This is from the book by Bishop G.T. Haywood on The Resurrection.
Bishop G.T. Haywood was a respected leader and teacher in the Apostolic movement for many years.
The Second Resurrection.
According to the inspired word of God the resurrection of the "blessed and Holy" is completed a thousand years before the second resurrection. It is from this point that we are obliged to note the difference between partakers of the two resurrections.
After the thousand years expire "the rest of the dead" (those who did not come forth in the first resurrection) both righteous and wicked, live again and are made to stand before God. It is then that Jesus separates them as a shepherd divideth the sheep from the goats according to Matt. 25:31-46.
In this resurrection is included all the righteous men of all ages who walked in all the light that they were given. It is my candid opinion that all heathen, Israelites, Christian professors who have never heard the true gospel of Christ and those who die during the millennium, walking in the light of their times will be given eternal life at the last resurrection.
Many righteous people have died without the Holy Ghost and the question has been asked: "Where will they come in?" They shall be given eternal life in the last day. They shall inherit the New Earth where life eternal reigns because "there shall be no more death.
If we desire to take part in the first resurrection we must be filled with the same Holy Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead. It is the church of the First-born that takes part in the first resurrection. To enter into that Church, which is his body, we must be baptized into it by both water and the Spirit. (See
John 3:5;
Rom. 6:3-5;
1 Cor. 12:12, 13;
Gal. 3:26-28.
The time for the first resurrection is at hand. Are you preparing to meet the Bridegroom? You must get oil within your vessels and have your lamps trimmed and burning. Soon shall we hear the midnight cry - "BEHOLD, THE BRIDEGROOM COMETH."