the rest of the dead did not live till the thousand years had been completed. This [is] the first resurrection.
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Blessed and holy he who has part in the first resurrection over these the second death has no power; but they shall be priests of God and of the Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
The vision pauses to bless everyone who shares in the first resurrection. Three things follow: no second death, priesthood, and a thousand-year reign with Christ — but who is included, and does this raise real bodies?
The two words are not repetition. One describes the state such people are in, the other describes what they are like.
Everyone who has part in the first resurrection is pronounced "blessed and holy." It is a matter of individual blessedness. The first term describes his happy condition; the second his character. Happiness and holiness are inseparably linked, and must never be separated.
Some read this chapter as a picture of ideas or influences coming back to life rather than people. The verse itself answers that.
Here we have the display of the first resurrection — the main subject. Blessed and holy are they! They shall be priests of God and of Christ; that is their highest place, as seen in this book. And they shall reign with Him a thousand years, for He is a priest on His throne. It would be hard to make priests of principles, though, by a figure, we might say principles reign.
The company is far wider than the martyrs just described in the vision.
The "first resurrection" is a literal resurrection of all the dead in Christ from the foundation of the world. One group, which might seem not to belong to it, is named on its own, because it alone needs this. The first resurrection is "first" only in contrast with the resurrection of the wicked. It has different stages indeed, but only one character.
The stages are spread across time.
The first resurrection does not mean that all who have part in it are raised at the same moment. Christ's resurrection was the firstfruits (1 Corinthians 15:23). Then follows the resurrection of Old Testament saints, and of those who have fallen asleep during the present period, at the time of the rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). Finally, at the appearing of Christ, comes the resurrection of the saints who have died or suffered martyrdom during the period between the rapture and the appearing.
The second death is the exact opposite of the first resurrection. What one group escapes, the other must face.
"Over such the second death has no power." Notice again the force of the Lord's words in the gospel: "they cannot die anymore." Those left to be raised after the thousand years are over must die another and most dreadful death — the second death. By it all those who had no part in the first resurrection are to die. Theirs will be the second death. It means the end of all hope of blessing, while everything else in heaven and earth is blessed. They remain forever under the wrath of God. They are cast into the lake of fire. As for those who have part in the first resurrection, "they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years." And afterwards they will reign in life by Him forever and ever.
Priesthood here has two sides. It means nearness to God, and it carries a royal dignity.
Both the holy and the royal character of priesthood will then be in fullest exercise, without ceasing and without hindrance. As His priests we shall have continual access into God's presence. And with Christ we shall display, in its blessed fullness, the royal excellence of Him whom our souls delight to honour.
That title is not held back until the resurrection. It belongs to believers now.
No doubt their title will be fully owned there. They are to be priests of God and of Christ in the resurrection (Revelation 20:6). But do we not have the very same title now from God? (Revelation 1:6). Why then not believe it?
The thousand years are a reward, and a reward must belong to a person.
The reign of a thousand years is a reward. People sometimes say that it is principles that shall reign, that it is a question of a resurrection of principles. But it is written "they shall reign" (Revelation 5:10; 20:6); and I cannot confuse principles with persons. If we suffer, we shall reign. We are not principles.
- Blessed — the first word describes their happy condition. The second, "holy," describes their character. The two are never separated.
- Persons — those raised are people, not principles or influences. You cannot make principles priests, and principles do not suffer.
- Safe — the second death, the lake of fire, has no claim over them. They cannot die anymore. Those raised later must face it.
- Priests — nearness to God and royal dignity come into full exercise then. But the title belongs to every believer now.
- Reigning — the thousand years reward those who suffered. Afterwards the same people reign in life forever.