Topic: First Resurrection and Second Death
Bible Reading: Zechariah 10-12; Revelation 20.
Memory Verse: “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.” Revelation 20:6 (KJV)
The Bible teaches that there are two types of resurrection. The first resurrection is the raising to eternal life, those who belong to Jesus Christ. This is in stages. The first stage is the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ as the example for believers ( 1 Corinthians 15:22-23). The second stage is that the believers who are dead at the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ shall rise first and those which are alive at the time shall be caught up together with those who had risen first, in the clouds, to meet the Lord Jesus Christ in the air. (1 Thessalonians 4:15-17). And lastly, in the first resurrection are the Tribulation martyrs; these are stated in Revelation 20:4 (KJV), “And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto 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 upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.” All these will reign with Christ after the great tribulation in one thousand years. This is what is generally referred to as the millennial reign.
After this one thousand year reign by Christ, the unbelievers will rise up and this is the second resurrection. They will be judged based on their works on a great white throne and everyone whose name is not in the book of life will be cast into the lake of fire with the devil. This is the second death and it will only be for the unbelievers (Revelation 20:11-15 ). All those who rose up in the first resurrection will not be partakers of this second death. Revelation 20:6 (KJV) says, “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.”
Above gives account of the two destinations available to every man on earth. It is for each person to decide which option to take. If you have not accepted Jesus as your Lord and Saviour, you can still escape the second death by repenting of your sins and accepting Jesus as the Lord and Saviour and obeying Him from this moment on. This will involve studying the Bible, obeying it and attending a Bible believing church near you to get better understanding of the ways of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Prayer: Father, whatever will not allow me to be part of the first resurrection, take it far away from me and my household in the mighty name of Jesus Christ.
Bro. Biodun Oyapero