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| The doctrine of resurrection is held by almost every Christian denomination in the world. Each interpretation, from church to church, differs to some degree, but the Bible contains many references to people being brought back from the dead upon which this belief can be established. There are many religions outside of Christendom that also share this belief. There are those, also, who believe otherwise, declaring that we are but born again into the same world, but in another form. This, of course, is called re-incarnation and has nothing to do with resurrection as it is taught in Scripture.
The Bible records numerous instances of people being resurrected. Each of these instances depict yet another facet that must be applied to our overall understanding of the doctrine. Prophets of old, people in Christ's day, both children and the elderly were raised from the dead. Jesus, in bringing people back from the dead, did, in fact resurrect them. Each of them are as a “first fruit,” not only prefiguring the resurrection of the just (see below) at the end of the age, but also assuring us that God does, indeed, have the power to resurrect from the dead. We will be taking an in depth look at Lazarus, whom Jesus resurrected in the presence of a multitude of witnesses. This resurrection is known of by most Christians, but there are a few points that may need clarification, so that a correct understanding of the First and Second Resurrection can be fully understood. One resurrection that many are not familiar with is found in Matthew 27:50-53, where is recorded, “Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. 51 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; 52 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, 53 And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.”This is a very important event to consider. No one commanded these people to rise from the dead. It was a supernatural occurance brought on by the power of God. Notice thta there are two parts. 1) The graves were opened by a great earthquake that occured at the same time that Jesus died (gave up the ghost). Many grave were opened and “saints” arose. 2) It was not until after the resurrection of Christ, however, that they came out of their graves, went into the city (Jerusalem) and appeared to many. Many people know of the First Resurrection, but they refer to it as “the Resurrection,” because they don't know of the Second. Because of this limited perspective, there are other accompanying prophecies that occur at the same time that escape notice and open meany possibilities for confusion and, ultimately, deception that results in death. We are living in a time when God is preparing a people to “stand” (See Ephsians Chapter 6) If we do not allow him to prepare us, we will not be able to stand. I'm going to discuss the First Resurrection first, because, chronologically, it happens first. There are other events that take place at the same time, so to get a larger view of the topic of Two Resurrections, we will also be discussing the Second Coming of Christ, which is when the First Resurrection occurs and the first and second death, which I also cover in other documents on this site. The Second Coming of Christ AND the events that accompany it need to be understood, to gain a more complete understanding of the First Resurrection. In this document, we will also briefly discuss what happens to the wicked at Christ's Second Coming and show how tht coordinates with the Third Coming of Christ and the Second Resurrection. |
| The Resurrection of Lazarus ~ Jesus' Friend In the John Chapter 11 is a historical account of one of most revealing of resurrections. A number of Bible principle/doctrines are brought to bear that help to establish when the First Resurrection takes place — Not the day and the hour, but chronological placement in the sequence of events that lead up to the First Resurrection. |
The First Resurrection ~ The Resurrection of the Just "For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works." Matthew 16:27 Luke 14:13 & 14
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The Second Resurrection ~ The Resurrection of the Damned Body |
The Resurrection of the Just Body |
The Resurrection of the Just Body |
The Resurrection of the Just Body |