...I think you don't call the first resurrection, physical...
Well, right, because it's not. :) You think it is. Fine; we can agree to disagree.
...thus in Scripture for the actual physical resurrection, we need the term "second resurrection".
Well, the second is different in nature than the first (incidentally much like the second death is different in nature than the first). I understand well that you think not. Again, fine; we can agree to disagree. I'll just say this:
The second resurrection is a reversal of the first death, and general to all, but with two opposite outcomes (eternal life and judgment ~ John 5:28-29). Also, many never experience the first resurrection, and they are the only ones subject to and inevitably ~ at the final Judgment ~ consigned to the second death (Matthew 7:21-23, Matthew 25:41-45a).
Unless you stop calling the first resurrection spiritual, and then it works out just fine.
:) It is a "working out," that's for sure... :)
The second birth is only a figurative resurrection, not a literal resurrection.
Agreed. :) But a resurrection nonetheless. The first resurrection.
The first resurrection is only physical, and has been an ongoing phenomenon since the Cross.
I agree that the first resurrection has been "an ongoing phenomenon since the Cross" ~ individual, each at his/her appointed (by God) time ~ but do you somehow think there are physically resurrected people among us today, Timtofly? If so, that smacks of reincarnation, and I would reject that outright.
Lazarus was literally and physically called out of his grave.
Well, yes, and this is a picture of the second resurrection.
All the OT redeemed at the Cross were literally called out of their graves.
Hm, interesting. So how would you back this up with Scripture (if you do at all)?
That first physical resurrection already happened for all currently in Paradise.
Well, I agree with this statement except for... "physical." :) When they died, they gave up their spirits, just as Jesus did when He died on the cross (John 19:30), and were with Jesus the very day they died, just as the thief crucified with Jesus on His right, whom Jesus told that would be the case (Luke 23:43).
The NT redeemed are literally called out of their graves physically at the moment this physical body dies.
Again, interesting. At the very least, Timtofly, for your statement here to be true, these folks would have had to have been
in their graves
before their physical body died ~
buried alive? ~ which is... well, that's quite astounding that you would say that. Surely that's not what you mean...
...you change Revelation 20 to suit your own belief, instead of just going with what John did write.
This would be my opinion regarding you, Timtofly. What's interesting is that I've used Scripture ~ all of Scripture ~ explicitly to back up what I've been saying, while you, in any exchange you've had with me, other than just referencing Revelation 20 in reference to itself, have not. I'm sure you think you can, so, let's hear it.
John was not contradicting Paul.
Wholeheartedly agreed.
John was affirming and taking the point a step further.
As I said earlier, John's perspective was very different than Paul's or Peter's. We can see that in Revelation 4:1-2, where John says, "
After this I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven! And the first voice, which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said, 'Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.' At once I was in the Spirit..."
John's first resurrection is not only a point at that time. It can be applied to all those in Christ.
Agreed. Individually speaking, all of those in Christ experience the first resurrection at their appointed (by God) time... at some point in the course of their life here on earth.
Just not that judgment, as that judgment only applied to those souls beheaded in the prior 42 months and not about the church at all. The first resurrection can be applied to the church, but not that event in Revelation 20:4.
Hmmm, well,
"the souls of those who had been beheaded" in Revelation 20:4 refers to those who have suffered martyrdom. These are now disembodied spirits living in the presence of God and of Christ, as represented in Revelation 6:9-10, where John says,
"When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne. They cried out with a loud voice, 'O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before You will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?'" Martyrs are singled out as the most notable group of faithful witnesses. But other saints are not excluded from the privileges mentioned.
You're an interesting fellow, Timtofly. Grace and peace to you.