REVELATION 20 — THE FINAL ACT BEFORE ETERNITY
The Millennial Kingdom dawns. The dragon is bound. The righteous reign. Judgment falls. This chapter marks the final transition between time and eternity, between Satan’s defeat and the new creation.
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1. SATAN IS BOUND FOR 1,000 YEARS
Revelation 20:1–3
“He seized the dragon… and bound him for a thousand years, and threw him into the pit… so that he might not deceive the nations any longer.”
The “bottomless pit” (abussos) was long prepared for this moment (Luke 8:31 — demons begged not to go there).
This is not symbolic: an angel literally chains Satan (2 Peter 2:4, Jude 6).
Deception ends temporarily—no influence on the nations (Revelation 12:9).
Cross-References:
• Isaiah 24:21–22 — “They will be gathered… as prisoners in a pit.”
• Luke 10:18 — “I saw Satan fall like lightning.”
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2. THE SAINTS REIGN WITH CHRIST
Revelation 20:4–6
“They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.”
Includes resurrected Tribulation martyrs and saints from all ages (1 Thessalonians 4:16, Daniel 12:2).
The “first resurrection” is physical, glorious, and limited to the righteous (John 5:29).
Believers reign as kings and priests (Revelation 5:10, 2 Timothy 2:12).
Cross-References:
• Zechariah 14:9, 16–17 — Messiah reigns, nations worship in Jerusalem.
• Psalm 2:8–9 — Messiah rules the nations with a rod of iron.
• Isaiah 2:2–4 — The nations flow to Zion to learn God’s ways.
• Daniel 7:27 — “The kingdom… shall be given to the people of the saints.”
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3. THE FINAL REBELLION
Revelation 20:7–10
“Satan will be released… and will come out to deceive the nations… to gather them for battle.”
Despite Christ’s righteous rule, multitudes still rebel—man’s heart remains deceitful (Jeremiah 17:9).
“Gog and Magog” symbolize global rebellion, not the same war as Ezekiel 38–39.
God answers instantly—fire consumes them. No battle. No second chances.
Cross-References:
• Psalm 2:1–4 — The nations rage, but God laughs.
• Ezekiel 38:2 — Gog is a symbol of rebellion.
• Hebrews 3:12 — Warns against unbelieving hearts.
Revelation 20:10 — “The devil… was thrown into the lake of fire… tormented forever and ever.”
Important: This proves eternal punishment—refuting annihilationism (cf. Matthew 25:41, 46).
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4. THE GREAT WHITE THRONE JUDGMENT
Revelation 20:11–15
“Then I saw a great white throne… and the dead were judged… and anyone not found in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.”
This is for the unsaved—not believers (who were judged at the Bema Seat — 2 Corinthians 5:10).
The books record every deed; the Book of Life records every redeemed name.
No escape: the sea, death, and Hades yield up the dead.
Cross-References:
• Daniel 7:9–10 — “Books were opened.”
• Ecclesiastes 12:14 — God judges every hidden thing.
• Romans 2:5–6 — Each person judged by works.
• John 5:22–29 — Resurrection of life vs. resurrection of judgment.
• Hebrews 10:31 — “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”
• Philippians 4:3, Revelation 3:5 — Names written in the Book of Life.
Revelation 20:15 — “If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.”
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FINAL TAKEAWAYS:
The 1,000 years are literal, fulfilling promises to Israel (Genesis 15, 2 Samuel 7, Isaiah 11).
Even in paradise, the heart of man rebels without spiritual rebirth (John 3:3).
Satan is not reformed—he is eternally judged.
The Lake of Fire is real, eternal, and the final destination for all who reject Christ (Mark 9:43–48).
God’s justice is perfect—no sin overlooked, no soul forgotten (John 10:28).
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“And death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death.” — Revelation 20:14