The Saints Reign with Christ 1,000 Years
Satanic Rebellion Crushed
| << Revelation 20:4 | Revelation 20:6 >> |
What Does Revelation 20:5 Mean?
Revelation 20:4-6
A first resurrection suggests at least a second. The verse clearly says the second occurs one thousand years after the first. That verse 6 states that death has no power over those in the first resurrection strongly indicates that death will have power over those in the second. The second resurrection, therefore, must be a resurrection to physical life. Verse 6 also repeats from verse 4 that those in the first resurrection will reign with Christ. This means that His government is established, functioning, and executing judgment, among other things.
John W. Ritenbaugh
The Final Harvest
Revelation 20:4-5
Those who never had an opportunity to learn God's way will be resurrected after the Millennium. "But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished" is parenthetical and does not refer to the first resurrection, but to a second resurrection.
Staff
Basic Doctrines: Eternal Judgment
Revelation 20:4-6
Only the just, the righteous, will rise at Christ's second coming. God will raise the martyred saints to eternal life, but the unjust dead will not be resurrected until the end of this period. If we have the Holy Spirit dwelling in us when we die, we will be resurrected through the power of that same Spirit at that time (Romans 8:9, 11, 14). In addition to the dead in Christ, those who are true Christians at His coming will rise in the first resurrection. The Feast of Trumpets celebrates the second coming of Jesus Christ to intervene in world affairs, resurrect the firstfruits, and establish God's Kingdom on earth (Matthew 24:30-31; Revelation 11:15).
Martin G. Collins
Basic Doctrines: The First Resurrection
Revelation 20:4-5
"This is the first resurrection" in Revelation 20:5 refers back to the events of verse 4, which describes those who are raised to immortality at Christ's second coming to become rulers with Him as kings and priests on the earth during the Millennium. The Bible nowhere says God will resurrect all the dead in the same resurrection. The apostle Paul affirms that both the "just" and "unjust" will be resurrected (Acts 24:15), and Jesus speaks of a "resurrection of life" and a "resurrection of condemnation" or judgment (John 5:28:29). However, these do not occur simultaneously. God has an orderly plan whereby He resurrects different groups of people at different times, "every man in his own order" (I Corinthians 15:23-24). This implies a succession of resurrections. Regarding the resurrection of the unjust, "the rest of the dead," who have not understood God's way of life, they must wait in their graves until the thousand years are over.
Martin G. Collins
Basic Doctrines: The Second Resurrection
Other Forerunner Commentary entries containing Revelation 20:5:
1 Samuel 16:13
Matthew 9:24
Mark 1:14
Mark 5:39
Luke 8:52
Luke 16:22-23
Luke 23:43
John 3:16-17
John 5:24-29
1 Corinthians 2:2
1 Corinthians 15:23
1 Corinthians 15:23
Galatians 3:16
Ephesians 2:2
1 Peter 2:7-10
1 Peter 3:18-20
Revelation 14:5
Revelation 20:4-5
Revelation 20:11-13
Revelation 20:11-13
| << Revelation 20:4 | Revelation 20:6 >> |
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The rest of the dead, not living again until the thousand years are finished, are resurrected at the Great White Throne judgment. Here, the books of the Bible are opened for these resurrected people to understand and be judged from. The Book of Life is opened to enter new names of those saved, giving everyone resurrected an opportunity, including those from the sea. This follows the first resurrection.