What is the difference between the 'first resurrection' and the 'second resurrection' in Revelation 20?+
The first resurrection (Revelation 20:4-6) refers to the resurrection of believers who have been martyred for their faith and those who did not worship the beast; they experience the 'blessed and holy' resurrection and reign with Christ for a thousand years, protected from the second death. The second resurrection (Revelation 20:5, 11-13) refers to the resurrection of all other dead people, who are brought before the great white throne for final judgment and, if not found in the book of life, are cast into the lake of fire (the second death).
Is Revelation 20 describing events that happen in chronological order?+
Yes, Revelation 20 presents a largely chronological sequence: Satan's binding for a thousand years, the millennial reign with Christ, Satan's release after the thousand years, the final rebellion of Gog and Magog, Satan's judgment, and finally the great white throne judgment. However, theological traditions differ on whether the 'thousand years' is literal or symbolic, and on the relationship between these events and those described in Revelation 19.
Why does the text mention that 'Death and Hades' are thrown into the lake of fire in Revelation 20:14?+
This is a poetic way of describing the complete end of mortality and the domain of the dead. By the time of the final judgment, physical death no longer exists for believers (they have been resurrected), and the realm of the dead (Hades) is no longer needed. Their 'casting into the lake of fire' symbolizes the complete abolition of death itself as part of God's renewal of all things, as confirmed in Revelation 21:4 where it states there will be no more death.