Revelation 20:4–6 (KJV) teaches that the “first resurrection” occurs after the tribulation, at Christ’s visible return, not before it. Here is the key passage:
“And I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God… and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years… This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power…” (Revelation 20:4–6)
What “The first resurrection” means
In this context, John sees:
People killed during the tribulation (“beheaded… had not worshipped the beast”)
They come back to life
They reign with Christ for 1,000 years
Scripture explicitly calls this event “the first resurrection”
Because it includes tribulation martyrs, it must occur after the beast’s persecution — which happens during the tribulation.
Why this implies no pre-tribulation resurrection/rapture
If a resurrection (or rapture involving resurrection) had already happened earlier, this could not be called “the first.” The passage also says:
“But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished.”
So there are only two resurrections in view:
First resurrection — righteous believers, after tribulation, at Christ’s return
Second resurrection — the rest of the dead after the millennium (Revelation 20:11–15)
Connection to the “last trumpet”
Paul describes the resurrection of believers this way:
“In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump… the dead shall be raised incorruptible.” (1 Corinthians 15:52)
Revelation shows the seventh (final) trumpet sounding near the end of the tribulation (Revelation 11:15), followed by judgment and the establishment of Christ’s kingdom.
Jesus’ own timeline
Jesus also places the gathering of believers after the tribulation:
“Immediately after the tribulation… he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect…” (Matthew 24:29–31)
Summary of this interpretation
According to this reading of Scripture:
Tribulation occurs first
Believers endure persecution (including martyrdom)
Christ returns visibly
The dead in Christ are raised — the first resurrection
Living believers are gathered to Him
Christ reigns on earth
Therefore, the “first resurrection” in Revelation 20 is understood as evidence that Christians are not removed beforehand but are raised when Christ returns at the end of the tribulation.
