Summary of passage: John sees thrones where those given authority to judge are seated. He sees the souls of the martyrs who died for Jesus alive and reigning for 1000 years during the first resurrection. The rest did not come to life. Blessed are these.
Questions:
6a) “Because of their testimony for Jesus and because of the word of God.” They were raised from the dead and reigned with Christ for 1000 years.
b) Personal Question that I’m tired of answering: It doesn’t.
See Lesson 16 Day 4 for repetition.
7a) Risen from the dead and all believers will share in it.
b) The second death.
8 ) Priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years. Everything.
Conclusions: Rich passage. Strike out the personal questions and add more interpretation especially with the different deaths and resurrections. This was VERY confusing to me and only after I researched it did I have an idea what John was talking about. Perhaps the notes will address this but I need to understand NOW not after the lecture.
End Notes: This passage fulfills Revelation 2:10-11.
Who is sitting on these thrones? Possibilities: the twenty-four elders representing the church (Revelation 4:4) or the apostles (Matthew 19:28) or the company of saints as a whole (1 Corinthians 6:2-3).
“Those given authority to judge” are all those who had been redeemed by His blood, resurrected from the grave, and raptured into His presence. These (the saints) will reign as kings and priests with Christ (Revelation 1:5-6; 5:9-10). Note they reign for the same amount of time Satan is bound.
These beheaded (executed in ancient Greek) ones are the souls we saw under the altar in Revelation 6:9. More have been added (Revelation 6:11) during the Tribulation. In essence, all will reign (Revelation 2:26-28, 3:12,22; 1 Corinthians 6:2-3) but the martyrs here are encouraged and specified for all they have suffered.
Scholars debate if this is a bodily resurrection or not. Some point to Ezekiel 37:12-14 where a nation is described as being resurrected and to Isaiah 26:19 where he is speaking figuratively after Babylon of victory.
The “rest of the dead” are the unbelievers who did not take part in the “first resurrection” with the redeemed and did not accept Jesus as Savior.
“And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, some to shame and everlasting contempt” (Daniel 12:2)
The “first resurrection” refers to the resurrection of the redeemed. It includes: resurrection of Christ (1 Cor. 15:23; Revelation 1:5), resurrection of the church (the dead in Christ – 1 Cor. 15:23; 1 Thess. 4:16); and resurrection of Old Testament and Tribulation saints (Revelation 20:4; Isaiah 26:19; Dan. 12:2). The rest of the dead (unbelievers) will be raised in the second resurrection (Revelation 20:12-13).
The second death, which is referred to in Revelation 20:14-15, is a spiritual death.
In essence, those who suffered death by martyrdom will not suffer spiritual death. They are promised the first resurrection. Those who didn’t suffer death by martyrdom will face the second or spiritual death and their resurrection (the second) will be seen in the White Throne room in verses 11-15.
The Bible discusses two “deaths” and two “resurrections”.
The “first death” is the death of the body (Hebrews 9:27). The “second death” is the eternal death and suffering that only affects unbelievers. (v.14). This explains John’s words in verse 6.
There are two “resurrections.” The word “resurrection” is a Greek word meaning “to make to stand” or “rise up.” This occurs when the soul reenters the body after the physical death and rises up. All resurrect because all die.
Believers take part in the “first resurrection” and acquire a new body in the process (Phil.3:20-21; 1 Cor.15:52). Scholars debate whether the first resurrection will have many parts beginning with Jesus and encompassing the Tribulation martyrs amongst others (Matt.27:53; 1 Thess.4:16-17; Rev.11:11). This depends on when you believe the rapture will occur. Pretribulationists believe it will be in many parts. Posttribulationists believe it will be one event.
Unbelievers not in Christ take part in the “second resurrection”. They do not receive a new body and this occurs one time after the Millennium, which explains verse 5.
In John 5:28-29, Jesus mentions these 2 resurrections. The 2 are separated by 1000 years as believers are raised first and then non-believers.
We see the Fifth Beatitude in verse 6.
