The first resurrection

Revelation 20:6

Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

The Bible clearly enumerates for us certain events that will take place at the end of the world. Although we cannot purport to know how all the events will transpire, or the order of all things that shall take place, we know that Christ is imminently to return to this earth for His saints. He shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Those before us will precede us in that great resurrection day. And when Christ comes to this earth to reign, all the saints shall be with Him. All the dead ones shall be with those who are alive, and we shall all be united as one, following Christ to this earth. This is the first resurrection! When all of the saints who have ever lived shall be together in one place with Christ. There shall not be a missing saint, not one dead believer anywhere. And what shall these be doing? They shall be reigning in Christ’s Kingdom! May this day come soon!

Blessed and holy is he that hath part! I shall have a part. I shall not be missing from this number. I, as a believer, shall be part of the first resurrection. The “second resurrection,” as we could perhaps call it, shall be the resurrection of all the dead unsaved to judgment. No, I shall not be there. I shall be with Christ! On such the second death shall have no power! O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory! Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ! The second death shall not be the doom of the saved, for they have become more than conquerors through Him that loved them. He shall raise them on the last day.

These believers shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years. That is merely the earthly reign, and does not account for the eternal reign in the heavenly Jerusalem. But here, while physically residing on the earth with Christ, His saints shall reign with Him as kings and priests. Dear friends, let us prepare for this day. Let us rejoice in this hope. Let us give our lives to the one cause which is the only one that matters. For in that first resurrection, those who knew and loved Christ shall reign with Him in His kingdom. The apostle Paul tells us, “If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him.” There is a special place for all who have suffered, for those who have been beheaded, and for those who have been martyred for Jesus. But whatever my place is, I thank God that I shall be part of that first resurrection!

“Dear Lord, we thank you that we have these things to hope for, and look for, and eagerly anticipate. This life’s threescore years and ten shall soon be over, and we shall begin the eternal day. And we shall come with you to this earth when you rule. May we rejoice in this great promise—the promise of the first resurrection. May we be ever busy about bringing others to the kingdom of God, that they may participate in such a glorious opportunity also. Keep our hearts rejoicing this day in Thee! In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.”