[huldah1776]

In 1 Thessalonians Paul was writing to them because someone was spreading a rumor that the resurrection of the dead had already occurred. Are not the dead in Christ raised first at the return of the Messiah King? Don't ever study 1 Thessalonians without reading 2 Thessalonians. Pre-trib teachers cannot do that. Why? Because 2 Thessalonians doesn't fit in with the pre-trib view.

"2 Now we request you, brethren, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, 2 that you not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. 3 Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, 4 who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God. 5 Do you not remember that while I was still with you, I was telling you these things?"

There are two (2) resurrections. The resurrections are crucial to the time of the gathering of believers. Revelation 20 is also not mentioned in the pre-trib view.

Why? Because of one phrase This is the first resurrection.

I suggest reading the whole New Testament over a couple of days. Take your own notes. Read Revelation a couple of times straight through. Ask God to speak the truth to your heart no matter what you have been taught. When before the throne it is His word against everyone else's.

"4 Then I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony of Jesus and because of the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received the mark on their forehead and on their hand; and they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. 5 The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were completed. This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years."

[anathemized]

In John 5:29, Jesus talks of a resurrection of life and a resurrection of judgment.

In Revelation 5:5, “...This is the first resurrection” must refer to those (v. 4)souls who had been executed by the beast and are blessed. “The rest of the dead” who come to life after a thousand years are resurrected to judgment and the second death.

I don't recall a mention of a “second resurrection” per se.

With love.