True Blessedness

“Blessed and holy
is the one having part in the first resurrection.
The second death has no authority over these”
Revelation 20:6

Blessedness and holiness are requirements to partake of the first resurrection. Holiness is the reign of Christ within His own. Death reigns because of sin; the hope of all creation is in the power and wonder of the Life of Christ within His people (Romans 8:19-23). His Life alone is the cure for fallen creation. The cry of the heart of God is eternal:

“Come unto Me…”

This call is more than a religious platitude; it is an invitation to draw from Him the very life to dwell within the dominion of a love that eradicates the lusts, envy and strife of this world. It is as we come to Him and abide in Him that we have hope in the “first resurrection”.

The Progressive life of growth in Christ — The Beatitudes of Matthew 5.

“Blessed and holy…”

“Blessed are the poor in spirit…” Matthew 5:3
“Blessed are they that mourn…” Matthew 5:4
“Blessed are the meek…” Matthew 5:5
“Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness…”                      Matthew 5:6
“Blessed are the merciful…” Matthew 5:7
“Blessed are the pure in heart…” Matthew 5:8
“Blessed are the peacemakers…” Matthew 5:9
“Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake…”                      Matthew 5:10
“Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you…” Matthew 5:11

“Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city”
Revelation 22:14

Holy

“…but just as he who called you is holy, you yourselves also be holy in all of your behavior; because it is written, “You shall be holy; for I am holy.”
1 Peter 1:15-16

Blessedness and holiness are the miracle of Christ alone. His government, His dominion and His Life ruling within our hearts is the Kingdom of God. It is as we respond to this Call of God in Christ that we begin to perceive the progressive growth into this blessedness: poverty of spirit, a mourning of spirit, and a meekness of heart acknowledging our absolute need of Him. There is a growing hunger and thirsting for His righteousness to be wrought in our lives. His Life in us enables us to be more merciful, purer in the motives of our heart, even though we may be persecuted and reviled. Persecution and rejection come to those who walk and live in Christ. Obedience is the mark of His rule within our hearts. The culmination of this blessedness through obedience is access to the “tree of life” and an entrance into the glorious city of God.

“Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city”
Revelation 22:14

Brian Troxel