Ranks in the Resurrection
by Paul N Smith

There is a lively interest in the truths contained in this series of articles. It is one thing to know that there is a resurrection guaranteed us by Christ's resurrection, but it is also important to know that we can have a "better resurrection," even as some Old Testament overcomers have already experienced. We are looking forward to being taken out of this world before the Tribulation Period, and more importantly, to reign with Christ.

Ranks in the Resurrection

"For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at His coming" - I Corinthians 15:22,23. "That I may know Him, and the power of His resur- rection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death; if by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead" - Phil. 3:10,11.


We would like to present a truth that is both inspiring and needful. It is a neglected study; and, even more, it is rejected by most Bible students. We cannot understand why it should be refused, because the Scriptures are quite plain in presenting the fact that there are ranks or orders in the resurrection. Some critics piously explain that God is no respecter of persons and, therefore, would never raise some of His people from the dead before others. Others dismiss this truth without searching to see if these things are so. These lessons are not being printed for the sake of argument; but we shall try to present the truth from the Scriptures without any of man's theory or logic.


The above Scriptures are the basis for our belief in a better resurrection. The Apostle Paul uttered these words, not as a sinner nor as a newly-born Christian, but as a mature Christian and Apostle. He had already passed the crossroads of indecision and uncertainty. He was not worrying whether he would make it to Heaven. He had written words to the Romans long before this, that express his persuasion concerning his relationship with God and Heaven. In Romans 8:38,39 we read his emphatic statements: "For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." This is not the language of a man who was unsure of his future. Its treatise on the resurrection of believers is found in I Corinthians fifteen. Why, then, would he make such a statement to the Philippians? It is because the Lord revealed a deeper Truth to him. His whole Christian purpose was centered upon the Goal and the Prize. We shall study into this in detail.


Let us look at the wording, "resurrection of the dead," in Philippians 3:11. The Greek word for "resurrection" is "anastasis," which literally means "a standing up again." This word is used in every instance in the New Testament concerning the resurrection, with two exceptions. In Matthew 27:53, the word used for Christ's resurrection is "egersis," which means "to wake, or rouse from sleep." The other exception is found in Philippians 3:11. This is the only time that the form of this word is found. It is "exanastasis" - ek "from or out of," and anastasis "a raising up." Literally translated it is, "the out-resurrection from among the dead."


In most literal translations, this difference is noted. We would like to give a few examples. Rotherham's Emphasized New Testament reads, "If by any means I may advance to the earlier resurrection, which is from among the dead." The Diaglott has, "if possibly I may attain to the resurrection out of the dead ones." The New Testament by Kenneth S. Wuest reads, "If by any means I might arrive at the goal, namely, the out- resurrection from among those who are dead." The Amplified New Testament, minus the words of interpretation between brackets, is translated as, "That if possible I may attain to the resurrection out from among the dead." In the Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words by W.E. Vine, we find that this word is literally translated, "The out-resurrection from among the dead." The Critical Lexicon and Concordance to the English and Greek New Testament by E.W. Bullinger gives the same translation. The following Greek texts also translate it thus - Lachmann, Tischendorf, Tregelles, Alford, and Wordsworth.


We are not trying to prove something by presenting the majority of man's opinion, but have given you the literal translation of this phrase. The key word that marks this resurrection as unique is "attain." The Apostle Paul, after at least thirty years of ministry, was pressing with all his inward and spiritual strength toward the goal of the out-resurrection. He sounds no uncertain note when he says, "IF BY ANY MEANS I MIGHT ATTAIN." If he made such a statement concerning his salvation, then his language would not be compatible with that in the rest of his writings. The word "attain" - "katantao" - means "to reach, to arrive at."


If we compare this with the rest of this chapter in Philippians, we will see that he was not talking of a general resurrection of all believers. First of all, he speaks of his life before his conversion, of the things that could be counted as gain to him. We read that he gave all that up, and even counted it as "dung," in order to "win Christ." This cannot refer to initial salvation, for nowhere in the Scriptures are we told that salvation comes by our relinquishing all our past attainments or abilities. Salvation is by grace through faith. Paul was saved while lying on the dusty road between Jerusalem and Damascus. His words - "Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?" - attest to that. No, he is speaking of something far beyond the initial faith for salvation from sins. He knew nothing about winning Christ, when he was first converted. This truth was revealed to him later. He also expressed the desire to "be found in Him, not having mine own righteousness"; and, "that I may KNOW Him."


These are not desires of a sinner, nor of one newly saved. These are the heart-devoted desires of a mature Christian who wants all that Christ provided through redemption. The apostle wanted all his activities to be "in Christ." He wanted his desires to be "in Christ." Then he wanted an intimate knowledge, progressive through experience, of the power of Christ's resurrection life. He desired the communion of Christ's sufferings, and the culminating experience of being made conformable unto His death. This is all foreign to a babe in Christ, and to the carnal believer. These desires go far beyond what the average Christian even thinks about. Most of God's children are concerned with either their salvation or their service. This desire of Paul is far advanced to either. He had grown in experience from the kindergarten grade to the college level.


Phippians 3:12-21 further substantiates this. He speaks of attaining, following after, apprehending, forgetting, reaching forth, pressing toward, and walking. These are words which express energy, power, strength, and perseverance. There is a "high calling of God in Christ Jesus." Paul wanted to reach this goal, the out- resurrection, more than anything else. He put aside all things that would make him popular or exalted in any way, and that which would hinder his progress. He put all the energy of the resurrection life of Christ to use, in pressing forward through all obstacles of unbelief and satanic forces. He writes of this power to the Ephesians, and the purpose of possessing such force. "That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him: the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of His calling, and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and WHAT IS THE EXCEEDING GREATNESS OF HIS POWER TO US-WARD WHO BELIEVE, according to the working of His mighty power, which He wrought in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead ... - Eph. 1:17-23.


These two portions of Scripture correspond in a wonderful way. They both speak of this high calling. The one is the purpose, and the other is the power. There is strenuous overcoming connected with this calling. Perhaps this is the reason for the unpopularity of such a teaching. It cuts down all the flesh of man, it humiliates the Christian, it glorifies Christ only. To run in this race means separation, strenuous training, suffering, and a complete dependence on the power of the Holy Spirit. This leaves no time for religious play-making. The racer must travel a lonely road, apart from the general rush of religious activity. He is put through some peculiar experiences and puzzling situations, and brought to many blind corners. Faith leads the way, and there can be no nice detours either.


We shall study in detail the Two General Resurrections, the Manner of the Resurrection, the Time of the Resurrection, and the Different Ranks in the Resurrection. Read the Scriptures that are given, and meditate upon them. Give the Holy Spirit a chance to reveal this truth to you. Jesus said, "Search the Scriptures." Paul said, "Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. " John said, " Try the spirits. " We say, " Amen."