Beheaded for the sake of the gospel

I  really do my best to get the most from interacting with people. God  a purpose for each interaction A fellow Christian brother ( as so he professes) went as so far to write a serenade to Titan & me. While I have been called many things over the years. This one was new- so I asked the Lord and this is what He impressed upon me.

Revelation of John 20:4

 ⁴Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and who 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 for a thousand years

- those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God.

The book of Revelation is a unique book - it bound with a blessing as well as a curse and it meant to be read out loud. While there is quite a bit of symbolism - it isnt that hard. In review of the scriptures - God views things quite differently than we do. I do like to be very careful here  - as mentioned this is the only book that is bound with a curse. 

"Beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God " is one of them. I honestly dont think this a actual decapitation of the head - the number would be to small and there is a record of martyrs for Christ and the word of God who have sacrificed their lives in many different ways. 

Hence, the question - what does Beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God mean ?

Here it is as I understand:

- Those who think and act like Christ. They no longer think their own thoughts and are relying on their own wisdom and strength.

Revelation of John 13:16-17 16Also it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to be marked on the right hand or the forehead, 17so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name

Nobody would be actually dumb enough to physically take a mark ( well maybe) but this is referring to think and act like Antichrist in fit in the world system.

A couple more

Romans 12 - A Living Sacrifice

¹I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.  ²Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind,      

- Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind,      

2 Corinthians 10:5 5We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,     

Proverbs 16:20

 ²⁰Whoever gives thought to the word will discover good,
and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.     

Isaiah 26:3

 ³You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.

Is 58

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD.     

1 Peter 

 ¹³Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.