TEACHING NOTES Part 20: 1,000 Years, Judgment, Resurrection Introduction In this session, we come to the end of the 3rd vision of Revelation. The details of Rev. 20 are highly debated and have been since the book was written. Even during John’s lifetime, there were people teaching heretical ideas about the 1,000-year reign of Christ. A man named Cerinthus taught that the 1,000 years was a literal time period on earth where God’s people will rule the world. John declared this heresy. John believed that Cerinthus was misreading the text. Most issues with Rev. 20 come from importing things into the text, rather than letting the text stand on its own and using scripture to interpret scripture. The Thousand Years (Rev. 20:1-6) This section is the subject of much debate. Questions to be addressed: Is the thousand years literal or figurative? Is the thousand years a current reality or future kingdom age? What is Satan “bound” from doing? Who is being resurrected in this first resurrection? Is the “thousand years” literal? Most views about the end times are centered around this thousand-year period. Many views consider this to be a literal 1,000-year “kingdom age” on earth that is coming in the future. However, this passage is best understood in light of how the Bible always uses the number “1,000.” Truth is, every time “a thousand” or “thousands” is used in the Bible, it never literal. It simply means a vast amount or a really long time. Exodus 34:6-7 “6 The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, 7 keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children’s children, to the third and the fourth generation.”” Psalm 50:10 “For every beast of the forest is mine, the cattle on a thousand hills.” Psalm 84:10 “For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness.” Psalm 90:4 “For a thousand years in your sight are but as yesterday when it is past, or as a watch in the night.” (also quoted in 2 Pet. 3:8). Psalm 105:8 “He remembers his covenant forever, the word that he commanded, for a thousand generations,” Is the thousand years a future kingdom age? Modern views teach that the thousand-year reign of Christ is the future kingdom age. This would mean that the kingdom has not yet arrived and will begin after the return of Christ. John Darby taught that the “church age” and the “kingdom age” are entirely separate periods. Darby also taught that everything Jesus said about the kingdom was irrelevant until the end times begin. There are several biblical problems with this idea: The words “kingdom” and “earth” are not mentioned in Rev. 20:1-6. Every time “kingdom” occurs in Revelation it clearly states that the kingdom is God’s people and it has already come (Rev. 1:5-6; 1:9; 11:15; 12:10). Jesus said that His kingdom arrived when came to earth the first time (Matt. 3:2; 4:17; 10:7). Jesus told the Pharisees that His kingdom had come (Luke 11:20; 17:20-21). Jesus said that some of the apostles would not die before they saw the Son of Man coming in His kingdom (Matt. 16:28). The apostles saw Jesus ascend to heaven’s throne (Acts 1:6-11). They literally saw what was shown to Daniel in a vision (Dan. 7:13-14). The kingdom began in the first century and will spread all over the earth until the end (Matt. 24:14). The apostles taught that the “reign of Christ” began when He sat down at the right hand of God (Acts 2:33; 5:31; 7:55-56; Rom. 8:34; Eph. 1:19-23; 2:4-6; Col. 3:1; Heb. 1:1-4; 8:1; 10:12-14; 12:1-2; 1 Pet. 3:22). ​ Revelation 20:1–3 ESV 1 Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain. 2 And he seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years, 3 and threw him into the pit, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he might not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were ended. After that he must be released for a little while. Bottomless pit = Grk. abyssos - the place where evil spirits are imprisoned. Seized = Grk. krateo - to grab, arrest, have power over, control. The dragon = We’re told here and in Rev. 12:9 that the dragon is Satan, the ancient serpent, the devil, and the deceiver of the whole world. Bound him for a thousand years = A clue that the thousand years began during Jesus’ ministry is seen in Matt. 12:29 where Jesus states that He is binding the “strong man” which is a reference to the devil. Later in Matt. 16:19; 18:18, Jesus tells the apostles that they will have the “keys” to bind and loose. So that he might not deceive the nations = This tells us exactly what Satan has been bound from doing. During the reign of Christ, the devil is not allowed to deceive the nations to gather against the saints (see Rev. 20:7-10). This does NOT means that Satan can do nothing and it does NOT means that demonic activity ceased. Only Satan is said to have been bound. But Satan is not the only spiritual enemy in the Biblical story. Many other evil spirits are still at work. It could be said that during the reign of Christ, Jesus rules His people from heaven and Satan rules his evil spirits from the Abyss. After the thousand years, he must be released for a little while = Here we see a stark contrast between “the thousand years” (a long time) and “a little while” (a short time). There is no way to know when the “thousand years” have ended and the “little while” has begun. Therefore, we could be in the “little while” right now. ​ Revelation 20:4 ESV 4 Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. I saw thrones = In the Bible, seeing thrones in heaven are always an indication of a judgment scene. However, this judgment scene is portrayed as vindication for those who were martyred. Daniel also saw this in a vision (Dan. 7:21-22). Those whom authority to judge was committed = This is likely related to what Jesus told the apostles, “when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel” (Matt. 19:28). The souls of those who had been beheaded = In Rev. 6:9-11 we were told about the souls of the martyrs who are crying out for God to judge and avenge them. They were killed by the beast (Rev. 13:7). Since this passage refer to these “souls” as “those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus” and “those who had not worshiped the beast and had not received its mark” it is clear that these are the martyrs who were killed by Nero in the first century. Therefore, Rev. 20:4 is describing God’s answer to the requests of the martyrs. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years = The souls of the first-century martyrs, who were under the altar in Rev. 6:9, are now resurrected and seated with Christ to reign with Him. This is called “the first resurrection” (Rev. 20:5-6). This is also the group that Paul mentions when he writes that “through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep” when Christ returns. ​ Revelation 20:5–6 ESV 5 The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years. The rest of the dead did not come to life = Again, this indicates that there are two resurrections. The first was for the martyrs and the second will be for everyone else when Christ returns. Over such the second death has no power = We’re told later in Rev. 20:14-15 that the lake of fire is the second death. The martyrs have already been resurrected and are with Christ. Therefore, they will not face the final judgment because they are already saved and safe with Christ. They will be priests of God and Christ = John has already revealed that there is a temple in heaven (Rev. 3:12; 7:15; 11:19). The martyrs are now serving as priests in the heavenly temple. John already told us this was going to happen back in Rev. 7:9-17 when he saw the martyrs worshiping and serving in the heavenly temple. What is happening on earth during the reign of Christ? While Rev. 20:1-6 makes no mention of earth, other passages in the New Testament tell us what is happening on earth during this time. Simply put, ever since Jesus sat down at the Father’s right hand, His kingdom has been spreading and growing on earth. During that time Jesus is also slowly putting all enemies under His feet. When Jesus is done with that process, He will return and gather His kingdom to be presented to the Father. Matt. 24:14 “And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” 1 Cor. 15:24-26 “24 Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death.” The Defeat of Satan (Rev. 20:7-10) This section describes the final battle and defeat of Satan. This is the part of Revelation that we are waiting on. This describes what the end of the current creation will be like. This section is also described in other New Testament passages listed below. ​ Revelation 20:7–8 ESV 7 And when the thousand years are ended, Satan will be released from his prison 8 and will come out to deceive the nations that are at the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them for battle; their number is like the sand of the sea. Satan will be released from his prison = Satan has been limited from certain activities during the reign of Christ and the spreading of the kingdom on earth. Now he is released for a little while. To deceive the nations for battle = As seen in Rev. 20:3, Satan has been bound from gathering the nations to war against the saints. Now he is released from that limitation and will deceive the nations into thinking that God’s people are the ultimate enemy. At the four corners of the earth = This indicates that this event will involve nations from all over the earth. This sounds like a geopolitical alignment of many nations or a kind of globalist agenda. Gog and Magog = These terms come from Ezekiel 38-39. Modern Bible teachers (or theorists) claim that this is a reference to Russia. That is simply a speculation—and a faulty and biblically unfounded speculation. In Ezekiel, Gog is a leader or “prince” of an evil nation called Magog. John is using this as a metaphor for the ultimate alignment of evil nations. ​ Revelation 20:9–10 ESV 9 And they marched up over the broad plain of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city, but fire came down from heaven and consumed them, 10 and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. Surrounded the camp of the saints = Satan will gather the nations against the saints or God’s people. While the church has experienced small and localized persecutions throughout history, this event will be an unprecedented attack against the church. The beloved city = Up to this point, there has been no mention of “the beloved city” in Revelation. We have seen a lot mentioned about “the great city” which has been destroyed. This phrase, “the beloved city” is further explained in Rev. 21:9-27 where it is called “the New Jerusalem” and it is a symbol of the church. Therefore, the “camp of the saints” and “the beloved city” are metaphors or symbols of God’s people. Fire came down from heaven and consumed them = As already seen in Rev. 19:11-12, Jesus returns will eyes of fire to destroy our enemies. This seems to indicate that when Jesus returns, the battle will end instantly. The devil was thrown into the lake of fire = We learned in Rev. 19:20 that the beast and false prophet are thrown into the lake of fire first, now the devil will join them. THEY will be tormented day and night forever = You may be surprised to know that this statement of eternal torment is never used in reference to humans, but only for evil spiritual beings. Satan and all the other rebellious spiritual beings will be eternally tormented in the lake of fire. Rebellious humans who end up in the lake of fire are destroyed. Jesus plainly stated that God will destroy both body and soul in Matt. 10:28 “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” Judgment and 2nd Resurrection (Rev. 20:11-15) The next section describes the end of the old creation, the final resurrection, and final judgment. Essentially, this is the end of the world as we know it. ​ Revelation 20:11–12 ESV 11 Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. 12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. Great white throne = Grk. megas leukos thronos - literally, a huge shining throne. Earlier in Rev. 20:4-6 there were thrones and judges, but now John sees the ultimate throne and ultimate Judge seated on it. Earth and sky fled away = Grk. ho ge kai ho ouranos pheugo - Literally, land and sky quickly disappeared. This phrase seems to indicate that the old creation is ending. This does not mean that the old creation is destroyed, but merely passing away or changing. This will be explained more in Rev. 21-22. I saw the dead standing before the throne = This indicates that the rest of the dead, mentioned in Rev. 20:5, have now been resurrected to be judged. This is the 2nd and final resurrection. Books were opened = The idea that there are “books” in heaven comes from Dan. 7:10 “A stream of fire issued and came out from before him; a thousand thousands served him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him; the court sat in judgment, and the books were opened.” These “books,” or more accurately “scrolls,” contain the deeds and misdeeds of all people. Those who trust in Christ are judged on the righteousness of Christ. Those who refused to trust in Christ are judged by their works—which means they will be found guilty of falling short. Another book, the book of life = The book of life was already mentioned in Rev. 3:5 “The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels” (also Rev. 13:8; 17:8). Those who remain faithful followers of Christ are “clothed in white” (righteousness) and eternally secure in Christ. The reason it is called the “book of life” is because life and death are the two choices for eternity. Those in Christ inherit eternal life and those who reject Christ have chosen death. Just as Jesus said to Nicodemus, “whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). Therefore, those who trust in Christ will live on eternally and those who reject Christ will perish forever. ​ Revelation 20:13 ESV 13 And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. The sea gave up the dead = In the Jewish mind, the sea is the greatest representation of danger and chaos. In the Old Testament worldview, the sea is chaotic, unpredictable, and uncontrollable. It was also associated with large, dangerous creatures that became connected to spiritual evil. Since many people in the ancient world died at sea (think of Noah’s flood), the sea is holding a large number of the dead. Now, because God has power of the sea, He can raise up the dead out of the sea. Notice, in the New Creation John points out there is no more sea (Rev. 21:1), meaning there is no more danger, chaos, or evil. Death and Hades gave up the dead = Those who have died in rejection of God have been awaiting the final resurrection in Hades (Heb. sheol). Those who have died as followers of Jesus have a dead body in the grave, but their soul/spirit resides in heaven awaiting the final resurrection. ​ Revelation 20:14–15 ESV 14 Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. 15 And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. Death and Hades thrown into the lake of fire = Death itself, and the place of the dead, is forever destroyed. This is the death of death—or second death. This is the second death, the lake of fire = John interprets “the second death” and “the lake of fire” for us. In the lake of fire, those who reject God die a second time. They are raised to be judged, then they die again in the fire. If anyone’s name was not found in the book of life = John is making it very clear that those who have not trusted in the righteousness of Christ, they have rejected God’s offer of eternal life. The only other option is eternal death. This does not mean that they will be dying continually forever, but that they die and stay dead forever, never to be raised again. Eternal Torment or Death? There has been a debate for the last 2,000 years about what happens in the lake of fire. There are basically three main views: Eternal Conscious Torment: People in the lake of fire will be tormented by fire and worms and darkness forever and they will know it and feel it forever. Redemptive Punishment: People in the lake of fire will be tormented/punished until their sins have been sufficiently paid off. Then they are released. Annihilation: People in the lake of fire will burn up and die—which means that they cease to exist and never will exist again. Which view does the Bible teach? The 2nd view of redemptive punishment has the least, if any, evidence from the scriptures. There is nothing in the Bible that indicates that people will be redeemed after they are in the lake of fire. So, it’s probably safe to deny this view. The 1st and 3rd views are both supported in the Bible. However, there is a distinction between the punishment of evil spirits and evil humans. When the Bible uses language like, “they will be tormented day and night forever” (Rev. 20:10) it is always referring to evil spiritual beings. When Bible describes humans being thrown into the lake of fire, it clearly states that they die (Rev. 20:14-15). Jesus even stated that God will “destroy both body and soul in hell” (Matt. 10:28). The Greek word for “destroy” is apollymi, which always means to completely perish or be destroyed. Therefore, humans who reject God are destroyed and evil spirits who rebelled against God will be tormented forever. Resources about Hell: If you want to learn more about what the Bible actually teaches about hell, here are some additional resources. Look up Edward William Fudge on YouTube and read his scholarly book The Fire that Consumes or the shorter version Hell: A Final Word. There is also a movie on Amazon Prime Video about Edward’s life story called Hell and Mr. Fudge. Read The Battle for the Keys by Justin W. Bass. This book is based on Rev. 1:18 and researches the biblical uses of Sheol, Hades, Gehenna, and Lake of Fire. This book is Justin’s scholarly dissertation, so it’s not easy reading but very detailed.