1950 This Means Everlasting Life - A2Z.org

274 "THIS MEANS EVERLASTING LIFE"
Satan out of heaven they are raised in the likeness
of his resurrection . Because he is the "firstborn
from the dead" and his resurrection is not
only first in time but also first in importance, his
kind is the first resurrection, and the 144,000 take
part in it . They are resurrected immortal, incorruptible
spirits. That is why the "second death
has no authority" over them . Hence they do not
need to be succeeded to office by others on account
of dying and leaving the royal office vacant ; but
their immortality permits them to continue ruling
individually with Christ Jesus for the full thousand
years or millennium.-Romans 6 :3-5 ; Philippians
3 :10,11 ; Colossians 1 :18 .
11 However, Christ Jesus is to be a "priest for
ever after the likeness of Melchizedek" . Like Melchizedek,
he will be a priest upon his throne, a
royal priest of the Most High God . echariah
6 :12, 13 During the nineteen centuries from
Pentecost A.D. 33 down to the time of the glorification
of the last member of the royal priesthood,
Christ Jesus in the presence of God has applied
the ransoming, cleansing value of his human
sacrifice in favor of his followers who are accepted
in sacrifice with him . For this purpose they need
the help of his righteousness in order for them to
be declared righteous by God . On earth they offered
up spiritual sacrifices to God through their
High Priest Christ Jesus, the sacrifices of praise
and godly works. Now that they have been consecrated
by the first resurrection to be priests of
God forever with Christ Jesus, they join with him
in dispensing the benefits of Christ's ransom sacri-
I i . How did they serve on earth as priests, but how do
they now?