God raises the dead in order: Christ the firstfruits, then those who are Christ's at His coming in the first resurrection, when the converted are raised or changed into immortal spirit beings. The second resurrection comes at the end of the Millennium. It is a physical resurrection (Ezekiel 37:1-14) of all who lived through the ages without a full opportunity at salvation, and they are judged by their works at the Great White Throne Judgment. The third resurrection raises the incorrigible, those of all ages who rejected God and will not repent, so that they may face judgment and the second death in the Lake of Fire. Though all are appointed to die once, some have already been physically resurrected and died again, such as Lazarus, Dorcas, and Eutychus. Someone raised in the second resurrection who does not repent could die a third time. The Lake of Fire is called the second death because it is permanent, with no further resurrection. God does not raise the incorrigible out of vengeance or cruelty. He raises them to satisfy fairness, since no one may escape accountability by suicide or natural death while others struggle and overcome. Everyone must stand before Christ's judgment seat. Their end also serves as a deterrent and a warning example, motivating the converted to stay close to God.

In the account of Jairus' twelve-year-old daughter, Jesus demonstrates His power over death by resurrecting her to physical life. As He approaches Jairus' home, He is informed of the girl's death, yet He encourages the grief-stricken father with words of hope, saying, "Do not be afraid; only believe, and she will be made well." Upon arriving, amidst a noisy crowd of mourners, He declares, "The child is not dead but sleeping," viewing death as a temporary state because His Father holds the power to resurrect. To maintain privacy and avoid making a spectacle, Jesus excludes the mourners, allowing only the girl's parents and three of His disciples—Peter, James, and John—to witness the miracle. He then resurrects the girl, and her return to physical existence is evident as He instructs her parents to feed her, indicating her body's continued dependence on natural laws and need for nourishment. Finally, He commands the parents to tell no one of the event, likely to protect the girl from undue attention and to preserve her future spiritual life.

God does not raise all the dead in one resurrection. He raises different groups at different times, every man in his own order. Those who are faithful in Christ are raised to immortality at His second coming to rule with Him as kings and priests during the Millennium. The rest of the dead, who never understood God's way, wait in their graves until the thousand years are over. They are then raised to physical, mortal life in the second resurrection, at the Great White Throne Judgment. God does not raise them merely to cast them into the Lake of Fire. He raises them to give them their first real opportunity for salvation, not a second chance. Most of humanity, including the blinded majority of physical Israel, will stand before God in this resurrection. The books opened are the books of the Bible, which reveal true knowledge and understanding. The Book of Life is also opened so their names can be written in it when they repent, accept Christ as Savior, and receive the Holy Spirit. They are judged according to their works. Jesus' "resurrection of judgment" in John 5:29 means this period of testing, not damnation. Most will be saved, but those who stubbornly rebel will condemn themselves to eternal death. Salvation comes only through Christ, the door, and God desires that none perish.

The hope of the Christian lies in the resurrection of the dead, a promise rooted in the power of God who will raise all to life again. The Bible identifies special acts of God's mercy where He restores people to physical life, distinct from resurrections to spiritual, eternal life. At Christ's second coming, only the just, the righteous, will rise to eternal life through the power of the Holy Spirit dwelling in them. Those who are true Christians at His coming will also rise in this first resurrection. Paul speaks of the redemption of our body, expressing a willingness to suffer all loss to experience the power of Christ's resurrection, transforming our corrupt bodies into incorruptible spirit, like His glorious body. Jesus promises the overcoming saints a new name, power over the nations under Him, righteousness, and a place on His throne.

The Bible describes two main types of resurrection, one of which is the resurrection to mortal, physical, temporary life, similar to the life humans currently experience. This physical resurrection, often referred to as the Second Resurrection, is detailed more extensively in scripture than the resurrection to immortal, spiritual life. It depicts a future time when billions who never had an opportunity for salvation will be physically reconstructed by God to live again in a physical form, with the significant difference of having the opportunity for salvation and eternal life. Physical resurrection is not limited to this future event. Numerous instances of miraculous resurrections to physical life are recorded in the Bible. A notable case occurred in AD 31, as described in Matthew 27:52, where the graves were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised. These resurrected saints did not have a remarkable appearance as seen in spiritual resurrections, and they appeared to many in Jerusalem. Like others who experienced physical resurrection, such as Lazarus, these saints lived for an undetermined period, served the purpose for which they were raised, and then died again, with no record of eternal life following this event.

About a month before His own death and resurrection, Jesus performed a profound miracle in Bethany by raising Lazarus from the dead. This act, the most extraordinary of His works in the flesh, foreshadowed His own resurrection and made a significant impact in Jerusalem. Jesus, knowing Lazarus needed healing, delayed His arrival, allowing the sickness to end in death for the purpose of glorifying God and Himself. He described death tenderly to His disciples, saying, "Our friend Lazarus sleeps, but I go that I may wake him up," indicating its temporary nature. Despite the disciples' initial misunderstanding, Jesus clarified that Lazarus was dead, demonstrating His power over life and death. Through this miracle, He revealed His ability to regenerate the dead, both physically and spiritually, bringing Lazarus' body back from corruption and showing His capacity to deliver from sin. Jesus prophesied that a time is coming when all in the graves will hear His voice and come forth, affirming His authority over resurrection to life or condemnation.

God will resurrect most people in the second resurrection to physical life, granting them their first opportunity for salvation. This resurrection, tied to the Last Great Day of the Feast, signifies a time when the flood of His Holy Spirit will be poured out to billions, offering them the chance to be saved. During the Great White Throne Judgment, as described in Revelation 20:11-15, the dead of every race, status, and time period will be raised to physical life for judgment according to their works. This period is not merely for another chance at life but for a purposeful evaluation aimed at eternal life, provided they believe in Christ. However, those who fail to repent and persist in carnal ways will face condemnation. Additionally, in the third resurrection, a few who are deemed incorrigibly wicked will be resurrected to physical life only to be condemned to the Lake of Fire, experiencing the second death. This act of justice ensures that God's law is enforced, demonstrating that penalties for sin are inevitable, even if it means a physical resurrection solely for the purpose of final judgment.