All previously discussed resurrections were physical and mortal. None of the people resurrected faced any judgment but were merely brought back to life in the same era (aion), and later died again.
The following three resurrections are completely different - they are resurrections to judgment - to reap their rewards. Your author calls these "sacred" or "spiritual" or "judgment" resurrections. These spiritual, judgment resurrections have eternal consequences and play a final role in the finishing or conclusion of the great controversy.
Each of the three spiritual resurrections are related to a visit to Earth by the Messiah (see "Three Comings"). His first coming ended with His own resurrection. His second coming will result in the resurrection of the elect. His 3rd coming, after the millennium, when the Holy City comes to this Earth, will result in the third and final spiritual resurrection - the resurrection of the damned and the slightly damned, the wheat and the grapes, the final harvest.
Resurrections are different than rebirths (baptisms). Physical resurrections imply no spiritual rebirth or change. Baptisms signify cleansing and rebirth.
Spiritual resurrections, on the other hand, are much more than merely physical resurrections. They carry with them (more than a mere implication) an actual judgment and reward. Spiritual resurrections lead to immediate or eventual purification and glorification. Glorification (another study, perhaps) is when the mortal body is exchanged for a spiritual body. Only the pure can be glorified. This is NOT the same as resurrection. Any mortal can be resurrected, only the pure can be glorified. Yahushua, after his resurrection, still had a mortal body. It was pure, but had not yet been glorified.
(But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Spirit was not yet given; because that Yahushua was not yet glorified.) John 7:39
And Yahushua answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a grain of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. John 12:23-24
And as they thus spake, Yahushua himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. Luke 24:36-39
This was the first judgment resurrection. Yahushua, the Messiah, was the first of the first-fruits.
This is the resurrection of the "elect", the "overcomers" who are represented by the barley harvest (see The Barley Harvest") and are resurrected at the 2nd coming of our King. They will be wearing "barley" robes.
This is the resurrection of the "foolish virgins" represented by the harvest of wheat. These are those who know Yahweh and profess to love Him and serve Him, but lack His faith. They will be wearing "wheat" robes.
This is also the resurrection of the heathens, the pagans, the atheists, all those who do not know Yahweh and all those who hate him. They are represented by the harvest of the grapes. These will be wearing "grapes" robes.
And the first of all the firstfruits of all things, and every oblation of all, of every sort of your oblations, shall be the priest's: ye shall also give unto the priest the first of your dough, that he may cause the blessing to rest in thine house. Ezekiel 44:30
But now is the Messiah risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in the Messiah shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: the Messiah the firstfruits [judgment resurrection #1]; afterward they that are the Messiah's at his coming [Pre-millennial Resurrection, judgment resurrection #2]. Then cometh the end [Post-millennial Resurrection, judgment resurrection #3], when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to יהוה [Yahweh, our god], even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. 1 Corinthians 15:20-26
The resurrection of the Messiah was the most important resurrection of all! This resurrection allows and causes the remaining (future) spiritual resurrections. Without this resurrection, there could be no other spiritual resurrections. This resurrection is PROOF positive that the other resurrections will occur and that the remaining harvest will be or will become holy and glorified. This is our promise that Yahweh will restore ALL.
For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches. Romans 11:16
The judgment resurrections don't quite follow the pattern we have studied previously because the judgment resurrections are composed of four groups, not three, even though there are still three harvests. The barley harvest is divided into two parts, the first with the resurrection of the Messiah, the second part with the resurrection of the elect at the 2nd coming.
It isn't too surprising to find a special case since the Messiah is involved.
The wheat and the grape harvests are combined into the third of these three resurrections. BOTH those in the first and second judgment resurrections are saved by faith. Those in the third resurrection of the three (grapes and wheat) will stand in front of the great white throne to be judged by their works.
2. Pre-millennial Resurrection (the Barley Harvest)
For Yahushua himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of יהוה (Yahweh): and the dead in the Messiah shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Master in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Master. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
The overcomers, resurrected and translated at the 2nd coming, are immediately glorified.
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. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 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. 1 Corinthians 15:52-54
This is the first [future] 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 20:5-6
They will reign in heaven, with Yahushua, for 1000 years (the millennium).
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 Yahushua, and for the word of יהוה, 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 Messiah a thousand years. Revelation 20:4
3. Post-millennial Resurrection
(the Wheat and Grape Harvest)
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
This is the second (future) resurrection, AFTER the millennium. We know it can't be the first resurrection, because ALL in the first resurrection are saved (see above).
Those in the second resurrection lack the faith of Yahweh, so will judged by their works.
And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is [the book] of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works (Revelation 20:12)
Their judgment is purification (baptism) by fire.
See The Lake of Fire
See Purpose of Yahweh's Fire
See Purification by Fire.
