There are several types in the Old Testament that point toward a temporary separation of the family of God into a Zion company (a warlike remnant) and then the remainder of the family.

Perhaps the most outstanding type of the temporary division is the victory of Gideon and his three hundred, a victory which then was shared by the rest of the Israelites.

Another important type is the separation of the Ark of the Covenant from the remainder of the Tabernacle of the Congregation during the reign of King David. It is our belief that the thousand-year Kingdom Age tends to be a Davidic period while the new heaven and earth reign of Jesus is more of a Solomonic period of peace and prosperity.

Also we notice that David ruled over Judah for several years before the remainder of Israel was brought under his jurisdiction.

So we are not lacking for support from the Old Testament figures when we claim the Christian Church will be temporarily divided into a warlike remnant who will serve as the Lord's mighty men, so to speak, before the remainder of the family of God is prepared to descend from the sky as the great Temple of God, the Throne of God, God's Presence among the saved peoples of the earth.

Our point in discussing the two different resurrections and the two appearances of the Bride of the Lamb is to encourage you as a Christian to lay aside your own desires, take up your cross, and follow Jesus as a disciple. Read carefully Paul's exhortation in the third chapter of the Book of Philippians. Prepare yourself to run the race with single-minded diligence and dedication.

It may be true there is a window open today as never before, for those who desire to attain the first resurrection and be with the Lord Jesus on the earth during the thousand-year Kingdom Age. It may be true there are thrones that are vacant right now, waiting for those who care enough to press forward toward one of them.

There is no question that the Church of Jesus Christ is entering a new day in the Lord. The Lord Jesus Christ is taking off His Moses hat and putting on His Joshua helmet. We are accustomed to wandering in the wilderness under the care and guidance of the Good Shepherd. The vision of Jesus as the Commander in Chief may be new to us.

The Bible reveals that from time to time there do come major changes in the Kingdom of God. We are in one such period of transition.

Whenever the Lord prepares an individual to work with Him in a major move forward He looks to see if the individual has a circumcised heart. God will not accept an uncircumcised believer.

In order to be circumcised, and thus acceptable to the Lord, you must work with the Spirit of God as He cuts away the worldliness, the lusts of the flesh, and the self-will and self-centeredness of your personality.

What is there in this life that you would esteem more highly than to attain the first resurrection and to be a member of the firstfruits of the Bride? There is no power in Heaven, on the earth, or under the earth that can stop you if you press forward in Christ.

Only you yourself possess the awesome authority to prevent you from attaining God's highest and best. Go for it! (from Two Hopes; Two Armies; Two Resurrections)