In the very first line of verse 4, we are not quite sure who "they" are; but using all of scripture (to put this into complete context) - and especially because of Revelation 19:14 - I am fairly certain that these will be all the believers who were raptured and given glorified bodies.
Some speculate that these might be the representatives of the 12 tribes of Israel (from the 144,000 who were sealed). Some even speculate that these are the 12 disciples. Some think that they might only be the martyred saints of the Tribulation because of what the rest of verse 4 says...
Whoever "they" are, these will be given the authority to assist in judging those on earth...
(Revelation 20:4a) Then I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them...
Why I believe that the above "they" group does not include the martyred believers from the Tribulation is because: 1) Revelation 15:2 has this group of people distinctly set apart... kind of like how when all believers up until the rapture pass away and are considered "asleep in Christ" (1 Corinthians 15:6, and 1 Thessalonians 4:14); and 2) the next verse begins with "And"...
So now we have a very clear description of those believers who will have died during the Tribulation. They will be resurrected and will also reign with Christ during this time...
(Revelation 20:4b) ...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 next verse mentions something that I always have had a little difficulty in completely understanding. This is regarding all of the resurrections mentioned throughout the Bible. But I may have just had an ah-ha moment. I shared my thoughts with my husband - who is right now studying the book of Daniel where it talks about all the different times of resurrections. And then we see scripture in other books of the Bible which talk about the first and second resurrection. Now - this is what I understand and makes complete sense to me!
There will be several periods of time when believers will be resurrected. These are ALL considered to be part of the "first resurrection" - which is the resurrection of Jesus (Romans 6:5 For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection). The "second resurrection" is when all unbelievers of all times are brought before the White Throne Judgment.
Therefore - all believers will be part of that "first resurrection" - but those believers up until that point in time who have gone to heaven and will have been given glorified bodies - these will reign with Christ during the Millennium...
(Revelation 20:6) 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.
Today's takeaway: I am always amazed at how God gives us such great purpose and uses us to serve - even now in our imperfect state! We can just read through the Old Testament and see many examples of this. Or consider Apostle Paul, who before his conversion, was persecuting the Church; and then even after his conversion he mentions in Romans 7 how he struggles to to do the things he should and not do the things he shouldn't.
As Christian leaders, we can struggle to delegate and trust other believers, and if and when someone makes a mistake - that is it - they are out and never to be trusted ever again - - - THEN we can realize and appreciate just how patient and gracious God is towards us in allowing us to serve...
(Ephesians 4:30-32) Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.
(2 Corinthians 5:17-21) Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. 18 Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
(1 Peter 4:10-11) As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11 Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
(Mark 10:43-45) But it is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant; 44 and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
(Romans 15:1-7) Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves. 2 Each of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to his edification. 3 For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me.” 4 For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. 5 Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, 6 so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7 Therefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God.
(Philippians 2:1-13) Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, 2 make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. 3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; 4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
12 So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.
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