The Bible teaches that there will be two resurrections: the resurrection of the righteous and the resurrection of the wicked. These are separate events, each tied to a distinct purpose and outcome.
Jesus explained this in John 5:28–29:
“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.”
The first resurrection is for the righteous, those who have believed in Christ. It will occur at His second coming and is described in 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17:
“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout… And the dead in Christ will rise first.”
This resurrection is also explained in 1 Corinthians 15:52–53:
“The dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.”
Those who take part in this first resurrection will be given glorified, immortal bodies fit for eternal life with the Lord. Revelation 20:6 declares:
“Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power.”
The second resurrection takes place after the thousand-year reign of Christ. It is for the wicked, those who died in their sins and rejected God’s truth. Revelation 20:12–13 describes this moment:
“And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God… and the dead were judged according to their works.”
This resurrection leads to the second death, which is the destruction of both soul and body in the lake of fire.
There are only two outcomes after death, eternal life or eternal destruction. The resurrection of the dead confirms that every soul will rise and face the judgment of God. The righteous will enter everlasting life; the wicked will face irreversible condemnation.
