The First and Second World and Fate of the Unsaved Dead

The first world

And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them,
That the angels of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose.
And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.
There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown.
And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.
And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them. (Gen. 6:1-7 )

The Great Flood and the Fallen Angels

Long ago, the first world thrived, but wickedness filled the earth. Two hundred fallen angels, rebelling against God, took human wives, giving rise to a race of giants known as the Nephilim. These giants were mighty but ruthless, spreading terror as they destroyed man and beast alike. The world descended into chaos, with violence and corruption staining all creation.

Seeing the evil, God declared a judgment: a worldwide flood to cleanse the earth. Yet, in His mercy, He gave humanity 120 years to repent. During this time, God commanded Noah, a righteous man, to build an ark large enough to save his family—eight souls—and pairs of every kind of animal to preserve life for the new world.

Meanwhile, the fallen angels who defied God were cast into a dark prison, bound until the day of judgment. The giants, slain in the flood, left behind cursed souls, doomed to wander the earth as disembodied spirits, sowing fear and confusion among humanity.

For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to Tartarus, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;
And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;
(2 Peter 2:4-5)

Several early Jewish and Christian writers, including Josephus, Clement of Alexandria, Irenaeus, and Tertullian, referenced or discussed the concept of giants in the context of the pre-flood world, particularly in relation to the biblical account of the Nephilim mentioned in Genesis 6:1-4.

Josephus (1st century CE) – In his work Antiquities of the Jews (Book 1, Chapter 3), Josephus refers to the giants as the offspring of angels and human women, in line with the Book of Enoch’s tradition. He also explains that the giants were renowned for their strength and ability, but their corruption led to widespread violence, which provoked God’s decision to bring the flood.
Clement of Alexandria (c. 150–215 CE) – Clement, in his writings such as The Stromata, discusses a variety of biblical and theological matters. While he does not offer a direct commentary on the Nephilim, he acknowledges various ancient traditions, some of which would have included the idea of giant beings as part of the pre-flood world.
Irenaeus (c. 130–202 CE) – In his major work Against Heresies, Irenaeus refers to the corruption of humanity in the days before the flood, which could be linked to the Nephilim story. He also emphasizes that early human beings, influenced by wickedness, led to the creation of the corrupt society that warranted the flood.
Tertullian (c. 155–240 CE) – Tertullian discusses the fallen angels and their interactions with humans, including the creation of giants. In his Apology and other writings, Tertullian elaborates on the angelic descent theory, which was a common interpretation in early Christian thought, similar to the one found in the Book of Enoch.

In the Book of Enoch, specifically in the Book of Watchers (1 Enoch 6-16), the story of the 200 fallen angels, known as the Watchers, is described in great detail. According to this text, these angels descended from heaven to earth and took human wives, which led to the birth of the Nephilim, giants who were described as beings of great strength and wickedness.

Here is a summary of the key points from the Book of Enoch:

The Descent of the Watchers: The Book of Enoch explains that 200 angels, led by a figure named Azazel (or sometimes Semyaza), descended to the earth on Mount Hermon. These angels were tasked with watching over humanity but instead began to lust after human women.
Taking Human Wives: The Watchers took human wives and taught them various forbidden arts, including magic, astrology, and the making of weapons. This led to the birth of the Nephilim, often described as giants or mighty beings who were violent and corrupt.
The Nephilim’s Corruption: The Nephilim became notorious for their violent behavior and the corruption they spread across the earth. The text suggests that their actions and the moral decay they caused were key factors that led to God’s decision to send the Great Flood.
Divine Judgment: As a result of their transgressions, the Watchers were punished by God. The leader, Azazel, and the other angels were bound and cast into the abyss, where they were to remain imprisoned until the end times. The Nephilim were destroyed in the flood, which is seen as God’s judgment against the corruption brought by the Watchers and their offspring.

Although the Book of Enoch is not considered canonical in most branches of Christianity, it was highly influential in early Jewish and Christian thought, and its story of the Watchers and the Nephilim influenced many early Christian writers, including those like Josephus, Irenaeus, and Tertullian, as mentioned earlier. The Book of Enoch is still considered canonical in the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.

The flood came as promised, sweeping away all the wicked. Only Noah and those in the ark were spared, riding the waters to a cleansed earth.

But God’s plan for ultimate justice was not yet complete. The human souls of the wicked who died in the flood would rise again during the Feast of Tabernacles, given one final chance to repent. Those who refused would face the same fate as the fallen angels, cast into the lake of fire—what the Bible calls the second death.

Thus, the story of the flood stands as a testament to God’s justice and mercy, a warning, and a hope for all generations to come.

The Second World

We live in the Second World, a world reborn after the waters of the Great Flood washed away the wickedness of the First. Every one of us is descended from Noah’s three sons—Shem, Ham, and Japheth. From their families, the earth was repopulated, and life began anew.

But time is a cruel teacher, and humanity has forgotten the lessons of the flood. Once again, the hearts of men have turned to evil. Greed, violence, and rebellion stain the world, echoing the sins of the First World. The Second World is no better than its predecessor.

Worse still, the enemies of God have never stopped their work. The fallen angels, led by Satan, and the disembodied spirits of the Nephilim, cursed to wander the earth, have not been idle. They whisper in shadows, corrupting minds and tempting hearts. They sow chaos and destruction, their hatred for mankind burning as fiercely as ever. They know their time is short, and they are determined to drag as many humans as they can into the lake of fire with them.

The Bible says that the people of the Second World will be willingly ignorant of the fire that is to come.

That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.(2 Peter 3:2-7 )

Peter explained that at the end of the world, people will behave just as they did in the days before the flood. Back then, they scoffed at the idea that God would destroy the earth, refusing to believe His warnings—until the waters came and swept them all away.

In the same way, today’s world ignores the truth. But this time, God has reserved the earth, not for water, but for fire. After His wrath is poured out through the seven vials, the earth itself will be consumed by fervent heat. The mountains will melt away, the oceans will vanish, and every living thing will perish in the fiery judgment.

But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.(2 Peter 3:10-14)

For it is the day of the LORD’S vengeance, and the year of recompences for the controversy of Zion. And the streams thereof shall be turned into pitch, and the dust thereof into brimstone, and the land thereof shall become burning pitch.
(Isaiah 34:8-9 )

“For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, and all the arrogant and all who do wickedly will be stubble, and the day that is coming will set them ablaze, says the Lord of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch (Malachi 4:1)

“Every island fled away and the mountains were no more”(Revelation 16:20)

Nothing will remain, for this cleansing will mark the end of the Second World, paving the way for God’s ultimate plan of salvation for Israel at the Feast of Tabernacles.

The earth will remain empty for 1,000 years, a desolate and silent wasteland. During this time, the wicked and unsaved from both the First and Second Worlds will remain dead, awaiting their resurrection at the end of the millennium.

The Saints’ Role in Heaven

During the 1,000 years in heaven, the saints will be given authority, wisdom, and knowledge to understand God’s perfect judgment. They will have access to the heavenly books that contain the records of every life, revealing why certain people did not partake in the first resurrection. These books, mentioned in scripture, will display God’s justice and mercy in every decision.

This period of review is why the Bible declares that the saints will “reign and rule with Jesus” during the millennium. It is not only a time of rest and joy but also a sacred responsibility. The saints will examine the records to fully understand the reasons behind the final outcomes for those who are unsaved.

This process will prepare them to assist Jesus in His ultimate work of redemption and judgment, ensuring that His kingdom is established with complete justice and truth. It will also deepen their trust in God’s righteousness, affirming that His decisions are always perfect and just.

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.
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)

Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. (Revelation 20:6 )

Satan, his fallen angels, and the disembodied spirits (demons) will be bound and imprisoned, unable to influence or deceive At the end of the millennium, they will be released for a final chapter in God’s plan, during the Feast of Tabernacles.

And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.(Revelation 20:7-8 )

The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended (Revelation 20:5)

The Rising of the Dry Bones

In Ezekiel 37, the prophet is led by the Spirit of the Lord to a valley filled with dry bones. God asks Ezekiel if the bones can live again, and Ezekiel wisely responds that only God knows. Through a prophetic command, Ezekiel speaks life over the bones, and they begin to reassemble, gaining sinews, flesh, and skin. However, they remain lifeless until God instructs Ezekiel to call upon the breath, representing the Spirit, which brings the bones to life as a great army. This is the second resurrection of the dead

At the end of the 1,000 years, the time for God’s final plan of salvation will arrive. The saints—those who were faithful to Jesus—will return to the earth to assist in teaching the unsaved and maintaining order during the Feast of Tabernacles. This will be a time when all the lost, unsaved people from the past will be resurrected and given a chance of salvation.

The unsaved will live in temporary homes they build for themselves. They will grow their own food, make their own clothes, and learn about salvation, as the saints guide them in the ways of righteousness. For as long as the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) lasts, the unsaved will be required year after year to make the journey to the Temple to offer sacrifices for their sins. During this time, every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord.

During this time, the saints will teach and guide the lost, and every individual will face a decision. The Feast of Tabernacles represents God’s grace and mercy, offering one last chance for redemption before the final judgment. In this way, no one will be left without the opportunity to choose the way of salvation through Jesus Christ.

However, this period of mercy will not be easy. Satan, along with his fallen angels, will be released back onto the earth, tempting and deceiving the people who are given one last opportunity for salvation. Despite the chance for redemption, the majority will follow Satan, rejecting the truth. This rebellion will lead to the final battle—the war of Gog and Magog—foretold in the book of Revelation, where the forces of evil will rise one last time to challenge God’s authority.

All of Israel Will Be Saved

According to the Bible, all of Israel will be saved. Paul writes about a mystery concerning Israel, warning that their partial blindness has occurred until the fullness of the Gentiles comes in. He assures that once this time is complete, all of Israel will be saved.

For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in.
And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:
For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.
(Romans 11:25-27)

And it shall come to pass, that as ye were a curse among the heathen, O house of Judah, and the house of Israel; so will I save you, and ye shall be a blessing: fear not, but let your hands be strong.(zechariah 8:13)

King David will take part of the Feast of Tabernacles

And I will make them one nation in the land upon the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king to them all: and they shall be no more two nations, neither shall they be divided into two kingdoms any more at all:
Neither shall they defile themselves any more with their idols, nor with their detestable things, nor with any of their transgressions: but I will save them out of all their dwelling places, wherein they have sinned, and will cleanse them: so shall they be my people, and I will be their God.
And David my servant shall be king over them; and they all shall have one shepherd: they shall also walk in my judgments, and observe my statutes, and do them.
And they shall dwell in the land that I have given unto Jacob my servant, wherein your fathers have dwelt; and they shall dwell therein, even they, and their children, and their children’s children for ever: and my servant David shall be their prince for ever.
Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them: and I will place them, and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary in the midst of them for evermore.
My tabernacle also shall be with them: yea, I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
And the heathen shall know that I the LORD do sanctify Israel, when my sanctuary shall be in the midst of them for evermore. (Ezekiel 37:22-28 )

Gentiles will partake

Thus saith the LORD of hosts; It shall yet come to pass, that there shall come people, and the inhabitants of many cities: And the inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, Let us go speedily to pray before the LORD, and to seek the LORD of hosts: I will go also. Yea, many people and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the LORD. Thus saith the LORD of hosts; In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you(Zechariah 8 20-23)

Then the survivors from all the nations that have attacked Jerusalem will go up year after year to worship the King, the Lord Almighty, and to celebrate the Festival of Tabernacles. If any of the peoples of the earth do not go up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the Lord Almighty, they will have no rain. If the Egyptian people do not go up and take part, they will have no rain. The Lord will bring on them the plague he inflicts on the nations that do not go up to celebrate the Festival of Tabernacles. This will be the punishment of Egypt and the punishment of all the nations that do not go up to celebrate the Festival of Tabernacles.On that day holy to the Lord will be inscribed on the bells of the horses, and the cooking pots in the Lord’s house will be like the sacred bowls in front of the altar. Every pot in Jerusalem and Judah will be holy to the Lord Almighty, and all who come to sacrifice will take some of the pots and cook in them. And on that day there will no longer be a Canaanite in the house of the Lord Almighty.(Zechariah 14:16-21)

The Restoration of All Things

During the 1,000 years the earth laid silent, its scorched surface slowly healing from the fire that had consumed the Second World. The land had been purged, the mountains melted, the oceans vanished, and the air cleared. The earth, now stands ready for the final chapter of God’s great salvation plan.

Jesus begins by establishing a new temple, as foretold in the book of Ezekiel. This temple will be where all lost souls will come to learn of His ways with the saints by His side, The saints will rule and teach, guiding, and helping the lost to understand God’s salvation.

All of heaven will witness the unsaved from all generations being resurrected. They will be confused and awestruck, they are alive again. They will not wander aimlessly, for the saints will be there to lead them in understanding God’s truth.

As the people rebuild shelters, till the soil, and grow their crops, they will be taught about Jesus—the Savior who had died for their sins and who now stood before them, offering them grace and redemption. Every year, during the Feast of Tabernacles, the unsaved will have to travel to the temple, where they will learn, offer sacrifices, and be reminded of the salvation God had made available to them. It will be a time of reflection, repentance, and a call to choose Jesus.

But this would not be an easy time. Satan and his fallen angels, who had been bound for 1,000 years, were now released. They roamed the earth once more, seeking to deceive and tempt the people who had been given this last opportunity for salvation. Though the saints will guide them, the temptation to rebel will be strong.

In the end, the majority of the unsaved will follow Satan. This rebellion will lead to the final war—the Battle of Gog and Magog—where Satan and his followers would rise up against God’s people. But even this will be short-lived, for Jesus will defeat them once and for all, bringing an end to evil and establishing His eternal kingdom.

Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,
And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.
And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.(Revelation 20:6-10 )

And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.(Revelation 20:12-21)