Definition: 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.

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this passage from Revelation 20:4. It’s a really interesting and somewhat complex verse, but we can understand it as a vision of the end times. Here’s a simple explanation: Essentially, it describes a final judgment. Here’s a breakdown of what each part means: “And I saw thrones…” : Think of thrones like royal seats or high places. This refers to places where powerful figures – maybe angels – are sitting and judging people. “…and they sat upon them…” : These figures are actively sitting on these thrones, signifying a significant gathering. “And judgment was given unto them: and [I saw] the souls of those who were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God…” : This is the core of the verse. "Beheaded" means killed by execution. The “witness” part refers to someone who testified to the truth of God’s word – like a preacher or a writer. So, this sentence says that people who were executed for following Jesus and spreading His message were judged before these thrones. "...and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image…” : This is important! It means those who didn't believe in or worship the "beast" – which is a symbolic representation of Satan (often translated as “the Devil”). They weren’t worshipping anything that Satan opposes. "...nor had received [his] mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands…” : This refers to a specific mark – often depicted as a crown or a symbol – that was given to those who were believers and were marked by God's word. It’s a way of showing someone they were part of the “Kingdom.” “And they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.” : This is the most significant part. It says that after judgment, these people – those who hadn’t rejected God or his truth – lived and reigned alongside Jesus Christ for a thousand years! This represents a long period of peace and righteousness under His rule. So, putting it all together: Revelation 20:4 describes a final showdown where the righteous (those who followed Jesus) are judged and rewarded while the wicked (those who didn't) are punished. It’s about the ultimate consequence of following God's truth and rejecting evil. Important Note: This is a complex passage with lots of symbolism. Different interpretations exist, but this is a widely accepted understanding based on biblical scholarship. --- Would you like me to: Explain any of these parts in more detail? Compare it to other stories or concepts in the Bible? Discuss what this verse might symbolize in terms of our current times?