B i b l e S t u d y
Lesson: Revelation 20 - The Third Resurrection -
The Resurrection to Damnation
SCRIPTURE READING: Revelation 20
GOLDEN TEXT: John 5:29.
1. Is being a part of the first resurrection the goal and hope of every true Christian? (1 Thessalonians 4:13-17.)
2. Are the Saints in this "first resurrection" blessed and holy? (Revelation 20:6.) Is the "first resurrection" also called the "better resurrection?" (Hebrew 11:35.) Does the second death have any power over the Saints who will be resurrected in this first resurrection? (Revelation 20:6.) Will the Saints rule with Jesus Christ for a thousand years? (Same verse.) Will they rule and reign on the earth? (Revelation 5:10, 2:26-27,20:4.)
Note: Notice the terms ‘better resurrection" and "first resurrection" are hints that there are more than one resurrection.
3. What happens to the "rest of the dead", those who have died without the knowledge of salvation? (Revelation 20:5.)
Note: The "rest of the dead" are those who have never had their chance to understand God’s truth - they did not live again until the 1,000 years were finished.
4. What did the apostle John say would happen following Satan’s final rebellion and punishment? (Revelation 20:11-12.) Is this the time of the White Throne Judgment? (Verse 11.) Is this a time of the second resurrection when the "rest of the dead" stand before the throne of Jesus Christ, the Son of God? (Verse 12.) Are the resurrected dead judged "according to their works?" (Revelation 20:12-14.)
Note: The billions of people who will be resurrected from the dead in this second resurrection will have their minds opened to the truth of God and the Bible and they will be judged "according to their works" just the same as we in the church are being judged now (1 Peter 4:17.)
5. Does the apostle Paul in the "Resurrection Chapter" (1 Corinthians 15) say that there is an "order" to the resurrections? (1 Corinthians 15:23.)
Note: This order begins with Jesus Christ who was the first to be resurrected, followed by those who are Christ's at His second coming. These are the Saints, the Elect, the Bride, those who will be in the first resurrection. A thousand years later, the second resurrection, which is called the White Throne Judgment, will occur when the multiple millions of people will be resurrected and have their opportunity for salvation. The White Throne Judgment will last 100 years (Isaiah 65:20) followed by the third and last resurrection, the resurrection to damnation.
6. Is there another resurrection following the White Throne Judgment and are they judged according to their works? (Revelation 20:13-14.) Were Death and the Grave cast into the lake of fire? (Same verses.) Is this called the second death? (Same verses.)
Note: The Greek word "hades" should be translated as the word "grave" and not the word "hell" as translated in the K.J.V.
7. What is the fate of those whose names are not written in the Book of Life? (Revelation 20:15.)
Note: The "Book of Life" was opened during the White Throne Judgment so more names could be added to receive the gift of eternal life (Romans 6:23.) Notice that the "Book of Life" is NOT opened to those in the third resurrection, because they must have had their opportunity for salvation and they rejected it.
8. Did the apostle John speak of a "resurrection to damnation" or "condemnation"? (John 5:29.)
Note: The third resurrection takes place when God’s plan is complete. All of the wicked who have rejected God’s ways and have died in their sins will be raised to physical life and they will appear before the judgment seat of Jesus Christ to receive their reward - to suffer final extinction in the Lake of Fire, which is the second death. They will never again be resurrected.
9. Who are the people punished by this second death? (Revelation 21:8.) Doesn’t anyone who persists in evil, rejecting God’s good way of life, finally end up in this all-consuming Lake of Fire? (Hebrews 10:26-27.) Wasn’t this the same fate promised to the wicked of Old Testament times who rejected God’s ways? (Daniel 12:2, Malachi 4:1-3.) Will the wicked become as ashes under the soles of the Saints’ feet? (Same verses.)
10. Isn’t this the same scene depicted in the "parable" of Lazarus and the Rich Man? (Luke 16:24.)
Note: To learn more about this topic you can request our FREE booklet: "Lazarus and the Rich Man." Send your request to: I.C.O.G. - P.O. Box 22, Portsmouth, OH 45662-0022.
11. When the incorrigibly wicked are destroyed, are not their wicked works destroyed with them? (2 Peter 3:10.)
12. To what historical event does the apostle Peter compare this final world-consuming Lake of Fire? (2 Peter 3:5-7,10-12.)
13. Didn’t God destroy ungodly men and the society in which they lived during the time of Noah? Weren’t only the righteous saved alive? (Genesis 6:12-13, 17-18.)
14. Didn’t John the Baptist foretell a coming baptism with fire? (Matthew 3:7-11.) Did the Pharisees and Sadducees of Christ’s time willfully and deliberately reject God’s ways by substituting their own traditions? (Mark 7:5-9.) Later on, were they responsible for putting Jesus Christ to death? (Matthew 27:20-26). Did John warn them that unless they repented that they would be rejected as failures in God’s plan, and be cast into the Lake of Fire? (Matthew 3:8-10.)
In Conclusion: God offers salvation freely to all men who will receive it (Acts 2:21.) He has made every man a free moral agent with the power to choose right from wrong, righteousness over unrighteousness. Those who do not voluntarily accept God’s offer to follow His way of life, accepting Jesus as their savior (Acts 4:12), keeping His commandments, doing good to his fellow man, will not receive eternal life. "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23 NKJV.) The third resurrection is a resurrection of condemnation to eternal death by cremation in their final Gehenna hell Fire.
Scriptures
Scripture Reading:
(Revelation 20 NKJV) Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. {2} He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; {3} and he cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal on him, so that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years were finished. But after these things he must be released for a little while. {4} And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. {5} But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. {6} Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.
Satan's Doom
{7} Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison {8} and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea. {9} They went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them. {10} The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.
The Dead Are Judged
{11} Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. {12} And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. {13} The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. {14} Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. {15} And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.
Golden Text: (John 5:29 KJV) 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.
1.) (1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 NKJV) But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. {14} For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. {15} For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. {16} For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. {17} Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.
2) (Revelation 20:6 NKJV) Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.
(Hebrews 11:35 NKJV) Women received their dead raised to life again. And others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection.
(Revelation 5:10 NKJV) And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth."
(Revelation 2:26-27 NKJV) "And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations; {27} 'He shall rule them with a rod of iron; They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter's vessels'; as I also have received from My Father;
(Revelation 20:4 NKJV) And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.
3.) (Revelation 20:5 NKJV) But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
4.) (Revelation 20:11-14 NKJV) Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. {12} And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. {13} The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. {14} Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
(1 Peter 4:17 NKJV) For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?
5.) (1 Corinthians 15:23 NKJV) But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ's at His coming.
(Isaiah 65:20 NKJV) "No more shall an infant from there live but a few days, Nor an old man who has not fulfilled his days; For the child shall die one hundred years old, But the sinner being one hundred years old shall be accursed.
6.)(Revelation 20:13-14 NKJV) The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. {14} Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
7.) (Revelation 20:15 NKJV) And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.
8.) (John 5:29 NKJV) "and come forth; those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.
(John 5:29 KJV) 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 5:29 NIV) and come out--those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned.
9.) (Revelation 21:8 NKJV) "But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death."
(Hebrews 10:26-27 NKJV) For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, {27} but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries.
(Daniel 12:2 NKJV) And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, Some to everlasting life, Some to shame and everlasting contempt.
(Malachi 4:1-3 NKJV) "For behold, the day is coming, Burning like an oven, And all the proud, yes, all who do wickedly will be stubble. And the day which is coming shall burn them up," Says the LORD of hosts, "That will leave them neither root nor branch. {2} But to you who fear My name The Sun of Righteousness shall arise With healing in His wings; And you shall go out And grow fat like stall-fed calves. {3} You shall trample the wicked, For they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet On the day that I do this," Says the LORD of hosts.
10.) (Luke 16:24 NKJV) "Then he cried and said, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.'
11.) (2 Peter 3:10 NKJV) But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.
12.) (2 Peter 3:5-7 NKJV) For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, {6} by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. {7} But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
(2 Peter 3:10-12 NKJV) But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. {11} Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, {12} looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat?
13.) (Genesis 6:12-13 NKJV) So God looked upon the earth, and indeed it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth. {13} And God said to Noah, "The end of all flesh has come before Me, for the earth is filled with violence through them; and behold, I will destroy them with the earth.
(Genesis 6:17-18 NKJV) "And behold, I Myself am bringing floodwaters on the earth, to destroy from under heaven all flesh in which is the breath of life; everything that is on the earth shall die. {18} "But I will establish My covenant with you; and you shall go into the ark; you, your sons, your wife, and your sons' wives with you.
14.) (Matthew 3:7-11 NKJV) But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, "Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? {8} "Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, {9} "and do not think to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. {10} "And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. {11} "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
(Mark 7:5-9 NKJV) Then the Pharisees and scribes asked Him, "Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashed hands?" {6} He answered and said to them, "Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: 'This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. {7} And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.' {8} "For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men; the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do." {9} He said to them, "All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition.
(Matthew 27:20-26 NKJV) But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitudes that they should ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. {21} The governor answered and said to them, "Which of the two do you want me to release to you?" They said, "Barabbas!" {22} Pilate said to them, "What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?" They all said to him, "Let Him be crucified!" {23} Then the governor said, "Why, what evil has He done?" But they cried out all the more, saying, "Let Him be crucified!" {24} When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all, but rather that a tumult was rising, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, "I am innocent of the blood of this just Person. You see to it." {25} And all the people answered and said, "His blood be on us and on our children." {26} Then he released Barabbas to them; and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered Him to be crucified.
(Matthew 3:8-10 NKJV) "Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, {9} "and do not think to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. {10} "And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
(Acts 2:21 NKJV) And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the LORD Shall be saved.'
(Acts 4:12 NKJV) "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."