“The First Resurrection”—Who Will Be in It? Or, the Main Purpose for Human Life!

By Richard Kenney

This book started out as a thirty-twopage 8.5 x 11 Bible study/article about ten years ago (approximately 2006), which I wrote and printed up myself at home for the various groups I was teaching at the time. I inserted each of the pages into clear plastic page protectors and then mounted them into standard loose-leaf binders. Then, as time passed, I started telling myself, Theres so much more to this study thats not in this writing. So I went about to write another study/article of fifteen 8.5 x 11 pages concerning the time right close to the time Jesus Christ would actually return, then subsequently this full-length book.

This book is about the main subject Christ told his followers to teach to the whole worldthe Gospel of the kingdom of God and the many aspects pertaining to it. There are many questions. When will Christ return? Will we go to heaven or stay here on earth? Will the dead really be resurrected? Were living in the very last days now! Events will happen thatll affect everyone! There will be such calamities that will affect the sun, moon, and stars! Where will the battle of Armageddon be staged? This book has the answers to these questions and more. We need to stay close to God now more than ever! The best way to be prepared is to educate yourself by reading this book.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Aug 16, 2017
• ISBN: 9781512783001

Richard Kenney

God opened Richard Kenney’s mind in the late 1970’s, when he came to know the ‘Truth of God’ (John 14:6). After much in-depth Bible Study he started teaching, and writing Bible Studies himself, then articles, and now books on the Truth of God which up to and including the time of this writing, amounts to the last 35 years.

Book preview

"The

FIRST

RESURRECTION"

—WHO WILL BE IN IT?

OR, THE MAIN PURPOSE

FOR HUMAN LIFE!

RICHARD KENNEY

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Copyright © 2017 Richard Kenney.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Scripture taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

WestBow Press

A Division of Thomas Nelson & Zondervan

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

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ISBN: 978-1-5127-8299-8 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5127-8301-8 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-5127-8300-1 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2017905586

WestBow Press rev. date: 09/20/2017

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Dedication, Introduction.

THE FIRST RESURRECTION.

THE CALLED OUT ONES.

WHO ELSE IS CALLED?

NAME OF GOD’S CHURCH.

HOW DOES GOD CALL US?

POSITIONS OF RULERS.

AFTER DEATH – WHAT?

THE MOMENT OF DEATH.

WE WILL BE CHANGED?

CALLED TO DO A WORK!

THE CHASTE VIRGIN

SHEEP & GOATS: PEOPLE.

FIRST JUDGMENT: CHURCH.

HARVESTS/RESURRECTIONS.

KINGS AND PRIESTS.

THE LAST TRUMPET.

JESUS CHRIST’S PROPHECY.

ARMAGEDDON.

THE SEVEN ANGELS.

JESUS CHRIST RETURNS.

144,000 ELECT OF GOD.

TRULY ‘BORN AGAIN’.

TO HEAVEN W/JESUS?

A SUMMARY.

CHRIST SETS UP GOV’T

TWO TREES IN GARDEN.

WHEN CHRIST RETURNS-1

BEGINNING OF MONTHS.

WHEN CHRIST RETURNS- 3.

THE SEVEN TRUMPETS.

THE WHITE HORSE.

ALL RIGHTEOUSNESS.

VALLEY- SHAD. OF DEATH.

PILATE: DON’T KILL JESUS

‘DIPPED’ MISTRANSLATED.

HOW MANY ANGELS?

CHRIST: BORN AGAIN.

THE RAPTURE THEORY.

JERUSALEM ATTACKED-1.

CHRIST DESTROYS ENEMIES.

POWER OF GOD’S WORD.

200 MILLION DESTROYED.

AFTER THE FINAL BATTLE.

ALL NATIONS KEEP FEASTS.

LORD REDEEMS JERUSALEM.

WHO ORDAINS JESUS?

JESUS ORDAINED- WHEN?

ORDER OF AUTHORITY.

DAVID: KING AGAIN.

REWARDS TO OVERCOME.

THE HIDDEN MANNA.

CHRIST IN YOU- HOPE.

THE WHITE STONE.

SPIRIT OF ADOPTION.

THE SEVEN CHURCHES.

MARRIAGE OF THE LAMB.

THE CHILDREN OF GOD.

GOD’S NEW YEAR.

WHAT EXACTLY IS SIN?

PASSOVER LAMB: JESUS- 1.

LIFE IS IN THE BLOOD.

GROOM AND THE BEST MAN.

THE WEDDING PARTY.

MARRIAGE: MEANING.

REPRODUCED BY SEED.

PERILOUS TIMES COMING.

ENDURE ‘TIL THE END?

ENCOURAGEMENT.

A SUMMARY.

JERUSALEM ATTACKED-2.

GOD’S MASTER PLAN-1.

GOD’S MEMORIAL DAY.

ALL SCRIPTURE FULFILLED.

PASSOVER LAMB: JESUS-2

UNLEAVENED BREAD.

WAVE SHEAF OFFERING.

FEAST OF PENTECOST.

DISCIPLES: HOLY SPIRIT

GOD’S FIRST HARVEST.

A BRIEF RECAP.

THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES.

POWERS OF HEAVEN HAKEN.

SUN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS.

KING/KINGS, LORD/LORDS.

THE DAY OF THE LORD.

ATTACKERS DESTROYED.

TRUMPETS & ATONEM’T.

FASTING GOD’S WAY.

SEVENTH DAY SABBATH.

HERITAGE OF JACOB.

MEANING OF ATONEMENT

JESUS DRAWS HIS BODY.

PURPOSE OF ATONEMENT.

THE DEVIL MADE ME DO IT?

GOD’S ENCOURAGEMENT.

A BRIEF RECAP.

ALL OF US HAVE SINNED!

AMBASSADORS FOR JESUS.

AFTER 1st RESURRECTION.

THE ATONING VICTIM.

SINS OF WHOLE WORLD!

INWARD SINS OF MIND.

THE INWARD MAN.

PROCESS OF ATONEMENT.

WHY THIS PROCESS?

ATONEMENT CEREMONY.

GOD’S PLAN: SALVATION-2.

BAPTIZED IN JESUS’ NAME.

HIGH PRIEST MARRY VIRGIN.

ATONE CEREM’Y: MARR’GE.

THE FAMILY OF GOD.

MARRIAGE CEREM’Y: HERE?

GOD’S DAY OF ATONEMENT.

WEDDING PROCESSION.

THE ACTUAL CEREMONY.

ACCOUNTED WORTHY.

BACK TO THE CEREMONY.

THE SUPPER/RECEPTION.

ATONEMENT DAY: INTRO- TO ARRIAGE OF THE LAMB!

DA VINCI’S LAST SUPPER.

PRESENT GIFTS/REWARDS.

PARABLE OF THE POUNDS.

THE WHITE STONE.

SIT WITH CHRIST: HIS THRONE.

FEAST OF TABERNACLES AND- LAST GREAT DAY.

AFTER THE MARRIAGE SUPPER.

VENTS LEADING TO LAST DAY.

AFTER THE THOUSAND YEARS.

GREAT WHITE THRONE JUDGMENT.

THE VALLEY OF DRY BONES.

EIGHTH DAY LAST GREAT DAY.

THE HOLY CITY: NEW JERUSALEM.

GOD & THE LAMB: THE TEMPLE

FINAL SIGN OF TIMES: JESUS RETURNS.

FINAL BIG EVENT THAT OCCURS.

YOU’LL BE ACCOUNTED WORTHY.

FINALLY: JESUS CHRIST IS LORD!

DEDICATION

This writing is dedicated to all those that are God’s called, and are scattered throughout the world, as well as scattered among the various churches; and may not even know they are God’s wheat scattered amongst the tares as it is called by Almighty God.

ENCOURAGEMENT

Why has God left His called scattered all over the world, instead of plucking them up and gathering them together in one group? The answer is found in Matt. 13:24- Jesus Christ says to His disciples: Another parable He put before them saying: The Kingdom of Heaven is likened to a man who sowed good seed in His field. Vs. 25- But while His men slept, His enemy came and sowed tares (weeds) among the wheat, and then went on his way. Vs. 26- But when the blades of the plants were sprung up and brought forth fruit, then the tares appeared also. Vs. 27- So the servants of the householder came to Him and said: Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? And if so, where did the tares come from? Vs. 28- He said to them: An enemy has done this. Then the servants asked Him: Then do you want us to go and gather the tares up? Vs. 29- But He said: No, lest while you gather up the tares you also up-root the wheat with them. Vs. 30- Let both grow together until the harvest; and in the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers: Gather together the tares first, bind them in bundles to burn them; but gather the wheat into my barn (My Kingdom- The Kingdom Of God). Amen!

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The Bible says: We will all be taught by God (Isaiah 54:13, Micah 4:2, John 6:45) through His Son Jesus Christ, and His Holy Bible, and of course His called Ministry, which I do acknowledge. But, there is one Minister that has been a very personal guide and mentor to me from the very beginning of my calling until the day he went to sleep. His name is Mr. George Contos. From the day I first attended services, until the day I moved from the area, the bulk of God’s teaching came through this Elder. It was he that set me on the course of writing Bible Studies, Articles on the Bible, and ultimately Books on the same. When I found out we both lived in the same town, minutes from each other, I would pick him up and we would drive to services together. Then he proceeded to give me a sermon on the way to services, I got another sermon at services, and another sermon on the way home from services. Sometimes when I dropped him off he would invite me in to dinner his mother had prepared and I received another sermon then (4 in 1 day). Then, I found out they held Bible Study in mid-week. I’d pick him up, and I’d get a Bible Study on the way to Bible Study, another when we got there, and another Bible Study on the way home. Sometimes he’d invite me in for coffee, even though late, and another study ensued.

INTRODUCTION

While I have many books, and sets of books pertaining to Bible study, such as: Bible Dictionaries, Theological Dictionaries, Commentaries, Concordances; as well as Encyclopedias, Ecclesiastical, Historical Geographical, and Grammatical Reference books; I find my greatest study manual is right back to the Holy Bible! Then we only have to concentrate on quoting Almighty God Himself.

In addition, I find that God Himself is the sole authority of religion, and all of life, and the Holy Bible His only ecclesiastical authority, taught to mankind by and through His Son, our Lord, Savior, and soon coming King, Jesus Christ.

I have taken the liberty to write out many of the scriptures in full, into the text of this writing, and it was purposely done so to facilitate the reader not having to carry any other books. The notes and scriptures can easily be checked when the reader gets home, or where ever they’re going. Further, this is also done with the reader in mind, because many people like to pass the time reading while car-pooling, flying, riding on a bus or train as we commute, or while traveling on vacation. Also while waiting in a clinic, Doctor’s office, beauty parlor, or barber shop, etc.

Another reason for including details, as well as the writing out of the scriptures mentioned, and their locations in the Holy Bible is because, many people, even so called ‘church-goers’ simply do not read the Bible. While still others, if they do, only read the Psalms, or Proverbs, etc. Yet another and the most important reason I not only write out the scripture, but tell where the scripture is located, is so the reader can look it up and read it in their own Bible, and see that I’m not interpreting the Bible at all, but merely telling what’s actually recorded there. The only way the reader can see that is by reading the scriptures themselves in their own Bible.

I have also come to find out through personal experiences, that just as children grow up, and sooner or later have to break their Mother’s ‘apron strings’ and go out into the world, and make their own mark on life themselves; It’s the same way with whichever church we have been raised up in. There comes a point when we have to break those ‘apron strings’ as well. Then take the basics we’ve been taught there, go out into the world and start to build the next phase or section of God’s house, that God wants us to build. That’s our job in God’s end-time work!

The Apostle Paul says that, starting in Heb. 5:8- Speaking of Jesus Christ: Though He, Christ was a Son, yet He learned obedience, by the things which He suffered. Vs. 9- And being made perfect, He became the author of eternal salvation unto all those that obey Him. Vs. 10- He was called by God to be a High Priest after the order of Melchisedec. Vs. 11- About whom we have many things to say but are hard to be uttered, because you are dull of hearing. Now notice what Paul says to the Hebrews in vs. 12- For by this time (after having been taught by Paul himself) you ought to be teachers yourselves, but you have need that someone teach you again, those things which are the first principles (the most basic principles) of the oracles of God; and have become as those that have need of milk again (newborn babies) and not as those that need strong meat (mature adults). Vs. 13- For everyone that uses milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness; for he is a babe, (still tied to his Mother’s apron strings). Vs. 14- But strong meat belongs to those that are of full age (not still tied to their Mother’s apron strings) especially those who by reason of use, have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

Also read where Jesus Christ Himself knew that the disciples had come of full age, and matured to a degree that He could trust them enough to know that they would teach as Christ taught them. Read that where Christ prays to the Father on His last night on earth, after the Passover meal, the foot washing, and shortly before He was taken. Christ informs the Father that He has passed His mantle to the disciples, and sent them to preach the gospel to the world. Read in John 17:18- As you’ve sent me into the world I have sent them into the world the same way. Vs. 19- And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they may also be sanctified through the truth.

Vs. 20- Neither do I pray for these alone, but for those also who shall believe on me through their word. Vs. 21- So that they all may be one, as you Father are in me, and I in you; so that they also, may be one in us (married); so the world may believe you have sent me. Vs. 22- And the glory which you gave me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one. Vs. 23- I in them and you in me, so that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that you have sent me, and that you have loved them, as you have loved me.

Then ultimately, after Christ’s arrest that same night, His subsequent beating, torture, crucifixion, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension to the Father, He returned to earth. In Matt. 28:16- Then the eleven disciples went into Galilee, to a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. Vs. 17- When they saw Him, they worshipped Him; but some doubted. Vs. 18- Jesus came and said to them: All power is given to me, in heaven and in earth. Then He gave them the Great Commission: Go you therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Vs. 20- Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you unto the end of the world. Amen. And at this point they have come of full age.

Contrary to what may be popular belief: The original and/or maybe the subsequent disciples, with the exception of the Apostle Paul who was taught at the feet of Gamaliel (a high ranking Pharisee Acts 22:3) were not at all scholars. And most likely not even formally educated to any degree; and maybe never read, or even saw the scriptures. How then, were they supposed to be able to preach the gospel to anyone, let alone all nations, not knowing the scriptures? There is an answer to that question. Read it in Luke 24:44- And He said to them: These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you; that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses, and in the Prophets, and in the Psalms, concerning me. Vs. 45- Then He opened their understanding, so that they would understand the scriptures. There it is; their minds were closed to all these things, but are now open.

He did the same for the two He walked, and spoke with on the road to Emmaus. Read it in Luke 24:30- And it came to pass, as He, Christ sat at dinner with them, He took bread and blessed it, and broke it, and gave some to them. Vs. 31- And their eyes were opened and they knew Him, and He vanished out of their sight. Vs. 32- And they said one to another: Didn’t our heart burn within us, while He talked with us by the way; while He opened the scriptures to us?

It’s obvious just from these scriptures, that unless God or Christ opens our minds, the true meanings of the scriptures are hidden from all others. That’s because God, through the prophet Isaiah, pronounced a curse on all those that refuse to obey God. Read that in Isaiah 6:9- And God said: Go! Tell these people: Hear you indeed, but understand not; and see you indeed, but perceive not. Vs. 10- Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed. A perfect example of that is starting in Matt. 13:10- The disciples came and asked Christ: Why do you speak to them in parables? Vs. 11- He answered and said to them: Because, it is given to you to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven, but to them it is not given. Vs. 13- That’s why I speak to them in parables; because they see, but do not perceive, and they hear but do not understand. Vs. 16- But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear. Vs. 17- For truly I say to you that: Many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which you see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which you hear, and have not heard them. Did you get that? Not only righteous men from the ancient past, but the prophets themselves didn’t see, or hear these things!

Why did God give this extremely important job and/or responsibility to a group of relatively uneducated men for the most part? God answers that question by the Apostle Paul. 1 Cor. 1:23- But we preach Christ crucified, and it is unto the Jews a stumbling block, and is unto the Greeks foolishness. Vs. 24- But unto those which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power of God, and the wisdom of God. Vs. 25- Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. Vs. 26- For you see your calling brethren, how that God did not call many wise men after the flesh, and not many mighty, and not many noble are called. Vs. 27- But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God has chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty. Vs. 28- And God has called the base things of the world, and things that are despised God has chosen; and yes things which are dead, to bring to nothing things which are alive.

Just exactly why has God called the seemingly less significant things of the world to accomplish His work? Vs. 29- So that no flesh should glory in His presence (thinking they/we had something to do with bringing about God’s results). Vs. 30- But by Him, God, you are in Christ Jesus, who by God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption. Vs. 31- So that according to how it is written: He that glories, let him glory in the Lord- Jesus Christ.

A good principle to bear that out is in 2 Peter 1:20- Knowing this first that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. Vs. 21- For the prophecy in the old time didn’t come by the will of man; but ‘Holy Men of God’ spoke as they were moved, or inspired by the Holy Spirit! In 2 Tim. 3:16- All scripture is given for inspiration by God, and is profitable for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. Vs. 17- So the ‘Man of God’ may be perfect, thoroughly prepared to perform all good works.

We need to maintain a close and continuous relationship with our heavenly Father at all times, just as David did while in the wilderness of Judea. He is quoted in Psalm 63:1- O God, you are my God, I will seek you early; my soul thirsts for you, my flesh longs for you in a dry and thirsty land, where there is no water. Vs. 2- Just to see your power and your glory, as I have seen you in the sanctuary. Vs. 3- Because your loving kindness is better than life, my lips shall praise you. Vs. 4- I will bless you this way while I live: I will lift up my hands in your name. Vs. 5- My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips. Vs. 6- I remember you while on my bed, and meditate on you in the night watches. Vs.7- Because you have been my help, therefore I will rejoice in the shadow of your wings. Vs. 8- My soul follows hard after you; your right hand up-holds me. Psalm 63:9- But those that seek my soul, to destroy it, shall go into the lower parts of the earth (hell/grave). Vs. 10- They shall fall by the sword; and be food for foxes. Vs. 11- But the king, David himself shall rejoice in God; every one that swears by Him shall glory; but the mouth of those that speak lies shall be stopped. Also in Deut. 6:5- You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart/mind, and with all your soul, and all your might.

We also have another responsibility: Deut. 6:6- These words that I command you this day, shall be in your heart/mind: Vs. 7- And so you shall teach them diligently to your children, and you shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise up. Also in 11:19. So we can see from these scriptures that God is not only instructing us to keep Him in every facet of our lives but, literally commanding us; also be sure and teach our children as well!

So just as David said, in Psalm 63:6- He remembers God while on his bed, and meditates on Him in the night watches; I find myself doing the very same thing David did many times, as I lie in bed meditating on the scriptures for the particular book or article I’m writing at the time. I learned a very important lesson: When the Holy Spirit moves you, and starts showing you the meaning of the scriptures you’re meditating on, and how they connect to, or fit into the scheme of things, or the specific subject you’re writing on, you have to get up out of your bed right then and there, and write those things down NOW! Because what I did the first time this came about was to say to myself: Wow, this is great! The very first thing I do in the morning when I get up, even before I have breakfast, will be to write all this down! BUT, alas when morning came I forgot all the Holy Spirit showed me! So write the notes when inspired NOW!

Further Comments: The reason I wrote this book: To bring comfort to those who have lost loved ones, so they can look forward to the day they will be reunited with them. At this point I’d like to correct, or put into proper perspective what I think many, if not most people visualize, and incorrectly so, just what it will be like when we are being reunited with our loved ones that have Fallen Asleep (died). First of all if we, or those of us that are still alive are about to be re-united with our ‘deceased’ loved ones, we can’t just go to them and start hugging, kissing, and speaking with them; they are what we generally refer to as dead, or as the Holy Bible refers to it as asleep. They have to first be brought back to life or as the Holy Bible says: resurrected. If both we and they are dead, then both of us have to be resurrected first, before we interact. The main and obvious principle is: The dead cannot visit or fellowship with the living or the dead. In order to accomplish this, the dead must first be brought back to life! This is the true meaning of the term: Resurrection. So, we see here, there is life after death- God’s way!

Final Comments: F.Y.I. What I have written here is not my opinion of what is written in the Holy Bible, nor is it my interpretation of what is written in the Holy Bible, as some have done; it is simply what is actually written in the Holy Bible in plain English. Also, you will notice I have quoted many scriptures, and/or just listed many; mainly so you can look them up yourself in your own Bible to check me out if you choose. Or, you can just read right through them like a novel. The choice is yours.

Also, for those not familiar with the Bible, or how to look up a particular scripture, in the Bible, this is how easy it is: Just as all/most books, there is a table of contents in the beginning of the Holy Bible as well. Instead of chapters, or sections being listed, the names of the various ‘Books’ as they are called, and their respective page numbers are listed. To look up a scripture such as John 14:6: John (name of the book), 14: (chapter of the book), :6 (verse of the chapter). After you’ve returned to the table of contents many times, you will come to know about where the various books are located, just like anyone.

The First Resurrection

-WHO’LL BE IN IT?

In the Bible, in the last book, it is called the book of Revelation, and in chapter 20:4-6, there it talks about The First Resurrection and there are several other references to it. Namely: Rev. 7:3-4, and Rev. 14:14-16. But wait! Just what does resurrection mean anyway? Well first-off, the Bible was not originally written in the English. The Old Testament was written primarily in the Hebrew, and the New Testament was written primarily in the Koine or Common Greek. So, when we want to find out what certain words in the Bible mean, we have to go back to the original language in which it was first written. Since the New Testament was written in the Greek, we find the Greek word for resurrection is Anastasis (#386- Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance), which is a construction of two words: Ana (#303- Strong’s), which means ‘again’, and Stasis (#4714- Strong’s), which means to stand up-right. The two words together Anastasis means to stand upright ‘AGAIN’, or, to be raised from the dead, and brought back to life ‘AGAIN’. A key word here is ‘AGAIN’. To resurrect doesn’t only mean to give life to. It means you had to have first lived then died, then raised back to life ‘AGAIN’!

An example of being given life only was when God created Adam. Adam was not resurrected, because he had not lived before. Read Gen. 2:7- The Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into Adams nostrils the breath of life and man became a living soul. But with Jesus Christ, He had first lived then died, and then God resurrected Him back to life AGAIN (Hebrews 13:20)! Now that we know what it means to be resurrected, let’s go to the next question: How many resurrections will there be? As was mentioned at the start of this study, and in Rev. 20:5 it says: This is the ‘first’ resurrection. But the rest of the dead lived not again (will not be resurrected) until the thousand years are finished. Vs. 6- Blessed and Holy is he that has part in the ‘first’ resurrection on these the second death has no power, because they shall be Priests of God, and of Christ, and they shall reign with Him, Christ, for a thousand years.

When the term ‘first’ is used, it automatically presupposes the fact that there will be at least a second resurrection. The Bible mentions only two entirely separate, large groups of people to be resurrected. The first resurrection will be God’s one and only True Church the Ekklesia; which is simply the Greek word for Church. Ekklesia is a construction of two Greek words: Ek, which means out (we get our word ‘exit’ from it) and kaleo, which means: The called ones. Combined they mean ‘the called out ones’. What are they called out from? They are the one hundred and forty four thousand, (Rev. 14:1) of God’s Elect that are called out of the world, and into God’s one and only True Church. The first resurrection occurs at Jesus Christ’s return, at the sound of the seventh and last trumpet (Rev. 11:15).

1 Thess. 4:14- For if we believe that Jesus died and arose again, even so those also that sleep in Jesus, God will bring them with Him Vs. 16- For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the ‘Trump of God’ and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Vs. 17- Then we (that are of the one hundred forty four thousand) which are still alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and from then on, so shall we be with the Lord forever. Vs. 18- Wherefore comfort, and exhort one another with these words.

The Called Out One’s: wait a minute, what do you mean called? In Matt. 20:16, and 22:14 Jesus Christ is telling His disciples: Many are called, but few are chosen. The Greek word for ‘called’ is ‘Kletos’ (#2822- Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance), which means to be invited, or appointed, called to be a Saint, as it says in the following verses (Rom. I:7, 1 Cor. 1:2, 6:2).

Who are the called? The Predestinated Elect. The Greek word for predestinate is Pro’orizo. The prefix pro is like the English prefix pre, meaning before, and the term ‘orizo is pronounced horizo because of what the Greeks call a diacritical mark in front of the ‘orizo. There is no ‘H’ in the Greek language, but the diacritical mark gives it a breathing sound like our ‘H’. Later the Latin language added an ‘N’ on the end of the word, and that gives us the English word ‘Horizon’ which is where the light is. Both terms together mean pre-bordered or pre-bound inside the ‘light’ (Rom. 8:28-30). Who does the calling? God, the Father: See (1 Cor. 1:9, John 6:44). What types of people are called? Both Jew and Gentile: (1 Cor. 1:24). Can we be more specific? The weak, the base, and the foolish: 1 Cor. 1:25-28. Why has God called these types of people? Answer: So that no one in the flesh should glory in God’s presence (1 Cor. 1:29).

Rom. 5:6-8 says that Christ died for us while we were still sinners, and had not repented yet. Also Rom. 11:29 says: For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. Why didn’t God wait for us to repent? If He’d