Revelation Chapter Twenty
Revelation 20:1
1 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.
angel come down from heaven/keyrepresents Jesus who has the keys to
hell and death (Revelation 1:18), along with the keys of David
(Revelation 3:7) (Isaiah 22:22) and the keys to the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 16:19)
bottomless pit Hell see study notes (Revelation Chapter 9 under bottomless
great chain the symbolism of the chain is explained in (verse 3), that being Satan's limitation of deceiving the nations during the church age.
Revelation 20:2
2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,
Satan/bound only Jesus could bind Satan, the strongman
(Matthew 12:28-30), and then empowers His true church with the Gospel (Matthew 16:19) see also (Mark 5:2-4)
thousand years number of spiritual implications, signifying completeness of time, which is the duration of the churchage when Satan is bound. See Numbers in The Bible and study notes (Revelation 5:10).
Revelation 20:3
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.
cast him into the bottomless pit as noted, the bottomless pit identifies with Hell, which is to be under the
wrath of God. Verses 1-3 are a picture of what Jesus accomplished at the cross. Before the cross, Satan and his host
were not yet under the wrath of God (Matthew 8:28-29), but after the cross, Satan's judgement was made certain (John 12:31),
along with all the fallen angels that rebelled with him (Jude 6)
(2 Peter 2:4). The result of the binding of Satan was that many
were being saved from all nations as the church/prospered (Act 2:41)
(Acts 11:18). God gives us an illustration of the power of
the church age as the 70 were sent forth to plunder Satan's kingdom (Luke 10:17-20). Although Satan still "walketh about, seeking
whom he may devour"
(1 Peter 5:8), he has no power in preventing the salvation of God's elect
(John 6:39), nor will they be deceived by his wiles (Ephesians 6:10-17), as they are protected in the full armour of Jesus,
which is salvation.
Note: The binding and loosing of Satan is difficult to understand without spiritual discernment. One thing to note
is that even if Jesus completely removed all demonic influence upon the world,
(Satan and all his host), Man left to his own carnal self would never
seek after the true and living God (Romans 3:10-18), and being a
natural man, will remain at emnity with God (Romans 8:7)
(1 Corinthians 2:14), to his own after ruin, for the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23).
So whether on is brought to salvation during the church age, or during
the tribulation, it is by Grace of God that he has been given that unmerited gift (Ephesians 2:8-9).It is His work
(John 6:28-29). He is sovereign and He will redeem all He has predestine to become the sons of God.
(John 1:12-13) (Ephesians 1:3-5). Glory be to God!!
after that after the churchage (the thousand years)
must be loosed a little season the little season identifies with the tribulation period. See study notes (Revelation 6:11, under little season).
Throughout history, Satan has been the god of the world who has blinded the minds of them which believe not (2 Corinthians 4:3-4).
He had access to the throne of God to accuse the brethren (Revelation 12:10), as we read about in (Job Chapter 1), as God had not yet
fulfilled His promise of the death and resurrection of the Messiah, although it was as good as done (Revelation 13:8),
(Hebrews 4:3) (Hebrews 9:26) (Isaiah 42:4) (Ephesians 1:4-5).
As earlier stated, Satan and his angels were quite active, but they were greatly restrained (bound with the great chain)
during the churchage, when they were cast out of heaven (Revelation 12:7-11), as a result
of the accomplished work of Christ at the cross. Although Satan and his angels remain under the wrath of God, God loosens
them to accomplish His purpose, that is, in sending judgement upon the apostate churches by allowing them to rule and reign
in the congregations, and also allowing him to rule the nations preparing them for The Great day of His wrath, which is
Judgment day. The tribulation is a time similar to the situation during the time of Our Lord's ministry upon earth, i.e.
great demonic activity, the Holy places completely apostate, and the so called spiritual leaders attempting to kill the
true witness, just to note a few.
As we have already noted, Revelation is written in a fashion that repeats the same events from different perspectives.
See study notes
(Revelation 1:1, under signified). The following verses describe the loosing of Satan at the
beginning of the great tribulation
(Revelation 9:1-2) (Revelation 9:14-15) (Revelation 11:7)
(Revelation 12:12) (Revelation 13:1) (Revelation 13:11)
(Revelation 17:8) (Revelation 17:10-11)
Revelation 20:4
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.
thrones (Revelation 3:21)
they sat upon them all believers, whether in the body or not. At salvation, believers are immediately seated
spiritually in heaven
(Ephesians 2:5-6), and they rule and reign with Christ on earth.
See study notes (Revelation 5:10).
judgment was given unto them believers currently bring both grace and judgment in their testimony of The Gospel. They
judge within the body to things that pertain to this life, and shall also judge angels
(1 Corinthians 6:1-4).
If we examine (Matthew 19:28) closely, we see Jesus was speaking
of the churchage. The "regeneration" refers
to the born again experience at salvation (Titus 3:5). Jesus currently sits in the throne of His glory, as believers
are spiritually seated upon the twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of the Israel of God (Galatians 6:16). The
reference to the 12 is the fullness of all believers.
See Numbers in the Bible and I saw the souls of them this
shows distinction in those who have slipped the knot of body and soul. These are in the presence of the Lord in their
spiritual/soul essence
(2 Corinthians 5:6-8). Whether in the body or not, believers never die (John 11:25-26), while the
dead bury the dead (Matthew 8:21-22).
Note that John sees "souls" which debunks the common error of the hope of a future Millennium Kingdom. See study notes
(Revelation 5:10).
Immediately after the tribulation, Jesus comes to gather the elect (Matthew 24:29-31), and believers will experience the second
resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:51-52) (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18), commonly referred as the rapture, or the catching up. John sees
souls, and not glorified spiritual bodies as these departed saints have only experienced the first resurrection (verse 6).
beheaded for the witness of Jesus etc.... all those who come to Christ must "count the cost"
lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years all believers redeemed throughout the church age. See study notes
(Revelation 7:1-8)
(Revelation 14:1-5).
Revelation 20:5
5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
rest of the dead those that are saved during the latter part of the tribulation. See study notes (Revelation 7:9-17).
lived not againall were alive in the loins of Adam before the fall
(1 Corinthians 15:22) See study notes (Revelation 12:4, under
third part/stars of heaven)
first resurrection when God gives the believer a new soul. The regeneration (Titus 3:4-5), The quickening (Ephesians 2:1-6)
(Colossians 2:2-14) (Romans 4:17), The Spiritual Baptism
(1 Peter 3:18-22). To be Born Again (John 3:3-8) (1 Peter 1:23) etc...
Remember the second resurrection is of the body. To study the eternal Glorified body see (1 Corinthians 15:35-50).
Revelation 20:6
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.
second death hath no power those truly are blessed who hath part in the first resurrection as they have been loved and
chosen of God before the foundation of the world and will not experience the second death,
which is the lake of fire (verse 14), as God has provided a lamb without blemish and without spot in their
stead (1 Peter 1:18-20)
See (Genesis 22:1-14, Note: Jehovah-jireh, which means, The Lord will provide). Amen
priests of God and of Christ See (Revelation 1:6) (Revelation 5:10)
Revelation 20:7
7 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,
thousand years expiredat the end of the church age
Satan loosed out of his prison God removes His restraint and allows Satan to deceive the whole world (2 Thessalonians 2:1-12). This identifies with Satan's deadly wound being healed. See study notes (Revelation 13:3).
Revelation 20:8
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.
deceive the nations (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12) (Matthew 24:24)
nations defined as Gog and Magog
four quarters of the earth this will be a worldwide universal event.
See Numbers in the Bible
gather them to battle the battle Armageddon See study notes
(Revelation 16:14-16)
number/is as the sand of the sea Satan's army described to be innumerable. No matter the number, it doesn't stand a chance compared to the power of our Lord Jesus, who consumes them with His Word, and the brightness of His coming (2 Thessalonians 2:8) See (Zechariah 4:6)
Gog and Magog Many have erroneously interpreted the understanding of Gog and Magog using Ezekiel Chapter 38 and 39. Many
use the specific Geographical locations to try to figure out what nations will come against physical Israel during the tribulation,
such as the Nations in Northern Europe and Asia. This was the literal case concerning national Israel in the Old Testament recordings,
This was the literal case concerning national Israel in the Old Testament recordings, but God here uses it in type to illustrate the
attack of Spiritual Israel, which we have taken note that Revelation specifically defines Gog and Magog as the nations throughout
the whole world.
Some Bible translations translate "chief prince" as "Rosh" or "prince of Rosh" in (Ezekiel 38:2).
Many teach in error that this refers specifically to Russia. A careful examination of the original
language will help give us a clear biblical understanding that confirms the previous conclusion. We
will define the following from (Ezekiel 38:2).
-Gog Strongs (1463) Gowg- northern nation
-Magog Strongs (4031) Magowg- a barbarous
northern region, also son of Japheth
-chief Strongs (7218) rosh- head, top, high, highest point
-prince Strongs (5387) nasiy- prince, chief leader
-Meshech Strongs (4902) Meshek- a son of Japheth, and the people descended from him
-tubal Strongs (8422) Tuwbal- a postdiluvian patriarch and his posterity.
Using this information we can conclude that the chief prince represents Satan, who is the Head (Rosh)
who exulted himself to sit upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north (Isaiah 14:12-17).
See (Psalm 48:2) which defines sides of the north as Mt. Zion.
Satan represented as the dragon and the beast having seven heads (Revelation 12:3) (Revelation 13:1).
Also Meshech is said to be a son of Japheth, who was one of the three songs of Noah, and those who descended
from Japheth represent the nations (Genesis 9:27)
(Genesis 10:1-5). Noah's other son, Ham, whose line
through his son, Canaan, was cursed (Genesis 9:22) (Genesis 9:24-25), and Shem was the line that Israel was from and
ultimately our Lord Jesus, which represents believers. Here we see again the one third, two third pattern, the one
third who represent true believers, and the two thirds the unbelievers, and the two thirds the unbelieving cursed
(Zechariah 13:9) See study notes (Revelation Chapter 8).
This was a very brief look into what could have been made into an
exhaustive study regarding Gog and Magog, but In Summary, if we let
the Bible explain itself, we can understand that Gog and Magog
represent the Nations throughout the whole world, including the apostate churches, who are lead and deceived by the Chief
prince of the power of the air Satan (Ephesians 2:2).
Revelation 20:9
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.
compassed the camp of the saints about/ beloved city immediately after Satan is loosed, he attacks the
churches all about the world. This verse is referring to the abomination of desolation when Satan rules and
reigns in the The congregations during the tribulation right before the Lord Returns (Isaiah 42:24-25)
Note: compassed (Luke 21:20-21) See Study notes (Revelation Chapter 17:16-18): fire/devoured them
the colon direct attention to the final destruction of the Army of Antichrist (2 Thessalonians 2:8)
Revelation 20:10
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.
devil/beast/false prophet Satan, Tyranny, and Idolatry, are cast into the lake of fire. When God has fulfilled His
purpose, Satan and his spiritual host don't stand judgement as the unbelievers (verses 11-15). Christ's
victory over death and hell made certain of the spiritual underworlds doom. See study notes (verse 3)
tormented day and night for ever and ever eternal torment, implies that
there is no annihilation for Satan and the fallen angels, nor the unbelievers (verse 15).
Revelation 20:11
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.
great white throne tribunal of judgement, glorious and perfectly just and
righteous, which is the final judgment of all the dead (John 3:18-21) See
(Isaiah 34:1-10)
found no place for them no place in God's new Glorified Spiritual
Universe (Revelation 21:8) which contains nothing that barest the curse
(Revelation 22:3) (Revelation 22:14-15)
Revelation 20:12
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.
books were opened all the works of the unsaved and their every idle word
(Matthew 12:36-37). Those who tried to justify themselves, those who did not fully trust
in the work of GOd to justify them, those with law, those without law (Romans 2:11-12)
book of life the Lamb's book of life, where none of the cursed shall be listed (Revelation 21:27) See also (Luke 10:20)
Revelation 20:13
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.
sea/death/hell delivered up the dead none will be able to hide on that great day of the Lord.
Revelation 20:14
14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
death and hell all the self righteous throughout the nations, and those who
have made a covenant with death and hell, shall find their eternal state to
be in the lake of fire (Isaiah 28:15)
lake of fire defined as the second death. See study notes (verse 5-6)
Note:
death = separation from God
hell = under the wrath of God
Revelation 20:15
15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
"And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire"
The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death!
See (1 Corinthians 15:20-28)
Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:57)
Amen
