The First Resurrection

Revelation 20:1-6 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. 2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, 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. 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. 5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This [is] the first resurrection. 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. Revelation 20:1-6 (KJV)

Introduction

The wrath of God poured out upon the earth and man through three judgments are completed. The Antichrist and the false prophet were not killed in the battle but cast alive into a “lake of fire burning with brimstone.” The scene of the fowls of the air feasting on the flesh of the fallen now changes for John.

This chapter as well as 17, 18 and 19 are clearly set in the future. And like those chapters, the 20th chapter is chockfull of action. It chronicles three major events:

· The 1,000-year reign of Christ on the earth

· the defeat of Satan

· the Great White Throne Judgment.

The first section, verses 1-6, are without a doubt the most controversial in the Book of the Revelation. Not because they contain images or characters that are difficult to pin down, but theologians are hotly divided into three theological camps. They contain what is popularly called the “millennial reign of Christ” although this passage only uses the term 1,000 years. Jesus will set up an earthly monarchy for the 1,000 years in this short lived or interim kingdom. The word “millennium” is Latin for “thousand years” (mille, one thousand, annum, year), is found six times in the first seven verses. Consequently, they provide a platform on which three different schools derive their biblical prophetic interpretation: premillennialism, amillennialism, and postmillennialism.[1]

If I was a member of one of the seven churches receiving this letter of judgment while going through persecution on many different fronts, I would want to be presented with a hope of rescue by Jesus. I think I would like to know that living a life for Christ, even though that may cost my life was worth it. I would want to be know that the one who is causing the suffering and afflictions would be destroyed by the Savior I love. That is the message of this passage. Hope!

The defeat of Satan and the Great White Throne judgment are not controversial and are presented as more of a “matter of fact” style from John.

The Bottomless Pit

Revelation 20:1 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.

“And I saw an angel come down from heaven having the key of the bottomless pit…”

We first met an angel who had the key to the “bottomless pit” in Revelation 9 (Rev 9:1-2).

Revelation 9:1-2 And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit. 2 And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit.

We learned that “the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them (the two witnesses), and shall overcome them, and kill them.” (Rev 11:7)

We concluded that the beast who came out of the “bottomless pit” is the Antichrist.

In the seventeenth chapter, the beast that ascended out of the bottomless pit will have an agreement with the “woman”, which is Babylon. (Rev 17:8).

What is the bottomless pit? The bottomless pit or abyss(Greek, abyssos) is a very deep or bottomless hole in the ground, found in the lowest parts of the earth. The bottomless pit is never identified or used as sheol in the Old Testament, meaning the place of the dead. However, in the New Testament it means a place of despair where demons are imprisoned.

“…and a great chain in his hand…”

The “great chain,” in the Greek halysis, is defined as chain used to bind hands or feet for imprisonment.

John sees this angel holding the key which locks or unlocks the entry to the bottomless pit. In his hand is a chain used to bind prisoners. We find the angel’s purpose in the next verse.

Revelation 20:2 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, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan…”

The term “laid hold on” infers being seized by strength of force. In much the same fashion as Michael and the angels casting Satan and the fallen angels from heaven to the earth (Rev 12:8-9). Satan is powerless to withstand being captured and held by this angel. John ensures the seven churches that the one being captured, Satan, is known by several names in the book of Revelation:

· dragon (Re 12:3-4, 7, 9, 13, 16-17; 13:2, 4, 11; 16:13; 20:2)

· old serpent (Re 12:9; 20:2)

· and devil (Re 2:10; 12:9, 12; 20:2, 10). Destroyer.

By comparing Revelation chapter 12 and this chapter, we get as much of the history of the dragon as Revelation provides. Coordinating the teachings of Revelation on the rise and fall of the devil with the rest of the Bible’s teachings is difficult. Revelation teaches the following:

1. The great red dragon appears in heaven (Rev 12:3).

2. He attempts to destroy Christ at his birth (Rev 12:4).

3. He comes down to the earth for a “short time” deceiving the nations (Rev 12:12).

4. He is cast into the bottomless pit and held there until a thousand years should be fulfilled (Rev 20:3).

5. He is released and deceives the nations for a season (Rev 20:8).

6. He is cast into the lake of fire and brimstone…and shall be tormented day and night forever (Rev 20:10).

“…and bound him a thousand years…”

Revelation 20:3 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 cast him into the bottomless pit…”

The angel has the power from God to capture to throw Satan into the abyss and he does. How easily the angel completes his task. There is no battle. The angel simply “lays hold on the dragon and binds him for a thousand years.”

“…and shut him up…”

The Angel also has the power to “shut him up.” The angel slams the bars to his cell and locks up Satan. Satan’s power over the earth will be temporarily stripped from him as well.

“…and set a seal upon him…”

There are several ways in which seals are used historically and in the bible.

· to put something under seal for keeping or protection like “canning.”

· in ancient times a seal would be placed upon wounded soldiers so that the medical staff could identify those that needed attention with the highest priority

· to put a stamp of approval, or as identification of the rightful owner; signet ring of a king given to stewards so that items could be set aside or purchased for the king

· the seal of a king, prince, or a noble represented a “lock” for security. For some prisoners under lock and key, a seal was placed upon the lock preventing any contact with the prisoner. The seal identified the prisoner was being held with special circumstances that only the bearer of the signet could change.

a. For example, when King Darius cast Daniel into the lion’s den, he placed his seal upon the entrance, meaning that no one could open the gate without his permission. Anyone doing soul so would forfeit his life (Daniel 6:17).

b. The day following Jesus’ crucifixion, the chief priests and Pharisees approached Pilot and asked that a guard be placed to ensure that the disciples of Jesus would not steal His body. Once the disciples had placed Jesus body in the tomb, it was “sealed”, and a group of soldiers were placed to watch over the tomb (Matthew 27:62-66).

In the seventh chapter of Revelation, 144,000 men of the tribes of the children of Israel were sealed by God (Rev 7:4).

“…that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled…”

For a millennium, Satan’s influence upon mankind will be canceled. The earth will turn move on from the destruction of the judgments to a world where the influence of the deceiver will not be felt for one thousand years.

“…and after that he must be loosed a little season…”

After the earthly reign of Christ, Satan will be let loose from the abyss, for a “little season.” “Little season” is just that, a short time which is not identified. By contrast, it will be shorter than the 1,000 years. Comparing Revelation 20:7-10 with this verse, we can infer that Satan will enter the earth with a vengeance. He had been locked away for 1,000 years and he will be set for one final push to destroy God and those that follow the LORD.

Revelation 20:4 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, 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…”

While the Bible speaks many times of the deaths of the faithful, we now see that the preferred method during the Great Tribulation was beheading. It is referenced seven times in the Bible. The last reference is this passage. The death of those rejecting the worship or mark of the Beast and being witnesses for Jesus is now introduced as being beheaded.

The Tribulation martyrs will be raised from the dead and be seated on thrones. Some believe the church will share in this reign, and others suggest they include the OT saints in this reward as well.

Throughout history and in the Bible, “thrones” are seen as the “seat of power,” whether physical or metaphorical. In this passage the thrones represent the administration during the Millennial reign of Christ. This is the messianic kingdom, a kingdom that is governed by the Savior of the world and the Bridegroom of the Church. The Tribulation martyrs, who refused to worship the beast will rule the earth with Christ for a thousand years. However, it will not only be the Tribulation saints who will rule. That promise was also given to the OT saints and the Apostles and the church (Is 26:19; Dan 12:2; Mt 19:28-29)

“…and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands…”

Referring to Revelation 6:9-11, those that were killed during the first four Seal Judgments, were calling out from under the altar in heaven for God to act.

Rev 6:9-11 And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: 10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? 11 And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they [were], should be fulfilled. Revelation 6:9-11 (KJV)

Revelation 13:4, 14, 16 describe the requirements given by the false prophet. Every person must take the mark of the Antichrist and worship him to buy or sell and later to live.

“…and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years…”

Whoever it is that sits upon the thrones were given the authority to judge. To understand the use of the word, “lived” we must look at its root: Greek anazao meaning, “to be alive again, revive”. Therefore, those that sit on the thrones are those “revived” because of their witness of Jesus and for the word of God. They will experience a bodily resurrection, “made alive again,” to govern with Christ during His millennial reign.

Revelation 20:5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 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.

“This is the first resurrection.”

What is this “first resurrection?” Well it would help if we dive deeper in the the chronology of this verse as well as understanding when John uses parentheses. The beginning of verse five is parenthetical. It is designed to help understand the text by defining a resurrection takes place, however it doesn’t happen until later in the chapter. For example, the resurrection is included in the preceding verse and concluded chronologically after the eleventh verse:

Revelation 20:4-5 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. 5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This [is] the first resurrection.

Revelation 20:11 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.

The “first resurrection has three key segments:

(1) the resurrection of Christ (the firstfruits—1 Cor. 15:23; cf. Rev. 1:5)

(2) the resurrection of the church (the dead in Christ—1 Cor. 15:23; 1 Thess. 4:16)

(3) the resurrection of Old Testament and Tribulation saints (v. 4; Is. 26:19; Dan. 12:2).

The key to understanding this portion of the Revelation can be broken down to this. The first resurrection is a resurrection to “life.” (Jn 5:28-29) The second resurrection is a resurrection to “the second death” in the lake of fire (Rev 20:14)

“Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection…”

This is the fifth of Revelation’s “Beatitudes” (See Attachment 2 – Beatitudes in the Book of the Revelation)

“Blessed” when used towards God is praise, when used towards man; it marks a state of happiness. Likewise, “Holy” when used towards God means sacred, but when used towards man it means set apart from ordinary use to God’s use.

“…on such the second death hath no power…”

Therefore, those who share in the first resurrection will share in Christ’s glory and life, and never experience the second death. Believers will be in a state of happiness in the will of God.

“…but they shall be priests of God and of Christ…”

Those of the first resurrection will be priests of God and Christ, but what does that imply? A priest is the earthly representative between God and his creation. He taught, made intercession and carried out the sacrifices as declared by the Law. However, those duties of the office of priest are not needed during the Millennial reign of Christ. Symbolically, the priest had “access” to the presence of God in the Tabernacle and the Temple that the common Hebrew did not. We are taught that every believer in Christ is a “priest,” implying that every believer has direct and personal access to God. He will have a personal relationship with the LORD.

“…and shall reign with him a thousand years…”

The Millennial Reign of Jesus Christ will be over the inhabitants of the earth. Who are these that will be subject to Christ for the thousand years? We know that some of them are the glorified saints and citizens of every nation that will submit and pay homage to Christ (Mt 25:31-40). After all the destruction and wars, the conditions under the reign of Christ will vastly improve. Life will return to a new “normal” as people will again marry, raise families. They will conform to the rule of Christ after all the tyranny, lies, murder, and false worship of the past seven years, they will welcome His rule.

However, the sin problem has not been dealt with yet. Every person will still have the “sin nature” and many will begin rebelling even with Satan out of the way. We give Satan a lot of credit for the sin in our lives when the blame lay at our own doorstep. Just like today, mankind in the Millennial Reign of Christ will still have sin in their hearts.

In the next study, we will see that when Satan is allowed freedom for a short period, he gathers an army, rebelling against the Christ (Rev 20:8).

Mankind has been longing for a “utopia” to live in and it will be presented to those left on the earth after the Great Tribulation. However, unless sin is dealt with, man simply brings his sin nature to wherever he lives.

The only deliverance from sin is through the One True Savior. He is of the line of David and His soon eternal reign will only be available to those who have a relationship with Him in the New Heaven and the New Earth.

Conclusion

No matter who you are or what your circumstances are, you will one day meet this same Jesus and every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess that He is the LORD of Lords, and King of Kings.

Will you confess Him now, today?

[1] For an in-depth review of the three different views of “pre, post or a” millennialism, please see Attachment 16 – Which View of the Millennium is Correct and Attachment 17 – Millennium Views.

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