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Actually, I would prefer to elaborate on the idea of beheading in this way: The death of Christ Himself was a kind of capital punishment of the Body of Christ. God's elect undergo this capital (beheading) experience one by one in the vicarious way of conversion.

It is incidentally true that the old head (Satan) is removed from the Body of Christ. But this is because Christ was made a kind of serpent in the transaction of His death.

I believe that it's no accident that this idea of the capital punishment of the Body works so well in Revelation 20. The Body idea is very very important in the New Testament (in ways which are sometimes overlooked, I might add). And as Arthur Pink pointed out in his commentary on Hebrews, the death of Christ really was the capital (beheading) punishment of the entire Body.

Notice that the above discussion would automatically explain why the saved souls in Revelation 20 are depicted as beheaded rather than burned or torn apart by lions or run through with a sword.

Rev 20:4 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.

Actually, I would prefer to elaborate on the idea of beheading in this way: The death of Christ Himself was a kind of capital punishment of the Body of Christ. God's elect undergo this capital (beheading) experience one by one in the vicarious way of conversion.

That is a stretch doc...now I have been reading and listening...you guys have some points...BUT this one is over the top

There is only one verse in scripture using that greek word

3990 pelekizo {pel-ek-id'-zo} from a derivative of 4141 (meaning an axe);; v
AV - behead 1; 1
1) to cut off with an axe, to behead

Now that seems pretty clear to me

Notice John saw the souls not the bodies..that is one point for the amil side..but I read that as the martyrs like John the Baptist..Is there any scholarship on that?

"..as Arthur Pink pointed out in his commentary on Hebrews, the death of Christ really was the capital (beheading) punishment of the entire Body."

I haven't read his commentary, but will definately make it a point to do so at my first opportunity. (Gotta head out to the courthouse right now to get some work done).

Bump for your post! And thanks for the reference!!!