Daniel 12:2-3 “And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.”

The second resurrection of the saints will be in the future, at the second coming of Christ. Christ’s second coming is in 2 phases, separated by 7 years of Tribulation Period. The first phase is the Rapture of the Saints when all those who are saved; faithful or not, will be caught up to meet Jesus Christ in the clouds.

1 Thessalonians 4:15-16 - “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. [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:”

The rapture of the saints will happen in the twinkling of an eye as the trump shall sound and the dead shall be raised. There is no time for anyone to get ready for His coming. The sound of the trumpets will be heard only by those who are saved and those who are not will be left behind to suffer in the Great Tribulation.

At the coming of Christ in the clouds, the resurrection of the dead saints will happen first before the translation of the living saints.

When the trump sounds, hinting at the coming of Christ in the air, the “dead in Christ” will rise first. As soon as the soul unites with the mortal body, the incorruptible and glorified body will be the result. This new and glorified body is both eternal and physical, no longer subject to death and decay.

1 Corinthians 15:23,42-44 - “But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. [42] So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: [43] It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: [44] It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.”

This is the glorious resurrection of the saints that will usher all the believers, including the Old Testament saints, New Testament believers, and the empowered Church to be with God forever. Although the saints are enjoying eternal life, the places where they are in the meantime are not. Both the heaven and the earth will be changed to the new heaven and earth after the Millennial Kingdom.

After the rapture, the next event in glory is the Bema judgment, called the Judgment seat of Christ. This is a judgment for rewards. The New Testament believers will be rewarded based on how faithful and abiding they are to the tasks God has given them. This judgment will determine the Bride of Christ, who will be composed of believers who are obedient, faithful, empowered, and abiding to the end in the work of the Lord. They will reign with Christ.

After the Judgement Seat of Christ, is the marriage supper of the Lamb and His chosen bride, and finally the Second Coming of Christ with His saints, also called the Revelation will take place. This time the Lord will reveal His power and justice against all His enemies. Jesus Christ alone will defeat them by His Word. This is called the Battle of Armageddon.

After the victory in the Battle of Armageddon, the Lord will judge all the nations to determine what nations will be included in the Millennial kingdom where Christ will reign, seated at the throne of David and His bride will reign with Him.

Conclusion:

So far we have learned that the first resurrection was at the exact moment Christ died on the cross when some saints came out of the grave. The next is the glorious resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. These were the two resurrections that occurred in the past.

The initial resurrection of the dead saints became a testimony of the power and victory of the death of Christ. The death that the enemies thought to be the Lord’s greatest defeat became His greatest victory.

This victory finally and forever secured the defeat of all the enemies of the Lord and His Gospel.

The message that this brings to us today is for us and all the people of God to be strong and faithful during this perilous time. Let us be faithful and abiding unto the end!