Revelation #14 The Binding of Satan & Judgment Revelation 20:1-15

The Binding of Satan, 20:1-6 This section of Revelation is not “easy”. It arouses curiosity and questions. Like the previous chapter, it has been the playground of Premillennialists. Despite these challenges, it had a message to first/second century Christians…. And it has a message for twenty-first century Christians. So, let’s find the message of Revelation 20….

The Binding of Satan, 20:1-6 In John’s vision, an angel with a great chain comes down and binds Satan, vv.1-2. No real problem here- Satan has been defeated at every turn throughout the book, so Heaven surely has the power to bind him. But what about the “1000 years” part? v.2b Here’s where things become a little more complicated….

The Binding of Satan, 20:1-6 Understand first that there is more than one sense in which Satan has been “bound” : 1) His power over sin and death was destroyed with the death and resurrection of Jesus, Heb.2: ) His power to overcome saints and destroy the Church through Rome (the Beast) and Emperor Worship (the False Prophet) was defeated at Armageddon, 19:20 Through Christ, men are no longer bound to sin and death because Satan was bound through Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection. The bondage of sin was broken! Sin  death! 1Pet.5:8-9; Jas.4:7

The Binding of Satan, 20:1-6 Now, to which of these bindings of Satan does our text refer? >In chp.19 the Beast and False Prophet of Rome have been defeated. >By keeping the chronological context, it seems that this binding of Satan must be: -after Christ’s death which allowed for binding -after the Church had been established and has suffered persecution -and after the victory over the Beast (chp.19). It seems to best fit the vindication of the Cause in overcoming persecution.

The Binding of Satan, 20:1-6 This is the First Resurrection, v.5 -Revelation was written when it seemed that the Cause was about to be destroyed. -Those who refused Emperor worship were persecuted at least, if not killed. -But with this “binding” of Satan by the defeat of his weapons of destruction (Beast & False Prophet), there was a resurrection of sorts.... a resurrection of hope for the Cause out of apparent defeat and into glorious triumph! cp.Ezk.37:1-14.

The Binding of Satan, 20:1-6 Now, the 1000 year Reign of v.4. -It corresponds to the time of when Satan is bound, cp. v.3. -It is comprised of martyrs and faithful who were dead, but “came to life and reigned with Christ”. -Since the binding of Satan is for a 1000 years and represents the resurrection of the faithful from apparent defeat by Satan/Rome, then, the 1000 reign of the faithful with Christ evidently refers to the same period. Not a literal 1000 years, but a complete time. The time when Satan is bound and the Faithful rule!

The Binding of Satan, 20:1-6 Summary, thus far, v.6. -Those then who are faithful to Christ are victoriously resurrected to a spiritual reign with Him after Satan is defeated and while he is bound for 1000 years. -Over these, the second death has no power. They die once physically, Heb.9:27 But never die a second time spiritually, cf.v.14.

The Loosing of Satan, 20:7-10 This period occurs at the end of the 1000 year reign, v.7. It describes a last great effort made by Satan before the end of all things and the judgment, v.8. Then when it seems again that the saints are about to be overrun, fire comes down from heaven and devours their enemies, v.9. Then the Devil himself is thrown into the lake of fire to join his Beast and False Prophet, v.10a! There they dwell for evermore, v.10b!

The Final Judgment, 20:11-15 The Great White Throne is the scene, v.11a. Present things will have departed, v.11b > 2Pet.3: The Books are opened, v.12a >likely different covenants of God under which people have lived, Heb.1:1; Rom.2:14; John 12: >the dead are judged from the books, v.12b >judgment is based upon their deeds, v.12c All the dead are given up for judgment, v.13. Those not in the book of life are destroyed, vv

Conclusion: The Beast of Rome and the False Prophet of Emperor Worship are defeated at Armageddon. Satan is bound (limited) and the Saints resurrected from apparent destruction. They enjoy a complete period of time (1000 yrs.) in which they reign with Christ. At the end of which time, Satan is loosed for a final short period. Then the earth and all its works are removed, and Judgment of the wicked takes place. All that remains is the final outcome of the righteous, which is our next lesson!