The resurrection of the human family will occur in two major divisions called the first resurrection and the last resurrection.¹ The last resurrection is also called the second resurrection,² although this is not a term used in scripture.³ The Order of Resurrection⁴ governs the timing of those that come forth and when they come forth in these two divisions.⁵ The Order of Resurrection‒based on the law of obedience‒also sets the timing for the several stages of resurrection within these two major divisions.⁶

The resurrection is universal for all Christ's physical creations,⁷ but the first resurrection for the human family is the most significant part of the entire resurrection in both duration⁸ and quality.⁹ The first resurrection began with the resurrection of Christ in the meridian of time,¹⁰ and it will not be complete until the end of the millennium¹¹ about three thousand years later.¹² Virtually all this time is devoted to the celestial resurrection only,¹³ even though terrestrial-worthy people also have part in the first resurrection.¹⁴ Since terrestrial people are just and honorable people that have part in the first resurrection,¹⁵ it is appropriately called the resurrection of the just.¹⁶

Terrestrial-worthy people can and will dwell on earth during the millennium.¹⁷ At the end of the millennium they will all be resurrected at one time with the dead of all generations, who are also terrestrial-worthy. The terrestrial resurrection is commonly called the afternoon or evening of the first resurrection.¹⁸ When the resurrection of all terrestrial-worthy people is complete at the end of the millennium, there will be no celestial or terrestrial mortals living on the earth.¹⁹

When the last terrestrial-worthy person is resurrected at the end of the millennium, the little season of wickedness will begin as described by John in Revelation 20:7-10.²⁰ This will be followed by the resurrection of the unjust, which consists of telestial-worthy people and sons of perdition.²¹ However, the resurrection of the unjust will also proceed in two stages. Telestial people will rise first in the morning of the second resurrection²² and sons of perdition will rise last in the afternoon of the second resurrection.²³

Since all celestial and terrestrial-worthy people will be resurrected by the end of the millennium, only telestial-worthy people and sons of perdition will live and die as mortals on the earth during the little season after the millennium.²⁴ Telestial-worthy people that live and die during the little season when the thousand years are ended, will be resurrected in a single group with all other telestial-worthy people from all ages of the earth at the end of the little season. This is the morning or first part of the resurrection of the unjust.²⁵

The second and last stage of the resurrection of the unjust will occur after the little season at the end of the earth.²⁶ In this last stage of the resurrection all sons of perdition that have ever lived on the earth in any age will be resurrected together in a single large group²⁷ and judged by Christ, as described in Revelation 20:12-14.²⁸