Why is there a “First” and a “Second” Resurrection?
What is the Difference?
Indeed, there is a “First” Resurrection, and since it is true, then there is also a “Second” Resurrection. Let’s take a closer look at their differences.
Three Parts
One of the differences is that the First Resurrection has three parts, and the Second one has only one part. With that in mind what does Scripture tell us is the first of those three parts? The first part already took place when the Lord Jesus Christ was raised from the dead.
Evidently, we also know that others have been raised from the dead, e.g.
-Lazarus whom Jesus raised back to life (John 11:1-43);
-the woman named Tabitha, translated Dorcas, whom Peter restored back to life (Acts 9:36-42); and
-the young man named Eutychus whom Paul the Apostle raised with the power of God (Acts 20:9-10).
Alive Forever
The Lord Jesus was the only one raised from the dead to remain alive. He is alive, has been alive, and will be alive forever. God does not change (Malachi 3:6a).
Three Phases
What are the three principal phases of the First Resurrection (Revelation 20:6, 14)?
The resurrection of:
- Christ
- His Church—are those who believed in God when they died
- Old Testament saints and those who came to believe in God during the seven-year Tribulation Period.
We confirm this with the following Scriptures:
Revelation 7:14b
“These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”
Revelation 20:6
Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they [The Church and OT and the ones saved during the Tribulation] shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.
Second Resurrection
Now, what about the Second Resurrection?
Who is going to be in the Second Resurrection?
First recap that in the First Resurrection all “believers” will rise.
The Lord will raise all remaining unbelievers from the dead in the Second Resurrection. These unbelievers will face the Lord at the Great White Throne and He will judge them according to their works.
Revelation 20:11-13
Then I saw [John saw in the vision given to him from God] a great white throne and Him who seated on it. The earth and the heavens fled from His presence, and there was no place [in heaven] for them [Satan, Antichrist, and false prophet]. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death [the unbelievers still alive who will soon die] and Hādēs [the ones who died while never believing] gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done. (NIV)
Conclusion
Who will be in the First Resurrection and in the Second Resurrection?
The three parts of the First Resurrection include Christ, His Church and Old Testament saints, and believers from the seven-year Tribulation period.
Unbelievers / unsaved people will rise in the Second Resurrection.
Are you going to be in the First or the Second Resurrection?
If your answer is the “Second Resurrection,” you can still change your destination TODAY.
To learn more about Eternal Life check out our Blog Post titled:
“Eternal Life as easy as A-B-C-D“
Other Resources on this topic: “GotQuestions.org”
We will publish our next blog post on March 31, 2023 titled:
What are the Consequences? What is the Second Death? Who will be affected or not?
We recommend that you check out our 3-in-1 Study Guide for further study on Jesus’ next coming and the signs of the time :
“Digging Deep into the Revelation of Jesus Christ”.
It’s a one-of-a-kind reference for anyone striving to understand the Book of Revelation in the Bible.
This study guide for the Book of Revelation is revolutionary and unique. On each page it contains:
-the original scripture,
-the commentary on that scripture,
-the actual Bible verses referenced in the commentary, and
-the commentary on these references in 4 columns side by side.
Through the format and contents, the reader is able to find comprehensive information in a few minutes versus spending an hour looking up cross-references to find meaning in challenging text.
For someone studying Revelation, this one reference saves time and enhances understanding without making the mistake of translating scripture. This enables the reader to make his/her own conclusions about the meaning in the Word as inspired by God.
I love this explanation of the resurrection with the Bible verses that back it up. Well done.