First Resurrection

Martyrs share in Jesus’ suffering and death. Martyrs also come to life as Jesus did. This is what John calls the “first resurrection” (Revelation 20:5).

That is the argument presented by GB Caird (Revelation of St. John the Divine, 255). Jesus’ resurrection, he argues, “had a double sequel, in heaven and on earth: for in heaven he sat down beside his Father on his throne (iii.21), and on earth he began a new activity, unbounded by time and space, walking among the seven lamps of the world-wide church, sending out the seven spirits of God into all the world, gathering the martyrs out of every nation for their battle on Mount Zion.”

Martyrs share Christ’s heavenly throne: After they are laid out in the streets of the city, they are called up to heaven (11:12). And sharing Christ’s heavenly throne, they also share in the life that He has as the dead-and-risen one. Like Jesus, then, for the martyrs “resurrection means that they have been ‘let loose into the world,’” their reign different “in degree but not in kind from the reign which Christ had exercised ever since his own resurrection.”

That makes exegetical sense; also historical sense. Jesus rises bodily from the dead, and His new life among His disciples is the diffused new life of the Spirit of the Risen One. So too for the martyrs: Their lives and witness and spirit was perpetuated in the church, inspiring faithful, courageous imitation. They died in faith, but truly did come to life and reigned with Jesus. They reign still.