The Millenial Kingdom

3 The angel threw him into the bottomless pit, which he then shut and locked so Satan could not deceive the nations anymore until the thousand years were finished. Afterward he must be released for a little while.

4 Then I saw thrones, and the people sitting on them had been given the authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their testimony about Jesus and for proclaiming the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or his statue, nor accepted his mark on their forehead or their hands. They all came to life again, and they reigned with Christ for a thousand years.

5 This is the first resurrection. (The rest of the dead did not come back to life until the thousand years had ended.)

6 Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. For them the second death holds no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him a thousand years.

7 When the thousand years come to an end, Satan will be let out of his prison.

8 He will go out to deceive the nations—called Gog and Magog—in every corner of the earth. He will gather them together for battle—a mighty army, as numberless as sand along the seashore.

9 And I saw them as they went up on the broad plain of the earth and surrounded God’s people and the beloved city. But fire from heaven came down on the attacking armies and consumed them.

10 Then the devil, who had deceived them, was thrown into the fiery lake of burning sulfur, joining the beast and the false prophet. There they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.

INTRODUCTION:

We live in troubled times. As we look around us, we see crime, war, disease, hunger, poverty, and rampant evil around us. The events that fill the news create feelings of despair and fear.

The prophetic utterances that we have looked at to this point (in the book of the Revelation) contain a mixed bag of emotions for us. On one hand, the eternal uplook for the believer could not be better. On the other hand, the outlook for this world could not be worse.

The message of chapter 20- where we find ourselves this evening- will help us see that the future that God has in store for this world. We will see God at His best and the world at its worst.

Have you ever wondered how the people of this world would respond to Utopia? If God erased poverty, hunger and disease, and provided in their stead plenty, health and peace, would people respond with gratitude and worship? Would they willingly accept the standards of God’s Kingdom and choose willingly to live by them?

Let’s see:

I- THE REWARDS OF THE MILLENNIAL KINGDOM: (Revelation 20:1-6)

A- The enemy of mankind incarcerated. (Revelation 20:1-3)

Revelation 20:1–3 (NLT)

1 Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven with the key to the bottomless pit and a heavy chain in his hand.

2 He seized the dragon—that old serpent, who is the devil, Satan—and bound him in chains for a thousand years.

1- The enemy of mankind will be subdued and bound by God’s angel.

a. The enemy of mankind will be thrown into the bottomless pit for 1000 years.

2- Satan will be bound from his work of misery for 1000 years.

a. Bound from his work of cruelty.

(1) “the dragon” (τὸν δράκοντα) - refers to his bestial leadership of cruel governments in the world. (like the Antichrist).

b. Bound from his work of deception.

(1) “that old serpent” (ὁ ὄφις ὁ ἀρχαῖος) refers to deceptive activity that leads people to destruction. (Like in the Garden of Eden in Genesis 3).

c. Bound from his work as the enemy of good.

(1) “the devil” (Διάβολος) refers to his role as adversary of God and humanity, especially of righteous people.

d. Bound from his work in accusing and slandering what is good.

(1) “Satan” (ὁ Σατανᾶς). He is the one who speaks evil of all who are good.

(Revelation 12:10)

Revelation 12:10 (NLT)

10 Then I heard a loud voice shouting across the heavens, “It has come at last— salvation and power and the Kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters has been thrown down to earth— the one who accuses them before our God day and night.

Like in the Book of Job (Job 1:6-11)

Job 1:6–11 (NLT)

6 One day the members of the heavenly court came to present themselves before the Lord, and the Accuser, Satan, came with them.

7 “Where have you come from?” the Lord asked Satan. Satan answered the Lord, “I have been patrolling the earth, watching everything that’s going on.”

8 Then the Lord asked Satan, “Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth. He is blameless—a man of complete integrity. He fears God and stays away from evil.”

9 Satan replied to the Lord, “Yes, but Job has good reason to fear God.

10 You have always put a wall of protection around him and his home and his property. You have made him prosper in everything he does. Look how rich he is!

11 But reach out and take away everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face!”

B- The rule of righteousness will be established. (Revelation 20:4)

Revelation 20:4 (NLT)

1- Christ-followers will rule and reign with Jesus over the earth and the angels.

(1 Cor. 15:23)

1 Corinthians 15:23 (NLT)

23 But there is an order to this resurrection: Christ was raised as the first of the harvest; then all who belong to Christ will be raised when he comes back.

(1 Corinthians 6:2-3)

1 Corinthians 6:2–3 (NLT)

2 Don’t you realize that someday we believers will judge the world? And since you are going to judge the world, can’t you decide even these little things among yourselves?

3 Don’t you realize that we will judge angels? So you should surely be able to resolve ordinary disputes in this life.

a. As believers, this is why we should NEVER sue a fellow believer in a secular court.

C- Security for God’s children is assured. (Revelation 20:5-6)

Revelation 20:5–6 (NLT)

5 This is the first resurrection. (The rest of the dead did not come back to life until the thousand years had ended.)

6 Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. For them the second death holds no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him a thousand years.

1- The security of the believer is assured by participating in the first resurrection.

a. Notice what the scriptures teach about the two resurrections:

(1) The First Resurrection:

(a) This is the resurrection of the saved.

(1 Thessalonians 4:13-17)

(1 Corinthians 15:50-58)

(b) This includes those from the Great Tribulation. (Revelation 20:6)

Revelation 20:6 (NLT)

6 Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. For them the second death holds no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him a thousand years.

(2) The Second Resurrection: (Revelation 20:6a)

(a) This is the resurrection of the doomed. (Revelation 20:12-13)

Revelation 20:12–13 (NLT)

12 I saw the dead, both great and small, standing before God’s throne. And the books were opened, including the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to what they had done, as recorded in the books.

13 The sea gave up its dead, and death and the grave gave up their dead. And all were judged according to their deeds.

II- THE REBELLION AGAINST THE MILLENNIAL KINGDOM: (Revelation 20:7-9)

Revelation 20:7–9 (NLT)

7 When the thousand years come to an end, Satan will be let out of his prison.

8 He will go out to deceive the nations—called Gog and Magog—in every corner of the earth. He will gather them together for battle—a mighty army, as numberless as sand along the seashore.

9 And I saw them as they went up on the broad plain of the earth and surrounded God’s people and the beloved city. But fire from heaven came down on the attacking armies and consumed them.

A- Satan will lead a rebellion against the Millennial Kingdom of Christ. (Revelation 20:7-8)

Revelation 20:7–8 (NLT)

7 When the thousand years come to an end, Satan will be let out of his prison.

8 He will go out to deceive the nations—called Gog and Magog—in every corner of the earth. He will gather them together for battle—a mighty army, as numberless as sand along the seashore.

1- Satan will released from the pit and will deceive people into rebelling.

a. The people of the world will reject utopia.

A time when war will be no more—(Isa. 2:4.)

The earth will be restored and beautified—(Isa. 55:13.)

Human life will be prolonged, and death will be the exception—(Isa. 65:19–22.)

When Israel and Judah will be gathered to Palestine and Jehovah—(Isa. 11:11, 12.)

The animal creation will cease to prey upon each other—(Isa. 65:25.)

When all flesh will worship the Lord—(Isa. 66:23.)

When “all the people will be righteous” (Isa. 60:21), that is, Jehovah’s people (“Thy people.”).

b. Gog and Magog (Γὼγ καὶ Μαγώγ) was a common rabbinical title for the nations in rebellion against the Lord, and the names recall the prophesied invasion of Israel in Ezek. 38; 39.

2- He will lead them to make war against Christ.

B- The Rebellion will end at Jerusalem. (Revelation 20:9)

Revelation 20:9 (NLT)

9 And I saw them as they went up on the broad plain of the earth and surrounded God’s people and the beloved city. But fire from heaven came down on the attacking armies and consumed them.

1- The siege will in in one tragic instant.

2- It will take 7 months to bury the dead from this battle. (Ezek. 39:11-14)

Ezekiel 39:11–14 (NLT)

11 “And I will make a vast graveyard for Gog and his hordes in the Valley of the Travelers, east of the Dead Sea. It will block the way of those who travel there, and they will change the name of the place to the Valley of Gog’s Hordes.

12 It will take seven months for the people of Israel to bury the bodies and cleanse the land.

13 Everyone in Israel will help, for it will be a glorious victory for Israel when I demonstrate my glory on that day, says the Sovereign Lord.

14 “After seven months, teams of men will be appointed to search the land for skeletons to bury, so the land will be made clean again.

III- THE RETRIBUTION OF THE MILLENNIAL KINGDOM UPON THE REBELS: (Revelation 20:10-15)

Revelation 20:10–15 (NLT)

10 Then the devil, who had deceived them, was thrown into the fiery lake of burning sulfur, joining the beast and the false prophet. There they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.

11 And I saw a great white throne and the one sitting on it. The earth and sky fled from his presence, but they found no place to hide.

13 The sea gave up its dead, and death and the grave gave up their dead. And all were judged according to their deeds.

14 Then death and the grave were thrown into the lake of fire. This lake of fire is the second death.

15 And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire.

A- Satan will be banished forever. (Revelation 20:10)

Revelation 20:10 (NLT)

10 Then the devil, who had deceived them, was thrown into the fiery lake of burning sulfur, joining the beast and the false prophet. There they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.

1- Banished to eternal punishment to the place prepared for he and his evil hoard. (Matthew 25:41)

Matthew 25:41 (NLT)

41 “Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, ‘Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons.

B- Rebellious humans will also be judged. (Revelation 20:11-15)

1- This is the second resurrection - the resurrection of judgement.

(Revelation 20:11-13)

Revelation 20:11–13 (NLT)

11 And I saw a great white throne and the one sitting on it. The earth and sky fled from his presence, but they found no place to hide.

13 The sea gave up its dead, and death and the grave gave up their dead. And all were judged according to their deeds.

a. Notice who is there:

(1) Christ, whose loving sacrifice has been spurned.

(a) He is now the Righteous Judge.

(2) All of lost humanity.

(a) Prominent people and those viewed as insignificant- Presidents and paupers- all will be there with no place to hide.

2- Notice the witnesses for judgment: (Revelation 20:12)

Revelation 20:12 (NLT)

a. The Books:

(1) The Books:

(a) The Book of Life - Containing the names of the redeemed,

(b) Books containing the deeds of those being judged.

3. Notice the severity of the judgment: (Revelation 20:14-15)

Revelation 20:14–15 (NLT)

14 Then death and the grave were thrown into the lake of fire. This lake of fire is the second death.

15 And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire.

a. Death and Hell (abode of the wicked dead) will be cast into the lake of fire.

b. Anyone whose name was not recorded in the Book of Life were cast into the Lake of Fire.