The First Resurrection

 

 

Revelation 20:5-6

But the rest of the dead lived not again

until the thousand years were finished.

This is the first resurrection.

 

Blessed and holy is he

that hath part in the first resurrection:

on such the second death hath no power,

but they shall be priests of God and of Christ,

and shall reign with him a thousand years.

 

We are going up,

We are going up,

We are going up in the first resurrection.

We are going up,

We are going up,

We are going up in the first resurrection.

 

Do you recall this old chorus?

How we sang it with gust and fervour!

O, I did too

But now I see a different picture.

 

Then, I saw it as the future

But now, I see it as having passed

When I was wonderfully saved

Having come to Jesus Christ at last.

 

 

Saved from the second death

Over me it has no power,

Resurrected to eternal life in Christ

From that very hour.

 

For they that believe in Jesus Christ

Shall never, ever die,

This is the word of the Lord

And on it we can rely.

 

Jesus was the first fruit

Of the innumerable number that would follow,

That I am therefore one of them

Should not be difficult to swallow.

 

And if you are born-again

Then you too are one of them,

Resurrected to an eternal kingdom

And one of God’s redeemed children.

 

 

And so, the first resurrection

As revealed in the book of Revelation

Are those who have come to salvation

Aka, God’s glorious redemption.

 

That first resurrection is ongoing

Regarding all those of the called,

For every one of them will come to Jesus

As the Gospel is spread abroad.

 

Chosen before the foundation of the world

Elected for God’s kingdom,

Herein is the first resurrection

As the Spirit gathers in God’s children.

 

Blessed is he of the first resurrection

On him death has no power,

The second resurrection is yet to come

And both good and evil await that hour.

 

Stewart Russell © December 6, 2020