It does no injustice to Rev. 20:6 to read as follows: "Blessed and holy is he that hath obeyed the Gospel, (been born again), on whom the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years."

If the devil is not bound, Christ is not reigning. There are three fundamental facts we should keep in mind when discussing "Millennius," "binding of Satan" and the "first resurrection." First man was created with power of volition, or choice. Second, everything should bring forth after its kind. Third, the gospel is the power of God unto salvation.

God does not force men. Only one example to contrary; that of Baalam. The Gospel is and always will be the power of God unto salvation, and not Gospel plus personal presence of Christ.

Some think the binding of Satan means the removal of all temptation to sin. Whether the Gospel is the chain binding Satan, or not, it binds man back to God. The devil once had power to enter people and make them superhuman (Mat. 8:34.) He could cast them into fire and water. He could give wicked persons such great strength that ropes, thongs and chains would not hold them. He had possession of a young woman at Philippe (Acts 16).

Satan’s power must have been removed to give the Gospel a chance. Hence Jesus bound the "strong man" Matt. 12:28, 29; Mk.12:27).

We understand Christ is the angel of Rev. 20th chapter. There are two resurrections spoken of in the 20th chapter of Rev., the first or spiritual in verse 5, and the general or bodily resurrection beginning at verse 11. We have both resurrections spoken of in the 5th chapter of John. The spiritual first in the 24 and 25th verses, and the general bodily resurrection in the 28 and 29th verses.

How many ways are there of escaping second death? How many ways of becoming "blessed and holy ?" God promised to bless all nations through Christ (Gal. 3:29). How many ways to become holy? (1 Pet. 1:22) We are not able to avoid the conclusion that obedience to the Gospel is the first resurrection. But somebody asks "who are the rest of the dead?" We answer those who fail to become Christians, be born again, but remain "dead in trespasses and sins." The thrones are those of the apostles which Christ promised them in Matt. 19:28.

Christians are now reigning with the apostles and with Christ (1 Cor. 4:8). We are not able to avoid the conclusion that the millenium has been in progress since the kingdom, or church was set up, and Christ began to reign. Every person who obeyed the Gospel takes part in the first resurrection and when they continue to live the Christian life they are reigning with the apostles, Christ and God, here on earth. They are a "holy priesthood, a royal nation, a peculiar people." If you, my kind reader, have not taken part in the first resurrection, may God help you to do so now.