April 7 - Thousand Years of Peace (pt. 3)

April 7 – Thousand Years of Peace (pt. 3)
Revelation 20:4-6

“I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. 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.”

Those who had been beheaded because of their testimony for Christ, those who had not worshiped the beast or received the mark would reign with Jesus for those thousand years.

I read a lot of sci fi and fantasy. This reads like a really great fantasy novel. These people had sacrificed their lives for Jesus and are brought to life to reign for 1000 years. Right now, our government is continually in flux. We elect senators, representatives, presidents to govern us. Things change from election to election. But for 1000 years, Christ will reign and rule with the same people working under Him. For them, time will pass and they will continue to exist as judges and priests.

Jesus says to Peter and the twelve in Matthew 19:28, “I tell you the truth, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”

Paul speaks of this period of time in 1 Corinthians 6:2-3, “Do you not know that the saints will judge the world?”

Jesus promises the right to sit on the throne with him to the overcomers in Revelation 3:21.
In Revelation 20:6, we read about the first resurrection. John specifically names those who had been beheaded in the name of Christ. There is quite a bit of information about this first resurrection in the New Testament.

In Luke 14:14, Jesus has just affirmed those who care for the lesser of our society; the poor, crippled, lame and the blind. He says, “Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

He speaks of the final resurrection in John 5:28-29. “Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out – those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned.”

The final resurrection is coming. The first resurrection happens at the beginning of the thousand years. Those who are righteous will be raised to live and reign with Christ.