The resurrection of the just has three stages: Christ as firstfruits, the Church at the Rapture, and Old Testament/tribulation saints after the Kingdom begins.
Les uses Israel's harvest to picture the order of resurrection. Christ and those raised in Matthew 27 are the firstfruits. The main harvest is the Church at the Rapture. The gleanings and corners represent Old Testament and tribulation saints, who are raised after the Kingdom is set up.
1 Corinthians 15:23 — This verse gives the order of resurrection: Christ as firstfruits, then those who are Christ's at His coming.
Matthew 27:52-53 — This records the saints who came out of the graves at Christ's resurrection, forming the first part of the firstfruits.
Daniel 12:2 — This passage is the Old Testament promise of resurrection that Les points to for the resurrection of Old Testament and tribulation saints.
In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul writes that "every man in his own order" will be raised: "Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming." The Bible presents a defined order to resurrection, beginning with Christ Himself. Matthew 27 records that at the time of Christ's resurrection, the graves were opened and many bodies of saints arose and appeared in the holy city. Daniel 12 also declares that "many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt." These passages provide the scriptural basis for the order of resurrection.
Les teaches that the first resurrection of the just is broken into three categories that match Israel's grain harvest. The firstfruits are Christ and the saints who came out of the graves in Matthew 27. The main harvest is the church-age believers who are resurrected at the Rapture, at the trumpet sound when Christ meets His Body in the air. The corners and gleanings are the Old Testament believers and tribulation saints, who will be resurrected shortly after the Kingdom has begun—about 75 days after Christ returns. Les stresses that these three groups together make up the first resurrection of all believers from Adam to the end. The lost are not resurrected until after the Kingdom has ended.
The first stage is the firstfruits. Les identifies this as Christ Himself plus those who came out of the graves at the time of His resurrection, as recorded in Matthew 27. This part of the resurrection harvest has already taken place.
Les calls the resurrection of church-age believers the main harvest. It happens at the Rapture, which he describes as the great resurrection day of the Body of Christ, when Christ leaves heaven and meets believers in the air at the trumpet sound. This is the largest group in the first resurrection.
Les teaches that Old Testament believers and tribulation saints are represented by the corners and gleanings left in the Jewish harvest. He includes believers from Christ's earthly ministry with these groups because they were connected to Israel's program. They will be resurrected shortly after the Kingdom is established, about 75 days after Christ returns, and will be part of the Kingdom.
No. The three categories Les describes are all believers and make up the first resurrection of the just. The lost are not resurrected until after the Kingdom has ended.
What Triggers the Rapture? Romans 11:25 Explained Verse by Verse
Hello, and welcome to Through the Bible with Les Feldick. An Oklahoma rancher and farmer, Les Feldick has been teaching homestyle Bible classes for 20 years in Iowa, Oklahoma, and Texas. Les Feldick's unique style of Bible teaching has made the books of the Bible come to life. When Les is teaching, it's so interesting that people say time just seems to fly by. And now, here is Les Feldick.
Firstfruits, main harvest, and gleanings
Les lays out the three-stage harvest picture: Christ and those raised in Matthew 27 as firstfruits, the Church at the Rapture as the main harvest, and Old Testament/Tribulation saints as the corners and gleanings.
Three categories of the first resurrection
Les recaps the same three groups and notes that Old Testament and tribulation believers will be resurrected shortly after the Kingdom has begun.
First resurrection limited to believers
Les explains that the three categories of believers make up the first resurrection, and the lost are not resurrected until after the Kingdom ends.
Corners and gleanings as OT and Tribulation saints
Les says Old Testament believers were few, so they are like the corners and gleanings; he includes tribulation saints and those who believed during Christ's earthly ministry, and points to Daniel 12.
Church Age and tribulation in the harvest picture
Les describes the Church Age as a large resurrection at the Rapture, then a multitude of tribulation saints as corners and gleanings, equaling Daniel's Old Testament plus tribulation believers.
All believers of all ages in one first resurrection
Les summarizes that the first resurrection is in three parts and includes every believer from Adam to the end, with lost people excluded.
Dividing the harvest after 1 Corinthians 15:23
Les rereads 1 Corinthians 15:23—Christ the firstfruits, then those who are Christ's at His coming—and divides it again using the harvest analogy for the Church, Old Testament saints, and tribulation saints.
1 Corinthians 15:23: But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.
This is the verse Les uses to introduce the order of resurrection: every man in his own company, beginning with Christ and continuing with those who are His.
Matthew 27:52-53: And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.
Les points to these resurrected saints as the firstfruits that accompanied Christ's resurrection.
Daniel 12:2: And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.
Les points to Daniel as the place to see the future resurrection of Old Testament and tribulation saints.
According to Les, the firstfruits are Christ Himself and those who came out of the graves at the time of His resurrection, as recorded in Matthew 27. This is the first part of the resurrection harvest.
Yes. Les identifies the Rapture as the main harvest of the first resurrection of believers. It is the great resurrection day of the Body of Christ, when Christ comes for His own at the trumpet sound.
Les teaches that Old Testament saints, along with tribulation saints, will be resurrected after the Kingdom has been set up, about 75 days after Christ's Second Coming. They are the gleanings and corners of the harvest.
No. The first resurrection of believers is only for the just. The lost are not resurrected until after the Kingdom has ended.
Watch the Teaching: What Triggers the Rapture? Romans 11:25 Explained Verse by Verse