Hi Dennis,
Ray Smith was correct about the timing of the second resurrection - even if Rev 20:5 is not an original part of the Holy Texts of the Bible - because of verse 6 of Rev 20 indicating the First resurrection occurring at the start of the Thousand Year Period of time. In 1 Corinthians 15:23 King James Version (KJV) But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.1 Corinthians 15:51-55 King James Version (KJV) Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
Paul also wrote,"1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 King James Version (KJV) For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
According to Paul, "the dead in Christ shall rise first." This is the first resurrection" depicted in Revelation 20:6. Revelation 20:4-6 begins the Thousand Years with the resurrection of the elect - with both the dead first and they that are alive - second in sequence in the FIRST resurrection.
So Paul adds to this further by saying - the true believers (the elect) being "caught up" then he declares immediately after (I Thess 4:16:18) - 1 Thessalonians 5:2-3 King James Version (KJV) For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and THEY SHALL NOT ESCAPE.
So the dead raised up occurs after the Thousand Year period of time in the Second Resurrection and the numbers will be staggering, they will in clude all those that are NOT - "caught up" - seeing those that ARE "caught up" will be with Jesus and alive in the First resurrection.
Is my thinking correct here, Dennis - just trying to make sense out of all this.
John