Marvel not at this: for the hour cometh, in which all that are in the tombs 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 judgment. John 5:28-29 ASV
This is an important passage for determining how many resurrections there will be, and what the purpose is for each. But translations do not agree on significant points. I’ve quoted the ASV translation, because it is the most nearly correct overall. However, it has “the resurrection” twice. In fact, the definite article, the, does not appear in the Greek either time.
Also, most translations use “done good” and “done evil”, but the word done is not translated from the same word in these two places. The first is from poieo, #4160. The second is from prasso, #4238. One of these words means done. The other has a meaning closer to practiced.
The problem is that different authorities have opposite views as to which is which. Strong’s concordance, and the ISV translation and some other translations agree that #4160 means done, and #4238 means practiced. On the contrary, the Darby translation and Biblos.com text analysis agree that #4160 means practiced, and #4238 means done. The same two words are used in John 3:20 and 21. The comparison there might help.
Most translations avoid this problem by simply using “done” in both places. Something important is being lost in translation that way. But worse than that, many translations incorrectly have “condemnation” or “damnation” instead of the correct English term—judgment. This misunderstanding has obscured the nature of the judgment period for centuries, causing millions to think that this age we are in is the only day of salvation and that anyone not saved now is lost forever, destined to be tortured (or suffer) for all eternity.
Are there two resurrections mentioned here? If so, these two include all who are in their graves at that time. But if the definite article,the, does not precede either resurrection, can we be sure that there are only two? Since all are included in this description, it may not leave room for any third resurrection. (Perhaps a more definite understanding of the difference in meaning between those two words could clarify the matter.)
But is Jesus even referring to two resurrections here? The time given is of an hour (or day, instant, time). It could be the same hour. It could be one resurrection for all, at one time, but some to life and some to judgment. If the definite article had been used for each, that would have strongly implied two separate resurrections.
A resurrection with two purposes
As written it could refer to one general resurrection with two purposes. If it actually said the hour in the Greek, that would certainly mean one resurrection, but the translators added the, so we need to look for more evidence.
In the context of John chapter 5, though, the two preceding verses suggest the start of what is actually a judgment period.
For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. John 5:26-27
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. Dan 12:2
This could be that same one resurrection with two purposes. Awakening “to” everlasting life could mean to awaken already having everlasting life. Or it could mean that the end result of that resurrection is everlasting life. That is, a resurrection to physical life with a later “change” to everlasting life.
A better resurrection
But another verse gets more specific about the total number of resurrections. The writer of Hebrews lists many saints who suffered terrible things in faith. He concludes with this phrase, in Hebrews 11:35, “Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection.” In referring to a better resurrection, it allows for a total of only two possible resurrections.
The word kreisson in most cases means better; but in at least the following verse it is translated as best: ”But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way” (1Co 12:31).
The difference is that with no definite article in Heb 11:35 it has to mean better, and cannot mean best. In that sentence the definite article would be needed to change the meaning to best. I can find no translation that does not use the word better. We know there are at least two resurrections. This shows that there are only two. Consider this passage, with advice by Paul:
Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. 1Cor 9:24-27
This use of the word castaway in the KJV is too harsh. The correct meaning, as other translations show, would be words like rejected, disqualified, reproved, disapproved.
Paul was not fearful that he might commit the unpardonable sin. His fear was that he might not qualify for that better resurrection.
Two resurrections compared
So if there are two resurrections, let’s compare them.
And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.
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. 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.-Rev 20:2-6
This is the first resurrection. We know it is the first resurrection because it says, “This is the first resurrection.” This first resurrection occurs in the same time period that Satan is bound. There won’t be any earlier resurrections. A few individuals from time to time have been brought back to life, such as Tabitha and Lazarus, and the saints resurrected to temporary physical life at the same time as Jesus was resurrected to eternal life.
This first resurrection of many will occur before the 1000 years, and there will be no more resurrections until after the 1000 years. This is a resurrection to eternal life (verse 6). No other categories here. All who are in this first resurrection are among the just. “And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just” (Luke 14:14).
This one has the definite article, “the resurrection” of the just. The first resurrection is the resurrection of the just. Now, if the first, before the 1000 years, is only of the just, then the one other, which comes after the 1000 years, must include all who are not called “the just.” John 5:28-29 is saying that all who are still in their graves after the first resurrection a thousand years earlier—all, from whatever time period—will hear his voice and come forth in a second and final resurrection.
The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here. The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here. Matt 12:41 -42
And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city. Mark 6:11
This day of judgment is the same day for the men of Nineveh, the queen of the south, the people of Sodom, and the people of that day. This second resurrection is called by Mark , “the day of judgment”.
Continuing:
Marvel not at this: for the hour cometh, in which all that are in the tombs 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 judgment. John 5:28-29 ASV
Remember, there are no definite articles; in both cases it is just resurrection, or a resurrection. But Matthew 12:42, quoted previously, does say “the judgment,” so there will only be one judgment period.
Who’s in the second resurrection?
Among the people who rise at the start of the judgment period, the second and last resurrection, are some who are not necessarily those that have done (or practiced) evil. Of course, all have sinned, but a distinction is being made here.
Consider this possibility. Many are called but few are chosen. At the first resurrection, only a relative few will be included, those who were both called and chosen, those who faithfully followed Paul’s advice in 1 Corinthians chapter 9. These chosen few will be the Royal Priesthood during the seventh 1000 years (1 Pet 2:9). But others, many more, were called in this life, and did (or practiced) good, but were not chosen to be in the first resurrection. Is this outcome not described by Paul in First Corinthians?
According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. 1 Cor 3:10 -15
If the work abides, he will receive a reward—as one of the Royal Prieshood in the first resurrection. If his work is burned, he will lose that reward, but he will be saved. He will be resurrected to eternal life in the second resurrection, after the thousand years, as one of those who have “done good.”
Can it be only 144 thousand in the first resurrection?
Jude 1:14
(EMTV) Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men, saying, “Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints,
(KJV) And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,
(Webster) And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,
These three translations of Jude 1:14 show that the Greek word murias, from which we get the word myriad, actually does mean ten thousand. The number of saints is counted in tens of thousands, not millions. One hundred and forty-four thousand is fourteen ten-thousands.
But weren’t we taught that there is also an innumerable multitude raised at the same time? This idea comes from Revelation chapter 7. The first 8 verses refer to the sealing of the 144,000.
Then verse 9 begins, “After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues.” Are these resurrected saints? Are they already spirit beings? Not according to verse 17. “For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes” (Rev 7:17) [our emphasis].
All future tense. These people are still flesh and blood human beings. This is the 100-year judgment period, as described in Revelation chapters 21 and 22. The throne of God is on earth, within the City. This is a separate vision from the one in the first 8 verses.
The 144,000 are not mentioned again until chapter 14. The visions that John reports in Revelation do not all occur in a strict time sequence. If the chapter break had been made 8 verses later, the sealing of the 144,000 would have seemed directly linked to the the last verse of chapter 6, “For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?” It would be seen as an answer to that question, and not directly related to the vision of the “innumerable multitude.” Remember, chapter breaks are placed at the translators’ discretion.
How many in the second resurrection?
These are those who are coming out of the great tribulation, and they did wash their robes, and they made their robes white in the blood of the Lamb; because of this are they before the throne of God, and they do service to Him day and night in His sanctuary, and He who is sitting upon the throne shall tabernacle over them; Rev 7,14-15, YLT
In the second resurrection all the other people who have ever lived will rise, most of whom were never called. They will rise into a period of judgment, to be judged. They are all the people who have “done evil.”
And this is the judgment, that the light hath come to the world, and men did love the darkness rather than the light, for their works were evil. John 3:19 YLT
The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil. John 7:7
I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. John 17:15
Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: Gal 1:4
The purpose of this present evil world is to give the vast majority of people the experience, when they rise in the judgment, of having done evil in this life, and of having personally seen the evil of the world. The memory of that experience, and the lasting effects of it, will have to be overcome by each one. In that effort they will be given all the help they need. They will become overcomers.
For those who will be in the first resurrection, those chosen to be a Royal Priesthood, the purpose of this present evil world is for their cleansing and sanctification; being trained to discern good and evil–learning obedience through the things they suffer just at Jesus did.
Having, then, these promises, beloved, may we cleanse ourselves from every pollution of flesh and spirit, perfecting sanctification in the fear of God; I Corinthians 7:1 YLT
. . . I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: Deuteronomy 30:19 KJV
But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. Hebrews 5:14 KJV
Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; Hebrews 5:8 KJV
Among those who are called to fulfill this purpose, only a few will qualify for the first resurrection, only that few will be chosen.
So there are three distinct groups of people to be resurrected, but they will rise on just two resurrection days. Just as there are three groups of people to rise, the Bible refers to three harvests. There is the spring barley harvest, the summer wheat harvest, and the great autumn harvest. Read Growing The Kingdom of God, Three harvest, Three seasons.