Work Shop The First Resurrection

If we will look carefully at the description of the first resurrection, as it is presented in the early verses of the twentieth chapter of the Book of Revelation, we will note that it is the resurrection of an elite priesthood. Nothing is said or implied that the first resurrection is the event during which all saved people are raised from the dead. If we will look carefully at the description of the second resurrection, as it is presented in the last few verses of the twentieth chapter, we will see that the wording does not suggest that all are lost who are raised at that time. In fact, the text suggests the opposite—that a minority are thrown into the Lake of Fire of .

Mankind will be judged at the second resurrection. The first resurrection is for the victorious saints. They will return with the Lord and take up their bodies from the ground. Then they, and the living remnant, will ascend to meet the Lord in the clouds. They will meet the Lord as He comes so that He and they may descend and destroy all the works of the enemy.

We of today, because of our traditions, talk about the importance of going to Heaven when we die. Going to Heaven when we die is not the issue presented in the New Testament. The concern is what happens to us in the Day of the Lord. If we will read both the Old and New Testaments carefully we will find very little emphasis on going to Heaven when we die. Both Testaments deal with the Day of the Lord and the coming of the Kingdom of God Kingdom of God to the earth.

Primary Scriptures

And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you. (Romans 8:11)

Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. (Romans 8:23)

I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, And so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. (Phil 3:10-11)

(The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years. (Rev 20:5-6)

Essential Points of Emphasis

There shall be two resurrections of the dead. The first will occur when the Lord returns, at the beginning of the thousand-year Kingdom Age. The second will take place at the end of the Kingdom Age.

How do we attain the first resurrection? According to the Apostle Paul in Philippians, we attain by laying aside all else and seeking to gain Christ.

Suggested References

Aspects of the Resurrection of the Saints; The First & Second Resurrections; Resurrection

Follow up Activities

Answer Review Questions for this topic. 23

List additional Scriptures which support this concept.

Summarize this topic in your own words in one paragraph

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