Episode 28 – The Millennium and Satan’s End Chapter 20

You can watch the video of this sermon on my YouTube channel at 8pm AEST here.

Introduction

Tonight, we are going to look at chapter 20 of the book of Revelation. This chapter stands as a pivotal and challenging chapter, serving as the bridge between the defeat of God's earthly enemies in Chapter 19 and the glorious revelation of the New Heaven and New Earth in Chapter 21. It presents us with a sweeping vision of the final acts of God's redemptive plan: the removal of evil's influence, the vindication of the faithful, and the ultimate judgment of all humanity. This passage forces us to confront profound questions about justice, eternity, and the ultimate fate of both Satan and every person who has ever lived.

At the heart of this chapter is the mysterious "thousand-year" period, a symbol that has generated significant theological debate throughout church history. Regardless of one's interpretive position, the core truths remain: God is sovereign over Satan, whom He will ultimately and completely restrain; those who remain faithful to Christ, even unto death, are uniquely blessed and will share in His victory and reign; and a final, universal judgment is coming, where every secret will be revealed and eternal destinies will be sealed.

Studying this text is not merely an academic exercise in eschatology. It is a call to hope and holiness. It assures the suffering church that their sacrifice is not in vain and that their persecutor, the devil, will be utterly defeated. It warns the complacent that a day of absolute accountability is fixed. And it invites every believer to live in the light of the "first resurrection," finding our blessedness and identity in Christ, over whom the "second death" has no power.

Tonight, we are going to explore this passage and see how it can encourage us, equip us, challenge us and help us worship our Lord and creator even more. But first, let’s so a brief analysis of the passage.

Analysis of Revelation 20

Old Testament Background

The imagery and concepts in Revelation 20 are deeply rooted in the Old Testament, which John uses to convey his prophetic vision.

• Binding of Satan: The concept of a supernatural evil being restrained by God has parallels in Isaiah 24:21-23, where God punishes the "host of heaven" and "kings of the earth," shutting them up in prison. The "ancient serpent" directly recalls the deceiver in Genesis 3.
• The Thousand Years: While not a literal term in the OT, the number 1,000 often symbolizes a long, complete, or God-ordained period (e.g., Psalm 90:4, "a thousand years in your sight are like a day"). It evokes a period of God's perfect rule.
• Gog and Magog: These names come directly from Ezekiel 38-39, where they represent a great, eschatological coalition of nations from the ends of the earth that come against a restored people of God, only to be defeated by God's direct intervention. John reapplies this imagery to the final rebellion against the people of God at the end of the millennial age.
• The Resurrection: The hope of a bodily resurrection for God's people is developed in later OT texts, most clearly in Daniel 12:2, which speaks of "many who sleep in the dust of the earth" awakening, some to everlasting life.
• The Final Judgment: The scene of the dead being judged from books is a direct development of Daniel 7:9-10, where the Ancient of Days sits on a fiery throne, "the court was seated, and the books were opened."

New Testament Background

Revelation 20 is the climactic chapter that brings together themes developed throughout the New Testament.

• The Defeat of Satan: Jesus spoke of binding the "strong man" (Satan) to plunder his house (Mark 3:27), which the Gospels present as being inaugurated through Jesus' ministry, death, and resurrection. Revelation 20 depicts the final and complete enforcement of this victory. Though some see this a bit differently, which we will discuss in the study.
• The First Resurrection and Reign with Christ: The concept of believers reigning with Christ is found in 2 Timothy 2:11-12 and Romans 5:17. This "reign" is often seen as a present spiritual reality that will be consummated in the future. The "first resurrection" is uniquely detailed here, defining the blessed state of martyrs and faithful believers.
• The Second Death: This term is used elsewhere in Revelation (2:11, 21:8) to signify the final, eternal separation from God in the lake of fire, distinct from physical death.
• The Book of Life: The concept of a divine register of the redeemed appears in Philippians 4:3 and is a major theme in Revelation (3:5, 13:8, 21:27).
• Judgment by Works: The scene of the dead being judged "according to what they had done" (v.12-13) echoes Jesus' teaching (Matthew 16:27) and Paul's writing (Romans 2:6), clarifying that while salvation is by grace through faith, the judgment will reveal the evidence of that faith in one's life.

Major Positions on the Millennium

The interpretation of the "thousand years" (millennium) is one of the most debated topics in eschatology. The three primary views are:

1. Premillennialism: This view holds that Christ's Second Coming will occur before (pre-) the millennium. He will physically return to earth, bind Satan, resurrect the martyred and faithful saints (the first resurrection), and establish a literal, earthly kingdom for 1,000 years of peace and righteousness. After this period, Satan is loosed for a final rebellion, which is crushed, followed by the general resurrection and final judgment of the wicked. This view takes the chronology of Revelation 19-20 sequentially.
2. Amillennialism: This view sees the 1,000 years as a symbolic number representing the entire church age between Christ's first and second comings. The "binding of Satan" (v.2-3) is what Jesus accomplished through his earthly ministry, limiting Satan's power to deceive the nations (see Luke 10:18). The "first resurrection" (v.4-6) is the spiritual resurrection of the soul at conversion, and the reigning with Christ occurs spiritually in heaven and in the church on earth. At the end of this age, Christ will return, there will be a single, general resurrection of both the just and the unjust, followed immediately by the final judgment.
3. Postmillennialism: This view holds that the preaching of the Gospel will gradually lead to a long period (the millennium) of widespread Christian influence, peace, and righteousness throughout the world. This "golden age" will be established by the church, not by Christ's physical presence. At the end of (post-) this period, Christ will return to earth, defeat the final rebellion (Gog and Magog), and preside over the general resurrection and final judgment. This view was more common in previous centuries but has waned in popularity.

Bible Study: Revelation 20 - The Final Victory

Study Questions -

Ok, so tonight, we are going to explore the Millenium period. As I have noted above, there are three main views on the Millenium: Pre-Mill, A-Mill, and Post Mill. Let’s see which of these views fits best with Revelation 20. 

1.     Vv.1-3 – Does the binding of Satan, as mentioned here in Revelation 20, fit better with an Amillennial, Post-millennial or Pre-Millennial view? (cf. Matt. 12, 1 Peter 5:8).

 

2.     Who are those seated on the thrones in verse 4?

 

3.     Who are those who came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years? Does this fit better with A-Mill, Pre-Mill, or Post-Mill?

 

4.     What does he mean by this is the first resurrection?

 

5.     What is the second death?

 

6.     Why does God release Satan in verse 7?

 

7.     How long is the punishment of the devil, the beast, and the false prophet?

 

8.     What does it mean when it says that the earth and sky fled away?

 

9.     Verses 12-14 have a lot of connection to Greek mythology. Why is this? Are Death and Hades real beings?

 

10.  The people are judged by these books – what does this say to us? 

 

11.  If Hades, which is often translated hell, is thrown into the lake of fire, what does this tell us about the current hell?

 

12.  Read 1 Corinthians 15:20-28. How does Paul's description of Christ's reign and the final defeat of death complement or illuminate the events described in Revelation 20?

 

13.  Ultimately, what is the main comfort and what is the main warning that you personally take away from this chapter?