Chapter Forty/Crushing the Serpent's Head - The First Resurrection

 Returning now to those who "came to life and ruled as kings with the Christ," John writes: "This is the first resurrection." (Revelation 20:5b) How is it the first? It is "the first resurrection " as to time, for the ones who experience it are a "firstfruits to God and to importance, since those who share in it become corulers with Jesush in his heavenly Kingdom and judge the rest of mankind. Finally, it is in quality. Apart from Jesus Christ himself, those raise in the first resurrection are the only creatures spoken of in the Bible as receiving immorality. - 1 CORINTHIANS 15:53; 1 TIMOTH 6:16.

What blessed prospect fir these anointed ones! As John declares: "Happy and holy is anyone having part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no authority." (Revelation 20:6a) As Jesus promised the Christians in Smyrna, these conquerors that share in the "first resurrection" will be in no danger of harm by "the second death," which means annihilation, destruction without hope of a resurrection. (Revelation 2:11; 20:14) The second death has "no authority" over such conquerors, for they will have to put on incorruption and immorality. - 1 CORINTHIANS  15:53.

Next time: Chapter Forty/Crushing the Serpent's Head - The First Resurrection - Conclusion

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