“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. But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 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“
We come now to the resurrection and reward of the saints. Two groups of saints will enter the kingdom:
1) those that God resurrected before the Tribulation and Tribulation martyrs and
2) those that come out of the Tribulation physically alive.
20:4
And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them.
John sees certain people sitting on thrones have the privilege to judge in a vision. He does not give their identity. Other Scriptures tell us that saints will judge the world.
“Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unrighteous, and not before the saints? 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?” (1 Corinthians 6:1).
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.
A second group who will reign is the martyrs of the Tribulation. The word “beheaded” means smitten with an ax. The guillotine was just one form of Roman punishment. They probably detached Paul’s head from his body.
The word “for” in “for their witness to Jesus” and “for the word of God” means for the sake of, on account of, because of. The reason they were beheaded was for the sake of the gospel.
And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.
The martyred dead of the Tribulation will come back to life and reign with Christ for a thousand years on earth. During this time, the wolf and the lamb will feed together. The lion will eat straw like an ox. There will be world peace and no more war. Nations will beat their swords into plows and spears into pruning hooks.
The earth will know no curse as it does now. The ground will produce its crop abundantly. People one hundred years old will be very young (Isaiah 65:20). Isaiah goes on to say that some will sin and that will affect their lifespan. Jesus will rule with a rod of iron to control injustices due to sin. That is how righteousness prevails in the Millennium. Justice will triumph.
20:5
But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished.
The rest of the dead will not come to life until the end of the Millennium. This is the resurrection of the lost of all ages (Re 20:11-15). This resurrection will not occur until after the Millennium (v.11).
This is the first resurrection.
The New Testament uses the word “resurrection” 40 times. It always refers to physical, bodily resurrection except in Luke 2:34.
The “first resurrection” is not the first chronological resurrection because Christ was the first to rise from the dead. “Many” rose from the dead when Christ rose (Matthew 27:52-53).
The “first” resurrection is in contrast to the “last” resurrection (Re 20:12-13). The word “first” carries the idea of “before.” All the righteous dead are raised before the resurrection of the wicked dead at the end of the 1000 years.
The resurrection of the righteous comes in phases (1 Corinthians 15:23). Christ rose first, then the “many,” then the church, then the Tribulation saints, and finally the Old Testament saints (Isaiah 26:19-21; Ezekiel 37:12-14; Daniel 12:2-3).
20:6
Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection.
Those who participate in the “first resurrection” are “blessed and holy.” All the righteous dead will rise before the Millennium. This is a bodily resurrection. They are “holy” because they have reached the point of ultimate sanctification.
Over such the second death has no power,
The “second death” [eternal death] has no authority over those in the first resurrection. Their blessing is that they will be priests of God and Christ and will reign with Christ for 1,000 years.
The “second death” refers to those eternally consigned to the Lake of Fire following the second resurrection (v.14). Death means separation. Jesus took the believer’s spiritual death upon Himself at the cross, so there is no eternal separation of the believer from God.
“…who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed” (1 Peter 2:24).
but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years
Those who participate in the first resurrection (believers) will become “priests of God and of Christ,” and they “shall reign with Him a thousand years.” This is the worship responsibility in the Millennium.
The normal life span will cover the entire duration of the Millennium. A child will die 100 years of age (Isaiah 65:20). There will be no shortened life span because of sickness or old age except for those who rebel against Jesus’ kingdom authority (Isaiah 11:4; 65:20b).
Principle:
God will raise all saints in the first resurrection.
Application:
The first resurrection is for the just, and the second resurrection is for the unjust.
“Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice “and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation” (John 5:28).
Revelation 20 separates the two resurrections by 1,000 years. There is a sequence to the first resurrection. God will raise the saints by a certain order.
“But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming. Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power” (1 Corinthians 15:23-24).
The word “order” means troop, company, battalion, and rank. Each resurrection will occur by their company. The picture is an army marching by ranks, one company following another. Each has a rank for resurrection. First, God will raise the church before the Tribulation. After the Tribulation, He raises the Tribulation saints and Old Testament saints.
Old Testament saints, the Lord Jesus, the church, and Millennial saints all participate in the first resurrection. The first resurrection is for the Lord Jesus and all believers.
So when it says the dead bodies will raise, what have there souls been doing the whole time? I thought one we die our spirit moves on authomatically. Do peolpe just stay asleep until the resurrection? If that is the case, why did Jesus tell the robber he would be with him in Heaven this day? Thanks for the help..
Alicia, thanks for your question. You are right that saints are immediately and momentarily at the time of death translated to heaven (2 Co 5:8). “To be absent from the body is to present with the Lord.” It is important to remember, however, the structure of the book of Revelation. The church is raptured (saints of the church era, chapters 1-3)before the Tribulation (chapters 4-19). Now we have a new group of believers in the Tribulation. Revelation 20 begins the Millennial Kingdom. It is the Tribulation saints that will be raised to be ushered into the Millennial Kingdom of Christ in chapter 20.
Now I'M confused. Will all Christians be reigning with Christ in the millenium or just the saints from the Tribulation?
Deb, both the church (who will come with Christ at the Second Coming), believers from the Old Testiment and Jesus' time, saints resurrected during the Tribulation and the Tribulation saints at the time of the establishing of the Millennial Kingdom.
Grant:
At one point in scripture is says: "Their blessing is that they will be priests of God and Christ and will reign with Christ for a 1,000 years."
Then right after that it talks about the children living for 100 years.
So is it only the saints who are ruling with Jesus that live the entire 1,000 year reign? And if that is so, do the 100 year olds then die and wait for the eternal life? Are the resurrected later?
Thanks.
Sorry: I forgot to include the sentence that really confused me about how long people will live.
The normal life span will cover the entire duration of the Millennium. A child will die 100 years of age (Isaiah 65:20)
So here it says they will cover the entire duration of the Millennium…then says 100 years……..I'm confused.
Where does 1 Thess. 4:17 come into Rev. 20? Ch. 4:14b says when Jesus returns he will ‘bring back’ all the Christians who have died. I presume this is at His second coming after Armageddon. But then vv. 15-17 say that the dead in Christ will rise from their graves, then we (believers) who are alive on earth, will follow. Do you believe that to mean that only the bodies of the dead Christians (who’s souls are with the Lord) are raised to meet their souls in the air? This sounds like it is happening at the point in Rev. 20:5,6.
Regarding yr answer of June 7, 2013, where are the references for Christians being resurrected during the tribulation?
Thankyou.
Donna, go to my studies on 1 Th 4 where the subject is the Rapture, that is, the time when all Christians will be caught up to be with the Lord, which will occur before the Tribulation. Rev 20 here deals with the 2nd Coming, which occurs after the Tribulation. People who became believers during the Tribulation and those who come back with the Lord at the 2nd Comng will be ushered into the Millennial kingdom. The believers mentioned here in 20:1-3 are those resurrected immediately after the Tribulation.
Concerning the Rapture the Blood goes off the Mercy Seat at the Rapture SO my Question how will the 144,000 Elect Jews come in IF there is no Blood on Mercy Seat,? they are Seen in Heaven in Rev.14…I Know God don’t deal with Jew & Gentile at the same time, but they have to be in the same Body 1Cor.12:13…You have to be a SEED of Abraham to be saved “in Christ”….
Sam, Jesus’ blood was shed once for all.
Donna, I am in Indonesia and cannot respond until I get back.
i need references for the those who are all participate in 1000 yrs kingdom what about the born again transformed believers what does mean first resurrection exactly 09345820330 christopher
Christopher, those participating in the millennium are OT saints, NT saints, Tribulation saints and the church. Your request for references is too massive so I have included an article from John Walvoord in Bibliotheca sacra.
The subjects of the millennial rule of Christ at the beginning of the millennium will consist in those who survive the searching judgments of both Israel and Gentiles as the millennial reign of Christ begins. From many Scriptures it may be gathered that all the wicked will be put to death after the second coming of Christ; and only saints who have lived through the preceding time of trouble will be eligible for entrance into the millennial kingdom. This is demonstrated in the judgment of the Gentiles in Matthew 25:31–46, where only the righteous are permitted to enter the millennium. According to Ezekiel 20:33–38, God will also deal with Israel and purge out all rebels, that is, unbelievers, permitting only the saint’s among Israel to enter the millennial kingdom. The parables of the wheat and the tares (Matt. 13:30–31) and of the good and bad fish (Matt. 13:49–50) teach likewise that only the wheat and the good fish, representing the righteous, will survive the judgment. Confirmation is also found in Isaiah 65:11–66:16; Jeremiah 25:30–33. As the millennium continues, however, children will be born to those who are thus ushered into the millennial reign of Christ. Before many generations the children born to these tribulation saints will far outnumber their parents. They too will be subject to Christ’s reign and if openly rebellious will be put to death (Isa. 66:20, 24; Zech. 14:16–19). While it is obvious that even under the rule of Christ there will arise from children born in the millennium those who merely profess to follow the King without actually being saints, the true character of these is manifested at the end of the millennium in the final revolt. Meanwhile they are forced to obey the King or be subject to the penalty of death or other chastisement.
The place of Israel in the government of Christ. In contrast to the present church age in which Jew and Gentile are on an equal plane of privilege, the millennium is clearly a period of time in which Israel is in prominence and blessing. Though many passages speak of Gentile blessing as well, Christ will reign as the Son of David, and Israel as a nation will be exalted.
Passages of the Old Testament which have been studied previously anticipating a future day of glory for Israel find their fulfillment in the millennial reign of Christ. The regathering of Israel, a prominent theme of most of the prophets, has its purpose realized in the re-establishment of Israel in their ancient land. Israel as a nation is delivered from her persecutors in the time of tribulation and brought into the place of blessing and restoration.
J. Dwight Pentecost gives an excellent summary of the important place of Israel in the millennium in the following statement: “Israel will become the subjects of the King’s reign (Isa. 9:6–7; 33:17, 22; 44:6; Jer. 23:5; Mic. 2:13; 4:7; Dan. 4:3; 7:14, 22, 27). In order to be subjects, Israel, first, will have been converted and restored to the land, as has already been shown. Second, Israel will be reunited as a nation (Jer. 3:18; 33:14; Ezek. 20:40; 37:15–22; 39:25; Hos. 1:11). Third, the nation will again be related to Jehovah by marriage (Isa. 54:1–17; 62:2–5; Hos. 2:14–23). Fourth, she will be exalted above the Gentiles (Isa. 14:1–2; 49:22–23; 60:14–17; 61:6–7). Fifth, Israel will be made righteous (Isa. 1:25; 2:4; 44:22–24; 45:17–25; 48:17; 55:7; 57:18–19; 63:16; Jer. 31:11; 33:8; 50:20, 34; Ezek. 36:25–26; Hos. 14:4; Joel 3:21; Mic. 7:18–19; Zech. 13:9; Mal. 3:2–3). Sixth, the nation will become God’s witnesses during the millennium (Isa. 44:8, 21; 61:6; 66:21; Jer. 16:19–21; Mic. 5:7; Zeph. 3:20; Zech. 4:1–7; 4:11–14; 8:23). Seventh, Israel will be beautified to bring glory to Jehovah (Isa. 62:3; Jer. 32:41; Hos. 14:5–6; Zeph. 3:16–17; Zech. 9:16–17)” (“Biblical Eschatology,” unpublished Doctor’s dissertation, pp. 651–52).
The lesser role of Gentiles in the millennium is the subject of many Old Testament Scriptures such as the following: Isaiah 2:4; 11:12; 16:1–5; 18:1–7; 19:16–25; 23:18; 42:1; 45:14; 49:6, 22; 59:6–8; 60:1–14; 61:8–9; 62:2; 66:18–19; Jeremiah 3:17; 16:19–21; 49:6; 49:39; Ezekiel 38:23; Amos 9:12; Micah 7:16–17; Zephaniah 2:11; 3:9; Zechariah 8:20–22; 9:10; 10:11–12; 14:16–19 (cf., Pentecost, ibid., p. 652). Outstanding in these Scriptures is the fact that, first, the Gentiles will share many of the spiritual and economic blessings of the millennial reign of Christ. Second, they will, however, occupy a subordinate role to Israel (Isa. 14:1–2; 49:22–23; 61:5–9). Third, as indicated previously, only Gentiles who are declared righteous by the King will be allowed entrance into the millennial kingdom at its beginning.
Dear Grant, Many believe the tribulation will take place after the rapture, but Jesus said in Matthew 24:29-31 Immediately AFTER THE TRIBULATION of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
30 And THEN SHALL APPEAR the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, AND THEY SHALL SEE THE SON OF MAN COMING IN THE CLOUDS OF HEAVEN WITH POWER AND GREAT GLORY.
31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
Gloria, there is nothing about the Rapture in Matthew 24. Almost all pre-trib scholars agree about that. Mt 24 refers to the Second Coming. You may want to go to my studies on Mt 24 to see interpretation of specific passages. Also, note the differences between the Rapture and Second Coming here: https://versebyversecommentary.com/articles/doctrine/rapture-vs-the-second-coming/
And I can see that here in revelation 20:4-6, I you can read it well, the people being ressuracted here are those who denied the mark of the beast, ghose who died from the tribulation. So meaning if I die today, before tribulation, meaning I wont be raised? Certainly no, I will be raised, but not in revelations 20:4-6, bcz here the people being raised are those who refused the mark of the beast, those who come from Tribulation. You can read it again now and you’ll see this, only the people from Tribulation are being raised in revelations 204-6, so the question is , when were other saints ressuracted? Our fellow brothers and sisters who are dead now, when were they ressuracted? This makes it clear that saints will be ressuracted in two different times, post and pre Tribulation. Plz read this passage again and you’ll get it that o ly people from Tribulation are being ressuracted here. But as they are being ressuracted, we find saints already seated on the thrones in revelations 20:4, when did they come to heaven ? You’ll correct me Grant, thanks a lot to your ministry , so important in our lives and, I can see that you first wrote here 20years ago, and you are still living in this world with us and still helping us, we young people, thanks a lot for your contribution to the kingdom of our God, we pray that He grants you more and more live a d happiness a d wisdom to unveil more mysteries in this Holy Booj
“We come now to the resurrection and reward of the saints. Two groups of saints will enter the kingdom:
1) those that God resurrected before the Tribulation and Tribulation martyrs and
2) those that come out of the Tribulation physically alive.”
FALSE!
It is written:
“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.
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: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.” (1 Thessalonians 4:15-17)
1 Thess 4:15-16 says that the rapture happens only AFTER the rising of the dead in Christ, that according to Rev 20:4 (FIRST resurrection), have ALREADY been “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” during the tribulation.
If FIRST resurrection means what it means: FIRST resurrection (no other resurrection before), and if the rapture does NOT precede it, how can the rapture be pretrib if it only happen AFTER those who have already suffered the tribulation are resurrected at the FIRST resurrection?
The pretribulation rapture is a lie!
Marc, it is an extreme statement and exaggeration to say that pre-trib is a “lie.” There is much scholarly work done on the subject. You might say it is “mistaken” or “inadequate” but to claim that people are trying to deceive others by this teaching is irresponsible. You may want to look at this chart: https://versebyversecommentary.com/articles/doctrine/rapture-and-second-coming/rapture-vs-the-second-coming/
Hey Grant I noticed how you said that gentiles/Christians should be subordinate to Jews in the millennium reign but I’m fairly sure that’s wrong. God considers all Christians saints as well as Kingly Priest apart of a royal priesthood. Whereas I don’t think all Jews are considered saints and this has to do with the difference in inheritances that they received as well as the difference in Covenants. The new covenant essentially made the gentiles or better yet Christians below one above all as far as the order of creation goes. Of course right now Christians haven’t actually received the full inheritance or even a fracture of it. Not to mention if you look at Ephesians 3:6 it states how Jews and Christians are joint heirs of God with Christ. “This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.”that verse alone contradicts what you said and then this one is the nail in the coffin “ But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” This is almost synonymous to what God says about Israel, not to mention Israel’s whole purpose behind being chosen by God was to spread the Gospel but they always failed as a matter of fact they secluded themselves and never really spread it outside of the 12 tribes but as we all know all people descend from Abraham. We all know that heaven has a court and that God rules from his throne as the Ancient of days and we know that there are beings in said court that are angels that hold positions in heaven and possibly earth. If Jesus is then the inheritor of the throne of God and we are joint heirs which means we are also inheritors and sit upon our thrones in the courts of Heaven and judge the angels how could we then be below the Jews in the Millennium reign. Not to mention Christians are apart of a Holy nation, the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth. The Jews were chosen to be Gods Kingdom on Earth. Do you spot the difference? We represent to different facets of God and also two different covenants. If Jews could become Christians this even more states the differences between Jews and Christians because God says all who accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior have no distinction between them, whether they male or female, Jew or Gentile. This leads me to this if we are subordinate to Israel the so would be Christ based on the fact that we all receive the same blessings because of what Christ did. He shared his Glory with us and that’s why he’s the King of Kings and Lord of the Lords.
Caleb, thanks for your post–well thought out. However, I do not remember saying that Gentiles were subject to Jews. Please share where I said that so I know the context. What I have tried to say in a number of places is that the purpose of the Tribulation is to bring Jews back to God (there is a secondary purpose for Gentiles in the Tribulation). The Millennial Kingdom fulfills the Davidic Covenant of Israel whereby Jesus will be King Jesus, King of the Jews and the world. The Millennial Kingdom also fulfills the 4 other unconditional covenants to the Jews. Christians will have a special status in the satellite city over the Kingdom.
So the people that aren’t raptured up won’t have a chance to be beheaded???
Carolina, those who believe in the pre-tribulation Rapture teach that the church will not go through the Tribulation. Those converted during the Tribulation have the possibility of martyrdom.
Rev. 20:5
And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
I have a question.
If “the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished”, wouldn’t that actually be the SECOND resurrection?
Martin, it is important to understand the word “first” in this passage. Is it a chronological term or is it a term of priority, that is, does it place emphasis on the resurrection of the just?
The resurrection for the saints takes place in several ranks or stages separated by time periods. All saints are not raised at the same time, nor do they all have the same kind of experience in resurrection. Most of the saints will experience resurrection after the death of the body but some will enter the resurrection state apart from physical death. The resurrection of the just takes place in several ranks or stages: “But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming” (1 Cor. 15:23). The Greek word translated “order” is tagma, a military term, and may be rendered “rank” or “division.”
According to Revelation 20:4–6, the event described as the “first resurrection” takes place immediately after the Second Coming. The resurrection event for believers has various titles in Scripture. It is called “the first resurrection” in Revelation 20:5, “the resurrection of life” in John 5:29, “the resurrection of the just” in Luke 14:14, and “a better resurrection” in Hebrews 11:35. All the saints of all dispensations have part in this resurrection. The lost have no part in this event. Their resurrection is called “the resurrection of damnation” in John 5:29.
The word “first” is a problem for all interpretations which try to understand which resurrection is referred in Revelation 20:5. The term that is used to qualify the resurrection of Revelation 20:5 is prōtos which may mean either first of time or first of status. It is the same term used by Paul in 1 Timothy 1:15 where he calls himself the chief of sinners. Clearly, Paul did not claim to be the first sinner in time but the chief or worst sinner. In Luke 19:47 the same word is used to describe “the principal men of the people” (ASV). Here again, the term is used to describe those first in status. Thus, the first resurrection means the chief or best resurrection in contrast to the awful resurrection in store for the wicked.
Thus, the resurrection at the Second Advent then does not refer to an event, but an order of resurrection. Our Lord was obviously the first to rise from the dead (Lazarus was a resuscitation from the dead, or restored to their natural body, not a resurrection body). According to 1 Corinthians 15:20, Christ is “the firstfruits of them that are asleep,” i.e., the first part of the resurrection of all saints. Likewise, the evidence that the translation of the church takes place before the tribulation would point to a large segment of the righteous dead being raised before the tribulation. These also would qualify as taking part in the first resurrection. His resurrection, though widely separated from resurrections that follow, is included in the first resurrection, otherwise, the event described in Revelation would not be “first.”
In contrast to the first resurrection of Revelation 20 is the resurrection of the wicked dead portrayed in the latter part of the chapter. The first resurrection, therefore, becomes the resurrection of all the righteous in contrast to the final resurrection which is the resurrection of the wicked.
To Dr. Grant Richison: Your answer ended in a very confusing way. >>
“The first resurrection, therefore, becomes the resurrection of “all the righteous” in contrast to the final resurrection which is the resurrection of the wicked. The question remains, however, concerning the identity of those who take part in the first resurrection at this time.”
I emphasized “all the righteous” because that part doesn’t make sense according to the answer that you gave about “different resurrections” of the righteous.
Of course, most people explain Rev. 20:5 by saying that the first resurrection will be the resurrection of the righteous and the resurrection after 1,000 years will be the resurrection of the unrighteous. However, a resurrection of the unrighteous after 1,000 years does not fit in with the context of Rev. 20:4-6. Not at all.
And most Christians understand the resurrection of “all the righteous” to occur at just one time. After all, that is what we see in Scriptures like these.
1 Corinthians 51-53
51 Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will ALL BE CHANGED—52 in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53 For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. 54 When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”
This Scripture says that we will ALL be changed — not some, not many, but ALL. And in First Thessalonians 4 we see the resurrection happening in two stages, but they occur one right after the other. They are definitely not separated by a thousand years.
1 Thess. 4:15-17
15 According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 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. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.
And then, here is another Scripture which also shows just one time, or one day for the resurrection of ALL THE RIGHTEOUS.
John 6:39
And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of “ALL THOSE” he has given me, but I will raise them up on the last day.
And the idea of raising all believers on the LAST DAY is repeated three more times in John 6:40, 6:44 and John 6:54. There is also Martha’s statement in John 11:24 which agrees with what Christ stated in John 6:39, 40, 44 and 54.
John 11:24
Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.”
So could you explain 1 Corinthians 15:51 which states that we will ALL be changed? And could you also explain John 6:39? Because these verses clearly say that Jesus will raise all of the believers at one time which will be —- on the last day.
——————————————–
By the way, I am sure that “a better resurrection” in Hebrews 11:35 only means better rewards for lives that were well lived. That is what we see in the entire chapter of Hebrews 11. There are examples of how these people lived by faith and the great things that they did by faith. This chapter is not talking about “different resurrections.” Not at all. And then, look at how the chapter ends.
Hebrews 11:39-40
39 These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, 40 since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.
Again, this certainly looks like all believers will be resurrected at the same time and then they will be made perfect together with all of the future believers—the future believers who will have died and those believers who will be alive at Christ’s return. At least, that is what it looks like to me. And you also mentioned Luke 14:14
Luke 14:14
and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”
And once again, it looks like just ONE RESURRECTION to me.
Martin, I believe it is a mistake to use the word “all” in a blanket manner. Context determines the meaning of individual words. The issue is what is the antecedent of “all” in each context. You list a number of passages on which you wish me to comment. I have commented on all of them—just go to my commentaries and see my interpretation there.
The resurrections of the just and of the unjust are separated by a time period, which fact is revealed in Scripture: they “… that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus … lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection … on such the second death hath no power … 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. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death” (Rev. 20:4–6, 11–15). Thus, the immediate context is the Tribulation and Second Coming of Christ (with the church, which was previously raptured).
Revelation speaks of the last stage of the “first resurrection.” It takes place at the time of the coming of Christ to set up His millennial reign and its subjects are the martyrs of the tribulation period. However, seven years earlier, before the tribulation period, the initial stage of the “first resurrection” will have taken place at the coming of the Lord into the air, when those “dead in Christ” at that time “shall rise” (1 Thess. 4:16). Only the redeemed have a part in the “first resurrection” and it is accomplished by stages within a period of seven years.
There will be some who will be alive at the coming of the Lord— they will not die at all; but when that stupendous event takes place their mortal bodies will be changed in an instant (1 Cor. 15:51–52) and will be made like unto the resurrected, redeemed and eternal bodies of the saved who will have died and risen again.
Note some differing resurrections events in Scripture:
1. Enoch. “And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him” (Gen. 5:24).
2. Elijah. “And Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven” (2 Kings 2:11b).
3. Christ. “Christ the first fruits” (1 Cor. 15:23). If Christ is the first fruits, how could he be preceded by others? The answer is in 1 Corinthians 15:20—He is “the first fruits of them that slept.” Enoch and Elijah were translated apart from the sleep of death.
4. Some saints rose immediately after Christ’s resurrection. “And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many” (Matt. 27:52, 53). Most commentators believe that this describes a real resurrection, and not just a restoration to the mortal state.
5. The dead in Christ will be raised at the rapture: “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 Thess. 4:16). Again, living saints will be resurrected at the rapture. “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” (1 Thess. 4:17). Note that the living are not resurrected at the same time with the dead, but “the dead in Christ shall rise first” (1 Thess. 4:16c). The living constitutes another division chronologically and also as to the nature of their experience.
7. The two witnesses during the tribulation rose from the dead. “And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies beheld them” (Rev. 11:12). Note that not all tribulation martyrs are raised at the same time.
8. Other martyrs of the tribulation were raised from the dead. “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” (Rev. 20:4b).
9. The saints who die during the millennium (Revelation 20:12, 13) doubtless describes the resurrection of the righteous dead of the millennium as well as the resurrection of the wicked.
10. The living saints at the end of the millennium. There is no specific passage for this group but how else can they enter the eternal state?
The common assumption of a one-stage first resurrection is clearly unbiblical and the key argument of the posttribulation position loses its force.
It is commonly held that Philippians 3:11 refers to the physical resurrection of believers. Dependent upon their view of the resurrection, some refer this passage to a general resurrection, while others interpret it as the first resurrection. The belief in a general resurrection in this passage is now discredited by most.
There are several factors that seem to demand that Paul is referring to the rapture of the church, that aspect of the first resurrection which has to do with the living at the time of Christ’s return.
It seems clear that Paul speaks of something to attain while he is still living. The rapture of the church does concern the ones who are alive at His coming. This is seen in 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17; 1 Corinthians 15:51–53; John 11:26.
The particles ei pōs support the rapture view. While one cannot be in doubt about participation in the first resurrection, yet one can be in doubt about whether he will be alive at the time of the first resurrection. Therefore, if this is the correct interpretation, Paul’s doubt is not concerning the fact of his resurrection but concerning the circumstances of it. It is the Apostle’s desire to be alive when He comes. This would bring this passage into line with other affirmations of Paul, for example, 2 Corinthians 5:3. This passage also expresses his desire to attain unto the resurrection by means of the rapture of the living, “If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked.”
The use of the unusual word exanastasis supports the rapture view. The out-resurrection evidently is singled out for special significance in view of the use of anastasis in verse ten. If greater vividness is gained using the exanastasis, it is fitting that it refers to the rapture of the church, for the most vivid feature of the resurrection to the believer during life on earth is certainly the catching up which will take place when the Lord returns.
The context also supports this interpretation. The natural outcome of the sanctification of verse ten is glorification or full conformation to Christ. This occurs at the first resurrection. In addition, in verses 20 and 21 Paul clearly refers to the rapture of the church in the words, “For our conversation (politeuma means “seat of citizenship”) is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ: who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.”
The conclusion is that Paul references the rapture of the church in Philippians 3:11. The “out-resurrection from the dead” is the object of Paul’s intense, eager longing. His great hope is to be alive at the time of the resurrection and arise into the Lord’s presence a complete victor over death. This should be the hope of every believer, and a very blessed hope it is as Paul says in Titus 2:13, “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ.” No death, no funeral, no burial, no tombstone, no epitaph! Truly, this is a blessed hope, the out-resurrection from the dead.
GRANT
God bless you and the wisdom God has blessed you with not to mention the patience you have with the believers who misinterpret the word. I appreciate your responses to them the most because it is so enlightening and shows Gods love for each to be shown and guided into Truth and Understanding. Thank you for your contribution here! It is so needed in this world where the devil’s greatest tool is confusion and deceit. GOD BLESS !!
ZZIZME, thank you for your comment.