Who are the resurrected believers in Revelation 20:4-5?
The resurrected believers are all the saved from Abel through the tribulation, now in the Lord's presence as the first resurrection. The rest of the dead are the lost, who remain in hell until the thousand years of the Kingdom rule are finished.
Les explains that Revelation 20:4-5 describes the first resurrection, which includes all believers from Abel through the tribulation. They are now resurrected and in the Lord's presence. The "rest of the dead" are the lost, because God recognizes only two groups: the saved and the lost. Since the saved are already resurrected, the rest must be the lost. They stay in their original state, which is hell, throughout the thousand years of the Kingdom rule. The word "this" in verse 5 refers back to the people in verse 4, confirming they are 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.
But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
More Questions
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.
What does 'this is the first resurrection' refer to in Revelation 20:5?
The word 'this' at the end of Revelation 20:5 refers to the people in verse 4, and those people are the first resurrection.