Home

Nazarene Commentary 2000©

21^st Century Paraphrase of the Hebrew Scriptures© –
21^st Century Version of the Christian Scriptures© [NCMM]

A REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST

CHAPTER TWENTY:
A THOUSAND YEAR REIGN AND JUDGMENT

[“Resurrection and Judgment”]
Key Word: Judgment
Theme Verse: 4

Revelation 20:1-3 – An Earth without Satan

RV20:1 And I saw an angel with the key of the Abyss [Luke 8:31] descending out of the Celestialum 818 with a great chain in his hand.

818	Descending out of the Celestialum: The angel “descends” because the Devil was cast out of heaven in chapter 12.

RV20:2 Then he laid hold on the Dragon, 819 that archaic Serpent, 820 [Genesis 3:1] who is a Devil 821 and the Satan, 822 and bound him for 1,000 years. 823

819	Dragon: First appears at Revelation 12:3 with a total of 13 occurrences: Revelation 12:3, 4, 7, 9, 13, 16, 17; 13:2, 4, 11; 16:13; 20:2.

820	Archaic Serpent: Or, old, ancient. The Greek is ARCHAIOS (English “archaeology”) meaning ancient, very old, original. Compare the source of the idea at Genesis 3:1-5.

821	Devil: Meaning, “slanderer” or “liar.” It occurs first at Revelation 2:10 for 5 occurrences: Revelation 2:10; 12:9, 12; 20:2, 10. The name only occurs in the Christian Bible beginning with Matthew 4:1 for a total of 33 times.

822

Satan: Meaning, “Resister.” The word Satan occurs first at 1 Chronicles 21:1 for a total of 52 times. In the Hebrew Bible it only occurs in two books outside of Job, 1 Chronicles and Zechariah. The bulk of the occurrences are in the Christian Bible with only three occurrences in the Hebrew Bible outside of Job. “Satan” occurs first in Revelation 2:9 for a total of 8 in the Apocalypse: Revelation 2:9, 13, 24; 3:9; 12:9; 20:2, 7. Note Satan’s “angels” of Revelation 12:7, 9 are not mentioned here though it might be inferred from Luke 8:28, 31; Matthew 8:29; Mark 5:7. At some point Matthew 25:41 is fulfilled.

823	1,000 years: The first mention of this period, taking by most as a literal period of Messiah’s reign over the earth.

RV20:3 Then the angel hurled the Dragon into the Abyss. 824 The angel shut up and sealed the Abyss over the Dragon so that the Dragon will no longer mislead 825 the nations 826 until the 1,000 years ended. 827 Following [the 1,000 years] the Dragon will be loosed for a little time.

824	Abyss: The occurrence is Revelation 9:1 with a total of Revelation 9:1, 2, 11; 11:7; 17:8; 20:1, 3.

825

The Dragon will no longer mislead: Or, cause to err. Compare Revelation 12:9 where Satan has mislead or made to err the whole inhabited earth. Under Messiah’s millennial reign this will not be the case. This alone ought to make for a pleasant atmosphere in “the inhabited earth to come.” (Hebrews 2:5)

826

Nations: Or, non-Jews, Gentiles There are “nations” on earth who are not resurrected (Revelation 20:5). These must be those who “survive” (Zechariah 14:16) and who may have responded to the appeal in Revelation 14:7. Revelation 9:13, 14 indicate two-thirds of humankind would survive the “four winds” of Revelation 7:1-3. The word “nations” occurs 19 times in the Apocalypse. Revelation 15:4; 20:3; 21:24, 26; 22:2 suggest these may be the same as those peoples in Isaiah 65:20-25 and Isaiah 66:22-24.

827	Until the 1,000 years ended: This Greek word for “ended” is TELESTHE and is related to Paul’s use of TO TELOS. (1 Corinthians 15:24) That is the end (HO TELOS) of the 1,000 Years.

Revelation 20:4-6 – Resurrection Order

RV20:4 And I saw thrones 828 and those who sat down on them. Power of judgment was given to them. 829 [Daniel 7:22] These are the souls 830 who had been executed with the ax 831 because of the Word of The God and the Testimony of Jesus. They had not worshipped the wild Sea Beast nor its Image. They did not accept the engraving upon their forehead or their hand. They came to life 832 and reign with the Messiah for the 1,000 Years. 833

828	Thrones: Compare Matthew 19:8; Daniel 7:27; Revelation 3:21.

829	Power of judgment was given to them: This Greek phrase KAI KRIMA EDOTHE AUTOIS is a strong echo of Daniel 7:22 and may mean a judgment in their favor. Compare 1 Corinthians 6:2, 3.

830	These are the souls: This would have been a fine opportunity to repeat 144,000 but it does not for the sum described is larger than the 144,000.

831

Executed with the ax: The phrase is the same as that of Revelation 6:9. There seem two groups here: that one of Revelation 6:9-11 who were the martyrs; and, those contemporary with the wild Sea Beast and the Return of Christ. Compare Revelation 13:9, 11 and Revelation 15:2. In fact these represent the ancient Christians of the Church Age and those of Paul’s “we the living.” (1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17)

832

They came to life: Or, resurrected. (compare verse 6) The Greek is EZESAN the same as verse 5 where the word is presented in the negative. If EZESAN means the “first resurrection” then OUK EZESAN means “not resurrected.” (Compare Romans 14:9; Revelation 2:8 EZESAN = resurrection) There is not a Bible text which shows any resurrection during the 1,000 Years.

833	1,000 Years: The Saints all reign with Christ for the full period.

RV20:5 (The rest of the Dead 834 did not come to life until the 1,000 Years ended.)

834

The rest of the Dead: As pointed out above this must mean those “not resurrected” as those not Saints are raised in the Last Resurrection prior to the Last Judgment of Revelation 20:12-15. Nowhere is there a text which would prove there is some ongoing resurrection during the 1,000 Years. Indeed, Isaiah 65:20-22 may indicate “death” occurs during Messiah’s reign. Compare Revelation 20:5 with 1 Corinthians 15:24 where TELOS is used. Here the Greek TELESTHE is related. Note Daniel 12:13 LXX SYNTELEIAN (form of TELOS) when Daniel is to stand up, be raised, or resurrected. [NOTE: some Greek texts (Stephen 1550 and Scrivener 1894) have OUK ANEZÊSAN, or “not come to life again.”]

RV20:6 This is the First Resurrection. 835 Happy and holy are those sharing in the First Resurrection! Over these the Second Death 836 has no authority. They will be priests of The God [Isaiah 61:6] and the Messiah 837 and they will reign with him for the 1,000 Years. 838

835

First Resurrection: And, therefore, there must be a second or last. Compare Philippians 3:11 with 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17. 1 Corinthians 15:23 has two basic resurrections (after Christ): a) Christians at the Return of Christ; and, b) everyone else. (Acts 24:15; John 5:28, 29; Hebrews 9:27) Note in 1 Corinthians 15:22 the Greek word ZOOPOIETHESONTAI which is related to John’s EZESAN. (= “made alive”) [See notes on Revelation 20:4.]

836

Second Death: That is eternal destruction. This suggests, though it may not be authorized over the glorified Saints, it still stands ready for use against any during the 1,000 Years or those who are later found not to be inscribed in the Lamb’s Book of Life. (Revelation 20:13-15; compare Isaiah 65:20-22) Nowhere is Second Death ever destroyed.

837

Priests of The God and the Messiah: Compare Isaiah 61:6; 1 Peter 2:5, 9; Revelation 1:6; 5:10. The glorified Saints have two functions during the 1,000 Years: priests and kings. They fulfill those functions over those “nations” no longer misled by the Devil during the 1,000 Years, evidently throughout successive generations. (Isaiah 65:20-25) This duty as “priest” must relate to worship, sin-bearing, and education. It is possible they are also “judges” if verse 4 is shown to be different from Daniel 7:22. It should be remembered that both Christ and the Saints will reign with a rod of iron, likely because some individuals will not submit to God Almighty.

838

They will reign with him for the 1,000 Years: Or, rule as kings. The Apocalypse was introduced with this hope of reigning as kings. (Revelation 1:6) Revelation 5:10 may suggest this reign is on earth and the descent of the Holy City seems to agree. The duty of a king is to judge matters, maintain order, and protect and provide for subjects.

Revelation 20:7-10 – The End of the Thousand Years

RV20:7 And when the 1,000 Years end 839 The Satan will be loosed from his prison. 840

839	End: The Greek TELESTHE is related to Paul’s HO TELOS at 1 Corinthians 15:24 where he infers the resurrection of “all” those other than they “who are of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:23)

840

Satan will be loosed from his prison: Note the Abyss is a “prison.” Compare Jude 6. It does not necessarily follow that Satan is dead or unconscious during this period. The word “abyss” is associated with death in the case of Jesus (Romans 10:7) and judging from this it could mean a state of unconsciousness. (Ecclesiastes 9:5, 10) But, if it is here a “prison” there is a certain justice if Satan is conscious and aware of the successful results of Messiah’s reign during the 1,000 Years.

RV20:8 He will go forth to make the nations err, 841 those in the four corners of the earth, 842 The Gog and Magog. 843 [Ezekiel 38:2] He will gather them for war. 844 Their number is as the sand of the sea. 845

841	He will go forth to make the nations err: Right back to what he was doing before in Revelation 12:10. By this time, after 1,000 years of kingdom control with successive generations living 100 years (Isaiah 65:20-22) under royal Messianic conditions earth’s population must be considerable.

842	Those in the four corners of the earth: The earth is fully inhabited. This is a global effort on Satan’s part.

843	The Gog and Magog: This finds its source in Ezekiel chapters 38, 39. If these are the same then these chapters in Ezekiel may find their fulfillment at the end of the 1,000 Years with “Israel” being the Saints within the Holy City.

844	War: Armageddon is not the final battle to end all war.

845	Their number is as the sand of the sea: A Hebraic phrase which indicates an unknown number as in the case of the millions of Abraham’s seed. (Genesis 22:17; 32:12; 41:49)

RV20:9 They rose over the breadth of the earth and encircled the encampment of the Saints 846 and the beloved City. 847 Then fire descended out of the Celestialum 848 and devoured them.

846	The encampment of the Saints: In Greek this may be a temporary army bivouac. See word studies on PAREMBOLEN and compare Hebrews 13:11, 13 where PAREMOLES is used. It may suggest a temporary position with regard to the Saints and the earth. Note Zechariah 9:8 and Yahweh’s defense of His house.

847

The beloved City: The fact that these hordes can surround the Holy City gives further indication the golden Cubic City has settled down upon the earth proper where it has ruled for the 1,000 Years. Since the next phrase shows fire coming down out of heaven, this City is truly resting on its foundations on earth and its dimensions, though great, are limited and cable of encirclement. Note the CYCLOUMENEN of Luke 21:20 with the ECYCLEUSAN here. That the City is “upon” the earth may be proved by the EPI at Revelation 5:10.

848	Fire descended out of the Celestialum: Or, Heaven is where the City formerly descended a 1,000 Years before.

RV20:10 The Devil 849 who was making these nations err 850 was thrown into the Lake of Fire and sulfur. This is where the wild Sea Beast and the False Prophet 851 are. They will be punished 852 day and night throughout all future periods of time. [Isaiah 34:10]

849	Devil: Only the Devil is here mentioned, lacking his “angels” of Revelation 12:9, 10. Though his angels might be inferred from Matthew 25:41, 46.

850

Who was making these nations err: What methods the Devil uses to accomplish this is not stated, but it may well be the old dog has learned no new tricks. His appeal has always been one of self-determination and possible there will be those “sinners” (Isaiah 65:20; Revelation 21:8; 22:15) who will crave self-determination, as did even Adam and Eve.

851

The wild Sea Beast and the False Prophet: First mentioned in Revelation 13:15 the wild Sea Beast has been mentioned 24 times in every chapter from 13 to 20 with the exception of 18. The False prophet occurs 3 times (Revelation 16:13; 19:20; 20:10) and a comparison shows it to be the same as the Earth Beast of chapter 13. The Beast and Prophet are abstractions.

852

They will be punished: This word BASANISTHESONTAI in another related form (BASANON) is translated “punishment” (LXX) in Ezekiel 32:24, 30. The word occurs in Apocalypse 10 times: Revelation 9:5; 11:10; 14:10, 11; 18:7, 10, 15; 20:10. Is this “torment” or “destruction”? In Revelation 17:11 the ultimate destiny of the wild Sea beast is “destruction” and this must equate to the Second Death, or the Lake of Fire.

Revelation 20:11-15 – The Last Judgment

RV20:11 Then I saw a great White Throne. 853 Heaven and earth fled 854 from before the face of 855 [Psalm 114:3, 7] the One sitting upon the Throne 856 [Isaiah 6:1] and no place was found for them. [Daniel 2:35]

853

A great White Throne: This must be different throne from that of chapter 4 because the article is absent and suggests another throne. Also this throne is called “white.” God has committed all the judging to the Son (John 5:22) so this must be the Judgment Throne of Messiah at the Last Judgment on what Jesus called “the Last Day.” (John 6:39, 44, 54)

854

Heaven and earth fled: There are a variety of views, some holding to the literal heaven (the starry universe) and earth. A study of the search groups “heaven” (Ephesians 6:12) and “earth” may indicate that celestial realm of the Devil as well as his domain, his “earth.” Compare 2 Peter chapter 3. Here, in this context, those demonic heavens over which the Devil resumed his rule are gone, as are those on earth who were misled.

855	Before the face of: This is the only occurrence of ENOPION regarding a throne other than The Throne of chapter 4.

856

The One sitting upon the Throne: A King and Judge. Messiah judges on two major occasions: a) the parousia-Judgment upon his Return (parousia) of his own Household. (Matthew 24:45-25:46; 1 Corinthians 15:23; 2 Corinthians 5:10) And, b) that final judgment at the end of the 1,000 Years. Though the 1,000 Years itself may be viewed as a judgment period.

RV20:12 Then I saw the Dead, 857 the great and the small, standing in sight of the [white] Throne. Little Books were opened 858 [Daniel 7:10] and another Little Book was opened, the Book of Life. 859 [Psalm 69:28] The Dead were judged 860 out of the things written in the Little Books, according to their works. 861 [Psalm 28:4]

857

The Dead: Of course, not including those of Revelation 20:4. These are the “dead” of Revelation 20:5. Paul teaches “all” the dead from Adam will be raised (1 Corinthians 15:21, 22) and judged (Acts 17:31; Hebrews 9:27) When there are these judgments it is always of the “living and the dead.” (Ruth 2:20; Acts 10:42; 2 Timothy 4:1; 1 Peter 4:8) At the parousia-Judgment, following the Return of the Master, it is those dead Saints as well as “we the living” of 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17. At the Last or final judgment there will be those “nations” still alive at the end of the 1,000 Years and those dead resurrected.

858

Little Books were opened: By comparing Daniel 7:10 these seem to be those records of personal human activity; that is, the “logs” of the Almighty regarding each person. Compare notes on Matthew 12:36, 37 and the Biblical Article God and Judgment. In order for this to happen there must be some record.

859

Book of Life: Compare Daniel 12:1; Malachi 3:16; Philippians 4:3; Revelation 3:5. The Saints were inscribed in this Book and those who accepted the mark of the Beast and worshipped the Image are not. Neither are those who are eternally judged (Hebrews 6:1-3) or condemned at the end of the 1,000 Years.

860

The Dead were judged: Compare a word search on the group “judg(ment)” and related words, like “recompense” and “award” or “reward.” From these six dozen occurrences it appears all persons are going to be judged on the basis of their lives on earth and now at the end of the 1000-years they give an accounting and receive their judgment. Humankind gets only one chance during life on earth. Life is brief and quickly over. But, those attitudes, speech and actions toward others will be remembered by the “Judge of the whole earth.” (Genesis 18:25) Included in these are those sins of omission which one fails to tender kindness to someone deserving. For details see the Biblical Article God and Judgment.

861	According to their works: That speech, actions and attitudes committed during their previous life on earth. Compare Matthew 12:36, 37; Romans 2:5, 6, 12-16; 14:1-23.

RV20:13 The Sea gave up its dead 862 and The Death 863 and the Hades gave up their dead. 864 They were all judged according to their works. 865 [Psalm 62:12]

862	The Sea gave up its dead: Millions have drowned in the seas through war, natural disasters, merchant marines, drownings, and travel. This almost happened to Paul. (Acts 27:9-44; 2 Corinthians 11:25, 26) The bottom of earth’s oceans are scattered with the debris from war and catastrophe.

863

Death: This is an abstraction for that death inherited from Adam (Romans 5:12; 1 Corinthians 15:20-22). Here “the last enemy is destroyed (or rendered ineffective).” (1 Corinthians 15:24-26) The only death authorized during the 1,000 Years and after is the Second Death. (Revelation 20:6, 15) Jesus must hint of this protection from the Second Death regarding the Saints when he says, ‘Neither can they die any more.’ (Luke 20:36) If his words apply to the “first resurrection” then death still continues during the 1,000 Years upon those successive generations of “nations” no longer misled by the Devil. This Death is destroyed when the last one comes out of the grave to Judgment.

864	Gave up their dead: This would equal a resurrection in which Christ renders death ineffective. (1 Corinthians 15:25, 26) Those who have become victims of the Horsemen of the Apocalypse, and entered Hades, or Death, will come out to their judgment. (Hebrews 6:2; 9:27)

865

Judged according to their works: Individual works in their life times. Compare Matthew 12:32, 36, 37, 41, 42; 16:27; Mark 8:38; John 5:28, 29; 12:48; Romans 14:10, 11; 1 Corinthians 4:5; 2 Corinthians 5:10. Good works and vile works are clearly listed in the Bible. [Compare Romans 1:18-32; Galatians 5:19, 20] Good works are almost always associated with charity and good deeds toward others, including enemies. [Luke 6:30-35]

RV20:14 Then The Death and the Hades 866 were hurled into the Lake of Fire.

866	Hades: See word studies on the Greek HADES. This is the place of the dead, the grave. When “all” come out of the tombs (John 5:28, 29) Hades will no longer exist even as Death has been rendered ineffective. (1 Corinthians 15:26 KIT) See the work Where Are the Dead? in Nazarene Commentary 2000©.

RV20:15 Also, if any were not found written in the Book of Life, they were hurled into the Lake of Fire.

Review Questions on Chapter Twenty