What Does the Thousand Years Mean? (Revelation 20)

The Millennium (3 positions) Pre-millennialists hold that Christ will come before the thousand years the order in which John received the visions is the order in which the events will happen the return of Christ and the battle of Armageddon happen before the literal reign of Jesus on earth with believers in their new bodies second battle like the first after millennium

The Millennium (3 positions) Post-millennialists hold that the return of Christ will follow the thousand years shares much of the belief of amillennialism except that it is believed to be an actual thousand-year period of time Amillennialists- the thousand years are to be understood symbolically; this period refers to the whole time before the second coming

In the same way chapters 11 and 12 did the same thing vs. 1-3 Satan Bound Rev. 19:19 brought us to the end of history and now Rev. 20 carries us back again to the beginning of this dispensation In the same way chapters 11 and 12 did the same thing This is symbolism- This picture can’t be literal

Matthew 12:28-29 (NASB) 28 But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. 29 Or how can anyone enter the strong man’s house and carry off his property, unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house.

Colossians 2:15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

vs. 1-3 Satan Bound Before the coming of Christ, His victory over the devil in temptations, His ministry, His death, ascension, and coronation, salvation had been largely limited to the Jews Satan is bound so that he can deceive the nations no more. Christ will draw ‘all men’ from every nation to be saved

= people are able to get saved vs. 1-3 Satan Bound The binding of Satan for a thousand years indicates that throughout this present gospel age the devil’s influence on earth has been limited = people are able to get saved = Jesus bound the “strong man” and plunders his house!

vs. 4-6 Reign with Christ This has reference to Daniel 7, there the thrones were clearly in heaven This is in heaven, NOT on earth which does not jive with the premillennial view of the thousand-year reign of Christ on earth with martyred believers Also, this couldn’t be a bodily resurrection as there is only one according to Scripture

vs. 7-10 The End of Satan When he is released He gathers the nations in battle against the Church Three visions that show the same thing: (the two witnesses, the woman and the dragon, the binding of the dragon) They all show that there is divine restraint that hinders the devil from destroying the church

Sequence of Revelation 20: Christ’s first coming brought victory over Satan that bound him for this gospel dispensation Those who have been martyred will live and reign with Christ in glory Satan will then have a very short season where he is loosed just prior to Christ’s second coming Jesus returns in judgment!

Satan is still here but he is bound; he has limited jurisdiction vs. 1-3 Satan Bound Satan is still here but he is bound; he has limited jurisdiction

Satan is still here but he is bound; he has limited jurisdiction vs. 1-3 Satan Bound Satan is still here but he is bound; he has limited jurisdiction His power and influence are capped He cannot destroy the Church!

1 Peter 5:8-9 8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

A lion roars to declare his territory A lion roars to communicate vs. 1-3 Satan Bound A lion roars to declare his territory A lion roars to communicate A lion roars to terrify A lion does not usually roar when hunting. However, will roar to cause a stampede to isolate individual animals from the flock