I want to be among that number

However, scripture is pretty clear about several things. These things are rarely taught. In fact, other than myself, I've never heard a sermon or a class on them. Let's go through them quickly.

• Revelation 20:4-6—I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years.

Evidently there are a few from the saints who are found worthy. The implication is that only these few will come back with the King. They have three characteristics:

• They have been beheaded
• They have not worshipped the beast or its image
• They do not receive the mark

From Wikipedia we read: Neither the Bible nor other history says how or when Paul died. According to Christian tradition, Paul was beheaded in Rome during the reign of Nero around the mid-60s at Tre Fontane Abbey (English: Three Fountains Abbey). By comparison, tradition has Peter being crucified upside-down. Paul's Roman citizenship accorded him the more merciful death by beheading.

Does this mean that Paul is part of the team of priests that rule with the new King during the millennium?

Keep an open mind!