Scripture shows what the second resurrection is. When it will happen. Who will be in it. What will happen to them.
CLICK HERE To see my post on the FIRST Resurrection
The Second Resurrection is described most clearly in Revelation 20 and is connected with the judgment of the vast majority of humanity who were never part of the First Resurrection.
1. When Will the Second Resurrection Occur?
After Yeshua and the saints have ruled on earth for 1,000 years.
"But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished."
— Revelation 20:5
The "rest of the dead" refers to all those not included in the First Resurrection.
Timeline
- Yeshua returns.
- First Resurrection of the saints.
- Saints reign with Yeshua 1,000 years.
- Second Resurrection of the rest of mankind.
- Period of judgment.
- Final rebellion and Third Resurrection to condemnation.
- New Heavens and New Earth.
2. Who Will Be in the Second Resurrection?
The vast majority of all people who have ever lived.
Those who never truly knew Yahweh
Yeshua spoke of entire cities being raised again:
"It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you."
"It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment than for thee."
— Matthew 11:21-24
If Sodom and Tyre are judged in the future, they must first be resurrected.
The House of Israel
Ezekiel's vision of the dry bones describes a resurrection to physical life:
"Behold, O my people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves."
— Ezekiel 37:12
These people are restored physically:
"I will put breath in you, and you shall live."
— Ezekiel 37:14
This is not the First Resurrection because they are restored as flesh-and-blood humans.
3. What Kind of Resurrection Is It?
A resurrection back to physical life, not immortal spirit life.
Evidence:
Ezekiel 37
The bones receive:
- Sinews
- Flesh
- Skin
- Breath
These are physical bodies.
Isaiah 65
Describes people living normal lives:
"For the child shall die an hundred years old..."
— Isaiah 65:20
This passage describes a future period where people live long lives but are still mortal.
Many understand this to describe the judgment period following the Second Resurrection.
4. What Happens To Them?
The Books Are Opened
"And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened..."
— Revelation 20:12
The Greek word for "books" is biblia—the Scriptures.
For the first time many will understand Yahweh's truth.
They Are Judged
The biblical meaning of judgment is not necessarily immediate sentencing.
For believers today:
"For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God."
— 1 Peter 4:17
Christians are being judged now over a lifetime.
Likewise, those in the Second Resurrection enter a period of judgment.
Opportunity for Salvation
Yahweh desires all people to be saved:
"Who will have all men to be saved."
— 1 Timothy 2:4
"The Lord is... not willing that any should perish."
— 2 Peter 3:9
Most of humanity never had a genuine opportunity to know Yahweh's truth in this age.
The Second Resurrection will provide that opportunity.
5. How Long Is This Judgment Period?
Isaiah appears to indicate a period of 100 years:
"For the child shall die an hundred years old; but the sinner being an hundred years old shall be accursed."
— Isaiah 65:20
Many understand this to mean those raised in the Second Resurrection will have a century to learn Yahweh's ways and choose obedience.
6. What Happens After Their Judgment?
Those who accept Yahweh and follow Yeshua receive eternal life.
Those who knowingly reject Yahweh after understanding the truth face the second death.
"Death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death."
— Revelation 20:14
"The wages of sin is death."
— Romans 6:23
Summary of the Second Resurrection
Question | Answer |
When? | After the 1,000-year reign of Yeshua (Rev. 20:5) |
Who? | The rest of the dead who were not in the First Resurrection |
Body Type? | Physical flesh-and-blood bodies (Ezek. 37) |
Purpose? | A period of judgment and learning Yahweh's truth |
How Long? | Commonly understood as 100 years (Isa. 65:20) |
Outcome for the Faithful? | Eternal life |
Outcome for the Rebellious? | The second death in the lake of fire |
Key Passage
"And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened... and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books."
— Revelation 20:12
The Second Resurrection is not primarily a resurrection to immediate punishment, but a resurrection in which billions who never truly knew Yahweh are brought back to physical life, taught His ways, judged over a period of time, and given the opportunity to receive eternal life through Yeshua.
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