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Ch 20: The thousand years.

Artwork by Duncan Long

The thousand years (20:1)

20:1 And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain. 2 He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. 3 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.

20:4 I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony for Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshipped the beast or his image and had not received his mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 5 (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.

Rev 20:7 When the thousand years are over, Satan will be released from his prison 8 and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth--Gog and Magog--to gather them for battle. In number they are like the sand on the seashore. 9 They marched across the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of God's people, the city he loves. But fire came down from heaven and devoured them. 10 And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulphur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

This has become, unfortunately, one of the more disputed passages in scripture. It is the only place in Revelation where the thousand years appears. There are three interpretations:

a. Premillennialism: Christ's return in power and glory will deprive Satan of all his power, raise the Christian dead, and set up the kingdom of the saints on earth. After a thousand years, Satan will re-emerge from his imprisonment, attempt once more to destroy the saints, fail, and be destroyed himself. Then will come the resurrection of the rest of the dead, the judgement of the great white throne, the final destruction of the wicked, and the making of a new heaven and earth. The appearing of the Antichrist, the tribulation, the rapture is usually held to have taken place before Christ's coming in victory, and that comes before (pre-) the millennium: hence the name of this interpretation. This doctrine is sometimes called chiliasm which is derived from the Greek chilios, a thousand.

b. Amillennialism: There is no literal millennium, the 1,000 years is symbolic. It stands for the whole time between the life of Jesus on earth and his second coming. There is a biblical millennium, (Cox). The saints are raised with Christ at the new birth, this is the first resurrection, (Eph 2:6, Col 2:12, Col 3:1), and they reign with Christ in life (Rom 5:17).

c. Postmillennialism: Christ returns after (post) the millennium. The millennium is the triumph of the gospel in this present age, sometimes a literal 1,000 years.

For a balanced discussion which comes down in favour of the premillenial view see Pawson, the amillenial view is described by Cox. Berkhof is also worth reading.

Specific problems with the passage:

There are a number of specific problems with the passage:

i. This is the only mention of a period of a thousand years in Revelation, many of the other time periods in Revelation follow a formula, 42 months etc. The period of a thousand years (10 * 10 * 10) means a complete period of time, but it also indicates a long period of time. There are few other periods of a thousand years in scripture, see Psa 90:4, Eccl 6:6, 2 Pet 3:8.

ii. It refers to Satan being bound for a thousand years to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years was ended. Satan is elsewhere in Revelation referred to as deceiving the nations (12:9, 13:14, 16:13-14 see also 2 Cor 11:3). Clearly Satan is still deceiving the nations now, there are false prophets and false Christs still around. The false prophet in Revelation is clearly an emissary of Satan who deceives the people of the earth. The deception by Satan spoken of here is without the false prophet who is in the lake of fire (v 10).

iii. If there is a thousand year reign of Christ on earth (although the earth is not mentioned) together with the saints this is the only place in scripture that describes this. It is unwise to get our theology from an obscure passage in Revelation without backing from other clear passages of scripture. Clear passages of scripture must be used to shed light on obscure passages and not the other way round. The NT does not give support for the idea of a thousand year reign of Christ apart from Rev 20, the main support comes from the OT.

iv. There is good evidence that the reign is in fact in heaven. Because this is where souls are, this is where thrones are and this is where Christ reigns. Only souls are mentioned, it is not a bodily reign on the earth. The saints regain their body at the second resurrection.

v. It speaks of two resurrections, the first in which the saints reign with Christ for a thousand years and a second general resurrection for the rest of the dead at the end of the thousand years. Usually only one resurrection is spoken of in scripture, see Dan 12:1-4, 12:13, Mat 22:31, Luke 14:14, 20:35-36, John 5:25-29, 11:24, Acts 23:6, 1 Cor 15, 2 Cor 4:14, Phil 3:11, 1 Thess 4:13-18, Heb 6:2, Rev 11:18, 20:12-13. However there is also some hint that there is a resurrection for the righteous only see Luk 20:35-36, 2 Cor 4:14, Phil 3:11, 1 Thess 4:16-17.

vi. The battle in Rev 20:7 seems to be parallel with others battles in Revelation (Rev 16:14, 17:14, 19:17).

Rev 16:14-16 The three unclean spirits out of the mouth of the dragon, beast and false prophet.

Rev 17:14-17 The ten kings and the beast

Rev 19:17-21 The beast and the kings of the earth

vii. Rev 20:7 - Satan will be released from his prison 8 and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth--Gog and Magog--to gather them for battle - This is also referred to in other passages: The passages in Rev 16:14 and Rev 19:17 are clearly the same battle as Rev 20:7 they are all supported by Ezekiel 38 and 39. The parallelism argues that the thousand years is the gospel era. See also comments on Rev 12:7.

viii. Beale points out that "And I saw an angel" in 20:1 does not serve to make an historical connection between chapter 19 and 20 but introduces a new vision. He also points out the chiastic structure of Rev 17-22:

A judgement of the harlot (17:1-19:6)
...B the divine Judge (19:11-16)
......C judgement of the beast and the false prophet (19:17-21)
.........D Satan imprisoned for 1,000 years (20:1-3)
.........D' the saints reign/judge for 1,000 years (20:4-6)
......C' the judgement of Gog and Magog (20:7-10)
...B' the divine Judge (20:11-15)
A' vindication of the bride (21:1-22:5)

See also A Critique of the Premillennial View of Scripture and Review of its Historical Development with a consideration of Revelation 20:1-6. By Alan Nairne.

Premillenium interpretation:

The arguments for the premillenium interpretation.

1. This is the most straightforward reading of the text.
2. It demonstrates the type of government that could happen under Christ and his church.
3. It shows up the wickedness of humanity who join with the devil when he is released.
4. The whole passage from Rev 19:11 concerns the period from the second coming to the judgement, it is part of the same sequence, depicting the judgement of the beast and the false prophet; then the judgement of Satan; which continues with the judgement of mankind (20:11) and the new heaven and earth (21:1). Notice the sequence of 'I saw' which occurs seven times in 19:11, 19:17, 19:19, 20:1, 20:4, 20:11, 21:1
5. Satan does not seem to be bound now, he is still deceiving the nations.
6. The passage concerning Satan is separate to that concerning the fate of the beast and the false prophet. See v10, which indicates that the devil was thrown into the lake of fire after the beast and false prophet.
7. While there are no other NT references to it apart from Revelation there are a number of OT scriptures that support this view.
8. It was the view held by the early church fathers although Berkhof maintains that as many were amillenialists as advocates of chiliasm.
9. It is required to fulfil various OT prophecies.

The premillenium interpretation sees the vision of the white horse of Rev 19:11 and the subsequent battle of Rev 19:19 depicting the one and only second coming in which the antichrist (the beast ) and false prophet are defeated and thrown into the lake of fire. Their armies are also killed. Then Satan is bound for a thousand years, during which the Church reigns on earth, after Satan's release he gathers the nations against the saints. There is no battle because fire from heaven consumes the nations and the Devil. He does not have the beast and false prophet to help him because these are already in the lake of fire. The devil is consigned to the lake of fire, there is a general resurrection of the dead and the judgement starts. Part of Jewish thought is that there will be a Sabbath reign of God in the earth for a thousand year at the end of human history which would last for six thousand years. The idea being that a thousand years is one day in God's sight (Ps 90:4, cf. 2 Pet 3:8).

OT references in favour of Premillennialism:

(Psa 72) Of Solomon. Endow the king with your justice, O God, the royal son with your righteousness. {2} He will judge your people in righteousness, your afflicted ones with justice. {3} The mountains will bring prosperity to the people, the hills the fruit of righteousness. {4} He will defend the afflicted among the people and save the children of the needy; he will crush the oppressor. {5} He will endure as long as the sun, as long as the moon, through all generations. {6} He will be like rain falling on a mown field, like showers watering the earth. {7} In his days the righteous will flourish; prosperity will abound till the moon is no more. {8} He will rule from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth. {9} The desert tribes will bow before him and his enemies will lick the dust. {10} The kings of Tarshish and of distant shores will bring tribute to him; the kings of Sheba and Seba will present him gifts. {11} All kings will bow down to him and all nations will serve him. {12} For he will deliver the needy who cry out, the afflicted who have no one to help. {13} He will take pity on the weak and the needy and save the needy from death. {14} He will rescue them from oppression and violence, for precious is their blood in his sight. {15} Long may he live! May gold from Sheba be given him. May people ever pray for him and bless him all day long. {16} Let grain abound throughout the land; on the tops of the hills may it sway. Let its fruit flourish like Lebanon; let it thrive like the grass of the field. {17} May his name endure forever; may it continue as long as the sun. All nations will be blessed through him, and they will call him blessed. {18} Praise be to the LORD God, the God of Israel, who alone does marvellous deeds. {19} Praise be to his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen and Amen. {20} This concludes the prayers of David son of Jesse.

See all of Zec 14, esp. 14:1-9, 16.

(Zec 14:1-9) A day of the LORD is coming when your plunder will be divided among you. {2} I will gather all the nations to Jerusalem to fight against it; the city will be captured, the houses ransacked, and the women raped. Half of the city will go into exile, but the rest of the people will not be taken from the city. {3} Then the LORD will go out and fight against those nations, as he fights in the day of battle. {4} On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, and the Mount of Olives will be split in two from east to west, forming a great valley, with half of the mountain moving north and half moving south. {5} You will flee by my mountain valley, for it will extend to Azel. You will flee as you fled from the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Then the LORD my God will come, and all the holy ones with him. {6} On that day there will be no light, no cold or frost. {7} It will be a unique day, without daytime or nighttime--a day known to the LORD. When evening comes, there will be light. {8} On that day living water will flow out from Jerusalem, half to the eastern sea and half to the western sea, in summer and in winter. {9} The LORD will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one LORD, and his name the only name.

(Zec 14:16) Then the survivors from all the nations that have attacked Jerusalem will go up year after year to worship the King, the LORD Almighty, and to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles.

(Zec 8:20-23) This is what the LORD Almighty says: "Many peoples and the inhabitants of many cities will yet come, {21} and the inhabitants of one city will go to another and say, 'Let us go at once to entreat the LORD and seek the LORD Almighty. I myself am going.' {22} And many peoples and powerful nations will come to Jerusalem to seek the LORD Almighty and to entreat him." {23} This is what the LORD Almighty says: "In those days ten men from all languages and nations will take firm hold of one Jew by the hem of his robe and say, 'Let us go with you, because we have heard that God is with you.'" An Oracle

(Micah 4:2-8 NASB) And many nations will come and say, "Come and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD And to the house of the God of Jacob, That He may teach us about His ways And that we may walk in His paths." For from Zion will go forth the law, Even the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. {3} And He will judge between many peoples And render decisions for mighty, distant nations. Then they will hammer their swords into plowshares And their spears into pruning hooks; Nation will not lift up sword against nation, And never again will they train for war. {4} And each of them will sit under his vine And under his fig tree, With no one to make them afraid, For the mouth of the LORD of hosts has spoken. {5} Though all the peoples walk Each in the name of his god, As for us, we will walk In the name of the LORD our God forever and ever. {6} "In that day," declares the LORD, "I will assemble the lame, And gather the outcasts, Even those whom I have afflicted. {7} "I will make the lame a remnant, And the outcasts a strong nation, And the LORD will reign over them in Mount Zion From now on and forever. {8} "And as for you, tower of the flock, Hill of the daughter of Zion, To you it will come-- Even the former dominion will come, The kingdom of the daughter of Jerusalem.

(Isa 2:2-4) In the last days the mountain of the Lord's temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and all nations will stream to it. {3} Many peoples will come and say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths." The law will go out from Zion, the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. {4} He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.

(Isa 11:2-10) The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him-- the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD-- {3} and he will delight in the fear of the LORD. He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with his ears; {4} but with righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth; with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked. {5} Righteousness will be his belt and faithfulness the sash around his waist. {6} The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them. {7} The cow will feed with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox. {8} The infant will play near the hole of the cobra, and the young child put his hand into the viper's nest. {9} They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea. {10} In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his place of rest will be glorious.

(Isa 65:20-25) "Never again will there be in it an infant who lives but a few days, or an old man who does not live out his years; he who dies at a hundred will be thought a mere youth; he who fails to reach a hundred will be considered accursed. {21} They will build houses and dwell in them; they will plant vineyards and eat their fruit. {22} No longer will they build houses and others live in them, or plant and others eat. For as the days of a tree, so will be the days of my people; my chosen ones will long enjoy the works of their hands. {23} They will not toil in vain or bear children doomed to misfortune; for they will be a people blessed by the LORD, they and their descendants with them. {24} Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear. {25} The wolf and the lamb will feed together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox, but dust will be the serpent's food. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain," says the LORD.

(Jer 23:5-8) "The days are coming," declares the LORD, "when I will raise up to David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land. {6} In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. This is the name by which he will be called: The LORD Our Righteousness. {7} "So then, the days are coming," declares the LORD, "when people will no longer say, 'As surely as the LORD lives, who brought the Israelites up out of Egypt,' {8} but they will say, 'As surely as the LORD lives, who brought the descendants of Israel up out of the land of the north and out of all the countries where he had banished them.' Then they will live in their own land."

Commentary (Premillennial):

20:1 And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain. 2 He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. 3 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.

20:4 I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony for Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshipped the beast or his image and had not received his mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 5 (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.

Rev 20:7 When the thousand years are over, Satan will be released from his prison 8 and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth--Gog and Magog--to gather them for battle. In number they are like the sand on the seashore. 9 They marched across the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of God's people, the city he loves. But fire came down from heaven and devoured them. 10 And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulphur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

v1 - And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain. - This introduces a new section with 'I saw an angel coming down out of heaven'. This is not the same angel from the fifth trumpet, 9:1, who is a bad angel, probably Satan. The angel here comes down from heaven, he does not fall, he seized Satan and binds him with authority from God. Notice the similarity with Jude 6 in which the fallen angels are bound with chains until judgement day.

v2 - He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. - Notice that Satan is given all four titles he is known by in the book, the dragon (12:3 ff.), that ancient serpent (12:9), who is the devil (2:10, 12:9), or Satan (2:9, 2:13, 3:9, 12:9). Satan is bound by an angel from heaven with the authority of God who is stronger than Satan. In the same way Jesus bound Satan when he was on earth, Luke 11:22. This is the first of six references to the thousand years in the book all of which occur in the first seven verses of chapter 20. The term millennium comes from the Latin mille meaning thousand and annus meaning year. In common with the rest of the symbology of Revelation the thousand years is not literally a thousand years but a complete period of time (10*10*10).

v3 - 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. - The angel unceremonially throws Satan into the Abyss and locks and seals it with the purpose to stop him deceiving the nations as he had been doing before. The beast out of the earth, who is the false prophet deceives the nations elsewhere in Rev 13 and is the emissary of Satan. But Satan can do so only when the thousand years are over, thus with the beast and false prophet in the lake of fire and Satan bound the nations cannot be deceived into believing a lie. The nations referred to here are the remnant left from chapter 19, see Zec 14:16. They are no longer deceived into giving the beast the worship belonging to God, because he and the false prophet are in the lake of fire. The Devil is known as the deceiver because he deceived Eve, 2 Cor 11:3. All other references in the NT refer to people as deceivers apart from 1 Tim 4:1, which describes how in the latter days 'some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons'.

The Greek word planao is used in 20:3, 8 and 10 of the devil deceiving the inhabitants of the world. The same Greek word is also used of Jezebel misleading God's servants in 2:20; of Satan in 12:9; the signs caused by the second beast which deceive the inhabitants of the earth in 13:14; of the whore in 18:23; the false prophet in 19:20. Thus while Satan is instigator of deception he uses men, in the shape of false prophets and the world. Some other NT occurrences of the word planao refer to men i.e. false prophets and false Christs e.g. Mat 24:5, 11, 24:24.

The Greek word for abyss, abussos, is also used in Luk 8:31(the demons in Legion beg Jesus not to cast them into the Abyss), Rom 10:7 ('Who will descend into the deep?'), Rev 9:1, 9:2, 9:11 (Fifth trumpet), 11:7 (beast from Abyss attacks two witnesses), 17:8 (The beast, which you saw, once was, now is not, and will come up out of the Abyss and go to his destruction.), 20:1.

v4 - I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony for Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshipped the beast or his image and had not received his mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years. - Paul tells us in 1 Cor 6:2 that the saints will judge the world. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years, we are told in the next verse that this is the first resurrection (of the righteous). We take it that this is the resurrection of the body for the saints when Christ comes again, although John say he saw the souls, if they are to reign on earth they must also have bodies. The souls he saw are the souls of the martyrs seen in 6:9, the reference to those who had been beheaded simply means that they were martyred because of their testimony and their obedience to the word of God. In 5:10 it tells us that the saints will reign on the earth. The twelve apostles will judge the twelve tribes of Israel at the renewal of all things when Jesus sits on his glorious throne Mat (19:28). 2 Tim 2:12 tells us that if we endure with Him then we will also reign with Him. The word Martyr means witness, we are all witnesses but not all will suffer the death of the body as a witness.

They had not worshipped the beast or his image and had not received his mark on their foreheads or their hands, they were then killed (cf. 13:15), but they had been victorious over the beast and his image and the number of his name, 15:2, and they came to life at the first resurrection which occurs at the second coming. They are the counterpart to those who had worshipped the beast and his image (14:9) and whose names were not in the book of life (13:8). This passage is most likely inspired by Daniel in which the saints will receive a kingdom, Dan 7:22; see also Dan 7:9 in which 'thrones were set in place' and Dan 7:27 'Then the sovereignty, power and greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven will be handed over to the saints, the people of the Most High'. This kingdom of the king will be one that will last for ever and ever, Dan 7:14, 27. The importance of this passage is that it shows that those who die for their faith come to life again and reign with Christ.

v5 - (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection. - The first resurrection is for the righteous when Jesus comes again, Luke 14:14, 1 Thess 4:16. The second is a general resurrection at the end of the thousand years for the righteous and the wicked, see Dan 12:1-2, John 5:25-29. It has frequently been observed that if one resurrection is literal then the other one must be or else words lose all their meaning, see Walvoord.

v6 - Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years. - Blessed and holy are those having a part of the first resurrection, they are blessed because the second death which is the lake of fire has no power over them, they are holy because they had not worshipped the beast. Looking at Rev 20:14-15 then by definition those who are in the book of life take part in the first resurrection. According to the letter to the church in Smyrna those who overcome will not be hurt by the second death, Rev 2:11. In 1:6 all believers have been made a kingdom and are priests to serve God. In 5:10 the elders praise the Lamb because he purchased men for God and has made them to be a kingdom and to be priests to serve God and they will reign on the earth. The emphasis of this verse would seem to be that all believers will reign with Christ for a thousand years. What is most likely is that those who are martyred will judge and the rest will reign with Christ.

v7 - When the thousand years are over, Satan will be released from his prison - He must be set free for a short time to deceive the world (v3). It is worth noting that in Ezekiel 38-39 and Revelation the assault follows the period of the Messianic kingdom. In Ezekiel 36-37 Israel is restored to the land; then comes the warfare in chapters 38 and 39. This is followed by a portrayal of the eternal state under the figure of a rebuilt temple in the New Jerusalem (Mounce).

v8 - and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth--Gog and Magog--to gather them for battle. In number they are like the sand on the seashore. - After his release he goes out to deceive the nations as before v3 and gathers the nations for battle although it is God who gathers them (Ezek 38:4, 38:9). The four corners of the earth indicate the universality of the nations that he gathers. In scripture Gog and Magog are only mentioned together in Ezek 38:2, where Gog is of the land Magog, they are mentioned separately in Gen 10:2, 1 Chr 1:5, 5:4. Their main occurrence in scripture is in Ezek Ch 38 and 39. It is Satan's final little time. To gather them for battle, Zech 14:1, Psa 2. In scripture the expression 'in number they are like the sand on the seashore' means that their number cannot be counted (Gen 22:17, Josh 11:4, 1 King 4:29, Jer 33:22, Heb 11:12). It should be noted that Ezek 38 and 39 are also used to describe the war of 19:19. Compare the carrion eating the flesh of kings, generals, and mighty men of 19:17-18, 21 with Ezek 39:17-22.

v9 - They marched across the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of God's people, the city he loves. But fire came down from heaven and devoured them. - They marched across the breadth of the earth again indicates the universality of those who attack God's people. They surrounded God's people, Ezek 38:16. Probably a period of intense persecution, camp refers to the camp in the wilderness, Deu 23:14, Num 2:2. Fire came down from heaven, compare with Ezek 38:22, in which God executes judgement with 'plague and bloodshed and burning sulphur' against Gog, in 39:6 God says he will 'send fire on Magog and on those who live safety in the coastlands so that they will know that he is the Lord'. For other examples of fire from heaven see: Gen 19:24, Lev 10:2, Num 11:1, 16:35, Ki 1:10, 1 Chr 21:26, 2 Chr 7:1, Luk 17:29, 2 Thess 1:7, Rev 13:13, 18:8. The city he loves is likely to be Jerusalem, Zech 14:16. Once again the city is equated with its people, see the New Jerusalem. Compare God's fire from heaven with the counterfeit fire of the beast from the earth in 13:13 with which he deceives the inhabitants of the earth. There is no actual battle against God's people.

v10 - And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulphur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever. - This completes the destruction of this trio, in 19:20, the beast and false prophet were also thrown into the lake of burning sulphur. According to this verse there is a time sequence between the beast and false prophet having been thrown into the lake of fire and the devil being thrown into the lake of fire. Just as he accused the believers day and night, 12:10, he will be tormented day and night for ever and ever. Contrast their fate with that of the Seraphim who worship God day and night, 4:8, and the saints who serve God day and night (7:15).

Amillennialist Interpretation:

Satan is bound for a thousand years which represents the current gospel age during which his kingdom is plundered as people hear the gospel and respond. The first resurrection is the new birth in which a person is raised with Christ and reigns with Christ. The second resurrection is the general resurrection which occurs at the end of the thousand years at Christ's second coming when Satan is finally defeated. This passage is a parallel passage to Rev 19 which shows the defeat of the beast and the false prophet, this passage concentrates on the demise of Satan.

The argument for an amillennial interpretation.

1. This is the only place in scripture that depicts a millennial reign of Christ, the rest of the NT is silent about it.
2. Should one take ones theology from a symbolic book?
3. The battle with Gog and Magog seems to be the same battle as in Rev 19:19 in which birds gorge themselves with the flesh of generals and mighty men, both refer to Ezek 38 and 39.
4. The NT shows the saints reigning with Christ now, the saints are now raised with Christ, the first resurrection is the new birth.
5. This section 20:1-10 should be viewed as parallel to the other passages describing the destruction of Babylon the great (Ch 17 & 18) and the destruction of the beast and false prophet (Ch 19).
6. . The Second Coming is the termination of history, not the beginning of a whole new phase. This is clear from 1 Cor.15: 23-28.
7. 2 Pet 3:10 warns us that on the day of the Lord 'The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.' Hardly time for a millennium here.
8. Scripture is clear that the Second Coming, the resurrection of the dead, the rapture and the final judgement occur closely together. Mat 13:40-42, 16:27, 25:31-33, John 5:28,29, Acts 17:31, 1 Cor 15:23-26, 1 Th 4:16-17. There is no interval of a thousand years. The ungodly are to be judged at the Second Coming 2 Thess.1:7-9, 2 Pet.3:9-10, Jude 14-15, Rev.1:7. The judgement is at the end of the age Mat 13:40-41, 49.
9. The elect are complete at the Second Coming, John 17:2,24, John 6:39,44, 1 Cor.15:23.
10. Believers are encouraged to persevere unto the day. 1 Pet.4:12-13, 1 Peter 1:13, Luke 12:35-37, 1 John 2:28, Col. 3:4-5, 2 Tim.4:8; Phil.3:20; 1 Cor.1:7-8; Luke 19:13; 1 Thess.5:23; Phil.1:16; Phil.1:9-10; 1 Thess.5:9-10; 1 Cor.11:26.
11. The Great Commissions ends at the very end of the age (Mat 28:20).
12. The means of grace end at the Second Coming 2 Peter 1:19, 1 Cor 11:26

The nature of the first resurrection:

(Rev 20:4-6 NIV) I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony for Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or his image and had not received his mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years. {5} (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection. {6} Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.

There are two basic options if we adopt an amillennial position.

1. We take part in the first resurrection when we are born again (Malcolm Smith, Cox and Hughes). Hughes takes a different view in that the first resurrection must be a bodily resurrection and that can only refer to that of Christ, which we believers participate in as a result of our union with Christ. This makes sense because the second resurrection is also a bodily (general) resurrection. It also makes sense because it gives us a clear start to the millennium, the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Our participation with this union occurs when we are born again see Eph 2:6 ' And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus'. This is also found in Col 2:12 ' having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.' Col 3:1 gives a similar picture 'Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.'In John 5:24-29 Cox in "Amillennialism Today" points out that Jesus refers to two resurrections, the first one is present, spiritual and restricted to believers and the second is future, physical and universal. Against this view is the reference to martyrs.
2. We take part in the first resurrection when our soul departs the body to be with the Lord (Hendriksen, Lenski, Morris, Beale). Scripture makes it clear that we go to be with the Lord when we die (2 Cor 5:6, Phil 1:23), but we get our new body at the Second Coming (1 Th 4:16, 1 Cor 15:52). We are reunited with our body at the second (general) resurrection. This also makes sense because of the reference to martyrs (beheaded) and souls in 20:4, compare to the souls of the martyrs under the altar in the fifth seal 6:9. Living and reigning with Christ is also mentioned in 2 Tim 2:11-12.

When was Satan Bound?

It is clear from scripture that Satan was bound during the ministry on earth of Jesus. This was legally secured by his death (Heb 2:14) and we see that at his resurrection he was raised far above all rule and authority, power and dominion (Eph 1:21, also Phil 2:9).

The same word used to bind Satan in 20:2 (deo:G1210) is also used for the binding of Satan in Mat 12:29, Mark 3:27. Jesus is referring to the casting out of spirits from the demon possessed; he says that first the strongman must be bound and then you can plunder his goods. In Luke 10:17 the seventy-two returned with joy and said, "Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name." Jesus responds by saying "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven." Shortly before his death Jesus said:

(John 12:31-32 NIV) Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. {32} But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself."

We should notice the connection here between the prince of this world being driven out and drawing all men to himself. In John 16:11 Jesus says that the prince of this world now stands condemned. In Acts 26:17 Jesus commissions Paul to go to the Gentiles and Jews to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God. In Col 1:13 Paul tells them that they have been rescued from the kingdom of darkness.

This means that Satan was bound during Jesus' ministry and especially at his resurrection for the purpose that the gospel can be successfully preached to all nations.

The next three sections are based on Hendriksen.

Where does the thousand year reign take place?

(Rev 20:4 NIV) I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony for Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or his image and had not received his mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

1. It takes place where the thrones are. All but three of the 44 mentions of thrones in Revelation refer to thrones in heaven. See 2:13, 13:2, and 16:10; which refers to Satan's throne and the beast's throne. In 4:4 we find the twenty-four elders, who represent the church, seated on twenty-four other thrones surrounding the throne at the centre. We also find the twenty-four elders seated on their thrones in 11:16.
2. It takes place where the disembodied souls are. He saw the souls of the martyrs, he did not see bodies, they had been beheaded. Only after the soul and body is reunited do they reign forever and ever (22:5). Where do the dead in Christ go? In 6:9 we find the souls of the martyrs under the altar, in 8:3 we find that the altar is before the throne. In 7:9 we find the great multitude standing before the throne. In 14:3 we find the 144,000 standing before the throne. In 15:2 we find those who are victorious over the beast and his image and over the number of his name standing besides the sea of glass. In each case the dead in Christ are in heaven.
3. It takes place where Christ lives: We read that they reigned with Christ and according to Revelation Christ reigns in heaven.

NT theology:

The amillennialist interpretation takes note of the NT theology in which we have been raised with Christ now and reign with Him now. Note in the Eph 2:1-6 passage

Eph 2:1-6 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,

1. We were once dead in transgressions and sins, v1.
2. We followed the ways of the world and the Devil, v2.
3. God made us alive with Christ, v5.
4. He raised us up with Christ where we are seated with him in the heavenly realms, v6. In the light of these NT scriptures this satisfactorily depicts Rev 20.

John 5:24 indicates that we have crossed over from death to life when we believe.

John 5:24 "I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.

Rom 5:17 clearly shows that we reign with Christ now.

Rom 5:17 For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.

Col 1:13 to 3:4. This section most accurately describes what Rev 20 is saying, this refers to the triumph over Satan on the cross, the new birth, i.e. the resurrection of our spirit, which was dead to God and is now alive. The other scriptures on the resurrection (1 Cor 15:12, 1 Cor 15:35, Phil 3:11, 1 Thess 4:17, ) refer to the resurrection of our body at Christ's second coming. We reign now with Christ in the heavenlies where the Devil has been defeated. Colossians depicts the situation as with Ephesians for all Christians now, we were raised with Christ at the new birth when we became Christians and we are seated with Christ in the heavenlies, our bodies are on the earth, but spiritually we dwell with Christ in the heavenly sphere, later at the resurrection of our bodies we will join him in heaven.

1. The plundering of the Devils kingdom happens when the gospel is preached and people respond.

Col 1:13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves,

2. We have already been raised with Him, made alive with Him, later our bodies will be raised like His in glory at his second coming, this is the second resurrection.

Col 2:9-14 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10 and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority. 11 In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead. 13 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14 having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross.

Col 3:1-4 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

3. He disarmed the powers and authorities at the cross.

Col 2:15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

4. The method of plundering Satan's kingdom, is through the gospel.

Col 1:23 if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.

(Acts 26:17-18) delivering you from the Jewish people and from the Gentiles, to whom I am sending you, {18} to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, in order that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.'

Other aspects of NT theology:

The power of God for salvation is the Gospel, Rom 1:6:

Rom 1:16 I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.

Christ was elevated far above every power and dominion at his resurrection, Eph 1:21:

Eph 1:19-22 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, 20 which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church,

Therefore we do not fight the Devil we stand our ground, Eph 6:13:

Eph 6:11-13 Put on the full armour of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12 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. 13 Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

We resist the devil by standing firm in the faith, the context is persecution, 1 Pet 5:9:

1 Pet 5:8-10 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. 10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.

The believers in heaven overcame the devil by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony, 12:11.

Rev 12:11 They overcame him (Satan) by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.

The argument of parallelism (Hendriksen).

If chapter 20 forms a new section that is parallel with other sections that all begin with the start of the church age and end with the judgement then it follows that Rev 20 covers the current church age and not a special period after the second coming. The book of revelation consists of seven parallel sections that cover the current Church dispensation. i.e.

1. Christ in the midst of the lampstands (1:1-3:22)
2. The vision of heaven and the seven seals (4:1-7:17)
3. The seven trumpets (8:1-11:19)
4. The persecuting dragon (12:1 - 14:20)
5. The seven bowls (15:1-16:21)
6. The fall of Babylon (17:1 - 19:21)
7. The great consummation (20:1-22:21

Hendriksen observes that there is a striking parallel between chapters 11-14 and chapter 20. The following table shows some parallel situations regarding the Devil in Revelation.

We should note that the thousand years ends with the final judgement, but the final judgement is found elsewhere in Revelation. For example the sixth seal, 11:18, 16:20.

Commentary (amillennial):

20:1 And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain. 2 He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. 3 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.

20:4 I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony for Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshipped the beast or his image and had not received his mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 5 (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.

Rev 20:7 When the thousand years are over, Satan will be released from his prison 8 and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth--Gog and Magog--to gather them for battle. In number they are like the sand on the seashore. 9 They marched across the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of God's people, the city he loves. But fire came down from heaven and devoured them. 10 And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulphur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

v1 - And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain. - This introduces a new section with 'I saw an angel coming down out of heaven', note there is no 'then I saw' to link it in time sequence with the previous passage. This is not the same angel from the fifth trumpet, 9:1. Notice the similarity with Jude 6 in which the fallen angels are bound with chains until judgement day. However it is more likely to be a good angel who binds Satan.

v2 - He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. - In Luke 11:21 Jesus is talking about plundering the strong man, Satan and taking away his goods, but first the strong man must be bound by someone stronger than him, i.e. Christ. This is what is happening in the Gospel age, Satan's goods are being plundered. Whenever the gospel is preached and men are converted then the devil's goods are plundered, they know the truth that sets them free. Some of those who once worshipped the beast are now found in heaven, i.e. every tribe and language and people and nation. The preaching of the gospel coincides with Satan fall from heaven, Luke 10:17. The binding of Satan here is the equivalent to other passages in Revelation: 12:7, 12:10, compare with Luke 10:18. This took place during the ministry of Jesus but was legally secured at his death, Heb 2:14.

v2 - the thousand years - Not literally a thousand years but a complete period of time (10*10*10). Comparing the battles of Rev 19:19 and 20:8 they are the same battle. Therefore the thousand years refers to the gospel age.

v3 - 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. - In the gospel age the gospel will give light to the Gentiles. In the OT the gospel was to the Jews, now in the NT it is to be for all mankind and therefore Satan's kingdom is to be plundered. The beast out of the earth deceives the nations elsewhere in Rev. But Satan does only when the thousand years are over. The Devil is known as the deceiver because he deceived Eve (2 Cor 11:3). All other references in the NT refer to people as deceivers apart from 1 Tim 4:1.

v4 - I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony for Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshipped the beast or his image and had not received his mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years. - John saw the souls of those beheaded e.g. John the Baptist. This could indicate the start of the millennium, since John was the last of the pre-gospel age, he is the most famous figure in scripture for being behead. He saw souls not bodies so it is likely they are in heaven and not on the earth, just as he saw the souls of the martyrs under the altar in heaven. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years, we are told in the next verse that this is the first resurrection (of the righteous).

v4 - I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. - Where are these thrones? All but two of the 44 mentions of thrones in Revelation refer to thrones in heaven. See 2:13 and 13:2; which refers to Satan's throne and the beast's throne. In 4:4 we find the twenty-four elders, who represent the church, seated on twenty-four other thrones surrounding the throne at the centre. We also find the twenty-four elders seated on their thrones in 11:16.

v4 - They had not worshipped the beast or his image and had not received his mark on their foreheads or their hands - They are to be contrasted with those who worshipped the beast.

v4 - And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony for Jesus and because of the word of God. He saw souls not bodies so it is likely they are in heaven and not on the earth, just as he saw the souls of the martyrs under the altar in heaven. The mention of beheaded reminds us of John the Baptist the last of the prophets. In John's theology the NT martyrs are a continuum of the Old Testament prophets who were martyred see Rev 16:6, 18:24. He saw souls rather than bodies, Hendriksen reminds us that the soul is not reunited with the body until after the resurrection, which occurs at Christ's second coming.

v4 - They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years. - The context indicates that this reign is in heaven, he saw the souls of those beheaded. The word Martyr means witness, we are all witnesses but not all will suffer the death of the body as a witness. Rom 5:17 indicates that we reign in life with Christ now in this life. But note that Rev 5:10 indicates that the saints will reign on the earth. They came to life spiritually refers to the new birth formerly they were dead in trespasses and sin, the new birth is the first resurrection of the spirit, the second resurrection is of the body. Hendriksen also points out that they live and reign with Christ who according to Revelation is in heaven.

v5 - (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection. - The first resurrection is the new birth. The second is a general resurrection for the righteous and wicked, (Acts 24:15) it will be a bodily resurrection. The rest of the dead come to life on the last day (Dan 12:2, 13), see Rev 20:12-15. Hendriksen has a different view and says that the first resurrection is the translation of the soul from this sinful earth to God's holy heaven.

v6 - Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years. - Looking at Rev 20:14-15 then by definition those who are in the book of life take part in the first resurrection. Remember God's promise to the church at Smyrna to those who overcome, they will not be hurt by the second death (Rev 2:11).

v7-8 - When the thousand years are over, Satan will be released from his prison 8 and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth--Gog and Magog--to gather them for battle. In number they are like the sand on the seashore. - - He must be set free for a short time v3. After his release he goes out to deceive all the nations as before v3. The expression 'four corners of the earth', this simply means the entire earth. As Hendriksen points out it is a battle between the world lead by Satan against the church. We should note that in this last little season for Satan he personally takes charge, just as he personally entered Judas in his final onslaught against Christ. Now he is preparing for the final battle against the church. So he gathers up the full force of the world in order rally them to fight against the church. However we know that Christ will build his church and the gates of Hades will not overcome it (Mat 16:18), how often do we forget that all important word not.

v8 - Gog & Magog - This seems to be the same battle as in Rev 19:19, both passages are supported by the same Ezek Ch 38 and 39 passages, it is Satan's final little time. Compare Ezek 39:17-21 with Rev 19:17-18, See also Rev 9:1, 11:7, 16:14, 19:19. Magog is first mentioned in Gen 10:2 as a son of Japheth, a son of Noah, then in Ezek 38:2 as Gog of the land of Magog. Gog is frequently referred to in Ezek 38 and 39 and nowhere else except Rev 20.

v8 - to gather them for battle - See Zech 14, this is quite clearly connected with the second coming of Jesus, see also Rev 16:14. Hendriksen points out that the word battle is used not war. It is the same battle as described in 16:14 as well as in 19:19. The Greek word polemos:G4171 is used in 16:14, 19:19 and 20:8 (however the Greek word can mean single or multiple battles and can be used of war also as in 12:7, 12:17 and 13:7.

v8 - In number they are like the sand on the seashore - not only are they from the whole world they are countless, cf. Gen 22:7, 41:49, Josh 11:4.

v9 - They marched across the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of God's people, the city he loves. But fire came down from heaven and devoured them. - The breadth of the earth emphasises once more that they come from the whole earth. The city he loves would be Jerusalem. Is this a period of intense persecution against God's people, possibly, but there is no actual battle. Camp refers to the camp in the wilderness, Ezek 38:16. He is using an expression for the OT people of God and applying it to the church. But fire came down from heaven and devoured them, Ezek 38:22, 2 Thess 2:8, Dan 12:1. As in 19:19 they gather together to do battle, but as in 19:20 there is no battle. So the next time anyone tells you about the battle of Armageddon, remember the battle never actually happens, not one shot has been fired against God's people.

v10 - And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulphur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever. - The completes the destruction of this trio, 19:20, the beast and false prophet are also thrown into the lake of burning sulphur, all his enemies have been destroyed (1 Cor 15:23-26). According to this verse there is a time sequence between the beast and false prophet having been thrown into the lake of fire and the devil being thrown into the lake of fire. Just as he accused the believers day and night, 12:10, he will be tormented day and night for ever and ever. Contrast his fate with that of the Seraphim who worship God day and night, 4:8.

The dead are judged - the great white throne (20:11)

Rev 20:11 Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. Earth and sky fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. 13 The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what he had done. 14 Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. 15 If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

v11 - Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. Earth and sky fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. - God is Spirit and therefore earth and sky cannot dwell in his presence. Notice the similarity with the effect of Christ's presence at the second coming recorded in the sixth seal (6:14) 'The sky receded like a scroll, rolling up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place', and the seventh bowl (16:20) 'Every island fled away and the mountains could not be found'. His throne is white indicating the holiness of the person seated on it. Daniel saw a throne and 'the Ancient of Days took his seat. His clothing was as white as snow; the hair of his head was white like wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze' the whiteness of his clothing indicating purity and the whiteness of his hair indicating age and wisdom.

v12 - And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. - In Daniel's vision of the Ancient of Days it is a court scene and books were also opened (Dan 7:10). The books record what each man has done. The book of life records whether a man has saving faith in Jesus. The books contain the record of each man's actions, and they were judged by what they had done (Mat 16:27, Acts 17:31, Rom 2:6, 1 Cor 4:5, 2 Tim 4:1, 1 Pet 4:5, Jude 1:14-15).

v13 - The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what he had done. - Hades is the abode of the dead (Isa 24:22). The mention of sea giving up its dead is to emphasise that every one will be judged, there is no escape. Again as in the previous verse this verse indicates that each person is judged by what he has done.

v14 - Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death - Hades contains all the people who have died, Hades gives up its dead and then it thrown into the fire because its job is done, it is no longer needed. Physical death no longer occurs so therefore death was thrown into the fire to become the second death. Death and Hades form a couplet as in Rev 6:8 because after death Hades becomes the abode of the dead, neither are needed and so they go to the lake of fire. The Lake of fire is where the beast, the false prophet and the devil are already in torment. The last enemy to be destroyed is death, 1 Cor 15:26.

v15 - If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. - The lake of fire was prepared for the devil and his angels (Mat 25:41), those who side with Satan join him eventually (Rev 13:8, 20:10). The only way to avoid going to the lake of fire is to be in the book of life (Ps 69:28, Phil 4:3, Rev 3:5, 13:8, 17:8, 20:12, 21:27), that is to be an overcomer in this life and over the beast and his image (Rev 3:5, see also 21:7-8). Those whose names are in the book of life will be delivered (Dan 12:1) and will live in the new Jerusalem (21:27). The sinners in Isa 33:14 ask 'Who of us can dwell with the consuming fire? Who of us can dwell with everlasting burning?'

This verse should be seen in the context of all the NT teaching. It shows the end of those who persist in rebellion against God. However the NT is clear that Jesus came into the world to save mankind, John 3:16-21, Rev 1:5-6. See also the comments at the end of the section on 'The message of Revelation'.

Chapter 21