“Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.” Mathew 24:26
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SIX: ONLY TWO RESURRECTIONS
We know that there are only two resurrections of the dead. The first resurrection is for those who have put their faith is what Jesus has done for them to receive eternal life and the second resurrection is for those who have not, those who have put their faith in their own works for eternal life. According to Pretribulationists the first resurrection occurs at the rapture of the Church prior to the 7 year tribulation. If this were true then the tribulation saints would be condemned to the second resurrection and therefore eternal death and separation from God. We know that the tribulation saints are not condemned to the second resurrection and therefore they must take part in the first resurrection for God provides no other means to eternal life. Rev. 20:4 & 6 makes it self-evident that the tribulation saints take part in the first resurrection and therefore the rapture of the Church which is the first resurrection must take place after the tribulation period. Rev. 20:5 and Rev. 20:11-15 inform us that those who die without placing their faith in Jesus will not take part in the first resurrection but will be resurrected from the dead after a thousand years to be judged according to their works. The tribulation saints cannot take part in the second resurrection because they are reigning with Christ during the thousand years between the first resurrection and the second resurrection. Therefore the tribulation saints must take part in the first resurrection which is the rapture of the Church. Jesus is called the firstfruits of believers who have fallen asleep in him and will be raised, raptured at His coming, 1 Cor. 15:23. In Revelation 14:1-4 the 144,00 Jewish believers who witness during the tribulation are also called firstfruits indicating that they will be raptured to Jesus even before those who have died in Christ. Even if that not be the case, it is clear that by identifying them as "firstfruits" the Word of God is declaring that they will take part in the first resurrection. Thus, the rapture of the Church must take place during the time these 144,000 Jews are living and witnessing during the tribulation period. |