# The Special Resurrection Ellen White taught about a unique resurrection that occurs **before** Christ's second coming, distinct from the general resurrection of the righteous. She wrote that "Graves are opened, and 'many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth ... awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt'" (
Hvn 28.1), referencing
Daniel 12:2. This special resurrection brings forth two specific groups to witness Christ's return. ## Who Comes Forth in the Special Resurrection? The first group consists of faithful believers: "All who have died in the faith of the third angel's message come forth from the tomb glorified, to hear God's covenant of peace with those who have kept His law" (
Hvn 28.1). These saints are raised to witness the fulfillment of their faith and to see Christ coming in glory. The second group includes Christ's enemies: "'They also which pierced Him' (Revelation 1:7), those that mocked and derided Christ's dying agonies, and the most violent opposers of His truth and His people, are raised to behold Him in His glory and to see the honor placed upon the loyal and obedient" (
Hvn 28.1). This resurrection serves as a divine vindication—those who rejected and crucified Christ must witness His triumphant return. ## When Does This Occur? This special resurrection happens during the seventh plague, amid unprecedented natural upheaval. Ellen White described that "There is a mighty earthquake, 'such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great'" (
LDE 271), with mountains shaking, islands disappearing, and great hailstones falling. It is in this dramatic context that the special resurrection takes place, just before Christ appears in the clouds. ## The General Resurrection of the Righteous This special resurrection should not be confused with the first resurrection at Christ's coming, when "The earth shook mightily as the voice of the Son of God called the sleeping saints from their graves. They responded to the call and came up clothed with glorious immortality, crying, 'Victory, victory, over death and the grave!'" (
SH 111.2).
At that moment, "The living saints are changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, and caught up with the risen ones, and together they meet their Lord in the air" (
SH 111.2). Ellen White assured believers that "The life-giver will call up His purchased possession in the first resurrection, and until that triumphant hour, when the last trump shall sound and the vast army shall come forth to eternal victory, every sleeping saint will be kept in safety and will be guarded as a precious jewel, who is known to God by name" (
2SM 271.2). --- 💡 **You might also want to explore:**
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