Hi there! Today, we’re talking about something amazing: the first resurrection. Did you know the Bible talks about two resurrections? Let’s explore when they happen and how we can be included. Welcome to Extraordinary Evidence!
Understanding Daniel’s Prophecies
The Book of Daniel is packed with incredible details about the rise and fall of empires like Babylon, Persia, Greece, and Rome. These events all lead to the New Covenant—the time of the Messianic Kingdom. Chapters 10–12 in Daniel give us a deeper look at earlier prophecies.
Daniel’s vision spans from Persia to the Jewish-Roman War, also called the Great Tribulation. This was a time of judgment on Judah for sins like idolatry and bloodshed. But it was also a time of reward. Revelation 11 says, “The time came for the dead to be judged and for God to reward His servants, prophets, and saints.”
What Happened During the First Resurrection?
Daniel 12:13 tells us, “At the end of the age, you will rise to receive your reward.” This “end” refers to the Temple Age and the Kingdom of Judah, not the end of time. The resurrection happened when Jerusalem fell in 70 AD, fulfilling Jesus’ words in Matthew 24. He said, “This generation will not pass until all these things take place.”
How Do Empires Fit In?
Daniel predicted major shifts in power:
- Persia rose after Babylon, with kings like Cyrus and Xerxes.
- Greece followed, led by Alexander the Great, whose empire split after his death.
- Rome came next, with emperors like Nero, who was in power during the Jewish-Roman War.
These empires played a role in God’s plan. For example, Rome’s destruction of Jerusalem was part of God’s judgment. But after Jerusalem fell, the Gospel spread rapidly, just as Daniel and Revelation predicted.
The Reward for the Faithful
Daniel 12:2 says, “Many who sleep in the dust will awake—some to everlasting life and others to disgrace.” The faithful—those who led others to righteousness—are described as shining “like stars forever.”
Revelation 20 echoes this: “Blessed are those who take part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them. They will reign with Christ for 1,000 years.”
This “first resurrection” was a spiritual event tied to the fall of Jerusalem. It rewarded the saints, prophets, and martyrs who stayed faithful to God.
What About the Future?
The second resurrection is still ahead. Revelation 20 says this is when all the dead will be judged. Even death itself will be destroyed. Until then, Jesus continues to reign, bringing everything under His authority.
Why Does This Matter?
Although we couldn’t physically see the first resurrection, we know it happened because the prophecies came true. This gives us confidence in God’s promises. Revelation 14:13 reminds us: “Blessed are those who die in the Lord from now on, for their deeds will follow them.”
Thanks for joining us! Keep exploring the extraordinary evidence all around us. Together, let’s climb to the top of this mountain of truth.