Revelation 20:4-6

Saints of God reign Revelation 20:4-6: God gives great comfort to His people by showing that the departed saints will reign with Him. "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. 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)

Some simple information will help us understand this reign. First, the reign was not on earth. It is in heaven with Christ. Second, those that reigned had already left the earth. They had been beheaded. Third, their reign was that of living and reigning with Christ. This was the first resurrection. Fourth, these that are reigning are the souls of those that had died faithful. They did not have the mark of the beast. Over these the second death has no power. The rest of the dead went to torment to await the final judgment. (Luke 16:19-31) Those that missed the first resurrection will face the second death.

The thousand years is a complete period of time. Only Jesus, His death and the word of God bind the devil. The souls had been under the altar, now they are on the throne. Satan is bound.