Good morning, church family. You know, I've been thinking a lot lately about those conversations we have after service - the ones where someone pulls me aside and asks, "Pastor, what about my grandmother who never heard the gospel clearly? What about that neighbor who's a good person but not a Christian? What really happens in the end times - because honestly, Revelation is pretty confusing?"
Those are great questions. And I think God wants us to understand His plan more clearly than we sometimes do.
The Questions That Keep Us Up at Night
Let me start with something that might surprise you. You know how we often talk about the rapture, tribulation, millennium, and final judgment like they're these four big events that happen boom, boom, boom, boom? Well, what if God's plan is actually much more detailed and... well, fair than we've been taught?
I've been studying some writings that expand on what John saw in Revelation, and friends, it's given me such peace about God's character and His justice. Because here's what I'm learning: God really does have a plan for everyone. Not just us church folks.
Those Seven Trumpets Actually Tell a Story
We all know about the seven trumpets in Revelation, right? Well, let me tell you what I think they really represent. It's not just random judgment - it's actually God systematically giving every person on earth every possible chance to turn to Him.
The first few trumpets - the earthquakes, the celestial signs, the natural disasters - that's God getting humanity's attention. You know how sometimes it takes a crisis to make us look up? That's what's happening on a global scale.
But here's the beautiful part - the fifth trumpet isn't about destruction. It's about "the everlasting gospel flying through the midst of heaven, unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people." Even in the midst of judgment, God is still trying to save people!
And that sixth trumpet? That's when all the corrupt systems of the world finally collapse. You know, all those institutions that have been oppressing people and leading them away from God? They finally fall. One writer described it as the fall of "that great church, the mother of abominations, that made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication."
Now I'm not pointing fingers at any particular denomination here, but we all know there are religious and political systems that have been more about power and money than about serving God and helping people, right?
The Resurrections - Here's Where It Gets Really Good
Now here's where my understanding has been completely transformed. We usually talk about "the resurrection" like it's one event. But what if there are actually several resurrections, each one perfectly timed for different groups of people?
Think about it - when Jesus comes again, of course the faithful saints get resurrected first. That makes sense. But then what? Does God just say "too bad" to everyone else?
Here's what I'm learning: there's a second resurrection for people who never had a real chance to hear and understand the gospel. Maybe they died as children, or lived in places where Christianity was twisted or corrupted, or just never had someone explain God's love to them properly.
And get this - there's even provision for people who initially rejected the gospel but later, in the spirit world, finally understand and accept it. Remember how Peter talked about Jesus preaching to the spirits in prison? Well, that ministry continues, and those who accept it get their chance too.
Not Just Heaven and Hell - God's Graduated Plan
Now I know this might sound different from what we've always been taught, but bear with me. What if instead of just heaven and hell, God has prepared different kingdoms - different levels of glory - based on what each person is willing and able to receive?
Think about it like this: you know how in our own families, we don't treat all our children exactly the same? We give each one what they need, what they can handle, what will make them happiest? What if God does that too?
The most faithful - those who give everything to God - they get to dwell in God's presence forever. That's the celestial kingdom, and it's glorious beyond description.
But then there are good people who just couldn't quite accept the fullness of the gospel - maybe they were too attached to their own traditions, or they had honest intellectual struggles with certain doctrines. They get a terrestrial kingdom where Christ Himself ministers to them. Not punishment - blessing! Just not the absolute fullness.
And even those who lived selfishly but weren't completely evil - even they get a kingdom of glory, with the Holy Spirit as their light. It's still beautiful, still eternal, just... different.
What About the Really Bad Ones?
Now you might be asking, "Pastor, what about Hitler? What about child abusers? What about people who are just plain evil?"
Well, the scripture I've been reading says there are some who "willeth to abide in sin, and altogether abideth in sin" who "cannot be sanctified by law, neither by mercy, justice, nor judgment. Therefore, they must remain filthy still."
Even they get resurrected eventually, but they go to what's called a kingdom without glory. Not torture - but complete separation from God's light. And you know what? That's actually what they want. They've chosen it.
The Earth Gets a Happy Ending Too
Here's something beautiful I learned: you know how some people teach that God's going to destroy the earth and start over? Well, what if that's not right? What if the earth itself is going to be glorified?
The scripture says "the earth abideth the law of a celestial kingdom, for it filleth the measure of its creation, and transgresseth not the law—Wherefore, it shall be sanctified."
Think about that! The earth follows God's laws perfectly. The seasons come and go, gravity works, plants grow - everything in nature obeys God except us humans! So why would He destroy something that's been so faithful?
Instead, after the millennium, the earth becomes celestial - a perfect, glorified world where God Himself can dwell. That's our eternal home, folks. Not some ethereal heaven somewhere else, but this earth, perfected.
What This Means for Us Today
So what do we do with all this? First, we can rest in God's perfect justice and mercy. Every person who has ever lived will get exactly what they need and can receive. Nobody gets cheated. Nobody falls through the cracks.
Second, it should motivate us to share the gospel even more! Because the higher kingdoms really are better. We want our loved ones to receive the fullness of what God offers.
Third, it should give us hope for those we've lost who weren't perfect Christians. God's plan is bigger than our understanding.
And finally, it should help us live with more purpose. We're being prepared for something magnificent. "The days will come that you shall see him; for he will unveil his face unto you, and it shall be in his own time, and in his own way, and according to his own will."
The Bottom Line
Friends, God's plan is beautiful. It's fair. It's comprehensive. Everyone gets the best deal they're willing to accept. The earth gets redeemed. Truth and justice win completely.
And we get to be part of it. We get to help prepare the world for what's coming. We get to be witnesses of the light that "shineth in darkness" even when "the darkness comprehendeth it not."
So let's go forward this week with hope, with purpose, and with deep gratitude that we serve a God whose plans are always better than we could imagine.
Amen?