Pray the Word with David Platt is a resource from Radical.net.

Revelation chapter 20, verse 4.

Also, I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the Word of God.

And those who had not worshipped the beast or its image had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands.

This is another one of those verses many in Revelation where we could talk a lot about this

symbolism and the imagery and what this or that means and even different thoughts on what

this or that might mean based on different interpretations of the book of Revelation.

But in the end, don't miss the big picture here.

This is a picture of those who have been beheaded, been martyred for the gospel, for the

testimony of Jesus and the Word of God. This is a picture of people who've given their lives,

laid them down, proclaiming the gospel and the Word of God.

And have not worshipped the beast or its image, not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands,

whatever that means, it's clear that they trusted in God, they held fast a faith in Jesus,

even when it was costly, even when it was tempting, even when the world was trying

to lure them away, they held fast in faith.

And that's the reason why we have the Book of Revelation to encourage us to hold fast.

Just like it was reminding brothers and sisters in the first century, hold fast in faith

to Jesus, proclaim him, him. Testify to him

and his word. It is worth your life. Do you believe this? Do you believe the testimony of Jesus and the

word of God is more important than life itself for you? And do you believe God is better than all

the stuff this world has to offer you?

That's what Revelation 20, verse 4 is asking us. And so we pray, God help us to value your word and your

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