Introduction

Revelation 20 describes the millennium—a thousand-year reign of Christ with resurrected saints while Satan is bound. After the thousand years, Satan is released, deceives nations (Gog and Magog), and leads a final rebellion that fire from heaven consumes. Satan is thrown into the lake of fire where the beast and false prophet already are. Then comes the great white throne judgment: Death and Hades give up their dead; all are judged by what is written in books, and anyone whose name is not in the book of life is thrown into the lake of fire—the second death.

Satan Bound for a Thousand Years [1-3]

[1-3] An angel comes down from heaven holding the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain. He seizes the dragon—"that ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan"—and binds him for a thousand years, throwing him into the pit, shutting and sealing it so he might not deceive the nations until the thousand years are ended. After that he must be released for a little while.

• The dragon identified [2]: Four names confirming identity with Eden's serpent
• Bound and sealed [3]: Satan's deceptive activity halted
• Thousand years [2, 3]: The millennium—literally or symbolically interpreted
• Must be released [3]: A final test still to come

The First Resurrection and Millennial Reign [4-6]

[4-6] John sees thrones, and seated on them are those given authority to judge. He sees the souls of those beheaded for testimony to Jesus and for God's word—those who had not worshiped the beast or its image nor received its mark. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power; they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years.

• Thrones and judgment [4]: Saints share in Christ's rule
• Beheaded martyrs [4]: Those who paid the ultimate price
• First resurrection [5]: Believers raised to reign with Christ
• Second death has no power [6]: Resurrection guarantees escape from final judgment

Satan Released and Final Rebellion [7-10]

[7-10] When the thousand years end, Satan is released from prison to deceive the nations at earth's four corners—Gog and Magog—gathering them for battle, their number like the sand of the sea. They march across earth's broad plain and surround the camp of the saints and the beloved city. But fire comes down from heaven and consumes them. The devil who deceived them is thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and false prophet are, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.

• Gog and Magog [8]: From Ezekiel 38-39—representing all hostile nations
• Number like sand [8]: Vast multitude, yet quickly destroyed
• Fire from heaven [9]: Divine intervention ends the rebellion instantly
• Lake of fire [10]: Satan's eternal destination

The Great White Throne Judgment [11-15]

[11-15] John sees a great white throne and Him who sits on it. Earth and heaven flee from His presence, and no place is found for them. The dead, great and small, stand before the throne. Books are opened, and another book—the book of life—is opened. The dead are judged by what is written in the books, according to what they had done. The sea gives up the dead in it; Death and Hades give up the dead in them. All are judged according to what they had done. Then Death and Hades are thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. If anyone's name is not found written in the book of life, he is thrown into the lake of fire.

• Great white throne [11]: Purity and majesty of divine judgment
• Books and Book of Life [12]: Deeds recorded, names of the redeemed listed
• According to deeds [12-13]: Works reveal faith; judgment is just
• Death and Hades thrown in [14]: Death itself finally destroyed
• Second death [14]: Eternal separation from God

Key Takeaways

• Satan's limitation [1-3]: He is bound; his deception restrained
• Reign with Christ [4-6]: Believers share in millennial kingdom
• Final rebellion fails [7-10]: Even after the millennium, evil rises—and is destroyed
• Judgment is thorough [11-15]: All are judged; only the book of life saves

Reflection Questions

• What does reigning with Christ for a thousand years suggest about believers' ultimate destiny?
• Why might God allow Satan a final release—what does this reveal about human hearts?
• How does the reality of the great white throne judgment affect how you live now?