Revelation 20:4-6 (NIV) 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 about Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its 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 share 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.

What is the First Resurrection? We all will be judged for what we do in our lives. Those whose name is found in the book of life will be given eternal life while those whose names are not found in the book of life will be thrown into the lake of fire. But this judgment will not take place until the Second Resurrection after the Millennium. Revelation 20:5 confirms this to be the case because “the rest of the dead did not come to life” until the thousand years (i.e. Millennium) have ended. 

The First Resurrection takes place after the second coming of Christ (ref. Revelation 19:11-18), but before the Millennium (Zechariah 14:8-9) begins. The First Resurrection focuses on those “who had been beheaded, the preferred method of Christian execution during the tumultuous seven-year tribulation period, “because of their testimony about Jesus and because of the word of God” (ref. Revelation 20:4). These individuals “had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands” (ref. Revelation 13:16-18). These individuals gave their life for him during a time where being a Christian is considered to be a crime (ref. Matthew 24:9-13). Christ considers these individuals to be martyrs because they are not only “blessed and holy”, but for their sacrifice they “came (back) to life” and lived on earth with Christ during the Millennium.   

The First Resurrection is a special time because Christ’s empathy is on full display for those who gave their lives for him despite overwhelming social oppression (i.e. Christian persecution). The First Resurrection focuses on those who stand up to hatred and bigotry to declare they are a child of God and a warrior. God bless those who are willing to give their life for their savior regardless of the consequences. Are you willing to do the same?