Resurrection
Who is taken at the different resurrections? And when do they take place?
1) Resurrection comes from a word that means to stand again (anastasis.). It is the transformation of the physical to the spiritual (1 Cor. 15:50-54), the transition from the temporal to the eternal (1 Cor. 15:52) and the transparency of the ambiguity to clarity (Dan. 12:3; 1 Cor. 13:12).
2) The basis of the teaching is built upon the empty tomb of Jesus (John 20:1-17).
3) Resurrection is more about the corporate resurrection than the individual. There are two resurrections: The resurrection order of the living (elect) and the order of unbelievers (non-elect) (Matt. 25:33-46).
4) Jesus’ first resurrection order is for all believers and includes Jesus (Rev. 20:5-6).
a) Jesus is the first fruits of the resurrection (Rom. 8:29; 1 Cor. 15:23).
i) The Father planned that Jesus be raised from the dead (1 Thes. 1:10).
ii) He was raised by the power of the Holy Spirit (Rom. 1:4).
iii) Jesus’ resurrection is the basis for our hope in life (1 Pet. 1:3).
b) The raptured Church is second (1 Cor. 15:51-57; 1 Thes. 4:13-18).
c) The Old Testament saints and Tribulational martyrs are third at the end of the Tribulation. There would be a rest for the Old Testament saints until the last days concluded during the Tribulation (Dan. 12:13).
i) Martha knew Lazarus would rise in the last day (John 11:24).
ii) The Old Testament saints will rise from the dust (Is. 26:19-20).
iii) Tribulational martyrs will join the Lord at this point (Rev. 20:4).
d) Millennial saints are fourth at the Millennium end (Rev. 20:11-15).
5) The second resurrection occurs at the end of the Millennium and is composed of all unbelievers who rejected the saving work of Jesus on the cross (Rev. 20:11-15). They will be judged based on their works, because they were not persuaded to believe in Jesus as their Savior (John 3:36).
a) The Day of Judgment will come (2 Pet. 3:7).
b) The evil of rejecting Jesus Christ brings condemnation (John 5:28-29).
c) They will join the devil and his angels (Matt. 25:41).
Shepherding Truth 