The First Resurrection Revelation 20:6

Compiled from the Writings of David Berg

“Back in Matthew chapter 24 we read that when Jesus comes, His angels will “gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other!” (Mt.24:31.) Now this word “elect” here simply means the saved, His “ecclesia”, which means His set-apart ones, His church, His Christians, His children! And when He starts collecting His children, He’s certainly going to collect them all & not leave any behind! He’s going to gather all the saved together!

Nobody’s going to be left behind that loves Jesus! Nobody’s going to be left behind that has received Jesus as his savior! No one is going to be left behind who is saved! Not a single, genuine, Bible-believing, Christ-trusting, Jesus-loving Christian is going to be left behind, not one! for “We shall all be changed!” (1Co.15:51.) And we will all be raised! He’ll send His angels out to gather us from everywhere, from all around the whole earth, & He won’t leave one behind. He won’t forget one, not one! Isn’t that wonderful?

In Revelation, John envisioned Christ’s gathering of His children as a great harvest: “And I looked, & behold a white cloud, & upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on His head a golden crown.” –He’s not coming as a babe in the manger this time, but as the King of kings, to rule & reign forever!–“and in his hand a sharp sickle. And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; & the earth was reaped!” (Rev.14:14-16.) Jesus catches His church out & then, immediately following in Revelation, you’ll find nothing but the wrath of God being poured out upon the wicked that remain.

This resurrection is spoken of as the first resurrection, of all those who belong to Him. He says, “Blessed & 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 & of Christ, & shall reign with him a thousand years.” (Rev.20:6.) So this “first” resurrection will be a resurrection of only the saved, of those who love Jesus.

Now if there’s a first resurrection, there must also be a second resurrection, & if you read Revelation chapter 20 about the Great White Throne Judgment of God, you’ll find out that, of course, there is. But the next resurrection, the resurrection of the unsaved, the second resurrection, is not going to occur until after the 1,000-year golden age rule & reign of Christ on Earth known as the Millennium, and I’m sorry to say that many of those who don’t make the first resurrection are going to be suffering & learning some pretty hard lessons in Hell & purgatory & a few other places during that time.–So what you don’t want to do is miss the first resurrection!

“Watch therefore: for in such an hour as ye think not the son of man cometh!” (Mt.24:42,44.) You wouldn’t want to be left behind, would you?–When Jesus comes to rescue His children, His own, out of this world & all of its horrors & terrors & reign of terror of the Antichrist & tribulation? You don’t want to be left here to go through the following horrible plagues & wrath of God upon the wicked & Armageddon & hell thereafter!

“When Jesus comes, a great wonderful miracle takes place–the resurrection! All of those who belong to him, all the saved, will then have a glorious & beautiful & wonderful resurrection!”

How sad!–the people who are going to be found unready!–because He’s going to come suddenly, without warning, except for those who know His word & know the times & seasons & are counting not only the years, but the very months & the actual days from the events which they know begin the countdown to zero hour when Jesus comes! We’re going to be counting the very days, as we’ve learned in our studies of both Daniel & Revelation.

Will you be ready when Jesus comes?–Are you one of his own?–Have you received Him personally into your own heart? If so, then you can look forward to that great day of His coming with hope & faith & eager anticipation!

Especially if you’ve been living for Jesus!–not just believing in Him & going to a church building once a week, but really serving the Lord & loving & winning souls, sacrificing, being a stranger & a pilgrim in this old world, having no certain resting place. When you see Jesus coming, having served Him as faithfully as you can, you’re going to be so happy, so rejoicing, praising God, thanking Jesus!–at last He’s come to deliver you from all of your pain & troubles & trials & tribulation! You’re going to be so happy to see Him! Hallelujah!

Are you going to be happy to see Jesus when He comes? Are you going to be ready?–or are you going to be caught by surprise doing something you shouldn’t? You’d certainly be ashamed to face Him then, wouldn’t you? You’d even be ashamed to face us if you’re picked up by surprise suddenly out of this earth doing something that wasn’t of the Lord, even though you’re saved & a Christian. i certainly don’t want to have that fate, do you? (Dan.12:2,3.)

I want to be ready to meet Him when He comes!–ready to praise the Lord & welcome Him with joy & be happy that He is catching me out of this filthy old world up into his clean skies & Heavenly places! Wouldn’t you rather be rejoicing & praising the Lord & thanking God that Jesus has come?–then give Him your heart & your life, & love & serve Him “with all thy heart, & with all thy soul & with all thy strength” today! (Mt.22:37.)–Tomorrow may be too late!”