Scripture tells us of the 3rd resurrection. What it is, who will be in it, when it will happen and what will happen to those in it.
This study is so important I have added a more detailed version suitable for use in your home Sabbath gathering at the end of this version.
The third resurrection is not stated by that exact term in Scripture, but those who understand the Bible teaching of three resurrections identify it as the resurrection of those who have knowingly and permanently rejected Yahweh after full understanding.
Click Here for my post on the First Resurrection
Click Here for my post on the Second Resurrection
1. The First Resurrection
The first resurrection occurs at the return of Yeshua.
"Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection..." (Revelation 20:6)
Those in this resurrection become immortal and reign with Yeshua for 1,000 years.
2. The Second Resurrection
After the 1,000-year reign:
"But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished." (Revelation 20:5)
This is commonly understood as the resurrection of the vast majority of humanity who never truly knew Yahweh.
Ezekiel's vision of the dry bones (Ezekiel 37:1-14) shows people restored to physical life, not immortal spirit life. They are taught Yahweh's ways and given an opportunity to know Him.
Isaiah 65:20 is often cited as indicating a period of judgment and learning:
"For the child shall die an hundred years old..."
This as a future period in which resurrected people have time to learn and choose obedience.
3. The Third Resurrection
After the period of judgment comes the fate of those who knowingly reject Yahweh.
Who Will Be In It?
Those who:
- Received understanding of Yahweh's truth.
- Deliberately rejected it.
- Refused repentance.
- Remained rebellious after judgment.
Scripture describes them as:
"It had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness..." (2 Peter 2:21)
"For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth..." (Hebrews 10:26-27)
These are not people who were merely deceived or ignorant. They knowingly reject Yahweh.
When Does It Happen?
After:
- Yeshua returns.
- The saints reign 1,000 years.
- The rest of humanity is resurrected and judged.
- Final judgment occurs.
Revelation 20 describes the sequence:
"And I saw a great white throne..." (Revelation 20:11)
Then:
"Death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death." (Revelation 20:14)
The resurrection leading to this final judgment is commonly called the third resurrection.
What Happens To Them?
They are cast into the Lake of Fire and experience the second death.
"Whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire." (Revelation 20:15)
The second death is permanent.
They Do Not Live Forever In Torment
Scripture repeatedly describes the fate of the wicked as destruction:
"The wages of sin is death." (Romans 6:23)
"The soul that sinneth, it shall die." (Ezekiel 18:4)
"They shall be ashes under the soles of your feet." (Malachi 4:1-3)
"Fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in Gehenna." (Matthew 10:28)
The Lake of Fire ultimately destroys the wicked.
Death Itself Is Destroyed
After the final judgment:
"And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire." (Revelation 20:14)
No more death remains.
Summary of the Three Resurrections
Resurrection | When | Who | Outcome |
First Resurrection | At Yeshua's return | Faithful saints | Immortal spirit life; reign with Yeshua 1,000 years |
Second Resurrection | After the 1,000 years | The rest of humanity who never truly knew Yahweh | Restored to physical life and judged |
Third Resurrection | After final judgment | Those who knowingly reject Yahweh after receiving understanding | Cast into the Lake of Fire; second death; permanent destruction |
Key Scriptures
- Revelation 20:4-15
- Ezekiel 37:1-14
- Isaiah 65:20
- Daniel 12:2
- Hebrews 10:26-29
- 2 Peter 2:20-21
- Malachi 4:1-3
- Matthew 10:28
- Romans 6:23
The third resurrection is not a resurrection to eternal life, but a resurrection to final judgment and the second death for those who permanently refuse Yahweh's way after being given full opportunity to choose it. Our loving merciful Creator will not let those who reject His way suffer. They will cease to exist. Like they were never born.
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The Third Resurrection: Yahweh's Final Judgment and the Second Death
Most Christians have heard about the resurrection of the saints at Yeshua's return. Some are also familiar with the Great White Throne Judgment described in Revelation 20. But few have ever examined what the Bible refer to as the Third Resurrection—the final resurrection associated with Yahweh's ultimate judgment upon those who knowingly reject His way.
What is the Third Resurrection? Who will be in it? When does it occur? And what is the fate of those who take part in it?
Let's examine the Scriptures.
The Biblical Sequence of Resurrections
The Bible reveals a progression of events:
The First Resurrection
At the return of Yeshua, the faithful saints are raised to immortal life.
"Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection..." (Revelation 20:6)
These saints reign with Yeshua for 1,000 years.
The Second Resurrection
After the Millennium, the rest of humanity is brought back to life.
"But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished." (Revelation 20:5)
This resurrection is associated with the Great White Throne Judgment and the opportunity for those who never truly understood Yahweh's truth to learn His ways and choose life.
The Third Resurrection
Following this period of judgment comes the final fate of those who knowingly and deliberately reject Yahweh's offer of salvation.
Who Will Be in the Third Resurrection?
The Third Resurrection is not for people who lived in ignorance or were deceived. It concerns those who received understanding of Yahweh's truth and knowingly refused to follow it.
Peter wrote:
"For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them." (2 Peter 2:21)
Likewise:
"For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins." (Hebrews 10:26)
These passages describe individuals who knowingly reject Yahweh after receiving understanding.
When Does the Third Resurrection Occur?
The sequence found in Revelation 20 is:
- Yeshua returns.
- The saints are raised in the First Resurrection.
- The saints reign with Yeshua for 1,000 years.
- The rest of humanity is resurrected and judged.
- The Great White Throne Judgment concludes.
- Final judgment is executed upon the unrepentant.
Revelation states:
"And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it..." (Revelation 20:11)
Then:
"And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death." (Revelation 20:14)
This final judgment is the Third Resurrection.
What Happens to Those in the Third Resurrection?
Scripture consistently teaches that the unrepentant wicked receive the second death.
"And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire." (Revelation 20:15)
The Bible does not describe this as eternal conscious torment. Instead, it describes complete destruction.
"For the wages of sin is death." (Romans 6:23)
"The soul that sinneth, it shall die." (Ezekiel 18:4)
"For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven... and ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet." (Malachi 4:1-3)
"Fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in Gehenna." (Matthew 10:28)
The final result is the permanent end of sin, rebellion, and death.
Death Itself Will Be Destroyed
The Bible concludes with a remarkable statement:
"And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death." (Revelation 20:14)
When Yahweh's plan is complete, death itself will cease to exist.
No more suffering.
No more rebellion.
No more sorrow.
No more graves.
Only those who choose Yahweh's way of life will remain, and His Kingdom will endure forever.
Conclusion
The Third Resurrection represents Yahweh's final judgment upon those who knowingly reject His truth after receiving understanding. It demonstrates both His mercy and His justice.
Yahweh first calls His saints into the First Resurrection.
He then gives the rest of humanity an opportunity to learn His ways in the Second Resurrection.
Only after every opportunity has been given does final judgment come upon those who refuse Him.
The Bible reveals a Creator who is just, patient, and merciful—one who desires that all come to repentance, yet who will ultimately remove sin and rebellion forever.
"For Yahweh is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." (2 Peter 3:9)
The Third Resurrection marks the final victory of Yahweh's plan and the end of death forever.
