Revelation 20
The Book of Revelation, Chapter 20 occupies a very important place within the entire Book of Revelation, describing key end-times events such as the “Millennial Kingdom,” “the binding and release of Satan,” and “the final judgment.” This chapter can be divided broadly into four parts: (1–3) the binding of Satan; (4–6) the resurrection of the saints and the Millennial Kingdom; (7–10) Satan’s final end; and (11–15) the judgment at the great white throne. Each section repeatedly features symbolic images and clear contrasts (life and death, salvation and judgment, and so on).
1verseI saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand.
2verseHe seized the dragon, the old serpent, who is the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole inhabited earth, and bound him for a thousand years,
3verseand cast him into the abyss, and shut it and sealed it over him, that he should deceive the nations no more until the thousand years were finished. After this, he must be freed for a short time.
4verseI saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them. I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and such as didn’t worship the beast nor his image, and didn’t receive the mark on their forehead and on their hand. They lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.
5verseThe rest of the dead didn’t live until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
6verseBlessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over these, the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and will reign with him one thousand years.
7verseAnd after the thousand years, Satan will be released from his prison
8verseand he will come out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to the war, whose number is as the sand of the sea.
9verseThey went up over the width of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. Fire came down out of heaven from God and devoured them.
10verseThe devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet are also. They will be tormented day and night forever and ever.
11verseI saw a great white throne and him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the sky fled away. There was found no place for them.
12verseI saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and they opened books. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged out of the things which were written in the books, according to their works.
13verseThe sea gave up the dead who were in it. Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them. They were judged, each one according to his works.
14verseDeath and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire.
15verseIf anyone was not found written in the book of life, he was cast into the lake of fire.
The Flow of the Main Content
- Binding of Satan (1–3): An angel comes down with the key to the Abyss and a great chain, binds Satan for a thousand years, and temporarily stops the activity of the forces of evil.
- First Resurrection and the Millennial Kingdom (4–6): Those who were martyred and those who remained faithful to Jesus rise to life and reign with Christ for a thousand years. This is called the “first resurrection,” and they have no second death (eternal judgment).
- Satan’s Release and Final End (7–10): When the thousand years are ended, Satan is released for a short time, and he deceives the nations, but he is soon judged and thrown into the lake of fire.
- Judgment at the Great White Throne (11–15): All the dead are judged before God, and those whose names are not found in the book of life are thrown into the lake of fire.
Overall Meaning and Message
This chapter shows a firm promise that, in the final scene of human history, God will completely judge evil and grant eternal life to faithful saints. Through the binding and release of Satan, and the final judgment, it emphasizes that even if the power of evil exists for a time, God ultimately remains in control and works through history. While there are different views about the exact interpretation of the Millennial Kingdom (dispensationalism, historicism, and so on), the text ultimately proclaims God’s justice, mercy, and victory.
Points to Reflect On
- Do you remember that the forces of evil and death are limited, and hope for the final victory of God’s kingdom?
- What is the importance of a faithful life and faith in participating in the first resurrection?
- How do you receive the reality that our lives and deeds can be recorded and judged before God?
Try Applying It to Yourself
- Am I living today by trusting in God’s justice and love?
- Looking to Christ, who won victory even amid temptation and trials, I set again my resolve to be faithful to God in my current life.
- When I live day by day from the perspective of eternal judgment and hope, what attitude of mine needs to change in particular?
