What is the first resurrection in Revelation?

Defining the first resurrection in Revelation 20:5¹ is best begun with the “Scriptural backstop” of resurrection passages that can be clearly understood. The New Testament well establishes a resurrection of the saints^4,5,6,7 at the judgment day^4,5,7,10 – the “last day”⁷ resurrection including both Christians (“life”) and non-Christians (“death”)^4,10.

We can go a step further and eliminate any literal interpretation for the first resurrection of Revelation 20. It’s clearly not speaking of the actual first resurrection recorded in the Bible (1 Kings 17:17-23). It’s also clearly not referring to Jesus Christ’s resurrection. What our text¹ does clearly identify are the characteristics of those taking part in the first resurrection…which happen to be the same as the individuals eligible for the resurrection on the last day^4,5,6,7,10…which also happens to be the same as how John describes the very audience he’s addressing² and Christians in general³. It is Christians – all faithful Christians – that are Priests of God¹. They are not subject to the “second death” that’s awaiting the unrighteous but are promised to reign with Christ eternally⁵ (signified in our text¹ by the “thousand years”).

Therefore, the first resurrection in Revelation 20:5 is the resurrection that all Christians partake in through their baptism into Christ⁸, since this “first” resurrection must precede/necessitate their bodily resurrection to eternal life^4,5 coming on the last day^7,10. It is only by or through this “first” resurrection that the individual is free from the second death.

NOTE: One of Daniel’s visions⁹ bears striking similarities and correlation to John’s vision through Revelation chapters 19-20.

Why begin with the “Scriptural backstop”? This one passage¹ is the only reference to a “first” resurrection in the entire Bible, which is further compounded by the fact that it occurs in a genre (e.g. prophecy) that is by nature highly figurative and symbolic. In these cases, we would look to an inspired writer to illuminate us….but there is none (see the first reason). Therefore, a logical place to start is finding what is clearly taught about resurrection in general. When we coupling this with eliminating what Scripture clearly would not support for a definition, we just may come to terms with the best understanding for the first resurrection of Revelation 20:5¹ without straying outside the bounds of God’s authoritative word.