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.
Revelation 20:4-6
I chose this passage today because I'm trying to understand its meaning. The people who came to life with Christ during the first resurrection, are these a select group of people? Could they be His first disciples? Or maybe they could be those to faithfully went to their death, the martyrs? Could this also be all those who were saved? I feel led to believe that these are all those who have been covered by the blood of Jesus; all those who said yes to Him.
So what is the point of the thousand years? Why keep the devil around, a threat, for a thousand years while Christ reigns along with these blessed? It seems like John is trying to convey a time where God will turn around or reverse the evil works of the devil and display His mighty glory to all the world. Perhaps there will still be much work to be done in order to prepare the world of deliverance from Satan's evil grips forever. Satan is released at the end of the thousand years only to be thrown into the fire along with all those who have the mark on their foreheads.
Today's reading have been more academic rather than practical application to my life. Really? As I pause and meditate on this statement, I see hope and promises fulfilled. That glorious day will be when we are resurrected in Him, everything that we submitted and humbled ourselves during our hardships on earth will have accumulated to this blessed day. I need to remind myself that nothing goes unnoticed in God's eyes and the rewards will be so great.
Father God, thank You for this time of worship and praise while on this earth in these sinful bodies. You have a definite plan and I'm so excited to be transformed permanently in Your image. But there's a lot to do and a great harvest to tend. I know You're preparing me for Your will, keep my mind fresh and heart renewed to persevere all things in Your name. By the grace of our Holy King Jesus, Amen!
So what is the point of the thousand years? Why keep the devil around, a threat, for a thousand years while Christ reigns along with these blessed? It seems like John is trying to convey a time where God will turn around or reverse the evil works of the devil and display His mighty glory to all the world. Perhaps there will still be much work to be done in order to prepare the world of deliverance from Satan's evil grips forever. Satan is released at the end of the thousand years only to be thrown into the fire along with all those who have the mark on their foreheads.
Today's reading have been more academic rather than practical application to my life. Really? As I pause and meditate on this statement, I see hope and promises fulfilled. That glorious day will be when we are resurrected in Him, everything that we submitted and humbled ourselves during our hardships on earth will have accumulated to this blessed day. I need to remind myself that nothing goes unnoticed in God's eyes and the rewards will be so great.
Father God, thank You for this time of worship and praise while on this earth in these sinful bodies. You have a definite plan and I'm so excited to be transformed permanently in Your image. But there's a lot to do and a great harvest to tend. I know You're preparing me for Your will, keep my mind fresh and heart renewed to persevere all things in Your name. By the grace of our Holy King Jesus, Amen!
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