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(Rev 20:6 KJV) "Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priest of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years."
Former Resurrections The coming "first resurrection" in Revelation 20:6 may seem to be a paradox to some, since there have been previous resurrections. After studying and "...rightly dividing the word of truth" (2 Tim 2:15 KJV), one will better understand what the Lord is saying through John the Beloved concerning this "first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power." John was one of the eyewitnesses of the resurrections and the miracles that Jesus performed during His ministry. This is another resurrection that the Lord has informed us about by the hand of John. To begin I would like to discuss some former resurrections to clear up some things that are possibly on your mind. Most Christians should have read or at least heard about the following who were raised: Lazarus who had been dead four days (John 11:39-44), daughter of Jairus (Mark 5:21-24, 35-43), son of a widow from Nain (Luke 7:11-15), and when Jesus yielded up the ghost, "...graves were opened; and many bodies of the Saints which slept arose, And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many" (Mat 27:50-53 KJV). Not one of those raised out of their sleep had changed bodies fashioned like unto His glorious body (Phil 3:20-21), or did they put on immortality (1 Cor 15:51-54), essentials for the (First) Resurrection of the last day (John 11:24-26) whereby they could live bodily in the presence of the Lord forever. Jesus, who died and rose from the grave the third day (Mat 16:21) and is now at the right hand of God (Mark 16:19; Rom 8:34), is the only one at this time who has received such a body and who alone has immortality (1 Tim 6:14-16). Change Our Vile Body (Phil 3:20-21) Those former resurrections had already occurred before the information in Revelation was recorded. The First Resurrection will be upcoming when all believers will rise and have changed (Job 14:12-15) bodies (1 Cor 15:51-54). We should long for that Day when our bodies will "...be fashioned like unto his glorious body..." (Phil 3:21 KJV). Hidden Specifics There are some important hidden specifics in the bread and grain of four of seven Israelite festivals (Lev 23) that pertain to the body of Christ and the resurrection, which contributes toward understanding the First Resurrection. Portrayals are in the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Exo 12:1-20), Sheaf of the First Fruits of Harvest (Lev 23:9-14), Feast of Weeks (Deu 16:9-12; Lev 23:15-21) in the two wave loaves (Lev 23:17), bread of the first fruits (Lev 23:20) on Pentecost, and Feast of Ingathering. Passover and Unleavened Bread Note: Jesus, who is "...the resurrection and the life..." (John 11:24-26 KJV), is our Passover (Exo 12:1-16) who was sacrificed for us (1 Cor 5:7-8). First, during the Lord's Supper on the day of the Feast of the Passover (Luke 22:1) and the first day of unleavened (Lev 23:5-6) bread (Mark 14:1, 12-16), the new covenant believers ate bread that represented the body (Luke 22:15-20) of Jesus Christ -- who is the Bread of Life (John 6:48-51) -- which was broken for us (1 Cor 11:24-26). Sheaf of the First Fruits (Lev 23:10-11) Second, Jesus rising from the grave (the third day) is portrayed in the sheaf of the first fruits of the harvest -- He being the first fruits of them that slept (1 Cor 15:20-23) -- which was waved before the LORD "...he morrow [Sunday] after the sabbath [Saturday]..." (Lev 23:10-11 KJV). And was fulfilled on the first day of the week (Mark 16:1-2, 9) -- a day that could be called Resurrection Sunday ("Low in the Grave He Lay" Midi!). Pentecost Third portrayal is in the two wave loaves (Lev 23:17), bread of the first fruits (Lev 23:20) and was celebrated (Sunday) on the fiftieth day (Pentecost) following the seventh Sabbath after bringing a sheaf of first fruits of the wave offering (Lev 23:10-16). The bread of the first fruits (1 Cor 15:20-23) of wheat (Exo 34:22) or possibly barley (2 Ki 4:42) was made of fine flour, in essence is Christ holiness (Rom 11:16), and was baked with leaven (Lev 23:17). One loaf represented Jew and the other Gentile. Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4) began to be fulfilled (Joel 2:28-29) when Jew first (Rom 1:16) then Gentile (Acts 10:44-48; Gal 3:14) took part in the bread that I call Resurrection Bread and received the baptism of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4-5 1).. Note: Some may not realize the fullness of God (Eph 3:14-21) and Christ (Eph 4:7-16) that can be achieved after receiving the Resurrection Spirit, the Spirit of God (Rom 8:11). At this moment, we who have Him have a foretaste of the resurrection and His power currently manifested in our lives. Quicken Your Mortal Bodies (Rom 8:11) (Rom 8:11 KJV) "But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you." Like as Christ Was Raised Up (Rom 6:3-4) To understand how we are raised now, read Romans 6:3-4 and Colossians 2:12 that explain how water baptism represents the death, burial and resurrection of our Savior. (Rom 6:3-4 KJV) "Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? {4} Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." 3 (Col 2:12 KJV) "Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead." Have Put on Christ (Gal 3:27-28) Galatians 3:27-28 tells us when baptized we put on Christ. And that there is neither Jew nor Greek (Gentile), neither bond nor free, neither male nor female, for we are all one in Christ Jesus. (Gal 3:27-28 KJV) "For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. {28} There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus." Redemption of Our Body (Rom 8:22-23) Through faith (Col 2:12 4) we have been raised (Eph 2:4-9) with Him (Rom 6:3-6) and now wait for the redemption of our body (Rom 8:22-23) when Jesus gives the command (1 Th 4:16-17). All those who partake of that one bread -- being many (1 Cor 12:12-13) members (Eph 5:29-30) are one bread and one body (1 Cor 10:16-17 2) in Christ (Rom 12:5) with Christ being the Head (Eph 5:23; Col 1:18) -- will have part in the (first) resurrection (Rev 20:6) at the last day (John 6:37-40) when He reaps the harvest (Rev 14:14-16). Feast of Ingathering (Exo 23:16) This reaping is portrayed in the Feast of Ingathering (Exo 23:16). This festival is also called the Feast of Tabernacles (Lev 23:34), which began after the corn and wine (Deu 11:14) were gathered (Deu 16:13; Rev 14:17-20). When fulfilled, the tabernacle of God will be with men (Ezek 37:27), and we will reign with the Lord on the earth (Rev 5:9-10) for a thousand years (Rev 20:6 30) and in the New Jerusalem (Rev 21:1-3) forever and ever (Rev 22:5). We should be eagerly waiting and fully ready for the coming resurrection of the just (Acts 24:15), for it will be one time event. Jesus said, "Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves will hear his voice, 5 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation" (John 5:28-29 KJV). Note: Daniel 12:1-3 is an O.T. reference. Saints Who Will Have Part in the First Resurrection Throughout Revelation many of the Saints identified, which I have numbered in groups, will have part in the coming First Resurrection (Rev 20:5-6). The Revelation message was to seven churches in Asia (Rev 1:4), and could very well be for today's N.T. Church. As you study, I would like for you to try envisioning the various groups, which John saw from a heavenly view (Rev 4:1-2). The first group is found in Revelation chapters 4 and 5. Group one:Four Beasts and Twenty-four Elders (Rev 5:8-10) (Rev 5:8-10 KJV) "And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. {9} And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy 6 to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; {10} And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: 7 and we shall reign on the earth." The redeemed four beasts and twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, having golden vials full of incense, which are the prayers (Eph 6:18; 1 Sam 12:23) of Saints, and they sung a new song. Cherubim or Seraphim (Rev 4:6-8 KJV) "...and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind. {7} And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle. {8} And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes 8 within...." In actuality the mysteriously looking four beasts (living things) 35 could either be the cherubim (living creatures) in Ezekiel's vision in chapters 1 and 10 or the seraphim in Isaiah 6:1-7; or they could have various characteristics and duties of them both, and be new creatures or creations similar to how we are new creatures (Gal 6:15) or creations in Christ (2 Cor 5:17). Four Beasts Could Be Figurative Spiritually I believe the four beasts could be figurative representing the kingdom of God -- home of the Saints and formerly dispersed to the four corners of the earth (Isa 11:12 9) and lost (Ezek 34:16) sheep of the house of Israel (Mat 10:5-8). One reason I believe that is because when you study other beast in prophecy, such as in Daniel chapters 2, 4, 7 and 8, you find that some of the images represent kings and kingdoms -- so why not in the case with the four? According to Hosea 12:10, God has given prophets many visions (Exo 24:10; Ezek 1:1) and has used similitudes, by the ministry of the prophets. The idea is the same with the revelations to John and to Paul (2 Cor 12:1-4; Eph 3:3). Also, there are some recognizable attributes, just to name one, of our Great God and Savior identifying His kingdom. The lion appearance of one beast reminds me of our Lord who is the Lion of the tribe of Judah (Rev 5:5; Gen 49:9), who is King (of kings) (1 Tim 6:15 32), and who will fully demonstrate his power and authority at His second coming when we reign (Rev 20:4-6 30) with Him (Rev 19:11-16 31) as kings and priest (Rev 5:9-10). Twenty-four Elders Then, the twenty-four elders (Heb 11:2) who were sitting with crowns on their heads (Rev 4:4, 10-11), represent elders like Abel, Enoch (Gen 5:24; Heb 11:5-6), Noah, Abraham and others (Job 19:25-27 33) mentioned in Hebrews chapter 11, who either have died or been translated, and some believe could represent the twelve patriarchs (Acts 7:8) or tribes of Israel and twelve disciples of Jesus, which add up to twenty-four. All Were Redeemed The four beast and the twenty-four elders were redeemed (Luke 1:68-69 34) "...to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation" (Rev 5:9 KJV). Not only were the elders redeemed but also the beasts. All were redeemed is another reason to believe that the beasts could represent Saints in His kingdom. Therefore, in brief, the four beasts represent Saints and formerly dispersed and lost sheep of the house of Israel from the beginning of time until the resurrection of Christ. The twenty-four elders represent elders during the same period, and some believe could represent the twelve patriarchs or tribes of Israel and twelve disciples of Jesus, which add up to twenty-four. Group two:Souls under the Altar (Rev 6:9-11) The second group is in chapter 6. (Rev 6:9-11 KJV) "And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain 10 for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: {10} And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? {11} And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled." Represent Prophets and Saints like Stephen I believe the souls of them under the altar represent prophets and Saints (Psa 116:15 11) like Stephen (Acts 7:59-60), James (Acts 12:1-3), the brother of John, Peter (2 Pet 1:14-15), Paul (2 Tim 1:1, 4:5-8), and others who were slain ("...for the word of God and for the testimony which they held...that they should rest yet for little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled," Rev 6:9-11 KJV 12), according to how it is perceived, before the resurrection of Christ until the revelation to John, and/or during the first century church martyrdom until the Great Tribulation, including those mentioned in the Fox's Book of Martyrs. They were souls who had no bodies. To help understand that, read what Jesus said in Matthew 10:28. Soul and Body (Mat 10:28 KJV) "And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." One of the things He said was that we have a body that can be destroyed (1 Cor 5:1-6), and also a soul (Mat 22:37 13) that can be destroyed. No matter what makes up the soul, which could be our character, spirit, heart, mind and whatever else we may think it to be, ones in heaven at this time do not have physical bodies as we see it (2 Cor 5:1-8). For Abraham saw Jesus' day (John 8:56), and he is physically dead There also exist in heaven, people like Lazarus, in the parable of Lazarus and the Rich Man (Luke 16:19-31), Moses and Elijah, who were seen on the mount of transfiguration (Mat 17:1-4), and others. Although Moses' body (Deu 34:5-6; Jude 1:9) was long ago buried, Elijah was taken up into heaven (2 Ki 2:11-12), during the times of the kings of Israel, and many of the Saints have died, they are all in the presence of the Lord waiting for the resurrection. He is God of the living (Mat 22:32) not of the dead. The LORD preserves the souls of His Saints (Psa 97:10) until they are resurrected. (Psa 97:10 KJV) "Ye that love the LORD, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked." Group three:Sealed an Hundred Forty-four Thousand (Rev 7:1-8) A group, which will go through the Great Tribulation and will have part in the coming First Resurrection, is described in 7:1-8. (Rev 7:2, 4 KJV) "...And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God... {4} ...and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel." They are the 144,000 Israelites who will be specially sealed in their foreheads so not to be hurt with plagues (Rev 7:3; 9:3-4). Note: Children of God are washed in the blood of the Lamb and are sealed with the Holy Spirit (Eph 4:30 19). All have been delivered from the wrath of God (1 Th 1:9-10), and if alive during the Great Tribulation will be protected from the plagues (Psa 91). The Lord knows who are his (2 Tim 2:19). He will keep (or guard from loss or injury) the Philadelphia church from the hour of temptation (Rev 3:10), who will not necessarily escape that troubled time. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego (Dan 3:24-27), who went through the fiery furnace, were delivered from the kings fury (Dan 3:19). And in ways Saints (Dan 12:1) will be delivered (John 16:20-22; Rom 8:16-23) and will be accounted worthy to obtain the world to come and the resurrection from the dead (Luke 20:34-36), to escape (flee) all the things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man (Luke 21:36). Group four:Great Multitude (Rev 7:9-17) Also in chapter 7 there is described a great multitude of all nations, tribes, people and tongues that will come out of the Great Tribulation and also will have part in the First Resurrection. (Rev 7:9-17 KJV) "After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms 14 in their hands; {10} And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. {11} And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, {12} Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen. {13} And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? {14} And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, 15 and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. {15} Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. {16} They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. {17} For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes." The multitude was so great that no man could number (Hosea 1:10) those who came out of great tribulation and are about the throne worshipping God. The multitude must include the multiplied seed of Abraham (Gen 16:10 16) who through faith in Christ Jesus received the promise of the Holy Spirit (Gal 3:14, 28-29). Paul quoted from Isaiah 10:20-22, "Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved..." (Rom 9:27-29 KJV). (Isa 10:22 KJV) "For though thy people Israel be as the sand of the sea, yet a remnant of them shall return: the consumption decreed shall overflow with righteousness." To make it such a great multitude, many Gentile of the household of God (Eph 2:11-19) must be in that number. From Hosea 1:10 where it says "Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be as the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured nor numbered," Paul quoted, "...And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God" (Rom 9:24-26 KJV). God has not called Jews only, but also Gentiles. (Hosea 1:10 KJV) "Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be as the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured nor numbered; and it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people, there it shall be said unto them, Ye are the sons of the living God." Group five:Saints upon the Golden Altar (Rev 8:3-4) The fifth group is in chapter 8. The smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the Saints upon the golden altar, ascended up before God. (Rev 8:3-4 KJV) "And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. {4} And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand." I believe those Saints who are prayed for (Rev 5:8) upon the golden altar (Rom 12:1) represent the same fellow servants and brethren mentioned in Revelation 6:9-11, like the souls of them under the altar, who will be "...slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held" (Rev 6:9 KJV), according to how it is perceived, after the revelation to John until the First Resurrection or just during the Great Tribulation. Group six:Two Witnesses (Rev 11:3-13) In Revelation chapter 11, there are two characters that many would love to identify, which will be in the Great Tribulation. (Rev 11:3-4 KJV) "And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. {4} These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth." 
Two Olive Trees and Candlesticks The two olive trees and two candlesticks seem to be the same two olive branches in Zechariah 4:2-4, 11-14 which through the two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of themselves to the seven candlesticks, which are the seven churches in Revelation 1-3. The two anointed ones and witnesses are possibly two prophets of the churches, one could be Enoch (Gen 5:24; Heb 11:5-6), representing Gentile (Rom 11:13, 17), and the other Elijah (2 Ki 2:11-12; Mal 4:5-6), representing Israel (Jer 11:16-17; Hosea 14:5-6), or two other prophets. If they are types of Enoch, Elijah, Moses or John the Baptist (Isa 40:3 17), who was Elias (Mat 17:10-13), then they could have those prophets (Mal 4:5-6) same anointing (Zec 4:14), spirit and power (Luke 1:17, 76). Some may try adding John the Beloved to the choices. Jesus said about John to Peter, "...If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee..." (John 21:20-24 KJV)? He put forth a statement perceived by some that John would not die. He would have to if he is one of two witnesses who will be killed three and one half days prior their ascending up (Rev 11:11-12). That would not entirely eliminate John from being alive and seeing Jesus come. In Revelation 1:10-20, he was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day when he saw the Lord. He was told to come up to see the hereafter; immediately he was in the spirit (Rev 4:1-2) and all of a sudden in heaven receiving (more of) the revelation. In essence he saw the Lord that Day and saw Him come in His various roles as shown in some passages in Revelation. 24 One or both witnesses could be alive today and are being prepared for their mission. Their story being placed right before the seventh angel sounds the seventh trumpet may throw a casual reader. If you have noticed, the various picture pieces in Revelation do not necessarily follow a chronological order. The pieces have to be placed in the proper perspective and order to get the bigger picture the Lord desires to convey. The two will have part in the First Resurrection. The following will help us to understand that. The three woes in Revelation 8:13 25 are in reference to the voices of the trumpets of the last three angels, which are yet to sound. The two witnesses in Revelation 11:3-12 will be prophesying, turning waters to blood and smiting the earth with plagues during the sounding of the first six trumpets (Rev 8:1-9:21; 10:7; 11:14-15), before the seventh angel sounds the seventh trumpet and the seven (last plagues) vials of the wrath of God (Rev 15-16:17) are poured out. Near the end of the Tribulation, they will be killed, and resurrected three and a half days later with the rest of the Saints. The ascending up of the witnesses will be just before the third woe, after the seventh angel sounds the seventh trumpet. They Ascended Up to Heaven (Rev 11:12-13) (Rev 11:12-13 KJV KJV) "And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them. {13} And the same hour was there a great earthquake...." To better understand that, just before the third woe is declared, in the same hour when they are resurrected, there will be a great earthquake (Rev 11:11-13 36), possibly the same one that occurs before the Mount of Olives cleave in the midst in Zechariah 14:3-5 where the Lord's feet stand; the one in Revelation 6:12-17 when the six seal is opened and Jesus comes; and the one in Revelation 16:18-21 when Jesus comes, before the seven vials (Rev 15-16:17) are poured out, when the great city Babylon divides into three parts and about to receive the wrath of God. If you believe that Jesus is coming only one more time -- and he appears just before the seventh angel sounds the seventh trumpet (Rev 10:7; 11:15) after the Great Tribulation (Mat 24:29; Mark 13:24-25) -- this picture of the two witnesses ascending up in the First Resurrection will be more apparent. Then too, if you believe that there was only one resurrection for Christ (Acts 2:30-31), then also believe that there will be only one resurrection for the body of Christ (1 Cor 10:16-17; 12:27). Without a doubt the two witnesses will be prophesying during the Tribulation and both will have part in the First Resurrection. Group seven:Woman Clothed with the Sun (Rev 12:1-2) (Rev 12:1-2 KJV) "And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars: {2} And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered." (Rev 12:5-6 KJV) "And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne. {6} And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days." Seventh is in chapter 12. The woman brought forth a man child -- who took on the seed of Abraham (Heb 2:16 26 and made of the seed of David according to the flesh (Rom 1:3). The man child who rules the nations with a rod of iron is Jesus Christ. To understand why I can say that, read Revelation 19:15 that supports 12:5. And to understand why the woman is Israel and not Mary who many assume, compare Joseph's dream in Genesis 37:9-10 with Revelation 12:1-2. (Gen 37:9-10 KJV) "And he dreamed yet another dream, and told it his brethren, and said, Behold, I have dreamed a dream more; and, behold, the sun and the moon and the eleven stars made obeisance to me. {10} And he told it to his father, and to his brethren: and his father rebuked him, and said unto him, What is this dream that thou hast dreamed? Shall I and thy mother and thy brethren indeed come to bow down ourselves to thee to the earth?"
(Rev 12:14 KJV) "And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, 18 from the face of the serpent." The woman, possibly Orthodox and Hasidic Israelites who are now being brought back to their land, will flee into the wilderness (some believe to the city of Petra) from the face of the serpent (Rev 12:14), saved out of Jacob's trouble (Jer 30:7), and will be feed for 1260 days (Rev 12:6), the same amount of days the two witnesses will prophesy (Rev 11:3), and will be nourished for three and a half years (Dan 7:25 18), the period of the Tribulation (Deu 4:30 28). The Remnant of Her Seed (Rev 12:17) (Rev 12:17 KJV) "And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ." "The remnant of her seed (Rom 9:27-29 27), which keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ," is possibly Messianic Jews and Gentile believers (Rom 11:16-25) who through faith in Christ Jesus received the promise of the Holy Spirit (Gal 3:14, 28-29 29) and who are persecuted from Pentecost until the first resurrection. As a group, they could represent the Spirit filled Church with its diversified works (Rev 1-3). Group eight:An Hundred Forty-four Thousand (Rev 14:1-5) (Rev 14:1 KJV) "And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads." The 144,000 in 14:1-5, which will go through the Great Tribulation, at first, was a little difficult for me to figure out, because of their attributes in verse 4, until I considered the number of them. (Rev 14:3-5 KJV) "And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. {4} These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. {5} And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God." I believe this 144,000 (Rev 14:1-5) are the same 144,000 in Revelation 7:1-8 who will be sealed in their foreheads so not to be hurt with plagues (Rev 7:3; 9:3-4) and who may not die but changed and stand with Jesus on Mount Sion when He returns. Zechariah 14:1-5 is a similar account with more or less details. (Zec 14:1-5 KJV) "Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee. {2} For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city. {3} Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle. {4} And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south. {5} And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and the LORD my God shall come, and all the saints 22 with thee." On the Day of the LORD, all His (Yehovah) Saints come with Him, and His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives. As a group, the 144, 000 (similitude) could represent all Israel (Rom 11:26) who have the first fruits 20 of the Spirit (Rom 8:22-23). They are virgins and faultless (unblemished) who have not been defiled with women R and follow the Lamb wherever He goes, which helps me to understand the type of people He will have with Him throughout all eternity. Note: If you understand how Revelation is written, not necessarily following a chronological order and in part (1 Cor 13:9-10), the seventh trumpet (Rev 10:7; 11:15), the last trumpet (1 Cor 15:51-52) has already sounded, the dead in Christ have been raised incorruptible, and those that remain have been changed; and according to 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, have been "...caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord...." We will meet the Lord in the air, which means to meet the Lord in the air and not remain there. Because if we will be with Him forever and reign (Rev 5:9-10 30) with Him (Rev 2:27 31), along with the 144,000 (Rev 14:1-5), we will need to come to the earth after the wrath (Rev 11:14-18 21) and plagues (Rev 15:4- 16:17). Group nine:Beheaded for the Witness of Jesus (Rev 20:4-6) The next and final group or groups in 20:4-6 are they who sat upon thrones and the souls of them (Saints) who were beheaded during the forty-two month (Rev 13:5 18) Tribulation (Deu 4:30 28) when the beast in Revelation 13:1-8 received power over all kindred, tongues and nations. Lived and Reigned with Christ (Rev 20:4-6 KJV) "And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. {5} But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. {6} 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 30 with him a thousand years." NIV Daniel 7:9, 10 and 18 have various details possibly of the same period. John "...saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them" (1 Cor 6:2). And he "saw the souls of them that were beheaded...and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years... 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" (Rev 20:4-6 KJV). They who sat upon thrones and the souls of them (Saints) who were beheaded during the Great Tribulation represent all who will be in the First Resurrection and will reign with Christ for a thousand years. Note: "But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished...." The books were opened, and anther book was opened, and whoever's name was not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire which is the second death (Rev 20:5, 12-15). Conclusion: To sum it up, let us look in brief at the various groups of Saints that will have part in the coming First Resurrection. First group: The four beasts represent Saints and formerly dispersed and lost sheep of the house of Israel from the beginning of time until the resurrection of Christ. The twenty-four elders represent elders during the same period, and some believe could represent the twelve patriarchs or tribes of Israel and twelve disciples of Jesus, which add up to twenty-four. Second group: The souls of them under the altar represent prophets and Saints who were slain, according to how it is perceived, before the resurrection of Christ until the revelation to John, and/or during the first century church martyrdom until the Great Tribulation, including those mentioned in the Fox's Book of Martyrs. Third group: The 144,000 Israelites will be sealed in their foreheads before the plagues come during the Great Tribulation. Fourth group: The great multitude is an early picture of all the Saints who came out of the Great Tribulation and are about the throne worshipping God. Fifth group: The Saints upon the golden altar represent those killed (like the souls of them under the altar), according to how it is perceived, after the revelation to John until the First Resurrection or just during the Great Tribulation. Sixth group: The two witnesses could possibly be Enoch and Elijah or two others, or types who have the same Spirit and anointing, who will be killed near the end of the Great Tribulation and resurrected three and a half days later. Seventh group: The woman represents Israel who will be saved out of Jacob's trouble. And the remnant of her seed is possibly Holy Spirit filled believers who are persecuted from Pentecost until the First Resurrection. As a group, they could represent the Spirit filled Church. Eighth group: The 144,000 are the same 144,000 Israelites who were sealed in their foreheads and who may not die but changed and stand with Jesus on mount Sion when He returns. As a group, they could represent all Israel. Ninth group: They who sat upon thrones and the souls of them (Saints) who were beheaded during the Great Tribulation represent all who will be in the First Resur-rection and will reign with Christ for a thousand years. We will either be of the ones that will die before or during the Great Tribulation, or be of the ones that will overcome (1 John 5:1-5 23), be sealed in the forehead and/or endure until the end (Mat 24:12-14; Mark 13:13-14), and alive when Jesus calls forth the "First Resurrection" (which we call the rapture) at the sound of the "Last Trump." Either dead or alive, all Saints will be changed. Obtain a Better Resurrection (Heb 11:35) If you would like to know how to obtain (Luke 20:34-36) a better resurrection, read Hebrews 11:35 in the faith chapter where it says, "...and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection." So, if you are alive during the Great Tribulation, Rejoice! 37 As for now, "...think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you" (1 Pet 4:12 KJV). Additional Truths As you study more of Revelation, additional truths will unfold. Go by what the Holy Spirit reveals (John 16:12-15) to you. Do you remember the "mysteries of the kingdom of God" in Mark 4:11-20 in which sowing is mentioned? First thing that needs to happen, the seed has to be received on (into) good moist (Luke 8:6) ground (Mat 13:23). If you have the right heart and grounded in God's Word, it can take root, grow and bare fruit (Luke 8:8, 15) until harvest (Rev 14:14-16). Like to Be Included If you would like to be included in the First Resurrection number, you can be by accepting the salvation God has to offer. Trust in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, be truly repentant -- for it was initially preached by John the Baptist (Mat 3:1-3) and Jesus (Mat 4:17). Mean business with the LORD. Note: If you have read enough of the Bible, you should realize that there's only one first resurrection (and rapture) that occurs at a great sound of a trumpet after Jesus appears (Mat 24:29-31), following the Great Tribulation (Mark 13:24-25). References:
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There will be the "First Resurrection" of all Saints (which will occur after the Great Tribulation) who will reign with Christ a thousand years (Millennium); subsequently, not until the end of the thousand years will the rest of the dead be raised
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