OK, so now, let's move forward from that factual account of Mat. 27
[50] Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.
[51] And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;
[52] And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the [OC] saints which slept** arose, [the figurative 144,000]
[53] And [they of Israel] came out of the graves AFTER his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.
[54] Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.
**Note: Malachi 3:16, aka figuratively being "Abraham's bosom".
Whoever it is, that was Firstborn from the DEAD, IS THE First Resurrection!!
Anyone that comes "AFTER" Him who is the First resurrection, IS SECOND!!
Q. CAN YOU NOW guess (or know), Who IT IS that is the ONLY FIRST RESURRECTION??
> clue: Col. 3:1
> please provide YOUR answer.
I am teaching no such thing!
I am teaching that whosoever believes in Jesus, and is "born again" of God's Holy Spirit, eversince Pentecost, is NOW A PARTAKER of His DIVINE NATURE. (2 Peter 1:4).
In and by the Holy Spirit within them, THEY ARE OF THE FIRST resurrection, WHO IS JESUS.
So, quite literally, everyone who is "born again" IS NOW....
[6] Blessed and holy is he that [now is born again] HATH PART in the first resurrection [who is Jesus]:
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 [DURING God's present Age of His Grace through Jesus].
The only thing that born again Christians [both Jew and Gentile alike] are waiting for, whether they be asleep in Jesus, or alive on the Earth in Jesus, is to be made into the LIKENESS of Christ's IMMORTALITY, upon HIS APEARANCE from heaven.
Prior to that moment, NO ONE is IMMORTAL, EXCEPT JESUS!!
(Edit):
1 Tim. 6[14] That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:
[15] Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;
[16] Who ONLY HATH immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.
Even the figurative 144,000 of Israel, who were resurrected immediately AFTER His resurrection, are asleep in paradise with Jesus, waiting also to be made Immortal. Rev. 6:9-11; Luke 23:42-43.