Let's now look at the 'main harvest' and determine who had a part in this resurrection.
Who are those who are awakened in the main harvest?
The next stage of resurrection, (at the mid-point of the tribulation), pertains to the MAIN HARVEST (of Spiritual Israel). Those that make up the 'main harvest' part of the first resurrection are 'Spiritual' Israel' and can be considered as,
Group #1 (Resurrection)
The resurrection of the ACTS church (that existed between Pentecost and 70AD with the fall of Jerusalem). This group is also known as the 'Little Flock' of believers under the administration of the 12-apostles.
The interesting thing with this group is that their souls are before the alter in heaven at the opening of the fifth seal (which is a certain amount of time BEFORE the mid-point of the tribulation. The scripture below tells us that they receive white robes (which I interpret as resurrection bodies) at this point. This could mean that there is a resurrection at this fifth seal point. If this is not the case, then these souls will be resurrected with all the other 1st tribulation martyrs at the mid-point. As for me, the exact timing is not as important as to understand that there is a resurrection at about this mid-point time, staggered are all in one go.
Revelation 6:9 And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held [these are the ACTS church saints]: 10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? 11 And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.
Who are the fellowservants and the brethren?
The souls in the scripture above were martyred in the 1st century Jewish church, from Pentecost to 70AD, as well as the tribulation martyrs who were killed BEFORE the fifth seal. With this in mind, I interpret these fellowservants as the martyrs who were killed AFTER the fifth seal and up until the mid-point of the tribulation. So, the fifth seal separates the initial 'servants' from the 'fellowservants'. The term fellowservants alludes to the fact that this group is connected in plan and purpose. We can agree that they ALL loved not their lives unto death (Rev.12:11), having suffered the greatest form of tribulation, which was to die for their faith, or to endure till the very end!
Have a look at what the following scripture details,
Revelation 7:9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb [these would be the ACTS church and the 1st half tribulation martyrs], clothed with white robes [resurrection bodies], and palms in their hands [a symbol of victory, triumph, peace and eternal life]; 14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation [note: this is not those who come out of 'the great tribulation.' but those who endured great tribulation, even unto death for their faith], and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
So, this verse in Rev.7 tells us of this great multitude of martyrs that John sees at the mid-point of the tribulation, the servants and the fellowservants who are now in resurrection bodies. They are holding palm branches in preparation for, and expectation of, the triumphant victory of Christ.
By the way, the brethren of this group are those martyrs who die during the 2nd half of the tribulation. We will discuss these martyrs in the next post, dealing with the gleanings.
Group #2 (Resurrection)
If the resurrection of group #1 takes place at the opening of the fifth seal, then the resurrection that occurs at the mid-point of the tribulation will involve the 'fellowservants', which are the martyrs that die between the fifth seal and the mid-trib. mark. If there is no fifth seal resurrection, then ALL the martyrs listed above will be resurrected at this point.
Group #3 (Rapture)
There will also be a rapture of the 144000, who were marked by God to evangelize throughout the 1st-half of the tribulation. Those converts of the 144000 who have not been killed at the moment the rapture happens will also be raptured up with them at this mid-point period.
Group #4 (Ascension)
There is some controversy regarding the exact timing of the ascension of the 2-witnesses. I have always understood them to be ministering during the first half of the tribulation and then be killed at this time by the now Satan-possessed antichrist. However, there does not seem to be a direct reference to when they are killed. We do know that an earthquake occurs after their ascension, but if this is the mid-trib. earthquake, or one after the mid-point is not clear. So as a general addition I will suggest that the 2-witnesses are resurrected and ascended into heaven at or after a certain period of time after the mid-point of the tribulation. Again, there is no need to be ultra-dogmatic about these things.
Other Details to Note
The groups labeled (#1 and #2) above, have a unique relationship. The ministry of the 12 apostles, which started under the power of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, was put on hold at the destruction of Jerusalem in 70AD. This same ministry is therefore continued in the power of the Holy Spirit by the 144000 at the beginning of the tribulation. Both the 12 apostles and the 144000 seem to have the same function; to prepare Jews in their time, to encourage them and to lead them into readiness to receive the kingdom.
Since the 144000 will be preaching a Kingdom gospel, they will either be going to Jews ONLY, or if they'll evangelize all nations, their converts will have to proselytize into the faith, rituals, and customs of the Jewish faith. This was in parallel to the ministry of the 12 apostles who also only went to Jews in their ministry and with their message.
All members of groups (#1 to #2) give up their lives for their faith. They pick up their cross and follow Christ. They endure to the end, keeping the faith. They "love not their lives unto the death", Rev.12:11. These martyrs will have a special, or privileged, position and function in the Millennial Kingdom. Revelation alludes to many of these martyrs serving in the temple of New Jerusalem. The gospels also mention that the 12 apostles will reign as kings over the 12 tribes of Israel under the headship of David in the Millennial Kingdom. So some will serve on earth and some in heaven, having unique positions and functions according to their inheritance in God's redemption plan.
I will delve into more details on the gleanings resurrection in my next post.
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