Two Resurrections

 

  1. There are two resurrections. The first resurrection is the resurrection to life for believers. The second is the resurrection to judgment for nonbelievers (Luke 14.14; John 5.28-29, see John 6.28-29 for the good work Jesus spoke of; Acts 24.15; Revelation 20.4-6).
  2. The first resurrection is to everlasting life with the LORD. Christ was the first to arise. He set the pattern. He is the first fruits or the first of others to come (John 14.19; 1 Corinthians 15.20-26).
    • Jesus Christ arose. He was the first fruits of resurrection—the first one to be resurrected (Matthew 28.5-6; Acts 26.23; Colossians 1.18; Revelation 1.5,18).
    • Saints arose in Jerusalem right after he arose. That they were resurrected in the true sense of physical resurrection seems the best understanding of this passage (Matthew 27.51-53).
    • Church believers will be resurrected before the Tribulation (1 Thessalonians 4.13-16; 1 Corinthians 15.51-54).
    • Old Testament believers will be resurrected right before the Millennium (Daniel 12.1-2).
    • Tribulation martyred believers will be resurrected right before the Millennium (Revelation 20.4).
    • Millennial believers will be resurrected after the Millennium.  This is not stated, but is implied from 1 Corinthians 15.50, “flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.” The millennial believers must be changed to live forever in the new heaven and new earth.
  3. The second resurrection is to judgment. Nonbelievers from all ages will be resurrected to judgment and the lake of fire after the Millennium (Revelation 20.5-6,11-14).