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. (Revelation 20:6)

The word for resurrection in the verse above is "out- resurrection." It is a special term. This is obvious in that the Apostle Paul toward the end of his life would not be striving to attain the general resurrection, for all that are in the graves will come forth in the general resurrection.

It is our opinion that the out-resurrection of Paul and the resurrection of the royal priesthood seen by the Apostle John are one and the same.

If this is true, and there are major Bible types that reinforce the idea of a remnant gaining the victory in advance of Israel, such as the victory won by Gideon's army, then not everyone who calls himself a Christian will be raised from the dead and ascend to meet the Lord when Jesus returns.

The resurrection that will take place when the Lord is revealed from Heaven is for the blessed and holy priesthood. The second death, the Lake of Fire, has no authority over them because they have already overcome sin through the Lord Jesus. The second death has authority over all sin whether or not the sin is in a believer. That authority is not removed until we are set free from sin.

The next coming of Jesus is the Day of Wrath described in the Old Testament and the New. It will not be a pleasant time for anyone, including the saints. It is the day of the Lord's fierce anger.

The only people who will be able to "rest in the day of trouble" are those who have been found worthy of the Kingdom.

The idea of being found worthy of the Kingdom may be a new concept to many although it is found several times in the New Testament. The reason it is a new concept to us is that our preaching of grace is not balanced with the New Testament exhortations to righteous, holy behavior.

Divine grace is not designed to operate in the day of wrath that is coming. Grace operates now as we repent and begin to serve God. The purpose of grace is to deliver us from the obligations of the Law of Moses.

What we have said does not mean we have to strive frantically to be saved in the day of judgment. But it does mean that, like the Apostle Paul, we must lay all else aside if we would win Christ, if we would attain the out-resurrection from the dead.

No books are opened at the first resurrection because the participants already have been judged and found worthy to walk with Christ in the white robe of the priesthood.

The Church will not go to Heaven when the Lord appears. Rather the Church will come to earth when the Lord appears. It will be the coming, not the going, of the Lord. The Lord is coming with thousands of His saints to judge all sin, particularly that found in the members of the churches.

If you expect to find rest and peace when the Lord appears at the head of His army you must serve God today with all your heart. Even the righteous will be saved with difficulty!

You will be in jeopardy in the day of wrath if you do not humble yourself and, with the Lord's help, turn away from your sin!