Paul is discussing the resurrection of Church Age believers—the Body of Christ—not the whole human race.
Les Feldick teaches that the group in 1 Corinthians 15:23, "they that are Christ's at his coming," refers to believers saved during the age of grace. This resurrection is one part of the resurrection of the just, with Old Testament and tribulation saints coming later in their own companies.
1 Corinthians 15:23 — This verse directly names the group Paul is talking about: after Christ the firstfruits, "they that are Christ's at his coming."
In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul writes about the resurrection of those who are in Christ. In verse 23, he gives the order: "But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming." The passage shows a sequence of resurrections, not one event for all people at the same time. The text also distinguishes those who have died from those who are alive when the resurrection takes place.
Les teaches that the resurrection Paul is discussing in 1 Corinthians 15 is specifically the resurrection of the Body of Christ—believers saved during this present age of grace. It is not the resurrection of all humanity at one time, and it is not the same company as the Old Testament saints. Les identifies Christ and the Jewish believers who came out of the graves in Matthew 27 as the firstfruits, and the Church Age believers as the second group, the main harvest. He teaches that when the last trumpet sounds, the dead in Christ will be raised incorruptible, and believers alive at that moment will be changed in a split second into new, glorious bodies.
Les Feldick teaches that the resurrection Paul is discussing is for the Body of Christ—believers saved during the Church Age, the age of grace. In 1 Corinthians 15:23, the "they that are Christ's at his coming" are the church-age believers. This group comes after Christ and the firstfruits company that came out of the graves in Matthew 27.
Les says the resurrection of the just takes place in distinct companies rather than at one event. He teaches three separate stages: Christ and the Matthew 27 saints, the Church resurrection which includes the Rapture, and the resurrection of the Old Testament saints shortly after the Kingdom is established. Paul's word "afterward" in verse 23 shows that these groups are not simultaneous.
When the trumpet sounds, the dead in Christ are raised incorruptible. Believers alive at that moment are changed, not left behind in their current bodies. Les uses the butterfly's metamorphosis as an earthly illustration: in a split second, living believers receive a new, glorious body. The old body that was prone to sin and corruption is transformed into one suited for eternity.
No, according to Les. Daniel and the Old Testament saints are not part of the church resurrection; they are in a later company of the resurrection of the just. They will be resurrected after the tribulation has run its course, along with tribulation saints, 75 days after Christ returns.
Living Believers Instantly Changed
Les uses the butterfly metamorphosis as a picture of how believers alive at the Rapture will be changed into a new glorious body in a split second—not leaving the old body behind.
Resurrection 'Companies' and Later Saints
Les explains that "every man in his own company" in 1 Cor 15:23 means separate resurrection groups: Christ and the firstfruits, the Body of Christ as the main harvest, and later the Old Testament and tribulation saints after the 75 days.
Three Distinct Resurrection Stages
Les teaches that the resurrection of the just occurs in three separate stages: Christ and the Matthew 27 saints, the Church resurrection/Rapture, and the Old Testament saints after the Kingdom is established.
Firstfruits and Church Age Believers
Les identifies the first group in 1 Cor 15:23 as Christ and the Jewish believers from Matthew 27, and the second group as the believers of the church age who are Christ's at His coming.
Paul's Focus on the Grace Age Believer
Les points out that the semicolon and the word "afterward" in 1 Cor 15:23 prove the resurrections do not happen simultaneously, and that Paul's focus is the grace-age believer, the Body of Christ.
From Adam to the Rapture: God's Plan for the Ages
So we've got two resurrections, the resurrection of the believers, the just, and a resurrection of the lost. Well, now, for this next few moments, we're just going to look at the resurrection of the just, or the believers. So now I'd like to have you come back with me to 1 Corinthians chapter 15. And 1 Corinthians 15 is a total, total chapter dealing with nothing but resurrection.
Dead and Living Church Age Saints at the Last Trump
Les connects the dead in Christ—church-age saints, not Old Testament saints—being raised and living believers being changed to the last trumpet in 1 Cor 15:52.
All Believers of All Ages in the First Resurrection
Les shows that the resurrection of the just is in parts: firstfruits, the Body of Christ at the Rapture, and then Old Testament and tribulation saints 75 days after Christ returns—all believers from Adam to the end.
1 Corinthians 15:20: But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.
This verse establishes Christ as the firstfruits, the beginning of the resurrection order.
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 key verse showing the ordered groups in the resurrection, with the church-age believers named as "they that are Christ's at his coming."
1 Corinthians 15:51: Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
This explains that not all believers will die; some will be alive and changed at the resurrection.
1 Corinthians 15:52: In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
This describes the instantaneous change that living believers experience when the dead in Christ are raised.
1 Corinthians 15:53: For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
This explains why the change is necessary: the mortal body must be made fit for eternity.
No. Les teaches it is the resurrection of the Body of Christ—believers of the church age. It is one part of the resurrection of the just, not a simultaneous resurrection of all humanity.
No. They come later in their own company, after the tribulation has run its course, along with tribulation saints—about 75 days after Christ returns.
They will not sleep; they will be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye. They will receive a new, glorious body instead of simply leaving the old body behind.
Watch the Teaching: What Happens at the Rapture? 1 Corinthians 15 Explained