"Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years." (Revelation 20:6)
For me, first and foremost, the Book of Revelation is a revelation of worship in Heaven. I do not minimize other "studies," other "series" taught and preached and written. We must do this. I guess there is a simplicity in me, however, which does not want or "need" super detailed answers about, "things to come." What I do see in our text is that Followers of Jesus definitely have, "part in the first resurrection." Jesus' Shed Blood, Death and Resurrection is the guarantee of such blessed reality. Furthermore, we can live with and in the, "peace which surpasses all understanding," that, "Over such the second death has no power...."
If you and I are walking in Jesus Christ, if Jesus Christ is reigning in you and me, "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you,..." then you and I have, "part in the first resurrection." I am not sure about the "scenario" of Heaven, the "after life." Jesus said that in Heaven we, "neither marry nor are given in marriage...." One also wonders how or if we will "recognize" one another. I have often thought it would be an eternity of pain if we noticed that those whom we have known are not there. Maybe it is a whole "different" existence than we can imagine. "Friends will be there we have loved long ago," the song says. I'm sure, but, again, what will the "relationship" be like. I know; questions could go on and on.
Do not dwell on such. Why torment ourselves with speculation? We have, "part in the first resurrection," and, "Over [us] the second death has no power." For now, I think I will just continue to rejoice in what we do know. We do know that the Devil, or Satan will be dealt with in a "final blow." We do know that Eternal Life is much more than everlasting life, and of and in that Life, Who is, "Our Father," Our King and Savior, Jesus Christ, in Our Holy Spirit is, "joy unspeakable and full of glory."
Father, in Jesus' Name, I so thank You for, "part in the first resurrection." Amen.
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We still need to make housing reservations for the Berlin Mission, October, 2016
For me, first and foremost, the Book of Revelation is a revelation of worship in Heaven. I do not minimize other "studies," other "series" taught and preached and written. We must do this. I guess there is a simplicity in me, however, which does not want or "need" super detailed answers about, "things to come." What I do see in our text is that Followers of Jesus definitely have, "part in the first resurrection." Jesus' Shed Blood, Death and Resurrection is the guarantee of such blessed reality. Furthermore, we can live with and in the, "peace which surpasses all understanding," that, "Over such the second death has no power...."
If you and I are walking in Jesus Christ, if Jesus Christ is reigning in you and me, "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you,..." then you and I have, "part in the first resurrection." I am not sure about the "scenario" of Heaven, the "after life." Jesus said that in Heaven we, "neither marry nor are given in marriage...." One also wonders how or if we will "recognize" one another. I have often thought it would be an eternity of pain if we noticed that those whom we have known are not there. Maybe it is a whole "different" existence than we can imagine. "Friends will be there we have loved long ago," the song says. I'm sure, but, again, what will the "relationship" be like. I know; questions could go on and on.
Do not dwell on such. Why torment ourselves with speculation? We have, "part in the first resurrection," and, "Over [us] the second death has no power." For now, I think I will just continue to rejoice in what we do know. We do know that the Devil, or Satan will be dealt with in a "final blow." We do know that Eternal Life is much more than everlasting life, and of and in that Life, Who is, "Our Father," Our King and Savior, Jesus Christ, in Our Holy Spirit is, "joy unspeakable and full of glory."
Father, in Jesus' Name, I so thank You for, "part in the first resurrection." Amen.
**************************
We still need to make housing reservations for the Berlin Mission, October, 2016
When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"
Hebrews 12:2
Hebrews 12:2
