Blessed is He Who has part in the First Resurrection
The Seven Beatitudes of Revelation – Part 5 – Blessed and Holy is He Who Has Part in the First Resurrection
The fifth blessing concerns the “first resurrection.” Revelation 20:6 states, “Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: over these the second death hath no power; but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.” The first resurrection concerns Christian baptism, which embodies death to sin, the burial of the dead man of sin, and his resurrection to walk in a new life. Paul discusses this in Colossians 2:11-13.
In whom ye were also circumcised with a circumcision not made with hands, in the putting off of the body of the flesh, in the circumcision of Christ; having been buried with him in baptism, wherein ye were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead. And you, being dead through your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, you, I say, did he make alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses.
Christians were spiritually circumcised when they were baptized. By identifying with Christ, they cut off all their fleshly sins and put them aside. When one is baptized, he identifies with Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection, and just as God gave Jesus a new life, God gives the baptized new life also. He is forgiven of his sins. “Wherefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature: the old things are passed away; behold, they are become new.” This is the first resurrection. The second death, eternal separation from God in hell (Revelation 20:13-15), has no power. The gates of Hades do not prevail against them (Matthew 16:18). Instead, they become priests and they reign with Jesus Christ. They are part of God’s holy and royal family. The 1000-year reign is for all Christians.
God bless you, and I love you.
Kevin Cauley