Revelation 20: The Millennial Reign and Final Judgment
And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.
And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,
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.
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.
But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
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.
And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
Revelation 20, nestled between the triumphant victory at Armageddon and the breathtaking vision of the New Jerusalem, unveils a pivotal phase in God's plan: the millennial reign of Christ and the subsequent final judgment. This chapter addresses the destiny of Satan, the reign of the saints, and the ultimate fate of those who reject God, offering a profound glimpse into the future and a sober warning for the present. Let's delve into the depths of Revelation 20 and explore its rich theological significance.
The Binding of Satan (20:1-3)
John witnesses an angel descending from heaven, armed with the key to the abyss and a great chain. This angel seizes the dragon, the ancient serpent, who is identified as the Devil and Satan, and binds him for a thousand years (Revelation 20:1-2). The abyss, a place of captivity and judgment, becomes Satan's prison, effectively removing his influence from the earth for this period.
The thousand-year binding of Satan is a key theological concept in this chapter. Theologians use the term "millennium," derived from Latin words for "thousand years," to describe various interpretations of this period. Premillennialism, the view adopted by some, believes that Christ will return before his thousand-year reign on earth and Satan's binding. Other views include postmillennialism, which anticipates a thousand-year period of peace and righteousness preceding Christ's return, and amillennialism, which interprets the "thousand years" as a symbolic representation of Christ's present reign in the church or his eternal reign in the new heaven and new earth.
During this millennial captivity, Satan will be unable to deceive the nations (Revelation 20:3). While the sinfulness of humanity won't be eradicated, the Devil's ability to exacerbate it through deception will be significantly curtailed. However, this period is not intended to be permanent. At the end of the thousand years, Satan must be released for a short time, a necessary test to reveal the depths of human depravity, even after a millennium of righteous rule.
The Reign of the Saints (20:4-6)
John sees thrones, and those who were seated on them were given authority to judge (Revelation 20:4). This refers to those who were saved during the tribulation, who are brought back to life in what is called the first resurrection. This resurrection is distinct from the later resurrection of unbelievers.
These resurrected saints, along with believers from all ages, will reign with Christ during the millennium. This millennial reign is the utopia for which the world longs. There will be no war, and righteousness will prevail. Jesus will rule with a rod of iron, ensuring justice and peace. Believers will serve as co-regents with Christ, receiving rewards and responsibilities according to their faithfulness in this life.
Importantly, Revelation 20:6 emphasizes that over these saints, the second death (eternal judgment) has no power. They are blessed and holy, participants in the first resurrection, and destined to reign with Christ.
The Final Rebellion and Defeat of Satan (20:7-10)
At the end of the thousand years, Satan is released from his prison and immediately resumes his deceptive work, seeking to lead the nations astray (Revelation 20:7-8). Surprisingly, even after a millennium of Christ's righteous rule, many will succumb to Satan's deception. These are described as being "like the sand of the sea" in number, a stark reminder of humanity's persistent capacity for rebellion.
The people Satan deceives are referred to as Gog and Magog, symbolic terms representing the enemies of God in general. They gather for battle against Jesus, but their rebellion is swiftly crushed. Fire comes down from heaven and consumes them (Revelation 20:9).
The Devil, who deceived them, is cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever (Revelation 20:10). This marks the final and decisive defeat of Satan, ending his reign of terror and deception for all eternity. The judgment experienced by individuals in hell will not be identical. Rather, the judgment a person or demon receives will be in proportion to their sin. The punishment in hell lasts forever and ever. Hell was “prepared for” Satan and his demons. It was never prepared for people. The only way people go there is by actively choosing the way of Satan. No one goes to hell by chance.
The Great White Throne Judgment (20:11-15)
With Satan's defeat, the stage is set for the final judgment. John sees a great white throne and Him who sat upon it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away (Revelation 20:11). This throne represents God's perfect holiness, justice, and power.
Before this throne stand the dead, small and great, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books (Revelation 20:12). This judgment involves the consultation of two heavenly records: the books and the Book of Life. The former contain records of people's deeds, determining their level of judgment, while the latter contains the names of those who have trusted in Jesus Christ as Savior and been credited with His imputed righteousness.
Each nonbeliever’s level of punishment will be according to their works—that is, in proportion to their sins and good things committed while in the body. Having one’s name appear in the book of life is the only way of salvation.
The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works (Revelation 20:13). Non-believers will appear at the judgment in a resurrected state, in which their souls are united with non-glorified bodies.
Anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:15). This lake of fire is the second death, representing eternal separation from God and conscious torment received in proportion to one’s sins in the body. Those who receive this judgment have not necessarily committed worse sins than those who dwell with God in paradise. They simply are reaping the fruit of their sins rather than enjoying the benefits of having Christ’s perfect record credited to their accounts. The first death is the physical death of the body. The second death is eternal separation from the love, blessings, and benefits of God.
Revelation 20 paints a vivid picture of the future, filled with both hope and warning. It underscores the importance of choosing Christ, whose sacrifice alone can secure our place in the Book of Life and guarantee eternal life in His presence. This chapter is a call to examine our lives, to repent of our sins, and to embrace the grace offered through Jesus Christ, ensuring that we are found faithful on that final day of judgment.
And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.
And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,
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.
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.
But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
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.
And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
Revelation 20, nestled between the triumphant victory at Armageddon and the breathtaking vision of the New Jerusalem, unveils a pivotal phase in God's plan: the millennial reign of Christ and the subsequent final judgment. This chapter addresses the destiny of Satan, the reign of the saints, and the ultimate fate of those who reject God, offering a profound glimpse into the future and a sober warning for the present. Let's delve into the depths of Revelation 20 and explore its rich theological significance.
The Binding of Satan (20:1-3)
John witnesses an angel descending from heaven, armed with the key to the abyss and a great chain. This angel seizes the dragon, the ancient serpent, who is identified as the Devil and Satan, and binds him for a thousand years (Revelation 20:1-2). The abyss, a place of captivity and judgment, becomes Satan's prison, effectively removing his influence from the earth for this period.
The thousand-year binding of Satan is a key theological concept in this chapter. Theologians use the term "millennium," derived from Latin words for "thousand years," to describe various interpretations of this period. Premillennialism, the view adopted by some, believes that Christ will return before his thousand-year reign on earth and Satan's binding. Other views include postmillennialism, which anticipates a thousand-year period of peace and righteousness preceding Christ's return, and amillennialism, which interprets the "thousand years" as a symbolic representation of Christ's present reign in the church or his eternal reign in the new heaven and new earth.
During this millennial captivity, Satan will be unable to deceive the nations (Revelation 20:3). While the sinfulness of humanity won't be eradicated, the Devil's ability to exacerbate it through deception will be significantly curtailed. However, this period is not intended to be permanent. At the end of the thousand years, Satan must be released for a short time, a necessary test to reveal the depths of human depravity, even after a millennium of righteous rule.
The Reign of the Saints (20:4-6)
John sees thrones, and those who were seated on them were given authority to judge (Revelation 20:4). This refers to those who were saved during the tribulation, who are brought back to life in what is called the first resurrection. This resurrection is distinct from the later resurrection of unbelievers.
These resurrected saints, along with believers from all ages, will reign with Christ during the millennium. This millennial reign is the utopia for which the world longs. There will be no war, and righteousness will prevail. Jesus will rule with a rod of iron, ensuring justice and peace. Believers will serve as co-regents with Christ, receiving rewards and responsibilities according to their faithfulness in this life.
Importantly, Revelation 20:6 emphasizes that over these saints, the second death (eternal judgment) has no power. They are blessed and holy, participants in the first resurrection, and destined to reign with Christ.
The Final Rebellion and Defeat of Satan (20:7-10)
At the end of the thousand years, Satan is released from his prison and immediately resumes his deceptive work, seeking to lead the nations astray (Revelation 20:7-8). Surprisingly, even after a millennium of Christ's righteous rule, many will succumb to Satan's deception. These are described as being "like the sand of the sea" in number, a stark reminder of humanity's persistent capacity for rebellion.
The people Satan deceives are referred to as Gog and Magog, symbolic terms representing the enemies of God in general. They gather for battle against Jesus, but their rebellion is swiftly crushed. Fire comes down from heaven and consumes them (Revelation 20:9).
The Devil, who deceived them, is cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever (Revelation 20:10). This marks the final and decisive defeat of Satan, ending his reign of terror and deception for all eternity. The judgment experienced by individuals in hell will not be identical. Rather, the judgment a person or demon receives will be in proportion to their sin. The punishment in hell lasts forever and ever. Hell was “prepared for” Satan and his demons. It was never prepared for people. The only way people go there is by actively choosing the way of Satan. No one goes to hell by chance.
The Great White Throne Judgment (20:11-15)
With Satan's defeat, the stage is set for the final judgment. John sees a great white throne and Him who sat upon it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away (Revelation 20:11). This throne represents God's perfect holiness, justice, and power.
Before this throne stand the dead, small and great, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books (Revelation 20:12). This judgment involves the consultation of two heavenly records: the books and the Book of Life. The former contain records of people's deeds, determining their level of judgment, while the latter contains the names of those who have trusted in Jesus Christ as Savior and been credited with His imputed righteousness.
Each nonbeliever’s level of punishment will be according to their works—that is, in proportion to their sins and good things committed while in the body. Having one’s name appear in the book of life is the only way of salvation.
The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works (Revelation 20:13). Non-believers will appear at the judgment in a resurrected state, in which their souls are united with non-glorified bodies.
Anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:15). This lake of fire is the second death, representing eternal separation from God and conscious torment received in proportion to one’s sins in the body. Those who receive this judgment have not necessarily committed worse sins than those who dwell with God in paradise. They simply are reaping the fruit of their sins rather than enjoying the benefits of having Christ’s perfect record credited to their accounts. The first death is the physical death of the body. The second death is eternal separation from the love, blessings, and benefits of God.
Revelation 20 paints a vivid picture of the future, filled with both hope and warning. It underscores the importance of choosing Christ, whose sacrifice alone can secure our place in the Book of Life and guarantee eternal life in His presence. This chapter is a call to examine our lives, to repent of our sins, and to embrace the grace offered through Jesus Christ, ensuring that we are found faithful on that final day of judgment.