THE FIRST RESURRECTION 

That first resurrection began over 2,000 years ago. We read in Matthew: 

Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, and came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many (Matt. 27:51–53 esv). 

According to Scripture, the first resurrection is not a one-time event. It is linear, meaning it progresses from one stage to another in a single series of steps. It involves resurrections throughout Scripture that ultimately culminate in the second coming of the Messiah. This progression is explained by Paul, beginning with Adam. 

In 1 Corinthians 15:22–23 (esv), we read, “For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at His coming those who belong to Christ.” From the moment Jesus “yielded up the ghost,” the first resurrection began, “and many of the bodies of [some Old Testament) saints arose” (Matt. 27:52). Three days later, at His personal resurrection, the progression continued: “When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things)” (Eph. 4:8–10). 

Peter taught that in the three days after His death,5 Jesus “went and preached unto the spirits in prison” (1 Pet. 3:19), only to rise from the dead, and at that point, lead those spirits out of their waiting place in the bowels of the earth when he “led captivity captive.” 

The Old Testament saints’ spirits were taken to heaven, but their bodies are still waiting in the graves, “each in his own order,” for their resurrection. That resurrec- tion will take place at the rapture “with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up [rapio/harpazo] together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air” (1 Thess. 4:16–17). This is the resurrection happening in a linear progression. 

However, the second coming consists of only two stages: first, the rapture, at which point God selects those worthy of escaping the tribu- lation through the open door of Philadelphia; and second, when believ- ers who were martyred in the tribulation plus those who survived the tribulation meet Him at the second coming—at which point every knee will bow and acknowledge Him as Lord. 

So get ready, America. Something good is about to happen to you who believe. Get your house in order. Make Christ first in your life. Give the firstfruits of your financial blessings, your time, and your gift- ings to those who are in need. Remember: 

• When the rain came down, Noah’s family went up (Gen. 9). 
• When the fire came in, Lot’s family came out (Gen. 19). 
• When the flames come down on Babylon the Great, the 

bride will go up (Rev. 19). 

For He has spoken it, therefore He will also do it; He has purposed it, and He will bring it to pass. So let the poor say, “We are rich,” and let the weak say, “We are strong.” This battle is already over, and we win! Give glory to the Lamb of God!