“Revelation 20:4-6”

Saturday, January 27, 2018

“Then I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony of Jesus and because of the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received the mark on their forehead and on their hand; and 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 completed. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years.”

---End of Scripture verses---

This vision of “thrones” that John saw was undoubtedly one in heaven and not on the earth. “Leon Morris notes that John ‘uses “throne” forty-seven times in all, and except for Satan’s throne (2:13) and that of the beast (13:2; 16:10) all appear to be in heaven.” (Harkrider). This is significant because what is described here is not a “thousand-year reign” on earth by Christ and the redeemed, but the spirits of the departed saints seated in heavenly realms. Notice that these were “souls” (verse 4) and not fleshly bodies that John saw sitting upon thrones. These were the faithful Christians who “had been beheaded because of their testimony of Jesus and…the word of God, and…had not worshipped the beast or his image, and had not received” his “mark”.

“The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were completed” (verse 5). This is a reference to those who did not come “to life and” reign “with Christ for a thousand years.” “The ‘rest of the dead’ refers to the wicked servants of the beast killed with the sword of Christ (19:21). Their cause which had been advanced through the beast and the false prophet does not prevail until the thousand years are finished. Then they shall experience a resurrection (figuratively) in Satan’s revived effort as described in 20:7-9.” (Harkrider)

John depicts the triumph of the persecuted and martyred saints who “came to life” as “the first resurrection” (verse 5). This is not a reference to the bodily resurrection that will take place at Christ’s Second Coming, but is a symbol for the great victory over Satan that the faithful saints were guaranteed through their fidelity to the Lord. “Christ’s victory was manifested and exemplified in His resurrection and His being seated on His throne which stands as a symbol of His total triumph. The figure is not new, Old Testament prophets pictured Judah’s and Israel’s triumph over idolatry and Assyrian and Babylonian captivity as a resurrection, a return from the dead (Isa. 26:19; Hos. 13:14; Ezek. 37:1-4).” (Hailey)

“Over these the second death has no power” (verse 6). “All human beings are destined to experience the first death, that is, physical (Heb. 9:27). However, only those who have rejected the worship of God shall suffer the second death. Reportedly, in the margin of Martin Luther’s Bible were written the words, ‘Born once, die twice; born twice, die once.’ How true! Those who are ‘born again’ (spiritual birth, John 3:3-5; 1 Pet. 1:22-23), shall die only once (physical death…). But those who reject the grace of God shall die twice (physical and spiritual).” (Harkrider)

Please read Revelation 20:7-10 for tomorrow.

Have a blessed day!

-Louie Taylor

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