What is the smallest unit in the military chain of command analogy for resurrection order?
In the military analogy, the company is the smallest unit, described as probably 100–120 men. Paul uses this picture to show that resurrection will occur in ordered groups, with every group placed in its specific company rather than all emerging as one great big group.
Les explains that in the military chain of command analogy, the smallest unit was the company, probably 100–120 men; from there the order moved to battalion, regiment, division, and army. He then says Paul is saying the same thing about resurrection: of all who have lived and died and will be resurrected, there is going to be an order, so every group will be in their specific company at resurrection. They are not all going to come out like one great big group. This ordered resurrection is also likened to Israel’s grain harvest: first the firstfruits, then the major harvest, and then the corners and gleanings.