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                   THE BOOK OF REVELATION

CHAPTER.20.

We now come to one of the greatest chapters of the Bible.
Revelation 20 presents in summary the series of tremendous
events which relate to the millennial reign of Christ on
earth.  In this chapter we see the millennium in relation to
Christ, Satan, man, the tribulation saints, the
resurrections, the earth, and the Great White Throne.

The word `millennium' is a Latin word which refers to a
period of 1000 years.  Because the earthly kingdom rule of
Christ lasts 1 000 years, we call it a `millennium'.

There are five main subjects in Revelation 20 arranged in
chronological order: Satan is bound for 1 000 years (1-3);
the saints who reign with Christ during the Millennium (4-6);
Satan is loosed after 1 000 years (7-9); Satan is cast into
the lake of fire (10); and the Great White Throne judgment of
the unbelievers from all ages (11-15).

SATAN BOUND
Rev 20:1-3.

This passage continues the discussion of events at the close
of the battle of Armageddon in Rev 19, after which an angel
comes from heaven with a key to the bottomless pit.  (This
pit, or abyss, is explained in Chapter 17).  Other spirits
are imprisioned there now, as will Satan be for a thousand
years when he will be bound by a great chain which the angel
will be carrying as he comes to `lay hold on the dragon, that
old serpent, which is the devil'.  The angel and Satan will
be involved in actual conflict and Satan will literally be
bound, sent to a real place, and sealed for the period of the
Millennium.  It is not known whether Satan's angels will be
cast into the abyss with him, but they certainly will not be
active on earth during the Millennium.  They will be loosed
for a period following this time to deceive the nations again.
Following this they will be consigned to the lake of fire
forever and ever.

Antichrist And The False Prophet Doomed.
Rev 19:20

According to this verse Satan's two henchmen, Antichrist and
his False Prophet, will be thrown bodily into the lake of
fire.  This should not seem strange, for if the two witnesses
can be taken up into heaven, our Lord can certainly throw two
wicked tools of Satan into the lake of fire.

THE MILLENNIAL REIGN OF CHRIST AND HIS SAINTS!
Rev 20:4-6

The Millennial is `the thousand years' reign of Christ (20:1-
10).  The doctrine of the Millennium is strongly
substantiated in this scripture and is mentioned six times in
the first seven verses of this chapter.  It is referred to in
Eph 1:10, as `the dispensation of the fulness of time' and is
called the `day of the Lord' in many scriptures (Is 2:12,
13:6,9, 34:8, Ezek 39:22, 48:35, Hos 2:18, Joel 3:18, Zech
12:8-11, 13:1, 14:1-9, Mal 3:17).  It is `the kingdom of
Christ and of God' (Eph 5:5, Matt 20:21, Luke 1:32,35, 19:12-
15, 22:29-30, 23:42, 2 Tim 4:1, Jn 18:28-37, 1 Cor 15:24-28,
Dan 7:13-14).  It is a time when there will be a
`restoration, or restitution, of all things' (Acts 3:20-21).
it is called `the consolation of Israel' (Luke 2:25), and
`the redemption of Jerusalem' (Luke 2:38).

Those Who Take Part In The First Resurrection.

After Satan is bound (20:4), John sees `thrones' and the
occupants of the thrones - which are the Tribulation martyrs
- and they will be reigning with the other redeemed heavenly
people as kings and priests with Christ.  Tribulation martyrs
have a part in the first resurrection (20:5), which comes
before the 1 000 years of the Millennium.  It includes all
the different companies of the redeemed, those saved from the
time of Adam to the binding of Satan.  The Old testament
saints under the Old Covenant, did not have certain
prerogatives, privileges, prerequisites; and such that we
have today living under grace and the New Covenant, but they
will have an identical part and the same privileges during
the Millennial reign since all the redeemed will rule with
Christ.

Tribulation saints will be the last company resurrected and
translated.  All of these have a part in the first
resurrection, which is the resurrection of the living saints
who will reign and rule with Christ during the thousand
years.  The wicked dead have no part in the first
resurrection.  They will be resurrected after the thousand
years and are pictured as standing before the white throne to
be judged.  This is the second resurrection and it includes
all the wicked dead from Adam to the end of the Millennium.
Their souls will remain in hell until the great Millennial
reign is finished.  This second resurrection is unto
damnation.

Those who have a part in the first resurrection receive a
great blessing, for `on such the second death hath no power,
but they shall be priests of God and of Christ and shall
reign one thousand years' (20:6).  Those involved in the
second death will have their part in the lake of fire (2:11,
19:20, 20:10-15, 21:8).




The Form of Government Used During The Period Of The
Millunnim.


It will not be democratic, or any other such related form,
but a theocratic form of government.  That means that God is
reigning, and primarily it is through His son, Jesus Christ
(11:15, 20:1-10), through David, king of Israel (Jer 30:9,
Ezek 42:24, 37, 24-28, Hos 3:4-5), and through the apostles
and all the saints that reign with Christ.  This includes all
who have a part in the first resurrection (Ps 149:5-9, Dan
7:18-27, Matt 19:28, 1 Cor 4:8, 6:2, 2 Tim 2:12, Heb 11, Rom
8:17, 2 Thess 1:4-10, Rev 1:6, 2:26-27, 5:9-10, 11:15, 12:5,
20:4-6, 22:5).  The New Testament saints will have
responsibility and rewards in rulership according to their
spiritual commitment and stewardship.  They will be rewarded
according to the deeds done in the body.  Saints of different
ages will be rewarded on a similar basis.

The center of government will be in Jerusalem.  Jerusalem
will have been rebuilt and restored, having great and
marvelous glory, and serving as world capital and the center
of worship forever ( 1 Chron 33:25, 2 Chron 33:4-7, Ps 48:8,
Is 2:2-4, 11:11-12:6, Jer 17:25, Ezek 34:1-31, 43:7, Joel
3:17, 20, Mic 4:7, Zech 8:3-23, 14:1-21, Acts 15:1-18).

The Millennial Temple.

There will be a Millennial temple for the Jews.  This temple,
with its enclosure called `the sanctuary', will be one mile
square (Ezek 45:1-4).  This will not be the temple built in
the last days before the second coming of Christ and the one
in which the Antichrist will sit during the last three and
one-half years of the age of grace (Matt 24:15-22, 2 Thess
2:4, Rev 11:1-2).  That one will be destroyed when Christ
comes the second time.  This Millennial temple will be built
by Christ himself when He comes back to earth to set up His
kingdom (Zech 6:12-13).  It will be Christ's earthly throne
forever (Ezek 43:7).

Flowing out form the Millennial temple is a literal river.
It flows eastward and from the south side of the altar, and
then turns to go southward through Jersualem, dividing
Jersualem, with half of the river flowing westward into the
Mediterranean Sea and the other half flowing into the Dead
Sea.  The Dead Sea will be healed, so that once again life
will exist in it, with multitudes of fish and sea life (Ezek
47:1-12, Zech 14:8).

Spiritual Conditions.

Marvelous spiritual conditions will exist during the
Millennium.  The Spirit of God has already been outpoured in
a great and mighty way, beginning to a degree with the Day of
Pentecost and experiencing greater fulfillment in these
latter days, but this will be fully completed and fulfilled
both during the Millennium and forever (Joel 2:28-32, Ezek
36:25-27, Acts 1:4-5, 2:1-16, 2:38-39, 9:17, 10:44-48, 11:14-
18, 19:1-6).  During the Millennium there will be prosperity
for all nations and glorious peace and universal religious
activities (Dan 7:13-14, 18-27, Rev 11:15, 20:1-21:13).

Living conditions during the Millennium will be most
wonderful.  There will be no temper, as Satan will be bound
(20:1-10, Is 24:21, 25:7).  There will be universal peace (Is
2:4, 9:6-7, Mic 4:3-4).  Swords will not be used for war,
but rather they will be implemented for constructive use.
There will be no harbouring of prejudices and national ills.
Spiritual revival will break out in every land, and as people
turn to God they will be united in serving Christ.

The Animal Kingdom

Changes will be evidenced in the animal kingdom (Is 11:6-8,
64:17-25, Rom 8:18-23).  Their very natures will transform.
They will not be fierce, they will not kill, and they will
not be poisonous.  The earth will be restored to the
wonderful beauty of its original condition (Is 35:1-10,
55:12-13, Ezek 36:8-12, Joel 2:18-27, 3:17-21, Amos 9:13-15,
Rom 8:18-23, 2 Pet 3).  During this administration man will
face the tests of obedience to the laws of divine government
and to Christ, and to mould his character in harmony with God
(Ps 2, Rev 5:10, 11:15, 20:1-10).

God Has Several Purposes In This Dispensation.

FIRST, there will be no rebellion and enemies will be put
under His feet ( 1 Cor 15:24-28, Heb 2:7-19, Eph 1:10).

SECONDLY, the everlasting covenants that God made with
Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David and others will be fulfilled
(Gen 26, 28:3-5, 2 Sam 7).

THIRDLY, Israel will be restored and delivered from the
nations and made head over them (Acts 15:13-17, Is 11:1, Ezek
20:33-44, Deut 28).

FOURTHLY, the saints will be exalted to serve as kings and
priests, and they will be rewarded according to God's
promises and according to their works and commitment to
Christ (Rom 8:17-21, 14:10-11, 2 Cor 5:10, Phil 3:20-21, Col
3:4, 1 Pet 1:10-13, 5:1, 4, Rev 2:26, 5:10, 11:18, 12:5,
20:4-6, 1 Cor 6).

FIFTHLY, all things in heaven and earth will be gathered
together and truly be `one' in Christ ( Eph 1:10), and will
be restored as before the rebellion (Acts 3:20-21).

SIXTHLY, the nations will be judged in righteousness and the
earth will be restored to its rightful owners (Is 2:2-4,
11:1-11, Matt 25:31-46, Dan 7:9-27, 1 Cor 6).

FINALLY, the eternal government that God wanted on earth as a
righteous one, and one that He originally planned, will be
realized (Is 9:6-7, 11:1-19, 42:1-5, Dan 2:44-45, 7:13-27,
Luke 1:32-33, Rev 11:15, 19:11-16, 20:4-6).  All of this will
be realized as God sends forth His Son with the angels and
the glorified saints to put down all rebellion of earth, and
bring judgment, and complete the plan and purpose of God.
The kingdom of God will then be permanently established over
the earth and it will be as it was in the beginning (Matt
24:29-31, 25:31-36, 2 Thess 1:7-10, Rev 19:11-21, 20:1-10).

SATAN'S POSTMILLENNIAL CAREER AND DOOM
Rev 20:7-10

After the thousand years are fulfilled, Satan will be loosed
out of his prison and will attempt to deceive the nations.
The word for deceive is planao, and it means `to cause to
wander or to go astray'.  It relates to doctrinal error and
deceit, and this exacts what Satan will do as he tries to
deceive men.  During the Millennium, millions of natural
people on earth will have had that period of time in which to
accept Christ as Saviour and truly submit to God.  Having
retained their fallen Adamic nature, they will in various
ways be subject to the influence of Satan when he is loosed,
Satan will recruit followers that will seek to help him
overthrow the kingdom of God and he will lead them against
the saints at Jerusalem.

Gog And Magog!

The words "God and Magog" in Revelation 20:8 have caused some
confusion because of the reference to Gog and Magog in
Ezekiel 38 and 39.  The question naturally arises: are these
passages referring to the same battle?  There are several
reasons why they cannot possible be the same battle.  A study
of these two battles will show that they differ in location,
time, number of invaders and purpose.  Therefore, these are
two distinct battles rather than one.

There are different Gogs and Magogs just as there are
different world wars.  We have had World War I and World War
II, and we talk about World War III.  In this same manner we
may refer to Ezek 38 and 39 as Gog and Magog I and to
Revelation 20 as Gog and Magog II.

Because millions have not received Christ as Saviour by the
end of the Millennium, they go `up on the breadth of the
earth'.  They come from all over the world.  Together with
Satan, they are bent on the destruction of the Lord Jesus
Christ and His people.  These unregenerate people of the
world will actually attempt to destroy the Person who brought
about the perfect environment.  This shows how depraved man's
heart really is.   The statement made by Jeremiah is forever
proved:  "The heart is deceitful above all things, and
desperately wicked:  who can know it?" (Jer 17:9).

The doom of those who follow Satan is quick and complete:
"Fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them"
(v9).  They have every opportunity to accept Christ.  None
are missed with the gospel, yet they refuse to place their
faith in Christ.  They rebel against Him but it is a short
rebellion.  They are destroyed by fire, even as God destroyed
Sodom and Gomorrah.  Although they are destroyed from earth,
they will later appear before the Great White Throne where
the unsaved from all ages appear.

Satan's Doom

Satan's doom is recorded in verse 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".  Satan is cast
into hell which was prepared for him and his angels (Matt
25:41).  The sentence of judgment was passed on Satan at the
cross.  Before He died on the cross, the Lord Jesus said,
"Now is the judgment of this world:  now shall the prince of
this world be cast out.  And I, if I be lifted up from the
earth, will draw all men unto me.  This he said, signifying
what death he should die."  John 12:31-33.

John 16:11 also emphasizes this truth when it says that the
Holy Spirit will convict the world of judgment `because the
prince of this world is judged.'

Although Satan was sentenced at the cross, God stayed Satan's
execution until He was through using him for His own
purposes.  God is sovereign and is able to use personalities
such as Satan and the evil angels to fulfill His own desires.

When Satan is cast into the lake of fire, he finds the beast
and false prophet already there.  They were cast into the
lake of fire at least 1 000 years earlier at the end of the
Tribulation (19:20).  This proves that the unsaved are not
annihilated at death.  The original language has the word
`they' in verse 10 because it refers to the Devil, the beast,
and the false prophet when it says they shall be tormented
day and night for ever and ever.  These are the first three
persons to inhabit the place prepared for the Devil and his
angels.  Later, all the unsaved dead from all ages will join
them in the lake of fire to be tormented forever and ever.
The language used in verse 10 is the strongest possible
language to show that this punishment is everlasting
punishment.

THE GREAT WHITE THRONE JUDGMENT

The gravest and most solemn announcement in the Word of God
is recorded in Revelation 20:11-15.  The Apostle John
says,....

Hebrew 9:27 warned of this time when it said, "And as it is
appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment".

Once again, as on numerous other occasions, John sees the
Great White Throne occupied by God.  The events that are
taking place at this time in the vision come after the
Millennium and the revolt of Satan.  It states in this
passage that heaven and earth fled from his `face'.  The
Greek word for `face' is prosopon, and this means the
countenance, aspect appearance, surface, front view, outward
appearance, face; and it also means person.  It indicates
that God has an outward appearance and a real body.  The
word is used nine times in the book of Revelation (4:7, 6:16,
7:11, 9:7, 10:1, 11:16, 12:14, 20:11, 22:4).  In other places
in the New Testament this same word has references to a
bodily presence and its actual appearance.

Those judged in this event are the wicked people of the whole
human race (Acts 17:31, Rom 3:6, Rev 20:11-15).  However,
this will not include the beast, the false prophet, the goat
nation, or the tares.  Then there are those that will be
judged at the final judgment of the nations that will not
need to be in the final judgment, according to Matt 13:30,
39-43, 50, 24:51, 25:30, 41, 46, Rev 14:9-11, 19:20-21,
20:10.  Sentence will have been pronounced upon them 1 000
years earlier, and that judgment need not be repeated.

This judgment will come to pass after the Millennium, and
after Satan has been cast into the lake of fire (20:7-15).
It is a very specific `day of judgment' and set at a very
definite time (Matt 10:15. 11:24, 12:36, Acts 17:31, 2 Pet
2:4, Jude 6-7).

This judgment takes place before the throne of God.  At this
time the throne is still in heaven, it will not come to earth
until after the earth has been renovated by fire (21:1-5).
According to 2 Pet 3:7, it seems that the renovation of the
earth will also take place at this final judgment.

At this time all the secrets of men (Rom 2:16) -  their idle
words (Matt 12:36), their works, thoughts, and all their
actions - will be judged (1 Tim 5:24, 1 Pet 1:17, Rev 20:12-
13).  Before man is condemned and punished he stands trial
and understands clearly the reason for his judgment.  There
will be no excuses for, or criticism of, the sentence.  His
conscience will divulge his sins (Rom 2:12-16).  The law will
be clear (Rom 2:12-16, Rev 20:11-15), and the Gospel will be
a significant basis for the judgment (Rom 2:12-16, Jn 12:47-
48, Rev 20:11-15).  The book of life is opened and every
man's works are revealed.

There are many references to the book of life (Ex 32:32-33,
Dan 12:1, Luke 10:20, Phil 4:3, Rev 3:5, 13:8, 17:8, 20:12-
15, 21:27, 22:19).  The book of life has in it the names of
those who have entered into life and are committed to the
Lord.  Basically, the reference to `books' in Rev 20:12
relates to the Word of God which will judge men.

The dead here do not include angels, but mortals who have
died and gone to hell, which we know to be different from the
lake of fire or eternal hell, because death and hell were
`cast into the lake of fire'.  This is the second death
(20:14).  Hades is the present place of confinement for the
souls of the wicked and there they are conscious and in
torment until the resurrection (Gen 42:28, Num 16:30-33, Deut
32:22, 2 Sam 22:6, Ps 55:15, 116:3, Is 14:9, Luke 16:19-31,
Eph 4:7-11).

Those who receive life have everlasting life, and the same
Greek word aionion (which means forever) is also applied to
the matter of punishment (Matt 25:41, 46,  Mark 9:43-47, Luke
12:5, Heb 6:2, 10:26-31, Rev 14:9-11, 19:20, 20:10-15, 21:8).