What is the meaning of Revelation 20:6? Blessed and holy “Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection!” (Revelation 20:6a) – Scripture repeatedly calls those who belong to Christ “blessed,” because His favor rests on them (Revelation 1:3; Psalm 32:1). – They are “holy,” not by their own merit but because the blood of Jesus has set them apart (Hebrews 10:10; 1 Peter 1:15–16). – Holiness is both a position and a pursuit: we are declared holy in Christ and daily learn to live like it (Ephesians 1:4; 1 Thessalonians 4:7). Those who share in the first resurrection – This “first resurrection” is the bodily raising of all believers when Jesus returns to set up His kingdom (1 Thessalonians 4:16; 1 Corinthians 15:52). – Revelation 20:5 notes that “the rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended,” distinguishing the righteous resurrection from the later judgment of unbelievers (John 5:28–29). – Sharing in it means: • Complete victory over death. • Immediate entrance into Christ’s millennial reign. • Fellowship with all redeemed saints from every age. The second death has no power over them – Revelation 20:14 defines the second death as “the lake of fire.” – Because believers’ names are in the Book of Life, that final judgment can never touch them (Revelation 20:15; John 11:25–26). – Eternal security rests on Christ’s finished work; condemnation is forever removed (Romans 8:1). They will be priests of God and of Christ – Jesus “has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father” (Revelation 1:6). – In the millennium believers will: • Lead the nations in true worship (Isaiah 2:2–3). • Represent God’s character and truth to the world (1 Peter 2:9). • Enjoy unhindered access to His presence, a privilege prefigured in Exodus 19:6 and fulfilled in full fellowship with the risen Lord. And will reign with Him for a thousand years – Six times in Revelation 20 the phrase “a thousand years” appears, underscoring a literal period. – Christ reigns as King over the earth (Zechariah 14:9; Revelation 11:15), and His people share in that authority (2 Timothy 2:12; Luke 19:17). – Our rule will involve: • Governing the nations in righteousness (Psalm 2:8–9; Daniel 7:27). • Restoring creation under Christ’s leadership (Romans 8:19–21). • Displaying the perfect justice and peace humanity longs for (Isaiah 11:4–9). summary Revelation 20:6 promises believers a unique privilege: raised first, declared eternally blessed and holy, immune to the second death, serving as priests, and reigning with Christ during His thousand-year kingdom. The verse celebrates the complete triumph Jesus secures for His people—victory over sin, death, and judgment, and a share in His glorious rule forever. |
    |