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Guided Bible Studies for Hungry Christians

The Foundation of Jesus Christ
Lesson 25

What is the order of resurrection for men?

For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the first fruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. 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. For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. (1 Cor 15:21-26)

I. First Resurrection

"For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the first fruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. 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. For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death." 1 Cor 15:21-26

"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." Rev 20:6

There are two categories of resurrection. The First Resurrection involves the LORD GOD's people and the Second Resurrection involves the people of the world, those of no faith, and those without Christ.

There is a certain order of resurrection that is spoken of in Scripture. Your destination after resurrection is dependant on when you are resurrected. Generally speaking, if you are resurrected with the First Resurrection, you will be going to heaven for a time while you await for events of the Last Days to unfold.

After you have read and understood the study of the order of resurrection, we will include a brief introduction to the true facts concerning heaven and the Kingdom of God. This will begin a foundation for you to build on in future studies.

But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. (1 Corinthians 15:20 AV)

29 ¶ For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. (Romans 8:29-30 AV)

Predestination means that God predetermines a person's life before that person is even created. A predestined person has specific duties in life, and that is to be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ, and complete the Works of the LORD GOD as He Wills.

Even predestined people have free will. A predestined person must be called by the LORD GOD to continue in the cycle. To be called by the LORD GOD means that God has summoned a person by name closer to Him.

Once a predestined person has been called to the LORD GOD, he must receive justification. Justification is being made innocent of sin.

Once a predestined person has been called to the LORD GOD and made innocent of sin, then God glorifies him. To be glorified means to be magnified in honor, prestige and glory.

Most of the many predestined, called, justified and glorified people in Heaven have already received resurrection as a result of their conformance to the image of Jesus Christ. When they are said to conform to the image of Jesus Christ, it can be concluded that, in most cases, they did not have the opportunity to know Jesus Christ in their lifetime.

Therefore, it is usually those people of the LORD GOD's that came before Jesus Christ, that He predestined, called, justified and glorified, and they assumed their rightful position according to the image of Jesus Christ. Those are the people that were resurrected second in the First Resurrection.

10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: 11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: 12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. (Ephesians 1:10-12 AV)

Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. (James 1:18 AV)

Generally speaking, the people that fall into this category are those who first knew Jesus Christ was the Son of God, and were given the promise of salvation, but did not receive the "complete package of redemption" because of their death before the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ. They were resurrected third, as part of the First Resurrection, and are presently in heaven.

16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

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. 18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. 20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, 21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. 23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. (Romans 8:16-23 AV)

Baptized and faithful believers in Jesus Christ who have received the Holy Ghost fall into this category. They are resurrected fourth in the First Resurrection.

Resurrected fourth in the First Resurrection means that they are the fourth group to enter the Resurrection process into the Kingdom of God.

The completed resurrection of a faithful and baptized follower of Jesus Christ is realized at his physical death. At the moment of physical death, the Holy Ghost quickens the person's soul, and it receives immediate resurrection and entrance into the Kingdom of God, which is presently in Heaven.

There are many resurrections of faithful baptized followers of Jesus Christ in heaven presently, and more are arriving each day as a result of their natural life physical death. Presently, the fourth resurrection is the last resurrection that has occurred. The next three resurrection have not taken place, and will not take place until the LORD GOD Wills. These three resurrections will take place in what is commonly known as the Last Days.

13 ¶ But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16 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: 17 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. 18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 AV)

No man can know the time of this event. Present day faithful Christians know with certainty, however, that they will be a part of either the 4th or 6th resurrection.

1 ¶ And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads. 2 And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps: 3 And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. 4 These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. 5 And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God. (Revelation 14:1-5 AV)

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. 5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 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. (Revelation 20:4-6 AV)

This ends the First Resurrection.

The Second Resurrection takes place on the Day of Judgment, and everybody that has ever lived and is not already resurrected, is raised up at this time.

II. Second Resurrection

24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. 25 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. 26 For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; 27 And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. 28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, 29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. 30 I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me. (John 5:24-30 AV)

11 ¶ And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:11-15 AV)

All persons, great and small will be judged by Jesus Christ. When he comes to earth for Judgment, all the dead will be resurrected and stand before him. Those who have done righteous works will be given the resurrection of life. Those who have done evil works will be given the resurrection of damnation.

1 ¶ And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. 2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. 4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. 5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. 6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. 7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. 8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. (Revelation 21:1-8 AV)

Present day heaven is the dwelling place of the LORD GOD, the Lord Jesus Christ, and the angels, as well as the four categories of resurrected people for the earth. It is a temporary dwelling place that will come to an end following Judgment of the earth.

Those people in heaven are able to avoid the tumultuous times coming for the people of the earth as Judgment is prepared. The LORD GOD desires his chosen people to be in heaven during this time, so He can show the magnificent love and grace He has for them.

When the new earth and heaven are formed, the people in Heaven, will return to the new earth, and start a new life with Jesus Christ and the LORD GOD. Amen.

Cite Article Source

MLA Style Citation:
McFarland, Kathy L. and Joanne Holstein. "What is the order of resurrection for men?." The Foundation of Jesus Christ Jan 2004.   <http://www.guidedbiblestudies.com/001res5.htm>.

APA Style Citation:
McFarland, Kathy L. and Joanne Holstein. (2004, January) "What is the order of resurrection for men?." The Foundation of Jesus Christ Retrieved   from http://www.guidedbiblestudies.com/001res5.htm

Chicago Style Citation:
McFarland, Kathy L. and Joanne Holstein (2004) "What is the order of resurrection for men?." The Foundation of Jesus Christ (January), http://www.guidedbiblestudies.com/001res5.htm (accessed )

About the Authors

Kathy L. McFarland is a Becker Bible Studies Teacher and Author of Guided Bible Studies for Hungry Christians. She has received her Bachelor of Science degree in Religious Studies from Liberty University, and is currently seeking her Master of Divinity (Professional Ministries Track) degree from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary & Graduate School. Kathy is also a Hebrew language student attending an Israeli taught Ulpan and a noted expert on Old Testament exegesis, Christian apologetics, and Bible typology and mysteries.



Joanne B. Holstein is a Becker Bible Studies teacher and author of Guided Bible Studies for Hungry Christians. She is seeking a second degree in Cultural and Social Anthropology after completing her study of Psychology/Christian and Bible Counseling. She is well-known as a counsleor to Christian faithful who are struggling with tremendous burden in these difficult times. She is a leading authority on the history of development of the Christian churches and the practices and beliefs of world religions and cults.

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