The First Resurrection Debate

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While preparing my last article, “A Heavenly Love Story,” a few questions kept surfacing. If we all belong to the “Body of Christ” or “Spiritual Israel,” what is the difference between the elect and the saints? Is there a distinction between the Church and the Body of Christ? 

Specifically, why are they resurrected at different times? In this post, I want to address the “First Resurrection” debate by exploring the possibility of four separate resurrections in the end days.

Let’s first confirm the definition of the Body of Christ.

“For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by ONE SPIRIT are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many.” 1 Corinthians 12:12-14

A human body is just one thing, one organism, but it is made up of many different parts, all with different functions. In the same way, the church is made up of many believers, all connected by the Holy Spirit in them, and it is just one thing: Christ's body on earth.

Body of Christ vs Church:

The "Body of Christ" and "the Church" are essentially synonymous in biblical theology, with the former describing the nature of the church (a living organism united with Jesus) and the latter often referring to the assembly of believers. The Church is not a building or institution, but the spiritual body of which Christ is the Head.

“Now there are diversities of gifts, but the SAME Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the SAME Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the SAME God which worketh all in all. But the MANIFESTATION of the SPIRIT is given to EVERY man to profit withal.” 1 Corinthians 12:4-7

The "Body of Christ" metaphor emphasizes that while members have different gifts and roles, they are all essential and interdependent. The Spirit unites all believers into this one body, breaking down worldly barriers like class, race, or status. The Body of Christ, or the Church, includes all individuals globally who have “believed” in Jesus Christ, been “redeemed”, and “received” the Holy Spirit.

Body of Christ vs Spiritual Israel:

"Spiritual Israel" and the "Body of Christ" are theological terms often used to describe believers in Jesus, though they highlight different aspects of the Church's identity. Spiritual Israel emphasizes continuity with Old Testament promises through faith, while the Body of Christ highlights the church as a new, unified entity—neither Jew nor Gentile—formed by the Spirit, particularly in the New Testament. It often refers to those who are inward, spiritual descendants of Abraham through faith in Jesus, rather than merely by physical lineage, including both Jewish believers and Gentiles grafted into the promise.

In Matthew 24, Jesus defines a specific group as the “elect”.

“And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the ELECT’S sake those days shall be shortened.” Matthew 24:22

According to this scripture, the “elect” are redeemed first. Who are the remaining people, and why are they left behind?

Elect vs Saints

In Christian theology, "saints" and "elect" typically refer to the same group of believers chosen by God, rather than opposing groups. "Elect" highlights God's sovereign choice before time (election), while "saints" (set-apart ones) describes those people in their sanctified state. Both refer to those saved and preserved by God.

Apostle Paul frequently addresses all believers in his letters as "saints" and "faithful in Christ Jesus," emphasizing their status as chosen and sanctified.

"So, then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the SAINTS and members of the household of God" Ephesians 2:19

David reminds us of the Lord's love of justice and His faithfulness to the righteous. God promises to keep those who come to Him in faith, with an absolute guarantee and refers to them as “righteous” saints. 

"For the Lord loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his SAINTS; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.” Psalm 37:28

If all believers are chosen, sanctified, and eternally preserved, what separates those of the Old Testament from those of the New? Are both groups considered “saints,” and is the “elect” a synonymous term? Additionally, if the Body of Christ is the Church, how is the “Bride” distinct from the “saints”?

Although “saints” and “Bride of Christ” both describe believers, “saints” highlights their set-apart status, while “Bride” focuses on their intimacy and future union with Him. If “saints” are the individual members, the “Bride” is the corporate body. Furthermore, the Bride’s association with the New Jerusalem suggests she may represent the “overcomers”—a specific faithful remnant within the broader Church.

According to the prophecies of Daniel, those recorded in the book of life will be delivered during the final great tribulation, which occurs alongside a war in heaven.

“And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and AT THAT TIME thy people shall be DELIVERED, EVERYONE that shall be found WRITTEN in the book.” Daniel 12:1

Now, putting everything together, what we see is an elect group of believers—those written in the Book of Life at the time of a war in heaven—being delivered early. In the study of Revelation and the timeline of Daniel 12, we know this occurs between the 6th and 7th trumpets. 

We have also confirmed that this event is referred to as the rapture of the Bride of Christ, the first harvest, or the redemption of the 144,000 firstfruits. If we consider “thy people” to be specially picked from among all believers, then we must look further at the Book of Life: what must be accomplished to have your name written in it?

Many books are mentioned in the Bible: The Book of the Covenant, Book of the Law, Book of the Kings, Book of the Records, Book of Remembrance, Book of the Lord, and so forth. But one book is extremely important: the Book of Life. 

The "Book of Life" is a biblical concept representing the record of individuals destined for eternal life with God. In the context of Revelation and the 144,000, the Book of Life functions as a heavenly registry of those redeemed by the Lamb. While theologians debate the exact mechanics of how names are recorded—whether they were inscribed before time or added through faith—the Bible outlines specific spiritual characteristics for those included in this group. 

“And there shall in NO wise ENTER into it ANYTHING that DEFILETH, neither whatsoever worketh ABOMINATION, or maketh a LIE: but they which ARE WRITTEN in the Lamb's book of life.” Rev 21:27

Those in the Book are described as not "soiling their clothes" with the sins of the world. Although New Jerusalem's gates are always open, not a single trace of evil can enter the city. Only those whose names are recorded in the Lamb's book of life are welcome and share in eternal life. Revelation refers to it as the "Lamb's Book of Life" because it contains the names of those washed in the blood of Jesus.

“And if any man shall TAKE AWAY from the WORDS of the BOOK of this PROPHECY, God shall TAKE AWAY his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.” Rev 22:19

Furthermore, those who take away from God's prophetic Word will not share in the tree of life or have access to the eternal city.

“He that OVERCOMETH, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will NOT blot out his name out of the BOOK OF LIFE, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.” Revelation 3:5

In Revelation 3:5, "overcomes" (Greek: nikaō) refers to believers who persevere by remaining faithful, enduring trials, and resisting spiritual apathy or false teaching, maintaining their allegiance to Christ until the end. 

Jesus has promised that if you belong to Him, nothing will ever be able to remove your name from the Book of Life. While some think this statement implies that a believer may lose their salvation, it actually means the conqueror—the "overcomer"—can rest secure, knowing their name will never be erased. If you have given your life to Christ, your name is already written there. This promise should be written on the heart of every believer! Every born-again person possesses eternal life as a divinely given gift that is theirs forever.

What about those who have not turned to Christ in repentance and faith, who have rejected Him as their Lord and Savior? Tragically, their names will not be found there, and they will enter eternity with no hope of Heaven. The Bible solemnly warns, “If anyone’s name was not found written in the Book of Life, he was thrown into the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:15).

What does it mean to have or live by faith?

"For we live by faith, not by sight" 2 Corinthians 5:7

Faith is complete trust or confidence in someone or something. A strong belief in the doctrines of a religion, based on spiritual conviction rather than proof.

Faith vs Belief:

Belief: This is an acceptance of a statement or premise as true and is defined as a strong belief in something for which there is no proof.

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen”. Hebrews 11:1

Faith and belief are not mutually exclusive. A person who has faith in a religious doctrine generally holds the belief that it is true. In essence, you can have beliefs without having faith, but faith generally requires a foundation of belief.

Below are just a few characters mentioned in Hebrews 11 who had good reasons to trust in God. Their "faith" was not a naive acceptance of fairy tales; it was acting with full confidence that God would fulfill His promises based on their experiences.

“These all DIED in FAITH, NOT having RECEIVED the promises, but having SEEN them afar off…” Hebrews 11:13

“4By faith ABEL offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain

5By faith ENOCH was translated that he should not see death

7By faith NOAH, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house

8By faith ABRAHAM, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, 17By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac

11Through faith also SARA herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age

20By faith ISAAC blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. 

21By faith JACOB, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.

 22By faith JOSEPH, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; 

23By faith MOSES, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents and refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; 27By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: 28Through faith he kept the passover and the sprinkling of blood.

31By faith the harlot RAHAB perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.”

We can therefore confirm that Old Testament believers are also considered "saints" because they trusted God before the time of Christ. Each example of faith demonstrates a trust based on what that person knew and held as reassurance that God would act according to His promises. 

“But WITHOUT faith it is IMPOSSIBLE to PLEASE him: for he that cometh to God MUST believe that he IS, and that he is a REWARDER of them that DILIGENTLY seek him.” Hebrews 11:6

The "assurance" and "conviction" of faith is not blind belief, gullibility, or wishful thinking. That kind of faith—trust which produces obedience—results in God's blessings and approval.

“For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the DEAD IN CHRIST shall rise first…” 1 Thessalonians 4:15-16

Since those of faith in the Old Testament are rightly labeled "saints" as believers in the coming Messiah, are they also included in the first resurrection of the “dead in Christ” alongside New Testament believers?

“And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the SAINTS which slept AROSE, And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.” Matthew 27:52

Matthew informs us that many saints were resurrected alongside Jesus. However, it remains undetermined whether they were restored to life like Lazarus or received glorified bodies and were subsequently taken into heaven. Nor does it specify if there will be more of them to come.

“THEN we which are ALIVE and REMAIN shall be CAUGHT UP (raptured) TOGETHER with them in the clouds, to MEET the LORD in the AIR: and so, shall we ever be with the Lord.” 1 Thessalonians 4:17

Some will be resurrected from the dead and others changed, but all will receive a new, glorified body. Theologically, this state follows the resurrection and the reuniting of the soul with the body—a body that will be radiant and free from the consequences of sin.

“Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall NOT all SLEEP, but we shall ALL be CHANGED.”  1 Corinthians 15:51

A glorified body is the transformed, resurrected physical state of believers, modeled after Jesus Christ’s resurrection body. It is a tangible, human body that is immortal, incorruptible, and free from sin, pain, disease, and physical limitations like hunger or fatigue. They are described as having "agility" (moving instantly at will) and "subtlety" (not restricted by physical barriers, similar to Jesus passing through locked doors). While they may be able to eat, these bodies do not require food, water, or sleep for sustenance.

Following this, Revelation reveals a second harvest of believers, the Tribulation saints. These individuals come to faith in Jesus Christ and receive the Holy Spirit during the Tribulation period following the Rapture. They face intense persecution from the Antichrist, with many suffering martyrdom for refusing to worship the “beast” or receive its mark.

“And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, thrust in thy sickle, and reap for the time is come for thee to reap; for the HARVEST of the EARTH is ripe. And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth WAS reaped.”  Revelation 14:15-16

Unfortunately, they will not have the opportunity to participate in the heavenly marriage; instead, they must wait until Christ’s return to be resurrected together. They will then be judged by the elect and granted entry into the millennial kingdom, where they will reign alongside the bride. 

“And I saw THRONES, and THEY (elect) sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the SOULS of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had NOT worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they (tribulation saints) LIVED and REIGNED with Christ a thousand years.” Revelation 20:4

This unique separation may explain why the “bride” is specifically referred to as the “elect” rather than simply a “saint.” Furthermore, the previous questions regarding being left behind or omitted from the Book of Life can be answered by the absence of the Holy Spirit.

During this same period, it is speculated that the Old Testament saints are resurrected for judgment. Upon receiving the Holy Spirit and a glorified body, they will be granted entrance to reign in the millennial kingdom.

“And ye shall know that I am the Lord, when I have opened your graves, O my people, and brought you up OUT of your GRAVES, and shall put my SPIRIT in you, and ye shall LIVE, and I shall PLACE you in your OWN land.” Ezekiel 37:13-14

Now this is where the confusion begins in Revelation 20 and where I will clear it up, once and for all!

Here is how it is reflected in the Bible:

“5But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6Blessed 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.”

“11And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 12And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”

Here is how it must be interpreted:

“And I saw THRONES, and THEY (elect) sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the SOULS of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they (saints) LIVED and reigned with Christ a thousand years. THIS is the FIRST RESURRECTION. 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.” Revelation 20:4-6

Those who enter the Millennial Kingdom to reign with Christ as priests are considered the Church. This group includes the Bride of Christ (the elect), along with Old Testament and New Testament believers (the saints) in glorified, immortal bodies. This is known as the First Resurrection.

“And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the VINE of the earth, and CAST it into the great WINEPRESS of the WRATH of GOD.” Revelation 14:19

At the end of the 1000-year kingdom there will be a final judgment of the third harvest in front of a great White Throne:

“5But the REST of the DEAD LIVED NOT again UNTIL the thousand years were FINISHED… 11And I saw a great WHITE THRONE, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 12And I saw the DEAD, small and great, stand before God; and the BOOKS were OPENED: and ANOTHER BOOK was OPENED, which is the BOOK OF LIFE: and the DEAD were JUDGED out of those things which were written in the BOOKS, according to their WORKS.” Revelation 20:5,11-12

Note that the Book of Life is opened at the Last Judgment before the White Throne. This occurs because certain mortal believers during the millennium will experience physical death and others who survive will likely undergo a transformation similar to that of the first resurrection or rapture. Although some may refer to this as the “Second Resurrection,” it is technically the fourth literal event of its kind. This completes the Body of Christ—Spiritual Israel—who will reside eternally in the New Jerusalem in the presence of God.

“And the SEA gave up the DEAD which were in it…” Revelation 20:13

In biblical poetry and prophecy, the sea is rarely just a physical location, it can represent the restless, tumultuous nations of the world and often represents the primordial deep, the unknown, or forces opposing God. 

“…and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them” Revelation 20:13

So, the sea refers to the dead on the earth, whereas this part of the verse refers to hell and the damned.

“… and they were judged EVERY man according to their works. And whosoever was NOT found written in the BOOK of LIFE was CAST into the LAKE OF FIRE.” Revelation 20:13,15

It is clear from this verse that only the presence of a person's name in the Lamb's book of life keeps them from being cast into the lake of fire. God keeps accurate records. All who have trusted in Jesus as Savior have their names written in the book of life.

“And DEATH and HELL were cast into the LAKE OF FIRE. THIS is the SECOND DEATH.” Revelation 20:14

In the Book of Revelation, the lake of fire is identified as "the second death." Whereas the first death is physical—marking the separation of the soul from the body and the unbeliever from God—the second death involves the "fourth resurrection." In this final state, the resurrected body is joined to the soul, resulting in eternal separation from God. 

Consequently, all sin and evil are fully adjudicated, having been punished either in hell or through the atoning blood of Christ.