THE HAPPY VICTORS

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. Revelation 20:6 (KJV).

Those who truly know Jesus Christ will have part in the “First resurrection”, and through Christ are “THE HAPPY VICTORS”.

It is truly a blessed thing to know God’s promises; especially the promises concerning the future. By thse promises we learn of God’s sovereignty, thus we can know He is in complete control. Unlike the “Open Theists” who believe God does not know the future any more than you or I, we do have a sovereign who is in complete control, and does know how things were, how things are, and how things will be. He can even direct things to come out according to His plan.
We can rest assured, and be at ease knowing God in a personal way.
Our verse abovee speaks of a “First resurrection”. If there is a first it seems to me that there will also be a “second”. The “First resurrection” began with Jesus’s resurrection from the grave. His resurrection is still effective in changing people’s lives. Because of His resurrection He is coming to call His Church home – the rapture. Many who die during “the great tribulation” for Christ will be raised as part of the “First fruits” of Christ’s resurrection.
Any person in the “second resurrection” is guaranteed an eternal destiny as well. The fires and torments of hell. I do not know about you, but I care nothing for that kind of guarantee.
God has provided a way of escape. Listen to Him today. Hear his voice. Call on Him for salvation.

Who are THE HAPPY VICTORS? They…
TAKE PART IN THE FIRST RESURRECTION. “But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. 21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.” 1 Cor 15:20-23 (KJV). The Scriptures also tell us, “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:” 1 Thess 4:16 (KJV).
The Old Testament speaks of two resurrections as well, “And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.” Daniel 12:2 (KJV). Remember there is often a gap of time in some prophecies, which I believe to also be so in this case.
The “First Resurrection” is also called “The Resurrection of Life”. “And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; John 5:29a (KJV). We can take part in it in this time by calling on the name of Jesus for salvation. All who have received God’s gift of salvation will be “Fruits” of the “First Resurrection”.
It is the resurrection for those who are just. “And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.” Luke 14:14 (KJV). These have passed from death unto life. “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” John 5:24 (KJV).

…They HAVE NO PART IN THE SECOND DEATH. “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” Revelation 21:8 (KJV).
This will be the plight of all those who reject God’s gift of salvation. The atheist who trust only in himself/herself will be cast alive into the “lake of fire”. The agnostic who heard, read, studied himself/herself to tears, but did not believe, and died ignorance will have no excuse. The “good man or woman” who believes in God, but shoves the cross of Christ back in His face, believing his own works are sufficient will wake up in a very sad condition at the Great White Throne of God’s judgment.
The “second death” means judgment of eternal, tormenting consequences. “And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” Revelation 20:14-15 (KJV). The fires of hell. Memories of hearing the gospel of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Separation from God. “and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.” John 5:29b (KJV).
The power of the “second death” is eternally binding. There is no escape from torment, once there. The way of escape must be made today, by being born again in Christ Jesus as Lord and Savior. “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.” Revelation 2:11 (KJV). “If you are born once you will die twice. If you are born twice you will die only once.

…They HAVE BEEN CHOSEN AS PRIESTS OF GOD AND OF CHRIST. “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.” 1 Peter 2:9-10 (KJV). To show forth the praises of God. Showing God’s mercy and grace to all with whom we come in contact. While here on earth in the flesh and while around His throne and serving Him in His kingdom.

…They REIGN WITH CHRIST. Each individual is appointed a place of service during His kingdom on earth. During this reign on earth there will be one thousand years of peace. “The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. 7 And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. 8 And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice’ den. 9 They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.” Isaiah 11:6-9 (KJV). Can you imagine seeing the lamb and wolf lying down and eating together (Isaiah 65:25).
Snakes/serpents frighten many of us in this day. I for one do not want to get too close to a Rattlesnake, or even a black ratsnake, but there will come a day of peace on earth when all the animals will go back to their pre-sin state (it is because of man’s sin that the animals are as they are), and one day a child will be able to play around or over a poisonous serpents den and there will be no need to fear or worry.

In conclusion, let me ask, to which destiny will you go? To the terrors and torments of hell? Will you receive God’s marvellous gift and enjoy eternity in the presence, power and pleasures of God? The choice is yours. You have only today to make that choice. You have no guarantee of “Tomorrow”. It never comes.
Those who have part in “The First Resurrection” are truly THE HAPPY VICTORS.