Resurrection: When will this occur for Old Testament believers?
Will there be just one general resurrection for all believers of all time? Just in case you don’t know, I suppose we need to begin this study by first defining what is meant by this term—believer. You’ll notice I didn’t say church member or people who’ve been baptized. Those two things and other such works of an individual have nothing at all to do with one’s salvation. It is the apostle Paul who tells us in the Bible exactly what one must do to be saved and get to someday live in Heaven—
1 Corinthians 15:1-4
1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: [Emphasis added]
It is this that Jesus Christ accomplished through His death, burial, and resurrection that one must accept as the sole basis for one’s salvation. We have a clear explanation of these statements in one of his other writings—
2 Corinthians 5:21
21 For he hath made him [Jesus Christ] to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. [Emphasis added]
If our faith is solely in what He did for us, we are not only saved, but we are saved forever. If our faith is in this and/or a combination of other things, we are not. Jesus Christ is our only hope in this. He is the One who has provided a way for the salvation and resurrection of anyone. This is expressed in numerous passages of Scripture. Here are some examples—
John 14:6
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. [Emphasis added]
Acts 4:12
12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. [Emphasis added]
The apostle Paul tells us the same thing—
1 Timothy 2:5-6
5 For there is one God, and ONE mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. [Emphasis added]
Some people don’t believe He made this possible for everyone. But you just read Scripture that says He did. If you want more information about that, please see my articles about it on this website. Here are the links to them—
Salvation: Does God desire it for everyone?
Jesus Christ: For whom did He die?
A time is coming when all, both believers and unbelievers, will be resurrected. One will be for everlasting life and the other for damnation. If you have any questions or doubts about this place we speak of as hell, please see some of my articles about it. It is so important that people see the urgency of being sure they’re saved. Here are the names and links to some of my articles about this—
Hell: How can a loving God send people there?
Hell: Are there degrees of punishment?
Heaven and Hell: Are they both forever?
Hell: What does the apostle Paul teach about it?
Heaven and Hell: How can a person qualify to go to Heaven?
John 5:28-29
28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,
29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. [Emphasis added]
The “good” He refers to is what God required for their salvation and resurrection of life. For us today as believers, we’ll gain this resurrection life at the time of what is called the Rapture. This coming event is spoken of as having been a mystery, meaning it had been a secret held in the mind of God. The prophets of old wrote not even one word about it. It was to our apostle Paul that this information was first revealed by our Lord.
1 Corinthians 15:50-57
50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
51 Behold, I shew youa mystery [MUSTERION = a secret]; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
This change will occur for all of us at this resurrection we speak of as the Rapture.
52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. [Emphasis added]
But what about believers who died prior to this present age of grace? Will there be a different time when they will be resurrected? To get to the truth about this we need to be like those in Scripture who were called Bereans.
Acts 17:10-11
10 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.
11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. [Emphasis added]
The “scriptures” he refers to here are what is typically spoken of as “the Old Testament” portion of the Bible. These “scriptures” include every book of the Bible outside the writings of the apostle Paul. That would even include everything from the book of Hebrews to Revelation.
Romans 16:25-26
25 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,
26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets [literally—the prophetic Scriptures], according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: [Emphasis added]
The reason we lump all the believers in the time of the prophets together with people of our time concerning resurrection is because the Bible also speaks of their resurrection as “the first resurrection.”
Revelation 20:5-6
5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
6 Blessed and 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 and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. [Emphasis added]
The goal of this former program and the one that comes after ours is to have a redeemed people fulfilling God’s will on the Earth. This is one thing our Lord encouraged his disciples to pray for.
Matthew 6:9-10
9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. [Emphasis added]
We’re not looking for the establishment of a kingdom on Earth today; we’re to be focusing on this coming event called the Rapture.
Titus 2:13-14
13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. [Emphasis added]
Israel is to be focused on a coming day when a kingdom on Earth will be established that will last for a thousand years.
Revelation 20:4-6
4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
6 Blessed and 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 and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. [Emphasis added]
The promise of someday getting to live in an earthly kingdom God would provide for His people is given in numerous places in the Bible. Our Lord Jesus Christ spoke of it often in the time of His earthly ministry to Israel.
Matthew 25:31-34
31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep [believers] from the goats [unbelievers]:
33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: [Emphasis added]
Those who have rejected His gracious provision will be faced with everlasting punishment.
Matthew 25:45-46
45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal. [Emphasis added]
For those who doubt these will be everlasting and/or just want more information about this, please see my articles—
Hell: Will the suffering last forever?
Hell: How can a loving God send people there?
Hell: Are there degrees of punishment?
Heaven and Hell: Do these places exist?
Heaven and Hell: Are they both forever?
Jesus Christ: What will you say to Him when you meet Him?
The promise of life on earth for God’s people goes all the way back in Scripture to the days of Job. Even people then heard about it. Here’s what Job had to say about it in this which we believe to be the oldest book in the Bible.ere’s what
Job 19:25-26
25 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:
26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: [Emphasis added]
Information about this has been spread ever since man’s creation.
Acts 3:21
21 Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began. [Emphasis added]
And now YOU know more about this. What will you now do with this valuable information? Will you do what you’re to do to prepare so you’ll get to be a part of the blessing side of it? Furthermore, will you take the initiative to provide this information to some others?
All who will be saved after our Dispensation of Grace, they, too, have an earthly hope, not a heavenly one as we do. Their hope is OF Heaven but not IN Heaven.
Matthew 13:43-44
43 Then shall the righteous [a reference to all believers] shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
44 Again, the kingdom OF heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. [Emphasis added]
This present age of grace of which we are a part interrupted Israel’s prophetic and earthly program, but it will be continued later. All those saved after this Dispensation of Grace of which we are a part will all be resurrected together, for they will all go into the earthly kingdom that God promised them. They need to be resurrected after Jesus Christ comes back at His Second Coming, but before He initiates His kingdom on Earth. After the Rapture and after the seven-year Tribulation, Jesus Christ will gloriously return to Earth to fulfil His promises to provide a kingdom for His people.
Revelation 19:11-21
11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.
12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.
13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.
15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, King Of Kings, And Lord Of Lords.
17 And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God;
18 That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great.
19 And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.
20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.
21 And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.
It is then at this point on the timeline of history that Christ’s earthly thousand-year kingdom on Earth with His saints [believers, people of faith] will begin.
Revelation 20:4-6
4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
Verse four reflects on the events that occurred in the seven-year period known as The Tribulation.
5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
This that is called “first resurrection” includes believers of all times, even us. Those in that which is called the second resurrection are all the unbelievers of all time.
6 Blessed and 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 and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. [Emphasis added]
As “priests of God” they will serve to represent Christ to all those who are born of believers [those surviving the time of the Tribulation to go into the Kingdom] in the timeframe of the Millennial Kingdom.
1 Peter 2:9
9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light; [Emphasis added]
Many years ago, I was taught that we as believers today ARE this priesthood. But such is not the case! We don’t represent or intercede as priests for anyone today. This is speaking of certain Israelites in this coming kingdom who will serve in this capacity, not us now or ever.
Jesus Christ tells us that Israel’s patriarchs— Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob will be resurrected to enter and reign in this coming kingdom on Earth. Their resurrection will be before the 1,000 years begin.
Matthew 8:11
11 And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. [Emphasis added]
We are also told that the twelve apostles, which will include Matthias as the replacement for Judas Iscariot, will reign in positions of authority in that kingdom.
Matthew 19:28
28 And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. [Emphasis added]
Like a puzzle, all these details fit together as we study the scriptures rightly divided. But what confusion people believe and produce when they don’t do that correctly.
2 Timothy 2:15-16
15 Study [SPOUDAZO = be diligent] to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. [Emphasis added]
There are many other passages that provide us with more information about the timeframe of the Old Testament saints’ resurrection.
Daniel 12:11-13
11 And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days.
That’s three and a half years, the first half of the seven-year period of the Tribulation period.
12 Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days.
13 But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days. [Emphasis added]
Most faithful students of the Bible divide the seven-year Tribulation period into two three- and one-half-year periods. That’s two forty-two-month periods or two twelve hundred sixty day periods. There’s some controversy about the length of that as there is on so many things.
Conclusion—
So, when will the Old Testament saint be resurrected? They will be resurrected after our Lord’s return to the Earth, what is typically call His Second Coming. It is when Christ returns to establish His thousand-year earthly kingdom on a perfectly restored Earth. This will involve all those who were saved before and after this present age of grace that we’re a part of today. That would be all saints from Adam to those saved under Peter and the 11’s ministry in early Acts, as well as all believers martyred during the seven-year Tribulation. They will all be resurrected to enter and enjoy Jesus Christ’s literal, physical, visible, earthly kingdom. Remember, none of these events have anything to do with us! We’ll already be in Heaven enjoying all the blessings thereof.
