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. Revelation 20:6
Bible prophecy students will argue with each other all day about who is included in the first resurrection as mentioned in our text. Some will insist that this expression applies only to the rapture of the saints as will occur before the onset of the great tribulation. Others are equally insistent that this term is applied only to those faithful who were slain during the tribulation. Still others say the first resurrection includes both of those groups. Yet another faction promotes the notion that first resurrection applies only to faithful Christians and not to carnal Christians. So who are we to believe? We are to believe the Scriptures, of course. And the Scriptures identify the first resurrection, not as an event, but as a Person. The Lord Jesus plainly told Mary of Bethany, ‘I am the resurrection and the life’ (John 11:25). He is identified in Colossians 1:18 as the Firstborn from the dead, and as the One Who rose from the dead after His crucifixion established His supremacy over death. By His resurrection He establishes Himself as our resurrection. Therefore, all who are saved have part in the first resurrection.
There is an old expression we use in the gospel: Born once, die twice; born twice, die once. And we take a good deal of comfort as we see loved ones who are saved being placed in their graves to know that this is the only death they will experience. As we contemplate our own death, we know that it is but a shadow through which we pass to reach eternal life. Our mortal, unredeemed bodies must suffer death, because of sin. But our souls that are redeemed are forever free from death, and our bodies will at the first resurrection be redeemed and be alive forever. Is it any wonder that the apostle Paul, when reminding the Thessalonians of the coming of the Lord, tells them to comfort one another with these words (1 Thessalonians 4:18). That which is so cruel and so final to those who are not saved is just a temporary pause in our Lord’s program for us.
Our text reminds us of a time coming when we will serve as priests and kings. This priesthood will far exceed the way in which we are able to function today as believer priests. The limits of our mortality will be lifted, and our worship and service will be fully acceptable. How wonderful that will be! How we will function as we reign with our Lord is not yet apparent, but it will surely be exciting and rewarding. Our future prospects fill us with a glad hope that offsets all of the disappointments and griefs we experience now.
We have a part in the first resurrection. Our Saviour is so good to us. -Jim MacIntosh