Revelation 20:4-6
“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 God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.”
King James Version
John pronounces blessed those in the first resurrection, who escape the second death and reign as priests with Christ a thousand years.
Fulfillment References
Revelation 20:11-15 Revelation 5:10 1 Corinthians 15:23 Daniel 12:2
How Traditions Read This Prophecy
Apostolic (Oneness) PentecostalApostolics anticipate a literal first resurrection of the redeemed; those born of water and Spirit (John 3:5; Acts 2:38) escape the second death.
JewishResonates with Daniel 12:2's resurrection 'to everlasting life'; Judaism affirms resurrection of the righteous apart from the Revelation framework.
CatholicAugustinian reading: the 'first resurrection' is the new birth / spiritual life of believers now; the saints reign with Christ in this age.
ProtestantThe number and nature of resurrections is the crux of the millennial debate (below).
OrthodoxThe 'first resurrection' is read spiritually of the life of grace; the saints' reign is the Church's present participation in Christ.
DispensationalTwo literal bodily resurrections separated by 1,000 years: the righteous raised before the millennium, the rest after.
AcademicScholars debate whether 'first resurrection' is bodily or metaphorical — the interpretive fork between premillennial and amillennial systems.
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Cross-references, Hebrew/Greek, Dead Sea Scrolls notes, study tools and multi-tradition analysis in the interactive explorer.
Bible Prophecy Explorer · based on J. Barton Payne’s Encyclopedia of Biblical Prophecy catalogue · an openly Apostolic (Oneness) Pentecostal study resource — all traditions presented fairly. Pastor: C. Myles Young, PhD · Bishop: Nathaniel J. Wilson, Ed.D.