The rest of the dead did not come back to life until the thousand years were complete. This is the first resurrection.The rest of the dead didn’t live until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.The rest of the dead lived not until the thousand years should be finished. This is the first resurrection.
6 sermons cite this verse
… second coming at the beginning of the millennium. And then he adds this word in verse five, the rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were completed. Who is that? That's the unsaved dead. Again, we'll look at that next week. They are raised for judgment, But then he says, this is the first resurrection. Everything he has just described in verse four, and he adds this word, blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection. Over the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years. Here, John introduces an important concept to understand in the Bible. There are two resurrections. The first resurrection is the resurrection of saved people, and they are raised to experience God's blessing for eternity. But the second resurrection is a resurrection of the unsaved. They are raised from the dead to experience God's torment forever and ever. And that's why John says blessed, happy is the person who's a part of the first resurrection. Let's in closing look at this first resurrection for just a moment. Who does it encompass and how does it work? Paul explains it in 1 Corinthians 15 verses 20 to 24. He says, but now Christ has been raised from the dead and the first fruits of those who are asleep. For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive, but each …
… That's exactly what it says. The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were completed. The first resurrection, however, is different. The first resurrection, verse 6, is for the blessed and holy ones. They're in the first resurrection. Over these, the second death, the second death is that eternal death, has no power. They will be priests of God and Christ and reign with Him during His thousand-year kingdom. So all the saints are raised to go into the kingdom, but when the kingdom is over, the rest of the dead are brought to life. Go down to verse 11. Here is the picture of that judgment. I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose presence earth and heaven fled away and no place was found for them. I saw the dead, the great, and the small, significant and insignificant, standing before the throne, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the book of life. …
12. Meantime “the meek shall inherit the earth.” Such is the foolishness of worldly wisdom! The wise of the world had warned them again and again, — that if they did not resent such treatment, if they would tamely suffer themselves to be thus abused, there would be no living for them upon earth; that they would never be able to procure the common necessaries of life, nor to keep even what they had; that they could expect no peace, no quiet possession, no enjoyment of anything. Most true, — suppose there were no God in the world; or, suppose he did not concern himself with the children of men: But, “when God ariseth to judgment, and to help all the meek upon earth,” how doth he laugh all this heathen wisdom to scorn, and turn the “fierceness of man to his praise!” He takes a peculiar care to provide them with all things needful for life and godliness; he secures to them the provision he hath made, in spite of the force, fraud, or malice of men; and what he secures he gives them richly to enjoy. It is sweet to them, be it little or much. As in patience they possess their souls, so they truly possess whatever God hath given them. They are always content, always pleased with what they have: It pleases them because it pleases God: So that while their heart, their desire, their joy is in heaven, they may truly be said to “inherit the earth.” 13. But there seems to be a yet farther meaning in these words, even that they shall have a more eminent part in “the new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness;” in that inheritance, a general description of which (and the particulars we shall know hereafter) St. John has given in the twentieth chapter of the Revelation: “And I saw an angel come down from heaven, — and he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, — and bound him a thousand years. — And I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and of them 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. But the rest of the dead lived not again, until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 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.” [Rev. 20:6] …
resurrection and we're going to enter into the millennium and reign with Jesus a thousand years. The rest of the dead won't be raised until the millennium is over, a thousand years from the time Jesus comes at the rapture. Now let's talk thirdly about the when. The when. W-H-E-N. It is a sudden moment. A sudden moment that is both close and certain. Now you say pastor you say it is close. How do you know it's close? It may be a hundred years from now. It doesn't make any difference. It's still close. We are living on the edge of eternity. When I say it is close I'm saying what the Bible is saying. The time is near. Even the Apostle John before he left this earth said, little children, it is the last hour. Christians always are living on the edge of eternity. The time is always near. The Apostle Paul in this passage of Scripture said, then we which remain in our life. Paul was expecting Christ in his lifetime. Was he wrong? No, he was absolutely right. Nobody can set the date, but we know the date is coming in the twinkling of an eye. Put these Scriptures down. Matthew 24 verse 36, but of that day and hour knoweth no man, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. Now if any Bible teacher comes along and sets a date, you have a right to say he's a heretic. If one of them guesses the right date, if I …
… There's a first and second resurrection. This is the first resurrection, and it is for the saved. And an ancillary note, our scripture would be Revelation 20. Put it down. Verses 5 and 6. The apostle John said, But the rest of the dead live not again until the thousand years were finished. That is, until after the millennium. This is the first resurrection. 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. We're going up in the first resurrection and we're going to enter into the millennium and reign with Jesus a thousand years. The rest of the dead won't be raised until the millennium is over. A thousand years from the time Jesus comes at the rapture. Blessed and holy is he that hath part on the first resurrection. If you're in the first resurrection you'll not face the second death. …
You say, Pastor, do you really believe that Jesus is going to rule and reign here upon this earth? Yes. Yes. Now think about it. How many times have you prayed,