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Chapter 20

1. Who sits upon Jerusalem’s throne and what happens during this era of time.

2. Is the Millennium period found throughout the bible or is it just in one or two isolated texts like some critics say?

3. If scriptural truth about Israel is allegorize or spiritualize what happens?

4. Who is the nation under Christ that will administer the law during the Millennium?

5. What does Millinum or Millennium mean?

6. Satan bears many horrible titles. What doe they mean?

7. What is the difference between the bottom less pit and the lake of fire?

8. There is more than one resurrection. Who participates in the first?

9. Satan is bound and imprisoned for one thousand years, why is he finally loosened when one thousand years have expired?

10. Are children born during the Millennium?

11. Do men rebel against God even after experiencing his love, his goodness and kindness for one thousand years?

12. Is Gog and Magog of chapter 20, the same enemy which invaded Israel one thousand years earlier?

13. What is the most awesome portion of scripture in the bible?

14. Who is in charge on judgment day?

15. What prevents prejudice, unfairness and dishonesty from occurring on judgment day?

16. Will the unconverted, unsaved lost souls ever be released from hell?

17. Hades and Gehenna also translated “hell” how do they differ?

18. Are there degrees of punishment in hell? Does everybody suffer the same?

19. Can we escape all of these terrible… terrible things?

Chapter 20 introduces us to the most peaceful and rewarding age the world will ever know.

The Millennium or the one thousand year reign of the Lord Jesus Christ as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Isaiah 9 v 6 & 7.

Before beginning this chapter we will take a moment to refute the reasoning of the critics who deny this doctrinal truth of a one thousand year Millennium reign of Christ on earth. Those who oppose the teaching of a literal one thousand year reign of Christ upon earth are in direct opposition to the word of God. They claim that this doctrine is dangerously built on a single chapter in the bible, however this claim proves incorrect, because many passages teach and reflect this truth.

First of all –

1. If Israel has no future, dozens of Old Testament prophecies immediately go down the drain. For example: Genesis 49 and Deut 33, where all of their benedictions upon the people of Israel must be scrapped, if there is no place upon EARTH where they find fulfillment. To spiritualize or allegorize the literal truth concerning Israel’s future is to be willfully blinded.

2. There must be a Millennium or scores of verses become meaningless predictions. Listen to the following text, these could never depict heaven, because they occur on earth. If so there must be a time and place for their fulfillment because none of them has yet occurred. Isaiah 11 v 6; Mica 4 v 4; Isaiah 32 v 1; Daniel 2 v 44; Malachi 3 v 1; Ezekiel 40 –48 describes this temple built and located upon the earth. Israel will be the head and not the tail of the nations in that day. Zechariah 8 v 23; that has not happened yet, Isaiah 65 v 21; the Lord Jesus Christ referred to this time as the regeneration Matt 19 v 28. Likewise Peter declared in Act 3 v 20 & 21, the word restitution means regeneration. In addition Paul stated in Ephesians 1 v 21, that there is an age that is to come, the same age that is called the “dispensation of the fullness of times”. Ephesians 1 v 10. These terms refer to the rule of Christ and his people over the earth. Not angels as the SPIRITUALIZERS would have us believe. Angels ruling the earth is an impossibility Hebrews 2 v 5. Instead “the most high ruleth in the kingdom of men”, Daniel 4 v 17. The title ‘most high God’ or most high is Christ Millennial title throughout the Psalms, the book of Daniel and the book of Hosea. The most high God will also bear the title “ King of Israel” in that day, John 1 v 49. All upon earth shall obey him Psalm 2 v 9; the result Psalm 110 v 3. Earth’s inhabitants shall love the Lord Jesus Christ so much in that “kingdom age” that daily he shall be praised Psalm 72 v 15; The center of all this kingdom activity is Jerusalem, that’s heavens golden shores. Proof? Psalm 2 v 6. Isaiah 2 v 3; Isaiah 27 v 13; Isaiah 59 v 20; Joel 3 v 16; Zach 8 v 3; Zach 8 v 22; All these are proof enough, our brief review have only touch the “hem of the garment” concerning the millennium truth. Only the spiritually blind can deny the fact of a literal millennium or claim the millennium period is only based on just one chapter in the bible. Believe God not men. Now since MILLE means THOUSAND and ANNUM means YEARS, we will begin our study on the one thousand years reign of Christ on the earth.

Verses 1-3 “ and I saw an angel….” What a sight John sees, an angel coming from heaven with a key and a chain in his hand, for the purpose of opening the bottomless pit and binding Satan for one thousand years. Some scholars believe this angel is Christ himself because he has the keys of hell and death, chapter 1 v 18. However one who possesses keys often loans them to another when help is needed. Thus the angel might also be Michael the Archangel.

The important observation here is that Christ’s ownership of the keys which opens the pit of the Abysses for Satan is by virtue of his completed work on Calvary’s cross. Remember a statement in verse 18 of chapter 1. The chain carried by the angel is used to bind the villain of the angel called the dragon, that old serpent Satan for one thousand years. What horrible titles the evil one has. Dragon in Hebrew pictures a heinous monster. The term old serpent portrays the slivering snake who brought ruination upon the entire human race through his deceitful work in the garden of Eden, Gen 3 v 1-6. SATAN means slanderer, for he is the accuser of the brethren as we learn in chapter 12 verse 10 and he is also the father of slanderers and a gossipers John 8 v 44. Finally DEVIL means adversary or foe, and surely Satan has been a foe of Christ and his followers, until this present moment in our text. Now at last he is cast into the bottomless pit, shut up and sealed for a millennium, verse 3 the bottomless pit is NOT the lake of fire into which the beast and false prophet were cast in chapter 19 v 20, rather it is a temporary prison where Satan is incarcerated for ten centuries in order that peace and prosperity, happiness and holiness may exist on earth during Christ millennium reign.

At the end of this time he is loose for a “little season” one final revolt against God and he is subsequently cast into the eternal lake of fire, where the beast and false prophet are, Chapter 20 v 10.

Verse 4 “ and I saw thrones and….” John now observes thrones occupied for judgment. Who sits upon them? Numbers of the first resurrection, which includes the Old Testament Saints, Church Age and Tribulation Saints. The resurrection of the old testament believers is described in Daniel 12 v 1 & 2. The resurrection of the New Testament saints is described in 1^st Thes 4 v 16-18 and 1^st Corinthians 15 v 51-54. As we have seen, the resurrection of the martyred tribulation saints, undoubtedly occurs at the glorious appearing of Christ, Titus 2 v 13 when he returns to earth. Verses 9-11 of chapter 6, presented this view too, at that point these martyrs awaited their resurrection, but were told to “wait yet for a little season until their fellow servant and brother, who were to be killed as they had been, was completed”. Therefore we see that the thrones are occupied by resurrected believers from Adam onward, inclusive of the last tribulation Martyr. Each has been a participant in the first resurrection. These saints are entitled to sit upon thrones because 1^st 2 v 9 say…but you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood…” Christ has made them kings and Priests Rev 5 v 10 says “and hast made unto God kings and Priests….”

Verse 5 “ but the rest of the dead….” The closing sentence of this verse “this is the first resurrection”, should have been the conclusion of verse 4. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT SO PLEASE GET THIS. The transition from verse 4 to verse 5 would then be “ and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years, this is the first resurrection, but the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. That understanding is very important. The original Greek text has it this way which is the more accurate. The translation from Greek to English however had it placed incorrectly. Put it in the right place and this clarifies the issue.

The dead of verse 5 who were raised a thousand years later, could not be part of the first resurrection those of verse 4 because of Rev 20 verse 6, “blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. Since the remaining dead comes forth one thousand years later, we can immediately understand that they cannot be part of the first resurrection, those who take part in the first resurrection, reign with Christ in the millennium, while the members of this group remain in their graves. They in turn are raised for the “great white throne judgment” after the thousand years.

Verses 7 & 9 “ and when the thousand years….” This portion of scripture has caused many people great concern. They ask why should Satan be loose for a short season?

What purpose could God have to release this monster after a thousand years of blissful peace? The answer is….. “The free will of man” All persons who enter the millennium are redeemed people. Isaiah 60 v 21 and Joel 2 v 28, however one must remember that procreation still takes place during this period of time because those who survived the tribulation hour enters the millennium in human bodies.

The believers upon the thrones possess resurrected bodies and do not bear children but the other do. Consequently, the children born during this one thousand year period are born with the old endemic or sin nature, because they were born of parents with human bodies and human nature, which is an inherent part of man since the fall of Adam and Eve. Many of them accept Christ as their Savior, yet many do not. Since Satan is bound, there is little to tempt them, they simply do not face the problems and trials which have confronted mankind in past ages. Satan’s release then, is to determine whether or not Christ is real to these children of the Millennium or whether they were submissive simply because he ruled with a rod of iron chapter 19 v 15.

The truth is revealed as millions follow the Devil. Even after living with the Lord for ten centuries much of mankind rebels. Verses 8 & 9 informs us that Satan deceives the nations internationally, pictured by the four corners of the earth he gathers them together for one last battle. Apparently it is gigantic in numbers, like the sand of the sea. Once again the camp of God’s people, the beloved city Jerusalem is surrounded, just as before, it is similar to the battle of Armageddon which had occurred a thousand years before, similar to the armies of the tribulation hour, which were gather in the battle Zach 14 v 1. In an instance, God destroys them all with fire from heaven.

To whom do the names Gog and Magog refer. Ezekiel 38 and 39 they identify Russia. Not so in verse 8 of this chapter, instead they most likely indicate the memory of past brutality. Much like the names of Pearl Harbor, Hiroshima, Iraq do today. As Gog and Magog Russia invaded Israel and came against Jerusalem in the tribulation hour, such an indelible impression was left upon all the world, that even now, a thousand years later the details are still vivid. Thus this past war, fought in the same area, is brought to mind as Satan once again, attempts to destroy Israel.

Verse 10 “ and the devil that deceived them……” This is the end for the deceiver of the ages. He is cast into the place prepared for him and his angels, Matt 25 v 41. Many centuries were required for this slanderous culprit to reach his final destination. Now that he has arrived, he will experience nothing, but continual torment, day and night for ever and ever.

We need to digress for a moment at this point, because many persons, Christians included, harbor a misconception about hell. Whenever they see or hear the term, they picture a place where a little red suited gremlin strokes the fires and torments his victims with a pitch fork. Satan is neither the stoker nor does he torment his followers and as we have just observed he does not enter hell until after the thousand years. As we have already learned Satan is the god of this world system 2^nd Corinthians 4 v 4; the prince of the power of the air, Ephesians 2 v 2, the ruler of heavens 1 and 2. He retains this position until he is cast out of heaven, chapter 12 v 7 & 9. He then reigns on earth for the final 42 months of the tribulation. Upon Christ return to earth, Satan is bound in the bottomless pit and then following the Millennium he is released for a short season. Finally, he is cast into hell or the lake of fire where he is tormented for all eternity. Understanding these truths is important for victorious living and correctly interpreting God’s word and the book of revelation.

We now come to the most awesome portion of scripture in the entire bible, the judgment of the wicked, called the great judgment day.

Verses 11 –15 “ and I saw….” Again John says “I saw” the term is found thirteen times in the book of Revelation. This time he views the judgment of the wicked as well as Christ sitting upon a white throne. White is a symbol of purity, justness and holiness. Proof Isaiah 1 v 18; chapter 19 v 7 & 8. White stands for all that is honorable and right.

Notice that the term is “great white throne” this pictures a great judgment that is about to fall on those that have rejected the so great salvation, Hebrews 2 v 3. How does one know that the tender loving Jesus who sits upon the throne is judge? The answer is found in John 5 v 22. Also John 5 v 27, Acts 17 v 31, that moment is now before us. As unregenerate man comes face to face with God. Every transgressor is present. Presidents and paupers, high society snobs, street people, every group who rejected Christ. John 5 v 28-29. Make no mistake there will be a resurrection of the dead for both the just and the unjust Acts 14 v 15.

As the unsaved stands before a holy God the books were opened. He has a record of every wicket deed sinners have committed. Nothing remains hidden, adultery, abortion, drunkenness harlotry hatred, lawlessness, murder, sexual promiscuity, wife swapping and every abominable practice is exposed in detail. How is that possible? God is both Omniscient all knowing and omnipotent all powerful. The Psalmist says in chapter 139 v 1 & 2. God knows everything about every member of the human race.

He knows every thought, 2^nd Peter 2 v 14, Psalm 139 v 4; Jeremiah 17 v 10. Because out of the heart flows evil thoughts, murders, adulteries fornications, thefts, false witness, and blasphemies Matt 15 v 19. Everything is inscribed in the journal of the Almighty.

We also see that every unbeliever will be present for their bodies come forth from land and sea and the souls come forth from Hades or hell. BODY, SOUL AND SPIRIT are reunited and they stand before God. Many have never realized that there is a time when the wicked are released from hell.

This is no new doctrine. Let us look at a few facts regarding this teaching. The New Testament contains two Greek words, Hades and Gehenna both translated HELL in our English Bible. The Lord Jesus uses both words repeatedly. Why two words? Are there two places? YES! A simple illustration will help us understand. Every one know the difference between a local jail and a Penitentiary. When an individual is arrested for a crime, he is not placed in the Penitentiary until he has had a trial, instead he is locked up in the local jail and awaits his trial. Upon being found guilty, he is transferred to the Penitentiary. The next statement is of extreme importance.

When Jesus used the word Hades he refers to the local jail, the place where the sinner is bound until the judgment morning. Then on judgment day the sinner comes out of the local jail (Hades) stands before the judge, the Lord Jesus Christ, is found guilty and is subsequently transferred to the final Penitentiary of souls, Gehenna. The lake of fire is usually synonymous with the second term Gehenna. There are eleven instances where Christ mentions Hades the local jail and they are as follows: Matt 11 v 23; Matt 16 v 18; Luke 10 v 15; Luke 16 v 22-23; Acts 2 v 27; Acts 2 v 31; 1^st Cor 15 v 55; Rev 1 v 18; Rev 6 v 8; Rev 20 v 13; Rev 20 v 14. Gehenna the final Penitentiary is mentioned in Matt 5v 22; 5 v29; 5 v 30; 10 v 28; 18 v 9; 23 v 15; 23 v 33; Mark 9 v 43; 9 v 45; 9 v 47, Luke 12 v 5; James 3 v 6. After studying the twenty three texts, one observes that verses 13 and 14 of our present study now make perfect sense. Death, the grave and Hell (Hades), deliver up the dead which were in them. The plural “THEM” indicate two places. The grave and Hades. One for the body, the other for the soul inside the body, next, they were judged every man according to his works……that is the trial…..THEN death and Hades (Greek) i.e. (in other words the BODY and the SOUL) were cast into the final lake of fire Gehenna, the Penitentiary.

Gehenna differs from Hades wherein Gehenna is a place where there are degrees of suffering. After one is examined and judged as to how much light he had i.e. how often he heard the message of salvation and rejected it, he is assigned to this place called Gehenna where there are degrees of suffering, according to ones light and works. The final hell will differ for all depending on their evil deeds and the number of times he rejected the gospel. Now we understand Romans 2 v 5 a little better. That is why it will be more tolerable, more endurable more bearable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment than for Capernaum, Matt 11 v 24. What was Capernaum’s sin? Capernaum had greater light since Christ visited the city and preached to the citizens. This is why the Pharisees received greater damnation Matt 23 v 14. Sinners are raised from death and Hades, judged by Christ at the great white throne judgment and then transferred to Gehenna, the final Penitentiary. The good news however is that non of this has to happen to those who are trusting in the merits of the shed blood of Jesus. When one trust Christ his name is written the Book of Life. The judgment just discussed is only for those whose name is not written the Book of Life. If one is saved he need never be concerned about hell as his eternal destiny. He that believeth on Christ is not condemned John 3 v 18; John 5 v 24. “he has passed from death unto life” Romans 8 v 1.

The great judgment is only for those who participate in the final resurrection which occurs after the one thousand years millennium reign of Christ on earth. Those who were raised prior to the millennium are eternally secured. Read Chapter 30 Verse 6 .

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This site was last updated Saturday June 05, 2004 09:22:13 PM -0400