PMW 2021-069 by Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr.

Although the vast majority of Revelation focuses on events that will occur “soon” (Rev 1:1, 3), the Revelation 20 section on the thousand years begins, but is not completed, in the first century. It projects itself into the distant future, allowing a glimpse of the end result of the events beginning in the apostolic era.

In Rev 20:4 John focuses on the martyred saints, who participate in Christ’s heavenly rule (Rev 20:4): “the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness and those who had not worshiped the beast.” Given John’s time-frame concern (cf. Rev 1:3, 9), his focus is on the martyrs of the first-century era (Rev 6:9–11; 7:9, 13–15; 11:7–12; 12:5; 13:7, 15; 14:13; 16:6; 17:6; 18:20, 24). In fact, 20:4 is the answer to the plea of the martyrs in Rev 6:9–11, as we can see from the strong parallels between the passages:

In Revelation 20:1–3 John explicates the first phase of Christ’s triumph over Satan: he is spiritually bound, being restricted from successfully accomplishing his evil design in history. In Revelation 20:7–10 we witness the second and concluding phase of Christ’s triumph: Satan is personally punished, being tormented in the eternal flames of the lake of fire. John employs this two-fold pattern of spiritual/physical realities followed by initial/conclusive realities in the resurrection reference in Revelation 20, as well.

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The “first resurrection” secures the participation of the martyred saints in Christ’s rule (Rev 20:4–6). The context suggests that this resurrection may not be literal. After all, we see a chain binding Satan and a key locking the abyss. As in the case of the two-fold triumph over Satan, this is the initial, spiritual victory-resurrection. That is, it refers to the spiritual resurrection of the martyrs who are born again by God’s grace and enter heaven to new life. After all, elsewhere Scripture speaks of salvation as a spiritual resurrection: “We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death” (1Jn 3:14; cp. See also: Ro 6:8–11; Eph 2:6; Col 2:13–14). For dramatic purposes John ties this resurrection to the martyr’s vindication in AD 70.

Elsewhere John, Revelation’s author, speaks of a non-literal resurrection that occurs at the moment of salvation, much like Rev 20 associates a non-literal resurrection with the martyrs’ vindication in AD 70. He presents this in such a way that it serves as an advance indication of the final eschatological resurrection:

“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live. For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself, and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man. Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth; those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.” (Jn 5:24–29)

John presents the martyrs’ vindication metaphorically as their being resurrected to enthronement, which does not require a physical resurrection. This non-literal enthronement should not surprise us in that earlier he more broadly states that he “has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever” (Rev 1:6). After all, Christians are “overcomers” (cf. 1Jn 2:13–14; 4:4; 5:4–5) and sit with Christ in heavenly rule: “To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne” (Rev 3:21). As Paul puts it, Christ “raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus” (Eph 2:6).

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Helpful introduction to Revelation presenting keys for interpreting. Also provides studies of basic issues in Revelation’s story-line.|

See more study materials at: www.KennethGentry.com

The “rest of the dead” do not participate in this first century, spiritual resurrection. In fact, they “do not live again until the thousand years” is finished (Rev 20:5). For John’s purposes, these dead probably refer to “the rest,” who were killed in Revelation 19:21 — the associates of the beast (Nero) who is slain in the context of AD 70. In the future they will be physically resurrected (implied) in order to experience “the second death” (eternal torment in both body and soul, Mt 10:28), which occurs on Judgment Day (Rev 20:11–15).

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