What an incredible class last night! We learned a little agronomy / farming lesson — there are three parts to any harvest — the early ripened fruit, the main body of ripened fruit, and then the late ripened fruit. The harvest of saints is no different.
We studied out the three parts of the first resurrection:
1. The “first fruits” harvest — Old Testament saints resurrected with Jesus Christ, and were taken from paradise (Abraham’s bosom – Luke 16:19-31) to heaven. Matt 27:50-53; Eph 4:8-10; 1 Cor 15:23
2. The “main harvest” — New Testament saints will be resurrected / raptured on the Day of Christ. 1 Cor 15:50-53; 1 Thess 4:13-18; 1 Cor 15:23; 1 John 3:1-3; 1 Cor 1:8; Phil 1:6; Eph 4:30
3. The “gleanings” harvest — Tribulation saints will be resurrected before the 2nd Advent / Day of the Lord, to go to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. Matt 22:1-10; Rev 6:9-11, 7:9-17, 11:12, 19:9
The harvest of the Bride of Christ, the Church is the only part of the first resurrection that includes the transformation of living people into immortal, incorruptible beings. The resurrection of the OT saints and tribulation saints only deal with those who have tasted physical death. This sets us apart from them. We are a special dispensation of the grace of God to seek out a bride for His Son. Everyone else will be in their flesh bodies, and will need to eat of the tree of life. That is why it is in eternity future in Rev 22:1-2.
Rev 20:6 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.
The oldest book of the Bible is Job. Job stated an incredible truth concerning the resurrection. Even after his body has seen corruption to dust, he will see God in his own flesh…not a supernatural, incorruptible flesh like we will have.
Job 19:25-27 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.
I am so thankful that the Word of God is clear and plain. All we have to do is believe what it says.
Next week we will run through the Book of Daniel and the prophecies that deal with the end times, so study your chart and read the verses on Daniel’s 70th Week.