Revelation 20:5

The "rest of the dead" evidently refers to the wicked who are physically dead whom God will raise at the end of the Millennium (Revelation 20:12).

The "first" resurrection refers to the first of the two resurrections John spoke of in the context (Revelation 20:4-6; Revelation 20:12). This includes the resurrection of the Tribulation martyrs at the second coming of Christ (Revelation 20:4) and other believers resurrected at the same time (i.e., Old Testament saints; Daniel 12:2; John 5:28; cf. 1 Corinthians 15:23). The second resurrection in this passage is the resurrection of the wicked at the end of the Millennium (Revelation 20:12-13). [Note: Smith, A Revelation . . ., p. 273.] Other names for this "first" resurrection are the resurrection of the just (Luke 14:14; Acts 24:15), the resurrection from among the dead (Luke 20:34-36), the resurrection of life (John 5:29), and the resurrection to everlasting life (Daniel 12:2). This verse clearly opposes the view that there is only one resurrection at the end of history, which amillennialists and postmillennialists prefer.

The "first" resurrection cannot be first in temporal sequence since God has already resurrected Jesus Christ (Matthew 27:52-53). Furthermore, Christians will have experienced resurrection by this time (1 Thessalonians 4:16). Various groups of the righteous will experience resurrection at various times. However, God will raise all the wicked at one time, namely, at the end of the Millennium (Revelation 20:12-13).

The times when God will raise the righteous are as follows. First, He raised Jesus Christ who is the firstfruits of those who sleep (1 Corinthians 15:23). Second, He raised some saints near Jerusalem shortly after Jesus’ resurrection (Matthew 27:52-53), though this was probably a temporary resuscitation like that of Lazarus. Third, He will raise Christians at the Rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). Fourth, He will raise the two witnesses during the Great Tribulation (Revelation 11:3; Revelation 11:11). Fifth, He will raise the Tribulation martyrs at the beginning of the Millennium (Revelation 20:4-5). Sixth, He will raise the Old Testament saints at the same time (Isaiah 26:19-21; Ezekiel 37:12-14; Daniel 12:2-4). Seventh, He will apparently raise the saints who die during the Millennium (cf. Revelation 20:12-13). The idea that the resurrection of believers takes place in stages also finds support in 1 Corinthians 15:23. Many premillennialists believe that the first resurrection refers to the resurrection of the righteous and the second resurrection refers to the resurrection of the unrighteous. [Note: E.g., Roy Aldrich, "Divisions of the First Resurrection," Bibliotheca Sacra 128:510 (April-June 1971):117-19; and Newell, p. 330.]

Historic amillennialists usually take the first resurrection as a reference to spiritual regeneration (i.e., salvation). They believe the second resurrection describes a general physical resurrection of all the dead at the end of time. This view takes "resurrection" figuratively in one case but literally in the other.

"If, in a passage where two resurrections are mentioned . . . the first resurrection may be understood to mean spiritual rising with Christ, while the second means literal rising from the grave;-then there is an end of all significance in language, and Scripture is wiped out as a definite testimony to any thing." [Note: Alford, 4:732.]