These verses have attracted a variety of interpretations. Many seek to fit the events in Revelation into a chronological order. The thousand years reign of Christ, associated with the banishment of Satan (Revelation 20:1-3), is a pivot point for many. Some assume the millennium will be before the return of Christ, some after, and others do not consider the 'thousand years' to be a chronological time period (2 Peter 3:7). God tells us enough so that we may trust Him and be ready for what He is about to do; but He does not give us every detail of the future, as Deuteronomy 29:29 makes clear. Although the visions are intriguing, they are to prepare the church for suffering in the knowledge that Jesus will finally be the Sovereign victor over everything (Revelation 19:12-16), and all who honour Him will be honoured by Him for all eternity.

Persecution and martyrdom were a part of the Early Church experience, as they are still in some places today. Part of the purpose of the visions given to John is to motivate the church to stay true to Jesus, whatever the cost; assuring believers of the reality of the glory to be revealed. The martyrs are described as refusing to worship the beast (the Antichrist), refusing to accept the beast's mark on their bodies, therefore excluding themselves from the market place where they might buy and sell food (Revelation 13:16-17). They are executed because they put their hope in Jesus and refuse to dishonour His Name (Revelation 6:9-11).

The 'first resurrection' is qualitatively different from the 'second resurrection'. Daniel 12:2 says, "Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt." The first resurrection is of the redeemed, with Christ as the first-fruits: it will include the Old Testament saints, those who have died in Christ, and the living believers at Christ's return. And those who lost their lives for the gospel will have a special place (Revelation 7:14-17). The second resurrection will be for all who have not fled to Christ for mercy and have resisted His loving offer of salvation (Hebrews 6:18): it is the resurrection to judgement (Revelation 1:7; 20:12).

Although some see this reign of Christ as being on earth, John refers to thrones forty seven times in Revelation, and except for Satan's throne, they are all located in heaven – including the thrones of the twenty four elders (Revelation 4:4; 11:16). However that reign will be realised is yet to be seen, but the challenge to us now is the same as to the Early Church. We are called to remain faithful to Jesus and to reject both the lure of the world and the temptation to think that Jesus has abandoned us: He has not (2 Corinthians 4:9). He will honour and reward us if we stand for Him (Luke 6:23; Colossians 3:24). We need not fear the condemnation and punishment of the second death (2 Corinthians 5:17); and so we can live confidently through tribulations (Acts 14:21-22), anticipating the great blessing of being in Jesus' presence and made holy to reign with Him (Romans 8:18). So keep on trusting and do not lose heart (Hebrews 12:3).