Shirley H Supporter Wife, mother, veteran in the spiritual war we all face!

1 Thessalonians 4:15, "For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. (Verse 16) For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first."

So, in reconsidering the aforementioned I would like to add. I believe this refers to the rapture of all believers.

In regards to the resurrection of the Old Testament saints, let's look at Matthew 27:51-53. 

"And suddenly, the veil of the Sanctuary was torn on two from top to bottom, the earth quakes, the rocks were split, the tombs opened and the bodies of many holy people rose from the dead, and these, after this resurrection, came out of the tombs, entered the holy city and appeared to a number of people."

I believe that these holy people were the old testament saints. When Jesus died, the veil was torn. They could now enter heaven.

Look at Leviticus 19:9: "When you reap the harvest of your land you will not reap to the very edges of the field, nor will you gather the gleanings of your harvest"

Leviticus 23:10: "When you enter the country which I am giving you and reap the harvest there you will bring the priest the first sheaf of your harvest"

I see a picture of Jesus in His country, His crucifixion, and His first sheaf of the Old Testament saints..

Jesus is the first fruit. He gathered the Old Testament saints for His offering.

1Corinthians 15:20: "In fact, however, Christ has been raised from the dead, as the first fruits of all who have fallen asleep."

March 30 2022 • 3 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

John Appelt Supporter

Many believe the Old Testament saints are resurrected at the end of the Tribulation, citing Ezekiel 37:12-14 and Daniel 12:1-2. However, Ezekiel deals with the return of the Jewish people to the land of Israel. Daniel speaks of the future but does not specifically say when Old Testament saints are raised. There are several reasons to consider they will be resurrected at the Rapture. 

1 Corinthians 15:23-24, alludes to three possible resurrected groups, likened to the stages of grain harvest:

FIRSTFRUITS – Christ is the firstfruits, 1 Corinthians 15:20, along with those of Matthew 27:52-53, picturing the presentation of the sheaf or bundle of grain, Leviticus 23:9-14, Deuteronomy 26:1-10.

FULL HARVEST – Those who are Christ’s at the Rapture make up the main harvest.

FINAL HARVEST – Although not specifically mentioned, this would be where Tribulation saints fit, just before the kingdom, as Revelation 20:4-6 presents. This pictures the gleaning stage, Leviticus 19:9. No other group, such as the Old Testament saints, could fit here. Otherwise, they are placed out of order. 

Concerning the main or full harvest, there is no reason to leave out Old Testament believers. They looked ahead to Christ, just as much as those who looked back to Christ. Jesus stated that Abraham saw and rejoiced to see His day, John 8:56. Many looked in faith to Christ and to redemption through Him, as Simeon, Luke 2:25-26. Also, John the Baptist had faith in Christ the Lamb of God, John 1:29. He was the “friend of the Bridegroom,” that is, Jesus, John 3:29, and was a part of the kingdom, Matthew 11:11, Luke 7:27-28.

Also, Moses made a decision based on Christ, Hebrews 11:25-26. Paul connected Israel to Christ, 1 Corinthians 10:4. 

Hebrews 11:40 indicates the Old Testament believers will “be made perfect” at the same time as New Testament believers. They shall be joined by the New Testament saints in the kingdom, Matthew 8:11. 

The “twenty-four elders,” Revelation 4:4, naturally combines both Israel and the Church. Revelation 5:9-10 indicates they are both a royal priesthood, Exodus 19:6, 1 Peter 2:9. The unity is seen in the New Jerusalem whose gates have the names of the twelve tribes of Israel and twelve foundations have the names of the twelve apostles.

Looked at this way, the Old Testament believers would be included with those “who sleep in Jesus,” 1 Thessalonians 4:14, and with “the dead in Christ,” 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17. Old and New Testament saints alike will be raised. All participants will keep their group distinctions: the saints under the Law, the Church, pre-flood saints, patriarchal period saints. This resurrection would include righteous Gentiles, John 1:11, 10:16, Acts 10:35. 

It is strange that Paul in explaining the Rapture, never reveals when relatives/friends of the people in his day who died before Jesus came ministering, are resurrected. This would be the time to clarify to them, if different.

Considering these points, the Old Testament believers must be included in the resurrection of those who are Christ’s at His coming.

10 days ago • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report