“Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. For them the second death holds no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him a thousand years” (Revelation 20:6 NLT).
John saw a day when all those who share in the “first resurrection” would serve as priests of God and reign with Christ for a millennium. What is this “first resurrection” and who are those who share in it?
The first resurrection began with Christ, who is the “firstfruits” of those who will be raised from the dead (1 Cor. 15:20). He is the prototype, the “firstborn” from the dead (Col. 1:18), so that all the resurrected saints will be like Him (1 John 3:2). So, the first resurrection began with Christ and continued with resurrected believers at the time of the rapture at the beginning of the Tribulation (1 Cor 15:23; 1 Th 4:16), concluding with the resurrection of those who believed in spite of persecution during the Tribulation. In summary, the first resurrection includes all those who have by faith trusted in Christ as Lord and Savior and who will receive glorified bodies like Christ at His return.
There are two resurrections in the Bible. The second resurrection is for those who have not believed. They are the “dead” who will be raised to appear before God’s great white throne for judgment at the end of the millennium (Rev. 20:11-15).
Those who are part of the first resurrection do not have to worry about the great white throne judgment of God. For it is not for them. They are those who have been called blessed and holy because of their faith in Christ Jesus. They are those for whom the “second death,” which is the “lake of fire” (Rev. 20:14), holds no power. For their names are written in the “Lamb’s Book of Life” (Rev. 21:27). They will not only reign with Christ for a thousand years, but will live with Him for eternity.
PRAYER: Dear Father, help us to set our hearts and minds on things above, lifting them off earthly things. You have a wonderful purpose and plan for us and we often get bogged down in temporary things. Give us a fresh glimpse of Your glory and a fresh call to Your mission. For we are destined for eternity with You and we want to live every moment in view of that reality. In Jesus’ name, amen.