What does 'judgment' mean in Revelation 20:4?
In Revelation 20:4, 'judgment' means rule or authority to reign, not punishment. The verse describes thrones given to the martyrs who rule with Christ during the thousand years. This is confirmed by the parallel phrase 'they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.'
Les teaches that in Revelation 20:4 the word 'judgment' means 'rule.' The verse shows thrones, those who sat upon them, and rule given to them. These are the souls beheaded for the witness of Jesus and the word of God, who had not worshipped the beast or his image nor received his mark. They lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. This fits the kingdom expectation where God's people receive activity and responsibility rather than idle harp-strumming, and rewards for laboring in this life are compensated with rule during the thousand years.
And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
More Questions
Who lives and reigns with Christ for a thousand years according to Revelation 20:4?
In Revelation 20:4, the souls of those who were beheaded for Jesus and did not worship the beast 'lived' and 'reigned with Christ a thousand years,' a statement Les takes as plain English.
Who are the resurrected believers in Revelation 20:4?
The resurrected believers in verse 4 are those who were beheaded, those who were martyred, and tribulation saints who did not worship the beast, his image, or receive his mark on their foreheads or hands.