The First Resurrection: Kings, Queens, and the Rest of the Dead

John’s vision in Revelation 20:4-6 describes the first resurrection of the just in two stages. Those who come forth in the morning of the first resurrection rise to exaltation as kings and queens. They rule and reign with Jesus Christ throughout the Millennium. Then, there are the rest of the dead of the first resurrection. These are terrestrial-worthy people, who do not rise from their graves until the thousand years have ended. (Rev 20:5) Within the church, there is a doctrinal disagreement about when the terrestrial resurrection occurs. Some say it takes place shortly after the Second Coming, but the words of John clearly indicate that after the resurrection of exaltation-worthy saints, the rest of the dead of the first resurrection come forth after the millennium. Broadly speaking, this is true of terrestrial-worthy people, as well as telestial-worthy people and sons of perdition who resurrect at the end of the earth during the second resurrection of the unjust in Revelation 20:12-13.

Kings and Queens of the First Resurrection (Rev 20:4-6)

In Revelation 20:4, 6, John sees “thrones, and they sat upon them … and I saw the souls of them…. they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.” In these verses, John describes exalted kings and queens resurrected with glorified celestial bodies that are like the glorified body of Jesus Christ, who is the King of these kings. These kings and queens are not disembodied spirits. Doctrine and Covenants 88:15 defines the soul as the spirit and body joined together. Thus, the “souls” John sees are resurrected beings whose spirits are inseparably reunited with immortal, glorified bodies.

Revelation 20:4 states that judgment is given to these resurrected kings and queens. This has two meanings. First, they are judged and found worthy to rise with exalted bodies in the first resurrection. The resurrection is a final judgment where the exalted status of these kings and queens is forever fixed. In a second sense, these kings also have judgment given unto them as they become part of a hierarchy of judges to whom judgment is given. (See 1 Cor 6:2-3, Matt 19:28) As judges in Israel, these kings and queens participate in the theocratic government of God. This is also the sense in which they live and reign with Christ a thousand years. Their dominion includes both judgment and government.

The Rest of the Dead (Rev 20:5)

After John describes the resurrected kings and queens who rule and reign with Jesus Christ throughout the millennium, he tells us in Revelation 20:5 that “the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection” Within the LDS church, the doctrine is clear that the first resurrection of the just includes both the celestial and terrestrial stages of the resurrection. Therefore, “the rest of the dead,” in the context of the first resurrection, must refer to terrestrial-worthy people who resurrect after 1000 years. Doctrine and Covenants 76 describes such people as the “honorable men of the earth” who were blinded by the craftiness of men, as well as those who were not valiant in the testimony of Jesus. Such persons do not qualify for exaltation or even celestial glory, so they do not participate in Christ’s millennial reign. They are not worthy to do so and their disembodied spirits remain in the post-mortal spirit world until the end of the millennium when they will finally resurrect in one large group.

For more on the kings, queens, and rest of the dead from the first resurrection of the just, check out my podcasts from September 27 and 29, 2026.