Lots of talk over the years has been on pre-trib and post-trib resurrection. There are even those who believe in numerous resurrections to come.
As I view it, a group of believers will be taken out of the body of believers, known as the Bride of Christ, ones who know the Lord intimately. In Scripture, they take the names of the elect (Romans 11:7), choice one (Song of Solomon 6:9), the residue (Zechariah 14:2) and overcomers (Revelation 21:7).
Paul sought to be in that special group, the Bride, I believe, when he wrote, “If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead…not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 3:11)
It’s not like he was not certain he would be resurrected. He was, and the following verses prove so.
2 Corinthians 4:14, “ Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.”
John 5:28-29, “..they that are in the grave shall hear His voice and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.”
So, the whole idea of whether or not Paul would be resurrected was, to his mind, assured.
Yet, he wrote “if by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.” These words, as I read them, relate entirely to reaching the level of the Bride. Being in the Bride ought to be spiritually coveted. It is a position for which we are to strive through the mortification of the deeds of the flesh, laying aside every weight, running the race, obedience, prayerful intimacy, etc.
The Bride will not be a great gang of believers, but a few, as I pointed out above.. (Deuteronomy. 7:7; Matthew 20:16)
Hosea 4:19, “And I will betroth thee unto me for ever; yea, I will betroth thee unto me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in lovingkindness, and in mercies.”
As I view it, a group of believers will be taken out of the body of believers, known as the Bride of Christ, ones who know the Lord intimately. In Scripture, they take the names of the elect (Romans 11:7), choice one (Song of Solomon 6:9), the residue (Zechariah 14:2) and overcomers (Revelation 21:7).
Paul sought to be in that special group, the Bride, I believe, when he wrote, “If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead…not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 3:11)
It’s not like he was not certain he would be resurrected. He was, and the following verses prove so.
2 Corinthians 4:14, “ Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.”
John 5:28-29, “..they that are in the grave shall hear His voice and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.”
So, the whole idea of whether or not Paul would be resurrected was, to his mind, assured.
Yet, he wrote “if by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.” These words, as I read them, relate entirely to reaching the level of the Bride. Being in the Bride ought to be spiritually coveted. It is a position for which we are to strive through the mortification of the deeds of the flesh, laying aside every weight, running the race, obedience, prayerful intimacy, etc.
The Bride will not be a great gang of believers, but a few, as I pointed out above.. (Deuteronomy. 7:7; Matthew 20:16)
Hosea 4:19, “And I will betroth thee unto me for ever; yea, I will betroth thee unto me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in lovingkindness, and in mercies.”