Which believers are resurrected and in the Lord's presence before the Millennium?
All the saved, from Abel through the tribulation, are resurrected and in the Lord’s presence before the thousand-year Kingdom rule. They are the first resurrection, while the lost—the rest of the dead—remain in hell until the thousand years are finished.
Les explains that the passage distinguishes the first resurrection from the rest of the dead. All believers from Abel through the tribulation are already resurrected and in the Lord’s presence before the thousand years of Kingdom rule. Because God sees only two groups, the lost and the saved, the rest of the dead must be the lost. The lost remain in their original state, in hell as we understand it, throughout the thousand-year Kingdom rule. The word “this” in verse 5 refers back to the people in verse 4, and this resurrection is called the first resurrection.
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.
More Questions
Who are the resurrected believers that reign with Christ for a thousand years?
The resurrected believers John sees include those who were beheaded, those who were martyred, and those who did not worship the beast or receive his mark during the tribulation.
Which believers are the resurrected people John sees in Revelation 20?
The resurrected believers in Revelation 20 include those who were beheaded, those who were martyred, and tribulation saints who did not worship the beast or his image and did not receive his mark on their foreheads or hands.
Who are the resurrected believers in Revelation 20:4?
The resurrected believers in verse 4 are those who were beheaded, those who were martyred, and tribulation saints who did not worship the beast, his image, or receive his mark on their foreheads or hands.