---
title: Revelation 20:5
url: https://jw-apologetics.app/verses/revelation-20-5/
markdown: https://jw-apologetics.app/verses/revelation-20-5.md
type: verse
perspective: Protestant (historic Nicene) response to Jehovah's Witness teaching
reference: Revelation 20:5
testament: NT
section: Prophecy
index: https://jw-apologetics.app/llms.txt
---

# Revelation 20:5

## Text (Berean Standard Bible)

> The rest of the dead did not come back to life until the thousand years were complete. This is the first resurrection.

## NWT Wording of the Key Phrase

- NWT (2013 revision): "(The rest of the dead did not come to life until the 1,000 years were ended.) This is the first resurrection."

## JW Usage

Central to the Watchtower's earthly hope. "The rest of the dead" are understood as the billions who died without knowing Jehovah; they are raised during the thousand years, taught, and given the opportunity to qualify for everlasting life on a restored earth. This is the organisation's strongest answer to the fairness question — that God would not condemn people who never had a genuine chance.

## Protestant Usage

Start by agreeing with the concern, because it is a good one and arguing against God's fairness is both wrong and ineffective. God is just. The question is where Scripture locates that justice. Then read the chapter's own judgment scene at verses 11 to 15, which is where the second-chance reading has to be tested. The dead stand before the throne, scrolls are opened, and they are judged according to their deeds — deeds already recorded. Then whoever is not found written in the book of life is thrown into the lake of fire. It is a courtroom, not a classroom. Nobody in the scene is being taught anything, and the basis of the verdict is what was already done and whether a name was already written. Then the three texts that fix the window: Hebrews 9:27, reserved for men to die once and after this a judgment; Luke 16:26, a chasm fixed and uncrossable, with the rich man directed back to Moses and the prophets; 2 Corinthians 6:2, now is the day of salvation. Keep the tone gentle. This is the doctrine that makes the Watchtower's message feel merciful, and taking it apart carelessly does damage. Compare Revelation 20:4, Luke 16:26, Hebrews 9:28.

## Arguments Using This Verse

- [One Death, One Judgment — No Second Chance in the Millennium](https://jw-apologetics.app/arguments/postmortem-salvation-rebuttal.md) — Hebrews 9:27 / Luke 16:26 / 2 Corinthians 6:2 — postmortem evangelism rebutted [Eschatology]