Revelation 20

This chapter stands at the center of the great controversies on the Book of Revelation, particularly as it relates to the Millennial Kingdom. I will not engage in those controversies here but simply present one perspective, which I feel best reflects the whole counsel of Scripture. 

The Binding of Satan (Revelation 20:1-3)

An angel, not Christ, comes out of heaven to bind Satan. He has a special key and chain to do it. There is no battle or struggle. He simply seizes Satan (described as "the dragon," "ancient serpent," "the devil," and "Satan") and binds him for 1000 years. Satan is thrown into the Abyss, a place often described as the dungeon for demons. He is locked in there with the lock sealed, suggesting there is no chance for him to escape or to be released until God's appointed time is finished. This binding keeps Satan from doing his primary interest, namely, deceiving people. After this, he would be released for a short time, again in keeping with God's plan. This description makes clear that God is not threatened by man's number one most powerful enemy, for even that enemy is subject to the will and purposes of God. 

The Millennial Kingdom (Revelation 20:4-6)

John sees not one throne but a number of thrones in the Millennial Kingdom. We are not told who are seated on these thrones, but they have been given authority to judge. I am reminded of Revelation 2:26, where Jesus promises those of Thyatira:

To the one who is victorious and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations— that one ‘will rule them with an iron scepter and will dash them to pieces like pottery’—just as I have received authority from my Father.

and those of Laodicea:

To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne (Revelation 3:21).

This has led theologians to surmise that believers will sit on these thrones and judge the nations as vice-regents of Christ. The rest of verse 4 (of Revelation 20) identifies the believers as those who "had been beheaded because of their testimony about Jesus and because of the Word of God," those who "had not worshipped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands." These are said to "reign with Christ" for a thousand years.

In other words, these reigning believers, who will sit on thrones and judge the nations, are resurrected Tribulation saints. I say resurrected because (1) they were dead and came back to life and (2) the very next verse (Revelation 20:5) says that this is the first resurrection. In contrast to these Tribulation saints, there are the Tribulation unbelievers, described simply as the "rest of the dead," who would not be restored to life until after the thousand years. Perhaps these people will be a part of Satan's final rebellion against God after the thousand years are over (Revelation20:7-8). 

A plain reading of the immediate context leads us to conclude that "the first resurrection" is only the resurrection of Tribulation saints. There is no mention here of Old Testament saints or pre-Tribulation saints. Instead, John is very particular about how he describes those who will participate in this first resurrection. These participants will be "blessed" and "holy." They will never die again ("the second death has no power over them"). They will be "priests of God and of Christ," which may imply priestly responsibilities in the Millennial Kingdom. They will, therefore, be priest-rulers in the Millennial Kingdom. 

There are numerous Old Testament prophecies that may pertain to the Millennial Kingdom (e.g. Isaiah 2:1-4; 4:2-6; 11:1-10; Jeremiah 23:5-6). Theologians have suggested that God will fulfill His earthly promises to Israel during this period. Ezekiel's mysterious Temple description may also be fulfilled during this time (Ezekiel 40-48). 

Other than the Tribulation saints, the Millennial Kingdom and its environs will likely be populated by the survivors of the Great Tribulation. 

The Final Battle (Revelation 20:7-10)

After the thousand years, Satan is released (presumably by the same angel that put him there) to pursue his interests in deceiving the nations and warring against God's people. While it is Satan's perpetual interest, the record in Revelation makes clear that this was ordained by God. Satan gathers an army from the "four corners of the earth," an expression suggesting that he recruited people from all over the world. Remember, it's been a thousand years - ample time to repopulate the earth. "Gog and Magog" reminds us of the same names mentioned in Ezekiel 38-39, where an army would be raised from the "uttermost parts of the north" (suggesting the direction of entry of attack) to come against Israel (Ezekiel 39:2). As in Ezekiel, so in Revelation, there are many peoples (Ezekiel 38:6; Revelation 20:8). They surround "the camp of God's people, the city he loves," which is undoubtedly Jerusalem. God destroys Satan and his army with fire from heaven (Ezekiel 39:6; Revelation 20:9). The devil is thrown into the final place of judgment, "the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown." This place is described, not as a place of annihilation, but of perpetual torment: "They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever" (Revelation 20:10).

The Judgment of Everyone Else (Revelation 20:11-15)

While we are told of the fate of the Tribulation Saints in Revelation 20:4-6, we have to wait until their thousand-year reign with Christ are over to find out what happens to the rest of the dead. John sees a great white throne. It is a throne of judgment. The authority of the one seated there causes "the earth and heavens" to flee.The suggestion is that everything is now in the spiritual realm of God's judgment, such that anything physical awaits the "new heaven and new hearth" (Revelation 21:1). 

John sees "the dead, great and small." The suggestion here is all the dead, perhaps including pre-Tribulation saints who were raptured (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18), the Tribulation saints who were resurrected to reign in the Millennial Kingdom (Revelation 20:4-6), and all the unbelievers who died throughout the ages. The comprehensiveness of those included among the dead are expressed in the descriptions: "the sea gave up the dead," "death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them" (Revelation 20:13).

Books are opened. And then another book of a different quality: the Book of Life. The "books" record people's deeds by which the dead are judged. All were judged "according to what they had done" (Revelation 20:13). Whatever these deeds might be, we discover that none of them are sufficient to keep people from being thrown into "the lake of fire" (Revelation 20:15), which is described as "the second death" (Revelation 20:14). There is only one qualifer: Is their name "found written in the book of life" (Revelation 20:15)? If not, then into the Lake of Fire they go, along with the holding places for the dead, namely, "death and Hades." All these join Satan, the beast, and the false prophet. The books and Book of Life remind us of the nature of our salvation from judgement: "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith, and this is not from yourselves - it is a gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9). 

Brothers, by God's grace through faith have our names been written into the Lamb's Book of Life. Let us rejoice in this. And we know that "He who began this good work in us will be faithful to complete it" (Philippians 1:6).

Revelation 21

We read in Revelation 20:11 that the old earth and heavens fled away from the presence of Him who was seated on the great white throne. So Revelation 21:1 follows with John seeing "a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away." What is more, on this new earth, there is no sea! We know that this does not mean the absence of waters, for there will at least be a river that flows out from the throne of God (Revelation 22:1).

Along with this new heaven and new earth is a new Jerusalem. It is called "the Holy City," as it is represented in both the Old and New Testaments. It comes from God out of heaven. It has been adorned by God "as a beautiful bride." As we noted before, the New Jerusalem is the "bride, the wife of the Lamb" (Revelation 21:2; 9-10). The Church is not the bride, nor is Israel the bride. Jerusalem is the bride, and both the Church and Israel are the guests (Revelation 19:9; Matthew 22:1-4; 8:11).

God will dwell with His people, Jews and Gentiles, all whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life (Revelation 21:27). They will be His people and He will be their God, the fulfillment of the promise of the New Covenant in Jeremiah 31:33 and Ezekiel 36:28. 

He will wipe away every tear. In view of what follows, namely, "no more death, mourning, crying or pain," the tears are likely painful tears. God will remove sadness as "the old order of things has passed away" (Revelation 21:4). God will make all things new! John is commanded to write it down, so as to document the promise and assuring its fulfillment. 

The One on the throne says, "I am the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End," recalling the Father's self-declaration at the beginning (Revelation 1:8). God will give the water of life without charge to those who are thirsty. This imagery recalls John 4:14 and 7:38, where Jesus offers the water of eternal life to those who believe. This will be inherited by those who are "victorious," the repeated word to the seven churches. As in Revelation 2-4, so here, being victorious should be understood not as a work to merit salvation but as a God-given righteous standing in Christ (i.e He achieved the victory for us) from which righteous acts will follow. So everyone whose name is in the Lamb's Book of Life should be deemed "victorious." 

However, those whose names are not written in the Lamb's Book of Life, who will suffer the second death in the Lake of Fire, are described not according to Christ's victory but their unrighteous character: "the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars" (Revelation 21:8).

What follows is the glorious description of the bride, that is, the New Jerusalem. It is brilliant! It has twelve gates with the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. It has twelve foundations with the names of the twelve apostles of Christ. So both Israel and the Church are represented. Its dimensions are cubic: approx. 1500 miles cubed. Its walls are 200 feet thick. It is adorned with every precious jewel, with whole pearls for gates, and transparent gold (so absent any imperfection) for streets. The light from the glory of God the Father and Jesus the Lamb means there is no need for sunlight or moonlight. There is no concern for security - the gates of the city are always open. There is no night. There will be nations and kings, who go in and out from the city. And all who go in and out of the city have their names written in the Lamb's Book of Life, for no evil of any kind will enter into it. 

Brothers, we look forward to a glorious future in an eternal paradise in the presence of God and Christ, where all things will be new. Therefore, what sort of people ought we to be: "You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming" (2 Peter 3:11-12), for "in keeping with his promise we are looking for a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells" (2 Peter 3:13).

"...fire came down from heaven and devoured them" (Revelation 20:9).

When Satan is released after a thousand years, he will immediately deceive the nations to war against God's people. This army will be vast "like the sand on the seashore." Yet, we read, there will not be much of a battle.

We are told in Elijah's day, when he challenged the prophets of Baal, fire came down from heaven:

Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt offering and the wood and the stones and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench (1 Kings 18:38).

It had to be a mighty hot fire to consume even the stones and dust. I believe that same fire from God will consume the army of Satan. It will be a mighty hot fire. In this war to end all all wars, there will be no contest of strength or authority, for there is no question Who is sovereign. God will overcome with a word.

Friends, this is the God we worship and serve. He is sovereign, and He is the Victor. Let us then cast aside every anxiety, distress, frustration, and conflict for they are simply a blip in the eternal program of God.

And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain. He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time (Revelation 20:1-3).

As I have indicated elsewhere, there is a divergence of opinion with respect to the time and fulfillment of certain events in the Book of Rvelation. A dominant view today is held by a group (Post-Millennialists /Amillennialists) that reject a literal Millennium (1000 year reign of Christ on the earth) and believe that the church is experiencing the Millennium now. In making this argument; however, they have to address the implications of the text above, which teaches that Satan has been bound. They argue that even though he is bound, it does not mean that he cannot operate through his minions (i.e. demons).

While I would admit to this possibility, the immediate context suggests otherwise. John does not simply write that Satan was bound. He writes that Satan was also thrown into the Abyss, with both a lock and seal, the purpose of which was "to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore." The language suggests a total muffling of Satan. It also suggests that this action precludes the kind of deception that he has been practicing up to this point. But, if Satan is so gagged, then how could he still be addressed as active and dangerous, as the following Scriptures suggest?

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings (1 Peter 5:8-9).

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you (James 4:7).

Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 6:11-12).

Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, ²⁶ and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will (2 Timothy 2:25-26).

hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord (1 Corinthians 5:5).

Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme (1 Timothy 1:20).

Anyone you forgive, I also forgive. And what I have forgiven—if there was anything to forgive—I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes (2 Corinthians 2:10-11).

“In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,  and do not give the devil a foothold (Ephesians 4:226-27).

For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, did, again and again—but Satan blocked our way (1 Thessalonians 2:18).

So I counsel younger widows to marry, to have children, to manage their homes and to give the enemy no opportunity for slander.  Some have in fact already turned away to follow Satan (1 Timothy 5:14-15).

Therefore, I am inclined to reject this interpretation of this passage. It makes more sense to see this binding not as a present reality but as a future event. If the binding is a future event, then it follows that the Millennium is also a future event. The group labeled Pre-Millennialists argue for this perspective, seeing in this passage both a literal and total binding as well as a literal Millennium, that is, a thousand-year reign of Christ on earth. I incline toward this view as well.

What significance does your view of Satan's binding and the timing of the Millennium have? Much in every way. Post-Millennialists and Amillennialists believe that the world is getting better and better. Afterall, they believe we are living, in a sense, in the Millennial time. Today, they would point to the global expansion of Christianity as testimony to this. They believe that the Tribulation period described in the Book of Revelation has already been fulfilled. They also believe that Christians will eventually triumph, then Christ will come and establish the City of God on earth.  

Those that view the Millennium as still future have a completely different view of history. We believe that things are not getting better but will get much worse. We believe that the Tribulation described in the Book of Revelation is still future, as is the Millennial reign of Christ. Now, while there is disagreement as to the timing of the Rapture, whether before (Pre-Tribulationists), in the middle (Mid-Tribulationists), or after the Tribulation (Post-Tribulationists), there is no disagreement as to there being a future Tribulation period, where God's wrath will be poured out in judgment on a corrupt world, followed by a literal and future Millennial Kingdom, where Christ will reign on the earth with His saints for a thousand years.

I believe that, whatever your view, our hope in Christ's ultimate triumph is the same. If you believe that things are getting better in the world, you can still find hope, even if the present looks bleak, because, for you, the Bible promises the gradual triumph of Christianity. If you believe, as I do, that things are getting worse in the world, then you can find hope in the sovereignty of God, who will at some point intervene to judge the world, install His king, and usher in His kingdom by fiat.

soli deo gloria!

Friends, we are now at the end of another Bible reading. If you are registered on this site, I encourage you to visit the Account>Your Reports section on this website. I have added a new feature, which will show you your percentage of readings completed for every year and the number of comments you made in any given year. If there are other reports that you would like to see, please let me know.

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Do you find it just a bit disturbing at times how John writes in such absolute terms? There are the righteous and there are the wicked. People are not partially righteous or partially wicked. Even when the Book of Revelation speaks of repentance, it mentions it only to show how the wicked will not repent (Revelation 9:20-21; 16:9,11) . And there is no indication that the righteous ever stumble. You are either a faithful martyr (Revelation 20:4; "saints" in 20:9, "he who overcomes" in 21:7, "those who do His commandments" in 22:14) or you are among those described as "cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murders, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars" (Revelation 21:8; 22:15).

Yet, our experience is not so clearcut. In practice we normally place ourselves somewhere in the middle between the righteous and the wicked. And we consider those most humble who acknowledge that they are nearer to the latter than to the former. But John knows no such middle ground in this final chapter of history. You are either in or out. You are either in the Book of Life or you're not. And if not, you are going into the Lake of Fire, which is the place of eternal torment (Revelation 20:15; cf. 20:10). I don't know about you, but this always makes me flinch a little. 

I flinch because I am painfully and woefully aware of my depravity, my sinful nature, on account of which, apart from the sufficiency of God's grace, I too would be among those suffering eternal torment in the Lake of Fire. Daily I am reminded that I am saved by His grace and not by my works (Ephesians 2:8-9). God has placed me in the Lamb's Book of Life, not because of any good in me but simply because He is a gracious God. It is not because I overcame evil, but because Christ overcame evil in me (2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 John 4:4). I did not put myself in Christ, God put me in Him (1 Corinthians 1:30). 

And with God there is no middle ground of righteousness (James 1:17). Therefore, if we are in Christ, we are saints, we are overcomers, we are completely obedient to God's commands. He alone is our claim to faith, righteousness (1 Corinthians 1:30). He alone is our hope of glory (Colossians 1:27).

The rest of humanity will be judged justly according to their own works (Revelation 20:12-13). But the implication is that no matter how good they sought to be in their lifetimes, apart from God's grace, they will always fall short (Romans 3:23). The "books...opened" vindicates God because it shows that God is justified in condemning sinners. And that is what everyone is apart from the new birth and salvation in Christ. Therefore, for all practical purposes, it is not the "books" of works that finally determines the fate of unbelievers but rather their absence from the "Book of Life" (Revelation 20:15). 

Since all our hope is in God and in His provision of Jesus Christ, the Book of Revelation appropriately closes with the declaration of all who yearn for life crying out, "Come, Lord Jesus!" (Revelation 22:16-17, 20). Amen!