Bible Version: New International Version (NIV)
Application Notes: Life Application Study Bible (NIV)
REVELATION 20
The Thousand Years
1 And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain. 2 He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. 3 He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time.
4 I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony about Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 5 (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.
The Judgment of Satan
7 When the thousand years are over, Satan will be released from his prison 8 and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth—Gog and Magog—and to gather them for battle. In number they are like the sand on the seashore. 9 They marched across the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of God’s people, the city he loves. But fire came down from heaven and devoured them. 10 And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
The Judgment of the Dead
11 Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. The earth and the heavens fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. 13 The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done. 14 Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. 15 Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.
Application Notes
20:1 The angel and the Abyss (bottomless pit) are explained in the notes on 9:1 and 19:20.
20:2-4 The 1,000 years are often referred to as the Millennium (from the Latin word for "1,000"). Just how and when this 1,000 years takes place is understood differently among Christian interpreters. The three major positions on this issue are called postmillennialism, premillennialism, and amillennialism.
(1) Postmillennialism looks for a literal 1,000-year period of peace on earth ushered in by the church. At the end of the 1,000 years, Satan will be unleashed once more, but then Christ will return to defeat him and reign forever. Christ's second coming will not occur until after the 1,000-year period.
(2)Premillennialism also views the 1,000 years as a literal time period but holds that Christ's second coming will initiate his 1,000-year reign and that this reign will occur before the final removal of Satan.
(3) Amillennialism understands the 1,000-year period to be symbolic of the time between Christ's ascension and his return. This Millennium is the reign of Christ in the hearts of believers and in his church; thus, it is another way of referring to the church age. This period will end with the second coming of Christ.
These different views about the Millennium need not cause division and controversy in the church because each view acknowledges what is most crucial to Christianity: Christ will return, defeat Satan, and reign forever. Whatever and whenever the Millennium is, Jesus Christ will unite all believers; therefore, we should not let this issue divide us.
20:2 This time the dragon gets bound not just as punishment (see 20:10) but also to prevent him from deceiving the nations. (For a more detailed discussion about the dragon, Satan, see the notes on 12:3-4 and 12:9.)
20:3 John doesn't say why God releases Satan for a little while, but it is part of God's plan for judging the world. Perhaps Satan's release will expose those who still rebel against God in their hearts and confirm those who are truly faithful to him. Whatever the reason, Satan's release results in the final destruction of all evil, including death (20:12-15).
20:4 The Beast's mark is explained in the note on 13:16-18.
20:5-6 Christians hold two basic views concerning this first resurrection: (1) Some believe that the first resurrection takes place spiritually (in our hearts at salvation) and that the Millennium is our spiritual reign with Christ between his first and second comings. During this time, we are priests of God because Christ reigns in our hearts. In this view, the second resurrection is the bodily resurrection of all people for judgment. (2) Others believe that the first resurrection occurs after Satan has been set aside. It is a physical resurrection of believers who then reign with Christ on the earth for a literal 1,000 years. The second resurrection occurs at the end of this Millennium in order for God to judge unbelievers who have died.
20:6 The second death is spiritual death--everlasting separation from God (see 21:8).
20:7-9 Gog and Magog symbolise all the forces of evil that band together to battle God. Noah's son Japheth had a son named Magog (Genesis 10:2). Ezekiel presents Gog as a leader of forces against Israel (Ezekiel 38-39).
20:9 This will not be a typical battle, where the outcome rages back and forth during the heat of the conflict. The result of this battle will never be in doubt. Two mighty forces of evil--those of the Beast (19:19) and of Satan (20:8)--unite to do battle against God. The Bible uses just a few words to describe each battle: The evil Beast and his forces are captured and thrown into the fiery lake (19:20-21), and then fire from heaven consumes Satan and his attacking armies (20:9-10). For God, it's as easy as that; the matter is settled. Believers will have no doubt, no worry, no second thoughts about whether they have chosen the right side. If you are with God, you will experience this tremendous victory with Christ.
20:10 Satan's power is not eternal--he will meet his doom. He began his evil work in people at the beginning (Genesis 3:1-6) and continues it today, but he will finally be destroyed when he is thrown into the fiery lake of burning sulfur. The devil will be released from the Abyss ("this prison"; Revelation 20:7), but he will never be released from the fiery lake. He will never be a threat to anyone again.
20:12-15 At God's final judgment, the books will be opened. The book of life contains the names of those who have put their trust in Jesus Christ to save them. These books also contain the recorded deeds of everyone, good and evil. Everyone's life will be reviewed and evaluated. No one is saved by good deeds, but deeds are seen as clear evidence of a person's actual relationship with God. Jesus will look at how we have handled gifts, opportunities and responsibilities. God's gracious gift of salvation does not free us from the requirement of faithful obedience and service. Each of us must serve Christ in the best way we know and live each day knowing the books will one day be opened.
20:14 Death and Hades are thrown into the lake of fire. God completes his judgment. The lake of fire is the ultimate destination of everything wicked--Satan, the Beast, the false prophet, the demons, death, Hades, and all those whose names are not recorded in the book of life because they did not place their faith in Jesus Christ. John's vision does not permit any grey areas in God's judgment. If by faith we have not identified with Christ, confessing him as Lord, we will have no hope, no second chance, no other appeal.
Taken from Life Application Study Bible - Third Edition - (NIV)