Revelation 20:4-6 (NKJV) And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. 5 But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.
V4 “And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.” Who are those sitting on those thrones? It is not mentioned so anything would be a guess. Those on thrones have been delegated authority to be judges. Compare Daniel 7:9-10. These believers who were martyred endured to the end (Matthew 24:13 and Revelation 2:10). There are 2 things they refused to do: 1) worship the beast or his image in any way, for they gave no honor or recognition to him and 2) did not receive his image of dedication on their foreheads or hands. The principle for us today is to avoid identification with those who do not honor Jesus.
The next thing that John saw was the souls of those who refused to worship the beast (antiChrist). These martyrs died by beheading, for they believed, lived, taught, and preached the Gospel to people. This Gospel is the real one and points to Jesus and Jesus alone who can save people from God’s wrath when they place their faith and trust in Jesus. They also used, read, studied, and believed the Word of God, which is the Bible and all of its teachings. They would not bow down to the image of antiChrist (compare Daniel 3:18) nor accept the seal and mark of the antiChrist.
These believers are blessed by God for their faithfulness in extreme situations. For doing so, they are bestowed an eternal life and authority to reign with the Lord Jesus as delegated leaders for the 1,000-year time.
V5 “But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.” The first resurrection refers to the raising of believers at that time. All unbelievers are raised from Hades to be judged and sentenced at the Great White Throne judgment (Revelation 20:11). All those raised at the first resurrection are blessed, and those raised at the second are cursed.
The church age believers are raised at the Rapture. At the end of the Tribulation, all Old Testament believers and Tribulation believers who died are raised. The last resurrection is in verse 11.
V6 “Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.” The second death is eternity in the Lake of Fire, which is conscious and never ends. Priests don’t reign; kings do. Now, however, these believers are not only priests but also kings.
The Lake of Fire
Created for the place of punishment for the devil and his angels—Matthew 25:41
The consequence of sin, disbelief, and rejection of God—Matthew 13:40-42
Disbelieving humans and rebellious angels will be separated from God for eternity—2 Thessalonians 1:8-10 and Matthew 7:23
A place of God’s wrath—John 3:36
A place of torment—Luke 16:23-24 and Matthew 8:29
A place of rot and corruption—Psalm 55:23
A place of destruction (not annihilation)—Galatians 6:8
A place of unquenchable fire—Jude 1:7
A place of the deepest darkness—Jude 1:13 and Matthew 22:13
We learn:
- Obedience and belief in God bring blessings.
- Disobedience and disbelief in God bring God’s wrath and curses.
Questions: - What do we bow down to?
- What is our priority in the Christian life?