4 Then I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their witness of Jesus and because of the word of God, and who also had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received the mark on their forehead and on their hand. And they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.

5 The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.

6 Blessed and holy is the one who has a 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.

— Revelation 4:6

And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

— 2 Corinthians 9:8

truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.

— John 5:24

Thoughts on Today’s Reading

Grace, mercy and love from Christ to you.

Revelation 20:4 concludes with all God’s people coming to life and reigning with Christ for one thousand years. Most scholars believe this “first resurrection” includes all believers. The “rest of the dead” in verse 5 are not resurrected until the thousand years end. The word “resurrection” almost exclusively means physical resurrection in the more than 40 times the word appears in the New Testament. Here, “resurrection” also seems to refer to the raising and renewal of the physical body.

God’s people are described as “blessed and holy.” They have received the blessing of God’s grace in redemption. They are set apart as God’s people, declared “holy” through faith in Christ. They wear pure and white wedding garments, graciously given by their Savior. The second death has no power over those raised in the first resurrection. They will not receive judgment for their sin because their faithful Savior Jesus died and paid their penalty on the cross. Praise the Lord!