First Resurrection

This morning as I was reading and studying the word of God, the "first resurrection" was very enlightening to me. I never really understood this phrase, though I heard about it now and then. The ministry of the word opened my eyes to see this important spiritual aspiration to pursue and love the Lord fervently and intimately. My spiritual goal must henceforth be, to be resurrected in the first resurrection as an overcomer. 

Revelation of John 20:4-6

And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given to them. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of the testimony of Jesus and because of the word of God, and of those who had not worshipped the beast nor his image, and had not received the mark on their forehead and on their hand; and they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. The rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were completed. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no authority, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years. 

The ministry of the word has made known to me the mystery of this phrase. I learn from it and am blessed. I quote from the note in the Recovery Version on "first resurrection."

Or, best. The first resurrection is the best one. It is not only the resurrection of life (John 5:29; 1 Cor. 15:23b; 1 Thes. 4:16) but also the resurrection of reward (Luke 14:14), the out-resurrection, i.e., the outstanding resurrection, which the apostle Paul sought (Phil. 3:11), the resurrection of kingship as a reward to the overcomers, which enables them to reign as co-kings with Christ in the millennial kingdom (vv. 4, 6). Hence, blessed is he who has part in the first resurrection (v. 6).

Note on "priests of God" 

The overcomers will be priests, drawing near to God and Christ, and kings, reigning over the nations with Christ in the millennium (2:26-27; 12:5). As priests, they satisfy God and Christ, who enjoy their service, and as kings they reign for God and represent God, shepherding man for man’s enjoyment and satisfaction. This is a reward to the overcomers. The believers who are defeated in this age will forfeit this reward. However, after being dealt with by the Lord in the millennium, these defeated ones will participate in the blessing of this reward, which will be to serve God and represent God in the kingship in the new heaven and new earth for eternity (22:3, 5).

This colossal truth on the first resurrection impacted my inward being so much so that it changed by attitude towards my Christian life and my goal as a Christian. My aspiration in life is to be an overcomer and be resurrected in the first resurrection. 

Who are qualified to be in the first resurrection? The word of God says, "the souls of those who had been beheaded because of the testimony of Jesus and because of the word of God, and of those who had not worshipped the beast nor his image, and had not received the mark on their forehead and on their hand; and they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years." To be beheaded because of the testimony of Jesus is the highest form of martyrdom. Only those who are graced by the Lord will get to attain this. If the Lord so wills, it will be an honor to be awarded "the beheading" because of the testimony of Jesus and because of the word of God. What a reward to be "Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no authority, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years." 

Lord, grace me the grace to live a life that will qualify me to be a part of the first resurrection.