Let us next consider the… ORDER OF RESURRECTIONS.

We have already seen that the best or chief perfecting – that of the Christ, comes first, and the bringing of mankind to human perfection follows during the Millennial age: But let us follow Paul’s argument on this point and note that this is his argument exactly. After telling in the words of our text that “by Adam all die, so by the Anointed also will all be restored to life,” he adds – “But each one in his OWN rank (or order); Christ a first-fruit, afterwards those who are Christ’s at (or during) his Parousia (presence).”

Here are mentioned two ranks, or orders of anastasis, Christ (the anointed head and body) first. Theirs, as we have seen, is the first and chief anastasis, the first to come to perfection and that the Divine perfection. Afterwards, during his presence, another class or order will be perfected. His presence will continue during the Millennial age, for he comes to reign and to put down all authority, all opposition to right and to bring all things into harmony with God and His laws. Then “he must reign” – must be present until all of this work is accomplished; and he shall reign a thousand years (Rev 20:6) consequently, that entire age is the time of His presence. During his presence he shall bless mankind with truth and knowledge and restore all things. Then all, who during that blessed reign, will, may come into harmony with him and “Hail Him Lord of all,” thus becoming His. This class we understand to be referred to by Paul when he says – “afterwards those who are Christ’s at (during) his presence.” These shall be raised up to the perfection of their (human) nature.

We understand of course that there are two other ranks or orders of resurrections, which will precede that of humanities resurrection. One of these is the “great company class” the other the Ancient Worthies, the faithful of the past.

The raising up, the perfecting, may be either an instantaneous, or gradual work so far as the meaning of the word anastasis is concerned. We have seen that the perfecting, or the raising of the world in general to full perfect human being, will require a long period. During that period, they will learn valuable and lasting lessons in overcoming evil under the superintendence of able helpers and teachers. But there are two general exceptions to this rule; these two have learned these lessons in the present life under the dominion of evil. They have been made perfect through discipline endured here, and being thus prepared, are counted worthy to attain their perfect condition in the instant of return to life.

The first of these classes and the chief, are the members of the body of Christ, who have fought a good fight and finished their course of training and work of sacrifice, by obedience even unto death, and there is prepared for such, a crown of righteousness – the reward. The anastasis (raising up to perfection) of this class, though not coming to all of them at the same instant, will be an instantaneous perfecting to each one. The dead in Christ shall rise, be perfected, first; then we which are alive and remain, shall share in the same anastasis, the same perfecting, without sleeping for a single moment in death.

We shall be changed or translated in a single moment, lifted in the twinkling of an eye, instantly, out of the earthly tabernacle or house (which will dissolve in death) into our house (body) from heaven – our glorious spiritual bodies, whose glory doth not yet appear. But both the raising of those who sleep in Jesus, and the changing of the living members into new conditions, as well as the resurrection of Jesus, together constitute the first (chief) anastasis. “Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the chief, first resurrection – perfecting; on such the second death hath no power, but THEY shall be priests of God and of Christ and shall reign a thousand years.” (Rev 20:6).

The second class, though less notable are highly esteemed of God, and in their sphere were overcomers and fought the good fight though a different one from ours of this Gospel age. We refer to the Prophets and Patriarchs of preceding ages (the Ancient Worthies). Though they never had our “heavenly” – “high calling” – though never invited to change their nature from human to Divine, yet they were faithful and laid hold of the earthly promises set before them. Moses verily was faithful as a servant over all his house (of servants) but Christ was faithful as a Son over his own house, whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end– (Heb 3:6.)

All those ancient worthy faithful ones, died in faith without receiving a fulfillment of the promises made them, yet were confident to the end of life, trusting God to give them at some time the things promised them. [Abraham had been promised all the land of Canaan, but had never received so much as to set his foot on, yet he died trusting God for what he had promised. Acts 7:5. Instead of at once giving to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the Prophets the earthly kingdom and dominion promised them, God let them rest; they “fell on sleep,” while he developed the Gospel Church through the “better promises,” even the heavenly – that it should be a kind of first fruits of his creatures. (James 1:18) Hence Paul, referring to these ancient worthies, states that God having provided some better thing for us, (the Christ) they without us (our instrumentality) shall not be made perfect. (Heb 11:39,40).

The anastasis of the Christ must take precedence to that of all others, because it is through The Christ that all things are to be restored. We believe, however, that the anastasis or perfecting of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, the Prophets and overcomers of past ages, will be a rapid or instantaneous perfecting of the human nature. And we understand that it is as perfected men ruling over imperfect men, that these of the fleshly seed, will bless all the families of the earth as the agents of the spiritual SEED which is Christ – the express image of the invisible God. (Col 1:15; Heb 1:3.)

The resurrection of the “great company class” we believe must still precede that of even these faithful ones as before the merit of the Lord’s ransom sacrifice can be applied to them as well as to the rest of the world it must first be released fully for their benefit, a portion of which was reckoned toward all those called during this age in order to make their consecration and the sacrifice of their human nature acceptable to God.

Nevertheless, through the Christ primarily, the blessing of restoration comes to all.” R360

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