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Revelation Chapter Twenty

 

Revelation 20

We now come, evil power having been set aside, to the exercise of judicial authority in peace; and this is conferred on the saints. The prophet does not merely see the thrones as set in Daniel 7., but sitters on them too. Besides all to whom judgment is given in general, two special classes are mentioned, because they might seem to be too late, or to have lost their part: those beheaded (after theassembly was gone, for it is the Revelation-period we have to do with) for the witness of Jesus; and those who had not worshiped the beast. (Compare chap. 6:9-11;13:15.) These, as well as previously departed saints, had their part in living and reigning with Christ a thousand years. But those who were not Christ's, the rest of the dead did not live again till the thousand years were over. [1] These were finally delivered from the second death. The first death they had undergone, the natural wages of sin, but in faithfulness; in the second death, the final judgment against sin, they would have no part. It could have no power over them. On the contrary, they had special relationship with God and Christ, they were priests of God and of Christ, and would reign with Him a thousand years. They also are priests and kings. Note how God and Christ are here united in one thought, as continually in the writings of John. Thus the beast and the false prophet are in the lake of fire, their armies slain, and Satan bound in the abyss, and the risen saints are priests to God and Christ, reigning with Christ a thousand years. The details and effects, mark, are not given here. The object is to give the place of the saints, and especially of the sufferers, during the time of this book. The rest come in as a general fact, there were sitters on thrones of judgment; but the faithful of the prophecy are specially mentioned.

When the thousand years are finished, Satan is let loose again. He comes up on the earth, but he never gets up to heaven again. But the nations are tested by his temptation. Not even having seen Christ and enjoyed the fruits of His glory-no mere means can secure the heart of man, if it is to be depended upon; and men fall, in number as the sand of the sea, into Satan's hands as soon as tempted; enjoying blessing, where unfaithfulness would have been present loss (perhaps cutting off) and there was nothing to tempt them, but unfaithful as soon as they are tempted, as soon as the heart is tried. It was the last and needed trial of man; needed because they could not have finally enjoyed God with natural hearts, and the natural heart had not been tested where present blessing was on the side of owning a present, visible, glorious Christ. The deceived multitude, not limited now to a third of the earth or a special prophetic district but taking in the breadth of the earth, went up against the camp of the saints, and surrounded it and the beloved city, Jerusalem. It is remarkable here, there is no special presence of Christ amongst them. They are left apparently to be surrounded by their enemies. The Lord has allowed all this testing separation of personal faithfulness. Had He appeared of course these hostile crowds could not have come up, nor would the thorough trial of the heart have proved the faithfulness of the saints, who would not follow the seductions of Satan. They are pressed upon and surrounded by the enemy, but faithful. Once this separation and full testing had been accomplished, God's judgment fell on them from heaven, and destroyed them. The devil was then cast into the lake of fire, where the beast and the false prophet were already, where they are tormented for ever and ever.

This closed the exercise of wrath, of the destruction of hostile power-a wondrous scene-that God should have enemies in this world! Now judicial power, as such, seated in its own right, comes in. It may be remarked, that the exercise of this on the quick, forms no part of the contents of this book. The hostile power of the beast was destroyed by Him who judges and makes war, the heavenly saints having been taken to glory. The crowds of apostates at the end of the thousand years are destroyed by fire from heaven. But the judgment of Matthew 25 is not found here, unless there be a possible connection with the judgment of chapter 20:4.

There now comes the judgment of the dead. There no coming here. A great white throne is set; judgment is carried on according to the purity of God's nature. It was no dealing with the earth, or the power of evil, but with souls. Heaven and earth-all mere scenes of judgment-disappear. The secrets of men's hearts are judged by Him who knows them all. Heaven and earth flee away before the face of Him that sat on the throne, and the dead, small and great, stand before the throne. Judgment was according to works, as it was written in the books of record. Still another element was brought into view. Sovereign grace alone had saved according to the purpose of God. [2] There was a book of life. Whosoever was not written there was cast into the lake of fire. But it was the finally closing and separating scene for the whole race of men and this world. And though they were judged every man according to his works, yet sovereign grace only had delivered any; and whoever was not found in grace's book was cast into the lake of fire. The sea gave up the dead in it; death and hades, the dead in them. And death and hades were put an end to for ever by the divine judgment. The heaven and earth passed away, but they were to be revived; but death and hades never. There was for them only divine destruction and judgment. They are looked at as the power of Satan. He has the power of death and the gates of hades; and hence these are for ever destroyed judicially. They will never have power again. They are personified; but of course there is no question of tormenting them or of punishment: when the devil himself is cast in, there is. But death was not then destroyed; for the wicked dead had not been raised for judgment. Now they had; and the last enemy is destroyed. The force of the image, I doubt not, is that all the dead now judged (the whole contents of hades, in whom the power of death had been) were cast into the lake of fire, so that death and hades, which had no existence but in their state, were entirely and judicially ended by their being cast in. The saints had long before passed out of them; but they subsisted in the wicked. Now these were, consequent on the judgment of the white throne, cast into the lake of fire-the second death. The limit and measure of escape was the book of life.

Footnotes

[1] It may be noted here that, according to the true reading, the living and reigning is certainly resurrection. "The rest of the dead lived not until," & etc.; so that it is clearly used here for resurrection, as the following words confirm: "This is the first resurrection."

[2] Thus purpose and man's responsibility are never confounded, but, from the two trees of the garden on, are in juxtaposition; life brought into connection with responsibility in the law, responsibility being put first, and thus proof given that man cannot stand before God; but the question is solved only in Christ, who bore our sins, died for us to sin, and is life. Counsels and promise of life in Christ come first, then responsibility in the creature on earth, then grace making good counsels, in righteousness, through the cross.

── John DarbySynopsis of Revelation

 

Revelation 20

Chapter Contents

Satan is bound for a thousand years. (1-3) The first resurrection; those are blessed that have part therein. (4-6) Satan loosed, Gog and Magog. (7-10) The last and general resurrection. (11-15)

Commentary on Revelation 20:1-3

(Read Revelation 20:1-3)

Here is a vision, showing by a figure the restraints laid on Satan himself. Christ, with Almighty power, will keep the devil from deceiving mankind as he has hitherto done. He never wants power and instruments to break the power of Satan. Christ shuts by his power, and seals by his authority. The church shall have a time of peace and prosperity, but all her trials are not yet over.

Commentary on Revelation 20:4-6

(Read Revelation 20:4-6)

Here is an account of the reign of the saints, for the same space of time as Satan is bound. Those who suffer with Christ, shall reign with him in his spiritual and heavenly kingdom, in conformity to him in his wisdom, righteousness, and holiness: this is called the first resurrection, with which none but those who serve Christ, and suffer for him, shall be favoured. The happiness of these servants of God is declared. None can be blessed but those that are holy; and all that are holy shall be blessed. We know something thing of what the first death is, and it is very awful; but we know not what this second death is. It must be much more dreadful; it is the death of the soul, eternal separation from God. May we never know what it is: those who have been made partakers of a spiritual resurrection, are saved from the power of the second death. We may expect that a thousand years will follow the destruction of the antichristian, idolatrous, persecuting powers, during which pure Christianity, in doctrine, worship, and holiness, will be made known over all the earth. By the all-powerful working of the Holy Spirit, fallen man will be new-created; and faith and holiness will as certainly prevail, as unbelief and unholiness now do. We may easily perceive what a variety of dreadful pains, diseases, and other calamities would cease, if all men were true and consistent Christians. All the evils of public and private contests would be ended, and happiness of every kind largely increased. Every man would try to lighten suffering, instead of adding to the sorrows around him. It is our duty to pray for the promised glorious days, and to do every thing in our public and private stations which can prepare for them.

Commentary on Revelation 20:7-10

(Read Revelation 20:7-10)

While this world lasts, Satan's power in it will not be wholly destroyed, though it may be limited and lessened. No sooner is Satan let loose, than he again begins deceiving the nations, and stirring them up to make war with the saints and servants of God. It would be well if the servants and ministers of Christ were as active and persevering in doing good, as his enemies in doing mischief. God will fight this last and decisive battle for his people, that the victory may be complete, and the glory be to himself.

Commentary on Revelation 20:11-15

(Read Revelation 20:11-15)

After the events just foretold, the end will speedily come; and there is no mention of any thing else, before the appearing of Christ to judge the world. This will be the great day: the Judge, the Lord Jesus Christ, will then put on majesty and terror. The persons to be judged are the dead, small and great; young and old, low and high, poor and rich. None are so mean, but they have some talents to account for; and none so great, as to avoid having to account for them. Not only those alive at the coming of Christ, but all the dead. There is a book of remembrance both for good and bad: and the book of the sinner's conscience, though formerly secret, will then be opened. Every man will recollect all his past actions, though he had long forgotten many of them. Another book shall be opened, the book of the Scriptures, the rule of life; it represents the Lord's knowledge of his people, and his declaring their repentance, faith, and good works; showing the blessings of the new covenant. By their works men shall be justified or condemned; he will try their principles by their practices. Those justified and acquitted by the gospel, shall be justified and acquitted by the Judge, and shall enter into eternal life, having nothing more to fear from death, or hell, or wicked men; for these are all destroyed together. This is the second death; it is the final separation of sinners from God. Let it be our great concern to see whether our Bibles justify or condemn us now; for Christ will judge the secrets of all men according to the gospel. Who shall dwell with devouring flames?

── Matthew HenryConcise Commentary on Revelation

 

Revelation 20

Verse 2

[2] And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,

And he laid hold on the dragon — With whom undoubtedly his angels were now cast into the bottomless pit, as well as finally "into everlasting fire," Matthew 25:41.

And bound him a thousand years — That these thousand do not precede, or run parallel with, but wholly follow, the times of the beast, may manifestly appear, 1. From the series of the whole book, representing one continued chain of events. 2. From the circumstances which precede. The woman's bringing forth is followed by the casting of the dragon out of heaven to the earth. With this is connected the third woe, whereby the dragon through, and with, the beast, rages horribly. At the conclusion of the third woe the beast is overthrown and cast into "the lake of fire." At the same time the other grand enemy, the dragon, shall be bound and shut up. 3. These thousand years bring a new, full, and lasting immunity from all outward and inward evils, the authors of which are now removed, and an affluence of all blessings. But such time the church has never yet seen. Therefore it is still to come. 4. These thousand years are followed by the last times of the world, the letting loose of Satan, who gathers together Gog and Magog, and is thrown to the beast and false prophet "in the lake of fire." Now Satan's accusing the saints in heaven, his rage on earth, his imprisonment in the abyss, his seducing Gog and Magog, and being cast into the lake of fire, evidently succeed each other. 5. What occurs from Revelation 20:11, manifestly follows the things related in the nineteenth chapter. The thousand years came between; whereas if they were past, neither the beginning nor the end of them would fall within this period. In a short time those who assert that they are now at hand will appear to have spoken the truth. Meantime let every man consider what kind of happiness he expects therein. The danger does not lie in maintaining that the thousand years are yet to come; but in interpreting them, whether past or to come, in a gross and carnal sense. The doctrine of the Son of God is a mystery. So is his cross; and so is his glory. In all these he is a sign that is spoken against. Happy they who believe and confess him in all!

Verse 3

[3] And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.

And set a seal upon him — How far these expressions are to be taken literally, how far figuratively only, who can tell? That he might deceive the nations no more - One benefit only is here expressed, as resulting from the confinement of Satan. But how many and great blessings are implied! For the grand enemy being removed, the kingdom of God holds on its uninterrupted course among the nations; and the great mystery of God, so long foretold, is at length fulfilled; namely, when the beast is destroyed and Satan bound. This fulfilment approaches nearer and nearer; and contains things of the utmost importance, the knowledge of which becomes every day more distinct and easy. In the mean time it is highly necessary to guard against the present rage and subtilty of the devil. Quickly he will be bound: when he is loosed again, the martyrs will live and reign with Christ. Then follow his coming in glory, the new heaven, new earth, and new Jerusalem. The bottomless pit is properly the devil's prison; afterwards he is cast into the lake of fire. He can deceive the nations no more till the "thousand years," mentioned before, verse 2, Revelation 20:2 are fulfilled.

Then he must be loosed — So does the mysterious wisdom of God permit.

For a small time — Small comparatively: though upon the whole it cannot be very short, because the things to be transacted therein, verses 8, 9, Revelation 20:8,9 must take up a considerable space. We are very shortly to expect, one after another, the calamities occasioned by the second beast, the harvest and the vintage, the pouring out of the phials, the judgment of Babylon, the last raging of the beast and his destruction, the imprisonment of Satan. How great things these! and how short the time! What is needful for us? Wisdom, patience, faithfulness, watchfulness. It is no time to settle upon our lees. This is not, if it be rightly understood, an acceptable message to the wise, the mighty, the honourable, of this world. Yet that which is to be done, shall be done: there is no counsel against the Lord.

Verse 4

[4] And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

And I saw thrones — Such as are promised the apostles, Matthew 19:28; Luke 22:30.

And they — Namely, the saints, whom St. John saw at the same time, Daniel 7:22, sat upon them; and Judgment was given to them. 1 Corinthians 6:2. Who, and how many, these are, is not said. But they are distinguished from the souls, or persons, mentioned immediately after; and from the saints already raised.

And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded — With the axe: so the original word signifies. One kind of death, which was particularly inflicted at Rome, is mentioned for all.

For the testimony of Jesus, and for the word of God — The martyrs were sometimes killed for the word of God in general; sometimes particularly for the testimony of Jesus: the one, while they refused to worship idols; the other, while they confessed the name of Christ.

And those who had not worshipped the wild beast, nor his image — These seem to be a company distinct from those who appeared, Revelation 15:2. Those overcame, probably, in such contests as these had not. Before the number of the beast was expired, the people were compelled to worship him, by the most dreadful violence. But when the beast "was not," they were only seduced into it by the craft of the false prophet.

And they lived — Their souls and bodies being re-united.

And reigned with Christ — Not on earth, but in heaven. The "reigning on earth" mentioned, Revelation 11:15, is quite different from this.

A thousand years — It must be observed, that two distinct thousand years are mentioned throughout this whole passage. Each is mentioned thrice; the thousand wherein Satan is bound, verses 2, 3, 7; Revelation 20:2; 3,7, the thousand wherein the saints shall reign, verses 4-6. Revelation 20:4-6 The former end before the end of the world; the latter reach to the general resurrection. So that the beginning and end of the former thousand is before the beginning and end of the latter. Therefore as in the second verse, Revelation 20:2 at the first mention of the former; so in the fourth verse, Revelation 20:2 at the first mention of the latter, it is only said, a thousand years; in the other places, "the thousand," verses 3, 5, 7, Revelation 20:3,5,7 that is, the thousand mentioned before. During the former, the promises concerning the flourishing state of the church, Revelation 10:7, shall be fulfilled; during the latter, while the saints reign with Christ in heaven, men on earth will be careless and secure.

Verse 5

[5] But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.

The rest of the dead lived not till the thousand years — Mentioned, verse 4.

Were ended — The thousand years during which Satan is bound both begin and end much sooner. The small time, and the second thousand years, begin at the same point, immediately after the first thousand. But neither the beginning of the first nor of the second thousand will be known to the men upon earth, as both the imprisonment of Satan and his loosing are transacted in the invisible world. By observing these two distinct thousand years, many difficulties are avoided. There is room enough for the fulfilling of all the prophecies, and those which before seemed to clash are reconciled; particularly those which speak, on the one hand, of a most flourishing state of the church as yet to come; and, on the other, of the fatal security of men in the last days of the world.

Verse 6

[6] Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

They shall be priests of God and of Christ — Therefore Christ is God.

And shall reign with him — With Christ, a thousand years.

Verse 7

[7] And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,

And when the former thousand years are fulfilled, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison - At the same time that the first resurrection begins. There is a great resemblance between this passage and Revelation 12:12. At the casting out of the dragon, there was joy in heaven, but there was woe upon earth: so at the loosing of Satan, the saints begin to reign with Christ; but the nations on earth are deceived.

Verse 8

[8] And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.

And shall go forth to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth — (That is, in all the earth)-the more diligently, as he hath been so long restrained, and knoweth he hath but a small time.

Gog and Magog — Magog, the second son of Japhet, is the father of the innumerable northern nations toward the east. The prince of these nations, of which the bulk of that army will consist, is termed Gog by Ezekiel also, Ezekiel 38:2. Both Gog and Magog signify high or lifted up; a name well suiting both the prince and people. When that fierce leader of many nations shall appear, then will his own name be known.

To gather them — Both Gog and his armies. Of Gog, little more is said, as being soon mingled with the rest in the common slaughter. The Revelation speaks of this the more briefly, because it had been so particularly described by Ezekiel.

Whose number is as the sand of the sea — Immensely numerous: a proverbial expression.

Verse 9

[9] And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.

And they went up on the breadth of the earth, or the land — Filling the whole breadth of it.

And surrounded the camp of the saints — Perhaps the gentile church, dwelling round about Jerusalem.

And the beloved city — So termed, likewise, Ecclesiasticus xxiv. 11.

Verse 10

[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.

And they — All these.

Shall be tormented day and night — That is, without any intermission. Strictly speaking, there is only night there: no day, no sun, no hope!

Verse 11

[11] And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.

And I saw — A representation of that great day of the Lord.

A great white throne — How great, who can say? White with the glory of God, of him that sat upon it,-Jesus Christ. The apostle does not attempt to describe him here; only adds that circumstance, far above all description, From whose face the earth and the heaven fled away - Probably both the aerial and the starry heaven; which "shall pass away with a great noise." And there was found no place for them - But they were wholly dissolved, the very "elements melting with fervent heat." It is not said, they were thrown into great commotions, but they fled entirely away; not, they started from their foundations, but they " fell into dissolution;" not, they removed to a distant place, but there was found no place for them; they ceased to exist; they were no more. And all this, not at the strict command of the Lord Jesus; not at his awful presence, or before his fiery indignation; but at the bare presence of his Majesty, sitting with severe but adorable dignity on his throne.

Verse 12

[12] And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

And I saw the dead, great and small — Of every age and condition. This includes, also, those who undergo a change equivalent to death, 1 Corinthians 15:51.

And the books — Human judges have their books written with pen and ink: how different is the nature of these books! Were opened - O how many hidden things will then come to light; and how many will have quite another appearance than they had before in the sight of men! With the book of God's omniscience, that of conscience will then exactly tally. The book of natural law, as well as of revealed, will then also be displayed. It is not said, The books will be read: the light of that day will make them visible to all. Then, particularly, shall every man know himself, and that with the last exactness This will be the first true, full, impartial, universal history.

And another book — Wherein are enrolled all that are accepted through the Beloved; all who lived and died in the faith that worketh by love.

Which is the book of life, was opened — What manner of expectation will then be, with regard to the issue of the whole! Malachi 3:16, etc.

Verse 13

[13] And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.

Death and hades gave up the dead that were in them — Death gave up all the bodies of men; and hades, the receptacle of separate souls, gave them up, to be re-united to their bodies.

Verse 14

[14] And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

And death and hades were cast into the lake of fire — That is, were abolished for ever; for neither the righteous nor the wicked were to die any more: their souls and bodies were no more to be separated. Consequently, neither death nor hades could any more have a being.

── John WesleyExplanatory Notes on Revelation

 

Chapter 20. Judgment at Resurrection

The Camp of God's People
The City God Loves

I. Satan Bound for a Thousand Years

  1. Seize the Dragon
  2. Thrown into the Abyss
  3. Locked and Sealed

II. The First Resurrection

  1. No Second Death
  2. The Priest of Christ
  3. Reign for a Thousand Years

III. The Great White Throne

  1. Stand Before the Throne
  2. Books Are Opened
  3. Judge What They Had Done

── Chih-Hsin ChangAn Outline of The New Testament

 
Chapter Twenty General Review
                             
OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER
 
1) To consider the binding, future release and ultimate defeat of Satan
 
2) To examine the "thousand year reign" described in this chapter, and
   those who will reign with Christ during this time
 
3) To note the criteria of the final judgment, and the importance of
   the Book of Life
 
SUMMARY
 
Previous chapters have illustrated the defeat of agents used by Satan
to persecute God's people.  One by one we have seen the fall of
Babylon, the beast, the false prophet, and the armies they had
gathered.  What about Satan, the dragon who gave authority to the beast
in his efforts to wage war against the saints (12:17-13:7)?  And what
of those killed by the agents of Satan?
 
This chapter reveals the binding of Satan for "a 1000 years".  It most
likely depicts a long period of time in which Satan is no longer able
to deceive the nations as he did during the time of the Roman empire
(cf. 13:14; 20:3).  It began following the end of Roman persecution and
would continue for some time in the future.  During this period, John
see souls reigning with Christ, who were beheaded for their
faithfulness to Jesus and the word of God.  No mention is made of
reigning on the earth, so my conclusion is that they reign with Christ
in heaven during this period (cf. 2:26-27; 3:21).  This "first
resurrection" may be a special blessing for the martyrs of Christ
during the intermediate state (between death and the bodily
resurrection at the end of time), while 7:9-17 may describe the
intermediate state for the average Christian.  Truly those who had been
beheaded for the witness of Christ are "blessed and holy" (1-6)!
 
After the "1000 years" are over, Satan is released for a short time
where he once again seeks to "deceive the nations" to persecute the
people of God (cf. 13:14; 20:3,8,10).  The mention of "Gog and Magog"
is likely an apocalyptic reference to forces of evil at Satan's
disposal during this time, not any particular nation or nations.  But
the final attempt of Satan is quickly thwarted by the Lord, and the
devil is cast into the lake of fire, where the beast and false prophet
were (cf. 19:20).  If any section of Revelation pertains to the time
just prior to the Lord's final coming, I believe it is this one.  The
description is brief, for the book was written for the benefit of
Christians in Asia Minor about things to shortly come to pass (cf.
1:1-4; 22:6,10).  These Christians would not experience this last
attempt of Satan.  But to assure them (and us!) that Satan would
ultimately be defeated, we have the description found in these few
verses (7-10).
 
The chapter closes with a description of the final judgment.  Before
the great white throne and Him who sat on it, all the dead are judged.
Books are opened, including the Book of Life, and judgment is based 
upon their works.  None escape the judgment, for the sea, Death, and 
Hades give up all the dead that are in them.  Death and Hades are cast
into the lake and fire, described as the "second death".  The same end
is given to those whose names were not written in the Book of Life
(11-15).
 
OUTLINE
 
I. THE THOUSAND YEAR REIGN (1-6)
 
   A. SATAN BOUND FOR 1000 YEARS (1-3)
      1. John sees an angel come down from heaven
         a. Having the key to the bottomless pit
         b. With a great chain in his hand
      2. The angel binds Satan for a thousand years
         a. Casting him into the bottomless pit, shutting him up and
            setting a seal on him
         b. So that he should deceive the nations no more for a
            thousand years
      -- But afterward he will be released for a little while
 
   B. SAINTS REIGN WITH CHRIST FOR 1000 YEARS (4-6)
      1. John sees souls upon thrones, to whom judgment was committed
         a. Who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and the
            word of God
         b. Who had not worshiped the beast or his image
         c. Who had not received his mark on their foreheads or on 
            their hands
      2. These souls lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years
         a. The rest of the dead not live again until the thousand 
            years were finished
         b. This is the first resurrection
            1) Blessed and holy are those who have a part in the first
               resurrection
            2) Over such the second death has no power
            3) They shall be priests of God and of Christ
            4) They shall reign with Christ a thousand years
 
II. SATAN'S FINAL ATTEMPT AND DEFEAT (7-10)
 
   A. HIS RELEASE FROM PRISON (7-8)
      1. After the thousand years were completed
      2. He will go out to deceive the nations
         a. Those in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog
         b. To gather them to battle
 
   B. HIS FINAL ATTEMPT AND DEFEAT (9)
      1. To have the nations surround the camp of the saints and the
         beloved city
      2. But fire from God out of heaven devoured those Satan had 
         deceived
 
   C. HIS ETERNAL TORMENT (10)
      1. The devil who deceived the nations was cast into the lake of
         fire and brimstone
      2. The same place where the beast and the false prophet are
      3. They will be tormented day and night forever and ever
 
III. THE FINAL JUDGMENT (11-15)
 
   A. THE ONE ON THE GREAT WHITE THRONE (11)
      1. John sees a great white throne and Him who sat on it
      2. Before Whose face the earth and heaven fled away so no place
         was found for them
 
   B. THE JUDGMENT OF THE DEAD (12-13)
      1. John sees the dead, small and great, standing before God
      2. Books were opened, including the Book of Life
         a. The dead were judged according to their works
         b. The dead were judged by the things written in the books
      3. All the dead were judged, each according to his works
         a. For the sea gave the dead who were in it
         b. For Dead and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them
 
   C. THE LAKE OF FIRE (14-15)
      1. Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire (which is the
         second death)
      2. Anyone not found written in the Book of Life were cast into
         the lake of fire
 
REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER
 
1) What are the main points of this chapter?
   - The thousand year reign (1-6)
   - Satan's final attempt and defeat (7-10)
   - The final judgment (11-15)
 
2) What did John see coming down from heaven? (1)
   - An angel, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain
     in his hand
 
3) What did the angel do to Satan? (2-3)
   - Laid hold of him and bound him for a thousand years
   - Cast him into the bottomless pit and set a seal upon him
 
4) Why did the angel do this to Satan? (3)
   - So that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand
     years were completed
 
5) What souls did John see sitting on thrones? (4)
   - Those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the
     word of God
   - Who had not worshiped the beast or his image
   - Who had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands
 
6) How long did they live?  With whom did they reign? (4)
   - A thousand years
   - Christ
 
7) What is this reigning with Christ called?  Why are those who have a
   part considered blessed and holy? (5-6)
   - The first resurrection
   - Over such the second death has no power, and they shall be priests
     of God and Christ and reign with Him a thousand years
 
8) What happens when the thousand years have expired? (7)
   - Satan will be released
 
9) What will he do? (8-9)
   - Deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth to gather
     them for battle
   - To surround the camp of the saints and the beloved city
 
10) What will happen before they succeed? (9)
   - Fire from God out of heaven will devour them
 
11) What will happen to the devil? (10)
   - He will be cast into the lake of fire, where the beast and false
     prophet are
   - They will be tormented day and night forever and every
 
12) What does John see next?  What about the earth and the heaven? (11)
   - A great white throne and Him who sat on it
   - They fled away; no place was found for them
 
13) Who does John see standing before the throne? What was opened (12)
   - The dead, both small and great
   - Books, including the Book of Life
 
14) How were the dead judged? (12)
   - According to their works
   - By the things which were written in the books
 
15) Who had given up the dead? (13)
   - The sea, Death and Hades
 
16) What is the lake of fire called?  Who was cast into it? (14-15)
   - The second death
   - Death and Hades, and anyone not found written in the Book of Life

 

--《Executable Outlines

 

Judgment at resurrection

The camp of God’s people

The city God loves

 

I.  Satan bound for a thousand years

1.    Seize the dragon

2.    Thrown into the abyss

3.    Locked and sealed

II.The first resurrection

1.    No second death

2.    The priest of Christ

3.    Reign for a thousand years

III.       The great white throne

1.    Stand before the throne

2.    Books are opened

3.    Judge what they had done

── Chih-Hsin Changan Outline of The New Testament

 

The Great White Throne (20.11~15)

I. The Imperial Throne—

   1. Great because of its Immensity

   2. Great because of the Importance of the assize

   3. Great because of the One Who occupies it

II. The Impartial Judge—A Whit Throne

   1. because of the Purity of the Judge

   2. because of the Impartiality of His judgment as Son of man (John 5.22, 27)

III. The Incriminating Records—the books opened—

   1. Book of works (20.12)

   2. Book of Christ’s words (John 12.48)

   3. Book of life (20.12)

IV. The Irrevocable Sentence—‘cast into the lake of fire’ (14.11; 20.15; 21.8)

── Archibald NaismithOutlines for Sermons