Study of Revelation 20:4-6
6. a. The martyrs were beheaded because of…
Their testimony about Jesus and the word of God, and they refused to worship the beast or his image.
Also, they did not receive the mark of the beast on their foreheads or on their hands.
Strong’s Lexicon: pelekizó: To behead, to cut off with an axe.This Greek word only occurs one time in the Bible.
“Cultural and Historical Background: In ancient times, beheading was a common method of execution, considered a swift and honorable form of capital punishment compared to other methods. It was used by various cultures, including the Romans, who often employed it for Roman citizens as a more humane form of execution. The use of an axe for beheading was a known practice, and the term “pelekizó” reflects this method.” Strong’s Greek 3990
David Guzik says this Greek word can refer to execution in general, not only beheading.
The martyrs’ reward
John saw their souls raised up and come back to life.
They reigned with Christ for a thousand years during the same thousand years that Satan is bound. These saints will “administrate the kingdom of Jesus Christ over the earth, reigning over those who pass from the earth of the Great Tribulation to the earth of the Millennium.” (EnduringWord.com)
b. Encouragement
The real me is eternal. This body that feels hunger and pain is only temporary. Even if I am beaten or killed because of my faith in Jesus Christ, I will receive a greater reward.
7. The First Resurrection
The martyrs, killed because they would not worship the beast, will be raised up first. After a thousand years, the rest of the dead will be raised.
There are various views of the martyrs included in this verse. Some think it means all martyrs, and some believe it means the ones who were martyred during the reign of the Beast. The verse seems specific.
“It is generally supposed from these passages that all who have been martyred for the truth of God shall be raised a thousand years before the other dead, and reign on earth with Christ during that time, after which the dead in general shall be raised; but this also is very doubtful.”
Adam Clarke
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown calls the first resurrection “the resurrection of the just.” He includes ALL the believers, not just the martyrs.
Barnes also believes the “rest of the dead” refers to the “pious dead.” He believes they were also raised up to rule during the millennial reign, but that they do not have the same honorable distinction.
Some think the “rest of the dead” are non-believers who took the mark of the beast. Since the rest of the verse is specific to the mark of the Beast event, that makes sense.
Some think it also includes ALL the non-believers and the final judgment.
Since the word resurrection in the New Testament usually refers to a real, physical resurrection, I remembered something. This already occurred once.
At that moment the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, rocks split apart, and tombs opened. The bodies of many godly men and women who had died were raised from the dead. They left the cemetery after Jesus’ resurrection, went into the holy city of Jerusalem, and appeared to many people. Matthew 27:51-53 NLT
John 5:28-29
“Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.” NLT
1 Corinthians 15:20-23
Christ was the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep (in death). Just as He was raised back to life, so will everyone else who died as a result of sin’s entrance into the world.
1 Corinthians 15:50-58
Our eternal bodies won’t be the same as the ones we live in now. The bodies of those who are still alive at the resurrection will be changed in an instant. Those who are resurrected will rise intheir imperishable bodies.
The second death
The second death has no power or authority over the born again, blessed and holy. They will not suffer eternal separation from God in the lake of fire.
8.The promise Revelation 20:6
They will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years. (the kingdom age)
All believers are already part of a royal priesthood. Jesus is our eternal high priest.
“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” 1 Peter 2:9 ESV
What an amazing age that is!
Some find the verse in Daniel similar, although Revelation 20:6 does not mention God or Jesus on one of the thrones.
The Greek word for thrones is plural.
Daniel 7:9
I watched as thrones were put in place
and the Ancient One sat down to judge.
His clothing was as white as snow,
his hair like purest wool.
He sat on a fiery throne
with wheels of blazing fire,
Consider this:
“…even when we were [spiritually] dead and separated from Him because of our sins, He made us [spiritually] alive together with Christ (for by His grace—His undeserved favor and mercy—you have been saved from God’s judgment). 6And He raised us up together with Him [when we believed], and seated us with Him in the heavenlyplaces, [because we are] in Christ Jesus, 7[and He did this] so that in the ages to come He might [clearly] show the immeasurable andunsurpassed riches of His grace in [His] kindness toward us in Christ Jesus [by providing for our redemption].” Ephesians 2:5-7 AMP underlining and emphasis added
My answers to study questions for BSF Revelation Lesson 25 Day 3
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