The Fourth Aspect of the First Resurrection
The fourteenth chapter of Revelation sets forth yet another aspect of the first resurrection from the dead. This is the concept that the first resurrection is for a select group of rulers who will dwell in the Presence of the King forever.
And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads. (Rev 14:1)
It is the writer's conviction that the above verse is referring to the first-fruits of the Bride, to the "only one of her mother" (Song of Solomon 6:9).
The concept that every believer is of the same rank in the Kingdom of God and receives substantially the same reward is manifestly unscriptural (Revelation 22:12). The second and third chapters of the Book of Revelation teach us clearly that the first resurrection from the dead, and the accompanying rewards of ruler ship and responsibility in the Kingdom of God, will be given to those who, through the grace of Christ, overcome their love of the world, their love of sin, and their love of self.
How many cross-carrying disciples do you know? Of the Christians of your acquaintance, how many are totally dedicated to Christ?
The first resurrection, the resurrection that will take place when the Lord Jesus appears, is for the royal priesthood. It is the summoning of the bodies of the chosen from the ground so they may rule with the Lord Jesus on the earth.
The average believer of today would be at a loss if he were raised in the first resurrection in such a sphere of glory. He would be comfortable neither with the Lord Jesus nor with the Lord's "mighty men." He would feel foolish at the Lord's table, never having experienced the fiery Presence of the Lord, never having shared His sufferings, never having known the pain and pressure of the cross of delayed fulfilment. He would be totally out of place among the Lord's heroes of faith.
He would be careless, confused, and disobedient were he placed in some position of responsibility in the Kingdom. As he has done on earth, so would he do if he were raised in that hour. He is not one of the Lord's heroes of faith now. He certainly would not experience joy if he were placed in the company of Abraham, Elijah, John the Baptist, and Paul. How would he feel as the Lord's warriors observed his dwarfed, self-seeking, conniving soul?
There will be subsequent reapings of the vine of the earth, but the people who are described in Rev 14:1-5 are the "first-fruits unto God and to the Lamb."
These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whither soever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the first-fruits unto God and to the Lamb. (Revelation 14:4)
Being "virgins" means they are not married to things, circumstances, relationships, or ambitions. They worship Jesus alone. They follow the Lord into both pain and joy. They have been selected from among the members of mankind because they love the Lord Jesus above all else.
This description leaves no doubt that the first-fruits of the Bride of the Lamb is being spoken of here. The Bride of the Lamb is the Church, the Body of Christ, the new Jerusalem. It is composed of the elect—the true saints of God.
In many instances the Scriptures emphasize the selection of a remnant from the whole, the choosing of a few who will experience the fullness of God's holy purpose.
My dove, my undefiled is but one; she is the only one of her mother, she is the choice one of her that bare her. . . . (Song of Solomon 6:9)
"So shall we ever be with the Lord" (1 Thessalonians 4:17) corresponds to "These are they which follow the Lamb whither-soever he goeth," (of Rev 14:4).
Also:
Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; . . . . (John 17:24)
One of the main purposes of the resurrection and ascension of the elect is the eternal union of the saints with Christ—the marriage of the Lamb. The first and most glorious celebration of the marriage of the Lamb, which is the revealing of Christ and His Body when the Lord returns, is not for the sixtyfold or thirtyfold believers (Matthew 13:23).
We join with the Apostle Paul in laying aside all other considerations in order that we may concentrate every bit of energy and every moment of time on the supreme objective—attaining to the first resurrection from the dead.