I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony about Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.

‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children.

The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it.

They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.

“Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city.