Who Has Part in The First Resurrection?

[OldRegular]

If we search the Scriptures we will read of only one person who died and came to life never to die again. That person was Jesus Christ, Jesus the Messiah. Jesus Christ Himself told His Apostles after Peter's profession of Faith:

Matthew 16:21. From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.

The Apostle Peter, preaching to the Jews on Pentecost declared:

Acts 2:22-24
22. Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:
23. Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:
24. Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.

The Apostle Paul preaching before King Agrippa declares that the Death and Resurrection of Christ Jesus was prophesied by Moses and the prophets and would be the first to rise from the dead:

Acts 26:22, 23
22. Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come:
23. That Christ should suffer, [and] that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.

We see then that Jesus Christ, in prophecy and in history, was the first and only one to rise from the dead to die no more. Who then are those who have part in this First Resurrection, the Resurrection of Christ Jesus?

 

[RLBosley]

This I why I am leaning Amill more an more. Not there yet, but I certainly would be were it not for Rev 20. Clearly the elect (however you define that term) are those united in Christ in his death and resurrection, and thus we take part in His resurrection. Paul makes that clear several times, but one of my favorite is Galatians 2:20

"I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. (NASB)

On Easter, I taught the youth on the resurrection of Christ and the uniqueness of it. One of my main points was, as you pointed out, that Christ is the first to rise from the dead, in a glorious body, never to die again.

 

[kyredneck]

This I why I am leaning Amill more an more. Not there yet, but I certainly would be were it not for Rev 20......

I'm curious, what is it about Rev 20 that hinders you?

 

[RLBosley]

I'm curious, what is it about Rev 20 that hinders you?

The repeated mention of 1,000 years mainly. If it was a one time mention then I could more easily see it as the church age and the binding of Satan being the binding Jesus mentions in John's gospel (i think it's John. I'm too lazy ATM to look it up).

Also the flow of the text does seem to indicate this is all after Christ's return, though I could be mistaken as I do not believe Revelation is totally chronological.

Lastly, and really least impactful IMO, is the specification that those who reign with Christ are those "who had been beheaded" because of their faith.

Again, mainly it is the seeming insistence on 1,000 years.

 

[thisnumbersdisconnected]

I'm curious, what is it about Rev 20 that hinders you?

Don't know about RLB, but Revelations 20 speaks of a literal judgment on Satan, a separate judgment of works for saints coming out of the Tribulation as opposed to the Bema Seat the church will come before, and the fact that "the rest of the dead" do not come to life until after Christ's Thousand Year Reign.

Just a few things that could hinder acceptance of amillennialism, at least in my opinion.

 

[kyredneck]

...the text does seem to indicate this is all after Christ's return.....

Can you pinpoint the verse in Rev where Christ sets foot on earth?

 

[kyredneck]

....Revelations 20 speaks of a literal judgment on Satan.....

By that you mean a literal, touchable, visible angel, abyss, key, great chain, serpent with seven heads etc.?

 

[webdog]

If we search the Scriptures we will read of only one person who died and came to life never to die again. That person was Jesus Christ, Jesus the Messiah. Jesus Christ Himself told His Apostles after Peter's profession of Faith:

Matthew 16:21. From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.

The Apostle Peter, preaching to the Jews on Pentecost declared:

Acts 2:22-24
22. Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:
23. Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:
24. Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.

The Apostle Paul preaching before King Agrippa declares that the Death and Resurrection of Christ Jesus was prophesied by Moses and the prophets and would be the first to rise from the dead:

Acts 26:22, 23
22. Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come:
23. That Christ should suffer, [and] that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.

We see then that Jesus Christ, in prophecy and in history, was the first and only one to rise from the dead to die no more. Who then are those who have part in this First Resurrection, the Resurrection of Christ Jesus?

You added "and only" to the text. Nothing from either text states Christ is the only one to be raised from the dead to never die again, in fact other passages specifically say just the opposite.

2Cor. 4:14 knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence

What part of that should we spiritualize?

 

[RLBosley]

Can you pinpoint the verse in Rev where Christ sets foot on earth?

I said "seems to indicate" for a reason

That being said, I don't understand how Rev 19 could be interpreted any other way, than the final appearing of Christ to judge the nations and gather the elect to himself.

You added "and only" to the text. Nothing from either text states Christ is the only one to be raised from the dead to never die again, in fact other passages specifically say just the opposite. 2Cor. 4:14 knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence

Aren't you being a bit disingenuous with this post?

OR said " Jesus Christ, in prophecy and in history, was the first and only one to rise from the dead to die no more."

I take that to mean that, thus far, Jesus is the only one to rise in a glorious body, never to die again. Not that he is the only one who ever will or that we won't, in the future, have the same occur to us. I think we can all agree with that, can't we?

 

[prophet]

If we search the Scriptures we will read of only one person who died and came to life never to die again. That person was Jesus Christ, Jesus the Messiah. Jesus Christ Himself told His Apostles after Peter's profession of Faith:

Matthew 16:21. From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.

The Apostle Peter, preaching to the Jews on Pentecost declared:

Acts 2:22-24
22. Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:
23. Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:
24. Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.

The Apostle Paul preaching before King Agrippa declares that the Death and Resurrection of Christ Jesus was prophesied by Moses and the prophets and would be the first to rise from the dead:

Acts 26:22, 23
22.Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come:
23.That Christ should suffer, [and] that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.

We see then that Jesus Christ, in prophecy and in history, was the first and only one to rise from the dead to die no more. Who then are those who have part in this First Resurrection, the Resurrection of Christ Jesus?

1Co 15:20-23
20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.
21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.
22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
23 But every man in his own order:Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.

 

[webdog]

I said "seems to indicate" for a reason

That being said, I don't understand how Rev 19 could be interpreted any other way, than the final appearing of Christ to judge the nations and gather the elect to himself.



Aren't you being a bit disingenuous with this post?

OR said " Jesus Christ, in prophecy and in history, was the first and only one to rise from the dead to die no more."

I take that to mean that, thus far, Jesus is the only one to rise in a glorious body, never to die again. Not that he is the only one who ever will or that we won't, in the future, have the same occur to us. I think we can all agree with that, can't we?

I didn't take it that way, hence not disingenuous. The Bible states we are seated with Him right now in the heavenlies. In a sense we did take part in the first resurrection.

 

[prophet]

The repeated mention of 1,000 years mainly. If it was a one time mention then I could more easily see it as the church age and the binding of Satan being the binding Jesus mentions in John's gospel (i think it's John. I'm too lazy ATM to look it up).

Also the flow of the text does seem to indicate this is all after Christ's return, though I could be mistaken as I do not believe Revelation is totally chronological.

Lastly, and really least impactful IMO, is the specification that those who reign with Christ are those "who had been beheaded" because of their faith.

Again, mainly it is the seeming insistence on 1,000 years.

Stop calling it the 'millennium', and call it the 'kingdom coming', and you will quit leaning away from Scripture.

Mat 6:10
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

Mat 24:14
14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

Rev 14:6-7
6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,
7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come:and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.

 

[RLBosley]

I didn't take it that way, hence not disingenuous. The Bible states we are seated with Him right now in the heavenlies. In a sense we did take part in the first resurrection.

OK.I guess we just interpreted his statement in different ways. I honestly don't see ho you could interpret it that OR was saying that ONLY Jesus will be the ONLY one to EVER rise from the dead and never die again. Unless he has a history of saying that. That's another issue.

And yes we are spiritually seated with Christ, right now, in heavenly places (indicating that Christ also currently reign's contrary to what another said in the other thread), but that isn't the physical resurrection. I believe that is OR's point. Again, unless I totally missed what he meant.

Stop calling it the 'millennium', and call it the 'kingdom coming', and you will quit leaning away from Scripture.

Mat 6:10
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

Mat 24:14
14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

Rev 14:6-7
6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,
7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come:and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.

I didn't call it the millennium, though a millennium is a period of 1,000 years so to say it isn't a millennium is just wrong. The issue is interpreting it. I never said it wasn't the "kingdom coming," which I believe the kingdom came at the first advent, and is here now, though veiled.

 

[OldRegular]

This I why I am leaning Amill more an more. Not there yet, but I certainly would be were it not for Rev 20. Clearly the elect (however you define that term) are those united in Christ in his death and resurrection, and thus we take part in His resurrection. Paul makes that clear several times, but one of my favorite is Galatians 2:20

"I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. (NASB)

On Easter, I taught the youth on the resurrection of Christ and the uniqueness of it. One of my main points was, as you pointed out, that Christ is the first to rise from the dead, in a glorious body, never to die again.

In the Book The Meaning of the Millennium compiled by Robert G. Clouse, George Eldon Ladd, a historic or covenant premillennialist, has some interesting comments regarding Revelation 20, specifically his exegesis of Revelation 20:4 and the word souls. Ladd insists souls means resurrected bodies. I realize that souls is sometimes used in Scripture to indicate the totality of a person or people. However, given this passage is dealing with resurrected bodies it seems to me that if John meant resurrected bodies he would have said so. This is not the case with Ladd and for this and other reasons he says he remains a premillennialist, historic of course.

I am an amillennialist but I have no real problem with either historic premillennialists or post millennialists, though I disagree with both, because their doctrine of the Church is orthodox and Biblically correct. Hopefully the movement called progressive dispensationalism will find its way to a correct doctrine of the Church.

 

[OldRegular]

Don't know about RLB, but Revelations 20 speaks of a literal judgment on Satan, a separate judgment of works for saints coming out of the Tribulation as opposed to the Bema Seat the church will come before, and the fact that "the rest of the dead" do not come to life until after Christ's Thousand Year Reign.

Where does Revelation 20 speak of a judgment of Saints coming out of the "Tribulation"?

 

[RLBosley]

In the Book The Meaning of the Millennium compiled by Robert G. Clouse, George Eldon Ladd, a historic or covenant premillennialist, has some interesting comments regarding Revelation 20, specifically his exegesis of Revelation 20:4 and the word souls. Ladd insists souls means resurrected bodies. I realize that souls is sometimes used in Scripture to indicate the totality of a person or people. However, given this passage is dealing with resurrected bodies it seems to me that if John meant resurrected bodies he would have said so. This is not the case with Ladd and for this and other reasons he says he remains a premillennialist, historic of course.

I am an amillennialist but I have no real problem with either historic premillennialists or post millennialists, though I disagree with both, because their doctrine of the Church is orthodox and Biblically correct. Hopefully the movement called progressive dispensationalism will find its way to a correct doctrine of the Church.

Yes the debate does also heavily focus on how you interpret the "souls." I tend to agree with Ladd, he was after all very helpful in my shedding of dispensationalism. His Theology of the New Testament was a great help. And that reminds me I have a copy of The Blessed Hope and have yet to read it.

And same here regaring the millennial positions. Amill and historic pre are nearly identical up until after Jesus steps foot on earth.

 

[OldRegular]

You added "and only" to the text.

I would appreciate you showing me where I added only to the text!

Nothing from either text states Christ is the only one to be raised from the dead to never die again, in fact other passages specifically say just the opposite.

Can you show those passages?

2Cor. 4:14 knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence

What part of that should we spiritualize?

You can spiritualize as you wish.

I take that passage literally. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the guarantee of the resurrection of the Saints, the true believers. Of course Scripture teaches a resurrection of all the dead!

 

[OldRegular]

1Co 15:20-23
20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.
21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.
22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
23 But every man in his own order:Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.

I heartedly agree with that. When Jesus Christ returns the resurrection of all that are in the graves will take place {John 5:28, 29}.

 

[OldRegular]

I didn't take it that way, hence not disingenuous.

The implication was that I added "only" to the text of Scripture which is incorrect! I will be interested though in seeing those Scripture you say shows others raised from the dead who did not die again.

The Bible states we are seated with Him right now in the heaven lies.

I believe that is in Ephesians chapter one.

In a sense we did take part in the first resurrection.

All believers have part in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, the First Resurrection. The Apostle Paul tells us:

1 Corinthians 15:12-19
12. Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?
13. But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen:
14. And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.
15. Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not.
16. For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised:
17. And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.
18. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.
19. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.

Resurrection 20:6 tells us:

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.

 

[OldRegular]

Stop calling it the 'millennium', and call it the 'kingdom coming', and you will quit leaning away from Scripture.

Mat 6:10
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

Mat 24:14
14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

Rev 14:6-7
6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,
7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come:and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.

I believe Scripture teaches that the Kingdom has already come, at least in part.

Matthew 12:28. But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.

Colossians 1:12, 13
12. Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
13. Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

And it is certain that Jesus Christ is reigning now.

Matthew 28:18. And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

Ephesians 1:15-23
15. Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,
16. Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;
17. That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
18. The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
19. And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
20. Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
21. Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
22. And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
23. Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

1 Corinthians 15:20-27
20. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.
21. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.
22. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
23. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.
24. Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.
25. For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.
26. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.
27. For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him.