Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

The Book of Revelation

CHAPTER 20

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 depicts a long period of time in which Satan is no longer able to deceive the nations (cf. 13:14; 20:3). During this period, John see souls reigning with Christ, who were beheaded for their faithfulness to Jesus and the word of God. 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, but could also a reference to a 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).

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?

2) What did John see coming down from heaven? (1)

3) What did the angel do to Satan? (2-3)

4) Why did the angel do this to Satan? (3)

5) What souls did John see sitting on thrones? (4)

6) How long did they live? With whom did they reign? (4)

7) What is this reigning with Christ called? Why are those who have a part considered blessed and holy? (5-6)

8) What happens when the thousand years have expired? (7)

9) What will he do? (8-9)

10) What will happen before the armies succeed? (9)

11) What will happen to the devil? (10)

12) What does John see next? What about the earth and the heaven? (11)

13) Who does John see standing before the throne? What was opened (12)

14) How were the dead judged? (12)

15) Who had given up the dead? (13)

16) What is the lake of fire called? Who was cast into it? (14-15)

.