Professional Documents
Culture Documents
01 Definitions 03
02 Introduction 04
03 Law of the Harvest 05
04 Pattern of the Temple 06
05 Resurrection Chart 1 07
06 Jesus Christ 08
07 Old Testament Saints 09
08 New Testament Saints 10
09 The Multitude of Saints 12
10 144,000 Jewish Saints 13
11 The Harvest Saints 14
12 The Tribulation Martyrs 15
13 The Human Elect 16
14 Summary 17
15 Resurrection Chart 2 18
Definitions
The Resurrection Believers Rewards
‘Anastasis’, is the Greek word that we get ‘Misthos’, is the Greek word we translate
the English word, resurrection from, and it as reward, and it literally means ‘a pay-
means ‘raised to life again’ (Mat27.52-53). ment for service’ (Mat5.12).
The bible speaks of the resurrection as be- The title of this study embodies this
ing the bringing back to life and refashion- meaning, ‘A better resurrection’. This is
ing of the physical human body (1Cor15.44). verse 35, which is taken from the book of
When a believer dies his spirit and soul go Hebrews, chapter 11 and shows us clearly
to be with the LORD (2Cor5.8) while his that believers through obedience and ser-
physical body awaits resurrection. At the vice to the LORD are competing (1Cor9.24)
time of resurrection the believer will be for crowns, positions and rewards of ime-
reunited with his body. In this process of asurable value and excellence.
resurrection God regathers the matter of
the individual body and recreates it into a We must however be careful to state that
new spiritual body. Jesus Himself told us how we should com-
pete. He said that if any wish to be great
The Rapture then they should become the servant of all
(Mat20.26). This is the wisdom that comes
‘Harpadzo’, is the Greek word the bible from above and is opposite of the ways
uses to describe the rapture (1Thes4.17). and wisdom of this world (Jam3.17).
The English bible uses the words ‘caught
up’ and the Latin bible uses the word Another point to clarify is that although it
‘rapture’ to describe this amazing event is a fact that believers will be judged, this
(1Cor15.51-52). The bible clearly teaches judgement (2Cor5.10) will be according to
in several passages that Jesus Himself will rewards and not salvation. Nevertheless
at a certain point near the end of this one should heed wisely the admonition to
present age, resurrect a group of both liv- work out your own salvation with fear and
ing and deceased believers (2Thes2.6-7). trembling, as we truely do serve a Holy
What makes it so amazing is that there are God (1Cor3.14-15).
some among us today who will go directly
to be with the LORD and have their bodies
resurrected without experiencing physical
death.
3
Introduction
The aim of this study is to resolve Gods purpose in the grouping of His
once and for all the debate regarding the people into these 7 groups is like the jour-
timing of the rapture, and who will be in- ney of the Olympic torch. The torch is lit
cluded in the rapture. This will be done at point ‘A’ and handed to a runner. That
without taking a Pre, Mid or Post Tribula- runner runs with it as far as he can and
tion rapture position. then hands it over to the next runner. This
process is repeated until the final runner
More than any other topic relating to reaches point ‘B’ which is the destination.
a study of the second coming, the rapture
is by far the most intensely disputed and The metaphor is that God has re-
talked about. And rightly so for it is truly vealed Himself to mankind in stages and
that blessed hope (Tit2.13) from which we these stages will be represented in heaven
can comfort one another. However the by the grouping of Gods people in the resur-
various teachings regarding the rapture are rection.
the very source of our present confusion
and contention. Although it should be said Another reason for the grouping of
that each teaching about the timing of the Gods people into these 7 orders has to do
rapture (Pre, Mid & Post) does have truth with reward. Reward is a topic very clearly
in it, they all however cannot be right be- stated in the scriptures (1Cor3.8) but sel-
cause they lack one important ingredient. dom taught in todays churches. Most prefer
to think that we are all going to be raptured
This ingredient is a correct under- at any moment, all at the same time and be
standing of the resurrection as laid out in equal in heaven. But the bible reveals all
the book of revelation. All rapture theories believers will stand before the judgement
fail because they assume that the resurrec- seat of Christ (2Cor5.10) to receive all that
tion and the rapture are one time events. they have thought, spoken and done whilst
The case is though that God has divided in their bodies on earth. It is revealed at
the resurrection up into 7 different groups. this judgement there will be both loss and
And these 7 different groups are resur- reward (1Cor3.12-15).
rected at 7 different times, and 7 differ-
ent places. Furthermore we will find in the Oh yes friends this promises to be a
book of revelation not 1 but 3 raptures. brief yet thoroughly exciting, challenging
and quickening bible study. A fresh spiritual
This missing link has stared at us for perspective of how God is sorting out His
years hidden in plain sight within the pages people according to their earthly decisions.
of the book of revelation. But in these last What has God in store for those who seek a
days God is truly opening the books that better resurrection and what of them that
were sealed (Dan12.4) and releasing un- neglect making those wise virgin prepara-
derstanding (1Cor2.9-10). tions in this time of the quiet before the
storm.
4
Law of the Harvest
For as in Adam all die, even so in The Hebrews were also instructed
Christ shall all be made alive, but ev- to leave a portion of the harvest that was
ery man in his own order, Christ the dropped or missed by the reapers. This was
firstfruits...1Cor 15.22.23 for the poor, the widows and the fatherless
and was called ‘the gleanings of the field’.
Before diving into the book of rev-
elation lets first establish the principle of The picture the harvest paints for us
distinction among Gods people. We can see is of three separate groups. One group that
plainly from this scripture that there are matures early and is therefore harvested
different orders within the resurrection. first, ‘the firstfruits’. And the second group
‘Every man in his own order’ implies all which is the majority of the harvest and it is
believers will be sorted out into differ- reaped at the end of the season, ‘the gen-
ent groups. Then at that particular groups eral harvest’. Then lastly there is a group
time and place they will have their physi- which is left over from the harvest, ‘the
cal bodies resurrected. gleanings’.
Notice the phrase ‘firstfruits’ refer- To the general assembly and the
ring to Jesus. This is very interesting as it church of the firstborn...and to the spirits
introduces the symbology of the harvest of just men made perfect...Heb 12.23
as applying to the resurrection. And it is
in this symbology of the harvest that we Here in the book of Hebrews we have
find more understanding as to why God has a scripture that builds upon the law of the
divided up the people of God into groups harvest principle and applies it directly to
within the first resurrection. the grouping of Gods people in heaven. We
see the ‘general assembly’ of saints which
And the feast of harvest, the first- is likened to the ‘general harvest’ or ‘the
fruits of thy labours which thou hast sown ingathering’. Then we have ‘the church of
in the field, and the feast of ingathering the firstborn’, saints which are likened to
which is in the end of the year. Ex 23.16 the ‘firstfruits’ of the harvest. And lastly
‘the spirits of just men made perfect’ which
The law of the harvest was simple. is likened to the ‘gleanings of the field’.
After the harvest was planted there was
always a small portion that matured early This principle of the harvest and its
and this part of the harvest was called ‘the application to the distinction among Gods
firstfruits’. Then at the end of the year the people is important to understand as we
bulk of the harvest was ripe and ready to shall see God continues to use it throughout
bring in. This portion of the harvest was the book of revelation when dealing with
called ‘the ingathering’ or the ‘general the seven orders of saints that make up the
harvest’. first resurrection.
5
The Temple Pattern
Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, out refusal, do not progress to become
and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? spiritually mature.
(1Cor3.16)
For when for the time ye ought to be
Again let us lay a little more ground teachers, ye have need that one teach you
work that will aid us in understanding the again...(Heb5.12) For ye are yet carnal...
resurrection and its 7 orders. Paul uses the (1Cor3.3)
symbol of the Temple to describe the believ-
ers. As God had dwelt in the Temple, now by The point here is that by our own de-
His Holy Spirit He dwells in us. cisions, and the abundance of Gods Grace,
we can move on from forgiveness to conse-
The temple was divided up into 3 cration and sanctification (Heb6.1). We can
parts. An Outer Court where all could come move toward the Holy of Holies and even
and go and worship outwardly. A Holy Place live in the Holy of Holies. A life of faith and
where only the priests could go. There they obedience, walking in the Spirit, or we can
offered oil, incense and bread to God. They choose to remain stubbornly in our flesh or
were quite near to God but not the closest. soul life, refusing to forsake sin and self.
Then there was the Holy of Holies where God These choices however come at a cost. It
Himself dwelt. Only the high priest could en- is not rocket science to understand that all
ter the Holy of Holies once a year. our choices will and do have consequences.
Although one is forgiven he still must give
And the very God of peace sanctify you account of his life before Christ. This ac-
wholly...spirit and soul and body... count will determine his reward and posi-
(1Thes5.23) tion in the resurrection.
The believer himself is a type of tem- For the word of God is quick and
ple. His body is the Outer Court, open for powerful...dividing asunder soul and
all to see. With it he should obey and glorify spirit...and is a discerner of the thoughts
God (Rom12.1). His soul is the Holy Place, his and intents of the heart. (Heb4.12)
mind, will and emotions, should be renewed
with a desire to serve the LORD as did the The veil of the Temple is open, but a
Levitical priests. Lastly the Holy of Holies is separation of soul from spirit must be ex-
the spirit of man. This is where Gods Holy perienced before one can live and minister
Spirit abides, and man has communion with from the Holy of Holies. This is executed
God. But sadly this is not the experience of by a submission to the word of God. So we
most believers, nor is it the testimony of see that God has provided the means for us
scripture. The bible reveals believers at dif- to overcome sin, the world, and the devil,
ferent stages of spiritual development which and has based it on, our application of His
is natural, but, it also reveals the fact that wonderful provision. Therefore our choices
many Christians through neglect, or straight in light of Gods word, determine our pres-
ent and future states.
6
(1Cor15:20-23, Rev1:5)
(Matt27:50-53, Rev5:8-10)
(1Cor15:51-52,
2Thess2:6-7),
Matt24:37-42, 25:1-13)
(Rev7:9-17)
(Rev7:1-8,12:1-5,
14:1-5)
(Rev14:14-16,
15:1-4)
(Rev6:9-11,
20:4)
order one
Jesus Christ
Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, than any other single event in the history
and the life. (John11:25) of the world. I mean take normal history
like Napoleon or ancient Babylon or Abra-
It should be no surprise to a believer ham Lincoln for example. There is more
that Jesus Christ is the resurrection and verifiable documentation regarding the
the life because He is God Himself. Never- resurrection and teaching of Christ than all
theless Jesus has done something new here these other historic figures and their amaz-
and created a new race. That’s right, Je- ing adventures.
sus did not just die on the cross to forgive
your sins and give you a golden ticket to And from Jesus Christ, who is the faith-
heaven. His glorious purpose was to create ful witness, and the first begotten of the
a new race of people. This is the climactic dead...(Rev1:5)
purpose revealed in the resurrection.
In the first chapter of the book of rev-
Don’t doubt it! If you are a genuine elation we see Jesus resurrected in heaven.
Christian, you most definitely should be a His hair is white like wool, His eyes burn
new creature in Christ (2Cor5:17). Vastly like fire and His face shines like the midday
different from what you were before be- sun. Jesus is the first of the firstfruits. The
lieving, and completely different from first of this amazing new harvest of heav-
unbelievers. If not, one should seriously enly people. All other believers shall follow
wonder why, or indeed how! Because Je- in their consecutive order and sequence,
sus has created a new race of people who awaiting the carefully timed harvesting of
desire to do the will of God. Even more so the master gardener.
now, than in the Old Testament period, be-
cause of the gift of the Holy Spirit. We cry It will be later seen that with each
out Abba Father, and delight to His will, resurrection group there is a particular
because we are changed into His likeness. mission required of each group before
From day to day, from glory to glory, being being resurrected. Each mission although
conformed to His image. different from one another, all in one way
or another are related to witnessing. A
For whom He did foreknow, He also did great witness is achieved as each group
predestinate to be conformed to the image are resurrected. This is also the point of
of His Son, that He might be the firstborn God giving the Holy Spirit to us in the first
among many brethren. (Romans8:29) place. We receive power from on high to be
His witnesses. So this is also why God has
Naturally this implies that Jesus was grouped His people, and resurrects them at
the first to be resurrected and He most separate times. Its all about His witness to
certainly was. In fact there is more written mankind. All glory to Christ Jesus.
evidence from hundreds of eye witness ac-
counts for the resurrection of Jesus Christ 8
order two
The multitude of saints are order This is without a doubt the larg-
number four in the resurrection. The first est group of resurrected saints. Its truly
thing to notice here is the timing of this marvelous to see the merciful nature of
resurrection. They are resurrected after God in providing for all of His people. Just
the 144,000 jewish saints are sealed in as Christ had 12 disciples, He also had
verse 3. This places them somewhere after His inner circle of Peter, John and James
the midnight cry period, and well before (Mat17:1, Mk5:37, 14:32-34). Those first-
the half way point of the tribulation. (See fruit disciples that chose to draw closer to
Chart;p7) Jesus than the others. Jesus summed this
difference up so well when He visited Mar-
This group of saints are part of the tha and Mary.
general harvest of believers. They are just
like the main body of a harvest, in that Now it came to pass...Martha received
they are uncountable. So many saints, from Him into her house. And she had a sister
Adam to this point in the tribulation. All called Mary, which sat at Jesus’ feet, and
saints that died without the experience of heard His word. But Martha was cumbered
sanctification, such as the thief on the cross about much serving, and came to Him, and
beside Jesus (Lk23:43). This is also reflected said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sis-
in their reward and position in heaven. ter hath left me to serve alone...And Jesus
said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art so
Clothed with white robes, and palms in careful and troubled about many things:
their hands...therefore are they before the But one thing is needful: and Mary has
throne of God, and serve Him day and night chosen that good part, which shall not be
in His temple...(Rev7:9,15) taken away from her. (Lk10:38-42)
Our heavenly reward and position See Martha clearly represents the
in the kingdom of God is reflective of our harvest saints and Mary the firstfruit
earthly obedience and appropriation of saints. Martha goes no further than the
Gods grace. The multitude of saints receive inner court of the temple. Her focus is
white robes showing they are forgiven by on what she can do for God, but, Mary
the blood of Christ and they receive palms ventures onward, past the outer gates,
which symbolizes the celebration of the through the holy place and into the holy
harvest itself (Lev23:40). They receive a of holies. Her goal was living in Gods pres-
position of service in the temple of God ence and hearing His word (Jn17:17). The
and are promised never to hunger or thirst multitude of saints will therefore be more
again. There are however no crowns or seats than happy with their place of serving God
of authority as with the old and new testa- 12 day and night in His heavenly temple.
order five
Immediately after the tribulation...he You are come unto mount sion, and unto
shall send out his angels...they shall the city of the living God, the heavenly
gather together his elect from the four Jerusalem, and to a innumerable company
winds...(Mt24:29-31) of angels, To the general assembly and
church of the firstborn...and to the spirits
When the Son of man shall come...before of just men made perfect.
him shall be gathered all nations...and he
shall separate them one from another, as So there we have it, the general as-
a shepherd divideth his sheep from the sembly of saints, the church of the first-
goats. And he shall set the sheep on his born or firstfruit saints and the spirits of
right hand, but the goats on the left. Then just men made perfect, the human elect.
shall the King say to them on his right hand,
Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the
16
Summary
If there are still any remaining doubts make now in this fleeting life of ours. You
as to the lesson that the resurrection is see the primary purpose of our existence is
divided up into groups of saints pertain- to be conformed to Christ. That’s right, its
ing to reward then let us look again to the not evangelism or your career or even your
Temple. The Hebrew Temple was a shadow family. Its first and for mostly about being
of the heavenly Temple and was given by conformed to the image of Christ (Rom8:
divine revelation to David (1Chr28:11-12, 29, 12:2). That means being like Christ,
19). Part of this pattern was positions and experiencing what Christ experienced and
responsibilities of the priests. This is were it drinking the will of your heavenly Father.
gets interesting for us because there were 2
classes of priests. Each class of priests had So we have the sons of Aaron and
various responsibilities within their group the sons of Levi, a picture of the heavenly
but there were only 2 groups. When we government. The firstfruit saints and the
think of the Old Testament temple priest general harvest saints. It all really comes
we usually think of the Levites but they down to obedience. How much of God do
were the priests assistants. They had many we want? God has given all of himself to
temple duties, but, the actual priest office us, and dare we give any less in return? To
itself was not the for Levites, but, it was receive more of God we must first make
given to the sons of Aaron. God promised room for him by emptying out more of our
Aaron that his descendants would minister self.
to the Lord. The Levites however were giv-
en for the service of the sanctuary and the He must increase, but I must decrease.
daily temple duties. (Jhn3:30)
Aaron was separated, that he should sanc- The only problem one would have
tify the most holy things, he and his sons with the teaching of the resurrection or-
forever, to burn incense before the LORD, ders is the reality of personal accountabil-
to minister to him, and bless in his name ity. That is that Jesus Himself will judge
forever. The Levites, their office was to us all by what we did, thought and said in
wait on the sons of Aaron for the service of this life. Believe me when I say to you that
the house of the LORD, in the courts, and there is no cheap grace. There is no such
in the chambers, and in the purifying of all salvation that gives one a license to con-
holy things, and the work of the service of tinue living their life for themselves. We
the house of God. (1Chr23:13,26,28) are bought from the clutches of hell itself
by the high price of Gods own blood. The
This is the closet description we have sinless blood of Jesus. We are therefore
of why the saints are grouped in the resur- His slaves, slaves of righteousness. Today
rection. It is because in heaven we will all the Spirits work is for those with ears to
have a function and an office to fill in the hear. He is calling out saints. Saints from
heavenly sanctuary. These positions are be- among saints. Do you hear the Spirits call?
ing filled today by the very decisions we 17
OLD TESTAMENT SAINTS
• Resurrected after Jesus (Mat27:50-53).
• Seen in heaven as the 4 beasts (Rev5:8-10).
• Rewarded with regal authority, and a high priesthood position (Rev4:8,5:8-10).