Revelation 20:6; Blessed and Holy Is He that Hath Part in the First Resurrection (2)

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Revelation 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 priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. 

Since the first death is clearly the death of the body, the second death must apply to the body too. So the second death penalties both body and soul (Matthew 10:28).

Matthew 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.

Another aspect of their blessedness is the privilege of being priests and rulers. Guarantee of the dual role comes in the words – they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. 

The function of being “priests of God and of Christ,” referred to also in Revelation 1:6 and 5:10, will not be primarily the impartation of knowledge during the period of Satan’s imprisonment, but rather will consist of the privilege of unlimited access to and intimate fellowship with God. The relationship will continue after the final departure of Satan to the lake of fire (Revelation 2:10 cf. Isaiah 61:6) so it must be independent of a responsibility to mortals (Beckwith, Moffatt).

Revelation 1:6 (KJV)  And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. 

Revelation 5:10 (KJV)  And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. 

Revelation 2:10 (KJV)  Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

Isaiah 61:6 (KJV)  But ye shall be named the Priests of the LORD: men shall call you the Ministers of our God: ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves. 

Whatever the ministry of the resurrected saints will have to the world during this period is unrevealed in this passage (Beasley-Murray). They will join Christ in ruling the earth, but in what way this will be is not known. Priesthood and royalty are dual aspects of their future service to God (Swete).

“The thousand years” at the end of v6 indicates that the priesthood and reign are special and temporary because of the limited duration of this kingdom on earth. This is not to say, however, that both will not continue with the ushering in of the eternal phase, of the kingdom. The prophecy is explicit that they will continue (Revelation 22:3, 5).

Revelation 22:3 (KJV)  And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: 

Revelation 22:5 (KJV)  And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever. 

[Robert L. Thomas, Revelation 8-22 – An Exegetical Commentary, Moody, 1995, 422]