Revelation 20:5
But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
REVELATION 20:5
This verse sits within John’s climactic revelation about the end times and the final judgment. Verse 5 refers to “the rest of the dead” who did not experience the first resurrection. The broader passage contrasts two resurrections: the first resurrection granted to those who are blessed and holy (v.6) and the general resurrection that occurs later. In the ancient world, “the dead” were viewed as a shadowy, Dream-like state, and Jewish apocalyptic writers spoke of blessedness tied to fidelity to God. The phrase “this is the first resurrection” functions not as a precise timeline but as a theological declaration: there is a distinct, blessed order in God’s plans for the righteous. The “thousand years” (the millennium) has been interpreted in multiple ways across Christian history (premillennial, postmillennial, amillennial). Here, the emphasis is not a precise calendar but that a definite, divine sequence is at work, culminating in blessed assurance for those who belong to Christ. The immediate historical setting is persecuted communities facing oppression; the promise that God’s justice will be enacted, even if unseen now, would have offered hope.
This verse underlines two key theological themes: resurrection and judgment within God’s orderly plan. The “first resurrection” signals a special, favorable outcome for the faithful—freedom from a final, ultimate death and participation in God’s reign. It also implies a progressive fulfillment in which life with God is assured before the rest of humanity experiences its own resurrection and judgment. The scapegoat of the older eschatological expectations—the enemies of God—are kept in a separate, future outworking. Theological significance rests in the guarantee that history is not accidental; God has a chronological plan, culminating in vindication for the faithful and the righteous result of Christ’s lordship. It also emphasizes communal identity: those who belong to Christ share in the first resurrection, linked to priestly participation and reign.
For today, this verse invites believers to live with confident hope rather than fear. It reminds us that God’s justice isn’t rushed but will be complete in God’s timing. Practically, “the first resurrection” theme can shape how we respond to suffering: we endure now with faith, knowing God’s promises hold true. It also encourages a distinctive life as people set apart for God—holy, blessed, bearing witness to the gospel even when it’s costly. In daily life, this can translate into choosing integrity at work, showing mercy to neighbors, and investing in eternal values rather than temporary comforts. The verse also invites humility: we rest in God’s timing, not our own schemes for salvation or vindication. In community, it can foster hope-filled prayers for justice, while living as faithful witnesses who reflect the values of the kingdom now.
Cross-References: Revelation 20:6; Revelation 1:5-6; 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17; Daniel 12:2; John 5:28-29