Question: I am confused and do not know what the second resurrection is.
Answer: The Bible teaches two distinct resurrections and there is a first and a second. John 5:24-29 discusses both of these resurrections and presents them in their proper order. In verse 24 Jesus said, “…He that heareth my word, and believeth on Him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” Everlasting life and being free from condemnation describes a spiritual state and condition salvation. Those who were passed from death unto life were those who were dead in their sins Ephesians 2:1; Colossians 2:13 (this text makes it clear that this resurrection is brought to pass when one is forgiven all trespasses saved). Then verse 25 says that the hour is coming and NOW IS when the dead would hear the voice of Jesus and live. It is clear that this being brought to life was a present reality and was to come also. In other words, this began to be realized in the ministry of Christ and His apostles and was to continue throughout this gospel dispensation wherever the gospel was preached and men believed it. This was the first resurrection salvation.
Then in verse 28 Jesus said, “…the hour is COMING, in which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, (verse 29), And shall come forth….” This is clear reference to the resurrection of the dead at Christ’s second coming when all shall come forth from their graves. Note it says in verse 28, “The hour is COMING,” but did not say “NOW IS” as in verse 25. This second resurrection was not then; neither is it yet at this time, but is something altogether future and will come to pass when Jesus comes again. See I Corinthians 15:51-54; I Thessalonians 4:13-18; John 6:39-40, 44, 54, and etc.
