Ephesians 4:8-10: Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) It is very exciting to be able to walk through scripture and see how the first resurrection contains three parts: The first fruits – Christ and the Old Testament saints Leviticus 23:9-11, Job 19:25-27, Isaiah 26:19, Daniel 12:2, Matthew 27:50-53, John 5:28-29, 1 Corinthians 15:20-26 The main harvest – all the church age saints from the first century up to present day Leviticus 19:9-10, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, 1 Corinthians 15:50-56, Revelation 5:9-10 The gleanings – the tribulation saints. Revelation 6:9-11, 7:9-17, 11:7-12, 20:1-6 We completed our brief study of the the resurrection of the Old Testament saints / the firstfruits, by looking at the thief on the cross, his confession, and Christ's response in Luke 23. Luke 23:42-43: And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise. The thief asked to be remembered when Christ established his kingdom. Jesus said that he would be with him today, in paradise. For all intents and purposes, the thief was the last Old Testament convert, joining Christ in the heart of the earth, in paradise, spending three days and three nights there, and then resurrecting with all the Old Testament saints who were currently waiting for their redemption. We compared 1 Corinthians 15:20-26 and 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, looking at the difference in the grammar Paul used. Remember, “Things different are not alike. Things different are not the same.” 1 Corinthians 15:20-23: But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. 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 firstfruits (Leviticus 23:9-11); afterward they that are Christ's at his coming (main harvest – Church Age saints). 1 Thessalonians 4:13: 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. You will notice that the Old Testament saints in 1 Corinthians are identified as “them that slept” whose physical bodies were in the grave sleeping, while their soulish bodies were in paradise / Abraham's bosom, but they are currently alive in their physical bodies in heaven, because they were led out of captivity by the Lord. Paul addresses the believers in Thessalonica, who represent believers of the dispensation of grace, this mystery period of time known as the Church Age. The bodies of all New Testament believers are currently in the grave, or asleep. This is why Paul uses the language he uses...”them which are asleep.” One group is no longer asleep, those who were in paradise, and one group is still asleep, even though their spirit man is in heaven waiting for the redemption of our incorruptible, immortal bodies at the rapture. These are incredible truths that Paul has revealed to us. We will continue our study of the main harvest, and quite possibly get into the gleanings harvest of the tribulation saints this coming Sunday. Please take time to read the scriptures associated with each part of the first resurrection this week, especially Revelation 20:1-6.
