But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
But. B, Coptic, Andreas, 'and;' A, Vulgate, omit.
Again. A B, Vulgate, Coptic, Andreas, omit. Lived is used for lived again, as in Revelation 2:8. John saw them not only when restored, but in the act of reviving (Bengel).
First resurrection - `the resurrection of the just' (Luke 14:14). Earth is not yet transfigured, so cannot be meet for the transfigured saints; but from heaven they with Christ rule the earth, there being a much freer communion of the heavenly and earthly churches (a type of which is seen in the forty days during which the risen Saviour appeared to His disciples); they know no higher joy than to lead their brethren on earth to the same salvation as they share themselves. The millennial reign on earth does not rest on an isolated passage, but all Old Testament prophecy goes on the same view (cf. Isaiah 4:3; Isaiah 11:9; Isaiah 35:8). Jesus, while opposing the Jews expectation of a carnal kingdom, confirms the Old Testament view of a coming earthly Jewish kingdom of glory: beginning from within, and spreading now spiritually, the kingdom of God shall manifest itself outwardly at Christ's coming again. The papacy is a blasphemous anticipation of the visible Headship which Christ shall then assume. It is reigning as kings without Christ (1 Corinthians 4:8; Irenaeus, 5:, 36, 1; 35:, 1, 2; Justin Martyr, 'Dial.,' 51:, 80). Melito and Tertullian ('Adv. Marcion'), in the age next after John, held that Jerusalem will be rebuilt, and the saints enjoy the sight of the Lord in various degrees in the holy city for a thousand years, and in heaven; and that this is part of the entireness of sound Christian faith. 'When Christianity became a worldly power under Constantine, the future hope was weakened by joy over present success' (Bengel). Becoming a harlot, the Church ceased to be a bride going to meet her Bridegroom. The rights which the harlot usurped shall be exercised in holiness by the Bride. They are "kings" because "priests" (Revelation 20:6; Revelation 1:6; Revelation 5:10); their priesthood unto God and Christ (Revelation 7:15) is the ground of their kingship toward men. Men will be willing subjects of the transfigured priest-kings, in the day of the Lord's power. Their power is that of attraction, winning the heart; not counteracted by devil or beast. Church and State shall be co-extensive. Man, created 'to have dominion over the earth,' is to rejoice over his world with unmixed joy. John saith that instead of the devil, the transfigured Church-Daniel, that instead of the paganish beast, the holy Israel-shall rule (Auberlen).