What is not generally understood is that a second resurrection will take place after the Millennium, which is Christ’s thousand year reign on earth: “But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished” (Revelation 20:5). Jesus Christ tells us that this resurrection will be to a coming judgment: “Do not marvel at this; for an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs will hear His voice, and will come forth; those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment” (John 5:28-29, New American Standard Bible).
This resurrection, also known as the general resurrection or Great White Throne Judgment (Revelation 20:11), is further described in Revelation 20:12: “And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened [evidently meaning the books of the Bible now opened to their understanding]. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life [meaning the opportunity to be saved]. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books.” That is, they are evaluated over time—according to how they live by what they then learn. They were not instantly condemned.
John 5:29 calls this “a resurrection of judgment”—not “of condemnation,” as some Bible versions render the words here.The Judge is Christ: “For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son” (John 5:22), because Jesus experienced life as a human being (John 5:27; Hebrews 4:15).
This second resurrection is a resurrection back to physical life (Ezekiel 37:1-14), and will include the vast majority of all people who have ever lived—people who never knew God and His great purpose for them. This will take place after the 1,000 year millennial reign of Jesus Christ. It will be an exciting time when billions of people from all periods of history will come back to life. Jesus referred to this time in Matthew 11:20-24 and 12:41-42.
While these people will have a second opportunity for physical life at this time, it will be their first opportunity for salvation, when they will be given ample time to learn and grow in God’s way of life. God’s plan includes everyone. He is not willing for any to perish but that all should come to repentance and salvation (2 Peter 3:9; 1 Timothy 2:4). Yet some, even with sufficient understanding and opportunity, will still refuse to comply.
