First Resurrection, Second Death

2021-09-28

And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. (Daniel 12:2)

In the Old Testament, the prophet Daniel made a distinction between two groups in an end times resurrection. Later, we learn that these groups are resurrected at two different times, about one thousand years apart:

And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: 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. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. (Revelation 20:4-5)

Those who had trusted in Jesus Christ were brought up first.

And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:13-15)

Those who had rejected Christ were brought up after the thousand years, only to be condemned to the lake of fire. This second resurrection is actually the beginning of a second death.

This is a sobering thing and a terrible horror that waits in the future. Some scoff at this and some avoid the thought of the coming terror. But it is a coming reality for every person. It truly makes a difference on how you respond to Jesus the Nazarene.

The way to be saved from the second death is to trust in Jesus Christ. Our sin and rebellion against God are an affront to the perfect Creator, and His wrath against us is fierce. His holiness and perfection demand justice against us. Yet His love for us demands a pardon. Amnesty and forgiveness are found in His Son Jesus Christ.

The blameless Son of God was sent from heaven and became a human being. He lived that perfect life on earth that we never could. However, being rejected by the religious and political authorities of the day, they condemned Him to the torture and death of a cross. However, this was not all that happened on that cross. Jesus “bare our sins in his own body on the tree” (1 Peter 2:24). He received the wrath of the Father that we rightfully deserved. However, He rose again the third day and “shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs” (Acts 1:3), many of which we discussed in previous posts. We cannot afford to ignore the claims of His resurrection. If you trust in Christ and His receiving of the Father’s wrath on our behalf, you have eternal life. You will be a part of the first glorious resurrection.

I have devoted years to writing about Jesus because this issue is so important. I have two items that explain these things in more detail. The first is short and can be read here. The second is a short book, and it can be downloaded here. As always, reach out if you have questions. I may not have all the answers, but I hope to encourage you if I can.