This beast had pressured all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave,
to receive its mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name
(Revelation 13:17). Clearly, these were difficult circumstances for those who loved Jesus Christ. As it is, there were those who resisted and perhaps were slain because of their resistance (Revelation 13:15; see also Revelation 14:13). These are the people John sees in heaven.
2 And I saw what appeared to be a sea of glass mingled with fire and also those who had conquered the beast and its image and the number of its name, standing beside the sea of glass with harps of God in their hands.