The FIRST RESURRECTION, which will take place at the return of Jesus Christ to earth’s atmosphere, is reserved for a small, select group of people whom the Lord calls His “firstfruits,” “Very Elect,” “peculiar people,” “holy nation,” “pearls of great price,” “chosen generation,” “royal priesthood” and “little flock.” These are those who, at some point in their lives, had entered His “strait (difficult) gate” and had walked His “narrow (exact) way” until their deaths (Mat. 7:13,14; 10:22/ Rom. 5:21; 6:22/ 1 Jn. 2:6 and ch. 3/ Rev. 3:21).

Christ’s universally-witnessed arrival (Rev. 1:7) was prophesied by the Apostle Paul in First Corinthians 15:52,53 and First Thessalonians 4:16,17: “Behold I show you a mystery; we shall not all sleep (die before Christ returns), but we will all be changed (born again from flesh to spirit bodily composition). In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, the last trumpet will sound and the dead will be raised incorruptible (immortal) and we will all be changed.” “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 (to meet Him), then (afterwards) we who are still alive will be caught up together (with the risen dead) in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will be with Him forever.”

Beginning with Abel, saints who will take part in the first resurrection will be those who, during their lifetimes, repented of their past sins, received God’s Holy Spirit, then lived the remainder of their lives in obedience to His Law as directed by the indwelling Holy Spirit (Rom. 8:8-14). These will live throughout eternity in universe headquarters in New Jerusalem. For a description of this enormous city read The Kingdom of God. Key word–Kingdom.

One of the first questions raised when salvation seekers realize the Truth about obedience to God’s Law concerns their loved ones who have passed, as well as those who will go to their deaths in the future never having believed and obeyed His Law. This includes everyone in the Catholic/Protestant Church System along with those who will have never darkened a church door. This group also includes the billions of people throughout history who have never heard of the Biblical God. Remember that “God is not willing that any should perish, but that all come to repentance.” This means that everyone who has ever been born must be given the opportunity to receive salvation. Which brings us to the SECOND RESURRECTION.

To “resurrect” means to raise from the dead. A parenthetical statement found in Revelation 20:5 reveals when the SECOND RESURRECTION will take place: “But the REST OF THE DEAD did not live (be resurrected) UNTIL the thousand years (the millennium) were finished.” At this point all who have died (who did not rise in the FIRST RESURRECTION) will be brought back to life. This is Biblically referred to as the “Great White Throne judgment.” This will include most people who have ever lived. Following their resurrection they will have God’s Truth revealed to them and will be given the opportunity to become part of God’s world-wide kingdom. Those who embrace what Jesus did for them will be allowed to live on earth for eternity in a world of peace, plenty, etc. Only those who were raised during the FIRST RESURRECTION will live in kingdom headquarters where Christ and the Father will abide. For a more detailed description of life in the kingdom for those in the SECOND RESURRECTION read the series having the word Resurrections in the titles. Also, read The Kingdom of God.

The THIRD RESURRECTION is the resurrection leading to the “second death.” Jesus called this happening “the resurrection of condemnation” (Jn. 5:29). This resurrection will involve those who have at some point heard or read the Truth of God, but had rejected it. Scripture tells us that, following their resurrection, they will be cast into the Lake of Fire where they will burn to ash. This group will include those who had been raised in the SECOND RESURRECTION , had been taught the ways of the Lord, who then refused the offer of forgiveness and eternal life.

Concerning the title to this series, this Truth comes forth: THE SOUL (MAN HIMSELF) DIES AT SOME POINT AND AT SOME POINT WILL BE RESURRECTED. Concerning those in Christ who will be alive when He returns and be resurrected at that time, they also must die, for Scripture declares that “it is appointed for man once to die.” These will die on their way up to meet Christ in the air and will instantly be reborn (born again)–changed from physical to spirit form as described in First Corinthians 15:52,53. I read where someone claimed to have figured out the time span of “the twinkling of an eye.” As I recall, an eye-twinkle consumes 1/64 of a second. For more information relative to the future of God’s true saints read God’s Very Elect: Future Caretakers of the Universe. Key word–Caretakers. L.J.