AM Bible Study Group; December 9, 2009
Revelation 20:4-10
Theme: Theme: This passage describes the characteristics of our Savior at the time of His return..
This passage describes for us the wonderful reign of Jesus Christ upon this earth for a thousand years, after His return to this earth. Just as His return is meant to be understood as literal (Acts 1:11), so His reign should also be understood as literal.
I. THE BEGINNING OF THE THOUSAND YEARS (v. 4).
A. John says that he sees "thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them." Key to our interpretation of this passage is who we understanding the "they" to be. In the original language, the same single word translated "I saw" at the beginning of this verse not only governs the description of the thrones, but also "the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God . . ." And so, the most sensible conclusion is that the "they" who sit on thrones and judge with Christ will be those faithful tribulation saints who were put to death by the Antichrist during his activities and raised at Christ’s coming.
B. These saints are raised from the dead, "who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands" (see Revelation 13:14-17; 15:2). These, we’re told, "lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years" (See Daniel 7:9). While little information is given here to us about that reign, much in the Old Testament prophets is told to us about it.
II. THE BLESSEDNESS OF THE THOUSAND YEARS (vv. 5-6).
A. The dead who are raised at the beginning of Christ’s reign will be only a portion of those who will eventually be raised. We’re told that "the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished". The description of this subsequent resurrection is given to us in Revelation 20:11-15. That resurrection will be in reference to the great white throne judgment.
B. We’re told that this first resurrection, at the beginning of Jesus’ reign is a very blessed one to be a part of (see Luke 14:4; John 5:29; Acts 24:15; 1 Corinthians 15:23; Hebrews 11:35). Those who are raised at that time are called "blessed and holy". This puts them in contrast to those who will be raised unto judgment. Over those who are a part of the first resurrection, "the second death has no power". Of the seven "blessings of Revelation" (1:3; 14:13; 16:15; 19:19; 20:6; 22:7, 14), this one is the fifth; and those who are thus blessed are said to "reign" with Christ throughout the thousand years.
III. THE REBELLION AFTER THE THOUSAND YEARS (vv. 7-10).
A. Though it will be a time of unprecedented blessedness, man will still prove to be fallen; and the devil will capitalize on that fallen nature. He had been chained at the beginning of the reign (20:1-3); but when the thousand years are completed, we’re told that he will be released from his prison (for a little while; v. 3) "to deceive the nations which are on the four corners of the earth (see 7:1; also Isaiah 11:12). These nations are called by the name Gog and Magog. These names are mentioned in Ezekiel 38:2 and 39:1 and 6. There, the events being described appear to be those of Revelation 19:17-21; but it may be that, upon his release, the devil resumes what he had started at the beginning of the thousand years.
B. The nations are gathered by the devil—like the sand of the sea in number—against the camp of the saints and the beloved city (Jerusalem). But the rebellion doesn’t last long. Fire comes down from God from heaven and devours the army—thus bringing a short end to this final rebellion.
C. The devil, who deceived these nations, will then at last be cast into the lake of fire (see 19:20; 20:14), where the beast and false prophet will already have been for 1,000 years. They (meaning all three) will be tormented day and night forever and ever (see 20:14).
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As someone once said, "Die once, live twice; die twice, live once." Those who are Christ’s at their first death need not fear the second death. May we be among those who are of the first resurrection, and not of the second!