The First Resurrection

WPM said:

No. Mat 8:22 "let the dead (the spiritually dead) bury their dead (the naturally dead)."

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rockytopva said:

36 And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately.

37 Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.

38 And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants.

39 And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through.

40 Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.
36 And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately.

37 Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.

38 And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants.

39 And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through.

40 Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.

41 Then Peter said unto him, Lord, speakest thou this parable unto us, or even to all?

42 And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season?

43 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.

44 Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath.

45 But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken;

46 The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.

47 And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. - Luke 12

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jeffweeder said:

Does that apply only to a select few believers in a future event???
What about people of the past who committed to Jesus in the same way? Are they still vulnerable to the second death.
Our Lord doesn't seem to think so.


Jn 5
24 “Truly, truly, I say to you, the one who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.
25 Truly, truly, I say to you, a time is coming and even now has arrived, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live.

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rockytopva said:

None of us know the hour of the first resurrection!

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rockytopva said:

If I had to take a stab of the seven stars (messengers) to the seven candlesticks (churches)...

Original messenger - Church

1. Peter - Messianic
2. Paul - Early Gentile
3. Constantine - Greek Orthodox
4. Theodosius I - Catholic
5. Martin Luther - Protestant
6. John Wesley - The revived church (Methodist - Pentecostal)
7. Robert Shuller - The Country Club

One Church... Millions of congregations...
1. Ephesus - Messianic Jewish Church
2. Smyrna - Oriental Orthodox - The Roman persecutions were ten
3. Pergamos - Greek Orthodox - Pergos... A tower... Needed in the dark ages
4. Thyatira - Catholic - Middle ages
5. Sardis - Protestant - A sardis is a gem... Beautiful,,, Not much spiritually
6. Philadelphia - Wesleyan - Too bad the revivals didn't last longer
7. Laodicean - Word of Faith - Rich and have need of nothing?

Seven candlesticks - Seven generalized congregation - All unique - And Christ walking in the midst
Seven seals - Those names written in the Lambs Book of Life
Seven stars - Those messengers to the congregations

I believe the Lambs Book of Life must be sealed with the seven seals for the first resurrection to take place. Once the entire church is sealed it will be time for the trumpets to sound and

51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on - 1 Corinthians 15

Once those trumpets sound, and the tribulation occurs as outlined in Revelation, then we will return with Christ to reign with him a thousand years...

Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: 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. - Revelation 2:6

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ewq1938 said:

Christ is not the "first resurrection" found in Revelation 20 but he is why it happens.

Rev 20 speaks of two groups of the dead that resurrect/live again.

The first resurrection is the resurrection of this first group of the dead because they resurrect first. The rest have to wait for their resurrection:

"the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished" (Rev 20:5)

This is the last resurrection of those who are dead. One group resurrected and "the rest" or the remaining ones did not resurrect when the others did.

This proves they partake of the second resurrection also known as the last resurrection because no one is still physically dead after they "live again". This proves without a doubt that there are two separate days of resurrections separated by a thousand years.

The first group resurrects before the thousand years begins and the second/last group resurrects after the end of the thousand years.

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TrevorHL said:

Greetings Spiritual Israelite,

The faithful will be raised from the dead when Jesus returns, as stated above, "afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming" and they will receive immortality and reign with Jesus upon the earth for the 1000 years. This is the first resurrection. The second will be at the end of the 1000 years.

Kind regards
Trevor

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ewq1938 said:

Christ is not the "first resurrection" found in Revelation 20 but he is why it happens.

Rev 20 speaks of two groups of the dead that resurrect/live again.

The first resurrection is the resurrection of this first group of the dead because they resurrect first. The rest have to wait for their resurrection:

"the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished" (Rev 20:5)

This is the last resurrection of those who are dead. One group resurrected and "the rest" or the remaining ones did not resurrect when the others did.

This proves they partake of the second resurrection also known as the last resurrection because no one is still physically dead after they "live again". This proves without a doubt that there are two separate days of resurrections separated by a thousand years.

The first group resurrects before the thousand years begins and the second/last group resurrects after the end of the thousand years.

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rockytopva said:

If there is no first resurrection how are we going to return with Christ to reign a thousand years?

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rockytopva said:

I would say pre-trib...

36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
37 But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,
39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
40 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
41 Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
43 But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.
44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. - Matthew 24

Noting... "But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only." If we had anything else it would be rather well announced. It would be nice to have had something like....

2053 AD - PreTrib Rapture
2060 AD - Return with Christ

But it wasn't God's intentions of us being that good. If I had to go with date picking I would call Isaac Newton as the closest...

And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half. -Daniel 12:7

From a folio cataloged as Yahuda MS 7.3g, f. 13v:

"So then the time times & half a time are 42 months or 1260 days or three years & an half, reckoning twelve months to a year & 30 days to a month as was done in the Calendar of the primitive year. And the days of short lived Beasts being put for the years of lived kingdoms, the period of 1260 days, if dated from the complete conquest of the three kings A.C. 800, will end A.C. 2060." - Isaac Newton

As Charlemagne was crowned king on December 25, 800 by Pope Leo the III so the day of Christ's coming may be on Christmas Day, 2060. If the rapture of the saints (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17) occurs seven years before the time of Christ's coming the date of the rapture 12.25 2053. However Isaac Newton notes...

"It may end later, but I see no reason for its ending sooner. This I mention not to assert when the time of the end shall be, but to put a stop to the rash conjectures of fancifull men who are frequently predicting the time of the end, & by doing so bring the sacred prophesies into discredit as often as their predictions fail. Christ comes as a thief in the night, & it is not for us to know the times & seasons which God hath put into his own breast." - Isaac Newton

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ewq1938 said:

Lazarus experienced a resurrection before Jesus did.

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ewq1938 said:

Lazarus experienced a resurrection before Jesus did.

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David in NJ said:

Time to put on the Mind of TRUTH from the Holy Scriptures and the Holy Spirit of Truth

You are CORRECT,
and now a moment of Great JOY,
JESUS raised Lazarus from the dead

JESUS is the Resurrection = the FIRST Resurrection for all who believed the WORD that was GOD

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️ 1. Old Testament Resurrections (Pre‑Christ)​

1. The Widow’s Son at Zarephath​

• Agent: Elijah
• Context: A Gentile widow’s child dies; Elijah prays and stretches himself over the child.
• Significance: First explicit resurrection in Scripture. Demonstrates Yahweh’s power over death in a pagan land.

2. The Shunammite Woman’s Son​

• Agent: Elisha
• Context: Child dies suddenly; Elisha prays and performs symbolic actions.
• Significance: Shows continuity of prophetic authority from Elijah to Elisha.

3. The Man Raised by Contact with Elisha’s Bones​

• Agent: God, through Elisha’s remains
• Context: A corpse touches Elisha’s bones and revives.
• Significance: Resurrection through prophetic legacy; emphasizes God’s power independent of living human agency.

2. New Testament Resurrections Before Jesus’ Own​

4. Jairus’ Daughter​

• Agent: Jesus
• Context: “The child is not dead but sleeping.”
• Significance: Jesus demonstrates authority over death early in His ministry.

5. The Widow’s Son at Nain​

• Agent: Jesus
• Context: Jesus interrupts a funeral procession.
• Significance: Public resurrection; crowd declares Jesus a great prophet (linking Him to Elijah/Elisha).

6. Lazarus​

• Agent: Jesus
• Context: Four days dead; “Lord, he stinketh.”
• Significance: Climactic resurrection miracle before Jesus’ own; explicitly tied to Jesus’ identity as “the resurrection and the life.”

️ 3. Post‑Resurrection but Still Before Christ’s Ascension​

7. Saints Raised at Jesus’ Death​

• Agent: God
• Context: Tombs open at the moment of Jesus’ death; saints appear in Jerusalem.
• Significance: Symbolic preview of the resurrection harvest Christ inaugurates.

4. Key Theological Distinctions​

A. All pre‑Christ resurrections were temporary​

• immortal,
• glorified,
• never to die again (Romans 6:9).

B. Pre‑Christ resurrections were signs, not the goal​

• God’s power over death,
• the coming Messiah,
• the future general resurrection.

C. Christ’s resurrection is the “firstfruits”​

D. Prophetic continuity​

5. A useful summary table​

Stumpmaster said:

There is a distinction between the numerous temporary resurrections prior to Christ's, and the elect saints' permanent resurrection, ​

The Bible records several resurrections before Jesus’ own, and they serve as theological “previews” or prototypes pointing toward Christ’s ultimate resurrection. They differ in purpose, power, and permanence, but they form a coherent pattern.
Below is a structured, detailed list tailored for your analytical style, Michael.

️ 1. Old Testament Resurrections (Pre‑Christ)​

1. The Widow’s Son at Zarephath​

1 Kings 17:17–24

• Agent: Elijah
• Context: A Gentile widow’s child dies; Elijah prays and stretches himself over the child.
• Significance: First explicit resurrection in Scripture. Demonstrates Yahweh’s power over death in a pagan land.

2. The Shunammite Woman’s Son​

2 Kings 4:18–37

• Agent: Elisha
• Context: Child dies suddenly; Elisha prays and performs symbolic actions.
• Significance: Shows continuity of prophetic authority from Elijah to Elisha.

3. The Man Raised by Contact with Elisha’s Bones​

2 Kings 13:20–21

• Agent: God, through Elisha’s remains
• Context: A corpse touches Elisha’s bones and revives.
• Significance: Resurrection through prophetic legacy; emphasizes God’s power independent of living human agency.

2. New Testament Resurrections Before Jesus’ Own​

4. Jairus’ Daughter​

Mark 5:35–43; Luke 8:49–56

• Agent: Jesus
• Context: “The child is not dead but sleeping.”
• Significance: Jesus demonstrates authority over death early in His ministry.

5. The Widow’s Son at Nain​

Luke 7:11–17

• Agent: Jesus
• Context: Jesus interrupts a funeral procession.
• Significance: Public resurrection; crowd declares Jesus a great prophet (linking Him to Elijah/Elisha).

6. Lazarus​

John 11:1–44

• Agent: Jesus
• Context: Four days dead; “Lord, he stinketh.”
• Significance: Climactic resurrection miracle before Jesus’ own; explicitly tied to Jesus’ identity as “the resurrection and the life.”

️ 3. Post‑Resurrection but Still Before Christ’s Ascension​

(These occur after Jesus rises, but before His ascension — still technically “before Christ’s resurrection” in the sense of the pattern of biblical resurrections.)

7. Saints Raised at Jesus’ Death​

Matthew 27:52–53

• Agent: God
• Context: Tombs open at the moment of Jesus’ death; saints appear in Jerusalem.
• Significance: Symbolic preview of the resurrection harvest Christ inaugurates.

4. Key Theological Distinctions​

A. All pre‑Christ resurrections were temporary​

Every resurrected person eventually died again. Christ’s resurrection is qualitatively different:

• immortal,
• glorified,
• never to die again (Romans 6:9).

B. Pre‑Christ resurrections were signs, not the goal​

They point forward to:

• God’s power over death,
• the coming Messiah,
• the future general resurrection.

C. Christ’s resurrection is the “firstfruits”​

1 Corinthians 15:20 calls Jesus the firstfruits of those who have died — meaning His resurrection is the prototype of the final resurrection, not merely another miracle in a sequence.

D. Prophetic continuity​

Elijah → Elisha → Jesus The miracles escalate in power and clarity, culminating in Christ.

5. A useful summary table​

Resurrection	Reference	Agent	Purpose	Nature
Widow’s son (Zarephath)	1 Kings 17	Elijah	Validate prophetic authority	Temporary
Shunammite’s son	2 Kings 4	Elisha	Demonstrate God’s compassion	Temporary
Man touching Elisha’s bones	2 Kings 13	God	Show enduring prophetic power	Temporary
Jairus’ daughter	Mark 5	Jesus	Reveal Jesus’ authority	Temporary
Widow’s son (Nain)	Luke 7	Jesus	Public sign of messianic identity	Temporary
Lazarus	John 11	Jesus	Foreshadow Christ’s resurrection	Temporary
Saints at crucifixion	Matt. 27	God	Symbolic inauguration of resurrection age	Temporary

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EXCELLENT - Thank You​

​

MUST Repeat this​

A. All pre‑Christ resurrections were temporary​

• immortal,
• glorified,
• never to die again (Romans 6:9).
• SAME for all the Saints at His Coming = Romans 8:18-25
• SAME for all the Saints at His Coming = Matthew 22:30
• SAME for all the Saints at His Coming = John 6:37-40
• SAME for all the Saints at His Coming = 1 Corinthians chapter 15
• SAME for all the Saints at His Coming = 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
• SAME for all the Saints at His Coming = 1 John 3:1-3
• SAME for all the Saints at His Coming = Revelation ch1 & ch20