When Will the Resurrection Take Place?

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Jesus spoke of performing the resurrection at the last day:

And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day.  (John 6:39 ESV)

For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”  (John 6:40 ESV)

No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.  (John 6:44 ESV)

Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.  (John 6:54 ESV)

Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.”  (John 11:24 ESV)

The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day.  (John 12:48 ESV)

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 5:28,29 ESV)

In each of these instances, Jesus spoke of those coming to him, receiving his words and believing in him as receiving a resurrection on the last day. In his first letter to the Thessalonians the apostle Paul spoke about the timing of the resurrection of Christians:

For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.
(1Thessalonians 4:15-17 NASB)

Clearly Paul understood that this resurrection would take place at Christ’s coming. The book of Revelation presents a picture of Christian martyrs that will be raised. They are to rule with Christ for 1,000 years. (Revelation 20:4)

After describing their unique privilege in verse 6, John describes the final defeat of Satan at the end of the 1,000 years. (Revelation 20:7-10)

He then describes a second resurrection of  “the rest of the dead” that will take place. (Revelation 20:11-15)

It would appear that while Jesus focused on the first resurrection of Christians, this is the general resurrection of the righteous and unrighteous at the last day spoken of by Paul.

The Watchtower society places this section of John’s vision as occurring at the beginning of the thousand years.

“God’s throne is “great,” emphasizing Jehovah’s grandeur as Sovereign Lord, and it is “white,” calling attention to his flawless righteousness. He is the ultimate Judge of mankind. [(Psalm 19:7-11; Isaiah 33:22; 51:5, 8)] He has, however, delegated the work of judging to Jesus Christ: “The Father judges no one at all, but he has committed all the judging to the Son.” [(John 5:22)] With Jesus are his 144,000 associates, to whom the “power of judging was given . . . for a thousand years.” [(Revelation 20:4)] Even so, it is Jehovah’s standards that decide what will happen to each individual during Judgment Day. (Revelation It’s Grand Climax at Hand! page. 296 paragraph 3)

John does not say how many thrones he saw in Revelation 20:4. But if, aside from God and Christ, the thrones are also for the Christian martyrs, it would mean that they also would be given authority to judge for the 1,000 years. It is not necessary to believe they are all literal martyrs since Paul in 1 Thessalonians spoke of those that had fallen asleep in death and those alive at the time of Christ’s coming caught away to meet the Lord. And that they expected not only to rule with Christ but also, as he said, to judge the world. [(1 Cor. 6:2; Matt. 19:28)] There is no reason to believe the number is limited to a literal 144,000.

Others view it as occurring at the end. Note how the NET Bible renders this section:

Then I saw a large white throne and the one who was seated on it; the earth and the heaven fled from his presence, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne. Then books were opened, and another book was opened – the book of life. So the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to their deeds. The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and Death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each one was judged according to his deeds.
(Revelation 20:11-13 NET)

The footnote to this verse reads: “Here και kai has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence within the narrative.”

Does this event take place before or after the destruction of Satan? Much depends on the interpretation of the conjunction “and” [Greek και] at the beginning of this section.

Regarding this Daniel Wallace writes:

“Conjunctions are important in exegesis because they relate the thoughts of a passage to one another. A key to determining their use is identifying the two sets of ideas that the conjunction links together. One must determine the controlling idea the conjunction modifies, that is, the element in the sentence or larger literary unit to which the conjunction is to be connected. Often more than one possible connection exists. When this situation occurs, context and authorial expression are two key ways to determine the most likely connection.” (Daniel B. Wallace Greek Grammar Beyond the Basics page. 668)

So, let’s consider Revelation 20:11. Is this to be viewed as the next vision that John sees with no reference to time or is this the next event in a series of chronological events? What does the context show? 

In Revelation chapters 19 and 20 John uses the expression “and I saw” [Greek και ειδον] 7 times at the beginning of a section. [(Rev. 19:11,17,19,21; 20:1,4,11,12)]

13TH VISION

1. I saw heaven opened, and look! a white horse. And the one seated on it is called Faithful and True, and he judges and carries on war in righteousness. (Revelation 19:11)
   
2. I saw also an angel standing in the sun, and he cried out with a loud voice and said to all the birds that fly in midheaven: “Come here, be gathered together to the great evening meal of God, (Revelation 19:17)
   
3. And I saw the wild beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to wage war against the one seated on the horse and against his army. (Revelation 19:19)
   
4. But the rest were killed off with the long sword that proceeded out of the mouth of the one seated on the horse. And all the birds were filled with their flesh. (Revelation 19:21)
   14TH VISION
5. And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven with the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand. (Revelation 20:1)
   
6. And I saw thrones, and those who sat on them were given authority to judge. Yes, I saw the souls of those executed for the witness they gave about Jesus and for speaking about God, and those who had not worshipped the wild beast or its image and had not received the mark on their forehead and on their hand. And they came to life and ruled as kings with the Christ for 1,000 years. (Revelation 20:4)
   15TH VISION
7. And I saw a great white throne and the One seated on it. From before him the earth and the heaven fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and scrolls were opened. But another scroll was opened; it is the scroll of life. The dead were judged out of those things written in the scrolls according to their deeds. (Revelation 20:11, 12)

In all 5 instances prior to Revelation 20:11 (the great white throne judgment), the Watchtower society interprets these events as following in chronological order. In fact, according to them, the events occurring in Revelation 19:11-21 (1,2,3 and 4 the Armageddon battle) are all considered to be in the 13^th vision that John sees. The 14^th vision Revelation 20:1-10 (5,6 and 7 the abyssing of Satan) is said to occur after the destruction of Babylon the Great. [(Revelation book pg. 287 box)]

Certainly the abyssing of Satan (5) cannot be understood as occurring before Armageddon. (1,2,3,4) Hence visions 13 and 14 are understood by the Watchtower society as occurring in chronological order. [(Revelation book pg. 99)]

A careful reading of these chapters would seem to validate that assessment. That being the case, what justification is there for understanding what John next sees in his 15^th vision Revelation 20:11-21:8 (7 the great white throne judgment) which opens with the same expression “and I saw”, as not following chronologically after his 14th vision (6 the 1,000 years)? The only reason for reaching such a conclusion would be an assumption that all judging must take place during the thousand years. But rather than assume why not just let the Bible speak?

16TH VISION

And I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the former heaven and the former earth had passed away, and the sea is no more. I also saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God and prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. With that I heard a loud voice from the throne say: “Look! The tent of God is with mankind, and he will reside with them, and they will be his people. And God himself will be with them. And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.” And the One seated on the throne said: “Look! I am making all things new.” Also he says: “Write, for these words are faithful and true.” And he said to me: “They have come to pass! I am the Alʹpha and the O·meʹga, the beginning and the end. To anyone thirsting I will give from the spring of the water of life free. Anyone conquering will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be my son. But as for the cowards and those without faith and those who are disgusting in their filth and murderers and the sexually immoral and those practicing spiritism and idolaters and all the liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. This means the second death.” (Revelation 21:1-8)

There are, I believe, a number of strong indications that John’s 16th vision which also begins with the words “and I saw” presented in Revelation chapter 21:1-8 also follow chronologically after the events of chapter 20.

At the conclusion of the great white throne judgment, death and hades are cast into the lake of fire. This points to the conclusion of Christ’s millennial reign as stated by Paul in 1 Corinthians chapter 15:

Next, the end, when he hands over the Kingdom to his God and Father, when he has brought to nothing all government and all authority and power. For he must rule as king until God has put all enemies under his feet. And the last enemy, death, is to be brought to nothing. (1 Corinthians 15:24-26)

Then chapter 21 begins with a declaration of there being a new heavens and a new earth; for the former heaven and former earth had passed away. This logically follows after the statement in Revelation 20:11 which says: “from before him the earth and the heaven fled away indicating the change in rulership as Jesus hands over the kingdom to his God and father. If this is correct, that would mean that the one seated on the great white throne is the Father as he assumes control of the kingdom. That being the case it would be incorrect to assume that all judging must take place during the thousand years, for at the end the father has the final say.

But does this mean that the general resurrection takes place at this time?

It does not seem unreasonable to conclude that the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne are not literally dead, being resurrected for the first time, for how could dead persons stand? But they are those dead in God’s eyes, that have benefited from the 1,000 year kingdom of Christ awaiting his final pronouncement of being worthy of everlasting life.

The statement: ” the sea gave up those dead in it and Death and Hades gave up those dead in them” could be a reference back to those resurrected by Christ at the last day, meaning during the thousand years.

In a final vision one of the seven angels takes John away and shows him the holy city New Jerusalem coming down from God out of heaven. [(Rev. 21:9-22:5)]

This section, unlike the others, does not begin with και ειδον “and I saw” so does not appear to follow in chronological sequence but John is now being presented with a more detailed description of the messianic kingdom. Although this detail is mentioned in Revelation 3:12, this is the first time John actually speaks of witnessing it’s occurring.  Prior to this Jerusalem is spoken of as a heavenly city. [(Gal 4:26; Heb. 12:22)] Although there is prior mention of a beloved city on earth that comes under attack by Gog of Magog, it does not say this is New Jerusalem.  It seems that this city contains the earthly representatives of Jerusalem above and come under attack similar to what is mentioned in Revelation chapter 11:

But as for the courtyard that is outside the temple sanctuary, leave it out and do not measure it, because it has been given to the nations, and they will trample the holy city underfoot for 42 months. (Revelation 11:2)

John hears a loud voice that says the tent of God is with mankind, and that he will reside with them. Revelation 21:7 contains the promise to anyone conquering “I shall be his God and he will be my son.” According to Vincent’s Word Studies this is the only place in John’s writings where υἱός son is used of the relation of man to God. This is reminiscent of the statement in Romans chapter 8 where in the final result the creation enjoys the freedom of the children of God:

For the creation is waiting with eager expectation for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not by its own will, but through the one who subjected it, on the basis of hope that the creation itself will also be set free from enslavement to corruption and have the glorious freedom of the children of God. (Romans 8:19-21)

All of this indicates that earth’s affairs are now in the hands of the Father. The reign of the Messiah having been completed successfully, God is now all things to everyone. [(1 Cor. 15:28)]

The words spoken in Revelation 20:12,13 that the dead are judged according to their deeds are similar to Daniel 12:2  

“Now at that time Michael, the great prince who stands guard over the sons of your people, will arise. And there will be a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time; and at that time your people, everyone who is found written in the book, will be rescued. “Many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt.

(Daniel 12:1-2 NASB)

The context of Daniel seems to indicate that his prophecy would be fulfilled in the first century. Those of Daniel’s people whose names are found written in the book is similar to the prophecy in Malachi 3:16:

At that time those who fear Jehovah spoke with one another, each one with his companion, and Jehovah kept paying attention and listening. And a book of remembrance was written before him for those fearing Jehovah and for those meditating on his name. (Malachi 3:16)

The resurrection mentioned by Daniel could be either a reference to the many resurrections performed by Jesus or the tombs opening as a result of the earthquake at the time of his death. [(Matt. 27:52,53)] Or perhaps could have reference to a spiritual resurrection as many Jews accepted Christ, thus passing from death to life. [(John 5:24; Eph. 2:4-6)] Not all that accepted Christ, however, continued faithful. Some forsook Christianity and became apostates. [(Phil. 3:18,19; 1 Tim. 1:20; 2 Tim. 2:17,18; Acts 20:29,30; 2 Pet. 2:1-22)] Thus resulting in their disgrace and everlasting contempt. This could explain why Jesus said the hour is coming, and it is now. The difficulty with this of course is how to understand Daniel’s specific mention of those asleep in the dust of the ground. It is a difficult passage and not all scholars agree on how it is to be interpreted. If the tribulation mentioned in Daniel 12:1 is the same as that mentioned in Revelation chapter 7, then it is possible to see that as a referring to the first resurrection. Then what he mentioned in Daniel 12:2 could be referring to the resurrection that occurs at the end when the dead stand before the great white throne.

Jesus words in John however, also point forward to a future resurrection and a future judgment.

“Do not marvel at this; for an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs will hear His voice, and will come forth; those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment.  (John 5:28,29 NASB)

I tell you that men will render an account on Judgment Day for every unprofitable saying that they speak; (Matthew 12:36)

In summary: When Christ returns he will first resurrect those belonging to him. Christians alive at that time will be caught away in clouds to meet the Lord in the air as Paul says. (John 6:40; 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17)

They will reign with him for the thousand years, whether literally or symbolically. (Revelation 20:4)

During the thousand years there will be a resurrection of the righteous and the unrighteous. (Acts 24:15; John 5:28,29)

There is no reason to believe that righteous servants of God in the past will not get life immediately upon learning about the Christ at the time of their resurrection, similar to what occurred with the Ethiopian Eunuch. (Acts 8:34-38) However, the unrighteous will enter a period of judgment. Their fate to be determined later. It may be that some of these will come to life before the full thousand years has ended. At the end, the rest of the dead will appear before God at the great white throne. (1 Corinthians 15:24; Revelation 20:11,12)

But what does it mean to receive a resurrection either to life or judgment? Will persons be raised solely for the purpose of reviewing their past sins and then condemning them to everlasting destruction? These questions will be addressed in the next article.