And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony for Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or his image and had not received his mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years. (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years. (Revelation 20:4b-6, NIV 1984).
My Musings – The tribulation saints who gave their lives (beheaded) “because of their testimony about Jesus and because of the word of God” are bodily resurrected to reign with Christ. This would presumably include “the dead in Christ, ” Old and New Testament Saints, up to the rapture. For “we believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.” (1 Thessalonians 4:14, NIV 1984). If so, then at this point, saved people from all ages have been raised. This is known as the first resurrection.
All who are raised in the first resurrection are saved people. They will not experience the second death, for it “has no power over them.” The lost are raised at the second resurrection, as “the rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.” Some have argued that the first resurrection is spiritual (e.g., being born again spiritually), and that there is one general resurrection of the dead (not two), both the saved and the lost, that occurs at the same time.
Apparently, those who are saved during the tribulation and live through to its conclusion do not have resurrection bodies because they have not died, nor were they raptured. They are still mortal, with bodies of flesh and blood (corruptible). The raptured Church and the resurrected saints, on the other hand, have glorified bodies (incorruptible).
Because of the earth’s new conditions (“in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.” 2 Peter 3:13, NIV 1984), these (those still flesh and blood) will nevertheless live long lives. “Behold, I will create new heavens and a new earth. Never again will there be in it an infant who lives but a few days, or an old man who does not live out his years; he who dies at a hundred will be thought a mere youth.” (Isaiah 65:17, 20, NIV 1984).
They will marry and have children. It seems that these who are born during the millennium will still be born with a sin nature, outwardly conforming to our Lord’s righteous rule. But not all of them will be truly born again as the millennium progresses. This explains why Satan will be able to gather a great army of rebels at the close of the Kingdom Age.
The resurrected saints will reign with Christ as kings and priests over the saints that did not die during the tribulation as well as those born during the millennium. They will serve Him in various capacities during the millennium. Faithfulness to Him in life will determine the extent of their responsibilities during the Kingdom age. “After a long time, the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. The man who had received the five talents brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.’ His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!'”
My Advice – Clearly, many details remain a mystery that we will only fully comprehend once we get there. Until that time, let’s be “faithful with {the] few things” He has entrusted us with during our sojourn here on earth. But these things we do to live a good life here on earth will not mean a thing if we are not included in the first resurrection. Take care of that business first.
Resources:
- Wiersbe, W. W. (1992). Wiersbe’s expository outlines on the New Testament (p. 852-853). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
- Cabal, T., Brand, C. O., Clendenen, E. R., Copan, P., Moreland, J. P., & Powell, D. (2007). The Apologetics Study Bible: Real Questions, Straight Answers, Stronger Faith (p. 1913). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
- Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 620). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
The Brew Is A Musing 