(Revelation 20:1-15)

Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven with the key to the abyss and a great chain in his hand. 2 He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for 1,000 years. 3 He threw him into the abyss, closed it, and put a seal on it so that he would no longer deceive the nations until the 1,000 years were completed. After that, he must be released for a short time. 4 Then I saw thrones, and people seated on them who were given authority to judge. I also saw the people who had been beheaded because of their testimony about Jesus and because of God’s word, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and who had not accepted the mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with the Messiah for 1,000 years. 5 The rest of the dead did not come to life until the 1,000 years were completed. This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of the Messiah, and they will reign with Him for 1,000 years. 7 When the 1,000 years are completed, Satan will be released from his prison 8 and will go out to deceive the nations at the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them for battle. Their number is like the sand of the sea. 9 They came up over the surface of the earth and surrounded the encampment of the saints, the beloved city. Then fire came down from heaven and consumed them. 10 The Devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet are, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. 11 Then I saw a great white throne and One seated on it. Earth and heaven fled from His presence, and no place was found for them. 12 I also saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life, and the dead were judged according to their works by what was written in the books. 13 Then the sea gave up its dead, and Death and Hades gave up their dead; all were judged according to their works. 14 Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. 15 And anyone not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire. 

There is a phrase that is repeated six times in verses two through seven; "1000 years." This time period is what is know as the "Millennium." For those of us that believe in a literal interpretation of this passage, it is that 1000 year period of time, beginning at the Second Coming of Christ, when the Lord Jesus Christ Himself will rule upon the earth. It will be a time of peace, prosperity, and righteousness like the world has never seen. But not everyone shares this interpretation.

There are three major views of the Millennium, but time doesn’t permit for us to discuss this subject in depth today. In short the three views are Premillennialism, Postmillennialism, and Amillennialism. Premillennialism holds to the belief that the Second Coming of Christ begins 1000 years of His reign on earth. Postmillennialism believes the millennium will be a period of peace and righteousness that is brought about by the progress of the gospel and the work of God's people. After the millennium Christ will reign spiritually and usher in the eternal kingdom. Finally, Amillennialism does not believe in a visible, earthly reign of Christ. They see this period as symbolizing either the heavenly reign of Christ with Christians who have already died or the present spiritual reign of Christ in the lives of His followers.

Although there are differing views on this subject and this chapter, lets not let this distract us from the most important points of the passage. Whether it is in a temporary intermediate kingdom or in the new heavens and the new earth, we will be with Christ! This chapter is a promise of a future hope. This has particular significance to those who have suffered for Him (Revelation 20:4). Jesus will resurrect those who have suffered for Him, and they are going to be rewarded by reigning with Him (2 Timothy 2:12).

Secondly, in this passage we see that the devil cannot act without God's permission. This should encourage us to not be afraid of the devil's actions at the present time. Verse one tells us that it is only going to take one angel to put the devil in chains. Although he at times comes back even when we thought he had be knocked out, his final defeat is for sure and the Church will be victorious (Matthew 16:18).