Revelation Lesson 20

Revelation Chapter 20

Distributed by: KJV Bible Studies

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Introduction: With the Tribulation over, Revelation 20 sets the focus upon the binding of Satan, the Millennium, and its conclusion. The chapter concludes with Satan being cast into the lake of fire forever and then are details of the Great White Throne Judgment.

I. John Sees Angel Come Down From Heaven

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

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

The Tribulation is over. John wrote that he saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. The angel is not identified. Of significance however, is the mention of a “great chain in his hand.”

Lest there be any doubt as to the identity of the dragon in verse 2, he is mentioned several times throughout the book. John makes clear it is none other than Satan. Four names are mentioned. The dragon, that old serpent, the Devil, and Satan. He accordingly is bound for a thousand years. What a blessed time that will be.

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

(Rev 20:4) And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

The angel with the great chain 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. The word translated as bottomless pit is once again (abussov) abyssos from which the English word abyss derives. It was thought to be the place of the dead and especially the abode of demons. The devil is imprisoned, and a seal is placed upon his incarceration.

God’s authority being the highest authority there is, only that same authority has the power to remove it. The power of God will be imposed upon Satan’s incarceration. His imprisonment will continue “till the thousand years should be fulfilled.” And after that, he must be loosed a little season. The purpose of his release will be discussed in verses 7- 9, which see. Of further note is that the purpose of the devil down through the ages has been to deceive the nations.

Jesus said he (Satan) is a liar and the father of it. Deception has been his standard stock and trade from day one. It continues to this day. Praise God, it will not be allowed during the Millennium.

In verse 4, John saw thrones, and “they” sat upon them, and judgment was given unto “them”. It is a given that God the Father and the Son have such positions. It would seem, however, that the thrones described are for other than the Godhead. The verse does not indicate who sat upon these thrones or to whom the judgment was delegated but the bible does.

In Revelation 5:10, the elders of the church age declare, “and we shall reign on the earth.” The latter portion of this verse speaks of those martyred out of the Tribulation reigning with Christ for a thousand years. Verse 6 of this chapter speaks of these having part in the first resurrection as reigning with Christ a thousand years.

In 22:5, the servants of the Lamb are said to reign for ever and ever. It also would seem that at the conclusion of the Tribulation and the dawn of the millennial reign of Christ, one of the first things accomplished is the re-establishment of human government. That government will be in the form of a monarchy with Christ as head and those who have faithfully served Him in this age being assigned as ruling subordinates across the earth.

John 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. The focus shifts to those who turned to Christ during the Tribulation, refusing to cooperate with the antichrist. They accordingly were martyred, especially by beheading. It is noteworthy that these are mentioned in distinction to the church, which united with Christ in the marriage of the Lamb. See Revelation 19:7-8.

Rev 19:7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.

Rev 19:8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

It is apparent that those martyred during the Tribulation, though saved and in heaven, are not considered part of the church as such. Though occupying a different relationship to Christ than the church, they also will be rewarded with positions of authority and rank during the Millennium.

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

John then records, But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. The thought is of the unrighteous dead, the unsaved of the ages. These will be dealt with at the Great White Throne Judgment described at the end of the chapter. The word translated as lived (anaxaw anazao) has the sense to ‘revive’ or ‘restore’ and implies a resurrection from the dead.

John then comments, This is the first resurrection. The dead mentioned earlier in the verse are not raised for a thousand years. Blessing is ascribed to those in the first resurrection in the next verse. Therefore, it is evident that John is referring here to those in verse 4 who will rule and reign with Christ. These are they who are part of the first resurrection.

Revelation 11:18, which chronologically is in the same time frame, speaks of the time of the dead when God’s servants will be rewarded. This likely is also part of the first resurrection. In the latter case, it likely is the resurrection of Old Testament saints at the dawning of the kingdom of God.

These, along with the church and the martyred Tribulation saints, are all a part of the first resurrection. In other words, the first resurrection is all who are redeemed of all the ages regardless of their dispensational distinction.

II. Blessed are They Who Are in The First Resurrection

(Rev 20:6) Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

John continues in this regard. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power. Blessed indeed are all partaking in the first resurrection. They are saints of God—holy ones. Of interest is that the word translated as holy (‘agiov hagios) also is translated as ‘saints.’ These who have been redeemed down through the ages, whether Old Testament saints, the New Testament church, or Tribulation martyrs, all have part in the first resurrection.

These collectively are not afflicted with the second death which later in the chapter (20:14) is described as the lake of fire. In others words, these who are redeemed and part of the first resurrection will never face the lake of fire. Blessed indeed are these. These redeemed resurrected saints of both the Old and New Testaments will have an active part in the administration of the Millennium.

Some will serve as priests of God and Christ and all will reign with Him throughout the Millennium. The word translated as reign (basileuwbasileuo) is of note. It derives from the more basic word translated as ‘king’ (basileuv basileus). It is clear the government of the Millennium will be a royal monarchy with the King of kings as ruler. Moreover, His redeemed will reign with Him. That word also has the sense of the governor of a province.

Precisely how Jesus Christ will subdivide the world politically is not noted. However, what is clear is that those ruling under Him will be the saints of the ages. The prospect hearkens back to the parable of the ten pounds presented by Jesus in Luke 19:11-24. There our Lord clearly alluded to varying degrees of authority being granted in the coming Kingdom.

It will be based upon faithfulness of service in the meantime. Blessed indeed is that prospect. Those who in this age faithfully serve Jesus Christ can look forward to positions of rank and authority in reigning with Him in His coming Kingdom.

(Rev 20:7) And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,

(Rev 20:8) And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.

One of the great enigmas of Scripture is at hand. “And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison.” Why will God allow such? John continues, noting that the devil “shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth.” God allows him once again to apply his old tricks—deceiving the nations. The word translated as quarters (gwnia gonia) also is rendered as ‘corners.’

The thought is that Satan will be allowed to deceive the four corners of the earth, north, east, south, and west—the entire world. Once again the question arises as to why God will allow such. This may be the reason. Throughout human history, from the Garden of Eden onward, mankind has always had to face the specter of temptation by the evil one.

The Millennium will present a generation of humanity that will have never faced the temptation and deception others have down through the ages. It should be noted that there will quite evidently be a remnant of normal natural human beings who survive the Tribulation and will be allowed to repopulate the earth during the Millennium. The inhabitants of the Millennium will have experienced one thousand years of righteousness and blessing from God, unknown to any other era of human history. Satan will be bound. Sin will be restrained.

It is over these that the resurrected saints will rule and reign along with Christ. They will be tempted by Satan. Once again, the population will be sifted as wheat. Many will unfortunately be deceived the by devil’s deception even as Eve did in the Garden of Eden. They will join forces with Satan and rebel against God. “Gog and Magog, ( Satan’s influenced Rulers and people) the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.”

Gog and Magog are described in some detail as invading Israel during the Tribulation in Ezekiel 38. Historically and geographically, Gog and Magog were nationalities to the north of Israel and are generally thought to be the antecedents of Russia, at the least the Asian peoples of the region of the Black and Caspian Seas. However, the context here is after the Millennium, during which nations as we know them now will undoubtedly be altered.

It may be that the seat of such rebellion against God is located in the region which in Old Testament times was Gog and Magog—southern Russia. Tragically, the number of these siding with the devil in His final rebellion against God is “as the sand of the sea.”

(Rev 20:9) And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.

(Rev 20:10) And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

John records, And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city. This final rebellion against God by sinful men, who should know better, gather from “the breadth of the earth.” The word translated as went up (anabainw anabaino) also has the sense ‘spring up.’

The thought is that the rebellion springs up from the breadth of the earth. They then proceed to surround “the camp of the saints, and the beloved city.” This clearly is the millennial Jerusalem, the capital city of the world, and the seat of Christ’s millennial throne. Implied is that the godly of the world along with those who have ruled and reigned on behalf of Christ will gather in the region of the millennial Jerusalem, perhaps the millennial state of Israel. It is these the wicked of the world surround in rebellion against Christ and His kingdom.

What a sad commentary on the depravity of the human heart. These lived under the direct blessing and righteousness of Jesus Christ for one thousand years, knowing only God’s best, great prosperity, no sickness, and probably no death. Yet, many choose to rebel against God, joining forces with the devil in one final act of rebellion and war against God. Even as Lucifer deceived angels in glory prior to their fall and deceived Adam Eve in their paradise, he also deceives myriads who lived in God’s paradise for one-thousand years.

Their judgment is as harsh as it is swift. And fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. Satan’s desperate bid of rebellion is crushed by God. Moreover, those who foolishly followed the devil’s deception are devoured by fire from God. Their doom is sealed forever.

Once again verse 10 shows that the purpose of the devil is noted as deception. However, he is now thrust into the lake of fire forever. As noted in 19:20, he joins the beast and the false prophet who already are there. The word translated as tormented (basanizw basanizo) also has the sense of ‘torture,’ or to be ‘harassed and distressed.’

Though there will be no day or night in hell, nevertheless, John used these familiar terms to describe the endless, never-ceasing suffering inflicted upon the devil “for ever and ever.” The devil, who has so personified evil and been the instigator thereof down through the ages, now faces the same forever. In the endless ages to come, he will be tormented day and night forever. Praise God!

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

(Rev 20:12) And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

The focus now shifts to the final judgment of God for the unsaved people of all ages. The time of this event apparently is after the battle of Gog and Magog with the final defeat of Satan. John records being allowed to see “a great white throne.” He who is seated upon it quite apparently is none other than Jesus Christ. In John 5:22, Jesus described how that the Father has “committed all judgment unto the Son.”

It is also apparent that He sits in great wrath for even the earth and the heaven flee away, finding no place to hide. The universe understands the dreadful proceedings about to take place. The setting evidently is on earth or maybe the same place as described in Revelation 4:2,6; and 15:2—the throne of God in heaven.

John continues in verse 12, And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God. Though unstated, this apparently is the general resurrection (or last resurrection) at which the unsaved of all ages are brought before the final judgment of God. These who have been awaiting judgment in hades, the interim place of torment, are now summoned for their eternal sentencing. John describes them as the “dead, small and great.”

The ungodly dead from Cain to the rebels of Gog and Magog are forced to stand before the Judge. The small and great of all time, the unredeemed dead from kings to slaves, all, one by one stand before God. The rich and famous of this world to the obscure and unknown all are summoned to appear. And the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life.

At those proceedings, records will be brought forth. Evidence will be presented. Moreover, another book will be opened, “the book of life.” Herein evidently is the eternal record in heaven of all who have ever lived and have been redeemed.

And the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. It should be kept in mind that this is not a judgment to determine whether or not these go to heaven or hell. That is a foregone conclusion. They already have spent time in the interim place of judgment—hades.

This is a final sentencing hearing wherein the wicked of the ages will be damned forever to respective degrees of punishment in the lake of fire. The criteria of this judgment will be based upon that which is written in the books. And that which is written in the books is “according to their works.”

Implied are the sinful deeds of the lifetime of each. They were never cleansed by the blood of the Lamb. They rejected God. Therefore, the only criteria left for their judgment is the accumulated sin of their lifetime. Written in the books is the record thereof.

(Rev 20:13) And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.

(Rev 20:14) And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

Lest there be any question as to the universal scope of this judgment, John records, And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them. The unsaved down through the ages who have died are brought forth to stand judgment. The sea is a typification of the world.

The word translated as hell (‘Adhv), hades, is the generic place of the departed dead. It sometimes referred to the grave. However, it here likely refers to the interim place of judgment whence unsaved people enter immediately after death.

In Luke 16:23, Jesus described how that the rich man “in hell” lifted up his eyes being in torments. The word there again is hades. Jesus there described it as a place of flame and torment.

The greater point is that the unrighteous dead, wherever they died, are now in hades awaiting judgment. And they were judged every man according to their works. The wicked dead of all the ages will be resurrected from hades. They all will be judged according to their works as recorded and documented in the books. The determination of the degree of punishment will be just.

In short, the body and soul will be resurrected. The spirit of life itself will be restored and man will literally stand before the white throne where each will be judged justly according to their works. Though unstated here, there is evidence elsewhere in Scripture of degrees of punishment in hell. Jesus on a number of occasions spoke of some receiving “greater damnation” than others (Matthew 23:14, Mark 12:40, and Luke 20:47). Evidence is on hand lest any protest his fate. Based upon that evidence found written in the books, the record of a lifetime of sin, these are judged accordingly.

In terms parallel to Matthew 25:41, verse 14 records that death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

Mat 25:41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

Those who had died without Christ, in their sins, and condemned already are “cast into the lake of fire.” The word translated as cast (ballw ballo) has the sense to be ‘thrust’ or ‘thrown.’ Upon being sentenced by Jesus Christ for rejecting His mercy, grace, and truth; the unsaved dead from the ages will one by one be unceremoniously and literally thrown into the lake of fire.

It is clear that hades (hell) is separate and distinct from the lake of fire. The distinction might be illustrated in the modern American system of justice. A felon is first incarcerated in the county jail until such time as his trial and sentencing. At that time, he then is sentenced to the long-term penitentiary.

When an unsaved person dies, they go immediately to ‘hades’—the interim place of judgment until the Great White Throne Judgment. At that time they are damned forever into the lake of fire to the degree of punishment adjudicated as just by Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit describes this as “the second death.” Those who participate in the first resurrection—those who are saved—will never face the second death (20:6), praise God!

(Rev 20:15) And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

Lest there be any further question as to the finality and scope of this judgment, John wrote, And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. Satan, sin, and lost sinners will be eliminated from God’s presence forever. Never again will their influence be found.

They are eternally damned to a place of unending punishment never to be released. For those who are lost, the prospect is horrible. For those who know Christ, it is wonderful. It behooves us therefore to reach and win as many as we can to the Savior while it is day. The night cometh when it will be too late.

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Prov 4:18 But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.

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