Revelation 20:3-6

This section of Scripture has been at the center of much debate and question pretty much since it was handed down to the church by John. But regardless of the debate around it — and around Revelation in general — I believe Revelation can be understood in the context of the rest of Scripture.¶

I don't believe this book was given to us merely to say, "well, we'll never really know what it means," or "it's not that important." We may see dimly now, as in a mirror, and not with perfect lenses, but we do have the Holy Spirit living in us — and the Holy Spirit Himself inspired every word in the Bible, so we can trust that He will guide us into all truth and increase our knowledge.¶

Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you... If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!

Matthew 7:7-11 (ESV)¶

If we truly seek to know and understand — and not just impose what we want it to say or not say — I believe God is faithful to help us. So let's move forward, trying to answer some of the questions this Scripture makes us ask:¶

• Who are the ones who have been given authority to judge?
• How many resurrections are there?
• Who is in the millennial reign of Christ?
• ¶

Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. Also, I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who 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.

Revelation 20:4 (ESV)¶

Who sits on the thrones with authority to judge?¶

Who are they that are on the thrones with authority to judge?¶

• Maybe these are the 24 elders that we learned about earlier.
• Some have argued that these may be the disciples — but I don't see any suggestion in Scripture to say it is the disciples.
• Let's look at the verse itself: those who are seated on the thrones have the authority to judge. So this gives us something to look for in Scripture to figure out who these are.
• ¶

Does Scripture tell us?¶

When one of you has a grievance against another, does he dare go to law before the unrighteous instead of the saints? Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases? Do you not know that we are to judge angels?

1 Corinthians 6:1-4 (ESV)¶

if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us;

2 Timothy 2:12 (ESV)¶

The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.

Revelation 3:21 (ESV)¶

So Scripture paints a picture of who will be reigning with Christ — with authority to judge angels and the world. And those who died for Christ during this tribulation period are also resurrected to life, to rule with the rest of us in the millennial kingdom.¶

Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves had been.

Revelation 6:11 (ESV)¶

The number is complete. So who reigns with Christ in the millennium? Those who believe in Jesus. Those who died for his name. Those who did not bow down to this world. Those who ran the race so as to win the prize. The church, as promised by Christ, is to reign with Christ.¶

The first resurrection¶

The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is the one who shares 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.

Revelation 20:5-6 (ESV)¶

Who are the rest of the dead, and what does the first resurrection mean? Let's ask the logical question in the progression of this thought: who's left to be resurrected? Those who do not believe. They are waiting for another resurrection.¶

This verse is the reason many believe that the rapture doesn't happen until after the tribulation. The thought is that if this is the first resurrection, then no Christian has been resurrected yet until this point — otherwise there would be multiple resurrections.¶

Okay, let's follow that logic. Is it true that this resurrection in Revelation 20 is the "first resurrection" in the sense that there have not been any until this point? There have been 10 people resurrected recorded in Scripture — most notably Jesus himself. And there is the resurrection of those who were believers and had died before the tribulation, and those who were still alive before the tribulation period. And then there are these two: the resurrection of those martyred during the tribulation, and finally a resurrection of those dead in their sin.¶

So the "first resurrection" isn't specifically "first" as in chronological or numerical. This "first" is a type or position of resurrection. All those who believe in Christ — who obey him, who love him — are a part of the first resurrection.¶

For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. And he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man. Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.

John 5:26-29 (ESV)¶

So there are two types of resurrection: the first resurrection is to life; the second is to judgment.¶

Blessed — the second death has no power¶

The one who shares! Those who believe in Jesus are the ones who get a share — who are a part, who join in. That is what "share" means. Blessed, because the second death has no power over us.¶

Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil,

Hebrews 2:14 (ESV)¶

I shall ransom them from the power of Sheol; I shall redeem them from Death. O Death, where are your plagues? O Sheol, where is your sting?

Hosea 13:14 (ESV)¶

There is a first and second death.¶

And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment,

Hebrews 9:27 (ESV)¶

Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire.

Revelation 20:14 (ESV)¶

For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his... We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him.

Romans 6:5-10 (ESV)¶

And the rest of the dead? Those who will rise in the second resurrection, which is to judgment — and then ultimately to the second death. Who will reign with Christ for a thousand years? Those who share in the first resurrection: those who believe in the One who has taken the second death on himself so that we could be saved from it. His priests will reign with him.¶

John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come... and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Revelation 1:4-7 (ESV)¶