The One Resurrection
Here we run again against Premillennialism which posits more than one resurrection. Amillennialism teaches one general resurrection at the consummation of (salvation) history.
This is seen from clear, literal and straightforward teaching. We don’t go to Revelation 20 and speculate what might the first resurrection mean, no, we first form our doctrine from the clear passages then go and examine the hard ones in light of the easy ones (Analogy of Faith).
In John 5:28-29 we have a clear affirmation of the general resurrection at the same time. A resurrection to Condemnation and a resurrection to life.
John 5:28 Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice John 5:29 and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.
This will happen in an hour and it will happen to all who are in the tombs. The passage is straightforward.
Paul was in trial for his belief in a single resurrection of the just and the wicked.
Acts 24:15 having a hope in God, which these men themselves accept, that there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust.
Not multiple resurrections, not one before the Millennium and one after (Premillennarians are not agreed upon what happens to the Millennium saints after they die, whether they are resurrected immediately or wait for the general resurrection).
Sometimes we are told of the resurrection of the just (Lk 14:14), but this does not mean that it will be separate from the general resurrection of the dead (Mt 22:31; Acts 24:21), rather the text is focusing on one aspect of the general resurrection.
The resurrection of both the just and unjust is united, let’s not separate it!
Let’s also in passing note that what is usually called the Rapture which is supposed to snatch the Church from out of the world before the Great Tribulation for Amillennarians happens at the Parousia of our Lord just like Paul said.
The Thessalonian church was concerned about the condition of beloved ones who have died before the coming of the Lord. Paul comforts them that they will meet them at the time of the coming of the Lord.
1Thess 4:14 For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. 1Thess 4:15 For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 1Thess 4:16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 1Thess 4:17 Then we who are alive, who are left, 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. 1Thess 4:18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.
According to this verse the scenario will be like this:
- The Lord Comes from heaven – finally, visibly, gloriously
- Dead believers will rise in glorified bodies
- Alive believers at the Parousia will be transformed and caught up to the Lord
I have tried to show the singular coming of our Lord, it will not be divided into stages or what not. There will not be a coming with and a coming for His saints. ...
