Revelation 20:1-15
Q.1. Why is a limit of one thousand years placed on the binding of Satan? Who will qualify to reign with Christ? How did John explain the first resurrection? – (Rev.20:1-6)
Revelation simply stated that it as the fact of what God will do, that proves His complete control over everything in Heaven and on the earth. However, there is good reason to look at history under the different dispensations, or ways in which God has managed the affairs of the world. There has never been a time when God has ruled visibly, without Satan’s influence. This thousand-year reign will remove the excuse that people make – ‘the devil made me do it’. It will prove beyond any dispute, that the real problem is man’s sinful heart, and that the only remedy is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The angel – 2 laid hold of the dragon, the serpent of old, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; 3 and he threw him into the abyss, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he would not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were completed … (Rev.20:2-3). John explicitly described those who qualify to reign with Christ during this millennium – Then I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony of Jesus and because of the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or his image and had not received the mark on their forehead and on their hand; and they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years (Rev.20:4). John revealed about the first resurrection, that – blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years (Rev.20:6).
Q.2. How will the Millennial Reign of Christ end? What is this battle called? Who does it involve? How will it end? – (Rev.20:7-10 c.f. Ezk.38:1-39:29)
The Millennial reign of Christ gives a special place to Israel and believers. This was explained mostly in the Old Testament prophets in much greater detail. John’s revelation passes over it in just three verses, although the thousand-year period is mentioned six times in verses 2 to 7 (Rev.20:2-7). After the Millennial reign of Christ – 7 … Satan will be released from his prison, 8 and will come out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog, and Magog, to gather them together for the war; the number of them is like the sand of the seashore (Rev.20:7-8). The battle of Gog and Magog is the spirit of rebellion repeating itself. It should not be confused with Ezekiel’s vision that sees these hordes coming against Israel from the northern regions (Rev.20:8 c.f. Ezk.38:1-6; 39:1-2). This coalition will not only oppose Israel, but – surround the camp of the saints in the beloved city … (Rev.20:9). The staggering thing is that Jesus will be present and will reign over the nations for a thousand years. Yet, as soon as Satan returns, the nations will run after him – … after these things – … the dragon, the serpent of old, who is the devil and Satan – must be released for a short time (Rev.20:2-3). The unconverted nations that have multiplied during the thousand years – 8 … which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog, and Magog, to gather them together for the war; the number of them is like the sand of the seashore. 9 And they came up on the broad plain of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city … (Rev.20:8-9). Christ will utterly triumph – 9 … and fire came down from heaven and devoured them. 10 And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are also; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever (Rev.20:9-10). They will consciously regret their rebellion.
Q.3. Who will be judged at the great white throne? How awesome is this judgment? On what basis will humanity be judged? What will the outcome be? – (Rev.20:11-15)
The scene John saw was awesome. Nothing could stand in the presence of almighty God – Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat upon it, from whose presence earth and heaven fled away, and no place was found for them (Rev.20:11). No one will avoid this Great White Throne judgment, except for Christ’s blood-bought children – 12 And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds. 13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead which were in them; and they were judged, every one of them according to their deeds (Rev.20:12-13). All people will be judged from two books (i) the Book of Life. (ii) the Book of man’s Deeds. Since no one will be admitted to Heaven unless they are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, why is humanity judged from the Book of Deeds? The Book of Deeds underscores God’s justice. It will be proven that no one can live even a day without being disqualified by their own actions. We must have our name written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, in order to have access to the Tree of Life, without which we cannot share God’s abundant life – 14 Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. 15 And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire (Rev.20:14-15). God wants all to be saved. He made hell for the devil and his angels i.e. the demons (Mt.25:41; 1 Pet.3:9). As it is often said – ‘Those who have been born twice (naturally & spiritually) will only die once (if at all). However, those who have only been born once (naturally) will die twice.