SEMESTER 6
493 – The rapture of the Saints and the First Resurrection
BIBLE INSTITUTE OF CORRESPONDENCE
COURSE: BIBLE SURVEY VI LESSON # 93
THE RAPTURE OF THE SAINTS AND THE FIRST RESURRECTION
Read Rev 4:1-5:14
and I Thes. 4:13-18
INTRODUCTION:
1. There is some disagreement about these subjects, even among men who are unified on most doctrinal issues.
i. Is there actually a secret rapture preceding the revelation of Christ?
ii. If so, at what point in escatalogical schedule does it come?
iii. Are there two resurrections or is there one “General Resurrection?”
2. This lesson is dedicated to the proposition that the schedule is as follows.
i. There is a “pre-mil” “pretrib” rapture, of the saints of God.
ii. There are two resurrections, one of the just and one of the unjust.
iii. The resurrections are separated by a period of one thousand years.
I. THE BIBLE TEACHES A RAPTURE
1. While this word does not appear, it means catching away, and that is surely taught. (1 Thes 4:13-5:11)
2. Most sound Bible teachers agree on a rapture, but not all agree on when.
3. Some major divisions of escatalogical thought are as follow:
i. The split rapturist believes that only the faithful are raptured.
ii. The post-trib rapturist: Believes the rapture is after the tribulation.
iii. The mid-trib rapturist: Believes it comes after the first 3 1/2 years.
iv. The “pre wrather”: Believes it is near the end before the great wrath.
4. I feel the combined weight of Scripture points to a pre-tribulation rapture. (1 Thes 5:1-9, Dan 9:24-27)
5. There are several reasons why I feel the pre-trib view is most Biblical.
i. I do not find the church mentioned during the tribulation account.
ii. The seventy weeks of Daniel, including the seventieth is upon Israel.
iii. The unexpected aspect of Christ’s return is for his saints. (1 Th 5:1-9)
iv. There is the revelation aspect when He comes with His saints. (Mat 24:30 & Rev 19:11-14)
IIIs: How preeminent it is before Rev 4:1
but not mentioned during tribulation.
II. THERE ARE TWO RESURRECTIONS
1. Our subject is the first resurrection, & the word first supposes another.
2. Some deny this claiming a general resurrection and judgment, but Scripture plainly teaches two resurrections and two judgments.
i. Our Lord speaks clearly of two separate resurrections, one of life and the other of damnation. (John 5:29 & I Thes 4:16)
ii. John speaks of two resurrections separated by, 1000 years. (Rev 20:4-6)
iii. The first resurrection is the resurrection of life. (Rev 20:6)
3. These two descriptions are far too different to be of the same event.
III. THE EVENTS SURROUNDING THE FIRST RESURRECTION
1. It is the first event of all those surrounding the second coming of Christ.
2. It is immediately followed by the rapture of the saints. (1 Thes 4:13-18)
3. This event is often, erroneously referred to as the rapture of the Church.
4. All Christians will be raptured but not all Christians are in the Church.
5. Immediately after the rapture, the 7 year tribulation will occupy the earth.
6. During that time the judgment seat of Christ will be occurring in heaven.
7. That judgment is according to works and will determine reward not destiny.
8. The first resurrection is like the Levitical harvest. (in three stages)
i. Christ is the first fruits (1 Cor. 15:20-23 &)
ii. The in gathering, the main harvest as is described in (1 Thes 4:13-18)
iii. The gleaning, those saved during the great tribulation. (Rev 20:4)
9. This resurrection includes all saved both before and during the tribulation.
10. All who are in the first resurrection are saved (Rev 20: 6)
11. All who are in the last resurrection are subjects of the second death. (Rev 20:11-15)
Conclusion: This outline is, necessarily, only an overview, but it is my prayer that it may point you in the right direction.