| Back to Home Page | Back to
Book Index |
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.
[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 Darby《Synopsis 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 Henry《Concise 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 Wesley《Explanatory 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
II. The First
Resurrection
III. The Great
White Throne
── Chih-Hsin
Chang《An 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 Satanto persecute God's people. One by one we have seen the fall of