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This is the first resurrection. <a href="/nlt/revelation/20.htm">New Living Translation</a> This is the first resurrection. (The rest of the dead did not come back to life until the thousand years had ended.) <a href="/esv/revelation/20.htm">English Standard Version</a> The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection. <a href="/bsb/revelation/20.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> The rest of the dead did not come back to life until the thousand years were complete. This is the first resurrection. <a href="/blb/revelation/20.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> The rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years shall have been completed. This is the first resurrection. <a href="/kjv/revelation/20.htm">King James Bible</a> But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. <a href="/nkjv/revelation/20.htm">New King James Version</a> But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. <a href="/nasb_/revelation/20.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were completed. This is the first resurrection. <a href="/nasb/revelation/20.htm">NASB 1995</a> The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were completed. This is the first resurrection. <a href="/nasb77/revelation/20.htm">NASB 1977 </a> The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were completed. This is the first resurrection. <a href="/lsb/revelation/20.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. <a href="/amp/revelation/20.htm">Amplified Bible</a> The rest of the dead [the non-believers] did not come to life again until the thousand years were completed. This is the first resurrection. <a href="/csb/revelation/20.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were completed. This is the first resurrection. <a href="/hcsb/revelation/20.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> The rest of the dead did not come to life until the 1,000 years were completed. This is the first resurrection. <a href="/asv/revelation/20.htm">American Standard Version</a> The rest of the dead lived not until the thousand years should be finished. This is the first resurrection. <a href="/erv/revelation/20.htm">English Revised Version</a> The rest of the dead lived not until the thousand years should be finished. This is the first resurrection. <a href="/gwt/revelation/20.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> The rest of the dead did not live until the 1,000 years ended. This is the first time that people come back to life. <a href="/gnt/revelation/20.htm">Good News Translation</a> (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were over.) This is the first raising of the dead. <a href="/isv/revelation/20.htm">International Standard Version</a> The rest of the dead did not come back to life until the thousand years were over. This is the first resurrection. <a href="/msb/revelation/20.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> The rest of the dead did not come back to life until the thousand years were complete. This is the first resurrection. <a href="/net/revelation/20.htm">NET Bible</a> (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were finished.) This is the first resurrection. <a href="/nheb/revelation/20.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> The rest of the dead did not live until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. <a href="/wbt/revelation/20.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. <a href="/wey/revelation/20.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> No one else who was dead rose to Life until the thousand years were at an end. This is the First Resurrection. <a href="/web/revelation/20.htm">World English Bible</a> The rest of the dead didn’t live until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/revelation/20.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and the rest of the dead did not live again until the one thousand years may be completed; this [is] the first resurrection. <a href="/blb/revelation/20.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> The rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years shall have been completed. This is the first resurrection. <a href="/ylt/revelation/20.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and the rest of the dead did not live again till the thousand years may be finished; this is the first rising again. <a href="/slt/revelation/20.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And the rest of the dead returned not again to life even till the thousand years be finished. This the first rising up.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/revelation/20.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> The rest of the dead lived not, till the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. <a href="/cpdv/revelation/20.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> The rest of the dead did not live, until the thousand years are completed. This is the First Resurrection. <a href="/nabre/revelation/20.htm">New American Bible</a> The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were over. This is the first resurrection. <a href="/nrsvce/revelation/20.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/revelation/20.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> This is the first resurrection. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/revelation/20.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> And this is the first resurrection.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/revelation/20.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> But the rest of the dead lived not till the thousand years were completed. This is the first resurrection. <a href="/godbey/revelation/20.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> The rest of the dead lived not until the thousand years were fulfilled. This is the first resurrection. <a href="/haweis/revelation/20.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years are completed. This is the first resurrection. <a href="/mace/revelation/20.htm">Mace New Testament</a> but the rest of the dead shall not live again until the thousand years are finished, this is the first resurrection. <a href="/wey/revelation/20.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> No one else who was dead rose to Life until the thousand years were at an end. This is the First Resurrection. <a href="/worrell/revelation/20.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> The rest of the dead lived not until the thousand years should be finished. This is the first resurrection. <a href="/worsley/revelation/20.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> But the rest of the dead lived not again till the thousand years be finished. <a href="/parallel/revelation/20-5.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LJfD7KQcx0I?start=4250" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/revelation/20.htm">Satan Bound</a> …4Then I saw the thrones, and those seated on them had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image, and had not received its mark on their foreheads or hands. And they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. 5<a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: Hoi (Art-NMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">The</a> <a href="/greek/3062.htm" title="3062: loipoi (Adj-NMP) -- Left, left behind, the remainder, the rest, the others. Masculine plural of a derivative of leipo; remaining ones.">rest</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tōn (Art-GMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">of the</a> <a href="/greek/3498.htm" title="3498: nekrōn (Adj-GMP) -- (a) adj: dead, lifeless, subject to death, mortal, (b) noun: a dead body, a corpse. From an apparently primary nekus; dead.">dead</a> <a href="/greek/3756.htm" title="3756: ouk (Adv) -- No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.">did not</a> <a href="/greek/2198.htm" title="2198: ezēsan (V-AIA-3P) -- To live, be alive. A primary verb; to live.">come back to life</a> <a href="/greek/891.htm" title="891: achri (Conj) -- As far as, up to, until, during. Or achris akh'-rece; akin to akron; until or up to.">until</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ta (Art-NNP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/5507.htm" title="5507: chilia (Adj-NNP) -- A thousand. Plural of uncertain affinity; a thousand.">thousand</a> <a href="/greek/2094.htm" title="2094: etē (N-NNP) -- A year. Apparently a primary word; a year.">years</a> <a href="/greek/5055.htm" title="5055: telesthē (V-ASP-3S) -- (a) I end, finish, (b) I fulfill, accomplish, (c) I pay. From telos; to end, i.e. Complete, execute, conclude, discharge.">were complete.</a> <a href="/greek/3778.htm" title="3778: hautē (DPro-NFS) -- This; he, she, it. ">This is</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: hē (Art-NFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: hē (Art-NFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/4413.htm" title="4413: prōtē (Adj-NFS) -- First, before, principal, most important. Contracted superlative of pro; foremost.">first</a> <a href="/greek/386.htm" title="386: anastasis (N-NFS) -- A rising again, resurrection. From anistemi; a standing up again, i.e. a resurrection from death (its author), or a recovery.">resurrection.</a> 6Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection! The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and will reign with Him for a thousand years.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/1_corinthians/15-23.htm">1 Corinthians 15:23-24</a> But each in his own turn: Christ the firstfruits; then at His coming, those who belong to Him. / Then the end will come, when He hands over the kingdom to God the Father after He has destroyed all dominion, authority, and power. <a href="/john/5-28.htm">John 5:28-29</a> Do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming when all who are in their graves will hear His voice / and come out—those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment. <a href="/daniel/12-2.htm">Daniel 12:2</a> And many who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to everlasting life, but others to shame and everlasting contempt. <a href="/1_thessalonians/4-16.htm">1 Thessalonians 4:16</a> For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a loud command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will be the first to rise. <a href="/matthew/25-31.htm">Matthew 25:31-32</a> When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, He will sit on His glorious throne. / All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate the people one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. <a href="/acts/24-15.htm">Acts 24:15</a> and I have the same hope in God that they themselves cherish, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. <a href="/luke/14-14.htm">Luke 14:14</a> and you will be blessed. Since they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” <a href="/isaiah/26-19.htm">Isaiah 26:19</a> Your dead will live; their bodies will rise. Awake and sing, you who dwell in the dust! For your dew is like the dew of the morning, and the earth will bring forth her dead. <a href="/ezekiel/37-12.htm">Ezekiel 37:12-14</a> Therefore prophesy and tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘O My people, I will open your graves and bring you up from them, and I will bring you back to the land of Israel. / Then you, My people, will know that I am the LORD, when I open your graves and bring you up from them. / I will put My Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I, the LORD, have spoken, and I will do it, declares the LORD.’” <a href="/philippians/3-11.htm">Philippians 3:11</a> and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. <a href="/romans/8-11.htm">Romans 8:11</a> And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit, who lives in you. <a href="/1_corinthians/15-51.htm">1 Corinthians 15:51-52</a> Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— / in an instant, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. <a href="/john/6-39.htm">John 6:39-40</a> And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that I shall lose none of those He has given Me, but raise them up at the last day. / For it is My Father’s will that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.” <a href="/matthew/22-31.htm">Matthew 22:31-32</a> But concerning the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what God said to you: / ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not the God of the dead, but of the living.” <a href="/job/19-25.htm">Job 19:25-27</a> But I know that my Redeemer lives, and in the end He will stand upon the earth. / Even after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God. / I will see Him for myself; my eyes will behold Him, and not as a stranger. How my heart yearns within me!</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.the rest.<a href="/revelation/20-8.htm">Revelation 20:8,9</a> And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea… <a href="/revelation/19-20.htm">Revelation 19:20,21</a> And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone… This.<a href="/revelation/11-11.htm">Revelation 11:11,15</a> And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them… <a href="/ezekiel/37-2.htm">Ezekiel 37:2-14</a> And caused me to pass by them round about: and, behold, there were very many in the open valley; and, lo, they were very dry… <a href="/romans/11-15.htm">Romans 11:15</a> For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/revelation/15-8.htm">Completed</a> <a href="/revelation/16-3.htm">Dead</a> <a href="/revelation/20-3.htm">End</a> <a href="/revelation/15-8.htm">Ended</a> <a href="/revelation/20-3.htm">Finished</a> <a href="/revelation/16-2.htm">First</a> <a href="/revelation/13-14.htm">Live</a> <a href="/revelation/19-21.htm">Rest</a> <a href="/1_peter/3-21.htm">Resurrection</a> <a href="/revelation/16-12.htm">Rising</a> <a href="/revelation/19-3.htm">Rose</a> <a href="/revelation/20-4.htm">Thousand</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/revelation/20-7.htm">Completed</a> <a href="/revelation/20-12.htm">Dead</a> <a href="/revelation/20-7.htm">End</a> <a href="/revelation/20-7.htm">Ended</a> <a href="/revelation/20-7.htm">Finished</a> <a href="/revelation/20-6.htm">First</a> <a href="/genesis/9-27.htm">Live</a> <a href="/genesis/2-2.htm">Rest</a> <a href="/revelation/20-6.htm">Resurrection</a> <a href="/revelation/20-6.htm">Rising</a> <a href="/genesis/4-8.htm">Rose</a> <a href="/revelation/20-6.htm">Thousand</a><div class="vheading2">Revelation 20</div>1. <a href="/revelation/20-1.htm">Satan bound for a thousand years.</a> 6. <a href="/revelation/20-6.htm">The first resurrection;</a> 7. <a href="/revelation/20-7.htm">Satan let loose again.</a> 8. <a href="/revelation/20-8.htm">Gog and Magog.</a> 10. <a href="/revelation/20-10.htm">The demons cast into the lake of fire and brimstone.</a> 11. <a href="/revelation/20-11.htm">The last and general resurrection.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/revelation/20.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/revelation/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/revelation/20.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>The rest of the dead did not come back to life until the thousand years were complete. This phrase refers to those who did not partake in the "first resurrection." In the context of <a href="/revelation/20.htm">Revelation 20</a>, the "rest of the dead" are those who have not been resurrected to reign with Christ during the millennial kingdom. This period, often referred to as the Millennium, is a thousand-year reign of Christ on earth, a concept rooted in Jewish eschatology and expanded in Christian theology. The idea of a millennial reign is linked to Old Testament prophecies such as <a href="/isaiah/11-6.htm">Isaiah 11:6-9</a> and <a href="/zechariah/14-9.htm">Zechariah 14:9</a>, which describe a time of peace and divine rule. The phrase suggests a distinction between two groups: those who are resurrected to reign with Christ and those who await a later resurrection. This aligns with the broader biblical narrative of a final judgment, as seen in <a href="/daniel/12-2.htm">Daniel 12:2</a> and <a href="/john/5-28.htm">John 5:28-29</a>, where a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked is anticipated.This is the first resurrection. The "first resurrection" is a term that signifies the resurrection of the righteous, those who have been faithful to Christ and are granted the privilege of reigning with Him during the Millennium. This concept is central to the hope of eternal life and victory over death, as promised in passages like <a href="/1_corinthians/15-20.htm">1 Corinthians 15:20-23</a> and <a href="/1_thessalonians/4-16.htm">1 Thessalonians 4:16-17</a>. The first resurrection is often interpreted as a reward for those who have remained steadfast in their faith, as seen in <a href="/revelation/20-4.htm">Revelation 20:4</a>, where those who have been martyred for their testimony are specifically mentioned. This resurrection is a fulfillment of the promise of eternal life and is seen as a precursor to the final resurrection and judgment, where all will be raised and judged according to their deeds, as described in <a href="/revelation/20-11.htm">Revelation 20:11-15</a>. Theologically, the first resurrection underscores the hope of believers in the ultimate triumph over sin and death through Jesus Christ, who is the "firstfruits" of those who have fallen asleep (<a href="/1_corinthians/15-20.htm">1 Corinthians 15:20</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/t/the_rest_of_the_dead.htm">The Rest of the Dead</a> Refers to those who did not partake in the first resurrection. They remain dead until the thousand-year reign of Christ is completed. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_thousand_years.htm">The Thousand Years</a> Often referred to as the Millennium, this is a period during which Christ reigns on earth, and Satan is bound. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_first_resurrection.htm">The First Resurrection</a> This is the resurrection of the righteous, who reign with Christ during the Millennium. It is distinct from the general resurrection of the dead.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/u/understanding_the_first_resurrection.htm">Understanding the First Resurrection</a> The first resurrection is a blessing and a promise for believers, emphasizing the hope of eternal life with Christ. <a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_the_millennium.htm">The Importance of the Millennium</a> The thousand-year reign of Christ is a time of peace and righteousness, highlighting God's ultimate plan for justice and restoration. <a href="/topical/l/living_in_light_of_the_resurrection.htm">Living in Light of the Resurrection</a> Believers are called to live with the hope and assurance of the resurrection, impacting how we live our daily lives with purpose and faithfulness. <a href="/topical/t/the_finality_of_god's_judgment.htm">The Finality of God's Judgment</a> The eventual resurrection of the rest of the dead underscores the certainty of God's judgment and the importance of being found in Christ. <a href="/topical/e/encouragement_in_persecution.htm">Encouragement in Persecution</a> The promise of reigning with Christ offers encouragement to those facing trials and persecution, reminding them of the future glory that awaits.<a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/revelation/20.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(5) But the rest of the dead lived not again . . .--Rather, The rest of the dead lived not (we must omit the word "again") until the thousand years be finished. This is the first resurrection. In those words we meet one of the keys to the controversy respecting the millennium. What is this resurrection? Is it the resurrection at which the saints shall assume the glorified bodies, and their perfect consummation and bliss? It has been argued that the word must be understood literally as of a bodily resurrection. It is further said that the contrasting words ("the rest of the dead lived not") necessitate this literal interpretation. But there is no reason for restricting the word Resurrection to a literal meaning. The sacred writers frequently use the idea figuratively. They speak of a resurrection which is spiritual; the dead in sin are summoned to rise from the dead that Christ might give them light (comp. <a href="/ephesians/2-1.htm" title="And you has he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;">Ephesians 2:1</a>; <a href="/ephesians/5-14.htm" title="Why he said, Awake you that sleep, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give you light.">Ephesians 5:14</a>); indeed, the figure often underlies the language and arguments of New Testament writers (<a href="/context/john/5-24.htm" title="Truly, truly, I say to you, He that hears my word, and believes on him that sent me, has everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death to life.">John 5:24-25</a>; <a href="/romans/6-5.htm" title="For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:">Romans 6:5</a>; <a href="/2_corinthians/5-15.htm" title="And that he died for all, that they which live should not from now on live to themselves, but to him which died for them, and rose again.">2Corinthians 5:15</a>; <a href="/colossians/2-12.htm" title=" Buried with him in baptism, wherein also you are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who has raised him from the dead.">Colossians 2:12</a>). But do the words, "the rest of the dead lived not," force upon us so sharp a contrast that we must understand the first resurrection literally? Undoubtedly the words are in contrast. If the words "lived not" necessarily mean that the rest of the dead did not enjoy physical life on earth, then the living with Christ of the saints and the first resurrection must be understood as giving physical life on earth to the saints. But are we bound to thus understand literally the "lived" of <a href="/revelation/20-4.htm" title="And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark on their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.">Revelation 20:4</a> and the "lived not" of <a href="/revelation/20-5.htm" title="But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.">Revelation 20:5</a>? There are two or three considerations which will be enough to show that they need not be understood thus. (1) The word "to live" is used about sixteen times in the Apocalypse. On nine of these it is applied to the eternal life of God the Father or God the Son; it is twice used in the passage before us (<a href="/context/revelation/20-4.htm" title="And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark on their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.">Revelation 20:4-5</a>). Of the remaining five occasions where the word is used, it is four times employed in what can scarcely be other than a figurative sense (<a href="/revelation/3-1.htm" title="And to the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things said he that has the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know your works, that you have a name that you live, and are dead.">Revelation 3:1</a>; <a href="/revelation/7-17.htm" title="For the Lamb which is in the middle of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them to living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.">Revelation 7:17</a>; <a href="/revelation/13-14.htm" title="And deceives them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.">Revelation 13:14</a>; <a href="/revelation/19-20.htm" title="And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that worked miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.">Revelation 19:20</a>--some might doubt the figurative use in this last passage), but only once is it employed in a sense which can fairly be defended as literal (<a href="/revelation/16-3.htm" title="And the second angel poured out his vial on the sea; and it became as the blood of a dead man: and every living soul died in the sea.">Revelation 16:3</a>). (2) There will be faithless people during the millennium--the nations to be deceived (<a href="/revelation/20-8.htm" title="And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog, and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.">Revelation 20:8</a>). Are we then to picture saints with glorified resurrection bodies living on the earth, which at the same time is tenanted by men and women still in the natural body? (3) There is a resurrection, which surely is the second resurrection, described in <a href="/context/revelation/20-12.htm" title="And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.">Revelation 20:12-13</a> : this last is a general resurrection of the dead, small and great. There seems no adequate reason to affirm that this first resurrection, then, must be physical. Our notions of life and death are so circumscribed by the geography of earth, that we seldom give to the word "life" in our thoughts its true richness and fulness of meaning. We fail to remember that the faithful ones who live, because Christ lives, have the promise of the life that now is, as well as that which is to come; we forget that God is not God of the dead, but of the living. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/revelation/20.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 5. - But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished; should be finished. Omit "but;" omit "again." It is important to notice the omission of "again;" the rest of the dead lived not until, etc. The best explanation of these words seems to be that the "rest of the dead" refers to those Old Testament saints and others (such as godly heathens) who were in the world before Christ's act of atonement - "the thousand years" (see on ver. 2, above) - had been accomplished. They could not be said to have lived, in the high sense in which St. John uses the word, not having known Christ; for "in him was life" (<a href="/john/1-4.htm">John 1:4</a>; <a href="/john/5-40.htm">John 5:40</a>, etc.). But by Christ's redeeming work, these were placed on a level with Christians (cf. <a href="/luke/7-28.htm">Luke 7:28</a>, "John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he;" also <a href="/hebrews/11-39.htm">Hebrews 11:39, 40</a>, "And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect"). This is the first resurrection. These words refer both to the reigning of those mentioned in ver. 4, and to the living of those in ver. 5 (vide supra). This "first resurrection" is the spiritual rising with Christ, which is a consequence of his redeeming work. It is to be noticed that St. John nowhere makes use of the phrase, "second resurrection," though he does use the words, "second death." Both the "first resurrection" and the "second death" are spiritual operations. <a href="/commentaries/revelation/20-5.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>The Οἱ (Hoi) Article - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. rest λοιποὶ (loipoi) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3062.htm">Strong's 3062: </a> Left, left behind, the remainder, the rest, the others. Masculine plural of a derivative of leipo; remaining ones. of the τῶν (tōn) Article - Genitive Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. dead νεκρῶν (nekrōn) Adjective - Genitive Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3498.htm">Strong's 3498: </a> (a) adj: dead, lifeless, subject to death, mortal, (b) noun: a dead body, a corpse. From an apparently primary nekus; dead. {did} not οὐκ (ouk) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_3756.htm">Strong's 3756: </a> No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not. come back to life ἔζησαν (ezēsan) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2198.htm">Strong's 2198: </a> To live, be alive. A primary verb; to live. until ἄχρι (achri) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_891.htm">Strong's 891: </a> As far as, up to, until, during. Or achris akh'-rece; akin to akron; until or up to. the τὰ (ta) Article - Nominative Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. thousand χίλια (chilia) Adjective - Nominative Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_5507.htm">Strong's 5507: </a> A thousand. Plural of uncertain affinity; a thousand. years ἔτη (etē) Noun - Nominative Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2094.htm">Strong's 2094: </a> A year. Apparently a primary word; a year. were complete. τελεσθῇ (telesthē) Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Passive - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5055.htm">Strong's 5055: </a> (a) I end, finish, (b) I fulfill, accomplish, (c) I pay. From telos; to end, i.e. Complete, execute, conclude, discharge. This [is] αὕτη (hautē) Demonstrative Pronoun - Nominative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3778.htm">Strong's 3778: </a> This; he, she, it. the ἡ (hē) Article - Nominative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. first πρώτη (prōtē) Adjective - Nominative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4413.htm">Strong's 4413: </a> First, before, principal, most important. Contracted superlative of pro; foremost. resurrection. ἀνάστασις (anastasis) Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_386.htm">Strong's 386: </a> A rising again, resurrection. From anistemi; a standing up again, i.e. a resurrection from death (its author), or a recovery. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/revelation/20-5.htm">Revelation 20:5 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/revelation/20-5.htm">Revelation 20:5 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/revelation/20-5.htm">Revelation 20:5 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/revelation/20-5.htm">Revelation 20:5 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/revelation/20-5.htm">Revelation 20:5 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/revelation/20-5.htm">Revelation 20:5 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/revelation/20-5.htm">Revelation 20:5 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/revelation/20-5.htm">Revelation 20:5 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/revelation/20-5.htm">Revelation 20:5 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/revelation/20-5.htm">Revelation 20:5 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/revelation/20-5.htm">NT Prophecy: Revelation 20:5 The rest of the dead didn't live (Rev. Re Apocalypse)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/revelation/20-4.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Revelation 20:4"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Revelation 20:4" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/revelation/20-6.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Revelation 20:6"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Revelation 20:6" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>