The First Resurrection

Q

I hate to throw a stick into the spokes of Jack’s article concerning Revelation, but like all pre-tribulationists, he’s mistaken about the timing of the rapture. It’s real simple: Paul says the dead in Christ shall rise first, then we who are alive and remain. If the dead rise first, that’s the resurrection, isn’t it? Jesus, himself says in Revelation, the first resurrection is immediately after the tribulation. If this information is incorrect, please let me know.

A

Paul called Jesus the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep (died). So the first Resurrection began with the Lord, continues with the raising of the dead at the Rapture of the Church and concludes with the Tribulation martyrs at the end of the Great Tribulation. Then the end will come and He will reign until he has totally defeated all His enemies. (1 Cor. 15:20-25) The First Resurrection doesn’t begin at the 2nd Coming, it ends there.

See my article on the Pre-Trib Rapture for several other reasons why the Rapture has to preceed all of Daniel’s 70th week.