MILLENNIUM AND RESURRECTION
Revelation 20
The Millennium. Many passages speak of the Second Coming of Christ followed by the His reign of Righteousness: Psalms 2;24; 72;96; Isaiah 2; 9:6-7; chapters 11 & 12; 63:1-6; chapters 65 & 66; Jeremiah 23:5-6; 30:8-11; Daniel 2:44; 7:13-14; Hosea 3:4-5; Amos 9:11-15; Micah 4:1-8; Zephaniah 3:14-20; Zechariah 8:1-8; 14:1-9; Matthew 19:28; 25:31-46; Acts 15:16-18; Romans 11:25-27; Jude 14-15. Revelation 2:25-28; 19:11 to chapter 20:6.
The interpretation of Revelation 20 affects our approach to Prophetic Scripture. We interpret chapter 20 directly following chapter 19. Also chapters 21 & 22 follow chronologically (e.g. ‘after’ in 19:1 or ‘and’ in 20:1, where the Greek is ‘kai’ for ‘and’ which often indicates action in logical chronological sequence). ‘Kai’ : ‘and’ continues right through chapter 20, beginning each verse except v5. Having dealt with the Antichrist and the False Prophet and the armies, He deals with Satan.
Amillennialists say Satan was bound at the first coming as the result of the work of the cross and resurrection of Christ. NO! He will be bound at the Second Coming of Christ. Satan has been exerting his power against Christians and endeavouring to control the world, tying to take it out of God’s hands permanently (see 1st Peter 5:8). In Revelation13:4 we read that Satan empowers the Beasts. Satan was cast out of heaven at the beginning of the Great Tribulation to the earth and will then be more active than ever (Revelation 12:9,13,15,17). He is deceiving nations today and demons are behind nations leaders as Daniel 10 tells us. Thus we must conclude that the Millennium is FUTURE.
Further support is that Satan is set free for a short time.
Resurrection and reward of the Martyrs (v4-6). John saw them, therefore they must have intermediate bodies awaiting resurrection bodies. John saw the beheaded martyrs of the Great Tribulation. As the Church had been Raptured and Resurrected, it would make sense to single out these as separate and distinct. Maybe the ‘thrones’ are occupied by 12 Apostles (Luke 22:29-30). The Tribulation martyrs rewarded; Israel judged (Ezek.20:33-38); Gentiles judged (Matthew 25:31-46). These events precede the Millennium, leading up to it. Great Tribulation martyred saints are resurrected. All these are grouped and called ‘the First Resurrection to LIFE’. All are believers. The Two Witnesses and the 144,000 will also enjoy the Millennium. The Old Testament saints will be resurrected also at the Second Advent of Christ (Daniel 12:1). The resurrection of the unsaved dead is after the Millennium and will be the resurrection to DEATH – the ‘Second Death’ at the end of the Millennium.
The Millennium is mentioned 6 times in chapter 20. Also note that other precise times are specific in Revelation, e.g. 42 months; 3½ years; 1260 days. Why not 1000 years?
Final Doom of Satan (v7-10). Note the second Battle of Gog and Magog (not to be confused with the one recorded in Ezekiel, which almost certainly will be at the beginning of the final seven years before the Second Coming of Christ). Satan deceives those born in the Millennium who remain in stubborn rebellion and unbelief There is this final short war which the Lord instantly judges (vs.8-9). This is the final anti-God effort. The beloved city of Jerusalem (Psalm 78:68 & 87:2) is attacked where Christ is reigning. (Satan’s further attempt to destroy Christ. He never learns, so much pride!). Judgment by fire as for Sodom and Gomorrah. Satan’s last attempt to exalt himself is shattered! His eternal torment is assured in the lake of fire. There is no teaching on annihilation in the Scriptures. Condemnation and suffering torment is eternal for the lost, also the 1st & 2nd Beast are still there in the lake of fire when Satan joins them! (Revelation 20:1-10).
Resurrection to LIFE leads to reigning with Christ in the 1000 years Millennium (see John 5:29 which is divided in two by the Millennium. See Daniel 12:2).
The Reign of Christ (v1-6). Rewards for the Martyrs (v4). Reigning with Christ (v4 & 6; see 22:5). Release of Satan (v7). Rebellion of Sinners (v7-8). Retribution of God upon them. (v9-10), also upon the living (v9) and the dead (v11-15). Satan joins the two Beasts in the lake of fire (v10). Resurrection to the Second Death (v12-13). Eternal torment (verses 10, 14-15).
John saw what happened (v1-3) but needed Divine revelation regarding why. Thus the vision was interpreted to John. No human interpretation allowed for various views on this.
John ‘saw’ (v4 & 5), but again needed Divine interpretation (v6). No one is allowed to spiritualise or allegorise what is Divinely interpreted – as Amillennialists do. Thus only the Premilllennial acceptance of Truth literally fits Scripture.
John saw thrones v4 and those who sat upon them.
John did not see what is recorded in v7-10. He was instructed of this.