15 Now, there are some that have understood that this state of happiness and this state of misery of the soul, before the resurrection, was a first resurrection. Yea, I admit it may be termed a resurrection, the raising of the spirit or the soul and their consignation to happiness or misery, according to the words which have been spoken.
16 And behold, again it hath been spoken, that there is a first resurrection, a resurrection of all those who have been, or who are, or who shall be, down to the resurrection of Christ from the dead.
17 Now, we do not suppose that this first resurrection, which is spoken of in this manner, can be the resurrection of the souls and their consignation to happiness or misery. Ye cannot suppose that this is what it meaneth.
18 Behold, I say unto you, Nay; but it meaneth the reuniting of the soul with the body, of those from the days of Adam down to the resurrection of Christ.
19 Now, whether the souls and the bodies of those of whom has been spoken shall all be reunited at once, the wicked as well as the righteous, I do not say; let it suffice, that I say that they all come forth; or in other words, their resurrection cometh to pass before the resurrection of those who die after the resurrection of Christ.
16 And behold, again it hath been spoken, that there is a first resurrection, a resurrection of all those who have been, or who are, or who shall be, down to the resurrection of Christ from the dead.
17 Now, we do not suppose that this first resurrection, which is spoken of in this manner, can be the resurrection of the souls and their consignation to happiness or misery. Ye cannot suppose that this is what it meaneth.
18 Behold, I say unto you, Nay; but it meaneth the reuniting of the soul with the body, of those from the days of Adam down to the resurrection of Christ.
19 Now, whether the souls and the bodies of those of whom has been spoken shall all be reunited at once, the wicked as well as the righteous, I do not say; let it suffice, that I say that they all come forth; or in other words, their resurrection cometh to pass before the resurrection of those who die after the resurrection of Christ.
Alma 40:15-19 (Emphasis mine)
In my last post, I pointed out that Corianton was overly concerned about the number of resurrections. Alma(2) said that it doesn't matter. What matters is that he knew Christ was going to be resurrected and that all would eventually have their body and spirit reunited.
In verses 15-16, he does admit that the first resurrection could be thought of as the spirits being handed over (note: according to dictionary.com, the definition of consignation is to hand over or deliver formally or officially; commit ) to a state of misery or state of happiness. But, he finally makes it clear what is meant by the first resurrection - "it meaneth the reuniting of the soul with the body, of those from the days of Adam down to the resurrection of Christ." (v18) He makes it absolutely clear that the first resurrection is not being consigned to a state of happiness or state of misery. It is the first time the body and spirit or the dead reunite and the person is raised from the dead.
Again Alma(2) emphasize what matters. What matters is that "...they all come forth..." (v19) Once again, I can almost hear Alma(2) telling Corianton "Don't sweat the small stuff!"
We are told that, after Christ's resurrection...
52 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,
53 And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.
53 And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.
Matthew 27:52-53 (Emphasis mine)
So we see that the first resurrection did not begin until after Christ's resurrection; it consisted of "...the reuniting of the soul with the body, of those from the days of Adam down to the resurrection of Christ..." (v18)
20 Now, my son, I do not say that their resurrection cometh at the resurrection of Christ; but behold, I give it as my opinion, that the souls and the bodies are reunited, of the righteous, at the resurrection of Christ, and his ascension into heaven.
21 But whether it be at his resurrection or after, I do not say; but this much I say, that there is a space between death and the resurrection of the body, and a state of the soul in happiness or in misery until the time which is appointed of God that the dead shall come forth, and be reunited, both soul and body, and be brought to stand before God, and be judged according to their works.
22 Yea, this bringeth about the restoration of those things of which has been spoken by the mouths of the prophets.
21 But whether it be at his resurrection or after, I do not say; but this much I say, that there is a space between death and the resurrection of the body, and a state of the soul in happiness or in misery until the time which is appointed of God that the dead shall come forth, and be reunited, both soul and body, and be brought to stand before God, and be judged according to their works.
22 Yea, this bringeth about the restoration of those things of which has been spoken by the mouths of the prophets.
Alma 40:20-22 (Emphasis mine)
Alma(2) reminds Corianton that, regardless of when the resurrection occurs, the spirits of the dead will, for a period of time, reside in a state of happiness or misery.
While on the Cross, Christ was placed between two thieves.
39. And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.
40 But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?
41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.
42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.
40 But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?
41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.
42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.
Luke 23:39-43 (Emphasis mine)
Christ told the thief who confessed his guilt that he would be with Him in paradise, the state of happiness described by Alma(2).
23 The soul shall be restored to the body, and the body to the soul; yea, and every limb and joint shall be restored to its body; yea, even a hair of the head shall not be lost; but all things shall be restored to their proper and perfect frame.
24 And now, my son, this is the restoration of which has been spoken by the mouths of the prophets—
25 And then shall the righteous shine forth in the kingdom of God.
26 But behold, an awful death cometh upon the wicked;they are unclean, and no unclean thing can inherit the kingdom of God; but they are cast out, and consigned to partake of the fruits of their labors or their works, which have been evil; and they drink the dregs of a bitter cup.
24 And now, my son, this is the restoration of which has been spoken by the mouths of the prophets—
25 And then shall the righteous shine forth in the kingdom of God.
26 But behold, an awful death cometh upon the wicked;they are unclean, and no unclean thing can inherit the kingdom of God; but they are cast out, and consigned to partake of the fruits of their labors or their works, which have been evil; and they drink the dregs of a bitter cup.
Alma 40:23-26 (Emphasis mine)
Alma(2) tells Corianton that the body will be restored to a perfect state. All the infirmities and physical weaknesses from which we suffer will be gone. All shall be restored to perfection.
Paul wrote:
20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
Philippians 3:20-21 (Emphasis mine)
Isaiah prophesied:
19 Thy dead men shall alive, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead.
Isaiah 26:19 (Emphasis mine)
The righteous, after the resurrection will enter into the presence of God. They will receive their promised reward for obeying the laws and commandments of God.
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.
3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.
3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.
Daniel 12:2-3 (Emphasis mine)
The wicked will pay for their choices. They will be cast out from the presence of God. Their wickedness makes the unclean, and "...no unclean thing can inherit the kingdom of God..." (v26) Alma(2) tells us that their suffering is the consequences of their actions. They are punished because they choose wickedness over righteousness. They will realize that they have lost everything, and they have no one to blame but themselves. I am convinced that this is the bitter dregs of the cup they drink.
9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
1 Corinthians 6:9-10 (Emphasis mine)
5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them.
Ephesians 5:5-7 (Emphasis mine)
8 For in the hand of the LORD there is a cup, and the wine is red; it is full of mixture; and he poureth out of the same: but the dregs thereof, all the wicked of the earth shall wring them out, and drink them.
Psalms 75:8 (Emphasis mine)
What have we learned from chapter 40?
- After death, the righteous go to a state of happiness and the wicked to a state of misery.
- Through Christ, all will be resurrected.
- The resurrection brings the body and spirit together into a perfect state.
- No unclean thing can inherit the kingdom of God.
- That which we receive from God is a consequence of our actions and choices.
Don't forget Alma(2)'s advice and counsel - "Don't sweat the small stuff. God is in charge and he knows what he's doing."
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