CHRIS' COMMENTARY NOTES FOR REVELATION CHAPTER 20
Revelation 20: Intro.
Revelation 20:1-7. The "Millennium" is the period of 1000 years from which the Pre-Millennialism vs. Post-Millennialism argument arises. For the different views on the Millennium see “the Millenium” under “Keys to Understanding Revelation 4-22” at the beginning of Revelation chapter 4.
A theory I have heard that can be looked at as OPINION (yet interesting) is that the 7 traditional Hebrew feasts match up to events that Jesus has (or will) introduce. The Millennium is looked at as the Feast of Tabernacles, for more see “Seven Feasts” under “Keys to Understanding Revelation 4-22.”
Details of the Millennium: Halley's says, "some think the Millennium will be in age of blessedness in this present world; others, that it will be one of the ages of eternity after the flesh and blood order of existence has passed. And some talk as if they knew all about it" (Source 1, p. 734).
Revelation 20:1-7. The "Millennium" is the period of 1000 years from which the Pre-Millennialism vs. Post-Millennialism argument arises. For the different views on the Millennium see “the Millenium” under “Keys to Understanding Revelation 4-22” at the beginning of Revelation chapter 4.
A theory I have heard that can be looked at as OPINION (yet interesting) is that the 7 traditional Hebrew feasts match up to events that Jesus has (or will) introduce. The Millennium is looked at as the Feast of Tabernacles, for more see “Seven Feasts” under “Keys to Understanding Revelation 4-22.”
Details of the Millennium: Halley's says, "some think the Millennium will be in age of blessedness in this present world; others, that it will be one of the ages of eternity after the flesh and blood order of existence has passed. And some talk as if they knew all about it" (Source 1, p. 734).
Notes on Revelation 20:1-15.
20:1. An angel coming down from heaven. Guzik, quoting Morris says, "'The final importance of Satan is perhaps indicated in the fact that it is not the Father who deals with him, nor the Christ, but only an unnamed angel'" (Source 2).
Having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. Fausset says, “now transferred from Satan's hands, who had heretofore been permitted by God to use it in letting loose plagues on the earth; he is now to be made to feel himself the torment which he had inflicted on men…” (Source 4).
What is this “key”? This key was given to Satan in chapter 9 (see notes on Rev. 9:1 titled, “the key to the bottomless pit” for more, especially the word “key”). It was given to him by Jesus so it is Jesus’ to take back and give to this unnamed angel.
Regarding “the bottomless pit”, this is “hades”, the holding place for souls until the Final Judgment (Rev. 20:13). For more on hades see notes on Rev. 6:8 “Hades followed with him” and for more on the “bottomless pit” see notes on Rev. 9:1 titled, “the key to the bottomless pit”. Halley’s says, “The 'Bottomless Pit' (20:3), Satan's domain, presided over by Satan himself, or one of his archangels (9:11), now becomes his prison" (Source 1, p. 735). It appears that this includes the demons as well. Jesus’ Millennial reign will dramatically change the way the world works and He wouldn’t be able to do that if forces of evil still held sway.
20:2. He laid a hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan. Halley's says, "Satan’s expulsion from heaven (chapter 12), was connected with the birth and ascension of Christ (12:5). Here, Satan's binding is connected with the second advent of Christ.
Some think the two passages referred to the same event. But there Satan made trouble for the earth (12:12). Here he is kept from making trouble (20:3)” (Source 1, p. 735).
As mentioned above (Rev. 20:1, see note titled, “Having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand”) the demons are also imprisoned during this time.
Revelation 20:3. This verse is very clear that Satan will be thrown "into the bottomless pit" and imprisoned there for 1000 years. He has increasingly lost authority and power: first he was confined to earth (Rev. 12:9) then his army was defeated by Jesus and His Christian army (Rev. 19:19-21) here he is confined and eventually he will be locked in "the lake of fire and brimstone", "forever and ever" (Rev. 20:10). For more on the “lake of fire” see notes Rev. 20:14 titled, “Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire.”
20:3. after these things he must be released for a little while. Why must he be released? So that he can serve God's purpose to "go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth." See note on Rev. 20:8 titled, “go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth” for more.
Thousand years. See note titled, “Revelation 20:1-7” for more on the Millennium. Halley's says, "By some, this is thought to be a literal 1000 years, foreshadowed as a Sabbath rest after 6000 years of man's history. By others to mean an indefinitely long time, as, in God’s chronology" then references 2 Peter 3:8 (Source 1, p. 735).
20:4. Thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. This is proof that in Rev. 2:27 the “rod of iron” are actually believers who are ruled by Jesus. See both notes on Rev. 2:27 titled, “with a rod of iron” and Rev. 19:15 titled, “He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron” for more. Sections like this, coupled with Rev. 19:14 titled, “The armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses”, show us Christians that we are meant for more and should use this opportunity, while still on earth, to learn exactly what Jesus is training us because we will be using it shortly.
Guzik, throws out sever possibilities of who is sitting on these “thrones”: “perhaps the twenty-four elders representing the church (Revelation 4:4) or the apostles (Matthew 19:28) or the company of saints as a whole (1 Corinthians 6:2-3)” (Source 1). In my OPINION it is choice #3, all of the saints mentioned in 1 Cor. 6:2-3. I say this because the 24 elders have already been sitting on thrones from near the beginning of the book so why would it be mentioned here as if it's a different group, in the context of a different group, during the Millennium? As for the apostles, that's always a possibility, but again the context here, such as the "first resurrection" (which is all of the saints) and the armies of God, seem to indicate that these are all of the Christians.
Regarding “judgment”, Guzik says this might be the judging of angels mentioned in 1 Corinthians 6:2-3 but more likely it is ‘that these are the saints ruling on and over the earth” (Source 1).
Souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus… mark on their foreheads are on their hands. These are those who have been martyred for their faith in Chirst. The mark on their forehead that they refused was the mark of the beast given in chapter 13. See notes on Rev. 13:18 titled, “calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666” for more.
They lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. These are the Christians mentioned just prior in Rev. 20:4 (see note titled, “Thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them” for more). The4se are all Christians up to this point: see 1 Cor. 6:2-3, Mt. 19:28; Rev. 2:26-28, 3:12, 3:22, 20:6.
20:5. But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. We know that this isn't referring to any martyrs from the Great Tribulation because they were talked about just prior to this (v. 4).
Regarding “first resurrection”, MacArthur explains that the "first resurrection", "includes only the redeemed of the church age (1 Thess. 4:13-18), the OT (Dan. 12:2), and the tribulation (v. 4). they will enter the kingdom and resurrection bodies, along with believers who survived the tribulation. The second kind of resurrection, then, will be the resurrection of the unconverted who will receive their final bodies suited for torment in hell" (Source 3, p. 2021). It's not necessarily "first" as in an order on a timeline but as in type. So the first resurrection are the believers and the second are those who refused to put their faith in Jesus.
Halley’s says, “A second resurrection is not mentioned. But the expression, 'the rest of the dead lived not till the 1000 years should be finished,' seems to imply that there will be two resurrections, one before, and one after, the Millennium.
New Testament teaching generally links together the Lord's Coming, the Resurrection and Judgment Day, all in one perspective: as, when looking at distant mountain peaks, nearly in line, one behind other, they seem to be close together, when in reality, they may be separated by immense distances. However, Jesus, and using the phrase, 'the resurrection of the just' (Luke 14:14), May have intended it as a hint that the resurrection of all would not take place at the same time.
Paul, speaking of the resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:23), says, 'each in its own order: Christ the firstfruits; then they that are Christ's at His coming; then comes the end'; as if the end might be sometime after the resurrection of His people, as theirs will have been sometime after His" (Source 1, p. 735).
20:6. Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they should be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years. These are Christians (see note above under Rev. 20:5 titled, “But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection” for more).
20:7. Satan will be released from his prison. Why? See note directly below.
20:8. go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth. This was the reason God let Satan out for a while. In my OPINION the same reasoning exists here as it did when God let Satan into the Garden of Eden: Satan represents choice. There are two opposites in existence and men must pick between them. Here, men have known what true peace is like for 1,000 years! But if they haven’t made a decision to become a Christian then they don’t go to heaven. If they side with Jesus then great, but they must have an alternative and that is allowing Satan to “deceive” them.
Gog and Magog. MacArthur says that Gog is "apparently the leader of the rebel army known collectively as Magog". It's interesting that Magog was a grandson of Noah (Gen. 10:2) and "founder of the kingdom located North of the Black and Caspian Seas" (Source 3, p. 2021). From this God must be inferring that whatever sort of evil Magog perpetuated in his kingdom and its army, this future (after the Millennium) army will metaphorically be the same.
Guzik says, “John seems to borrow the term and using it as a symbol. Seemingly, the battles described in Ezekiel 38-39 take place before the return of Jesus, perhaps right before or during the tribulation. This final battle clearly takes place at the end of the thousand-year reign of Jesus” (Source 2).
Interestingly “great hail” (like in Rev. 16:21) is poured out on Gog and Magog in Ezekiel 38:22, but here God rains down fire from heaven (Rev. 20:9).
To gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea. There are still many people on earth. Not everyone was killed in the Battle of Armageddon and now those in opposition are lined up to battle Jesus.
20:9. They went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. This gives us two pieces of information: 1. there is a Christian camp & 2. Satan's army tries to surround the camp to mount an attack. Guzik points out that this doesn't say if this is the group of Christians who are part of Jesus army or those who were saved during the Millennium (Source 1). But it does say "camp" and by the context it would make sense that it is the military camp of the "redeemed" saints.
The “beloved city” is Jerusalem.
And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them. I love how Guzik titles this: "A battle ends before it begins" ! (Source 1). The Lord rains down fire from heaven like he did with Sodom and Gomorrah and interestingly God poured out His wrath on Commercial Babylon with fire (Rev. 18:8-9, 18).
20:10. The devil, who deceive them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone. This is the final time that Satan is mentioned in Revelation. He is thrown into the “lake of fire and brimstone” which is where everything will end up (see Rev. 20:14-15).
Where the beast and the false prophet are. The Antichrist and False Prophet were thrown into the “lake of fire and brimstone” in Rev. 19:20 (see note there titled, “These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone” for more).
And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. Many people say that if God is loving then He would never sentence someone to suffer. It’s a valid question, and I have a few more: Why does there have to be suffering in hell? Why can’t it just be a prison? Also why does it have to go on for eternity? S. Michael Houdmann’s points out that when David committed adultery and murdered Uriah he recognized that it was against God alone that he had sinned (Psalm 51:4). Since God is eternal, opposition to Him is eternal. “As a result, all sin requires an eternal punishment.” Houdmann says that God cannot ignore His perfect justice over His other attributes of love and mercy and that’s why “Our sin is eternally before Him and must be eternally punished in order to satisfy His holy justice” (Source 5).
Jehovah’s Witnesses have such a problem with the idea of hell and torment that they say it doesn’t exist and anyone who doesn’t follow God ends up being obliterated completely.
20:11. A great white throne. This is the Great White Throne Judgment. Only non-believers will be judged here, not Christians. Continue reading vv. 2-13 to see how God judges during this Final Judgment. MacArthur says, “This is a judgment throne, elevated, pure, and holy. God sits on it as judge (cf. 4:2,3,9; 5:1,7,13;6:16;7:10,15) in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ" (Source 3, p. 2022). See note on Rev. 11:18 titled, “The time of the dead” for more. This is referenced in Rev. 2:11 when it says “Second death”.
Guzik points out that although Christians won’t be judged here, “Christians will have to stand before another throne – the judgment seat of Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:10 says, For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. Therefore, when we pass from these bodies to the world beyond, we must each give account according to what he has done, whether good or bad. This describes a judgment of works of believers” (Source 2). It is my OPINION that the “Judgment Seat of Christ” is one and the same as the “Great White Throne Judgment” with the difference in judgments being: for Christians they get rewards and the non-Christian gets eternal damnation.
Him who sat on it, from His face the earth and the heavens fled away. And there was found no place for them. As mentioned in the note directly above the “Him” here is Jesus. Guzik agrees saying, “The Bible tells us that the Judge is Jesus (John 5:22-27); or more likely, the fullness of the Triune God” (Source 2).
When it says the “earth and the heavens fled away” means the same thing as “there was no place for them” which is to say that absolutely EVERYTHING will be judged during the Great White Throne Judgment. There is no place to hide. MacArthur also points out "John saw the contaminated universe go out of existence. Peter described this moment in 2 Peter 3:10–13" (Source 3, p. 2022).
20:12. The dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. This means that EVERYONE who is a non-Christian will stand in front of God for Final Judgment. Regarding “books” here, MacArthur says, "these books record every thought, word, and deed of sinful man – all recorded by divine omniscience" he then notes to see Daniel 7:10, stating, "they will provide the evidence for internal condemnation. Cf. 18:6, 7" (Source 3, p. 2022). So these books contain damning evidence for each person (for more see the notes below titled, “And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books”, for more).
And another book was opened, which is the book of life. MacArthur says it contains the names of all the redeemed (Dan. 12:1; Rev. 3:5)" (Source 3, p. 2022). Halley's points out that "those who had already been judged as worthy of the first resurrection well here have their judgment confirmed in the presence of the assembled universe" (Source 1, p. 736). This point does need to be made, the "first resurrection" is mentioned prior to this judgment, yet another proof that Christians are not being judged here and really never have a judgment where their eternal destiny is in question. See note on Rev. 3:5 titled, “I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life” for more.
And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. These are the people who have rejected Jesus whose thoughts and deeds were recorded in the “books” (see notes above). In a sense it’s poetic justice: people who say that they do good things so they’ll get into heaven are relying on being judged by their works. But sadly when they play their own defense attorney the mountain of evidence will be so overwhelming it will be obvious to all that they are guilty.
Another question comes up: does this mean there are different levels to hell? In a sense – maybe, but will it really matter? S. Michael Houdmann states, “Although the Bible does not specifically say so, it does seem to indicate that there are different levels of punishment in hell. In Revelation 20:11–15, the people are judged “according to what they had done as recorded in the books” (Revelation 20:12). All the people at this judgment, though, are thrown into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:13–15). So, perhaps, the purpose of the judgment is to determine how severe the punishment in hell will be. Whatever the case, being thrown into a slightly less hot portion of the lake of fire is not much consolation to those who are still doomed for eternity” (Source 6). For more on the “lake of fire” see notes Rev. 20:14 titled, “Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire.”
20:13. Death and Hades delivered up their dead. Everyone who has died is now presented to God. Regardless of how someone died they are “delivered” to judgment. It doesn’t matter if someone died in their sleep or was completely annihilated by an atomic bomb they will be brought to the Lord fully intact.
Regarding “Death”, apparently this is just a title for everyone who has died. Guzik simply says, “Death is the result of sin, and it is gone” (Source 2).
Regarding “Hades”, this is also called the “bottomless pit” which is where Satan was allowed to unleash demons to plague the earth in chapter 9. Guzik states: “Hades is a Greek word used to describe the "world beyond." In the Bible, it has generally the same idea as Sheol [“Sheol is a Hebrew word with the idea of the "place of the dead." It has no direct reference to either torment or eternal happiness. The idea of Sheol is often accurately expressed as ‘the grave’”]. Revelation 9:1 speaks of the bottomless pit; this place called the abyssos is a prison for certain demons (Luke 8:31; 2 Peter 2:4; Jude 6). Or more generally, it is considered part of the realm of the dead (Romans 10:7 uses it in the sense of Hades)” (Source 2).
For more see all of these notes: 1. Rev. 6:8 “Hades followed with him”, 2. Rev. 9:1 titled, “the key to the bottomless pit” and 3. Rev. 20:1 titled, “Having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand”.
20:14. Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. Ultimately the different variations of what is commonly called “hell” are thrown into the “lake of fire” where Satan (20:10), the Antichrist Beast and False Prophet (19:20, 20:10), all demons and non-believers will spend eternity in torment. For the different variations of hell see the note in Rev. 20:13 titled, “Death and Hades delivered up their dead”.
For more on “Death” see Rev. 20:13 notes titled, “Death and Hades delivered up their dead”.
For more on “Hades”, see notes directly above (Rev. 20:13, titled “Death and Hades delivered up their dead”) and Rev. 9:1 titled, “the key to the bottomless pit” for more.
Regarding “the lake of fire”, this is synonymous with Gehenna which is: “A lake of fire and brimstone (Rev. 20:10, 14, 15); Fire that shall never be quenched (Mark 9:43); Everlasting fire (Matt. 18:8, 9; 25:41; Outer darkness (Matt. 8:12; 22:13; 25:30); Everlasting punishment (Matt. 25:46); weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matt. 25:30)” (Source 7). Guzik agrees saying, “Gehenna is a Greek word borrowed from the Hebrew language. In Mark 9:43-44, Jesus speaks of hell (gehenna). Hell is a Greek translation of the Hebrew "Valley of Hinnom," a place outside Jerusalem's walls desecrated by Molech worship and human sacrifice (2 Chronicles 28:1-3; Jeremiah 32:35). It was also a garbage dump where rubbish and refuse were burned. The smoldering fires and festering worms of the Valley of Hinnom made it a graphic and effective picture of the fate of the damned. This is the lake of fire prepared for the devil and his angels (Matthew 25:41). Men only go to this place prepared for the devil and his angels if they reject God's salvation and condemn themselves” (Source 2).
This is the second death. See notes titled “Keys to Understanding Revelation 4-22” under the section “The “First Resurrection” and the “Second Death”” for more. S. Michael Houdmann says the “second death” “is synonymous with the lake of fire. It is a ‘death’ in that it is a separation from God, the Giver of life. It is called the ‘second’ one because it follows physical death” (Source 8).
20:15. Anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire. This ultimately cements what John has been telling us through the last several verses: Final Judgment will decree where a person spends eternity but it is they who have decided where they go. If you are not in “the Book of Life” (see note on Rev. 20:12 titled, “And another book was opened, which is the book of life” for more) then you will be thrown into “the lake of fire” (see note on Rev. 20:14 titled, “Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire” for more).
Also for more on “the Book of Life” see note on Rev. 3:5 titled, “I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life” for more.
Chapter 20 References:
Source 1: Halley’s Bible Handbook, Zondervan, 1965.
Source 2: Guzik, http://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/guzik_david/StudyGuide_Rev/Rev_20.cfm?a=1187001
Source 3: John MacArthur, The MacArthur Study Bible, 1997.
Source 4: Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, http://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/jfb/Rev/Rev_020.cfm?a=1187001
Source 5: S. Michael Houdmann, “How is eternity in hell a fair punishment for sin?”
http://www.gotquestions.org/eternal-hell-fair.html#ixzz3JRtSuZV7
Source 6: S. Michael Houdmann, “Are there different levels of punishment in hell?”, http://www.gotquestions.org/levels-hell.html
Source 7: The Transformer: The Bible for Young Adults, p. 25-26
Source 8: S. Michael Houdmann, “What is the Second Death?”, http://www.gotquestions.org/second-death.html#ixzz3JGnVIA4P
20:1. An angel coming down from heaven. Guzik, quoting Morris says, "'The final importance of Satan is perhaps indicated in the fact that it is not the Father who deals with him, nor the Christ, but only an unnamed angel'" (Source 2).
Having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. Fausset says, “now transferred from Satan's hands, who had heretofore been permitted by God to use it in letting loose plagues on the earth; he is now to be made to feel himself the torment which he had inflicted on men…” (Source 4).
What is this “key”? This key was given to Satan in chapter 9 (see notes on Rev. 9:1 titled, “the key to the bottomless pit” for more, especially the word “key”). It was given to him by Jesus so it is Jesus’ to take back and give to this unnamed angel.
Regarding “the bottomless pit”, this is “hades”, the holding place for souls until the Final Judgment (Rev. 20:13). For more on hades see notes on Rev. 6:8 “Hades followed with him” and for more on the “bottomless pit” see notes on Rev. 9:1 titled, “the key to the bottomless pit”. Halley’s says, “The 'Bottomless Pit' (20:3), Satan's domain, presided over by Satan himself, or one of his archangels (9:11), now becomes his prison" (Source 1, p. 735). It appears that this includes the demons as well. Jesus’ Millennial reign will dramatically change the way the world works and He wouldn’t be able to do that if forces of evil still held sway.
20:2. He laid a hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan. Halley's says, "Satan’s expulsion from heaven (chapter 12), was connected with the birth and ascension of Christ (12:5). Here, Satan's binding is connected with the second advent of Christ.
Some think the two passages referred to the same event. But there Satan made trouble for the earth (12:12). Here he is kept from making trouble (20:3)” (Source 1, p. 735).
As mentioned above (Rev. 20:1, see note titled, “Having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand”) the demons are also imprisoned during this time.
Revelation 20:3. This verse is very clear that Satan will be thrown "into the bottomless pit" and imprisoned there for 1000 years. He has increasingly lost authority and power: first he was confined to earth (Rev. 12:9) then his army was defeated by Jesus and His Christian army (Rev. 19:19-21) here he is confined and eventually he will be locked in "the lake of fire and brimstone", "forever and ever" (Rev. 20:10). For more on the “lake of fire” see notes Rev. 20:14 titled, “Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire.”
20:3. after these things he must be released for a little while. Why must he be released? So that he can serve God's purpose to "go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth." See note on Rev. 20:8 titled, “go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth” for more.
Thousand years. See note titled, “Revelation 20:1-7” for more on the Millennium. Halley's says, "By some, this is thought to be a literal 1000 years, foreshadowed as a Sabbath rest after 6000 years of man's history. By others to mean an indefinitely long time, as, in God’s chronology" then references 2 Peter 3:8 (Source 1, p. 735).
20:4. Thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. This is proof that in Rev. 2:27 the “rod of iron” are actually believers who are ruled by Jesus. See both notes on Rev. 2:27 titled, “with a rod of iron” and Rev. 19:15 titled, “He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron” for more. Sections like this, coupled with Rev. 19:14 titled, “The armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses”, show us Christians that we are meant for more and should use this opportunity, while still on earth, to learn exactly what Jesus is training us because we will be using it shortly.
Guzik, throws out sever possibilities of who is sitting on these “thrones”: “perhaps the twenty-four elders representing the church (Revelation 4:4) or the apostles (Matthew 19:28) or the company of saints as a whole (1 Corinthians 6:2-3)” (Source 1). In my OPINION it is choice #3, all of the saints mentioned in 1 Cor. 6:2-3. I say this because the 24 elders have already been sitting on thrones from near the beginning of the book so why would it be mentioned here as if it's a different group, in the context of a different group, during the Millennium? As for the apostles, that's always a possibility, but again the context here, such as the "first resurrection" (which is all of the saints) and the armies of God, seem to indicate that these are all of the Christians.
Regarding “judgment”, Guzik says this might be the judging of angels mentioned in 1 Corinthians 6:2-3 but more likely it is ‘that these are the saints ruling on and over the earth” (Source 1).
Souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus… mark on their foreheads are on their hands. These are those who have been martyred for their faith in Chirst. The mark on their forehead that they refused was the mark of the beast given in chapter 13. See notes on Rev. 13:18 titled, “calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666” for more.
They lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. These are the Christians mentioned just prior in Rev. 20:4 (see note titled, “Thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them” for more). The4se are all Christians up to this point: see 1 Cor. 6:2-3, Mt. 19:28; Rev. 2:26-28, 3:12, 3:22, 20:6.
20:5. But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. We know that this isn't referring to any martyrs from the Great Tribulation because they were talked about just prior to this (v. 4).
Regarding “first resurrection”, MacArthur explains that the "first resurrection", "includes only the redeemed of the church age (1 Thess. 4:13-18), the OT (Dan. 12:2), and the tribulation (v. 4). they will enter the kingdom and resurrection bodies, along with believers who survived the tribulation. The second kind of resurrection, then, will be the resurrection of the unconverted who will receive their final bodies suited for torment in hell" (Source 3, p. 2021). It's not necessarily "first" as in an order on a timeline but as in type. So the first resurrection are the believers and the second are those who refused to put their faith in Jesus.
Halley’s says, “A second resurrection is not mentioned. But the expression, 'the rest of the dead lived not till the 1000 years should be finished,' seems to imply that there will be two resurrections, one before, and one after, the Millennium.
New Testament teaching generally links together the Lord's Coming, the Resurrection and Judgment Day, all in one perspective: as, when looking at distant mountain peaks, nearly in line, one behind other, they seem to be close together, when in reality, they may be separated by immense distances. However, Jesus, and using the phrase, 'the resurrection of the just' (Luke 14:14), May have intended it as a hint that the resurrection of all would not take place at the same time.
Paul, speaking of the resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:23), says, 'each in its own order: Christ the firstfruits; then they that are Christ's at His coming; then comes the end'; as if the end might be sometime after the resurrection of His people, as theirs will have been sometime after His" (Source 1, p. 735).
20:6. Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they should be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years. These are Christians (see note above under Rev. 20:5 titled, “But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection” for more).
20:7. Satan will be released from his prison. Why? See note directly below.
20:8. go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth. This was the reason God let Satan out for a while. In my OPINION the same reasoning exists here as it did when God let Satan into the Garden of Eden: Satan represents choice. There are two opposites in existence and men must pick between them. Here, men have known what true peace is like for 1,000 years! But if they haven’t made a decision to become a Christian then they don’t go to heaven. If they side with Jesus then great, but they must have an alternative and that is allowing Satan to “deceive” them.
Gog and Magog. MacArthur says that Gog is "apparently the leader of the rebel army known collectively as Magog". It's interesting that Magog was a grandson of Noah (Gen. 10:2) and "founder of the kingdom located North of the Black and Caspian Seas" (Source 3, p. 2021). From this God must be inferring that whatever sort of evil Magog perpetuated in his kingdom and its army, this future (after the Millennium) army will metaphorically be the same.
Guzik says, “John seems to borrow the term and using it as a symbol. Seemingly, the battles described in Ezekiel 38-39 take place before the return of Jesus, perhaps right before or during the tribulation. This final battle clearly takes place at the end of the thousand-year reign of Jesus” (Source 2).
Interestingly “great hail” (like in Rev. 16:21) is poured out on Gog and Magog in Ezekiel 38:22, but here God rains down fire from heaven (Rev. 20:9).
To gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea. There are still many people on earth. Not everyone was killed in the Battle of Armageddon and now those in opposition are lined up to battle Jesus.
20:9. They went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. This gives us two pieces of information: 1. there is a Christian camp & 2. Satan's army tries to surround the camp to mount an attack. Guzik points out that this doesn't say if this is the group of Christians who are part of Jesus army or those who were saved during the Millennium (Source 1). But it does say "camp" and by the context it would make sense that it is the military camp of the "redeemed" saints.
The “beloved city” is Jerusalem.
And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them. I love how Guzik titles this: "A battle ends before it begins" ! (Source 1). The Lord rains down fire from heaven like he did with Sodom and Gomorrah and interestingly God poured out His wrath on Commercial Babylon with fire (Rev. 18:8-9, 18).
20:10. The devil, who deceive them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone. This is the final time that Satan is mentioned in Revelation. He is thrown into the “lake of fire and brimstone” which is where everything will end up (see Rev. 20:14-15).
Where the beast and the false prophet are. The Antichrist and False Prophet were thrown into the “lake of fire and brimstone” in Rev. 19:20 (see note there titled, “These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone” for more).
And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. Many people say that if God is loving then He would never sentence someone to suffer. It’s a valid question, and I have a few more: Why does there have to be suffering in hell? Why can’t it just be a prison? Also why does it have to go on for eternity? S. Michael Houdmann’s points out that when David committed adultery and murdered Uriah he recognized that it was against God alone that he had sinned (Psalm 51:4). Since God is eternal, opposition to Him is eternal. “As a result, all sin requires an eternal punishment.” Houdmann says that God cannot ignore His perfect justice over His other attributes of love and mercy and that’s why “Our sin is eternally before Him and must be eternally punished in order to satisfy His holy justice” (Source 5).
Jehovah’s Witnesses have such a problem with the idea of hell and torment that they say it doesn’t exist and anyone who doesn’t follow God ends up being obliterated completely.
20:11. A great white throne. This is the Great White Throne Judgment. Only non-believers will be judged here, not Christians. Continue reading vv. 2-13 to see how God judges during this Final Judgment. MacArthur says, “This is a judgment throne, elevated, pure, and holy. God sits on it as judge (cf. 4:2,3,9; 5:1,7,13;6:16;7:10,15) in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ" (Source 3, p. 2022). See note on Rev. 11:18 titled, “The time of the dead” for more. This is referenced in Rev. 2:11 when it says “Second death”.
Guzik points out that although Christians won’t be judged here, “Christians will have to stand before another throne – the judgment seat of Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:10 says, For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. Therefore, when we pass from these bodies to the world beyond, we must each give account according to what he has done, whether good or bad. This describes a judgment of works of believers” (Source 2). It is my OPINION that the “Judgment Seat of Christ” is one and the same as the “Great White Throne Judgment” with the difference in judgments being: for Christians they get rewards and the non-Christian gets eternal damnation.
Him who sat on it, from His face the earth and the heavens fled away. And there was found no place for them. As mentioned in the note directly above the “Him” here is Jesus. Guzik agrees saying, “The Bible tells us that the Judge is Jesus (John 5:22-27); or more likely, the fullness of the Triune God” (Source 2).
When it says the “earth and the heavens fled away” means the same thing as “there was no place for them” which is to say that absolutely EVERYTHING will be judged during the Great White Throne Judgment. There is no place to hide. MacArthur also points out "John saw the contaminated universe go out of existence. Peter described this moment in 2 Peter 3:10–13" (Source 3, p. 2022).
20:12. The dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. This means that EVERYONE who is a non-Christian will stand in front of God for Final Judgment. Regarding “books” here, MacArthur says, "these books record every thought, word, and deed of sinful man – all recorded by divine omniscience" he then notes to see Daniel 7:10, stating, "they will provide the evidence for internal condemnation. Cf. 18:6, 7" (Source 3, p. 2022). So these books contain damning evidence for each person (for more see the notes below titled, “And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books”, for more).
And another book was opened, which is the book of life. MacArthur says it contains the names of all the redeemed (Dan. 12:1; Rev. 3:5)" (Source 3, p. 2022). Halley's points out that "those who had already been judged as worthy of the first resurrection well here have their judgment confirmed in the presence of the assembled universe" (Source 1, p. 736). This point does need to be made, the "first resurrection" is mentioned prior to this judgment, yet another proof that Christians are not being judged here and really never have a judgment where their eternal destiny is in question. See note on Rev. 3:5 titled, “I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life” for more.
And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. These are the people who have rejected Jesus whose thoughts and deeds were recorded in the “books” (see notes above). In a sense it’s poetic justice: people who say that they do good things so they’ll get into heaven are relying on being judged by their works. But sadly when they play their own defense attorney the mountain of evidence will be so overwhelming it will be obvious to all that they are guilty.
Another question comes up: does this mean there are different levels to hell? In a sense – maybe, but will it really matter? S. Michael Houdmann states, “Although the Bible does not specifically say so, it does seem to indicate that there are different levels of punishment in hell. In Revelation 20:11–15, the people are judged “according to what they had done as recorded in the books” (Revelation 20:12). All the people at this judgment, though, are thrown into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:13–15). So, perhaps, the purpose of the judgment is to determine how severe the punishment in hell will be. Whatever the case, being thrown into a slightly less hot portion of the lake of fire is not much consolation to those who are still doomed for eternity” (Source 6). For more on the “lake of fire” see notes Rev. 20:14 titled, “Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire.”
20:13. Death and Hades delivered up their dead. Everyone who has died is now presented to God. Regardless of how someone died they are “delivered” to judgment. It doesn’t matter if someone died in their sleep or was completely annihilated by an atomic bomb they will be brought to the Lord fully intact.
Regarding “Death”, apparently this is just a title for everyone who has died. Guzik simply says, “Death is the result of sin, and it is gone” (Source 2).
Regarding “Hades”, this is also called the “bottomless pit” which is where Satan was allowed to unleash demons to plague the earth in chapter 9. Guzik states: “Hades is a Greek word used to describe the "world beyond." In the Bible, it has generally the same idea as Sheol [“Sheol is a Hebrew word with the idea of the "place of the dead." It has no direct reference to either torment or eternal happiness. The idea of Sheol is often accurately expressed as ‘the grave’”]. Revelation 9:1 speaks of the bottomless pit; this place called the abyssos is a prison for certain demons (Luke 8:31; 2 Peter 2:4; Jude 6). Or more generally, it is considered part of the realm of the dead (Romans 10:7 uses it in the sense of Hades)” (Source 2).
For more see all of these notes: 1. Rev. 6:8 “Hades followed with him”, 2. Rev. 9:1 titled, “the key to the bottomless pit” and 3. Rev. 20:1 titled, “Having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand”.
20:14. Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. Ultimately the different variations of what is commonly called “hell” are thrown into the “lake of fire” where Satan (20:10), the Antichrist Beast and False Prophet (19:20, 20:10), all demons and non-believers will spend eternity in torment. For the different variations of hell see the note in Rev. 20:13 titled, “Death and Hades delivered up their dead”.
For more on “Death” see Rev. 20:13 notes titled, “Death and Hades delivered up their dead”.
For more on “Hades”, see notes directly above (Rev. 20:13, titled “Death and Hades delivered up their dead”) and Rev. 9:1 titled, “the key to the bottomless pit” for more.
Regarding “the lake of fire”, this is synonymous with Gehenna which is: “A lake of fire and brimstone (Rev. 20:10, 14, 15); Fire that shall never be quenched (Mark 9:43); Everlasting fire (Matt. 18:8, 9; 25:41; Outer darkness (Matt. 8:12; 22:13; 25:30); Everlasting punishment (Matt. 25:46); weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matt. 25:30)” (Source 7). Guzik agrees saying, “Gehenna is a Greek word borrowed from the Hebrew language. In Mark 9:43-44, Jesus speaks of hell (gehenna). Hell is a Greek translation of the Hebrew "Valley of Hinnom," a place outside Jerusalem's walls desecrated by Molech worship and human sacrifice (2 Chronicles 28:1-3; Jeremiah 32:35). It was also a garbage dump where rubbish and refuse were burned. The smoldering fires and festering worms of the Valley of Hinnom made it a graphic and effective picture of the fate of the damned. This is the lake of fire prepared for the devil and his angels (Matthew 25:41). Men only go to this place prepared for the devil and his angels if they reject God's salvation and condemn themselves” (Source 2).
This is the second death. See notes titled “Keys to Understanding Revelation 4-22” under the section “The “First Resurrection” and the “Second Death”” for more. S. Michael Houdmann says the “second death” “is synonymous with the lake of fire. It is a ‘death’ in that it is a separation from God, the Giver of life. It is called the ‘second’ one because it follows physical death” (Source 8).
20:15. Anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire. This ultimately cements what John has been telling us through the last several verses: Final Judgment will decree where a person spends eternity but it is they who have decided where they go. If you are not in “the Book of Life” (see note on Rev. 20:12 titled, “And another book was opened, which is the book of life” for more) then you will be thrown into “the lake of fire” (see note on Rev. 20:14 titled, “Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire” for more).
Also for more on “the Book of Life” see note on Rev. 3:5 titled, “I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life” for more.
Chapter 20 References:
Source 1: Halley’s Bible Handbook, Zondervan, 1965.
Source 2: Guzik, http://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/guzik_david/StudyGuide_Rev/Rev_20.cfm?a=1187001
Source 3: John MacArthur, The MacArthur Study Bible, 1997.
Source 4: Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, http://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/jfb/Rev/Rev_020.cfm?a=1187001
Source 5: S. Michael Houdmann, “How is eternity in hell a fair punishment for sin?”
http://www.gotquestions.org/eternal-hell-fair.html#ixzz3JRtSuZV7
Source 6: S. Michael Houdmann, “Are there different levels of punishment in hell?”, http://www.gotquestions.org/levels-hell.html
Source 7: The Transformer: The Bible for Young Adults, p. 25-26
Source 8: S. Michael Houdmann, “What is the Second Death?”, http://www.gotquestions.org/second-death.html#ixzz3JGnVIA4P