Jesus Appearance (5) - Second Resurrection

Human eyes will be opened to see into the spiritual dimension at the second resurrection. Christians often get confused about this topic, but we must understand that there are two resurrections. John described the first resurrection in his gospel and his vision.

I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge.… They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years…This is the first resurrection (Rev 20:4-5).

Most Christians believe that John was describing something that happens at the end of the age. This is a lie of the enemy to rob us of the truth of who we are in Jesus.

The first resurrection is not a future event. It occurs when we were born again to new life by faith in Jesus. Paul taught that those who are baptised into Christ, have not only died with him, but are raised with him (Rom 6:1-10).

Having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God….God made you alive with Christ (Col 2:12,13).

God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus (Eph 2:6).

These two verses are past tense. A Christian are united by faith with Christ in his death and resurrection. We have died with Jesus and been raised to new life in him. The moment we believe, we are born again into this new life. In the spiritual dimension, we have been raised up to sit at the right hand of the Father to reign with Jesus. We do not see this, but John did. Heaven was opened to him and he saw all those who believe sitting on thrones. This is the first resurrection. It is a spiritual resurrection that on affects those who believe in Jesus.

The second resurrection occurs at the end of the Kingdom age.

The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended (Rev 20:5).

Everyone on earth will be raised to life.

And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened… The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them... (Rev 20:12-13).

The first resurrection gives new spiritual life to believers. Those outside Christ continue to be spiritually dead. The second resurrection is the general resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked at the end of the age.

John distinguished these two resurrections in his gospel. The first resurrection is for those who believe.

I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life. I tell you the truth, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live (John 5:24-25).

This resurrection has already occurred for those who hear Jesus’ words and believe. The second resurrection affects everyone.

Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out--those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned (John 5:28-29).

The second resurrection touches everyone, whether they have done good or evil. This resurrection changes everyone. One effect of this resurrection is that everyone will be changed, and be able to see clearly into the spiritual world.

Prior to the second resurrection, some Christians are be able discern these things better than others. Elisha opened the eyes of his servant to see the spiritual armies fighting for Israel (2 Kings 6:17). Daniel discovered that geopolitical events are the outworking for a struggle betwen a few big angels (Dan 10). Paul knew that real struggle happens in the spiritual realms (Eph 6:12). John received an amazing revelation of the spiritual realm at the end of his life. We may not see as clearly as John, but every Christian who has shared in the first resurrection should have some insight into what is happening in the spiritual realms. Paul prayed that the Ephesians would gain this insight.

The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people (Eph 1:3,18).

As we walk in the Spirit and grow in faith, our insight into the spiritual should increase, but it will never be complete. John received an amazing revelation, but even he could not fully grasp what his spiritual eyes had seen. He just recorded it carefully for those who would come after him.

For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away (1 Cor 13:9-10).

When the second resurrection occurs, the perfect will have come. The partial will disappear and everyone will be able to see the spiritual dimension as clearly as we now see the physical world.

The first resurrections enables us to see by faith. The second resurrection is a real event that takes our seeing of the spiritual dimension to a new level. It does not change the universe, but it dramatically changes the way that people see it. The changes that Jesus worked through the cross will be clearly visible to everyone.