When is the First Resurrection?
Is it the same as the Rapture?
And who is included?
*
Here are a few Bible verses I'd like you to consider
that speak about the resurrection of believers
and the return of Christ.
The timing of the rapture
looks to occur at this first resurrection
mentioned in Revelation chapter 20.
When I read these scriptures,
I can see a direct relationship between
the believers who have died
being resurrected
and the believers who are alive
being transformed
when Christ Returns.
Both should be a part of this first resurrection.
Let's start with Jesus speaking in
John chapter 6 verses 39 and 40
This is the will of Him who sent Me,
that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing,
but raise it up on the last day.
For this is the will of My Father,
that everyone who beholds the Son
and believes in Him will have eternal life,
and
I Myself will raise him up on the last day."
Now let's take a look at
Revelation chapter 20 verses 4 through 6
4 Then I saw thrones, and they sat on them,
and judgment was given to them.
And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded
because of their testimony of Jesus
and because of the word of God,
and those who had not worshiped the beast
or his image,
and had not received the mark on their forehead
and on their hand;
and they came to life
and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.
5 The rest of the dead did not come to life
until the thousand years were completed.
This is the first resurrection.
6 Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection;
over these the second death has no power,
but they will be priests of God and of Christ
and will reign with Him for a thousand years.
Continuing with
I Corinthians 15:20 and 23
20 But now Christ has been raised from the dead,
the first fruits of those who are asleep.
23 But each in his own order:
Christ the first fruits,
after that those who are Christ's
at His coming,
When?
AT HIS COMING
Another good passage in this same chapter is
1 Corinthians 15:50-57;
But I only will read verse 52 because it makes the point perfectly,
in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet;
for the trumpet will sound,
and the dead will be raised imperishable,
and we will be changed.
When?
At the Last Trumpet,
not the beginning of the Great Tribulation.
And there is more to consider:
1 Thessalonians chapter 4 verses14 through17;
For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again,
even so God will bring with Him
those who have fallen asleep 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 not precede those who have fallen asleep.
16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout,
with the voice of the archangel
and with the trumpet of God,
and the dead in Christ will rise first.
17 Then we who are alive and remain
will be caught up together with them in the clouds
to meet the Lord in the air,
and so we shall always be with the Lord.
* Note:
Since the living will not precede the dead in the resurrection,
there is no possible way that the living could have been raptured
at any time prior to Christ's Second Coming.
Also, note:
This does say anything about going up to heaven,
as Jesus returns to the mount of Olives near Jerusalem,
and sets up His kingdom here on earth for 1,000 years.
We are gathered to MEET Him upon His return to earth.
This meeting happens in the air
and from this point on,
we "shall always be with the Lord",
as the passage clearly states.
Another passage that identifies the Timing of events is found in
2 Thessalonians chapter 1 verses 7 and 8;
and to give relief to you who are afflicted and to us as well
when the Lord Jesus will be revealed FROM heaven
with His mighty angels in flaming fire,
8 dealing out retribution
to those who do not know God
and to those who do not obey the gospel
of our Lord Jesus.
* No "secret" Rapture here....
And to make it even more clear,
Please consider
2 Thessalonians chapter 2 verses 1 through 3;
Now we request you, brethren,
with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ
and our gathering together to Him,
2 that you not be quickly shaken from your composure
or be disturbed either by a spirit
or a message
or a letter as if from us,
to the effect that the day of the Lord has come.
3 Let no one in any way deceive you,
for it will not come
unless the apostasy comes first,
AND
the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction,
And I will close with
Revelation chapter 1 verse 7;
Behold, He is coming with the clouds,
and every eye will see Him,
even those who pierced Him;
and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him.
So it is to be.
Amen.
Video link
Saved by Grace,
Andrew Cross
"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.
"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.
And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,
not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some,
but exhorting one another,
and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
Hebrews 10:23-25
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