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And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: Then I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for their witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark on their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years (Revelation 20:4-6).
These prophetic verses will take place in heaven where John had earlier seen God’s throne and the 24 elders (Revelation 4:4). The people who chose God's way will be given the promise that they would reign on the earth (Revelation 5:10), but prior to this reign, they will first judge the nations.
Precisely who the 24 elders are is not revealed. The number 24 is the sum of the number of patriarchs and apostles. The gates of the New Jerusalem have written on them the names of the 12 tribes of Israel and the foundation stones have the names of the 12 apostles, thus unifying God's people under the old and new covenant. Revelation 20:4 tells us that amidst this heavenly scene, the people of God will also become judges. Read more about the old and new covenants
When Christ returns, He will already know who accepted Him and who rejected Him. The judgment given to those who chose His way must therefore be a judgment of verification. God's righteousness and justice must forever be vindicated before the universe.
During the thousand years, every case will be scrutinized—no lingering doubts may remain—and with one voice all will proclaim, “Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints” (Revelation 15:3).
God's judgment will be declared righteous (Romans 2:5, 2 Thessalonians 1:5, Psalm 19:9). In this millennial judgment, God's dealing with the evil angels and rejecters of His truth will be scrutinized (Hebrews 10:26-27; 2 Peter 2:4,9; Jude 6). God's people will thus judge the world.
Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life (1 Corinthians 6:2-3 NKJV).
Read the next article, The Postmillennial Return of Christ.
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This article is adapted from Truth Matters by Professor Walter J. Veith, an international speaker who has studied Biblical issues in-depth in his quest for truth. His popular series Genesis Conflict brings the debate between Creation and evolution to a new climax as he dissects the arguments with a scientific eye. His highly-acclaimed series Total Onslaught sheds light on the state of the world today as we move to a one-world government and an anticipated apocalypse.
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Read several authors' thoughts on papal Rome's history.
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An Italian mystic. A minister to a British king. An Augustine monk. A Swiss farmer's boy. What do these men have in common? They were used by God in powerful ways to bring about the Protestant Reformation. Enter into the lives of these ordinary people with extraordinary stories.
Inspiration for these articles comes from Gideon and Hilda Hagstoz' Heroes of the Reformation
