So why is Revelation 20:4 only referring to someone after they have died, and not to someone while they are still physically alive before they have even died? John didn't see anyone in that verse who are still physically alive but are initially spiritually dead, then because they become born again(first resurrection), they live and reign with Christ a thousand years.
The first resurrection is not being applied to someone before they have died, because if it was John would have seen examples of that in the vision, except he clearly didn't if he is only seeing examples of someone that has already physically died. That's who the first resurrection is being applied to. That's who---but they shall be priests of God and Christ---is being applied to, and not to someone who hasn't even physically died yet. How can that not be adding to the text things not present in the text?
How can Revelation 20:4 only make sense per Amil, but not make sense per Premil? At least per Premil----but they shall be priests of God and Christ---Premil would have this occurring in the correct location, that being on the earth, and not in heaven instead.
There is no such thing as being priests of God and Christ in heaven while awaiting a bodily resurrection, but there would have to be such a thing if Amil is the correct position, since that part is being applied to martyrs after they have already died. IOW, wherever they are living and reigning with Christ a thousand years, they are also being priests of God and Christ, at the same location. If heaven is meant according to Amils, then that's where they are being priests of God and Christ at. I can understand someone willing to accept this nonsense if one were Catholic. But surely not all Amils are Catholic, are they?
Some Amils might argue, none of us are applying the part about being priests to God and Christ, while someone is reigning in heaven awaiting a bodily resurrection, thus this is a straw man argument. It doesn't matter that Amils might not be applying that to someone after they have already physically died, Revelation 20:4 and 20:6 clearly are, though. That's what counts.
The letters are to be sent to seven churches. Of course you will agree the letters are not being sent to churches filled with physically dead saints. So when John writes that Jesus is the first begotten of the dead, the prince of the kings of the earth, and that He has made us kings and priests unto God and His Father, we know that through Christ we are in life made kings and priests. Would you not agree?
Re 1:4 John
to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace
be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;
Re 1:5 And from Jesus Christ,
who is the faithful witness,
and the first begotten of the dead, and the
prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and
washed us from our sins in his own blood,
Re 1:6 And
hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him
be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
This next passage is a vision of heaven, where the Lamb is found worthy to open the seals because He was slain and has redeemed to God a people from every kindred, tongue, people, and nation. And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: AND WE SHALL REIGN ON THE EARTH.
Re 5:6 ¶ And I beheld, and, lo,
in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.
Re 5:7 And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.
Re 5:8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four
and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.
Re 5:9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and
hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
Re 5:10 And
hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
Re 5:11 And I beheld, and I
heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;
Re 5:12 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.
While still living, the saints in the seven churches, who have been washed from their sins by the blood of the Lamb, in Christ are called kings of the earth, and kings and priests unto God and His Father. But in the vision of chapter 5 all who are redeemed to God by the blood of the Lamb, John sees in heaven, not on the earth. They have been redeemed from all the nations of the earth, and are unto God kings and priests.
And they shall reign on the earth.
Just as in Rev 20, John is here seeing the redeemed in heaven after they have physically died. Otherwise John would not be seeing them in heaven. But notice also that there is not mention of being martyred. But this passage tells us they will reign on the earth. I realize you believe the saints will be bodily resurrected to reign on this earth for one thousand physical years. But there is nothing in this passage to prove that. Why would they reign on this earth, since when Christ returns they will be physically clothed with immortality and incorruptible? And that on the last day of this age, when the last trumpet sounds the return of Christ.
The earth they will reign ON is the new earth after this first earth has passed away.
The last passage to look at is Rev 20:6.
Revelation 20:6 (KJV) 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.
First saints who have been washed in the blood of the Lamb are called kings and priests while physically alive on this earth. Then John sees saints in heaven who are still called kings and priests after they have physically died. Now John writes of martyred souls as the blessed and holy, having part in the first resurrection, so the second death will not harm them, who are called priests of God and of Christ, but now they reign with Christ a thousand years. This is of course before the thousand years expire, otherwise they could not reign with Christ for a thousand years. So in these three passages from the Revelation we've been shown that saints are kings and priests in life, and after physical death in heaven, and as martyred souls in heaven. So whether clothed in mortal body, or clothed in spiritual body all who have been washed in the blood of the Lamb are kings and priests unto God and the Father. Yet you say there is no such thing as being kings and priests in heaven?
