The concept of the resurrection, particularly the resurrection of the saints, is a central tenet in Christian eschatology. It refers to the belief that those who have died in Christ will be raised to life at the Second Coming of Jesus. This event is often described as the "first resurrection," distinguishing it from the general resurrection of all the dead.

Biblical Foundation

The primary scriptural basis for the belief that the saints will rise first is found in the New Testament. In 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 , the Apostle Paul writes, "For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a loud command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will always be with the Lord."

This passage clearly indicates that those who have died in Christ will be resurrected before the living believers are caught up, or "raptured," to meet the Lord. The sequence of events underscores the priority given to the saints who have passed away, affirming their participation in the glory of Christ's return.

Theological Significance

The resurrection of the saints is not merely a future hope but also a testament to the power of Christ's own resurrection. As Paul elaborates in 1 Corinthians 15:20-23 , "But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own turn: Christ the firstfruits; then at His coming, those who belong to Him."

This passage highlights the order and assurance of the resurrection. Christ's resurrection is the "firstfruits," a guarantee of the future resurrection of believers. The saints' resurrection is thus intrinsically linked to the victory over death achieved by Jesus.

Eschatological Context

The resurrection of the saints is a pivotal event in the eschatological timeline. It is often associated with the "rapture" and the subsequent events of the end times. In Revelation 20:4-6 , the "first resurrection" is mentioned in the context of the millennial reign of Christ: "Then I saw thrones, and those seated on them had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or hands. And they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were complete. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection! The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and will reign with Him for a thousand years."

This passage emphasizes the blessedness and holiness of those who partake in the first resurrection, underscoring their role in the millennial kingdom and their exemption from the "second death."

Practical Implications

For believers, the promise of the resurrection provides hope and encouragement in the face of death and suffering. It assures them of their future transformation and eternal life with Christ. As Paul exhorts in 1 Thessalonians 4:18 , "Therefore encourage one another with these words."

The resurrection of the saints is a profound reminder of the faithfulness of God and the ultimate fulfillment of His redemptive plan. It calls Christians to live in anticipation of Christ's return, maintaining faith and perseverance until that glorious day.1 Corinthians 15:23
But every man in his own order: Christ the first fruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Thessalonians 4:16
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:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Resurrection of the Sleeping Saints.
... only that the resurrection of the saints is quite ... of the New Testament respecting
the resurrection of sleeping ... The dead in Christ shall rise first." None but ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the redeemers return/2 the resurrection of the.htm

What the Same Apostle Taught in the First Epistle to the ...
... or "all sleep," for not even the saints shall be quickened ... first die, however briefly;
and consequently they shall not be exempt from resurrection which is ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 20 what the same apostle.htm

The Kingdom Given to the Saints at the Resurrection of the Just.
... The children of the resurrection thus include all who attain ... the righteous dead and
the living saints are made ... according to Paul's "mystery:" "We shall not all ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the kingdom given to the.htm

The Bodies of the Saints Shall at the Resurrection be Spiritual ...
... The bodies of the saints, then, shall rise again free ... as regards the substance, even
then it shall be flesh. For even after the resurrection the body of Christ ...
/.../augustine/the enchiridion/chapter 91 the bodies of the.htm

The Resurrection of the Dead
... should be believed in many churches that the actual bodies of the saints will not ...
We maintain as our text doth, that "there shall be a resurrection of the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/the resurrection of the dead.htm

The Reality of the Resurrection
... equality of physical endowment will be preserved"then the matter of which each
resurrection body is ... The bodies of the saints, then, shall rise again free ...
/.../augustine/handbook on faith hope and love/chapter xxiii the reality of.htm

Whether the Time of Our Resurrection Should be Delayed Till the ...
... of the spiritual resurrection, whereby men shall rise again from ... of grace: while
the second resurrection is of ... of the present time wherein the saints now reign ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the time of our.htm

Whether the Bodies of the Saints Will be Impassible after the ...
... saints will be incorruptible after the resurrection, according to 1 ... stronger than
the bodies of the saints, of which ... is sown in weakness, it shall rise in power ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the bodies of the.htm

Whether Death Will be the Term "Wherefrom" of the Resurrection in ...
... I answer that, The saints differ in speaking on this ... more common opinion is that
all shall die and ... with Divine Scripture which foretells the resurrection of all ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether death will be the.htm

Whether Christ was the First to Rise from the Dead?
... already established in that incorruption of the resurrection which is promised at
the end when we shall be made ... many of the bodies of the saints rose, that ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether christ was the first.htm

Why is the truth of the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ so important? | GotQuestions.org

Why is the resurrection of Jesus Christ important? | GotQuestions.org

When will the Resurrection take place? | GotQuestions.org

Resurrection: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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