The Bible presents resurrection as an ordered event: every person rises in his own company, beginning with Christ the firstfruits and then those who are Christ's at His coming.
In 1 Corinthians 15:23, Paul says "every man in his own order," showing that resurrection is not one general event. Les Feldick explains that the word "order" is a military organizational term, so people are raised in distinct companies. He identifies the first company as Christ, the next as church-age believers at Christ's coming, and later Old Testament saints and tribulation saints. The lost also are raised, but in their own place.
1 Corinthians 15:23 — This verse directly states the order of resurrection: "Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming."
Scripture shows that resurrection is not described as one undifferentiated event. In 1 Corinthians 15:20-23, Paul writes that Christ is "the firstfruits of them that slept," and that "every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming." This gives an explicit sequence: first Christ, then those who belong to Him at His coming. John 5:28-29 also reveals two distinct groups coming out of the graves: "they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation." Daniel 12:2 similarly speaks of some waking to "everlasting life" and some to "shame and everlasting contempt."
Les Feldick emphasizes that 1 Corinthians 15 describes resurrection in organized companies, not one general event. He compares the Greek word "order" to military terms—platoon, company, battalion, and division—so every person is resurrected in his own company. Les identifies the first company as Christ, the firstfruits, along with the Jewish believers who came out of the graves in Matthew 27. Then comes the main harvest, the Body of Christ, at the Rapture. After the Tribulation and an additional 75 days, Old Testament saints (including Daniel) and tribulation saints are raised in their own company. Les also teaches that the lost are not raised at the same time; they are the company of the lost.
Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15:23, "But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming." Les explains that the Greek word translated "order" is a military term for an organized unit—a company, battalion, or division. Therefore, the resurrection is not general; it is divided into companies.
Les teaches that the first company is Christ the firstfruits, with the Jewish believers from Matthew 27's graves. The next group is the church-age believer, those who are Christ's at His coming. After the Tribulation runs its course and an extra 75 days, Old Testament saints and tribulation saints will be resurrected in their own company. The lost are also a separate company of their own.
Les says that Old Testament saints—Daniel and all the rest—along with tribulation saints will be resurrected after the Tribulation has run its course and an additional 75 days have passed. They are not part of the church's resurrection company.
John 5:28-29 shows two groups—those who have done good come forth to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of damnation. Les notes that this is not one simultaneous event; the lost will be resurrected in their own company, and God's power will resurrect them at a future time.
Two Resurrections in John 5
Les reads John 5:28-29 as showing two distinct groups—saved and lost—rather than one simultaneous resurrection, and says Paul reveals more detail in 1 Corinthians 15.
Every Man in His Own Company
Les explains that 1 Corinthians 15:23 does not teach a general resurrection; the word "order" is a military organization term, and "they that are Christ's at his coming" refers to church-age believers.
Three Companies and the Firstfruits
Les identifies three resurrection companies—the lost, Old Testament saints, and the body of Christ—and points to the Matthew 27 Jewish believers as part of the firstfruits of them that slept.
The Harvest Division of the Companies
Les connects 1 Corinthians 15:23 to the Israeli harvest: firstfruits, main harvest (Body of Christ), and gleanings (Old Testament saints and tribulation saints).
The Exact Resurrection Order
Les gives the order: Christ and the firstfruits, then the Body of Christ as the main harvest, then Old Testament saints and tribulation saints after the Tribulation plus 75 days.
Order as a Military Term
Les explains that "order" in verse 23 is a military term meaning an organizational group, and that God's power will resurrect the lost as well.
Multiple Believer Resurrections
Les says there will be several resurrections of believers, not all at the same time, though they are close in proximity.
Firstfruits and the Church at His Coming
Les says the firstfruits were Christ and the Jewish believers from Matthew 27, and those who are Christ's at His coming are the church-age believers.
1 Corinthians 15:20: But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.
This establishes Christ as the firstfruits, the first company in the resurrection order.
1 Corinthians 15:22-23: For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.
These verses give the explicit sequence of resurrection: Christ first, then those who belong to Christ at His coming.
John 5:28-29: Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
This shows two distinct resurrection outcomes for the saved and the lost, a point Les uses to introduce the ordered resurrections.
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.
This Old Testament passage anticipates a resurrection with two different outcomes, which Les connects to the separate company of Old Testament saints.
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 Jewish believers as part of the firstfruits company raised with Christ.
No. 1 Corinthians 15:23 says "every man in his own order," and Les uses military language to explain that people are raised in separate organizational companies, not all at once.
Christ is the firstfruits. Les also includes the Jewish believers who came out of the graves in Matthew 27 as part of that firstfruits company.
Les teaches that "afterward they that are Christ's at his coming" refers to church-age believers, the main harvest, which happens at the Rapture.
No, Les says Old Testament saints and tribulation saints are a separate company raised after the Tribulation plus 75 days.
Watch the Teaching: The Three Stages of Resurrection — 1 Corinthians 15:22-23 Explained