Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 163:652 (Oct 2006)
Article: The Resurrection of the Tribulation Saints
Author: Richard Shalom Yates

BSac 163:652 (October-December 2006) p. 453

The Resurrection of the Tribulation Saints

Richard Shalom Yates

Richard Shalom Yates is Assistant Professor of English Bible, Capital Bible Seminary, Lanham, Maryland.

This is the fourth article in a four-part series “Studies on the Tribulation Saints.”

Previous articles in this series have argued that the great multitude in Revelation 7:9–14 are victorious saints of the future Great Tribulation, and that they will receive physical rewards in the eternal state (vv. 15–17).1 To enjoy their rewards these saints will need to be physically resurrected, and this resurrection is described in 20:4–6.

Though scholars differ in their interpretations of this scene,2 careful study of these three verses helps identify the subjects, purpose, nature, and timing of the resurrection of these saints. Comparing their resurrection with that of church-age saints aids in determining if these Tribulation saints are included in the church, the body of Christ, and its rapture.

BSac 163:652 (October-December 2006) p. 454

The Subjects of this Resurrection

In a vision John saw the resurrection of souls “who had not worshiped the beast” (20:4). Does this refer to all saints in the Great Tribulation or only those saints who will be martyred? The following discussion leads to the view that this resurrection refers to all saints who will die during the Great Tribulation, whether they are martyred or die natural deaths, including the great multitude mentioned in 7:9–17.

One reason the great multitude in chapter 7 is to be included in the resurrection described in 20:4–6 is that the groups in both passages are similar. Like the groups in Revelation 6:9–11 and 7:9–17, those in 20:4 are waiting for the resurrection of their bodies. While ψυχή (“soul”) can refer to a living body (8:9; 12:11; 16:3), this meaning is not likely here,