open your graves. And I will cause you to come up out of your graves. Then I will bring you into the land of Israel. 13 This is how you, my people, will know that I am the Lord. I will open your graves and cause you to come up from them. 14 And I will put my Spirit inside you. You will come to life. Then I will put you in your own land. And you will know that I, the Lord, have spoken and done it, says the Lord.’”

God promised to bring the whole house of Israel back to physical life, where some of them might gain eternal life. Daniel 12:2 King James Version 2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.

This resurrection will also include Gentile nations and people, along with Israel. During this time in the Kingdom, Jesus punishes those who will not obey him. Zechariah 14:16-19 Contemporary English Version 16  Afterwards, the survivors from those nations that attacked Jerusalem will go there each year to worship the King, the Lord All-Powerful, and to celebrate the Festival of Shelters. 17 No rain will fall on the land of anyone in any country who refuses to go to Jerusalem to worship the King, the Lord All-Powerful. 18-19 This horrible disaster will strike the Egyptians and everyone else who refuses to go there for the celebration.

Some followers of Jesus may wonder what God has planned for their loved ones who died without ever having the opportunity to learn about Jesus or the salvation He brings. They may also wonder what God’s plan for humanity is, when salvation and eternal life only come to those who accept and follow Jesus. What happens to those who died as babies, or before the message of Jesus reached people? I believe that God loves humanity and intends to allow every person to follow Jesus. I find God’s plan for humanity’s salvation is revealed within the pages of the Bible. Foreshadowing the New Covenant’s salvation, God promises to wash mankind clean after He resurrects them into their second life cycle, during His Kingdom. God desires that everyone would receive salvation. God’s resurrection power transcends the grave; it doesn’t matter where or when humans have lived. As John 3:16 tells us, all those who believe in Jesus will receive eternal life. At some point, everyone will be called to follow Jesus, but it will be up to them to accept Him. God will fulfill His promises to the Israelites and humanity when they are resurrected into His earthly Kingdom and are ruled over by Jesus. Ezekiel 36:22-30 Contemporary English Version. 22 I will sprinkle you with clean water, and you will be clean and acceptable to me. I will wash away everything that makes you unclean, and I will remove your disgusting idols. 26  I will take away your stubborn heart and give you a new heart and a desire to be faithful. You will have only pure thoughts, 27 because I will put my Spirit in you and make you eager to obey my laws and teachings. 28 You will once again live in the land I gave your ancestors; you will be my people, and I will be your God. 29 I will protect you from anything that makes you unclean. Your fields will overflow with grain, and no one will starve. 30 Your trees will be filled with fruit, and crops will grow in your fields, so that you will never again feel ashamed for not having enough food. 

For God so loved the world that He gave His only son to save the world, not just Israel, and not just those whom He has called to follow Jesus now. God tells us there will be many nations and peoples living with Israel in that bountiful world of peace. It is this coming Kingdom of God that faithful Christians are eagerly anticipating. Jesus will bring it fully to the world at His return. It is within God’s power and plan to resurrect all of mankind, not just the Israelites. It is within God’s Kingdom that most of mankind will learn about God and be free to accept Jesus as their saviour. Isaiah 2:2-4 Good News Translation. 2 In days to come the mountain where the Temple stands will be the highest one of all, towering above all the hills. Many nations will come streaming to it, 3 and their people will say, “Let us up the hill of the Lord, to the Temple of Israel’s God. He will teach us what he wants us to do; we will walk in the paths he has chosen. For the Lord’s teaching comes from Jerusalem; from Zion he speaks to his people.” 4 He will settle disputes among great nations. They will hammer their swords into plows and their spears into pruning knives. Nations will never again go to war, never prepare for battle again. Jeremiah 31:34 Easy-to-Read Version. 34 People will not have to teach their neighbours and relatives to know the Lord, because all people, from the least important to the most important, will know me.” This message is from the Lord. “I will forgive them for the evil things they did. I will not remember their sins.”

The disciples wanted Jesus to bring the Kingdom to the earth in their day, but He didn’t, and it has still not arrived. Instead, Jesus began His Kingdom in the hearts of His followers, and it is within God’s coming earthly rule that all of God’s promises to humanity will be fulfilled, and everyone will learn about the Lord Jesus. Acts 1:6 English Standard Version Anglicized. 6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” Habakkuk 2:14 Jubilee Bible 2000. 14 For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.

The simple fact that not all people know God or Jesus, and that Christians need to teach others about Jesus, demonstrates the Kingdom of God has not fully arrived, and that this next prophecy has yet to be fulfilled. It will be completed after Jesus returns and rules over the earth as King of Kings. Hebrews 8:10-11 International Children’s Bible 10 In the future I will make this agreement with the people of Israel, says the Lord. I will put my teachings in their minds. And I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 11 People will no longer have to teach their neighbours and relatives to know the Lord. This is because all will know me, from the least to the most important.

Those who have been called by God and faithfully follow Jesus have struggled and prevailed against Satan as they lived in this world. They will rule with Jesus as priests in His Kingdom. Although mankind will learn about the Lord when resurrected, they will still be human with free moral agency. Some will stray and not willingly stay on the path of righteousness. They will need guidance and encouragement to live a loving life and follow the Lord. Like good shepherds, Jesus and His saints will use a rod and staff to direct them in the ways they should go. Changing may be painful for them, but following Jesus always leads to life. Isaiah 30:19-21 Common English Bible. 19 People in Zion, who live in Jerusalem, you will weep no longer. God will certainly be merciful to you. Hearing the sound of your outcry, God will answer you. 20 Though the Lord gives you the bread of distress and the water of oppression, your teacher will no longer hide, but you will see your teacher. 21 If you stray to the right or the left, you will hear a word that comes from behind you: “This is the way; walk in it.” Psalm 23:3-4 International Standard Version. 3 He revives my life; he leads me in pathways that are righteous for the sake of his name. 4 Even when I walk through a valley of deep darkness, I will not be afraid because you are with me. Your rod and your staff—they comfort me.

God has promised to resurrect humanity onto an abundant, peaceful, physical earth, where most people will live out their second life cycle. When Jesus rules supreme over that coming Kingdom, many people will decide to follow Him. I believe the future Kingdom that God promised the Israelites is the same Kingdom that Christians are waiting for Jesus to return with. It is within the coming Kingdom of God that all of God’s promises to mankind will be fulfilled, and it is through God’s resurrection power that mankind will be able to live again and experience it. With the faithful resurrected at the return of Jesus, the majority of humanity’s dead are not resurrected until the Kingdom’s first thousand years have been completed. Revelation 20:5 New Living Translation 5 This is the first resurrection. (The rest of the dead did not come back to life until the thousand years had ended.)

Believing the only path to salvation can come by personally accepting Jesus as saviour, many Christians also believe that God’s love will not condemn anyone who has not received the opportunity to accept Jesus. Although those Christians may have difficulty in finding Bible scripture to support their feelings, believing in God’s resurrection verses will. There is more than one resurrection. God has separated His followers from those who are not. The Bible describes the resurrections occurring during the last days, when Jesus is King. For those whom God does not call to follow Jesus now, the good news of God’s coming Kingdom is that God, in His love, will pursue you beyond the grave through a promised future resurrection. Brought back to life within God’s Kingdom and ruled by Jesus, mankind will be free to follow Jesus. This will be their salvation opportunity, as John 3:16 declares: only those who follow Jesus will receive eternal life. The Bible describes how it is through God’s resurrection plans that everyone will have the opportunity to freely accept Jesus as their personal saviour and gain eternal life. God wants as many as will accept Jesus to gain eternal life, but He will not force anyone. Free to decide for themselves, those who knowingly reject Jesus will not gain eternal life. Everyone will have the ability to opt out of eternal life by rejecting Jesus. Acts 4:12 International Standard Version 12 There is no salvation by anyone else, for there is no other name under heaven given among people by which we must be saved.” 1 Timothy 2:4-6 Easy-to-Read Version 4 God wants everyone to be saved and to fully understand the truth. 5 There is only one God, and there is only one way that people can reach God. That way is through Christ Jesus, who as a man 6 gave himself to pay for everyone to be free. This is the message that was given to us at just the right time. 2 Peter 3:9 New International Version 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

A second life is waiting for all of humanity. Everyone will be resurrected at some point in the future after Jesus returns to the earth. Those called now to follow Jesus will be resurrected first to rule with Him in God’s coming Kingdom. The good news for those not called now is that God will resurrect them as mortals into his Kingdom during a second resurrection. There, they will come to know Jesus and be able to freely accept and follow him as they live out a second life cycle. Like the followers of Jesus today have to struggle against sin, Satan will eventually test their resolve to follow Jesus. Only those who refuse to be tricked by Satan and remain faithful to Jesus will gain eternal life. Revelation 20:7-9 EasyEnglish Bible 7 When the 1,000 years have finished, God will let Satan go free out of his prison. 8 Satan will then go and deceive people in nations everywhere in the world. He will make them believe him. Those nations are God’s enemies, Gog and Magog. Satan will bring them together to fight a war against God’s people. Satan’s army has many people, as much as the sand on the shore of the sea. 9 I saw them as they marched over the whole earth. They arrived at the city which God loves. That is where God’s people had made their camp. Satan’s army made their camp all around the city. Then fire came down from heaven and it destroyed them completely.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son to save the world. God is in the job of saving mankind. Like the good shepherd, God is not content with anyone being lost. He wants everyone to gain salvation and eternal life, but He knows that He can not force anyone to accept His love. That is a free will choice each person has to make for themselves. God has chosen the weak and humble to be on his team now. Christians are the first fruits, harvested from the smaller firstfruit spring harvest of humanity. They will become the workers in the much larger fall harvest when God and His ways are made known to mankind. Everyone from all times will have their opportunity to know and accept Jesus and His salvation. None will be left ignorant, for God so loved the world that He devised a plan where anyone who chooses to accept Jesus will gain eternal life. Announcing the coming Kingdom of God to the world and making disciples before Jesus returns is the job of every Christian. Understanding how God’s Kingdom will arrive and bless all of mankind is essential if the faithful are to accurately proclaim Jesus’ good news gospel, of God’s coming Kingdom, to humanity.