The Resurrection of the Dead

Posted by©TheMusingsOfAnActs9DispensationalistPosted inThe FutureTags:, , , , , ,

Question: why aren’t the Tribulation Saints resurrected together as they all form part of the first resurrection? Yet a thousand years stands between the resurrection of those who suffer for Christ’s sake and the resurrection of those who do not suffer for His sake.

The following Tribulation Saints are resurrected and rule with Christ a 1 000 years during His Millennial reign:

Revelation 20:4
And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

While the following Saints who so happen to also be a part of the first resurrection don’t get to rule with Him and are only resurrected after the Millennium:

Revelation 20:5
But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.

Verse 6 says the second death (eternal punishment in the lake of fire) has no power over those who form part of the first resurrection, so we know that those referred to in verse 5 are not lost unbelievers. They are saved, but do not get to be Priests of God, thus do not reign with him because as stated before, they do not suffer for His sake during the Tribulation.

Revelation 20:6
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.

⬆️ Compare ⬇️

Revelation 20:5
But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.

So too will it be (along similar lines) in glory for Saints from the Dispensation of Grace, but unlike the Tribulation Saints, we will be resurrected together:

Resurrected/Caught Up Together

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

But We are not Glorified Together

Romans 8:17
And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we MAY be also glorified TOGETHER.

If we, members of His Body, are predestined to replace Satan and his fallen angels in heavenly places (and we are), it goes without saying that some will inherit, while others will be rewarded with the same titles and positions Satan and his devils currently hold, which positions do not all have the same degree of authority.

Colossians 1:16
For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

🔹️The position which is given as a reward for suffering for Christ’s sake: reigning with Him:

2 Timothy 2:12
If we suffer, we shall also reign with him : if we deny him, he also will deny us:

🔹️Positions which are as a result of one’s inheritance: judges of the world and judges of angels:

1 Corinthians 6:2-3
Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?

1 Corinthians 8:5
For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,)

1 Corinthians 15:41
There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead.

1 Corinthians 8:6
But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.

Selah.