Faulty Vision

By Oscar M. Baker

“And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.” Now all that most folks can see in this passage is that there shall be a resurrection, both of the just and the unjust. That is as far as they can get. Their eyes will not take in the words hope and allow. And since this is inspired Scripture, are these words unimportant?

Paul says that he has a hope toward God, and this hope is that God will raise the dead, both just and unjust. And he says also that those who accuse him (the Jews) also allow this truth. Note in Companion Bible says that allow means look for. Now if unjust could mean unbelievers, then would it be a hope to be resurrected? Why would they look for it? This is assuming that those who believe that men have to die twice, might be right. But such is not the case.

There are other references to these two classes of believers, the just and unjust. One is Daniel 12:2, “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.” The dead here are Israel. Not all, but many of Israel shall awake. And you have the two classes, just and unjust, overcomers and non-overcomers. But all believers. Many of Israel awake; the rest are unbelievers.

You have the same event mentioned in John 5:28,29, “Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear His voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.” If these are saved and unsaved, then works would be entirely out of place, for salvation is by faith. But these are believers judged according to their works. The word graves is mnemeion, remembrance. So these are they which are written in the book of life (God's memory).

There is no condemnation for those in Christ who walk after the spirit. But there is condemnation for those in Christ who walk after the flesh. See Rom. 8:1. They reap what they sow.

It rains on both the just and the unjust. This has reference to Israel, God's people. See Matt. 5:45. Also our Lord died, the Just for the unjust. Now does this mean that the Lord was in need of justification, or does it mean He was the perfect Lamb of God? And He died for sinners, the unjust. Does that include you and me?

For further study, note that believers are judged by their works. And some are just and some are unjust, but saved as by fire. 1 Cor. 3:11-15. Heb. 6:4-8. Notice saved and shame in 2 Pet. 2:20-22. They receive what they have done. Col. 3:23-25. And by bad works, a believer can lose the inheritance (Eph. 5:5).

So believers or servants may be wicked and slothful, sinners and saints, just and unjust.

(Reprinted from Truth For Today Vol. 32, No. 2)