What Is the First Resurrection?

This article summarizes the perspective presented in Into the Winepress: A Concise Companion to the Book of Revelation by Michael R. Abram. The book approaches Revelation through the victory of the Lamb, the fall of Jerusalem, the reign of Christ, and the ongoing mission of the Church.

The first resurrection is one of the most debated phrases in the Book of Revelation.

Many readers assume it refers to a future bodily resurrection that occurs before a thousand-year kingdom. Yet Revelation itself invites another possibility.

John sees those who share in the first resurrection reigning with Christ. He declares that over these the second death has no authority.

The question is not merely when this resurrection occurs.

The question is what kind of resurrection John has in mind.

Jesus spoke of a resurrection that begins before the final resurrection of the body.

"Truly, truly, I say to you, an 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." (John 5:25)

A few verses later, Jesus speaks of another resurrection.

"An hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out..." (John 5:28-29)

The first resurrection is often understood as participation in this present life of Christ. Those who hear His voice are raised from spiritual death into spiritual life. They become participants in His kingdom and reign.

This understanding fits the broader teaching of the New Testament.

Believers have been raised with Christ.

Believers are seated with Christ in the heavenly places.

Believers have already passed from death to life.

The first resurrection therefore describes the present reality of those united to Christ.

The second resurrection is the resurrection of all flesh. The righteous are raised unto life. The wicked are raised unto judgment.

Revelation 20 reaches this great horizon. The dead stand before God. Death and Hades are judged. The second death appears.

Yet John's vision of the first resurrection points believers to a present reality.

Christ reigns now.

His people share in that reign now.

The life of the age to come has already broken into the present age through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The first resurrection is not merely something believers await.

It is something believers already participate in through union with the risen Christ.

Further Reading