Not ALL the physically dead are raised at the same time, the dead in Christ rise FIRST.

[Stewardofthemystery]

I’m amazed at how many cannot grasp this Truth. The first resurrection of the physically dead is to those who are in Christ.

Notice those who are of the first physical resurrection are called blessed and holy…

Revelation 20:4-6

King James Version

​

4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.”

Also notice in verse 5 it says “But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished”

This clearly states that not ALL the physically dead are raised at the same time.

The dead in Christ rise FIRST as is written, they are the “blessed and holy” who are of the FIRST resurrection.

Prove all things by the words of God. Peace

 

[Spiritual Israelite]

I’m amazed at how many cannot grasp this Truth. The first resurrection of the physically dead is to those who are in Christ.

Notice those who are of the first physical resurrection are called blessed and holy…

No one claims that those who have part in the first resurrection are not in Christ, so you're arguing with a strawman in that sense.

What some of us differ with you premils about is not who has part in the first resurrection, but rather what it means exactly for those who are in Christ to have part in the first resurrection. Do you even make any effort at all to understand amillennialism? It doesn't seem like it.

Revelation 20:4-6 King James Version

4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.”

Also notice in verse 5 it says “But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished”

This clearly states that not ALL the physically dead are raised at the same time.

The dead in Christ rise FIRST as is written, they are the “blessed and holy” who are of the FIRST resurrection.

John 5:28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, 29 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.

In this passage Jesus indicated that all of the dead, including the saved and the lost, will be resurrected in the same hour that will come in the future. You either ignore or change the meaning of this scripture to fit your doctrine instead of finding a way to reconcile them both together.

You are interpreting one scripture passage in a way that contradicts others just like you do with Isaiah 65:17-25. You interpret that passage in such a way that clearly contradicts Revelation 21:1-4.

Scripture teaches that Jesus's resurrection was the first resurrection, so that cannot be ignored when interpreting Revelation 20. There isn't more than one first resurrection.

Acts 26:23 That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.

Once you accept what passages like John 5:28-29 and Acts 26:23 clearly teach then you can start to understand what Revelation 20 is about.

In Revelation 20:4 the Greek word translated as "lived" in verse 4 is "zao", but the Greek word translated as "lived...again" in verse 5 in relation to "the rest of the dead" is "anazao". The word "zao" is a word to describe being alive and living one's life. It is not a word used to refer to someone being resurrected. The word "anazao", however, is a word used to describe someone being resurrected. So, you're missing the difference in the context between the references to the dead in Christ and "the rest of the dead" in Revelation 20. Revelation 20:4 is referring to the souls of the dead in Christ being alive and living and reigning with Christ in heaven while "the rest of the dead" only have their resurrection and judgment to look forward to while they are in hell/hades separated from Christ.

Revelation 20 talks about Christ reigning, so can we not use other scripture to help us determine when He started reigning? Of course.

Matthew 28:16 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. 17 And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

Ephesians 1:19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, 20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

Colossians 1:12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

These scriptures clearly teach that Jesus began reigning after His resurrection and that we are in His kingdom with Him as our king now. We can't just ignore that when interpreting Revelation 20.

You try to reference the scripture that says "the dead in Christ shall rise first" to support your interpretation of Revelation 20, but you blatantly take that verse out of context.

1 Thessalonians 4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16 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: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

The context of the dead in Christ being resurrected first here is not in the sense of the dead in Christ being raised first and then at a much later times the dead who are not in Christ being resurrected. That is not even close to what Paul is saying here. The context of the dead in Christ being raised first is that they first have to be resurrected before they, along with those who are alive and remain, can be caught up together to meet the Lord in the air. As Paul said, "we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep". The dead in Christ and those who are alive and remain are to be caught up together and that can't happen unless the dead in Christ are resurrected first. That is the context of the dead in Christ being resurrected first and that is very clear. But, you are taking that completely out of context in order to make scripture say what you want it to say.

Another thing that needs to be pointed out is what it indicates in Revelation 20:6 about those who have part in the first resurrection.

Revelation 20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

I believe this verse implies that one must have part in the first resurrection in order for the second death to have no power over them. Well, we don't need to die and later be bodily resurrected in order for the second death to not have power over us? The second death, which refers to being cast into the lake of fire (Rev 20:14) has no power over us who are saved right now. What does that suggest about the timing of having part in the first resurrection? To me, it suggests that those of us who are saved have had part in the first resurrection. And we all spiritually have part in Christ's resurrection, as scripture teaches (Col 2:12-13, Eph 2:4-6, Romans 6:9-11).

Surely, in the case of the dead in Christ whose souls are now in heaven, the second death has no power over them. So, they do not need to be bodily resurrected in order for the second death to not have power over them. So, having part in the first resurrection cannot be a reference to the future bodily resurrection of the dead in Christ or else Revelation 20:6 would be saying that we'd all have to die and all have to be bodily resurrected in order for the second death to not have power over us. But, that is not the case. Surely, the second death has no power over anyone who belongs to Christ right now, whether they are physically dead or alive. We need to take that into account when interpreting Revelation 20:6.

Also, it says those who have part in the first resurrection are priests of God and of Christ. We are priests of God and of Christ now, as scriptures like Revelation 1:5-6 and 1 Peter 2:9 teach. That should tell you something about the timing of Revelation 20:6.

Revelation 1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, 6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

So, I interpret Revelation 20 the way I do because I take ALL of scripture into account. I'm not willing to interpret it in such a way that contradicts any other scripture.

 

[Biblepaige]

I’m amazed at how many cannot grasp this Truth. The first resurrection of the physically dead is to those who are in Christ.

Notice those who are of the first physical resurrection are called blessed and holy…

Revelation 20:4-6​

​

King James Version​

​

​

4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.”

Also notice in verse 5 it says “But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished”

This clearly states that not ALL the physically dead are raised at the same time.

The dead in Christ rise FIRST as is written, they are the “blessed and holy” who are of the FIRST resurrection.

Prove all things by the words of God. Peace

Just what the board needs. More pre trib rapture inferences for skeptics to charge against.


Did OSAS debate wear out its welcome?

 

[Spiritual Israelite]

Just what the board needs. More pre trib rapture inferences for skeptics to charge against.


Did OSAS debate wear out its welcome?

His post had nothing to do with a pre-trib rapture one way or another. Are you paranoid? Where did you get that from what he said?

 

[Spiritual Israelite]

His post had nothing to do with a pre-trib rapture one way or another. Are you paranoid? Where did you get that from what he said?

So, @Biblepaige all you can do is laugh in response? That proves that you know he said nothing about pretrib in his post and you are indeed paranoid. Thanks for confirming that.

 

[Biblepaige]

So, @Biblepaige all you can do is laugh in response? That proves that you know he said nothing about pretrib in his post and you are indeed paranoid. Thanks for confirming that.

Are you done?
Do you feel better?

 

[NotTheRock]

John 5:28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, 29 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.

It was taught to me that, upon death, people are immediately judged by Jesus. Is that teaching correct?

It's also been taught to me that faithful followers of Christ never die and, upon death, immediately go into Heaven. Again, is that teaching correct?

Thanks.

 

[TribulationSigns]

I’m amazed at how many cannot grasp this Truth. The first resurrection of the physically dead is to those who are in Christ.

Notice those who are of the first physical resurrection are called blessed and holy…

No... The first resurrection as NOTHING to do with physical resurrection.

The first resurrection consists of all the elect, as they are all BORN AGAIN their spiritual dead inherited from Adam and Eve, having been raised up with Christ (who is the First Resurrected). That means any and ALL believers have a part in His First Resurrection.

Colossians 2:12

• "Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead."

Clearly, we are risen with Him in His First Resurrection, and so it is Biblically untenable to claim that this Resurrection is not the first. Why?

Colossians 1:18

• "And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence."

That's why they are believers precisely "because" they have been raised up in Christ. That 1st resurrection is what put all those souls you read of in Revelation chapter 20 in heaven reigning with Christ. These souls were able to live and reign with Christ because of being in the 1st resurrection. For example, when they are physically dead, and because they are already took part of first resurrection (born again), their souls simple transfer to heaven to continue to be with Christ.

Acts 26:23

• "That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles."

Very Literally in the Greek " The First Resurrected" from the Dead. Therefore, it is untenable to claim that those risen with Christ are not the First Resurrection because you insisted on physical resurrection?? Therefore, are they the only First Resurrection (as there is only one First) of the dead delivered from the wrath of God.

1st Thessalonians 1:10

• "And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come."

So then, the rest of the dead (who don't have part in this First Resurrection, being born again) are raised up at the Second Resurrection.

As for the second Resurreciton. It is specifically for them--that is to say, all the unsaved, whether spiritually dead but physically alive on earth, or spiritually dead and in the grave. They all shall be raised up to stand for judgment...at the same time when saved believers are being taken to the air. To my knowledge, the Bible only speaks of the Elect who are alive and remain at His coming as being translated or changed instantly and will be gathered by the angels to bring them to the air! While the rest of the dead - those who remain spiritually dead, without experience born again (first resurrection), ALL of the Spiritual Dead, are raised up in the second resurrection, and that merely to stand before the throne of God and be judged. Period!

Revelation 20:12-13

• "And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
• And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works."

The dead refer to all dead, spiritually, both those dead and in the grave, and those spiritually dead and living on earth. This is the second resurrection. Which as I said, ANYONE who has part of the First Resurrection (born again), can have part in the SECOND Resurrection to stand for judgment before being thrown into the Lake of Fire. Second Resurrection is simple reserved for those spiritually dead, whether physically alive or not at the Second Coming.

First Death = Spiritual Death that applies to all men that no longer reconciled with God.
First Resurrection = Born again in Christ, made alive from spiritual death, applies to all men who are regenerated.

"But for the rest of the dead..." who are not have part of the First Resurrection in Christ...

Second Resurrection = Resurrection for the spiritual dead to stand for judgment. All of them whether they have physically dead or alive by the time of Christ's return.
Second Death = All those people who have not born again and their name not found in the Book of life will be thrown into the Lake of Fire.

 

[ewq1938]

It was taught to me that, upon death, people are immediately judged by Jesus. Is that teaching correct?

It's also been taught to me that faithful followers of Christ never die and, upon death, immediately go into Heaven. Again, is that teaching correct?

Thanks.

"never die"
"upon death"

Something doesn't line up there. All Christians have died so far and are dying daily now and will until Christ returns. We are saved from the second death not the first death.

 

[ewq1938]

No... The first resurrection as NOTHING to do with physical resurrection.

This is of course wrong.

There are two resurrections of groups of dead people in Rev 20. One happens first, one happens last and there is a thousand years inbetween. The first resurrection is not only first in time because it happens first but also is first in importance or rank because the resurrection of the saved dead is more important than the resurrection of the unsaved dead. Both of these two resurrections are physical, not spiritual and not people being saved or being born again by accepting Christ as Messiah.



*******************


Christ is not the "first resurrection" found in Revelation 20 but he is why it happens.

Rev 20 speaks of two groups of the dead that resurrect/live again.

The first resurrection is the resurrection of this first group of the dead because they resurrect first. The rest have to wait for their resurrection:

"the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished" (Rev 20:5)

This is the last resurrection of those who are dead. One group resurrected and "the rest" or the remaining ones did not resurrect when the others did.

This proves they partake of the second resurrection also known as the last resurrection because no one is still physically dead after they "live again". This proves without a doubt that there are two separate days of resurrections separated by a thousand years.

The first group resurrects before the thousand years begins and the second/last group resurrects after the end of the thousand years.

 

[TribulationSigns]

Christ is not the "first resurrection" found in Revelation 20 but he is why it happens.

You need to check more with the rest of Scripture to find out exactly what is the first resurrection.

Christ is THEE first resurrection from the dead because He was the first raised up from the second death, wherein He suffered the wrath of God (the penalty for our sins) for us. It's not talking about mere physical death like you think! Unfortunately, this is the mistake that so many people make, like you, even today. They think that Jesus merely went to the cross and suffered a "physical" punishment. Movies like the "Passion" play this up and highlight this as if this is what Christ's horrible suffering was all about. That's utter nonsense! Anyone can go to the cross and suffer and die horribly. And if that was the extent of it, then we are all most foolish to be believers. For countless went there before Him and suffered tremendously physically, just as Christ did. But their suffering paled in comparison, because they merely suffered physically, while Christ suffered the wrath of God for "our sins" placed upon His person.

2nd Corinthians 5:21

• "For he hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him."

Christ became sin for us (All elect mankind), taking our iniquities in HIS body, and He suffered the horrible penalty of God's wrath (in addition to man's). And by His taking our sins, and paying the wages of those sins, we are left free from those sins. As the scripture above illustrates, we were then made righteous in Him. The bodily suffering at the hands of man was merely an outward "representation" of the true nature of His punishment and wages of death He suffered on our behalf. Remember, the wages of sin is NOT physical death! It's separation from God and eternal life which is SECOND DEATH!

Isaiah 53:4-5

• "Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
• But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed."

He was stricken, smitten, and afflicted By God, and for our sins. That's the death punishment God suffered, not merely having nails hammered into His hands, but something infinitely more efficacious and glorifying that a mere crucifixion.

Therefore, when we read that Christ was the firstborn from the dead that in all things he might have "preeminence," this is the death and preeminence that is in view! Not physical death. The "First Resurrection" wherein all (including Lazarus) who will become saved, must have part in "His" First Resurrection. Because without that First Resurrection, we will instead have part in the second death because of sin. Thus we all had to be raised up in Him in order to live and reign with Him. i.e., all of us (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Lazarus, etc.) have been raised up with Him in "that" First Resurrection, so that we will live and reign forever. Raised up unto new life, wherein we will never die.

Ephesians 2:5-6

• "Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved; )
• And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:"

There again is the First Resurrection in Christ. To be quickened together with Christ clearly means to be "made alive together with Christ." So even though the physical death of Lazarus "prefigured" the Resurrection of God's people in Christ, His Spiritual Resurrection had to be in Christ's First Resurrection. So truly, even Lazarus' First Resurrection was the moment He was saved or regenerated from death to Life. That is indeed why, when Martha told Christ Lazarus would be raised at the resurrection at "the last day," Christ responded by correcting her:

John 11:25-26

• "Jesus said unto her, I am the Resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
• And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?"

Christ was saying He was the First Resurrection wherein Lazarus would be raised up at the Last day. He was talking about another death and another life and another resurrection. The dead live because they have part in "The First Resurrection." So that this physical death, nor Lazarus's spiritual death in Adam cannot defeat them.

Acts 26:23

• "That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles."

Thus, this is why Christ is called the First Resurrection from the dead. These Greek words [first rise] very obviously correspond to the very same words [first resurrection] found in Revelation chapter 20. They are the exact same words. Christ is the first resurrection to new life, after being under penalty of death that we deserved, that we might also be raised in newness of life with Him. And just as His death covers the sins of those who went before (Abraham, Jacob, etc) so his Resurrection is the reason that death had no power to hold them. Because He was the first, we live and reign with Him.

Revelation 20:6

• "Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years."

Because we have part in the first resurrection, the second death has no power over us. Physical death? No!

Rev 20 speaks of two groups of the dead that resurrect/live again.

The first resurrection is the resurrection of this first group of the dead because they resurrect first. The rest have to wait for their resurrection:

Wrong. The first resurrection is a spiritual resurrection from our spiritual death. NOT PHYSICAL! The rest of the dead, those who did not take part of the First Resurrection (made alive in Christ) will remain spiritually dead upon physical death.

Psa 115:17
(17) The dead praise not the LORD, neither any that go down into silence.

"the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished" (Rev 20:5)

The thousand year in verse 5 speaks about the fullness of time for the rest of the dead to remain in grave until the Second Coming where they will be resurrected to stand for judgment. Not 1,000 literal years.

This is the last resurrection of those who are dead. One group resurrected and "the rest" or the remaining ones did not resurrect when the others did.

You do not make any sense! The second resurrection is the general resurrection of the unsaved dead! Those who did not take part of the FIRST RESURRECTION. Period.

his proves they partake of the second resurrection also known as the last resurrection because no one is still physically dead after they "live again".

Huh? You do not make any sense.

This proves without a doubt that there are two separate days of resurrections separated by a thousand years.

Two separation physical resurrections separated by 1,000 literal years in the future? LOL!

 

[Stewardofthemystery]

John 5:28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, 29 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.

In this passage Jesus indicated that all of the dead, including the saved and the lost, will be resurrected in the same hour that will come in the future.

Jesus did not say in the “same” hour, you injected the word “same” to promote your view.

Notice 2 resurrections are mentioned there…

John 5:29

King James Version

​

29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; (first resurrection) and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.(second resurrection)

So the words of Jesus agree above with the words of Jesus in Rev. 20

 

[Stewardofthemystery]

No... The first resurrection as NOTHING to do with physical resurrection.

Sure it does. Paul said the dead in Christ rise first. So is Paul calling those who are in Christ spiritually dead? Not at all. Paul is talking about the dead physical bodies of the saints when he refers to the dead in Christ being raised up first.

When a person is born again of the Holy Spirit they are not physically resurrected at that time. We are still waiting for the redemption of our body at the first resurrection.

Romans 8:23
And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

 

[jeffweeder]

Jesus did not say in the “same” hour, you injected the word “same” to promote your view.

Notice 2 resurrections are mentioned there…

John 5:29​

​

King James Version​

​

​

29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; (first resurrection) and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.(second resurrection)

So the words of Jesus agree above with the words of Jesus in Rev. 20

Those who rise to damnation do so at the GWT correct?


Jn 5
26 For just as the Father has life in Himself [and is self-existent], even so He has given to the Son to have life in Himself [and be self-existent]. 27 And He has given Him authority to execute judgment, because He is a Son of Man [sinless humanity, qualifying Him to sit in judgment over mankind].

28 Do not be surprised at this; for a time is coming when all those who are in the tombs will hear His voice, 29 and they will come out—those who did good things [will come out] to a resurrection of [new] life, but those who did evil things [will come out] to a resurrection of judgment [that is, to be sentenced].


The time that is coming has to be the GWT judgment.
When the book of life is finally opened, we shall be revealed as those saved and glorified, while the rest will be lost and sentenced.

That = one last bodily resurrection for the time that is coming.

Therefore, the first resurrection is explained in v24 and is Spiritual in nature, as all who have ever believed will partake of it giving them a blessed hope of not partaking of the judgment of the second death.



24 “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, the person who hears My word [the one who heeds My message], and believes and trusts in Him who sent Me, has (possesses now) eternal life [that is, eternal life actually begins—the believer is transformed], and does not come into judgment and condemnation, but has passed [over] from death into life.
25 I assure you and most solemnly say to you, a time is coming and is [here] now, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear it will live.

 

[Biblepaige]

Paul proclaims to the Church of Thessalonica, “For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first” (1 Thessalonians 4:16).


Ecclesiastes 12:7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.

8 Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher; all is vanity.

9 And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs.

 

[Stewardofthemystery]

Therefore, the first resurrection is explained in v24 and is Spiritual in nature,

Being born again spiritually is not the first physical resurrection. Those who are born again of the Holy Spirit have been sealed unto the day of redemption. This sealing process has been ongoing for nearly 2 thousand years now.

But the day of redemption of the physical body of the saints happens in the twinkling of an eye, not over thousands of years.

1 Corinthians 15:51-54

King James Version

​

51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.”

 

[Davy]

I’m amazed at how many cannot grasp this Truth. The first resurrection of the physically dead is to those who are in Christ.

Notice those who are of the first physical resurrection are called blessed and holy…

Revelation 20:4-6​

King James Version​

4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.”

Also notice in verse 5 it says “But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished”

This clearly states that not ALL the physically dead are raised at the same time.

The dead in Christ rise FIRST as is written, they are the “blessed and holy” who are of the FIRST resurrection.

Prove all things by the words of God. Peace

Most make that mistake of applying the Revelation 20:5 verse about the "dead" in the flesh sense, forgetting that on the day of Christ's future coming ALL... the dead will be raised and be either of the "resurrection of life" or of the "resurrection of damnation".

John 5:28-29
28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear His voice,
29 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.
KJV

Just what 'type'... of body did Apostle Paul teach the resurrection is per 1 Cor.15? Paul said it is to a "spiritual body", the body of "incorruption", and "image of the heavenly" that he described. So is the "resurrection of damnation" to that same type of body? Yes!

In the 1 Cor.15:54 verse, Paul used 4 different Greek words that have 4 different meanings, to show 2 different changes that must occur in order to receive eternal Life through Jesus Christ. Only the first change, from a body of "corruption" (flesh) to the "spiritual body" ("incorruption") will be for the wicked, including the wicked dead that are raised on the day of Christ's coming.

But for those in Christ Jesus, 2 changes will occur unto eternal Life, from a body of "corruption" (flesh) to the "spiritual body" ("incorruption"), AND "this mortal" (mortal liable to die soul) putting on "immortality" (deathlessness). This is for those in Christ only. The wicked will still be subject to the "second death". Their "this mortal" soul will still be in a liable to die condition throughout Christ's future "thousand years" reign.

This means the idea of the wicked dead not being resurrected until God's GWT Judgment is NOT what the Rev.20 Scripture is pointing to. The "dead" of Rev.20:5 represent the wicked dead that are raised on the day of Jesus' return. They will stand in judgment throughout Christ's "thousand years" reign, and they will be in resurrected type bodies that will still... be subject to the "second death". THAT... is why their resurrection will be called the "resurrection of DAMNATION", for still being subject to being cast into the "lake of fire" at the end of the thousand years.

What Rev.20:5 means then, about the "dead" not living again until... is in the eternal Life sense, i.e., to be included among the land of the 'living' in Christ. This is why at God's GWT Judgment after the 1,000 years, the books are opened to see if ANY souls are found written in the book of life (the book of the LIVING). By that it means any names that ARE found, will mean they CONVERTED TO JESUS CHRIST during the 1,000 years, and will be joined among those of the first resurrection.

 

[Spiritual Israelite]

Are you done?
Do you feel better?

I'm done with you if you have no interest in actually backing up your claims with scripture. And that does appear to be the case.

 

[Spiritual Israelite]

It was taught to me that, upon death, people are immediately judged by Jesus. Is that teaching correct?

No, the day of judgment will occur in the future when Jesus comes with His angels. Please read Matthew 25:31-46.

It's also been taught to me that faithful followers of Christ never die and, upon death, immediately go into Heaven. Again, is that teaching correct?

The souls and spirits of Christ followers immediately go to heaven upon their physical death. That's why John talks about seeing the souls of the dead in Christ in Revelation 6:9-11 and Revelation 20:4.

 

[Spiritual Israelite]

"never die"
"upon death"

Something doesn't line up there. All Christians have died so far and are dying daily now and will until Christ returns. We are saved from the second death not the first death.

We are currently saved from the second death, right? Why do premils not pay closer attention to what this verse says:

Revelation 20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

I believe this verse implies that ONLY those who have part in the first resurrection are saved from the second death (lake of fire - Rev 20:14-15). So, if we are now saved from the second death and the souls of the dead in Christ are saved from the second death, doesn't that mean we have already had part in the first resurrection? I believe so. And scripture explicitly teaches that Christ's resurrection was the first resurrection.

Acts 26:23 That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.

Using scripture to interpret scripture, I conclude that having part in the first resurrection means to have part in Christ's resurrection. When does someone have part in Christ's resurrection? When they become saved and made spiritually alive in Christ after previously being dead in sins.

Colossians 2:12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. 13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;