REVELATION SIMPLIFIED

 

CHAPTER 20.5

Gleanings from the Book of Revelation:

A Weekly Verse-by-Verse Bible Study Series

 

The

REVELATION TO JOHN

 

Chapter Twenty

The Millennium

(Two Resurrections)

 

 

Introduction

In adumbrating the Millennium in Revelation 20, John does not mention or reveal life in the Millennium. Instead, he relies on the reader’s knowledge of Scripture which prophecies in specific detail (e.g., Isaiah 11; 64).

 

The Saints and The Aints

In the late '70s, one of the earliest messages I remember hearing was presented by the late Dr. J. Vernon McGee on Thru the Bible Radio Broadcast who stated clearly. “There are only two types of people in the world: the Saints and the Aints. You either is a saint or an aint.”

A. The Saints are those who have accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour

B. The Aints are those who have rejected Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour

 

The above blurb is a fitting segue into a topic that leaves many in a state of confusion – Resurrection. The next verse introduces the premise for the Resurrection:

 

 

3. The Resurrection of Saints to Life

(Verse 5)

 

But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.

 

Two Births

There are two births and two deaths in the eyes of God. Since The Fall, the wages of sin is death (cf. Romans 6:23). If a person is born once, he will die twice. But, if a person is born twice (born again), he will die once. If birth is the beginning of physical life, then rebirth is the beginning of a new spiritual life. One is of the flesh, the latter supernatural.

 

Jesus explained to Nicodemus, “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.” Puzzled, Nicodemus queried, “How can a man be born when he is old?” Jesus responded, “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God.” (cf. John 3:3b-5)

 

Explanation: Under the baptism of John the Baptist, a person entered into Judaism by repentance and a water baptism ceremony. Spirit baptism (initiated at Pentecost) on the other hand, was also through repentance but included an acknowledgment of faith in Jesus Christ and a gift from the Holy Spirit.

 

So, the rest of the dead encompass all who have not been born again, i.e., received the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

 

Two Deaths

If there are two births then naturally there are two deaths:

A. The First Death

The first death is considered physical death (cf. James 2:26a). Bodies of believers who have died remain in graves and their souls attend Paradise in an intermediate state awaiting resurrection (cf. Luke 23:43).

 

Martyred Tribulation souls in this class are seen under God’s altar anticipating resurrection and transformation to glorified bodies (cf. Rev 6:9).

 

B.  The Second Death

Spiritual death is known as the second death [a Jewish phrase for the punishment of the wicked after death (cf. Ephesians 2:1, 12: Revelation 20:14)]. This category consists of those who have not been made spiritually alive through faith in Jesus Christ.

 

Souls of unbelievers await judgment in the realm of the dead (Hades). At the end of one thousand years, they will be judged at the Great White Throne and cast into the eternal burning Lake of Fire (cf. Revelation 20:14-15). 

 

Note: The Second Death has no power over those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ.

 

Resurrection

As a continuation of verse 4, the reign of Christ and the saints, John explains and expands the topic of resurrection, the focal point of verse 5. Used over forty times in the New Testament, the word resurrection (anastasis) means restoration or rising back from death back to life - A bodily resurrection (Literally, dead bodies standing up).

 

The rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished

Another Greek word is utilized here. The word ezēsan (Strong’s G2198) is an aorist indicative active, third person plural verb. Hence, the phrase lived not again translates: Come back to life.

 

Two Resurrections

There is no general resurrection, but two resurrections, one for the righteous, and another for the unrighteous. Each resurrection is separated by a thousand years. The following outline may simplify its understanding: 

A. The First Resurrection 

Resurrection unto life is meted out in three stages:

1. The Resurrection of Jesus Christ as the first fruits

1 Corinthians 15:22-23 - For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at His coming.

a.  Several saints are raised following the Resurrection of Jesus Christ

Matthew 27:52-3 - And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; And came out of the graves after His Resurrection, and went into the Holy City, and appeared unto many.

 

2. The Resurrection of the Church at the Rapture

This resurrection includes three groups of believers:

a.  The Old Testament and dead saints

(1). Antediluvian saints

(2). Postdiluvian saints

1 Thessalonians 4:16 - 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.

 

b.  The translation of living Church saints

1 Thessalonians 4:17 – Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.

 

c.  The resurrection of the two witnesses occurs during Tribulation

Revelation 11:11-12 - And after three days and a half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them. 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.

 

3.  The resurrection of martyred Tribulation souls

Revelation 20:4b-5b - …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…This is the first resurrection.

 

Summarization Verse:

John 25:27 - Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.

 

Note: All righteous dead will be raised to immortal glorified bodies.

 

B. The Second Resurrection

All unsaved people from every age (the rest of the dead) will be resurrected after the Millennium, before the Great White Throne Judgment, and stand before the Lord Jesus Christ (cf. John 5:22, 26-29). In other words, those who experienced physical death (the first death) without being made spiritually alive through faith in Jesus Christ will participate in the resurrection of unbelievers.

 

Old Testament Israel will also be included:

Isaiah 26:19 - Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead.

 

Ezekiel 37:12 – Therefore prophesy and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, O My people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel.

 

Note: All the lost, unsaved, or unregenerated who die without Jesus Christ are raised after the Kingdom Age, judged at the Great White Throne Judgment, thrown into the burning lake of Fire, and eternally separated from the presence of God.

 

Special Resurrections in the Bible

1. Elijah raised the widow Zarephath’s son (cf. 1 Kings 17:17-24)

2. Elisha raised the Shunammite woman’s son (2 Kings 4:18-27)

3. God’s Spirit raised an Israelite man thrown into Elisha’s grave. He stood up on his feet as soon as his body touched Elisha’s bones (cf. 2 Kings 13:20-21)

4. Jesus raised the widow of Nain’s son (cf. Luke 11-17)

5. Jesus raised the daughter of Jairus (cf. Luke 8:49-56)

6. Jesus raised Lazarus of Bethany (cf. John 11:1-44)

7. The Spirit of God raised Jesus from the dead (cf. Romans 8:11; Matthew 28:1-20; see also Mark 16; Luke 24; John 20)

8. God raised a group of saints from their graves after the Temple veil and rocks were torn and an earthquake occurred (cf. Matthew 27:50-53)

9. Peter raised Tabitha (Greek, Dorcas) from the grave following much prayer (cf. Acts 9:36-43)

10. Paul raised young Eutychus from the dead after falling from a third-story house (cf. Acts 20:7-12)

 

Note: Except for Jesus, all that was raised and lived again died again. However, they will be still included in the first resurrection.

 

Summary

Old Testament

Daniel 12:2 - And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, Some to everlasting life, Some to shame and everlasting contempt.

 

New Testament

John 25:28-29 - Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will 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.

 

Comparisons of the Two Resurrections

A. Before the Millennium the righteous hear His voice

B. After the Millennium the unrighteous hear His voice

 

A. The first resurrection leads to blessings of the saved

B. The second resurrection leads to the judgment of the lost

 

A. The first resurrection is for the just

B. The second resurrection is for the unjust

 

A. The first resurrection is to eternal life

B. The second resurrection is of eternal damnation

 

A. The first lived and reigned with Christ for one thousand years

B. The second remained dead for one-thousand years

 

A. The first have glorified bodies, rejoice, and live forever

B. The second is raised and cast into the Lake of Fire

 

A. The first will die once, i.e., physically

B. The second will die twice, i.e., physically and spiritually

 

 

(Verse 6)

 

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.

 

 Beatitude

Pronounced is the sixth of seven beatitudes or blessings in Revelation. The first resurrected believers will share with Christ three glorious benefits:

1. They will be blessed (happy) and holy (set apart, sanctified)

2. The second death will have no power over them

3. They shall be priests of God and Christ and live and reign with Him for a thousand years

 

Called to be Priests

Initially, being priests of God was His original intent for Old Testament Israel:

Exodus 19:6 - And ye shall be unto Me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.

 

Deuteronomy 7:6 - For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto Himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth.

 

Isaiah 61:6 - But ye shall be named the Priests of the LORD: men shall call you the Ministers of our God: ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves.

 

Being priests of God in the New Testament economy is confirmed by Peter’s exhortation:

1 Peter 2:5 - Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

 

1 Peter 2:9 - But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of Him Who hath called you out of darkness into His marvellous light.

 

Reigning in the Millennium

Priests of Christ and God are those who have offered themselves a living sacrifice unto God (cf. Romans 12:1) and overcome the world. It is a permanent standing (cf. Revelation 1:6; 5:10).

 

All the following will rule with Christ for a thousand years in their glorified form:

A. Old Testament saints will reign (cf. Daniel 7:27)

B. Apostles and Christ’s disciples will reign (cf. Matt. 19:28-29)

C. New Testament saints will reign (cf. 1 Corinthians 6:2-3)

D. Tribulation saints will reign (cf. Revelation 20:4)

 

Duties of Millennial Saints

1. To bring people to the truth of God’s Word

2. To bring people to salvation through Jesus Christ

3. To bring people into His glorious presence

 

 

Verse 7 of the following study will explicate the return of Satan and the revolt of its inhabitants after the consummation of the Kingdom Age.

 

 

QUESTIONS:

1.   What are the two kinds of people living in the world?

2.   What is meant by the term born again?

3.   What is meant by the first and second death?

4.   Define resurrection.

5.   What groups of people rise in the first resurrection?

6.   Who is called to the second resurrection?

7.   How does one become a part of the first resurrection?

 

 

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