The Revelation of Jesus Christ to St. John, or The Apocalypse, is the only prophetic book in the New Testament. Written by John, one of the apostles of Christ, the book is addressed to the seven Christian churches in Asia Minor, whose members were being persecuted by Roman officials. The images and allusions of The Revelation are difficult for us to understand today; but to the persecuted members of the seven churches, John’s message is clearly one of hope, courage, and faith in times of trouble; it proclaims that on the Lord’s day the faithful will be greatly rewarded.

Revelation 20

20:4 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.