How we cite our quotes: (Chapter:Verse)
Quote #7
I also saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their testimony to Jesus and for 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[…] Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. Over these the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him a thousand years. (NRSV 20:4, 6)
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[…] 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. (KJV 20:4, 6)
Perhaps the nicest gift of all, according to Revelation—the martyrs reign with Christ in Heaven. That's how highly regarded these guys were in the early church.
Quote #8
I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them as their God; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them; he will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away." (NRSV 21:3-4)
And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. (KJV 21:3-4)
Again, if you stick it through to the end, God promises the pain will end. Must have sounded very nice to these people who were going through quite a lot.
Quote #9
Those who conquer will inherit these things, and I will be their God and they will be my children. (NRSV 21:7)
He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. (KJV 21:7)
Believers are often referred to as conquering, probably because by staying faithful to God they've managed to defeat the pressure to conform to the Roman way of life.