"He who has repented of his sins, the same is forgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more” (D&C 58:42)
Part of the journey is the end. This is the concluding post for my series on the Second Coming of Jesus Christ and the Last Days called, "The Return of the King". My previous post discussed what will happen during Christ's thousand year reign over the Earth called, "The Millennium". This post will discuss what happens after those thousand years in order to complete my narrative on God's Plan of Happiness. In other words, this post will discuss events leading up to and including what many call, "The Judgment Day". I encourage you to again consider the great blessing of modern-day revelation and the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ that give the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints a unique perspective of such things.
**NOTE: If you wish to get in contact with missionaries of the Church to learn more, you can do so at https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/comeuntochrist/requests/missionary-visit
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GOD'S PLAN FOR US
Because this series is purposefully arranged from past to present to future in the context of what you might call, "The Big Picture", let's first summarize some points I've discussed in Heavenly Father's Plan of Happiness (See "The Return of the King -- Part 1" and "The Plan of Salvation and Happiness") which answers the questions of the soul: 1) Where do we come from? 2) Why are we here? 3) Where are we going?
Heavenly Father loves us. We are His children and all of us are brothers and sisters. We lived with Him as spirits before birth. Heavenly Father presented a plan for us to progress and to experience joy. The purpose of the plan was for us to become like Heavenly Father, which includes obtaining a physical body and having a fullness of experiences. Jesus Christ was chosen to be our Savior and to teach us how to return to Heavenly Father's presence. The Earth was created for us to inhabit and inherit. Adam and Eve were the first of God's spirit children to inhabit the Earth. They lived in a state of innocence in the Garden of Eden. But in order to progress and learn and have children and know joy, they partook of the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil. A "Fall" occurred --- They became mortal and had to leave God's presence in Eden while they repented, and the Earth itself "fell" from its original perfect state. Jesus Christ's sacrifice and resurrection called "The Atonement" redeems mankind from the Fall. This means that everyone will one day also be resurrected but if they also repent and heed Christ, they will be able to return to God's presence.
A universal resurrection was necessary to have an eternal body like God has (D&C 130:22). When we are resurrected, our spirit will reunite with our body and will be changed, never to suffer or die again. This is called "Immortality". Jesus Christ was the first to be resurrected as a perfect and immortal being, whereas others, such as Lazarus were only resurrected to then die at a later time. Everyone will be resurrected and immortal one day. (1 Cor. 15:22)
Christ also opened the way to return to God's physical presence --- To be where He is. The way is simply known as "The gospel of Jesus Christ". The gospel beings with having faith in Jesus Christ, repenting, and making and keeping covenants with God first with baptism and then in the temple (Article of Faith 3-4; see also "Repentance", "Baptism by Immersion", and "Temples --- Holy Houses of the Lord"). If we do all these things with faith and love, not only will we be immortal, but we'll enjoy the glorious kind of life that Heavenly Father lives which is called, "Eternal Life", which is the greatest of all the gifts of God (D&C 14:7; see also "Eternal Life: As He Is"). This is God's goal and the entire purpose of the Plan of Happiness (Moses 1:39). Everything that God does is unto this end and why Jesus Christ is central and essential to everything. Without Jesus Christ, eternal life would not be possible.
PREPARING & PRACTICING FOR ETERNITY
I discussed the Millennium which, as the name implies, will span a thousand years (See "The Return of the King --- Part 6"). That's a long time if you consider everything that's happened in the world in the last thousand years. But just the same, the Millennium is not the end. Eternity is even longer still. So, what is eternity like?
One of the principles of the gospel is often referred to as "enduring to the end" (Matt. 24:13; Mark 13:13; 1 Nephi 13:37; 2 Nephi 31:16, 20; 33:4; 3 Nephi 15:9; D&C 14:7). What we mean by this is that gospel living is not a checklist to be completed once then forgotten. Enduring to the end is purposefully doing what we do to change our very nature. A core principle of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ is the idea of Eternal Progression. Even Jesus, "increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man" (Luke 2:52). Eternal Progression, hand-in-hand with Eternal Life, is the heart of Heavenly Father's Plan of Happiness. While many religions teach good things, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is God's only kingdom upon the Earth through which we can obtain eternal life; the reason for this is explained thoroughly in all my "Words and Wonders" blog posts collectively (See also "One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism" and "More Than Good"). "Enduring to the end" means exercising faith by repenting continually and performing good works, including keeping the commandments, all for the purpose of becoming as God is. With this in mind, you might look at the commandments as "practice" for the eternities and recognize the deeper purposeful principles of faith, sacrifice, charity, and obedience underlying them (See "Great Sacrifice", "Chastity and Charity", and "Obedience: A Sign of Love"). Everything God commands is for a purpose and is for our eternal growth. This life, as short as it is, is to prepare us for the eternities. (Alma 34:32-33)
I ask you, "Have you ever wondered what we will be doing in heaven?" Do you imagine rehearsing in God's choir or playing the harp or blowing a trumpet? What an idle and dreadfully small experience that would be if that was all we did forever and ever! Would any of us look forward to that? No! That is why grasping the splendor of Eternal Life, life as God is, helps us to realize our infinite and eternal potential and what is at stake. What God asks of us is so little when we consider the grandeur of the reward He will give us in return --- To be as He is. (D&C 84:38)
THE FINAL BATTLE BETWEEN GOOD & EVIL
As we said in the first post of this series, there needs to be an opposition in all things in order to choose, to learn, and to progress (See "The Return of the King --- Part 1"). In my previous post, we learned that during the millennium, Satan will be bound, righteousness will thrive, and because of these two things children will grow up without the temptation to sin (See "The Return of the King --- Part 6"). But once again, after the millennium, "Satan will be loosed for a little season" (Rev. 20:3; D&C 43:31), and the final test of man's integrity to God shall ensue. That is to say that there will still be diverse trials, both temporal and spiritual, at the end of the millennium such that we will be required to give the best of ourselves one last time.
I encourage you to go back and read the previous post which discussed those righteous individuals who will be resurrected during the millennium as part of "The First Resurrection", or "The Resurrection of the Just" (See "The Return of the King --- Part 6"). But the resurrection is for everybody which means that at some point, after the Millennium (D&C 88:100-101), there will also be a "Second Resurrection" which will be for everyone else, in other words, the wicked who didn't repent (Mosiah 15:26; D&C 76:103-106). That isn't to say that all resurrections will be alike (1 Cor. 15:39-42), meaning that the state of those who were righteous in mortality will be of a "superior quality", or "glory", than those who chose to do evil; "glory" is closely associated with "light". The Book of Mormon teaches that "That same spirit which doth possess your bodies at the time that ye go out of this life, that same spirit will have power to possess your body in that eternal world... and this is the final state..." (Alma 34:34-35). We cannot expect then that those persons who rise in the Second Resurrection will suddenly choose to act righteously, or accept the gospel which they had previously rejected and persecuted.
There will be a final war between Michael (Adam) and his followers and the devil and his followers which will result in the expulsion of the devil from the earth forever (Rev. 20:7-10; D&C 88:112-15). This is mimetic but different from the war in heaven before the world was when Heavenly Father's Plan of Happiness was presented (Rev. 12). You can refer to my first post in this series to read more about the pre-mortal life. (See "The Return of the King --- Part 1")
THE END OF THE EARTH & A NEW EARTH
At some point after the aforementioned "little season" will come "the end of the earth" (D&C 43:31). That is to say that "the end of the earth" will come after the Millennium, at least a thousand years after the Second Coming, and then after the final battle of good against evil.
What does this mean, "The end of the earth"? Spoke the Apostle John the Beloved, "And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away..." (Rev. 21:1; Isa. 65:17; 2 Peter 3:13; D&C 29:23). Therefore, this fallen world as we know it will end but another will take its place. But who will inhabit this new earth will be a matter for the subject of the Judgment Day.
At the end of the final battle, the wicked will be destroyed but the righteous will be changed in the twinkling of an eye:
"For Satan shall be bound, and when he is loosed again he shall only reign for a little season, and then cometh the end of the earth. And he that liveth in righteousness shall be changed in the twinkling of an eye, and the earth shall pass away so as by fire. And the wicked shall go away into unquenchable fire, and their end no man knoweth on earth, nor ever shall know, until they come before me in judgment." (D&C 43:31-33)
The Earth will be cleansed by fire (D&C 43:32) when the wicked will be burned as the tares from the wheat (Matt.13:24-30, 36-43; D&C 86:1-7; D&C 101: 65-66).
The world as we now know it will be transformed, even die, and be resurrected. so to speak, such that it will be as an Earth made new.
"Wherefore, it shall be sanctified; yea, notwithstanding it shall die, it shall be quickened again, and shall abide the power by which it is quickened, and the righteous shall inherit it." (D&C 88:26)
Just as with the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Earth will become immortal and perfect, and Celestial. It will be of a quality the likes of which we have never seen. The state of the new earth is described as, "A sea of glass" or "crystal" (Rev. 4:6; 15:2; D&C 77:1; D&C 130: 7-9). The planet itself will receive a "celestial glory" because it will abide, "The law of a celestial kingdom, for it filleth the measure of its creation, and transgresseth not the law" (D&C 88:25).
Therefore, the great realization, that the Earth will become the Celestial Kingdom. As cliché as it is, it's true that heaven is a place on Earth. On the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught, "Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth" (Matt. 5:5), and as the above scripture says, "the righteous shall inherit it" (D&C 88:26). The prophet Joseph Smith revealed this glorious truth clearly:
“In that great change, or resurrection, which shall come to this earth, it shall be sanctified, celestialized and made a fit abode even for God the Father, who shall grace it with his presence (D&C 88:19). Then shall the righteous, those who have become sanctified through the law of God, possess it for ever as their abode. This earth is destined to become the everlasting residence of its inhabitants who gain the glory of the celestial kingdom. It shall become in that day like the throne of God and shall shine forth with all the splendor and brightness of celestial glory in its eternal, sanctified and glorious state”
Past prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, George Albert Smith, in 1942 further taught:
“When the time comes [God] will come down in heaven—not from heaven—but He will bring heaven with Him—and this earth upon which we dwell, will be the celestial kingdom”.
THE FINAL JUDGMENT
There will be a final judgment of all who have lived upon the earth, at which time there will be a separation of the righteous from the wicked (D&C 29:22–28; Rev. 20:11–15; D&C 43:33). We will all stand before Jesus Christ and nothing will be hidden from him. God, through Jesus Christ (John 5:22; Rom. 14:10; 3 Nephi 27:16), will judge each person to determine which eternal "glory" he or she will receive. This judgment will be based on each person's obedience to God's commands (Romans 2:12) as well as our words, our works, and our desires (Mos. 3:24; 4:30; Alma 12:14; 41:3-6; D&C 137:9). If we repented in life, we are promised that our sins will be forgiven and be "remembered no more" (D&C 58:42). We will also give an account of our stewardship (Matt. 25:14-30; Jacob 1:19) and be rewarded accordingly given our personal circumstances. While many people in society fear the day of judgment, the righteous look forward to the eternal reward they will justly receive (1 Nephi 22:21-23; Jacob 6:13). Therefore I reaffirm that gospel living is not just a requirement for "heaven" but is also a rehearsal for the laws that those in the kingdom of heaven live.
The purpose of the creation and our life upon the Earth, as presented in Heavenly Father's Plan of Happiness, was for God's spirit children to progress that they might become even as He is (See "Eternal Life: As He Is"). Gaining a physical body, something we all do, is progression in the very least. Our acceptance of God's plan in the pre-mortal life was evidenced by our coming to Earth which is why everyone will be resurrected and receive a "Kingdom of Glory" where they will reside forever. The book of Abraham in the "Pearl of Great Price" teaches this referring to the pre-mortal life as the "First Estate" (Jude 1:6) and mortality as the "Second Estate":
"And they who keep their first estate shall be added upon; and they who keep not their first estate shall not have glory in the same kingdom with those who keep their first estate; and they who keep their second estate shall have glory added upon their heads for ever and ever." (Abr. 3:26)
Let me explain the above scripture. Those who kept their first estate are those who sided with God in the War in Heaven in the pre-mortal life (See "The Return of the King --- Part 1"). Those who "kept not" their first estate were the third of heaven that sided with Lucifer and were never granted the chance to experience mortality. Therefore, only this third of heaven will never receive any degree of glory while all others will receive some glory, more to the righteous and less to the wicked who lived.
3 KINGDOMS OF GLORY
"Glory of the Lord" is an expression that occurs frequently in the Old Testament. It sometimes denotes the fulness of the majesty of God, revealed in the world and made known to men (Num. 14:21–22; Isa. 6:3; 66:19); in other places it denotes some outward and visible manifestation of God’s presence (Ex. 33:17–23; Ezek. 1:28; 9:3; 10:4, 18–19; 11:23; 43:2–5; Luke 2:9; 9:32; John 1:14). In the scriptures, glory often refers to God’s light and truth. It may also refer to praise or honor and to a certain condition of eternal life or to the glory of God. It's something that I find difficult to quantify or imagine in my head because "glory" is a spiritual thing rather than an earthly thing. But to simplify it for the purposes of this subject, when we talk of receiving glory or "Kingdoms of Glory", you might think about them as the quality and placement of our "hereafter" come the Judgment Day.
Because the degree to which people obey God's law differs across a spectrum, the dichotomous notion held by some religions of either a "Heaven" or "Hell" and their notions of such conditions is too simplistic. Christ taught His disciples, "In my Father's house are many mansions" (John 14:2). The scriptures teach that there are actually "3 Degrees of Glory" or "3 Kingdoms of Glory". (1 Cor. 15:40-41; D&C 76; 2 Cor. 12:2)
It is worth noting that a concept of "seven heavens" is found in the ancient Mesopotamian religions, and can be found in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam; a similar concept is also found in some other religions such as Hinduism. I mention this only to remind us that the views of those who lived in Biblical days are not necessarily the same as they are today. All I suggest is that we be mindful that the notion of a binary afterlife hasn't always been the case and isn't universal, even within Christianity today. While the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints doesn't really adhere to a "Heaven or Hell" binary afterlife, we speak of three degrees of glory, or "three levels" of heaven, so to speak, not seven.
Much of our knowledge of the three kingdoms of glory comes from a vision given to Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon in 1832 as recorded in what is now the 76th Section of the Doctrine and Covenants.
The Celestial Kingdom is the highest of the three kingdoms of glory; sometimes called "the kingdom of heaven". Those in the Celestial Kingdom will dwell forever in the presence of God the Father and his Son Jesus Christ. On the other hand, damnation is the state of being stopped in one’s progress and denied access to the presence of God and His glory and exists in varying degrees. The Celestial Kingdom is the place prepared for those who have "received the testimony of Jesus" and been "made perfect through Jesus..." (D&C 76:51,69). These almost certainly include persons who are part of the "First Resurrection". To inherit the Celestial Kingdom, we must keep the commandments which include making and keeping covenants, and repenting of our sins (D&C 76:50-70, 92-96). It is only because of the Atoning Sacrifice of Jesus Christ that anybody can inherit the Celestial Kingdom (See "Great Sacrifice"), and it is therefore why only those who believe in and accept the gospel of Jesus Christ can go there, irrespective of the other good they may have done in life. (See "More than Good")
But the Celestial Kingdom isn't limited to those who had the opportunity to accept the restored gospel in life for there are many who didn't have that chance. In the Kirtland Ohio Temple in 1836, the prophet Joseph Smith had a vision where he learned that:
"All children who die before they arrive at the years of accountability are saved in the celestial kingdom of heaven" (D&C 137:10)
As I've said before, little children and infants who die before the age of eight will automatically go to the Celestial Kingdom come the judgment day because they lived sinless lives. Such is the mercy of a loving God for His children that He will not condemn the innocent. (See "Plan of Salvation and Happiness", "Redeeming the Dead", and "Repentance")
Furthermore, concerning those who didn't have the chance to opportunity to receive the gospel in life, to them is given the opportunity to qualify for the Celestial Kingdom. In the same vision given to Joseph Smith, he records:
"Also all that shall die henceforth without a knowledge of it, who would have received it with all their hearts, shall be heirs of that kingdom" (D&C 137:8)
Therefore, it would be incorrect to say that anybody who wasn't a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in life won't get to the Celestial Kingdom. In fact, this is one of the great purposes of temple work --- to perform proxy ordinances to give those who have passed away the chance to receive the gospel in the spirit world (See "Redeeming the Dead"). This important temple work is made possible because of the priesthood keys that Elijah restored to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. (See "The Return of the King --- Part 4.2"). Not everyone who has temple work done for them will accept it in the spirit world, but again, referring to the vision, those spirits who would have received it in life will receive it in death and thus be heirs to the Celestial Kingdom.
The Celestial Kingdom is often symbolized as a sun because it's full of light (See also "Sabbath Day Observance"). This is not to say that the sun is literally the Celestial Kingdom. I again refer to the scriptural notion of "glory" as being similar to light. Therefore, the Celestial Kingdom has the most "light' because it has the fullness of God's glory upon it.
Those who make and are faithful to all their covenants, from baptism to marriage in the temple, will enjoy the greatest state of being in the Celestial Kingdom which we refer to as "Eternal Life" or "Exaltation". (See "Eternal Life --- As He Is")
Those who inherit the Terrestrial Kingdom will "receive of the presence of the Son, but not of the fullness of the Father. Wherefore they are bodies terrestrial, and not bodies celestial, and differ in glory as the moon differs from the sun" (D&C 76:77-78).
Individuals in the Terrestrial Kingdom will in general be honorable people who were "not valiant in the testimony of Jesus." (D&C 76:75; 71-80,91,97)
This is what the 1832 vision has to say regarding the Terrestrial Kingdom:
"72 Behold, these are they who died without law;
73 And also they who are the spirits of men kept in prison, whom the Son visited, and preached the gospel unto them, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh;
74 Who received not the testimony of Jesus in the flesh, but afterwards received it.
75 These are they who are honorable men of the earth, who were blinded by the craftiness of men.
76 These are they who receive of his glory, but not of his fulness.
77 These are they who receive of the presence of the Son, but not of the fulness of the Father.
78 Wherefore, they are bodies terrestrial, and not bodies celestial, and differ in glory as the moon differs from the sun.
79 These are they who are not valiant in the testimony of Jesus; wherefore, they obtain not the crown over the kingdom of our God." (D&C 76:72-79)
Those in the Terrestrial Kingdom will not enjoy the presence of Heavenly Father and is, therefore, a "lesser glory". Those in the Terrestrial Kingdom will not enjoy the blessing of Eternal Life --- all that God has.
The Terrestrial Kingdom is generally symbolized as a moon which is less bright than the sun which is symbolic of the Celestial Kingdom.
The Telestial Kingdom will be reserved for individuals who "received not the gospel of Christ, neither the testimony of Jesus" (D&C 76:82). These are the wicked who willingly rejected God's law and did not repent. These almost certainly include those persons who are part of the "Second Resurrection" (D&C 76:81-90, 98-106, 109-112). The Telestial Kingdom is for all others who ever lived that were wicked and rebelled against God and the gospel and were unhonorable in life.
The Telestial Kingdom is often symbolized as a star which has the least light because they have the least glory being so removed from God.
As aforementioned, the third part of heaven that rebelled and waged war against God in the pre-mortal life, who never were allowed to know mortality, are not given any of these three glories --- no kingdom of glory in the least. They are confined to spend eternity in everlasting misery in what some religions might conceive to be hell, but what we call "Outer Darkness".
The glory of the Earth is determined by the spiritual law which the inhabitants of the world abide whether that be a "telestial, terrestrial, or celestial law". The "fallen" world as it currently stands is considered to be in a telestial state which is the lowest glory (See "The Return of the King --- Part 1"). During the millennium when the wicked, those who lived a "telestial law", are removed from the Earth and all who remain are the good and honorable, then will the Earth be "renewed" and receive its "paradisiacal" glory (Article of Faith 10) and be in a terrestrial state like it was in the days of the Garden of Eden. Then when Satan is defeated after the "little season" following the Millennium, the Earth will be transformed to be the celestial inheritance of those who live the Celestial law of the gospel of Jesus Christ. And thus will this world fill the measure of its creation to be the Celestial Kingdom.
The quality of our eternity is a choice left up to you and me made by the way we choose to live according to the gospel given to us. Everyone will receive according to their desires. To those who most desire to follow God and live as He lives, the New Testament promises that they shall be “heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ” (Romans 8:17). If we don't want it, expressing such by not living the gospel, God is merciful enough to let us choose the lesser glory, although we'd be forfeiting more than we know. It's just not worth it. The blessings of eternity start with how we live today.
AN INVITATION
I love the gospel of Jesus Christ. I've had many personal experiences with prayer and living the gospel that have confirmed my testimony over the years by the power of the Holy Ghost that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is His only true church upon the earth and the only straight and narrow path to the Celestial Kingdom. It has always been my hope that sharing these posts will first and foremost help whoever is reading to have increased faith in Jesus Christ and that that faith will lead to action. As always, I invite you to pray and to live the restored gospel to know for yourself that what I say is true, as I have done for myself. And if it is true, I invite you to put your faith into action by repenting, keeping the commandments, and being baptized into His Church. Baptism is the first step, not the last (See "Baptism by Immersion"). Endure to the end! I know that if we do so, we are blessed, not only in life, but infinitely more so in the eternities. If you believe what I've said, get in contact with the missionaries at https://www.comeuntochrist.org/requests/missionary-visit.
Go back and review the rest of the Return of the King series:
Part 1: God's Plan of Happiness, We lived with God, why we need a Savior (The Fall of Adam and Eve), opposition in all things, agency
Part 2: The Last Days/ The Last Dispensation, prophets and modern-day revelation
Part 3: Ancient Prophecies of the Second Coming
Part 4.1: Joseph Smith's First Vision, The Coming Forth of the Book of Mormon, the Angel Moroni
Part 4.2: The Restoration of Priesthood Keys, the Spirit of Elijah
Part 5: Events before the Second Coming, the New Jerusalem, the Gathering of Israel
Part 6: The Second Coming, The Millennium, Satan is bound, the First Resurrection, Temple and Missionary Work
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