revelation
chapter 20 [20:1 - 20:15]
CHAPTER BY CHAPTER VERSE BY VERSE BIBLE
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Hello, the twentieth chapter of the book of Revelation (known as the Millennial chapter) is perhaps one of the more misinterpreted chapters in the Bible. And understandably so, as it covers events so diverse, such as some end-time events which happen at the Second Advent of Jesus Christ, the re-incarceration of satan into the Bottomless Pit, then on into the 1000 year teaching time (Millennium), then witnesses satan being released again from the Pit to test those taught in the Millennium, then God destroying the remaining evil, casting satan into the lake of Fire (Hell), and on into Judgment day, and the lake of Fire (Hell) for those of us who do not overcome. So to say that it is an interesting chapter is surely an understatement!
That's quite allot of info in fifteen verses. But we will take each verse at a time, and thoroughly study them comparing them to other Scriptures, verse by verse until this twentieth chapter of Revelation makes perfect sense to you. We shall try to be brief but not at the risk of sacrificing clarity for brevity. May God bless our study of His Word in the precious and powerful name of Jesus Christ!
preface to the chapter study:
First of all let's understand that this is prophecy, none of it has come to pass yet, but it shall come to pass in our generation, for it is our generation that Christ was speaking of when He said: "Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled" {Luke 21:32}.
Let's get up to speed on what has already transpired on the earth prior to the events of this 20th chapter of Revelation come about. Satan has already come to earth as the false messiah antichrist, then after that, Jesus Christ had come for His Second Advent, and all people are from that moment in their spiritual bodies "In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed." {1 Cor 15:52}. From now on out through the eternity we will never again be in flesh bodies, but our spiritual bodies look like our flesh ones but are non-perishable and eternal (if we overcome and don't end up in the Lake of Fire (commonly referred to as Hell) but rather in the eternity (Heaven) with God.
revelation chapter 20
Rev 20:1-15
1 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.
explanations from above verse: This angel is no doubt Archangel Michael of {Jude 1:9} fame. For as we saw in {Rev 12:7-9} it was this same Archangel Michael who released satan from his place of holding (incarceration) in Heaven down onto the earth wherein he could fulfill his role as the false messiah antichrist. But now that role has been completed and Michael is once again dispatched by God to retrieve this evil angel satan.
2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,
explanations from above verse: Here we see that the devil has many names but he's the same evil angel. This Scripture gives us four of satan's many names: The Dragon (the Red Dragon from first earth age* {Rev 12:3}), that old Serpent (the Serpent of old from the Garden of Eden {Gen 3:1}), the Devil, and Satan (we at WBSG generally do not capitalize satan's names in our studies, so don't let that confuse). So we see that this evil one has many names but he is the same one evil entity.
He (satan) was also called Lucifer in {Isa 14:12} were God tells how satan was once good, one of the most beautiful of the angels before pride caused him to fall and rebel against God in the first earth age*. This same satan, called the King of Tyrus in {Ezek 28:18-19} is condemned when God pronounced his eternal punishment not yet administered. In {Ezek 28:2} he is referred to as the Prince of Tyrus, that is because after satan's fall in the first earth age* he was no longer called King, but rather called Prince instead of King as he was before he rebelled against God - call it a demotion in loose terms). This same one will go by the name of Antichrist in our near future when he comes to earth impersonating Jesus Christ. The point is that it is all the selfsame entity - the Devil.
*For an understanding of the three earth ages written of in God's Word, see: WHEN WAS THE BEGINNING. Ok, now back to our studies in chapter twenty of Revelation:
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.
explanations from above verse: Here satan is locked away for a thousand years (Millennium). In the next verse we shall see what the people of the world will be doing during this 1000 years without satan. But remember, we are all in our spiritual bodies (which also explains us being able to live through the 1000 years), but no one has been judged yet except for satan (and his fallen angels of {Jude 1:6}), satan was judged in the first earth age because he led the rebellion against God in which one-third of the host {Gen 2:1 'host of heaven' } & { Rev 12:4 'stars of heaven' } & {Job 38:7 'morning stars - all the sons of God' (supplied below)}, in other words: God's children. Well one-third of God's children (one-third of US!) joined satan against God, that is why God destroyed that first earth age and created this second age that we live in presently.
Job 38:3-7 (God speaking to Job about 1st earth age)
3 Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me.
4 Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? [1st earth age (Gen 1:1-1:2a)] declare, if thou hast understanding.
5 Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it?
6 Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof;
7 When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?
(KJV)The Millennium is also part of this second earth age (our present age). The third earth age is what we commonly refer to as "Heaven." There are three earth ages referred to in Scripture, and this has absolutely nothing to do with reincarnation - reincarnation is a lie from satan to make people think that they are not fully accountable for their actions in their lifetime because, as they would say, you can come back 'reincarnated' again and again until you get it just right. This is a lie from satan, for the Scriptures tell us: "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment" {Heb 9:27}. The Scriptures tell us of all things if we know where to look.
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.
explanations from above verse: This verse (4) and the next two (5-6) tells of what will transpire, and what we will be doing, during the Millennium with Christ Jesus. In the above we see people that shall reign (minister, teach) with Jesus during this 1000 year period. These are those martyred over the ages such as John the Baptist, Apostle Paul, ... And also the Elect of God, the end-time Christians who withstand the Great Tribulation of antichrist and do not give in to his deception when he (satan/antichrist) comes claiming to be the true Messiah Jesus Christ. In this group are the 7,000 and the 144,000. These people will have various tasks in the Millennium that we shall not differentiate in this study. But for more on the Millennium, see {Ezekiel chapter 44}, for the last eight chapters of the book of Ezekiel are set in the Millennium. Ok, back to our work in Revelation chapter 20:
5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
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.
explanations from above verses: This speaks of the whole of the host (all God's children) and their various positions during the Millennium time. Perhaps now is a good place to give further treatment as to just what purpose the Millennium fulfills, for God does nothing without reason.
Ok, since we know that God's Word tells us that there are no second chances, what then is the Millennium teaching time and who will be taught? As we know, at the return of Jesus Christ at His Second Advent, Armageddon will be fought by God, and all peoples will be changed into their spiritual bodies "In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed." {1 Cor 15:52}, leaving the flesh for the fowls of the air {Rev 19:17-18 & 21}.
So thus the Millennium commences, some do not participate in this teaching opportunity, only those who did not have a fair chance at the truth, due to among other things: mental retardation, deception (unknowingly being deceived into following antichrist unawares thinking that he is the true Jesus Christ), those who have the Spirit of Slumber from God, the souls of still born and aborted fetuses, ... All these must have a fair chance to learn the truth and make a decision to follow satan through the ways of the world or to follow God through Jesus Christ. In these spiritual bodies (all the same mature age) there is no handicap, no mental retardation, no imbalances that would interfere with free will learning of the Gospel.
The teachers in this Millennium are those who withstood antichrist during his 5 month reign. The students are those mentioned above who must have a fair chance, but many will "sleep" right through the millennium, they will also "sleep" through the final battle of {Rev 20:8} (not to be confused with Armageddon of {Rev 16:16} which is long since past by this time.) The next event regarding them is Judgment Day of {Rev 20:11-15} where all will judged to either life or death - eternally.
The Millennium is not a second chance, there are no second chances! And for the deeper student, understand that those above don’t actually "sleep" they just simply remain on the other side of the Gulf in Heaven where they been since they died {Luke chpt. 16} (Lazarus and the rich man - the great gulf fixed).
The various groups of peoples are in different locations during the Millennium. Observe:
DURING THE MILLENNIUM:
All will be in spiritual bodies and not subject to death until the Lake of Fire (commonly referred to hell).
- Satan is in holding in the Bottomless Pit.
- Those who died in ‘good standing’ are on the good side of the 'gulf' in Heaven and remain there until Judgment Day.
- Those who died in ‘bad standing’ are on the bad side of the 'gulf' in Heaven and remain there until Judgment Day.
- God’s Elect will teach in the Millennium.
- Those who for various reasons did not have a fair chance in life will be taught the truth in the Millennium, it is them who must be tested after satan is released from the pit. Now let's get back to our 20th chapter of Revelation, we're half way finished:
7 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,
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.
explanations from above verses: Ok, then after the Millennium, those taught during that time are tested when satan is released for a short season. Satan does not have access to anyone during that short season other than those being tested.
You remember from verse in this 20th chapter of Revelation, speaking of satan: "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"
Now is that brief time, that little season, satan is loosed from the pit and tempts those from the Millennium to follow him against God and the over comers. Those who follow satan after the Millennium circle the Millennial Temple in Jerusalem (where refuge is sought by those who choose God after the Millennium teaching) seeking to destroy the overcomers from that Millennium time.
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.
explanations from above verse: God swiftly and finally destroys satan and his followers.
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.
explanations from above verse: Satan is cast into the Lake of Fire (commonly referred to as Hell)
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.
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.
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.
14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
explanations from above verse: Judgment Day commences. All are judged, both ‘good’ and ‘bad’, the good are judged to eternal life with God, the bad are judged to eternal perishment in the Lake of fire. So complete is the perishing of those in the Lake of Fire that all memory of them ceases to exist, it is as if they never existed.
This would be a good place to explain what Hell is, and why I place it in italics. "Hell" is not what most have been taught, there is no eternal torment in the sense of an eternal 'torture chamber.' This is a widely misunderstood concept. Let me explain.
Hell is not a place of eternal torture, God did not create His children to torment some of them for ever! The term "for ever and ever" is an idiom meaning that no longer shall they be for ever. The torment is in being blotted out and not partaking of Heaven with God for an eternity, which is the great purpose of our lives here on earth. So complete will this blotting out of a soul be that nobody else will ever know that they had even existed. This is the SECOND death, the death of a soul.
And it truly shall be a torment to those whom, having just stood before God Himself on Judgment Day, and have had just spoke face to face with God and can see the Glory of Heaven, then they must march into the Lake of Fire never to be anymore. Below we see some Scriptures that document that 'hell' is an eternal perishing, not torture.
2 Pet 3:9
9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (KJV)1 Cor 1:18
18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. (KJV)At this present time there is only one soul that has been condemned (by name) to 'hell' (eternal perishing), and that is satan (there are also the Fallen Angels of Gen chapter six referred to there as "the sons of God" in the KJV). Below we see it said of satan "never shalt thou be any more." It does not say that satan will roast and suffer in the fires of hell or in some eternal Nazi-type torture chamber of God - God is not cruel - God forbid!
Ezek 28:18-19
18 Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of thine iniquities, by the iniquity of thy traffick; therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it shall devour thee, and I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold thee.
19 All they that know thee among the people shall be astonished at thee: thou shalt be a terror, and never shalt thou be any more. (KJV)For more on this subject, see: Is 'Hell' a place of eternal torture or is it a blotting out of a soul?. And now to our last verse in Revelation chapter twenty:
15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. (KJV) (End of chapter)
explanations from above verse: Thus, all that offends is removed by God. In the next chapter, chapter 21 of the book of Revelation we see the 'New Heaven and the New Earth' This is what we commonly refer to as Heaven, or "going to Heaven." I hope we see you there, God bless you and stay in His Word! For God's eternal Word is: "Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever" {Ps 119:160}.
(End of study)
Note to the reader: We have just resumed doing these "Verse by Verse chapter studies" because many people wrote us asking for more of them. They said that they enjoyed them and that they allowed them to follow at their own pace.
If you also would like to see more of our time spent on these "Verse by Verse chapter studies" then please drop us a note and perhaps even suggest a chapter of God's Word that you feel is often misunderstood or that would be beneficial to other students of the Word. Thank you and God bless! E-mail to: Comments to the Editor
In His Service:
Nick Goggin
Watchmen Bible Study Group
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