The First Resurrection

[Alive]

John 5:24 (MOUNCE-NT) I tell you the solemn truth, the one who hears my message and believes the one who sent me has eternal life and will not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.

John 5:25 (MOUNCE-NT) “I tell you the solemn truth, the hour is coming and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live.

Is it possible that what Christ is referring to here is what John references in Rev?

Rev. 20:4 (MOUNCE-NT) And I saw thrones, and seated on them were those who had been given the authority to judge. I also saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God. These had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. ⁵ (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were finished). This is the first resurrection.  ⁶ Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years.

[missmuffet]

The first resurrection takes place in stages:

1. Jesus Christ paved the way for all believers 1 Corinthians 15:20

2. Resurrection of Jerusalem saints which should be included in the first resurrection 

Matthew 27: 52-53

3. Still to come is the resurrection of the dead in Christ at the rapture of the Church 1 Thessalonians 4:16

4. The resurrection of the martyrs at the end of the tribulation Revelation 20:4

So yes, Revelation 20:4 is in reference to one of the first resurrections. 

Edited June 21, 2021 by missmuffet

[Marilyn C]

5 hours ago, Alive said:

John 5:24 (MOUNCE-NT) I tell you the solemn truth, the one who hears my message and believes the one who sent me has eternal life and will not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.

John 5:25 (MOUNCE-NT) “I tell you the solemn truth, the hour is coming and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live.

Is it possible that what Christ is referring to here is what John references in Rev?

Rev. 20:4 (MOUNCE-NT) And I saw thrones, and seated on them were those who had been given the authority to judge. I also saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God. These had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. ⁵ (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were finished). This is the first resurrection.  ⁶ Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years.

Hi Alive,

Yes I believe you are on the right track there. So let`s look a bit closer.

`Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the grave will hear His voice and come forth - those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.` (John 5: 28 & 29)

So there we read of two types of resurrections -

1. resurrection to life.

2. resurrection to condemnation. 

Also another point is `all who are in the graves.` As this judgment is the Great White Throne for `all those who are in the graves,` does NOT include -

1. The Body of Christ, (taken to Christ`s own throne)

2. The OT saints in the General assembly awaiting their inheritance. 

3. The Great Multitude who are also in the General assembly awaiting their inheritance.

4. The 144, 000 from every tribe in Israel.

5. The martyrs of the tribulation.

regards, Marilyn.  

[R. Hartono]

16 hours ago, Alive said:

John 5:24 (MOUNCE-NT) I tell you the solemn truth, the one who hears my message and believes the one who sent me has eternal life and will not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.

John 5:25 (MOUNCE-NT) “I tell you the solemn truth, the hour is coming and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live.

Is it possible that what Christ is referring to here is what John references in Rev?

Rev. 20:4 (MOUNCE-NT) And I saw thrones, and seated on them were those who had been given the authority to judge. I also saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God. These had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. ⁵ (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were finished). This is the first resurrection.  ⁶ Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years.

 

10 hours ago, Marilyn C said:

Hi Alive,

Yes I believe you are on the right track there. So let`s look a bit closer.

`Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the grave will hear His voice and come forth - those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.` (John 5: 28 & 29)

So there we read of two types of resurrections -

1. resurrection to life.

2. resurrection to condemnation. 

Also another point is `all who are in the graves.` As this judgment is the Great White Throne for `all those who are in the graves,` does NOT include -

1. The Body of Christ, (taken to Christ`s own throne)

2. The OT saints in the General assembly awaiting their inheritance. 

3. The Great Multitude who are also in the General assembly awaiting their inheritance.

4. The 144, 000 from every tribe in Israel.

5. The martyrs of the tribulation.

regards, Marilyn.  

Those who are in the graves are not the martyrs under the Altar.

[Selah7]

16 hours ago, Alive said:

John 5:24 (MOUNCE-NT) I tell you the solemn truth, the one who hears my message and believes the one who sent me has eternal life and will not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.

John 5:25 (MOUNCE-NT) “I tell you the solemn truth, the hour is coming and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live.

Is it possible that what Christ is referring to here is what John references in Rev?

Rev. 20:4 (MOUNCE-NT) And I saw thrones, and seated on them were those who had been given the authority to judge. I also saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God. These had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. ⁵ (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were finished). This is the first resurrection.  ⁶ Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years.

Yes, I believe so.

[Montana Marv]

18 hours ago, Alive said:

John 5:24 (MOUNCE-NT) I tell you the solemn truth, the one who hears my message and believes the one who sent me has eternal life and will not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.

John 5:25 (MOUNCE-NT) “I tell you the solemn truth, the hour is coming and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live.

And He took captives in his train.  He emptied Paradise or relocated it at His Ascension.

In Christ

Montana Marv

[WilliamL]

On 6/21/2021 at 11:38 AM, Alive said:

John 5:24 (MOUNCE-NT) I tell you the solemn truth, the one who hears my message and believes the one who sent me has eternal life and will not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.

John 5:25 (MOUNCE-NT) “I tell you the solemn truth, the hour is coming and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live.

Is it possible that what Christ is referring to here is what John references in Rev?

Rev. 20:4 ...

No, it is not possible. When Jesus died, "he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth..." Eph. 4:9

1 Peter 3:18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit, 19 by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison... 4:6 For this reason the gospel was preached also to those who are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.

This is precisely what Jesus was referring to when He said, "the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live." They did hear his voice, and those that believed --

Matt. 27:53 ...[came] out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many."

The Rev. 20:4 quote specifically refers to those "who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands." These things take place in the End Times. Whereas what Jesus prophesied in John 5:25 was specifically speaking of events for His day: "the hour is coming and is now here."

Edited June 23, 2021 by WilliamL

[Marathoner]

On 6/21/2021 at 11:38 AM, Alive said:

John 5:24 (MOUNCE-NT) I tell you the solemn truth, the one who hears my message and believes the one who sent me has eternal life and will not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.

John 5:25 (MOUNCE-NT) “I tell you the solemn truth, the hour is coming and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live.

Is it possible that what Christ is referring to here is what John references in Rev?

Rev. 20:4 (MOUNCE-NT) And I saw thrones, and seated on them were those who had been given the authority to judge. I also saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God. These had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. ⁵ (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were finished). This is the first resurrection.  ⁶ Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years.

A brief response.

Yes. To answer William's objection above and illustrate the NT contextual meaning of dead (more than one meaning applies), let us remember the words of the Lord from the ninth chapter of Luke's Gospel:

Then He said to another, “Follow Me.”

But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.”

Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God.”
(verses 59-60 NKJV)

Jesus Christ is the first resurrection. Therefore all who are crucified with Christ, buried with Him in death, and raised with Him in newness of life are raised up with Him, seated with Him in the heavenly places. The contextual meaning of dead is further revealed. 

But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:4-7 NKJV)

What did the Lord say regarding those who keep His word?

Then the Jews answered and said to Him, “Do we not say rightly that You are a Samaritan and have a demon?”

Jesus answered, “I do not have a demon; but I honor My Father, and you dishonor Me. And I do not seek My own glory; there is One who seeks and judges. Most assuredly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word he shall never see death.” (John 8:49-51 NKJV)

It's abundantly clear that those who are in Christ will never see death, for they have been raised up with Him in newness of life. It's also clear that there are different meanings associated with the dead and death in the NT, a fact that should not be overlooked nor dismissed out of hand.  

Edited July 11, 2021 by Marathoner
typo

[Uriah]

On 6/21/2021 at 1:38 PM, Alive said:

Is it possible that what Christ is referring to here is what John references in Rev?

Of course it is. Moreover, it refers to all who have died up to that point!

[Retrobyter]

On 6/21/2021 at 1:38 PM, Alive said:

John 5:24 (MOUNCE-NT) I tell you the solemn truth, the one who hears my message and believes the one who sent me has eternal life and will not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.

John 5:25 (MOUNCE-NT) “I tell you the solemn truth, the hour is coming and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live.

Is it possible that what Christ is referring to here is what John references in Rev?

Rev. 20:4 (MOUNCE-NT) And I saw thrones, and seated on them were those who had been given the authority to judge. I also saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God. These had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. ⁵ (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were finished). This is the first resurrection.  ⁶ Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years.

Shalom, Alive.

I always like to see the text within its context, and John 5 was an interesting context at that:

John 5:1-47 (KJV)

1 After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.

2 Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches. 3 In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water. 4 For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had. 5 And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him,

"Wilt thou be made whole? (Do you WANT to be made whole?)"

7 The impotent man answered him,

"Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me."

8 Jesus saith unto him,

"Rise, take up thy bed, and walk."

9 And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath (shabbat). 10 The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured,

"It is the sabbath day: it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed!" 

11 He answered them,

"He that made me whole, the same said unto me, 'Take up thy bed, and walk.'"

12 Then asked they him,

"What man is that which said unto thee, 'Take up thy bed, and walk'?"

13 And he that was healed wist not who it was: for Jesus had conveyed himself away, a multitude being in that place. 14 Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him,

"Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee."

15 The man departed, and told the Jews that it was Jesus, which had made him whole.

16 And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day. 17 But Jesus answered them,

"My Father worketh hitherto, and I work."

18 Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God!

19 Then answered Jesus and said unto them,

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise. 20 For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel. 21 For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will. 22 For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: 23 That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him. 24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, HE THAT HEARETH MY WORD, AND BELIEVETH ON HIM THAT SENT ME, HATH EVERLASTING LIFE, AND SHALL NOT COME INTO CONDEMNATION; but is passed from death unto life. 25 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. 26 For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; 27 And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. 28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, 29 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. 30 I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me. 

31 "If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true. 32 There is another that beareth witness of me; and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true. 33 Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth. 34 But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might be saved (rescued; delivered). 35 He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light. 36 But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me. 37 And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape. 38 And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not.

39 "Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. 40 And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life. 41 I receive not honour from men. 42 But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you. 43 I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive. 44 How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only? 45 Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust. 46 For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me (in the Torah). 47 But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?"

Remember what Yeshua` said about Eleazar ("Lazarus") after he "died?"

John 11:11-14 (KJV)

11 These things said he: and after that he saith unto them,

"OUR FRIEND LAZARUS SLEEPETH; BUT I GO, THAT I MAY AWAKE HIM OUT OF SLEEP."

12 Then said his disciples,

"Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well."

13 Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep. 14 Then said Jesus unto them plainly,

"Lazarus is dead."

Remember what He said about the daughter of Yairus?

Luke 8:40-56 (KJV)

40 And it came to pass, that, when Jesus was returned, the people gladly received him: for they were all waiting for him. 41 And, behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue: and he fell down at Jesus' feet, and besought him that he would come into his house: 42 For he had one only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she lay a dying. But as he went the people thronged him.

43 And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any, 44 Came behind him, and touched the border (the tsittsit, the tassel) of his garment (his talit, his prayer shawl): and immediately her issue of blood stanched (stopped). 45 And Jesus said,

"Who touched me?"

When all denied, Peter and they that were with him said,

"Master, the multitude throng thee and press thee, and sayest thou, 'Who touched me?'"

46 And Jesus said,

"Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue (Greek: dunamin = "power") is gone out of me."

47 And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before him, she declared unto him before all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately. 48 And he said unto her,

"Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace."

49 While he yet spake, there cometh one from the ruler of the synagogue's house, saying to him,

"Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Master."

50 But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying,

"Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole."

51 And when he came into the house, he suffered no man to go in, save Peter, and James, and John, and the father and the mother of the maiden. 52 And all wept, and bewailed her: but he said,

"WEEP NOT; SHE IS NOT DEAD, BUT SLEEPETH."

53 And they laughed him to scorn, knowing that she was dead. 54 And he put them all out, and took her by the hand, and called, saying,

"Maid, arise."

55 And her spirit came again, and she arose straightway: and he commanded to give her meat. 56 And her parents were astonished: but he charged them that they should tell no man what was done.

According to Paul in 1 Corinthians 15, there are only THREE Resurrections, the Resurrection of the Messiah Yeshua`, and the two General Resurrections, the Resurrection of the Just which happens when the Master returns, and the Resurrection of the Unjust which happens at the end of the first 1,000 years of His reign called the "Millennium."

1 Corinthians 15:20-28 (KJV)

20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. 21For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 BUT EVERY MAN IN HIS OWN ORDER: 

(1) Christ the firstfruits; (ONE Person!)
(2) afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. (MANY people, both of the children of Israel and those who are grafted into the Kingdom of Christ) 24
(3) Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. (ALL the rest of the people of earth!)

25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. 27 For he hath put all things under his feet. [But when he saith, "all things are put under him," it is manifest (obvious) that HE (YHWH God) is excepted, which did put all things under him (the Messiah).] 28 And when all things shall be subdued unto him (the Messiah, the Son of God), then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him (God) that put all things under him (the Messiah), that God may be all in all.

It's clear to one who reads the Scriptures carefully that a human being is NOT a three-part being. That which is called "the soul" (Hebrew: nefesh; Greek: psuchee) is an "air-breathing created being." Unless one can prove that there's some "immaterial part of the human being that breathes air," the living body IS a "soul."

To accept this as truth will reveal itself to be the IMPORTANCE of the LITERAL, BODILY RESURRECTION! The two Resurrections that are coming are two WAKE-UP CALLS! That's why those who are His are said to be "sleeping." Only those who hear His voice and are resurrected for the Great White Throne Judgment as the "UNJUST" are TRULY "DEAD," for they are the ones who are "dead already!"

Sorry this is so long, but I LOVE the accounts of the Master in the Scriptures!