Revelation 20 describes a first resurrection and a thousand year rule of Christ on the earth with some or all of his saints. A lot of pastors and theologians promote the idea that this thousand year rule will include all Christians and righteous Old Testament saints who have lived or died up until that time.
Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. 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 20:4-6
Does this first resurrection and thousand year rule with Christ include all previous saints, including the Old Testament saints? That thought is inferred into the passage and hoped for by many. The specific words used there could indicate the only ones reigning and ruling with Christ for that thousand years were those “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.” Would that include me if I died of natural causes tomorrow because I never worshiped the beast or received its mark? Or would I be with “the rest of the dead” who “did not come to life until the thousand years were ended”?
I feel like correctly portraying what is described to come at the end is a bit like being in line for a roller coaster the first time. As you wait, you see parts of the ride, but usually not the whole thing. While you wait, it is difficult to imagine what it will actually feel like, what you will really see and experience once you are actually on board. You can be sure the ride will be scary. You also have promises and assurances from the ride’s maker, that as a believer, you will make it through. Let’s trust the Lord and all his promises with whatever ups and downs come our way.
Pastor John Riley