I. What we are to understand by the first resurrec- tion—
The whole of the Book of Revelation is confessedly mystical and figurative ; and, if we interpret this passage in a literal, sense, we make it essentially to differ from every other part. In confirmation of the view which 1 have of the first resurrection, as beino- not a literal, but only a mystical and figurative, re- surrection, I would observe,
I. That the words do not by any means of neces- sity require to be taken in a literal sense —
[It is well known that a spiritual change is often spoken of in the Scriptures as a resurrection from the dead : we are said to be quickened when " dead in trespasses and sins ;" and to have " passed thereby from death unto life." In se- veral places, where the terms are quite as strong, or even stronger than those in the text, no one ever thought of put- ting a literal interpretation. When the prophet Ilosea says, ** Come, and let us return unto the Lord : for he liatli torn, and he will heal us ; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up: after two days will he revive us, in the third day he u ill raise us tip, and we shall live in his sight";" every one understands him as speaking of a spiritual resurrection. The language used by the prophet Ezekiel is yet more to our purpose. He represents the Jewish nation as not only dead, but as so long dead, that their very bones are scattered on the earth, and almost pulverized. And he speaks of their bones being re-united, each to its kindred bones, and the whole covered with flesh, and every body animated again by a living spirit whicli has entei'ed into them, and i-estored them to life''. But did ever any one understand him as speaking of a literal resurrection ? It may be said, that, in our text, particular persons arc spe- cified, even those who have died as martyrs in the cause of Christ, and that therefore the text must be literally applied to them. I answer, that it is not of them personally that the Apostle speaks, but of persons resembling them in mind and ,9pin7 ; just as Elijah is said to have come to introduce the Messiah, because John the Baptist " came in the spirit and power of Elias**." And, if we make their resurrection per- sonal, we must then regard the resurrection of the tvicked also as personal, of whom it is said, that, " when the thousand years shall be finished, the rest of the dead will live again'."
But
" Hos. vi. 1, 2. '' Ezek. xxxvii. 1 — 10,
'' Compare Mai. iv. .'3. with Malt. xi. 1-4. & x\ii. 12. & Luke i. 17.
*■■ ver. 5.