The first resurrection is the complete resurrection of all believers from Adam to the end of the tribulation, carried out in three harvest-like stages.
Les Feldick teaches that the first resurrection is not a single event but the total gathering of believers of all ages. It begins with Christ and the firstfruits at His resurrection, continues with the church-age believers at the rapture, and is completed when Old Testament and tribulation saints are raised after the kingdom begins.
Daniel 12:12-13 — Daniel is told he will rest and stand in his lot after the extra 75 days, showing Old Testament saints are raised after the tribulation period.
1 Corinthians 15:23 — It names Christ as the firstfruits and says those who are Christ's will be raised afterward in their own order.
Revelation 20:6 — It explicitly describes those who have part in the first resurrection as blessed and holy, and says they will reign with Christ a thousand years.
Matthew 27:52-53 — It records the graves opening and many saints coming out after Christ's resurrection, which Les identifies as the firstfruit group.
Daniel 12:13 tells Daniel, "But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days." 1 Corinthians 15:23 states, "But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming." Revelation 20:6 describes those who have part in the first resurrection as "Blessed and holy... they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years." Matthew 27:52-53 records that at Christ's resurrection, graves were opened and many bodies of the saints which slept arose and came out of the graves after His resurrection.
Les Feldick teaches that the first resurrection is the complete resurrection of all believers from Adam to the end of the tribulation, not a single event but the total gathering of the just in an order. He breaks it into three categories using Israel's grain harvest: firstfruits, main harvest, and the gleanings/corners. The firstfruits are Christ and the saints who came out of the graves at His resurrection. The main harvest is the church-age believer, which will be raised at the rapture and is the largest group in the first resurrection. The corners and gleanings are the Old Testament believers and tribulation believers, a smaller group, which Les says will be resurrected 75 days after Christ returns, after the kingdom has begun, based on Daniel 12:11-13. Once these three groups are raised, the first resurrection of the just is complete. The lost do not share in it; they are not resurrected until after the kingdom has ended.
Les Feldick explains that the first resurrection is "broken down into the three categories as indicated by Israel's harvest of grain" (Clip 3). The three categories are: (1) the firstfruits — Christ and those who came out of the graves after His resurrection; (2) the main harvest — church-age believers raised at the rapture; and (3) the corners and gleanings — Old Testament and tribulation believers raised after the kingdom begins. All together, these are the believers of all ages from Adam until the end.
Les uses Israel's harvest practice to explain the order. First, the farmer took the firstfruits as a sampling of the field. Then came the main harvest, the church-age resurrection at the rapture. Lastly, the corners and gleanings were gathered, representing the Old Testament saints and tribulation saints, who are fewer in number. This completes the resurrection of the just of all the ages.
Les teaches from Daniel 12 that Old Testament and tribulation saints will be raised 75 days after Christ returns. He points to the 1,290 days and 1,335 days in Daniel 12:11-12, explaining the extra 75 days come after the end of the tribulation, and then Daniel 12:13 tells Daniel he will rest and stand in his lot at the end of the days. This resurrection happens shortly after the kingdom has begun, and they will be part of the kingdom.
No. Les makes clear that the first resurrection includes only the just. The lost are not resurrected until after the kingdom has ended. This distinguishes believers from the lost, and aligns with Revelation 20's description of those in the first resurrection as blessed and holy.
The 75-Day Interval in Daniel 12
Les explains Daniel 12:11-13 reveals a 75-day period after Christ's return, and Daniel is told he will rest and stand in his lot at the end of the days, indicating Old Testament saints are raised after the tribulation.
The First Resurrection as All Believers of Every Age
Les shows the first resurrection is not one moment but the total resurrection of all believers from Adam to the end, brought together in three groups.
Harvest: Firstfruits, Main Harvest, and Gleanings
Les uses Israel's harvest to show the firstfruits, the main harvest at the rapture, and the gleanings/corners of Old Testament and tribulation saints complete the resurrection of the just.
Recap of the Three Harvest Categories
Les recaps the order: firstfruits, the church-age main harvest at the rapture, and Old Testament/tribulation saints as gleanings resurrected after the kingdom begins.
Only Believers Make Up the First Resurrection
Les makes clear the first resurrection is made up only of believers; the lost are not raised until after the thousand-year kingdom ends.
The Next Group After Christ and the Firstfruits
Les identifies church-age believers as the next group in resurrection order, after Christ and the firstfruits.
Few OT and Tribulation Saints as Corners and Gleanings
Les likens Old Testament and tribulation believers to the few corners and gleanings left in a harvest, showing they are part of the first resurrection but a smaller group raised after the main harvest.
Order of Resurrections and the Third Group
Les connects 1 Corinthians 15:23 to the harvest order and says the third group of Old Testament and tribulation saints is raised at a slightly different time from the rapture.
Daniel 12:13: But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days.
This verse tells Daniel he will stand in his lot after the extra days, which Les connects to the resurrection of Old Testament 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 verse sets up an order of resurrection with Christ as the firstfruits and those who are Christ's at His coming.
Revelation 20:6: Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
This verse directly names the first resurrection and describes the blessing, holiness, and thousand-year reign of those included.
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.
This passage is used by Les as evidence of the firstfruits group being raised at the time of Christ's resurrection.
The first resurrection is the complete resurrection of all believers from Adam through the tribulation. Les Feldick teaches it happens in three harvest categories: firstfruits, the church-age harvest at the rapture, and Old Testament and tribulation believers raised after the kingdom begins.
Yes. Les Feldick describes the rapture of the church as the main harvest in the first resurrection, the largest group of believers raised when Christ comes for His body.
Les teaches Old Testament saints will be raised 75 days after Christ returns, after the kingdom has begun, based on Daniel 12:11-13. They are the gleanings and corners of the harvest.
No. Les says the lost are not resurrected until after the thousand-year kingdom has ended. The first resurrection is only for believers of all ages.
Watch the Teaching: What Does "First Resurrection" Really Mean? Bible Study