What is the first resurrection? What is the second resurrection?

Answer

Daniel 12:2 summarizes the two very different fates facing mankind: “Many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.” Everyone will be raised from the dead, but not everyone will share the same destiny. The New Testament reveals the further detail of separate resurrections for the just and the unjust.

Revelation 20:4-6 mentions a “first resurrection” and identifies those involved as “blessed and holy.” The second death, the lake of fire, Revelation 20:14 has no power over these individuals. The first resurrection, then, is the raising of all believers. It corresponds with Jesus’ teaching of the “resurrection of the just” «and thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just. », (Luke 14:14) and the “resurrection of life” «and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. », (John 5:29).

The first resurrection takes place in various stages. Jesus Christ Himself «But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. », (the “first fruits,” 1 Corinthians 15:20), paved the way for the resurrection of all who believe in Him. There will be the resurrection of “the dead in Christ” at the Lord’s return «For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: », (1 Thessalonians 4:16).

Thessalonians 4:16) and the resurrection of the martyrs at the end of the tribulation «And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of those who were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and who had not worshipped the beast, nor his image, nor had received his mark on their foreheads, or on their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. », (Revelation 20:4). The Old Testament saints will also be raised at the end of the tribulation, and they are also part of the first resurrection.

Revelation 20:12-13 identifies those comprising the second resurrection as the wicked judged by God at the great white throne judgment before being cast into the lake of fire. The second resurrection, then, is the raising of all unbelievers; the second resurrection is connected to the second death. It corresponds with Jesus’ teaching of the “resurrection of damnation” «and shall come forth; those who have done good, to the resurrection of life; and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of damnation. », (John 5:29).

The event that divides the first and second resurrections seems to be the millennial kingdom. The last of the righteous are raised to reign “with Christ a thousand years” «And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of those who were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and who had not worshipped the beast, nor his image, nor had received his mark on their foreheads, or on their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. », (Revelation 20:4), but the “rest of the dead [that is, the wicked] did not live again un

Until the thousand years were finished” «But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. », (Revelation 20:5).

What great rejoicing will attend the first resurrection! What great anguish at the second! What a responsibility we have to share the Gospel! “And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire” (Jude 23).