How Many Resurrections Are There According to the Bible?

Direct Answer

The Bible teaches two resurrections: the resurrection of the just and the resurrection of the unjust.

Jesus said all in the graves will come forth—some to the resurrection of life, some to the resurrection of damnation (John 5:28-29). Les Feldick teaches these are separate events: the resurrection of believers takes place before the millennial kingdom, and the resurrection of the lost takes place after the thousand years at the great white throne.

Key Scriptures

John 5:28-29 — Jesus explicitly names two resurrections with different outcomes—life and damnation.

Revelation 20:5-6 — This passage describes the first resurrection and indicates the rest of the dead wait until after the thousand years.

Daniel 12:2 — Daniel records two outcomes of resurrection: everlasting life and everlasting contempt.

What Does the Bible Say?

The Bible speaks of two distinct resurrections. Jesus said: "Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation" (John 5:28-29). This shows a resurrection of life and a resurrection of condemnation. Revelation 20:5-6 refers to "the first resurrection" and says "the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished." Revelation 20:12-14 shows the second resurrection when death and hell delivered up the dead and they were cast into the lake of fire. Daniel 12:2 also contrasts those who awake to everlasting life with those who awake to shame and everlasting contempt. Paul adds in 1 Corinthians 15 that there is an order: "Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming."

What Does Les Feldick Teach About the Number of Resurrections?

Les Feldick consistently teaches that the Bible reveals two resurrections, not one. He bases this on John's Gospel chapter 5, where Jesus speaks of a resurrection of life and a resurrection of damnation. Les calls these the resurrection of the just and the resurrection of the unjust. He points out that Revelation 20 calls the believers' resurrection "the first resurrection" and describes "the rest of the dead" as the lost. Les stresses that the two resurrections are not simultaneous. The resurrection of the just—all believers from Adam through the end of the tribulation—takes place before the millennial Kingdom. The resurrection of the unjust happens after the thousand years, when death and hell give up the dead for the great white throne. He also clarifies that resurrection is a bodily, visible event, not merely an invisible spirit realm, and that the lost are raised in a body fit for the lake of fire, where they are not annihilated but experience conscious suffering for all eternity.

What Are the Two Resurrections?

In John 5:29, Jesus describes a resurrection of life and a resurrection of damnation. Les Feldick identifies these as the resurrection of the just and the resurrection of the unjust. He explains that Revelation 20 refers to the believers' resurrection as the first resurrection, and the "rest of the dead" are the lost.

Are the Two Resurrections Separated by a Thousand Years?

Yes. Les Feldick points to Revelation 20:5, where "the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished." He teaches that the resurrection of the just occurs before the Kingdom begins, while the resurrection of the unjust occurs after the thousand years. He also notes that Jesus in John 5 did not put a time frame on either resurrection—the timing is found in the rest of Scripture.

Who Takes Part in Each Resurrection?

The resurrection of life is for believers—Les says all the way from Adam back in Genesis through the end of the tribulation. The resurrection of damnation is for the lost. At the great white throne, the lost are resurrected out of hell and appear in a body suited for the eternal lake of fire.

Is Resurrection a Bodily Event?

Les Feldick stresses that resurrection is visible and bodily—it is not merely entering an invisible spirit realm. He contrasts this with a pastor who defined resurrection as going into an invisible spirit realm, saying the genuine resurrection is just that: a visible, bodily resurrection. Christ's resurrection and the future resurrection of believers are both bodily.

Why Do Some Verses Sound Like Only One Resurrection?

Les Feldick says you must compare Scripture with Scripture. John 5:29 and Daniel 12:2 can appear to bring both resurrections into the same event, but the rest of Scripture shows they are separate. He warns against building a doctrine from a single isolated verse.

From the Teaching

Definition of Resurrection — Visible and Bodily

Les shows that resurrection is a visible, bodily event and not merely entering an invisible spirit realm; this applies to Christ's resurrection and our own.

Two Groups: Saved and Lost

Les explains that the "rest of the dead" in Revelation 20 are the lost, because there are only two groups of people—saved and lost—and the saved are already raised.

The Lost Are Raised to Eternal Separation

Les teaches that the lost are not annihilated but will be resurrected to a life separated from God and will experience regret and feeling for all eternity.

John 5:29: Two Resurrections

Les points to John 5:29 and says you must compare Scripture with Scripture: there is a resurrection of life for believers and a resurrection of condemnation for the lost.

Resurrection of the Just

Les explains that the first resurrection includes all believers from Adam through the tribulation, and he defines resurrection as entry into the eternal state, not reanimation.

Resurrection of the Unjust

Les teaches that the lost will be resurrected out of hell before the great white throne in a body fit for the eternal lake of fire.

Separated by One Thousand Years

Les shows that the resurrection of the just happens before the millennial kingdom, and the resurrection of the unjust takes place after the thousand years, when death and hell are cast into the lake of fire.

Daniel 12 and Old Testament Resurrection

Les explains that Daniel 12:2 seems to combine the two resurrections, but comparing Scripture reveals the believing Old Testament dead are raised separately from the unbelieving dead.

Bible Verses

John 5:28-29: 28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, 29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

Jesus directly states that all will be raised: some to a resurrection of life and some to a resurrection of damnation.

Revelation 20:5-6: 5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 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.

Revelation identifies the first resurrection of believers and shows the rest of the dead remain until after the thousand years.

Revelation 20:12-14: 12 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. 13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

This passage describes the second resurrection of the lost for judgment and their final placement in the lake of fire.

Daniel 12:2: And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.

Daniel contrasts the two outcomes of resurrection: everlasting life and everlasting shame.

1 Corinthians 15:20-23: 20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. 21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.

Paul shows the resurrection has an order, beginning with Christ as the firstfruits.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many resurrections does the Bible teach?

Two. Jesus said in John 5:28-29 that all in the graves will come forth—some to the resurrection of life, and some to the resurrection of damnation. Les Feldick identifies these as the resurrection of the just and the resurrection of the unjust.

Will everyone be resurrected at the same time?

No. The resurrection of the just takes place before the millennial kingdom, while the resurrection of the unjust takes place after the thousand years, as Revelation 20 shows. Les Feldick emphasizes that John 5 and Daniel 12 may sound like one event, but comparing Scripture shows they are separate.

What is the resurrection of the unjust?

It is the resurrection of the lost, who are raised after the thousand years to stand before the great white throne. They are judged according to their works and cast into the lake of fire. Les teaches they receive a body fit for the eternal lake of fire, not for glory.

Is resurrection the same as being revived like Lazarus?

No. Les Feldick teaches that resurrection is not reanimation; it is being brought into an eternal state. Christ was the first to actually experience resurrection and is called 'the firstfruits of them that slept.'

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