The First Resurrection

[rockytopva]

I was brought up Charles Stanley type Baptist and Pentecostal Holiness. They both believed in a rapture. Whatever you may call it... I will take the first resurrection thank you!

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 2:6

 

[RandyPNW]

I was brought up Charles Stanley type Baptist and Pentecostal Holiness. They both believed in a rapture. Whatever you may call it... I will take the first resurrection thank you!

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 2:6

As good as these men and ministries are, they were raised up by others who they respected and in their times were inundated with a particular eschatology, wrong or right. We all are exposed to various theologies at vulnerable times, and need to check out what others feed us, no matter how good they are otherwise.

 

[1Tonne]

Many believe in a rapture of all believers just before the tribulation, but Jesus himself and the disciples did not believe in such a rapture. He believed that we are raised on the last day. In fact, He stresses it by saying it 6 times and Martha even says it once.
The only place where people are raised earlier than the last day is in Revelation 20:4-6. These are those who are martyred for their faith. No other believer is raised at that time. They are raised and reign with Christ for 1000 years. Then Satan is set free for a short time, then the last day will come when all are raised, believer and non-believer to go to the Great White Throne.

 

[RandyPNW]

Many believe in a rapture of all believers just before the tribulation, but Jesus himself and the disciples did not believe in such a rapture. He believed that we are raised on the last day. In fact, He stresses it by saying it 6 times and Martha even says it once.
The only place where people are raised earlier than the last day is in Revelation 20:4-6. These are those who are martyred for their faith. No other believer is raised at that time. They are raised and reign with Christ for 1000 years. Then Satan is set free for a short time, then the last day will come when all are raised, believer and non-believer to go to the Great White Throne.

I agree that Jesus indicated on several occasion that he is returning on the Last Day. I don't agree that Rev 20.4-6 indicates only martyrs are delivered at a different time. Paul indicated that the dead are raised at the same time the living are glorified--it is all a single event associated with the 2nd Coming on the Last Day. The age is defined as the time the Jewish People remain under judgment as a nation. That will end when Christ returns, with His mercy aimed at the Jewish People just prior to that event.

The "first resurrection" includes the resurrection of the martyrs of Antichrist because that is the main story about the last 3.5 years plus in the book of Revelation. But the "first resurrection" is never said to include only those, nor does it indicate that the rest of the dead in Christ are exempted from that event.

 

[rockytopva]

I consider myself Pentecostal Holiness / Baptist. In which there is a great many in my parts. I thought that every Christian believed in the rapture before posting on web sites. I would say that most Christians don't take much thought on the hereafter. The average Christian's church experience...

Hatched - Some were baptized infants
Latched - When they marry
Dispatched - Whey they leave this earth

Considering it good to get in a "Hail Mary!" or a last minute prayer before they go! I consider it a good thing to anticipate some kind of meeting with God as the effects are good...

Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. - 1 John 3:2-3

 

[1Tonne]

Paul indicated that the dead are raised at the same time the living are glorified--it is all a single event associated with the 2nd Coming on the Last Day.

You are referring to 1 Thes 4:13-18.
Read it carefully knowing that in Revelation 20:4-6 it says that only the dead martyrs are raised first. These people are known as the "Dead in Christ" or "those who sleep in Him". No other person is raised.

13 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.
15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.

1 Thes 4:13-18 Explained
"But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus." Verse 13-14
Verses 13 and 14 say that people should not grieve for the dead believers, and that the dead believers will be raised and return with Him. The wording at the end of verse 14 says that those who return with Him are the ones that fell asleep in Christ. This would be the martyrs as mentioned in Revelation 20:4. If this is the martyrs, then they come and reign for 1000 years with Christ. This is not the last day.

"For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep." Verses 15
Then, verse 15 is simply saying that we who are alive right now should not expect to be raised until the martyrs have been raised first. We will not proceed them. The dead in Christ who are the martyrs are raised first, and reign with Christ for 1000 years, then on the last day, we who are left alive at that time will be raised also. This final raising of people would be all who are alive. Both believer and non-believer as well as those who are alive and those who are in the grave.

"For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first." Verse 16
This is going into more detail about when Jesus returns with the martyrs. There will be a shout from an archangel and a trumpet sound. And the martyrs will be raised in the first resurrection.

"Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord." Verse 17
This is the last day. We who are here on the very last day will be raised up in the twinkling of an eye (1 Cor 15:51-52) to go to judgment. Believers will then be with the Lord forever, while others will be condemned.

If Revelation 20:4-6 says that it is only the Martyrs who are raised and return with Christ and no other believer, but our own viewpoint contradicts this, then it is not scripture that has the issue. It would be our faulty eschatology.
So, once again, try reading 1 Thes 4:15-18 with the view that those who return are the martyrs. The rest of us are raised on the last day just as Jesus said 6 times.

 

[rockytopva]

I would call the first resurrection as pre-trib...

36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
37 But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,
39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
40 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
41 Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
43 But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.
44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. - Matthew 24

Noting... "But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only." If we had anything else it would be rather well announced. It would be nice to have had something like....

2053 AD - PreTrib Rapture
2060 AD - Return with Christ

But it wasn't God's intentions of us being that good. If I had to go with date picking I would call Isaac Newton as the closest...

And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half. -Daniel 12:7

From a folio cataloged as Yahuda MS 7.3g, f. 13v:

"So then the time times & half a time are 42 months or 1260 days or three years & an half, reckoning twelve months to a year & 30 days to a month as was done in the Calendar of the primitive year. And the days of short lived Beasts being put for the years of lived kingdoms, the period of 1260 days, if dated from the complete conquest of the three kings A.C. 800, will end A.C. 2060." - Isaac Newton

As Charlemagne was crowned king on December 25, 800 by Pope Leo the III so the day of Christ's coming may be on Christmas Day, 2060. If the rapture of the saints (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17) occurs seven years before the time of Christ's coming the date of the rapture 12.25 2053. However Isaac Newton notes...

"It may end later, but I see no reason for its ending sooner. This I mention not to assert when the time of the end shall be, but to put a stop to the rash conjectures of fancifull men who are frequently predicting the time of the end, & by doing so bring the sacred prophesies into discredit as often as their predictions fail. Christ comes as a thief in the night, & it is not for us to know the times & seasons which God hath put into his own breast." - Isaac Newton

 

[rockytopva]

Hoping always to maintain the possibilities of being wrong here.... "It may end later, but I see no reason for its ending sooner. This I mention not to assert when the time of the end shall be, but to put a stop to the rash conjectures of fancifull men who are frequently predicting the time of the end, & by doing so bring the sacred prophesies into discredit as often as their predictions fail. Christ comes as a thief in the night, & it is not for us to know the times & seasons which God hath put into his own breast." - Isaac Newton

 

[Douggg]

The first resurrection of Revelation 20:4-6 is a term that is relevant to the thousand years. And applies to the martyred great tribulation saints.

The second resurrection relevant to the thousand years will be for the Great White Throne judgment. - which the second death will occur for whosever is not found written in the book of life, Revelation 20:15.

 

[1Tonne]

The first resurrection of Revelation 20:4-6 is a term that is relevant to the thousand years. And applies to the martyred great tribulation saints.

The second resurrection relevant to the thousand years will be for the Great White Throne judgment. - which the second death will occur for whosever is not found written in the book of life, Revelation 20:15.

Correct. So, Jesus returns with His martyred saints. Then they reign for 1000 years (Rev 20:4-6). After this, Satan is let free for a little while and then, at the end of time, on the last day. those who a left alive will be raptured and those who are in the grave will be resurrected (this is the second resurrection), all to go to the Great White Throne. Whoever's name is found in the book of life will have everlasting life and those whose name is not there will not have everlasting life.

 

[Douggg]

So, Jesus returns with His martyred saints.

Jesus returns with His bride. Whether the souls of the martyred great tribulation saints accompany them or are brought separately is not known.

The resurrection/rapture event of 1Thessalonians 4:14-18 and 1Thessalonians5:9-11 will happen before God's wrath begins - 1Thessalonians 5::9-11.

 

[WilliamLhk]

I was brought up Charles Stanley type Baptist and Pentecostal Holiness. They both believed in a rapture. Whatever you may call it... I will take the first resurrection thank you!

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 2:6

A common misunderstanding of this verse, which has led to much confusion.

"the first/protos resurrection": πρῶτος :
Outline of Biblical Usage

1. first in time or place
   1. in any succession of things or persons
2. first in rank
   1. influence, honour
   2. chief
   3. principal
3. first, at the first

In the context here, and the Scriptures as a whole it means "first in rank." That is, everyone risen from the dead during Christs' return to begin the Millennial Age.

1 Cor.15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. 23 But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His Parousia. 24 Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. 25 For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. 26 The last enemy that will be destroyed is death. ...
51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the Last Trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

52. The Parousia of the Son of Man
Reviews the use of the term parousia by Jesus, Paul, and Peter, and what is thereby revealed about the sequence of End Time events. https://www.worthychristianforums.com/blogs/entry/2211-the-parousia-of-the-son-of-man/​

 

[1Tonne]

1 Cor.15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. 23 But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His Parousia. 24 Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. 25 For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. 26 The last enemy that will be destroyed is death. ...
51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the Last Trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

So, Christ being the first fruits was raised to life first. Then at the first resurrection (Rev 20:4-6) we have the martyrs who are raised and come and reign with Him for 1000 years. Then we have at the last trumpet, the end which is the last day where everyone will be raised and judged.

 

[RandyPNW]

You are referring to 1 Thes 4:13-18.
Read it carefully knowing that in Revelation 20:4-6 it says that only the dead martyrs are raised first. These people are known as the "Dead in Christ" or "those who sleep in Him". No other person is raised.

I've read the passage in Rev 20, and you are using, I think, an argument from silence. You're right that no other group is mentioned. But a broader, Bible-wide context, indicates the resurrection of the saints, generally speaking, speaks of a single resurrection of all the saints at Christ's Coming. That is a reference to the saints of the present age--the saints of the Millennial Age would be in another group altogether following the 2nd Coming.

Rev 20.4 I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded...

This suggests to me that those who had been "given authority to judge" is a much broader group than just the souls of those who had been beheaded. And I would further argue that we are just being given the notable groups constituting this First Resurrection, and not the complete list.