Almighty, merciful Savior, you are Alpha and Omega, the First Fruit who rules now and forever. John’s vision convicts and confounds many, yet it encourages those who believe in your death, burial and resurrection. Thank you for John’s account in your Word that is in your own instruction ‘trustworthy and true.’ I sing Hallelujah in your name and authority, according to the good and perfect will of the Father. Amen.
“Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years.” (Revelation 20:4b-6 ESV)