seekeroftruth
Well-Known Member
Revelation 20:4 I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony about Jesus and because of the word of God. They[a] 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 a thousand years. 5 (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.
a. Revelation 20:4 Or God; I also saw those who
Everyone was seated.... The martyrs who stood up and refused to take the dragon stamp.... were alive. They were in the "court room" waiting for the trial.... or the sentencing hearing..... they had a say!
Well, here's amazingdiscovery.com.
The scene shifts to heaven where the saints sit with the Lord in judgment on the wicked. They will not determine the salvation or damnation of anyone, for each one’s case has already been decided. Instead Christ, in union with his people, judges the wicked dead, as well as Satan and his fallen angels. 1 Corinthians 6:2-3. The books of record are examined, and the punishment to be administered to each of the wicked is determined. During this time God patiently answers any questions the saints may have. This work takes “a thousand years” to complete, but when it is finished both saints and angels agree that God has been just in all His acts and in the way He has dealt with the great rebellion.
Jesus said in John 5:28-29: “The hour is coming, in which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have one good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.” “The first resurrection” is the “resurrection of life.” It takes place at the second coming of Christ when He resurrects all the righteous who have died (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; 1 Corinthians 15:51-57), and it marks the beginning of the millennium. The second resurrection is the “resurrection of damnation.” It takes place when “the thousand years” are “finished,” and is composed of the wicked, who will take part in “the second death.”
Jesus said in John 5:28-29: “The hour is coming, in which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have one good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.” “The first resurrection” is the “resurrection of life.” It takes place at the second coming of Christ when He resurrects all the righteous who have died (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; 1 Corinthians 15:51-57), and it marks the beginning of the millennium. The second resurrection is the “resurrection of damnation.” It takes place when “the thousand years” are “finished,” and is composed of the wicked, who will take part in “the second death.”
This is from the easy English site.....
Many people died because they would not worship the beast. They had refused to give honour to the image of the beast. They had not received the mark of the beast. They had obeyed the Lord Jesus. They believed and they spoke the word of God. God made these people alive again. They sat on thrones.
These are not the only ones who will sit on thrones. Some Christians who had not died for their faith will rule the nations with Christ. The Lord has promised this honour to those who overcome (Revelation 2:26-27; 3:21). Many people believe that all real Christians will receive this honour. Everyone who is a real Christian overcomes the devil. But they do not overcome the devil because of their own efforts. They overcome the devil because they trust Christ.
Christ will rule the earth for 1000 years. Those who sit on the thrones will rule with him. They will be the judges of the nations. They will live on earth for the whole 1000 years.
These who rule in the 1000 years, God has made alive. Nobody else will live again until the end of the 1000 years. Then God will raise all of them from death and they will live. Then, he will be the judge of all people.
God has been kind to those whom he raises at the start of the 1000 years. They will not suffer the second death. The second death means the lake of fire. They are safe and they will live with the Lord always. God will be the judge of the rest of the people after the 1000 years. Only those who have trusted the Lord to save them from their sins will be safe. They will always live with the Lord. But many people have not trusted the Lord. And they will suffer in the lake of fire. In other words, they will die the second death.
These whom God raises for the 1000 years will be his priests. They will know and serve God and the Lord Jesus here on the earth. They will rule as kings with Christ.
These are not the only ones who will sit on thrones. Some Christians who had not died for their faith will rule the nations with Christ. The Lord has promised this honour to those who overcome (Revelation 2:26-27; 3:21). Many people believe that all real Christians will receive this honour. Everyone who is a real Christian overcomes the devil. But they do not overcome the devil because of their own efforts. They overcome the devil because they trust Christ.
Christ will rule the earth for 1000 years. Those who sit on the thrones will rule with him. They will be the judges of the nations. They will live on earth for the whole 1000 years.
These who rule in the 1000 years, God has made alive. Nobody else will live again until the end of the 1000 years. Then God will raise all of them from death and they will live. Then, he will be the judge of all people.
God has been kind to those whom he raises at the start of the 1000 years. They will not suffer the second death. The second death means the lake of fire. They are safe and they will live with the Lord always. God will be the judge of the rest of the people after the 1000 years. Only those who have trusted the Lord to save them from their sins will be safe. They will always live with the Lord. But many people have not trusted the Lord. And they will suffer in the lake of fire. In other words, they will die the second death.
These whom God raises for the 1000 years will be his priests. They will know and serve God and the Lord Jesus here on the earth. They will rule as kings with Christ.
The way I read this.... satan and his crew are in jail. They can't get at the humans and whisper in their ear anymore.
Jesus has his own people on earth.... these are all the humans who made it through the earthquakes, meteor showers, meteors, sun torch, the dragon, beasts.... lack of food, lack or water, lack or shelter, lack of compassion.... everyone has had their peace stolen from them.... I bet the humans left alive on earth are like wild animals.... or like a frightened pet shaking uncontrollably. He'll rule them.... they won't be able to say "the devil made me do it".... or I was a victim of "powers and principalities". The devil is useless and the only power or principality is Jesus.
The way I see it... there will be only two laws on earth after the battle at Armageddon.
- Love God with all your heart, soul, and mind.
- Love your neighbor as yourself.
Jesus already did his Resurrection thing. Now the humans that will repopulate the earth have to go through their own resurrections.... think of it as a upgrade..... humans 2.0. Now... if humans are going to live forever.... something has to be done about those humans who will just be miserable and hang on to begging for just one more hit.... so they will be tossed.... they won't be part of the new digs on earth or in Heaven. They won't do the resurrection.... that's reserved for believers only.... it's exclusive... and yes... it has everything to do with faith.
After all... if we're here after Armageddon... we won't be tempted to hate ourselves... with that monkey off our back, we'll be able to love ourselves... and then we'll be able to love others.....
Heaven on earth?