First resurrection

In 1877, the first resurrection was associated with the conclusion of the Gospel Age. From 1879 through 1890, publications identified it as the superior spiritual resurrection of Christ's faithful followers, distinct from the general resurrection of mankind. In 1891, the resurrection of the sleeping saints was explicitly dated to spring 1878. In 1894, Russell acknowledged that an earlier expectation that all living saints would be changed simultaneously without dying had been mistaken. Publications from 1898 through 1915 continued to teach that faithful Christians dying after 1878 experienced an instantaneous resurrection to spirit life. This chronology continued during Rutherford's presidency in 1920. In June 1927, the resurrection of the sleeping saints was reassigned to approximately 1918, associated with Christ's coming to his temple. Later that month, an interpretation of the resurrection illustration in 1 Corinthians 15 was also corrected. Subsequent publications maintained that the sleeping anointed had been raised and that surviving faithful anointed Christians would be resurrected immediately at death. During Knorr's presidency, publications continued to identify the participants as Christ and the 144,000 heavenly joint heirs. In 1951, Revelation 20:5 was explained as referring to mankind's attainment of perfected life after the Millennium, rather than postponing the general resurrection until then. Publications during Franz's presidency retained the heavenly resurrection and the 1918 chronology. In 1979, a publication retrospectively acknowledged the unfulfilled expectation that all surviving anointed Christians would be glorified around October 1, 1914. In 1982, the explanation of Revelation 20:5 was reaffirmed. Publications from 1993 through 2000 under the Governing Body continued to describe the first resurrection as the heavenly resurrection of the 144,000.