Revelation Chapter 20

Rev 20:1 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.

Satan's binding. A nameless angel comes to bind Satan with a great chain. "The final importance of Satan is perhaps indicated in the fact that it is not the Father who deals with him, nor the Christ, but only an unnamed angel". This is a dramatic declaration that Satan is not God's opposite or equal; and that God could easily stop Satan's activity at any time - yet, God allows Satan to continue, because even in his evil, he indirectly serves the purposes of God.

Rev 20:2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,

Rev 20:3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.

Satan is imprisoned for 1,000 years. Satan tried to imprison Jesus in a tomb, but couldn't; here, God has no problem restraining Satan; and this incarceration is not for punishment, but restraint. Satan's main mode of attack is revealed: deception (that he should deceive the nations no more). "The elaborate measures taken to insure his custody are most easily understood as implying the complete cessation of his influence on earth (rather than a curbing of his activities)". By implication, the demonic hordes are also imprisoned. If God did want to tell us of the total inactivity of Satan, how could He have said it any stronger? Some take this as Satan's binding on a personal level; such a view does not take the text seriously. Can this be said to have already happened? Is this now? A plain reading gives an emphatic no! "One very important detail is to notice that the conquest of Satan and his powers does not come by any human effort".

The thousand year period: a Millennium. The early church until Augustine almost universally believed in an earthly, historical reign of Jesus, initiated by His return. Tyconius (in the late 300's) was the first to influentially champion a spiritualized interpretation, saying that this Millennium is now (Amillennialism). His view was adopted by Augustine, the Roman Catholic Church and most Reformation theologians.

Postmillenialism is an outgrowth of Amillennialism, saying the millennium will happen in this age, before Jesus' return; however, the church will bring it to pass. The earthly reign of Christ and His people on this earth is plainly taught in the Old and New Testaments. Old Testament: Psalm 72; Isaiah 2:2-4; 11:4-9; Jeremiah 23:5-6 (and much, much more). New Testament: Luke 1:32-33; Matthew 5:18; Luke 19:12-27. During this period, Israel is renewed in Christ, and assumes a leadership role in the world under Jesus; for the other nations, it is a time of joy, peace and blessing - all in strict obedience to Christ. The created order is also blessed and transformed (as reflected in the passages speaking of wolf lying down with the lamb, and so forth).

Is it a literal 1,000 years? We should take a number literally unless there is clear reason or evidence to do otherwise.

Reasons for the Millennium. The Millennium will demonstrate Jesus' victory and worthiness to rule the nations. The Millennium will reveal the depths of man's rebellious nature in a perfect environment. Does man desire God's righteous rule? Is he an innocent, corrupted only by a bad environment? These questions will be answered before the great judgment (20:11-15). The Millennium will display the eternal depravity of Satan. The Millennium will show the invulnerability of the city of God and God's new order.

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.

Saints reigning. Living and reigning for 1,000 years. Who sits on these thrones? Perhaps the twenty-four elders representing the church (Revelation 4:4); or, the apostles (Matthew 19:28); or, the company of saints as a whole (1 Corinthians 6:2-3). Perhaps this is the "judging of angels;" but more likely it is the saints ruling on and over the earth. All those who overcome in Christ will rule and reign with Him (Revelation 2:26-28; 3:12,22; 1 Corinthians 6:2-3); why does John only mention the Tribulation saints? They are specifically mentioned so as to encourage them, while not implying others will be left out. This is special vindication for Tribulation saints; they suffered under Antichrist who had said "I will rule the earth;" now they are in authority and Antichrist is destroyed. So, these martyrs are literal, but also representative of all who give their lives in faithfulness to Jesus. Beheaded is actually broader; meaning "executed". They reign over the same period of time that Satan is incarcerated.

Rev 20:5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This [is] the first resurrection.
Rev 20:6 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.

The first resurrection. The first resurrection is the raising to physical life of all those dead in Jesus; the second is the raising to life of all who will be condemned. John 5:28-29 - Jesus describes two resurrections: Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth -- those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation. The two events are separated by this 1,000 year period.

If the first resurrection is a singular event, it argues well for a post-tribulation rapture, because it implies that all saints are receive their resurrection bodies at the same time, immediately before the rule and reign of Jesus Christ. If the first resurrection is an "order" or "class" encompassing previously dead believers (who are at once with the Lord), the raptured church (already in heaven) and tribulation saints, then the idea fits in a pre-tribulationist framework. "It must be especially emphasized that our phrase in the Apocalypse covering this resurrection is a retrospect that looks back over all three phases (of resurrection".

'The 'first resurrection' is not an event but an order of resurrection including all the righteous who are raised from the dead before the millennial kingdom begins."

Rev 20:7 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,
Rev 20:8 And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom [is] as the sand of the sea.

The final battle. Satan is released, and gathers an army. If Jesus has been reigning, why will the earth rebel? As a final demonstration of man's rebellion and depravity. Outward conformity to Jesus' rule will be required during His reign, but seemingly, an inward embrace of His Lordship will still be up to the individual. Who will the rebels be? "Infants born during the millennium will live to its conclusion and will not be required to make a choice between the devil and Christ until the end."

"It will be proved once more that man, whatever his advantages and environment, apart from the grace of God and new birth, remains at heart only evil and at enmity with God". Who are Gog and Magog? These are prophetic enemies of Israel in Ezekiel 38-39; but the battles seem distinct and different. John seems to seems to be borrowing the term and using it as a symbol. Seemingly, the battles described in Ezekiel 38-39 happen before the return of Jesus, perhaps right before or during the tribulation.

This is not to be confused with Ezekiel 38-39: which is from the north, not from the four corners of the earth, and is before the Second Coming, etc. The time, place, and participants are all different. Gog and Magog show up again? Magog is a people; but how can Gog still be alive after 1000 years? He is a demon king. Amos 7:1(LXX) "King of the Locusts" (Prov 30:27)

[Gog and Magog has become an idiom by then. This is a second occurrence of a "final" battle.]

Rev 20:9 And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.
Rev 20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet [are], and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

A battle ends before it begins. It is over before it has begun; God has finally dealt with the devil forever. He is cast into the lake of fire, with the beast and false prophet. This argues against annihilationism, showing that the beast and the false prophet are still present after 1,000 years in the lake of fire. Is this really eternal punishment? "There would be no way possible in the Greek language to state more emphatically the everlasting punishment of the lost than here in mentioning both day and night and the expression 'forever and ever,' literally 'to the ages of ages.'"

[There will probably be more people in this period than any other due to the perfect environment: no disease or lack of anything, etc.] Even after 1000 years of perfect rule, there is enough evil resident in the heart of man that, given an opportunity, he still rebels... We belong to a fallen race, and every human being is born with an essentially evil nature. A perfect environment still reveals the fallen nature of man. A perfect environment cannot produce a perfect heart. The serious nature of our own heart can only be known by the Word of God (Jer 17:9).

Rev 20:11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.

The Great White Throne Judgment. An awesome throne. Great in status, power and authority; white in purity and holiness; a throne in kingly sovereignty. Earth and heaven flee from this throne, but there was found no place for them; there is absolutely no hiding from this throne. No one can escape the judgment that it represents. Who is Him who sat on it? The Judge is Jesus (John 5:22-27); or more likely, the fullness of the Triune God.

Rev 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is [the book] of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
Rev 20:13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.

The judgment of condemnation. If people are not listed in the Book of Life, then they are judged according to his works. It is doubtful that believers (whose names are written in the Book of Life) even stand before this throne; though our works will be judged for reward's sake (Romans 14:10; 2 Corinthians 5:10). Those who refuse to come to God by faith will, by default, be judged (and condemned) by their works. "The issue is not salvation by works but works as the irrefutable evidence of a man's actual relationship with God."

This is not a trial, trying to determine what the facts are. The facts are in; here is the sentencing of someone already condemned. "Their standing posture means that they are now about to be sentenced." There are degrees of punishment for unbelievers, according to their works (Matthew 11:20-24).

We note the silence of those being judged; there is nothing for them to say. Many think they will "tell God a thing or two" at the final judgment, as reflected in this letter written to Dear Abby:

Dear Abby: I am troubled with something a reader wrote: "What right do we mortals have to demand an explanation from God?" Abby, that writer has never known the gut-wrenching pain of losing a child.

In 1988, my beautiful, 22-year-old daughter was killed by a drunk driver. At first I screamed: "He not only killed her, he killed me too - only I can't die!"

I then got on my knees and begged God: "You can do anything. You can perform miracles. You can bring my daughter back to life. Please, God, let me trade places with her - please let me lie in that coffin, and let her out to live her life. She is only 22, God. She has never been married or experienced the miracle of being a mother.

"I am old. I have lived. I've had my chance at life, but she hasn't. Please, please, let me trade place with her. You can do it. You can make it so that all the people who thought she died won't be surprised that it's me in the coffin and not her. Please God, let her have a chance to live. She didn't deserve to die!"

As you can see, Abby, I'm still here - and not because I want to be, either. Mostly because I didn't have the guts to pull the trigger or take the pills to get me out of the terrible pain and loss I live with every minute of my life.

God didn't see fit to bargain with me. God doesn't plea bargain like humans do. The drunk who killed my precious daughter (and me, too) spent less than six months behind bars. Today, he walks in the sun while my little girl is in a dark grave - with no sun. And although I also walk in the sun, my heart and soul are in that dark grave with her.

God didn't answer my prayers, and I resent being told that I have no right to question God. If there is a God, and if I ever get to meet him face to face, you can bet your life I will have plenty of whys for him to answer.

I want to know why my little girl died and that drunk was allowed to go on living. I lover her more than my life, and I miss her so. I am mad that I am having to live in a world where she no longer lives, and I want to know why. Why shouldn't I have the right to ask God?

Aren't we supposedly created in his image? If so, surely he has a heart and soul capable of hurting just as I hurt. Why would he not expect to be questioned if he has anything to do with miracles?

I don't fear the Lord. And I don't fear hell, either. I know what hell is like. I've already been there since the day my precious daughter was killed.

Please sign me . . . A Bereaved Mother

Of course, there will be no criticism of God on that day. This desperate woman will see not only the righteousness and goodness of God, but she will also see her own sin and rejection of Him more clearly than ever. How we wish she knew how the Father Himself knows what she has gone through! Why does the sea give up its dead? It represents the place of unburied bodies; the emphasis is on the universal character of judgment - everybody is included.

Rev 20:14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
Rev 20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

Death and Hades are cast into the lake of fire. The last vestiges (Death as the result of sin, and Hades and a result of death) of sin's unlawful domination are done away with.  "As there is a second and higher life, so there is also a second and deeper death. And as after that life there is no more death, so after that death there is no more life". Remember that this eternal fire was prepared originally not for man but for the devil and his angels (Matthew 25:41). God has provided a means of escape; those rejecting it condemn themselves.

Hell is a witness to the righteous character of God; Hell is a witness to man’s responsibility. God does not send people to hell: they send themselves by rejecting the Savior (Jn 3:16-21; Mt 25:41). If we saw sin as God sees it, we would understand why a place such as hell exists.

Are you written in the Lamb’s Book of Life? Or are you planning on defending yourself before the final judgment?