Two Resurrections
“Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, 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 5:28, 29). In this verse, Christ referred to two resurrections. One is the “resurrection of life” and to other is the “resurrection of damnation.” This indicates that the saved and lost do not arise at the same time.
And John confirms this fact: “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” (Revelation 20:6). The use of the term “first resurrection” is an indication that there must be another resurrection following it.
Two facts are established in Revelation 20:6: First – only the good people will have any part in the first resurrection: “Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection.” Second – the resurrection of those saints is at the beginning point of the millennium, because after being raised they “shall reign with him a thousand years.”
Here is another point, “But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished” (Verse 5). Obviously, the “rest of the dead” can only be a reference to the wicked. They will come forth from their graves at the end of the millennium—when “the thousand years were finished.”
This draws a clear picture of two resurrections separated by a thousand years. The good people are raised at the beginning of the millennium, and the wicked are resurrected at the end. At the close of the 1,000 years, the New Jerusalem will descend from heaven to earth with the saints in it (Revelation 21:2, 3).
And the wicked will be raised and Satan loosed from his bonds (Revelation 20:5, 7, 8). Then, “Satan shall… go out to deceive the nations… to gather them together to battle… And they… compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city” (Revelation 20:7-9).
But, fire will suddenly come down from heaven upon the wicked and all will be turned into ashes including the devil and his angels (Matthew 25:41). And then, God will recreate the earth anew (Revelation 21:5).
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In His service,
BibleAsk Team
