BobRyan said:
Rev 20 -- the FIRST RESURRECTION is described in Rev 20 following the great Rev 19 2nd coming event. This is the resurrectoin of the righteous at the point when as Christ said in John 14 "I will come again" -- He returns to take us to heaven.
in 1Thess 4 we are told that in this great "FIRST resurrection" the "DEAD in Christ RISE FIRST" and both living and resurrected-dead are caught up together in the air to meet Christ - and to be taken to "His Father's house" where he went to prepare a place for us -- some 2000 years ago.
John 14 says "IF I go and prepare a PLACE for you -- I will come AGAIN and RECIEVE you to Myself in order that WHERE I am THERE you may be also".
We are received up into the air and then taken to heaven Where Christ is at this very moment. Doing the work THERE for us that he promised to do.
In Rev 19 we are told that the wicked world will oppose Christ at his coming and "The rest are killed" by the sword that comes from His mouth.
On earth - nothing but the dead.
In heaven - all the saints and Christ,
And that -- for 1000 years.
Matt 24 gives this same sequence showing the 2nd coming of Christ and saying "AFTER the tribulation of those days... he will gather his elect". And that is where the promise of John 14 "I will come again and RECEIVE you unto Myself" is realized.
in Christ,
Bob
The "first resurrection is in three phases.
1. Christ the "firstfruit" at His resurrection.
2. The Church Age believers from Pentecost to the Rapture at the beginning of the Tribulation
3. Tribulation Martyrs and (most probably Old Testament believers) at, or shortly after, the second coming.
"This is the first resurrection."
At Christ's coming to earth, all unbelievers will be killed by His glory.
Believers surviving the Tribulation persecution of Antichrist will enter into the Kingdom Age in physical bodies.
All Resurrected/Translated believers will live in the Kingdom Age on earth in glorified bodies.
Faithful Church Age believers and Tribulation martyrs will rule with Christ, serve in the Millennial Temple, and judge the nations. The Twelve Apostles will judge the 12 tribes of Israel during the Kingdom.