LCoG Articles - The first resurrection

THE FIRST RESURRECTION

DOES THE FATHER COME TO EARTH BEFORE CHRIST?

WHO COMES TO EARTH WITH THE FATHER?

DO THE FIRSTFRUITS BELONG TO CHRIST AND THE FATHER?

DO THE SAINTS BELONG TO CHRIST ALONE?

The above questions are important to us regarding this wonderful time for the people of God. Do you know the answers to these questions? Let’s look at what the Bible says on these subjects.

As we are well aware from scripture, the dead in Christ will be resurrected to spirit, and the living saints will be changed to spirit. What is the order of the first resurrection?

1Co 15:23 But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming.

The above scripture clearly shows that Christ is the first to be resurrected, then the firstfruits. Read that scripture again, Christ, then the firstfruits, then they that are Christ’s at His coming. There are three stages. Three separate events.

Some might say, no that is not what the scripture says, it says that Christ is the firstfruit, {He is resurrected first} then they that are Christ’s at His coming.

That is incorrect understanding of this scripture {Christ is the first of the firstfruits we are not suggesting He is not the first of the firstfruits} as we will confirm in this article, God the Father comes to earth with the saints. The Father comes to earth before Christ, the Father comes with His saints {the firstfruits}. How would these firstfruits fit into the above reasoning? The firstfruits that come to earth with the Father are left out in this reasoning.

The correct explanation is that the saints who return with the Father are the firstfruits.

The correct understanding of the verse is: Christ, then the firstfruits, then they that are Christ’s at His coming.

Who are the firstfruits? Notice the following verses.

Rev 14:4 These are the ones who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These were redeemed from among men, being firstfruits to God and to the Lamb.

The firstfruits belong to the Father and to Christ, notice the last line of the above verse.

Also notice the following:

Rev 14:1 Then I looked, and behold, a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His Father’s name written on their foreheads.

Notice that there are only 144,000 firstfruits, that comprises the resurrected dead saints and the resurrected live saints. That is people like Abraham, Moses and David etc. as well as the saints who are alive at the return of the Father. These combined saints will number 144,000,00. Notice that they have the Father’s name on their foreheads. They belong to the Father and Christ. The dead firstfruits will come to earth with the Father. Those that are alive at this time will have the seal of God {the Father’s name} on their foreheads, and will be protected until they are changed to spirit as firstfruits.

Rev 9:4 They were commanded not to harm the grass of the earth, or any green thing, or any tree, but only those men who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads.

Rev 1:6 and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Read that scripture again, Kings and Priests unto God.

2Jn 1:9 Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son.

These scriptures make it plain that the firstfruits belong to the Father and Christ.

Notice some of the requirements of being a firstfruit or an elect {chosen} of the Father and Christ.

We must have foreknowledge of God the Father. This means that when new knowledge of the Father is given, we must prove it to ourselves and accept it. We must not just dismiss it out of hand because it is not what we thought. We have not had all knowledge. We must continue to grow in grace and knowledge. We must prove all things and then accept them if we want to be a firstfruit.

1Pe 1:2 elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied.

Note this well, the firstfruits belong to the Father and to Christ. The Father brings the resurrected dead saints with Him at His return.

Zec 14:5 Then you shall flee through My mountain valley, For the mountain valley shall reach to Azal. Yes, you shall flee As you fled from the earthquake In the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Thus the LORD my God will come, And all the saints with You.

The dead firstfruits come with the Father, the live firstfruits will be changed. Let’s notice what actually happens during this time.

Firstly we see the firstfruits resurrected in heaven, they have been killed for their beliefs and are told to wait until the number of martyrs is complete. Notice they are given white robes, there is no doubt that these saints are firstfruits and are resurrected.

Rev 6:9 When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held.

Rev 6:10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?”

Rev 6:11 Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed.

When the total number of firstfruits is complete, there will be no more martyrs of the firstfruits. The saints will continue to be martyred until the return of Christ, but the firstfruits will not.

Now let’s look what happens next, the firstfruits are resurrected in heaven, the total number of martyrs for the firstfruits is complete. Now the Father puts a seal on the live firstfruits, they will not be killed, they are marked out for protection, to continue their jobs here on earth as humans until the Father changes them to spirit. The resurrected firstfruits are sealed at this time also.

Rev 7:2 Then I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God. And he cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea,

Rev 7:3 saying, “Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.”

Rev 7:4 And I heard the number of those who were sealed. One hundred and forty-four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel were sealed:

Notice how the live firstfruits are marked out for protection.

Rev 9:4 They were commanded not to harm the grass of the earth, or any green thing, or any tree, but only those men who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads.

The live firstfruits are changed to spirit when Christ returns, because the next we see of them in scripture, is when they stand on the Mount Zion with Christ.

Rev 14:1 Then I looked, and behold, a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His Father’s name written on their foreheads.

Rev 14:2 And I heard a voice from heaven, like the voice of many waters, and like the voice of loud thunder. And I heard the sound of harpists playing their harps.

Rev 14:3 They sang as it were a new song before the throne, before the four living creatures, and the elders; and no one could learn that song except the hundred and forty-four thousand who were redeemed from the earth.

1Th 4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.

Dan 7:21 “I was watching; and the same horn was making war against the saints, and prevailing against them,

Dan 7:22 until the Ancient of Days came, and a judgment was made in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time came for the saints to possess the kingdom.

The saints who are dead will hear Christ’s voice and be raised from the dead.

Joh 5:25 Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live.

Why do the dead hear the voice of the Son of God, because Christ will raise them from the dead, they will hear His voice, and He will raise them from the dead. Notice the following scripture.

Joh 6:54 Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.

Once resurrected, they will rule on earth with the Father as per the above scriptures. The live firstfruits will be changed.

1Th 4:15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep.

1Th 4:16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.

Here we see the dead firstfruits resurrected first, they hear the voice of Christ and are resurrected. The firstfruits then come to earth with the Father. Then after this the live firstfruits will then be changed when Christ returns.

Notice the live firstfruits are changed to spirit.

1Th 4:17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.

Notice how the Father calls for His saints to be gathered.

Psa 50:4 He shall call to the heavens from above, And to the earth, that He may judge His people:

Psa 50:5 “Gather My saints together to Me, Those who have made a covenant with Me by sacrifice.”

The following scripture shows that there are people at the end who know their God.

Dan 11:32 Those who do wickedly against the covenant he shall corrupt with flattery; but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits.

Dan 11:33 And those of the people who understand shall instruct many; yet for many days they shall fall by sword and flame, by captivity and plundering.

Dan 11:34 Now when they fall, they shall be aided with a little help; but many shall join with them by intrigue.

Notice that some fall……not all.

Dan 11:35 And some of those of understanding shall fall, to refine them, purify them, and make them white, until the time of the end; because it is still for the appointed time.

The following scripture gives the time setting of the return of the Father. The voice of the archangel, {Michael} is one of the signs of the return of the Father as per 1 Thes. 4 v 15-16.

Dan 12:1 “At that time Michael shall stand up, The great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people; And there shall be a time of trouble, Such as never was since there was a nation, Even to that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered, Every one who is found written in the book.

The next scripture shows that there is a number who must be martyred and when that is reached the Father returns with the firstfruits.

Before we cover the return to earth of Christ, let us look at the scriptures, which refer to the return to earth of the Father. Firstly notice this scripture showing that the Father and Christ are on earth together.

Act 4:26 THE KINGS OF THE EARTH TOOK THEIR STAND, AND THE RULERS WERE GATHERED TOGETHER AGAINST THE LORD AND AGAINST HIS CHRIST.’

THE RETURN OF THE FATHER WITH HIS SAINTS

Psa 18:6 In my distress I called upon the LORD, And cried out to my God; He heard my voice from His temple, And my cry came before Him, even to His ears.

Psa 18:7 Then the earth shook and trembled; The foundations of the hills also quaked and were shaken, Because He was angry.

Psa 18:8 Smoke went up from His nostrils, And devouring fire from His mouth; Coals were kindled by it.

Psa 18:9 He bowed the heavens also, and came down With darkness under His feet.

Psa 18:10 And He rode upon a cherub, and flew; He flew upon the wings of the wind.

Psa 18:11 He made darkness His secret place; His canopy around Him was dark waters And thick clouds of the skies.

Psa 18:12 From the brightness before Him, His thick clouds passed with hailstones and coals of fire.

Psa 18:13 The LORD thundered from heaven, And the Most High uttered His voice, Hailstones and coals of fire.

Psa 18:14 He sent out His arrows and scattered the foe, Lightnings in abundance, and He vanquished them.

Psa 18:15 Then the channels of the sea were seen, The foundations of the world were uncovered At Your rebuke, O LORD, At the blast of the breath of Your nostrils.

Psa 97:1 The LORD reigns; Let the earth rejoice; Let the multitude of isles be glad!

Psa 97:2 Clouds and darkness surround Him; Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne.

Psa 97:3 A fire goes before Him, And burns up His enemies round about.

Psa 97:4 His lightnings light the world; The earth sees and trembles.

Psa 97:5 The mountains melt like wax at the presence of the LORD, At the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.

Dan 7:21 “I was watching; and the same horn was making war against the saints, and prevailing against them,

Dan 7:22 until the Ancient of Days came, and a judgment was made in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time came for the saints to possess the kingdom.

Zec 14:3 Then the LORD will go forth And fight against those nations, As He fights in the day of battle.

Zec 14:4 And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, Which faces Jerusalem on the east. And the Mount of Olives shall be split in two, From east to west, Making a very large valley; Half of the mountain shall move toward the north And half of it toward the south.

Zec 14:6 It shall come to pass in that day That there will be no light; The lights will diminish.

Zec 14:7 It shall be one day Which is known to the LORD Neither day nor night. But at evening time it shall happen That it will be light.

1Th 4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.

Jud 1:14 Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men also, saying, “Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints,

Isa 66:15 For behold, the LORD will come with fire And with His chariots, like a whirlwind, To render His anger with fury, And His rebuke with flames of fire.

Isa 40:10 Behold, the Lord GOD shall come with a strong hand, And His arm shall rule for Him; Behold, His reward is with Him, And His work before Him.

Notice when the Father returns that He refers to Christ as His arm, in the above verse.

Deu 33:2 And he said: “The LORD came from Sinai, And dawned on them from Seir; He shone forth from Mount Paran, And He came with ten thousands of saints; From His right hand Came a fiery law for them.

Deu 33:3 Yes, He loves the people; All His saints are in Your hand; They sit down at Your feet; Everyone receives Your words.

Psa 50:3 Our God shall come, and shall not keep silent; A fire shall devour before Him, And it shall be very tempestuous all around Him.

Psa 50:4 He shall call to the heavens from above, And to the earth, that He may judge His people:

Psa 50:5 “Gather My saints together to Me, Those who have made a covenant with Me by sacrifice.”

Notice the following scripture, it is interesting that the Father brings a reward with Him and Christ brings a reward with Him.

Let’s look at the reward of the Father.

Rev 11:18 The nations were angry, and Your wrath has come, And the time of the dead, that they should be judged, And that You should reward Your servants the prophets and the saints, And those who fear Your name, small and great, And should destroy those who destroy the earth.”

When the Father returns to earth, with the firstfruits, they have some very important work to do, let’s look at the following scriptures, which describe their duties upon their return to earth and their change to spirit.

The firstfruits will help the Father in the Day of the Lord, in judgment and punishment.

Isa 13:3 I have commanded My sanctified ones; I have also called My mighty ones for My anger Those who rejoice in My exaltation.”

Isa 13:5 They come from a far country, From the end of heaven The LORD and His weapons of indignation, To destroy the whole land.

Oba 1:21 Then saviors shall come to Mount Zion To judge the mountains of Esau, And the kingdom shall be the LORD’S.

Following the return to earth of the Father and His firstfruits, we see the return to earth of Christ.

THE RETURN TO EARTH OF CHRIST AND THE ANGELS

The following scripture shows two things firstly that Christ returns with the angels, and secondly that He rewards every man according to his works, the Father also has a reward when He comes.

Mat 16:27 For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.

Mat 24:27 For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.

Mat 25:31 “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory.

2Th 1:7 and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels,

2Th 2:8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming.

Rev 1:7 Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.

Rev 19:11 Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war.

Rev 19:12 His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself.

Rev 19:13 He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God.

Rev 19:14 And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses.

Rev 19:15 Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.

Rev 19:16 And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

The above scriptures show clearly the difference between the return of the Father and the return of Christ.

With this new knowledge of the return of The Father and Christ, firmly in our minds, let’s press on for greater understanding of the first resurrection.

Let’s understand that the firstfruits, return to earth with the Father, then they begin the many duties in front of them, assisting the Father with the nation of Israel and other duties.

There will be a period of time between the resurrection of the firstfruits and the resurrection of Christ’s saints.

Mat 24:30 Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

Then we see the remainder of 1 Cor. 15 v 23.

…… afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming.

This is the resurrection of the saints, which have not qualified as high as firstfruits, they do not belong to the Father and Christ, they are Christ’s only. However they are in the first resurrection and have a great reward, but they are not firstfruits.

Mat 24:31 And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

Mark has more detail of this account, remember some of these people have been dead and some are alive, so the same will apply as for the firstfruits. The dead will rise first, then the live saints will be changed.

Mar 13:27 And then He will send His angels, and gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest part of earth to the farthest part of heaven.

The following shows the resurrection of the live saints.

1Co 15:51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed

1Co 15:52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

1Co 15:53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

1Co 15:54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP IN VICTORY.”

1Co 15:55 “O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING? O HADES, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY?”

Notice that when Christ returns His saints are changed, the dead will be resurrected first, and changed to spirit, and then the ones who are alive and remain will be changed to spirit.

Col 3:4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.

Then we see Christ with the firstfruits, on Mt. Zion.

Rev 14:1 Then I looked, and behold, a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His Father’s name written on their foreheads.

Who are the 144,000? They are firstfruits to the Father and Christ.

Now a sum up of the above.

Rev 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.

And the two groups are shown in the following verse.

Rev 20:6 Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.

Notice they will be priests of God the Father and priests of Christ. Together they will reign with Christ for a thousand years.

Our spiritual calling is an exact parallel with the exodus from Egypt by the Israelites.

Let’s compare.

God the Father calls us. We are to come out of this world just as the Israelites had to leave Egypt.

Joh 6:44 No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.

The Father brought the Israelites out of Egypt.

Exo 20:2 “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

Exo 20:3 “You shall have no other gods before Me.

Before we can truly obey God we need to receive the Holy Spirit. God gives us the earnest of the Spirit first. This is all we need to obey overcome and grow towards the fullness of the stature of Christ. The earnest of the Spirit is usually given at the laying on of hands at baptism.

2Co 5:5 Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.

The parallel to this is the Israelites crossing the Red Sea.

1Co 10:1 Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea,

1Co 10:2 all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea,

Once we are called, and receive the earnest of the Spirit, we begin our journey toward the Promised Land {eternal life}.

As mentioned in John 6 v 44 The Father calls us, but then Christ looks after us for a good part of our journey to the Promised Land {eternal life}. This is because He intercedes for us.

Heb 2:17 Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.

In the case of the Israelites, the Father started out amongst them, but due to their constant rebellion and stiff-necked attitude, the Father withdrew from their midst, and put Christ amongst them.

Exo 33:2 And I will send My Angel before you, and I will drive out the Canaanite and the Amorite and the Hittite and the Perizzite and the Hivite and the Jebusite.

Exo 33:3 Go up to a land flowing with milk and honey; for I will not go up in your midst, lest I consume you on the way, for you are a stiff-necked people.”

Our journey to the Promised Land {eternal life} is usually a long and hard one. Filled with trials and testing, this is to see if we will obey God.

1Pe 4:12 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you;

God led the Israelites through the wilderness to see if they would obey, He fed them manna, which was a type of the soft milk of the word.

Deu 8:2 And you shall remember that the LORD your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not.

Now we come to some end time knowledge of what happens next. After the 40 years of wondering in the wilderness, the next event for the Israelites is the crossing of the Jordan River into the Promised Land. Before this happens we see that the Israelites did not want the Promised Land. Only Joshua and Caleb brought back a favourable report.

The Promised Land was a type of eternal life. We must want the Promised Land today, there is knowledge regarding eternal life, we must seek it, and desire it and want to believe God and what He tells us.

The Israelites who did not want the Promised Land all died. The only two who wanted the Promised Land were Joshua and Caleb. They were the only two who were over the age of 20 years old who went into the Promised Land out of the original group of 2,000,000 plus who left Egypt.

We must want to leave the wilderness behind and go forward into the Promised Land.

Once we show God that we want the Promised Land {eternal life} by accepting the knowledge of Him and the other requirements of eternal life, we then receive the Holy Spirit of power.

1Ti 2:4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

The Spirit of power.

Rom 15:19 in mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God, so that from Jerusalem and round about to Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.

Once we cross over the Jordan into the Promised Land, which is a type of eternal life, the Father then comes back into our midst. This is because if we accept eternal life, we will then be a firstfruit and we will belong to the Father and to Christ.

Now in the case of the Israelites, once they crossed over the Jordan, and entered the Promised Land, the Father came back amongst them.

Jos 3:10 And Joshua said, “By this you shall know that the living God is among you, and that He will without fail drive out from before you the Canaanites and the Hittites and the Hivites and the Perizzites and the Girgashites and the Amorites and the Jebusites:

The above scriptures clearly show that there is a parallel between the Exodus of Israel and our spiritual calling.

Now back to our spiritual calling.

Look at the amazing duties awaiting the firstfruits once they are resurrected, changed to spirit and return to earth with the Father.

The firstfruits will execute judgment.

Jud 1:14 Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men also, saying, “Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints,

Jud 1:15 to execute judgment on all, to convict all who are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.”

Judgment is given to the saints of the most High {firstfruits}.

Dan 7:22 until the Ancient of Days came, and a judgment was made in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time came for the saints to possess the kingdom.

The saints will judge the world and also the angels.

1Co 6:2 Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters?

1Co 6:3 Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life?

This article has clearly shown a number of new and exciting things, the firstfruits belong to Christ and the Father and the dead firstfruits return to earth with the Father. The live firstfruits are changed to spirit after that time, when Christ returns.

Christ returns with His angels, His saints are gathered by the angels and the dead saints are changed to spirit. The live saints are changed to spirit shortly after that time.

The firstfruits are spiritual giants, they belong to the Father and Christ, the saints which belong to Christ are still saints but have a lesser responsibility than the firstfruits. They rule with Christ. The Father calls for His saints to be gathered to Him, Psa. 50 v 4-5.

The firstfruits judge the world, they are used by the Father and Christ in a tremendously valuable position of authority……they are rewarded according to how they have lived their life now. Are we striving to be a firstfruit? They are few and far between, only 144,000 from the beginning till now.

Let’s be about our Father’s business as we see the day approaching, let us make our calling and election sure. Let’s strive to be a firstfruit in the first resurrection. There can be no greater reward or desire.