Then I saw thrones, and people seated on them who were given authority to judge. I also saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony about Jesus and because of the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and who had not accepted the mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were completed. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years.
Revelation 20:4-6
There has been a noticeable lack of preaching and teaching over the last 20-30 years in one particular area of Christian Theology: Eschatology. Eschatology is the study of “last things”; topics such as heaven, hell, judgment, end times, eternal life, and death. Due to this lack of teaching on those subjects, there is currently a lot of false doctrine creeping into the church regarding these matters. I have written recently on the “kingdom now” and “dominion theology” beliefs that are becoming mainstream in our evangelical churches currently. This lack of teaching and preaching also contributed to a generation of Christians who simply do not have any biblical foundations in eschatological subjects, and therefore don’t know what to think or believe.
An example is the different resurrections that will occur. The Bible refers to a “first resurrection”, which of course implies there will be at least a second resurrection to follow. The Bible also when discussing resurrection mentions a “second death”. Who experiences this second death, and what is the difference between a first and second death? What does the Bible teach on this?
First, it is important to point out that everyone will be resurrected. What does the word resurrection mean exactly? The Greek word for resurrection (anastasis) literally means “stand up”. As in, those who are dead and lying in their graves will “stand up” once again. This is what the Bible teaches, everyone, both the righteous and unrighteous, experiences a resurrection from death. The difference is that some will experience a “resurrection of life” and others will experience a “resurrection of judgment”.
“Do not marvel at this; for an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs will hear His voice,and will come forth; those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment."
There has been a noticeable lack of preaching and teaching over the last 20-30 years in one particular area of Christian Theology: Eschatology. Eschatology is the study of “last things”; topics such as heaven, hell, judgment, end times, eternal life, and death. Due to this lack of teaching on those subjects, there is currently a lot of false doctrine creeping into the church regarding these matters. I have written recently on the “kingdom now” and “dominion theology” beliefs that are becoming mainstream in our evangelical churches currently. This lack of teaching and preaching also contributed to a generation of Christians who simply do not have any biblical foundations in eschatological subjects, and therefore don’t know what to think or believe.
An example is the different resurrections that will occur. The Bible refers to a “first resurrection”, which of course implies there will be at least a second resurrection to follow. The Bible also when discussing resurrection mentions a “second death”. Who experiences this second death, and what is the difference between a first and second death? What does the Bible teach on this?
First, it is important to point out that everyone will be resurrected. What does the word resurrection mean exactly? The Greek word for resurrection (anastasis) literally means “stand up”. As in, those who are dead and lying in their graves will “stand up” once again. This is what the Bible teaches, everyone, both the righteous and unrighteous, experiences a resurrection from death. The difference is that some will experience a “resurrection of life” and others will experience a “resurrection of judgment”.
“Do not marvel at this; for an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs will hear His voice,and will come forth; those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment."
John 5:28-29
"I have a hope in God, which these men themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection, both of the righteous and the unrighteous.” Acts 24:15
But, what exactly is the difference between the first resurrection and the second resurrection? We are told in Revelation 20:4-6 that those participating in the first resurrection are called “blessed and holy”. This is speaking directly about those saints that are martyred for their faith during the tribulation period. They experience the “first resurrection” and are raised again to life to rule with Jesus during the millennial kingdom. Of course, Jesus Himself was the very first (the “firstfruits”) of those who would experience the first resurrection.
“... Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep... But each in his own order: Christ, the firstfruits; afterward, at his coming, those who belong to Christ.” I Corinthians 15:20-26
And we are told by Paul in his letter to the Corinthians that following the resurrection of Jesus, the next group to experience the first resurrection will be “those who belong to Christ.” That is, all Christ followers who have died prior to “His coming”. They will experience resurrection at the time of “His coming” which is the rapture when Jesus returns to escort His bride (the church) to be with Him in heaven. The souls of those who have died prior to His coming will return with Christ in the air and will be joined with their resurrected glorified bodies. They will become like Jesus, resurrected into glorified bodies, and experience the first resurrection. Those Christ followers still alive at the time of the rapture and His coming will then join Jesus and them in the air and they too will be transformed immediately, not experiencing death but receiving glorified bodies like Jesus as well.
“What I am saying, brothers and sisters, is this: Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor can corruption inherit incorruption. Listen, I am telling you a mystery: We will not all fall asleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we will be changed. For this corruptible body must be clothed with incorruptibility, and this mortal body must be clothed with immortality. When this corruptible body is clothed with incorruptibility, and this mortal body is clothed with immortality, then the saying that is written will take place: Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where, death, is your victory? Where, death, is your sting?”
"I have a hope in God, which these men themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection, both of the righteous and the unrighteous.” Acts 24:15
But, what exactly is the difference between the first resurrection and the second resurrection? We are told in Revelation 20:4-6 that those participating in the first resurrection are called “blessed and holy”. This is speaking directly about those saints that are martyred for their faith during the tribulation period. They experience the “first resurrection” and are raised again to life to rule with Jesus during the millennial kingdom. Of course, Jesus Himself was the very first (the “firstfruits”) of those who would experience the first resurrection.
“... Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep... But each in his own order: Christ, the firstfruits; afterward, at his coming, those who belong to Christ.” I Corinthians 15:20-26
And we are told by Paul in his letter to the Corinthians that following the resurrection of Jesus, the next group to experience the first resurrection will be “those who belong to Christ.” That is, all Christ followers who have died prior to “His coming”. They will experience resurrection at the time of “His coming” which is the rapture when Jesus returns to escort His bride (the church) to be with Him in heaven. The souls of those who have died prior to His coming will return with Christ in the air and will be joined with their resurrected glorified bodies. They will become like Jesus, resurrected into glorified bodies, and experience the first resurrection. Those Christ followers still alive at the time of the rapture and His coming will then join Jesus and them in the air and they too will be transformed immediately, not experiencing death but receiving glorified bodies like Jesus as well.
“What I am saying, brothers and sisters, is this: Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor can corruption inherit incorruption. Listen, I am telling you a mystery: We will not all fall asleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we will be changed. For this corruptible body must be clothed with incorruptibility, and this mortal body must be clothed with immortality. When this corruptible body is clothed with incorruptibility, and this mortal body is clothed with immortality, then the saying that is written will take place: Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where, death, is your victory? Where, death, is your sting?”
I Corinthians 15:50-55
"For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the archangel's voice, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are still alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord." 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
So then, if all those who belong to Jesus are part of the first resurrection, who then will experience the “second resurrection”, or maybe more accurately we should call it the “last” resurrection. Revelation 20:4-6 tells us that “the rest of the dead” did not come back to life (resurrect) until after the one-thousand year long millennial kingdom period was completed. At that time, all the dead will be brought back to life as part of the “second” or “last” resurrection in order to face judgment at the great white throne. All those before the Lord God on His throne of judgment who are not found written in the Lamb’s book of life will be judged according to their works, not by grace, and found guilty. They will be sentenced and thrown into the lake of fire. There they will experience the “second death.”
“Then I saw a great white throne and one seated on it. Earth and heaven fled from his presence, and no place was found for them. I also saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life, and the dead were judged according to their works by what was written in the books. Then the sea gave up the dead that were in it, and Death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them; each one was judged according to their works. Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.” Revelation 20:11-15
What exactly is the second death then? We know from scripture that all people on earth are appointed to die and then face judgment.
“And just as it is appointed for people to die once -- and after this, judgment…” Hebrews 9:27
Mankind was created to exist in the garden having a relationship with Yahweh God. The tree of life was at the center of that garden, and the man and woman had free access to it at any time. However, in the garden was also the tree of knowledge of good and evil. God had instructed that of that tree the man and woman were not to eat. God had warned that if they did, they would immediately die. But, the serpent tempted them and they both ate of that tree, and were cast out of the garden and lost access to both God and the tree of life.
“The LORD God took the man and placed him in the garden of Eden to work it and watch over it. And the LORD God commanded the man, "You are free to eat from any tree of the garden, "but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for on the day you eat from it, you will certainly die." Genesis 2:15-17
When Adam and Eve disobeyed God and ate of the tree of knowledge, did they immediately die? No, the Bible tells us that they were cast out of the garden, and then lived long lives and had sons and daughters to populate the earth. So, did God lie about them dying immediately? Of course not! They did not die physically immediately, but they were now going to eventually die a physical death of their body. As we have already discussed above, every person is destined to die.
“For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead also comes through a man. For just as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive.”
I Corinthians 15:21-22
However, they did immediately die spiritually. That is, due to their sin, they were dead in their trespasses. Their body and soul was now corruptible and mortal. And, this condition was passed down to all of mankind through the generations …we were all born under God’s wrath as sinners, dead in our trespasses and sins.
“And you were dead in your trespasses and sins in which you previously lived according to the ways of this world, according to the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit now working in the disobedient. We too all previously lived among them in our fleshly desires, carrying out the inclinations of our flesh and thoughts, and we were by nature children under wrath as the others were also. But God, who is rich in mercy, because of his great love that he had for us, made us alive with Christ even though we were dead in trespasses. You are saved by grace!” Ephesians 2:1-5
There is a saying, “Born once - die twice. Born twice - die once.” If you are only born once, and not “born again” as Jesus instructed Nicodemus to be, then you will die twice. You will experience the “second death.” If you are born twice (born again), then you will only die once and avoid the “second death.”
“The one who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. ‘The one who overcomes will not be hurt by the second death.'” Revelation 2:11
The second death is the punishment for the unrighteous after the great white throne of judgment. Those whose names are not found in the Lamb’s book of life are thrown into the lake of fire. The second death results in torment and death, both of body and soul, and is just and eternal.
"Don't fear those who kill the body but are not able to kill the soul; rather, fear Him who is able to destroy (kill) both soul and body in hell.” Matthew 10:28
“Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire.” Revelation 20:14
“But for the cowardly, and unbelieving, and abominable, and murderers, and sexually immoral persons, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”
Revelation 21:8
“For some people, who were designated for this judgment long ago, have come in by stealth; they are ungodly, turning the grace of our God into sensuality and denying Jesus Christ, our only Master and Lord. ... These people are … trees in late autumn -- fruitless, twice dead and uprooted.” Jude 1:4, 12
I pray that your name is found written in the Lamb’s book of life, that you are included in the first resurrection unless the rapture occurs first, and that you are born twice and die only once and are not subject to the second death.
“For some people, who were designated for this judgment long ago, have come in by stealth; they are ungodly, turning the grace of our God into sensuality and denying Jesus Christ, our only Master and Lord. ... These people are … trees in late autumn -- fruitless, twice dead and uprooted.” Jude 1:4, 12
I pray that your name is found written in the Lamb’s book of life, that you are included in the first resurrection unless the rapture occurs first, and that you are born twice and die only once and are not subject to the second death.
