Indeed, the Lord and His mighty men, His Bride within the Bride, will destroy all the works of the flesh, thus preparing the way for the new heaven and earth reign of Christ.

As soon as the marriage of the firstfruits takes place, the first resurrection will occur. Let us consider for a moment the first resurrection from the dead, for only the firstfruits will participate in this early resurrection.

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. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 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 20:4-6)

This is the resurrection of the firstfruits of the Bride. It will take place at the beginning of the thousand-year Kingdom Age. It will occur at the next coming of the Lord from Heaven.

It is a privilege, an honor to participate in the first resurrection. There is no judgment associated with this resurrection because the participants already have passed through the Judgment Seat of Christ while yet alive on the earth.

Notice how the Apostle Paul addressed the first resurrection, the "out-resurrection" as he termed it.

That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection [out-resurrection] of [from] the dead. (Philippians 3:10,11)

"If by any means I might attain unto the out-resurrection from the dead."

Consider that all people will be raised from the dead whether or not they attain to anything.

Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, 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. (John 5:28,29)

"All . . . shall come forth."

Since the Apostle Paul spoke of attaining the out-resurrection he obviously was speaking of a special, advance resurrection.

Here is one of the points of this short paper. If you desire to rise to meet the Lord in the air when He appears you will have to live as a victorious saint. The second and third chapters of the Book of Revelation are very clear that the rewards we normally associate with salvation are the exclusive property of those who live victoriously in the Lord Jesus.

The thrones in the air above us are currently occupied by the wicked lords of darkness. In the near future Satan and his lords will be hurled down from the thrones. The casting down of Satan will be performed at the hand of Michael and his angels. Michael and his angels will be empowered by the Father as soon as the firstfruits of the Bride overcome the ancient dragon, the accuser of the brothers.

To be continued.