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.
Ver. 6. Blessed and happy is he] The holy only have part in this resurrection, and are therefore happy, or out of harm's way, as the word μακαριοι signifies.
The second death hath no power] For they are brought from the jaws of death to the joys of eternal life, where is mirth without mourning, riches without rust, &c.
But they shall be priests] See Trapp on " Rev 1:6 "
They shall reign] The righteous are kings, Matthew 13:17; cf. Luke 10:24; "Many righteous" is the same with "many kings." See Trapp on " Rev 20:4 "
A thousand years] These thousand years begin (saith Mr Brightman) where the former ended, that is, in the year 1300, whereby continuance thereof is promised for a thousand years forward, among some of the Gentiles; and how long it shall reign afterwards among the Jews, He only knows that knows all. The most interpreters by a thousand years here understand not any definite time, as Revelation 20:2; of this chapter, but an indefinite time, that is, for ever, as Psalms 84:10. This thousand years they take for eternity, and a further degree of glory for such as are called forth to suffer. See Eze 37:1-14 Isaiah 26:19 .