Revelation 20:1-15

Unlocking the Millennial Reign & Satan’s Defeat

INTRO

Good morning, beloved congregation! Today, we delve into a passage that often evokes both intrigue and apprehension—Revelation 20:1-15. As we gather here, I invite you to imagine a courtroom, a place where the ultimate truths of our lives will be laid bare. Picture the judge, not just any judge, but the righteous and holy One who sees beyond our facades and knows the depths of our hearts.

In our lives, we often grapple with questions of justice and accountability. Why do the wicked seem to prosper while the faithful suffer? Why do our struggles sometimes feel overwhelming, as if we are lost in a sea of chaos? Revelation 20 presents a vivid picture of God’s final judgment, where every soul is summoned to stand before Him. It is here that we encounter both the terrifying reality of judgment and the incredible hope found in God's mercy.

Today, we will explore what this passage reveals about the nature of our choices, the fate of our souls, and the promise of eternity. As we journey through these verses, let us open our hearts to the truth that God desires not just to judge us, but to redeem us. Are you ready to discover the hope that lies within this sobering message? Let’s dive in together!

PRAYER

A - Almighty God of Abraham Isaac and Jacob, You are creator of all things, righteous Judge of the universe Alpha and Omega, beginning and the End… And yet you also are the lover of our souls and you have proved this most perfectly in the sending of your son our Lord and savior Jesus Christ.

C - Father we together confess to you that we as the church often divide over the text we are going to hear from this morning rather then unite over it.

T - Thank you Father for your Holy Spirit with which we are given clarity and conviction on your word. Let us be ready and willing to hear and receive what you would teach us this day by your word through your spirit.

S - Father as we close our time in prayer we want to lift up our church body, we as you to grow it through our testimony of you. Make us bold and zealous to share your gospel with those who do not yet know you that we might have the blessing of seeing new believers born of your spirit by the ministries we are part of here at ABC. We lift up our brothers and sisters in this body and around the globe that are experiencing various hardships. Help us to always have an ear to hear and eyes to see how we might actively be the hands and feet of Christ our Lord to His sweet bride. Be with all those who are receiving persecution due to their faith, strengthen them and give them great and mighty resolve in their deepest need. As we close we collectively thank you for this sweet time together as we get to worship you though fellowship, song, prayer and the hearing of scripture. All of these praises and petitions we do bring before you through the name of Jesus. Amen

MESSAGE

The Binding of Satan

Rev 20.1-3.

Revelation 20:1–3 ESV

1 Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain. 2 And he seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years, 3 and threw him into the pit, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he might not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were ended. After that he must be released for a little while.

Beware for Satan is Prowling

1 Peter 5:8 “8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”

Job 1:12 “12 And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand.” So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.”

Fight the Good Fight of your Faith.

James 4:7 “7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

Ephesians 6:11 “11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.”

Rejoice for Victory is Assured

Colossians 2:15 “15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.”

Revelation 12:11 “11 And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.”

Quote: "God’s sovereignty is our refuge when the storms of life threaten to overwhelm us." - R.C. Sproul

Application: Revelation 20 begins with a powerful image: an angel coming down from heaven with the key to the Abyss and a great chain to bind Satan. This reminds us that God’s sovereignty extends over all realms, even over the powers of darkness. Christ’s victory is not just a future promise but a present reality that we can live in today. We can take refuge in the fact that no matter how chaotic our world may seem, God is in control and has already won the victory over evil. This assurance allows us to live boldly and confidently, not in fear of the enemy, but in the strength and victory of our Lord.

The Reign of Saints

Rev 20.4-6.

Revelation 20:4–6 ESV

4 Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who 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 for 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 is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years.

The Promise of the Resurrection

John 5:28–29 “28 Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice 29 and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.”

1 Corinthians 15:52 “52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed.”

The Blessing of Reigning with Christ

2 Timothy 2:11–12 “11 The saying is trustworthy, for: If we have died with him, we will also live with him; 12 if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us;”

Romans 8:17 “17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.”

Quote: "We are not just saved from something; we are saved for something. We are saved to reign with Christ." - Tony Evans

The Assurance of Eternal Security

John 10:28 “28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.”

Ephesians 1:13–14 “13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.”

Application: These truths are not just future promises but present realities that should shape how we live today. Let us embrace our identity in Christ, live purposefully as His co-heirs, and rest assured in the eternal security that He provides. May these truths inspire and empower us to live faithfully and victoriously for His glory.

The Heart of Sinners

Rev 20.7-10.

Revelation 20:7–10 ESV

7 And when the thousand years are ended, Satan will be released from his prison 8 and will come out to deceive the nations that are 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 And they marched up over the broad plain of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city, but fire came down from heaven and consumed them, 10 and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.

The Release of Evil

2 Peter 2:4 “4 For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to chains of gloomy darkness to be kept until the judgment;”

The Relentlessness of Evil

“did what was evil in the sight of the Lord” = 7x Judges

The Recompense for Evil

Romans 16:20 “20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.”

Quote: "In the end, all that stands against God will be consumed by the fire of His righteousness." – A.W. Tozer

The Finality of Separation

Rev 20.11-15.

Revelation 20:11–15 ESV

11 Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. 12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. 13 And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. 14 Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. 15 And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

The Majesty of God’s Judgement

Psalm 9:7–8 “7 But the Lord sits enthroned forever; he has established his throne for justice, 8 and he judges the world with righteousness; he judges the peoples with uprightness.”

The Accountability of Every Soul

Romans 14:12 “12 So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.”

Matthew 12:36 “36 I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak,”

The Weight of Eternal Choices

Revelation 21:8 “8 But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.””

Matthew 25:41,46 “41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.” —- “46 And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.””

Quote: "Eternity is too long to be wrong." – Unknown

Application: This call to accountability is a reminder for us to live purposefully and ethically. Let us evaluate our actions in light of eternity, recognizing that our lives have eternal significance. We can choose to live in a way that honors God and reflects His love to those around us.

As we live out our faith, may we be inspired to reflect His holiness, strive for righteousness, and share the hope of salvation with a world in need. The Great White Throne Judgment is not just an event to fear; it is a call to action for us as believers.

The Plea for Salvation

See your need

Seize your Savior

Seek His Kingdom

CLOSE

PRAYER

GROUP QUESTIONS

What significance do you think the binding of Satan for a thousand years holds for the Christian community? How does it affect the understanding of evil in the world?

In verses 4-6, the saints are described as reigning with Christ. What does this reign symbolize for believers today, and how can it influence their daily lives?

There are various interpretations of the thousand-year reign (millennialism). What are some of these interpretations, and how do they impact our understanding of God’s kingdom?

What does the imagery of the Great White Throne Judgment convey about God's justice and mercy? How can this shape our view of accountability in our own lives?

The passage mentions the Book of Life. What do you think it means for someone to be written in the Book of Life, and how does this concept affect the way we view salvation?

How does the idea of final judgment in verses 11-15 affect your perspective on life choices and moral decisions as a believer?

What do you think the resurrection of the dead signifies for both believers and non-believers? How does this influence our understanding of life after death?

Revelation 20:14-15 speaks of the lake of fire. How do people interpret this imagery, and what implications does it have for discussions about hell and eternal separation from God?

In light of the events described in Revelation 20, how can believers find hope and assurance amidst struggles and uncertainties in the present world?

Given the themes of victory over evil and the promise of eternal life, how can we actively live out these truths in our communities and relationships today?