Five Raptures Of The First Resurrection

Five Raptures in the First Resurrection

1. Christ and the many saints that were resurrected after His resurrection (1Cor. 15:20,23; Mt. 27:52-53; Eph. 4:8-10).

2. "Afterward they that are Christ's at His coming" (1Cor. 15:23,51-54; Jn. 14:1-3; Lk. 21:34-36; 2Cor. 5:1-8; Eph. 5:27; Php. 3:11,20-21; 1Th. 2:19; 3:13; 4:13-17; 5:9,23; 2Th. 2:1,7, note; Col. 3:4; Jas. 5:7-8; 1Jn. 2:28; 3:2; 1Pet. 5:4). Everyone in Christ, dead or alive, will be translated at this time. Not one person will be left on earth who is in Christ (1Th. 4:16-17).

3. The 144,000 Jews saved in the first 3 1/2 years of Daniel's 70th week (Rev. 7:1-8). They will be caught up as the manchild in the middle of this week or 3 1/2 years before the second coming (Rev. 12:5; 14:1-5; Isa. 66:7-8; Dan. 12:1). See notes on these scriptures.

4. The great multitude of tribulation saints who are saved after the rapture 2, above and during the whole of Daniel's 70th week (Rev. 6:1 -- Rev. 19:21). The first martyrs of this period are told to rest until the rest of them are killed (Rev. 6:9-11) when vengeance will be taken and all raptured in time for the marriage supper (Rev. 7:9-17; 15:2-4; 20:4-6). Even those killed by the beast in the last 3 1/2 years of this week have part in the first resurrection (Rev. 20:4-6). This proves their rapture in time for the marriage supper (Rev. 19:1-10) and in time to come back with Christ (Rev. 19:11-21; Jude 1:14; Zech. 14:5).

5. The rapture of the two witnesses, ending the first resurrection which began with the resurrection of Christ (Rev. 11:7-11).