King of Kings

vv.4-6:

The Greek word translated "beheaded" became a general term for execution. Beheading is not necessarily the method used.

These martyrs will be executed for refusing the mark of the beast, but they will ultimately be rewarded.

As we will see, execution for refusing the mark will be far preferable to the punishment for receiving it.

There is also another distinction that comes through in the Greek text.

Between the description of those beheaded and the description concerning the beast worship in v. 4 are the two words kai hostis (“and who”).

This should be understood to introduce a second group. There are (1) those who were beheaded for their witness and (2) “also those who” did not worship the beast.

Johnson, A. F. (1981). Revelation. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Hebrews through Revelation (Vol. 12, p. 583). Zondervan Publishing House.

John likely refers to all believers. In a sense, the entire church is viewed as a martyr church, as those who have given their lives for Jesus Christ.

Schreiner, T. R. (2018). Revelation. In I. M. Duguid, J. M. Hamilton Jr., & J. Sklar (Eds.), Hebrews–Revelation: Vol. XII (p. 727). Crossway.

The saints are resurrected to reign 1000 years with Christ.

1 Corinthians 6:2

1 Corinthians 6:2 NKJV

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?

The unsaved are not resurrected until after, at which time they'll face judgment.

But this 1000 year interim will be an amazing time.

The Millennial kingdom will be amazing.

Isaiah 11:1-10

Isaiah 11:1–10 NKJV

There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, And a Branch shall grow out of his roots. The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, The Spirit of wisdom and understanding, The Spirit of counsel and might, The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord. His delight is in the fear of the Lord, And He shall not judge by the sight of His eyes, Nor decide by the hearing of His ears; But with righteousness He shall judge the poor, And decide with equity for the meek of the earth; He shall strike the earth with the rod of His mouth, And with the breath of His lips He shall slay the wicked. Righteousness shall be the belt of His loins, And faithfulness the belt of His waist. “The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, The leopard shall lie down with the young goat, The calf and the young lion and the fatling together; And a little child shall lead them. The cow and the bear shall graze; Their young ones shall lie down together; And the lion shall eat straw like the ox. The nursing child shall play by the cobra’s hole, And the weaned child shall put his hand in the viper’s den. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain, For the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord As the waters cover the sea. “And in that day there shall be a Root of Jesse, Who shall stand as a banner to the people; For the Gentiles shall seek Him, And His resting place shall be glorious.”

Micah 4:1-5

Micah 4:1–5 NKJV

Now it shall come to pass in the latter days That the mountain of the Lord’s house Shall be established on the top of the mountains, And shall be exalted above the hills; And peoples shall flow to it. Many nations shall come and say, “Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, To the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, And we shall walk in His paths.” For out of Zion the law shall go forth, And the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. He shall judge between many peoples, And rebuke strong nations afar off; They shall beat their swords into plowshares, And their spears into pruning hooks; Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, Neither shall they learn war anymore. But everyone shall sit under his vine and under his fig tree, And no one shall make them afraid; For the mouth of the Lord of hosts has spoken. For all people walk each in the name of his god, But we will walk in the name of the Lord our God Forever and ever.

Zephaniah 3:14-15

Zephaniah 3:14–15 NKJV

Sing, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem! The Lord has taken away your judgments, He has cast out your enemy. The King of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst; You shall see disaster no more.

As an added bonus, there will be no more politics. No more flawed ideologies of man to argue about and divide us. Only the perfect righteousness and justice of Jesus Christ will remain.

v.7:

When the millennium ends and Satan is released, things will degrade quickly.

He will have no problem raising an army to oppose the Lord.

This speaks to the ultimate depravity of mankind.

It's mind-boggling to think that those who lived through the millennium would be so easily turned.

However, we shouldn't be surprised. Adam and Eve were easily lead astray also.

They were two perfect people in a perfect world in perfect communion with God.

If they can be lead astray, anyone can.

v.8:

Gog and Magog are the names given to the army of rebels and its leader.

They were names of ancient enemies of the Lord. Magog was the grandson of Noah (Gen. 10:2) and founder of a kingdom located north of the Black and Caspian Seas.

Gog is the leader of a rebel army from the land of Magog.

Ezekiel 38:2

Ezekiel 38:2 NKJV

“Son of man, set your face against Gog, of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal, and prophesy against him,

This battle is depicted in Ezekiel chapters 38-39.

Though many people have speculated, it's difficult to positively identify these nations in modern terms.

There is little geographical information given for which to provide a positive ID.

What's important is that they will comprise all the forces of evil joined together to battle God.

v.9:

As if they have any chance at all of success, they will surround Jerusalem (beloved city), the capital city of the millennial kingdom.

But that's all they get to do. They will be immediately devoured by the fiery wrath of God. They will never stand a chance.

v.10:

Once again, the devil is imprisoned, but this time there will be no release.

Satan’s power is not eternal—he will meet his doom.

He began his evil work with people at the beginning of creation(Genesis 3:1-6) and continues it today, but he will be forever imprisoned in torment when he is thrown into the lake of fire.

The devil will be released from the bottomless pit (“his prison,” 20:7), but he will never be released from the fiery lake.

He will never be a threat to anyone again. He will be there there for all eternity.

As we will see, this will also be the end of not only Satan and the fallen angels, but also of unredeemed man.

It is far better to refuse satan’s mark and be executed than to suffer hell.

It is far better to be tormented on earth for your faith, than to be tormented in the lake of fire for your lack of faith.

Christ offers eternal security to all who call on Him. Now is the time of salvation.

2 Corinthians 6:2

2 Corinthians 6:2 NKJV

For He says: “In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.