Martyrs become priests for a thousand years!
Scripture reading for December 28th: Job 34-36, Revelation 20
Revelation 20:4-6 “Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the Word of God, and those who 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 for 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 is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with Him for a thousand years.”
As God’s righteous judgments are falling, John sees thrones set up for judgment and those given authority to judge were placed on them. These are likely the saints who had been raptured earlier before these final judgments. He also saw the souls of those martyred for faith in Jesus Christ and God’s Word coming to life again and reigning with Christ for a thousand years. We are told this is the ‘first resurrection’. Blessed are those that have a share in this resurrection. At the end of the thousand years, Satan will be released for a short time to come out and deceive the nations again. Evidently a large number will follow him into the final battle where fire falls from heaven and consumes them all. How we all need to cling to Christ and His Word!
Revelation 20:7-9 “And when the thousand years are ended, Satan will be released from his prison and will come out to deceive the nations that are at the four corners of the earth, God and Magog, to gather them for battle; their number is like the sand of the sea. And they marched up over the broad plain of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city, but fire came down from heaven and consumed them, . .”
Prayer: Father God, thank You again that You do not pervert justice. You keep all Your faithful promises both for justice and also for reward for faithful servants. I look forward to Your great rapture of the Church and then the first resurrection before Your millennial reign. Give me and all who follow You grace to stay true during the trials of the last days and to faithfully serve You alone!
Job34:12 “Of a truth, God will not do wickedly, and the Almighty will not pervert justice.”
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