Ed,
Hello! How are you doing? I am doing fine! Good to see you made post here.
Ok, let's discuss about the issue of resurrection. The basic thing that we all agreed that there shall be resurrection at Christ's coming. There is no question about it. That is a fundamental doctrine.
There is much disagree about the timing of resurrection. The reason is because of dispensationalism's influence. There is much confusions and misunderstandings on Christians influenced by dispensational teachers, and books.
Dispensationalism caused the body of Christ into schism or divided, which is conflict with the teaching of unity body of Christ in Ephesians chapter 2 by through Calvary.
You makes a outline on the resurrections:
The Firstfruits (Matthew 27:22-53)
The Harvest (1 Corinthians 15:51-54, 1
Thessalonians 4:16-17)
The Gleanings (Revelation 7:14, 20:4)
The Tares (Matthew 13:28-30)
Let's discuss start with 'the firstfruits'. Notice Matt. 27:50-53 telling us, when Christ yelled, and yielded up his soul(He died) on the cross. Then, the graves opened; many bodies of the saints slept were arose. And many went into the holy city and appeared many.
Many believe verse 52-53 speak of literal physical resurrection of the saints occured right after the death of Christ. Probably they are right. I believe these who were arose from the death are all Old Testament saints.
I heard a person told me, he believed these were actual risen from the death, then they return back to the graves again by follow their death(years later).
I hate to use my opinion on Matt. 27:52-53. I believe these who came out of the graves, mean that they must have came out of Abraham's bosom of Luke chapter 16. And O.T. saints came out of Abraham's bosom, and followed Christ went into the heaven- according Ephesians 4:8-10.
Firstly of all, Matt. 27:51-53 do not saying that O.T. saints were actual received new body or immortality. It only speak of these who were arose from the graves. What about their body? I believed that they were arose from the graves, but their body were remain mortal(dying), and they did went into old city - earthly Jerusalem and appeared to many people. Then years later, they died and return to their dust again. BUT, I believe their souls were arose, and did received the "first resurrection" or the part of the "firstfruit" because of Jesus Christ, who became the first person to be risen from from the death according to 1 Corinthians 15:20-21 -"But NOW is Christ risen from the dead, and
BECOME the firstfruits of them that slept. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming."
Jesus Christ is the FIRST person which was risen from thhe death, SO, Jesus Christ
is the firstfruits, THEN afterward we are Christ's firstfruits.
Matt. 27:51-53 could be the first stage of the resurrection. But, I believe this passage showing us, that Jesus Christ became the first person who was rose from the death, so, He became 'the firstfruits', then afterward Christ's risen, the rest of them are risen from the death. That is called, 'the first resurrection'.
Later, I will discuss on 'the first resurrection' in this post.
Now, let's discuss on harvest.
You saying that the harvest is rapture. That's correct, I agree with you.
Do you consider the harvest of the earth of Matt. 13:39-42; and 49-50 is also speak of rapture??
If you saying no. Then, why did you saying, '2. The Havrest' in the first place?
You put 'The Tares' of Matt. 13:28-30 in the fourth stage of the resurrection in the last place.
Please rereading Matthew 13:39-42 again carefully: "The enemy that sowed them is the devil;
the harvest IS the end of the world; and the repeaers are the angels. As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire;
SO SHALL IT BE IN THE END OF THIS WORLD. The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity, and shall cast them into a furance of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth."
Does Christ saying, there will be two or three harvests in the future? None. How many harvests does Christ saying of Matt. 13:39-42?
Three words as you given the outline of resurrection- 'harvest', 'gleanings', and 'tares'. All of these shall be occuring at the same time at the end of the world(age). Both 'harvest' and 'gleaning' are synonymous. Gleaning means gathering. Harvest means gathering.
How about Matthew 25:31-46? Matthew 25:31-46 telling the same thing as what Christ saying of Matthew chapter 13 about the harvest of the world.
Well also find in Revelation 14:14-20 mentioned about the harvest of the world.
The Bible teaches us, there shall be the only one future harvest of the world at the end of the world will be at Christ's coming, no other else. Very simple and plain.
You mentioned of Daniel 12:2.
Daniel 12:2 show its refer with Rev. 20:11-15 talking about great white throne. Clearly, Daniel 12:2 speaks of the only one future resurrection event at the end of the age.
You mentioned of John 5:28-29. Notice John 5:28-29 nothing saying about '7 year of tribulation' or 'a thousand years' either. "the hour" of John 5:28 is speak of
TIME for the judgement/resurrection to come or arrived.
Same as common sense of Rev. 3:10 - 'the hour of temptation' is not saying of so called, '7 year of tribulation', but speaking of the TIMES of temptations. Rev. 3:10 talking about
WHEN we are facing temptations, trials, persecutions, God shall take care of us, IF we keeping His word(commandment).
John 5:28-29 teaching us, there shall be the only one future general resurrection of both unbelievers and believers at the judgment day.
You say,
Revelation 20:4-6 clearly notes that the just are raised one day (a 1,000 year long day) before the unjust.
I will discuss on Revelation 20:4-6 more about resurrection in the next post.
To be continued....
In Christ
Rev. 22:20 -Amen!
