This is a non-WLC article. When using resources from outside authors, we only publish the content that is 100% in harmony with the Bible and WLC current biblical beliefs. So such articles can be treated as if coming directly from WLC. We have been greatly blessed by the ministry of many servants of Yahuwah. But we do not advise our members to explore other works by these authors. Such works, we have excluded from publications because they contain errors. Sadly, we have yet to find a ministry that is error-free. If you are shocked by some non-WLC published content [articles/episodes], keep in mind Proverbs 4:18. Our understanding of His truth is evolving, as more light is shed on our pathway. We cherish truth more than life, and seek it wherever it may be found. |

Revelation 20:5 “But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of Yahuwah and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.”
The first, and usually only, thing on religion’s mind when approaching this chapter is the concept of a thousand years. This phrase appears six times in verses two through seven. However, attempting to discern the truth from that perspective has made us a confusing mess! The key element in this passage is not the thousand years but rather the first resurrection!
The key element in this passage (Revelation 20:5-6) is not the thousand years but rather the first resurrection!
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The Resurrection of the Soul
John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. 25 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of Yahuwah: and they that hear shall live.
These are the words of the very Word of Yahuwah Himself, the Lord Yahushua Christ! He, as the Alpha and the beginning, is establishing the doctrinal truth that the sinner is dead! He asserts that the dead sinner's need is a sovereignly enacted resurrection! This resurrection is performed by the same spiritual method used to raise Lazarus physically. It is the sovereign and therefore effectual word of Christ.
As stated in verse twenty-four above, if one can both hear and believe that word, he has already passed from death to life! He has been spiritually resurrected! The apostle Paul writes to the Ephesians about this same doctrine. In chapter two, verse one, he describes the sinner as dead in trespasses and sins. Then in verses four through six, we read: “But Yahuwah, who is rich in mercy, for his great love with which he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, has quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 And has raised us up together and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Yahushua.”
Therefore, we learn that regeneration is the first resurrection! For it takes Yahuwah’s effectual call into the dead heart of the sinner to give him life, to effect a spiritual resurrection!
Resurrection of the Body
Certainly, there is a physical resurrection. Our Lord also referred to this in the passage as proof that he could resurrect spiritually dead sinners to spiritual life. In verses twenty-eight and twenty-nine of the same passage from John, we read, "Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice; and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation."
You will notice that when referring to spiritual resurrection (regeneration), he states that this would begin happening "now!" That is, it would start during his ministry at that point on earth! Additionally, you'll see that the word "now" is not used in the verses describing the physical resurrection, which would occur at the end of the age. Furthermore, graves are mentioned only in relation to the physical resurrection in verses 28 and 29. The spiritually dead are bound in sin, not in the earth!
We can also observe that the doctrine of the General Resurrection, as articulated by the fathers in the 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith, is supported by these verses. This Confession also cites Acts 24:15, expressing hope toward Yahuwah, which they themselves acknowledge, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust. Naturally, we've created numerous erroneous interpretations of this since then, especially following the release of the misleading Scofield ‘Bible’!
However, we must accept and understand that our Lord speaks of only one resurrection from the grave, but he clearly refers to two aspects of that resurrection! He states that some will be raised to the resurrection of life, while others will be raised simultaneously to the resurrection of damnation.
The Rest of the Dead
Believers, like those who remain in unbelief, were once under the control of Satan's influences before their spiritual resurrection. Then they were delivered from the power of darkness and have been translated into the kingdom of His dear Son (Col. 1:13).
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“But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.” Rev. 20:5
How do we understand this phrase? We understand it to mean all the unregenerate who were evangelized but remained in unbelief. That is, the rest of those remaining dead in trespasses and sin! The Apostle Paul speaks of this in the second verse of Ephesians 2. Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience.
Believers, like those who remain in unbelief, were once under the control of Satan's influences before their spiritual resurrection. Then they were delivered from the power of darkness and have been translated into the kingdom of His dear Son (Col. 1:13). However, unbelievers, having no regeneration or spiritual resurrection, are said to still have Satan’s spirit working death within them. Therefore, those who have been evangelized but remain in unbelief are the rest of the dead.
Blessed and Holy
Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection: on such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of Yahuwah and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years. The only thing that makes one blessed and holy is sovereign regeneration. For by it alone, old things pass away and all things become new. Certainly, bringing a dead body out of grace has no ability to achieve that!
1 Cor. 15:50 “Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of Yahuwah; neither does corruption inherit incorruption. It is only those who have experienced regeneration who are changed to a state of holiness!”
But Yahuwah, … Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
Only regeneration, or spiritual resurrection, assures that the second death has no power over those who possess it. The second death (Rev. 2:11, 20:14, 15, 21:7, 8) refers to eternal damnation. Only regeneration prevents the soul from facing eternal damnation in the lake of fire! It is clearly stated that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.
Reigning Priests
Those saved, regenerated in the first resurrection, are then said to be raised up together and made (to) sit together in heavenly places in Christ Yahushua: (Ephes. 2:6). They are reigning priests! They have access to the holy of holies and communion with Yahuwah Himself! Heb. 10:19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Yahushua, 20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; 21 And having an high priest over the house of Yahuwah; 22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
They need not a ‘saint,’ they need not Mary or even a pastor to get them into the glorious presence of the Father. They have Christ and his life within! Therefore they are said to sit in his heavenly places, ruling in spiritual unction throughout the church age.
This is a non-WLC article by Pastor Gene Breed (July 13, 2006).
We have taken out from the original article all pagan names and titles of the Father and Son, and have replaced them with the original given names. Furthermore, we have restored in the Scriptures quoted the names of the Father and Son, as they were originally written by the inspired authors of the Bible. -WLC Team