FBC Daily Devotions

Read Revelation 20:4-6.

If the rapture of God’s children occurs before the great tribulation period described in this book, when will those who die during the great tribulation period be resurrected? When will they rise with a new body to be with the Lord? The answer is found in today’s passage. According to the revelation, John sees those who had been martyred, those who had not worshipped the beast or his image or had not received the mark of the beast. At the end of the tribulation period, these saints of God will come to life and reign with Christ for a thousand years.

The angel of the prophecy goes on to say “blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection.” This “first resurrection” – what is it? Was not the rapture that occurred some 7 years earlier the first resurrection? The question is a valid one. The answer is in understanding the meaning of the term “first”. The first resurrection refers to those who will be raised to eternal life as opposed to eternal death. It is first in quality not necessarily in order. It is first in preeminence and supremacy. Indeed, the resurrection of God’s people occurs first in order, and we must see that both resurrections at the beginning of the tribulation period and after the tribulation period are part of the first resurrection because they are both preeminent and first in the order of resurrections (a second resurrection will occur later in this chapter).

I am reminded of Jesus’ words that in His kingdom, the last shall be first and the first last. We may be “last” in this life, but God promises that in our humble courage and faithful service here, we will be first in the kingdom of God. Those same words apply to our resurrection as well when we will be raised first.

I find it interesting that in reward ceremonies, almost always the runner-ups are announced first followed by the winner. That will not be the case in the final judgments. God’s people will be raised first and rewarded new life with Him in eternity. Those who fall short will be announced last. Truly, the last shall be first in every respect. Keep that in mind when you are feeling last in this life. When people treat you with disrespect, when people reject your faith, when the sacrifices of living for God are severe, remember that a day is coming when we will rise from the bottom and be crowned in the first resurrection. “Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection.” 

-Mike