Revelation 20

 

There is really no gap between chapter 19 and 20 so we are seeing the completion of Jesus dealing with all of His enemies.

 

  1. The battle of Armageddon is fought and Jesus destroys His enemies with the glory of His presence
  2. Antichrist and false prophet are cast alive into the lake of fire.  (3 1/2 year reign traded for an eternity in the Lake of fire)

 

Now the rest of the enemies are destroyed.

 

  1. Satan is Bound Vs 1 – 3
    1. The power behind the false prophet and antichrist is now captured.
    2. The angel that grabs satan is anonymous.  It is not Jesus, Gabriel, or Michael.
      1. This is a strong statement to remember that satan is not the opposite of God.
      2. They are not on equal terms fighting over the world.
      3. no name angel binds satan and cast him into a bottomless pit for 1,000 years.
    3. All his names are used so there is no mistaking who he is.
    4. Chain fashioned to hold him.  (See Jude 6 about angels chained until judgment)
    5. his motive of attack is revealed as he is a deceiver.
    6. He will be released for a little while.
  2. 1000 year reign of Christ begins. Vs 4 – 6
    1. We will reign with Christ.  (See Matthew 19: 28 disciples reign with Christ.  1 Corinthians 6: 2, 3 saints will judge the world.
    2. There are over 400 verses in 20 different passages that talk about the millennial reign of Christ on the earth.   Jewish people missed Jesus as messiah because they were looking for the millennial Messiah to come
      1. There will be peace on the earth during this time.
      2. Who will be a part of it?
        1. Those who are still alive that have not taken the mark of the beast.
      3. What will we be doing?
        1. fulfilling the command of Genesis take over the earth, multiply and subdue the earth.
        2. restore the temple as a memorial to the sacrifice of Christ (Ezekiel 40 – 48 Ezekiel 37; 26 – 28; Amos 9: 11)
        3. Israel will be the focus of the world.  (Isaiah 2: 1 – 3. Ezekiel 17: 22 – 24)
        4. Animals and man will relate differently (Isaiah 11: 6 – 9)
      4. Have unlimited access to God and Jesus Christ. Vs 6
      5. Power of the second death has no influence on us. Jesus mentioned two resurrection in John 5: 28, 29.
    3. Satan is finally destroyed. Vs 7 – 10
      1. Upon his release, satan deceives the nations again and brings them to war against Jesus.
      2. Huge army that numbers the sands of the seashore. After 1,000 years with no death, we will see the ability to form a great army.
      3. Why will God allow satan to do this?
        1. Theories about why this is allowed.
          1. Environment is not the cause of our rebellion against God.
          2. Man may obey outwardly the commands of God, but a heart change is still his choice.
          3. This may be justification for Adam and Eve.  Anyone who was in the garden would rebel against God.  REBELLION IS A MAN PROBLEM AND WE ALL HAVE TO DEAL WITH IT.
      4. Gog and Magog.  This is probably not the same battle that is mentioned in Ezekiel 38,39
      5. Battle is over before it even begins.
        1. Fire comes down and consumes them all.
        2. satan cast into the lake of fire joining the antichrist and the false prophet.
          1. This is an eternal place.  Note false prophet and antichrist are still there after 1,000 years.  This speaks against annihilation of unbelievers.
          2. Place of torment forever and ever
    4. Great White Throne Judgement. Vs 11 – 15
      1. One sitting on a great White Throne and all others are resurrected.
      2. No place to hide from the presence of God as earth and heaven fade from His presence.
        1. Small and great will both stand before the throne of God.
      3. People are judged according to the deeds that they have done on this world.
      4. As Christians, we will stand before a throne too and be judged. (See 2 Corinthians 5: 10)  We also will be judged for our own works and the motives behind all of them. (See 1 Corinthians 3: 12 – 15).
      5. Christians will not stand before the Great White Throne Judgement.
        1. Not because we can hide from it.  Nobody can do that.
        2. Jesus took our judgement and paid the price for us.
      6. This is not a trial, but a sentencing that is being issued to the people who have rejected Jesus.
      7. Death is the final enemy to be captured and thrown into the Lake of Fire
      8. Lake of Fire is the second death.
      9. All the enemies of God are now officially gone.  The time of a great presence of God is now coming upon the world.