Christ's Kingdom Will Come!

REVELATION 20:1-10

 Christ will rule on earth for a literal one thousand years period. This is one of the greatest and most profound anticipations in the entire Bible! After the Millennium, Satan is finally defeated once and for all and is thrown into the eternal Lake of Fire. But, why bother with understanding all this prophecy stuff? Actually, we need to be fully aware of the terrifying consequence of rejecting God, and the wonderful magnitude of accepting Christ! Such insight will enable us to make a wise decision and help others make wise decisions regarding their eternal destiny. In addition, having trusted Christ for our eternal salvation and glorious future, we can take joy, hope, and strength from a careful look forward to our God-given future.

According to the chronology of The Book of the Revelation, the Battle of Armageddon is now over, and the Beast and False Prophet have been cast into the Lake of Fire (Rev. 19). Christ now lays hold of that old serpent, Satan, and casts him into “the bottomless pit” as a key element to inaugurating His kingdom of righteousness and peace on earth. Note these key observations from related passages:

1.  The Millennium is a term usually referring to a one thousand-year period following the Second Coming wherein Christ and His saints reign over the earth.

    — The kingdom Age is also referred to by several other terms in Scripture:

Daniel 2:44, And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.

   — Regeneration is used to refer to the nation Israel and the world when Christ returns.

Matthew 19:28, And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

   — "The day of the Lord" sometimes refers to the entire period, including the Tribulation, the Second Coming, the Millennial Reign, and the Eternal state following the Great White Throne judgment (Zec. 14).  In this day God will be exalted and rebellious men humbled.

2.  The primary biblical support in the New Testament for this awesome doctrine comes from Revelation 20.

   — QUOTE: “This chapter presents the fact that Christ will reign on earth for a thousand years. If this chapter is taken literally, it is relatively simple to understand what is meant. However, because many Bible interpreters have rejected the idea that there will be a reign of Christ on earth for a thousand years after His second coming, this chapter has been given an unusually large number of diverse interpretations, all designed to eliminate a literal millennial reign. In general there are three viewpoints, each with a number of variations.” — Walvoord, J. F.

   — It would seem that this passage is straightforward enough that there would be general agreement about the Millennium. However, there are a number of different views about how this passage ought to be interpreted and about how these things are accomplished in history.

   — There are three views of the Millennium: the premillennial, postmillennial, and amillennial. These views can be grouped into two pairs. The premillennial view believe that the return of Christ will usher in the Millennium, whereas the postmillennial and amillennial views see Christ's coming as initiating the eternal age to come.

3.  The biblical Millennium will be a period of peace, love, and brotherhood when all nature lives in the harmony originally intended in the Garden of Eden.

   — The Book of Isaiah (11:6–9) speaks of this age.

Isaiah 11:6-9, The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. [7] And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. [8] And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice' den. [9] They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.

It will be a time when the wild animals will live at peace with domestic animals, when the serpents will no longer bite. A little child will be able to play by a cobra's den or lead wild beasts around and not be harmed. Military schools will close, and implements of war will no longer be manufactured. The money and resources that now go into warfare will then be devoted to peaceful pursuits. When this day comes, every person will have his own plot of ground, his own home. All will live in harmony with their neighbors. No one will be afraid that someone will try to steal his belongings. There will be universal peace, for the knowledge of the Lord will cover the Earth as the waters cover the sea.

4.  I believe the Millennium is a period, when Jesus Christ comes back to Earth to reign as king, and the kingdom of God will be established on Earth. There will be a one-world government under the leadership of Jesus with nation-states subject to Him. The Bible says that representatives of the nations of the Earth will come to Jerusalem each year.

Isaiah 9:6-7, For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. [7] Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

Isaiah 2:2-4, And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. [3] And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. [4] And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.

Zech. 14:16, And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles.

This is the glorious earthly kingdom Jesus Christ will establish upon His return, the kingdom foretold by O.T. prophets. Christ's kingdom will not end at the conclusion of the 1,000 years, but will continue forever (Is. 9:7). The Millennial reign is only one phase to Christ’s eternal rule. But, let’s explore the features of the glorious age.

LESSON:

I.  Satan is Confined During the Millennial Age (Rev. 20:1-3).

Satan will be defeated and jailed (vv. 1-3).

A.  THE PRISON KEEPER (REV. 20:1).

  1.  Not the Lord Jesus Christ. 

     A.  Some feel that since Christ has the keys of “hell and death” this is him binding Satan.

Rev. 1:18,  I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.

I tend to believe that he has given the keys to an angel and delegated this responsibility to Him, perhaps this is Michael. 

      B.  Some Bible students feel that the "chaining" of Satan took place when Jesus died on the cross and arose from the dead to ascend to heaven. While it is true that Jesus won His decisive victory over Satan at the cross, the sentence against the devil has not yet been fully affected.

Hebrews 2:14, Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;

      C.  Satan Is a Defeated Foe, but He Is Still Free to Attack God's People and Oppose God's Work (1 Peter 5:8).  Throughout the Scriptures Satan is said to exert great power not only against the world but also against Christians (Acts 5:3; 1 Cor. 5:5; 7:5; 2 Cor. 2:11; 11:14; 12:7; 1 Tim. 1:20).

      D.  How Satan Is Active in the Present Age

              — Satan entered Judas Iscariot (Luke 22:3); Satan can cause willing people to do his bidding.

              — Satan filled Ananias’ heart to lie (Acts 5:3); Satan leads people to deceive others.

              — Satan has blinded the minds of non-believers. (2 Cor. 4:4); Satan prevents people from accepting the gospel.

              — Satan can disguise himself as an angel of light. (2 Cor. 11:14); Satan counterfeits goodness and truth to trap people.

              — Satan is at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey the Gospel (Eph. 2:2); Satan inflames the evil desires of those who reject God.

              — Satan obstructed the missions ministry of Paul (1 Thess. 2:18); Satan attempts to block evangelistic efforts.

              — Satan has a number of snares and trap for Christians to distract them (2 Tim. 2:26); Satan uses church controversies and quarrels to lead people astray.

I think it was Dr. James M. Gray who suggested that, if Satan is bound today, it must be with a terribly long chain! Paul was sure that Satan was loose (Eph. 6:10 ff), and John agreed with him (Rev. 2:13; 3:9).

   2.  A Powerful Angel.  (Rev. 20:1)

      — John “saw an angel” coming down out of heaven. This heavenly angel had “the key” to “the bottomless pit” (also called the Abyss ).

      — In Rev. 9:1-12, a fallen angel had arrived with the key to the Abyss and had released the locusts as part of the fifth trumpet judgment. This may not be the same angel.

      — The angel was also carrying “a great chain” that he would use to bind Satan.  Such a chain can bind Satan in spite of the fact that he is immaterial. 

B.  THE PRISONERS (REV.20:2).

   1.  Satan Is Bound.

      A. No Ferocity. “The dragon.” Likening Satan to a dragon emphasizes his ferocity, and cruelty (Rev. 12:3).

      B.  No Deception. “Old serpent.”  A reference to Satan’s first appearance in the Garden of Eden (Gen. 3:1), where he deceived Eve (2 Cor. 11:3; 1 Tim. 2:14).

      C.  No Slander.  “The Devil” The word devil signifies a slanderer, one who accuses another. Hence that other name given him: “the accuser of our brethren” (see Rev. 12:10).

      D.  No Adversary. “Satan.” The name Satan signifies an adversary, one who lies in wait for or sets himself in opposition to another.  Rev. 12:9. 

These and other names of the same fallen spirit point to different features of his evil character and deceitful operations.  The point that must not be missed is the fact that Satan is bond in such a way as to render his inactive.  Not merely restrained or confined, but deactivated—dormant.

   2.  The Demons are Bound.

This includes not only Satan, but the demons as well. Their imprisonment will dramatically alter the world during the kingdom, since their destructive influence in all areas of human thought and life will be removed.

C.  THE PRISON (REV. 20:1, 3). 

   1.  The "Bottomless Pit" Is "The Shaft of the Abyss."

         A.  In Revelation, it is always the jail where some of the demonic hordes are incarcerated, the place of severest torment and isolation (Rev. 9:1,2,11; 11:7; 17:8; 20:1,3).

         B.  The "bottomless pit" spoken of in Rev 20:1 is not the same as hell; it is the "abyss" that we have met before in our studies.

         C.  Satan is not cast into “The Lake of Fire” immediately, because God still has one more task for him to perform. All 7 times that "bottomless pit" appears in Revelation, it refers to the place where fallen angels and evil spirits are kept captive, waiting to be sent to the lake of fire—the final hell prepared for them.

Matthew 25:41, Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

D.     Rather, Satan is confined in the bottomless pit for 1,000 years. First, Satan was cast out of heaven (Rev 12:9), and now he is cast out of earth!

   2.  This "Pit" Is the Abode of the Demons.

Luke 8:31, And they besought him that he would not command them to go out into the deep.

The “Abyss” is the home of demons (Rev. 9:11; 11:7; 17:8; 20:1, 3).  

   3.  Satan Will Be Temporarily "Jailed" There During Our Lord's Reign on the Earth (Rev 20:1-3).

Since Satan will be literally bond at the Second Coming of Christ, the way for a peaceful, joyful, righteous kingdom is made.  This action facilitates the righteous rule of Christ throughout the world.  Spiritual warfare will also cease with regard to Satan’s influence.

   4.  Satan Will Not be Able to Deceive the Nations During Christ’s Reign. (Rev. 20:3)

Before the millennium age, Satan will wreck havoc in the world.  After the millennial period he will again lead a rebellion against God.  The only time in all of human history Satan is not free to execute his plans of deception is during the 1,000 years reign of Christ on the earth.

D.  THE PRISON SENTENCE (REV. 20:3B).  “Till the thousand years should be fulfilled”

   1.  A Thousand Years Prison Sentence.

      — With the human host defeated, an angel chains Satan and seals him in the Abyss for a period of 1,000 years (20:1–3).

      — Having taken care of His enemies, the Lord is now free to establish His righteous kingdom on the earth.

      — QUOTE: “This is the first of 6 references to the length of the millennial kingdom (cf. vv. 3,4,5,6,7). There are 3 main views of the duration and nature of this period: 1) Premillennialism sees this as a literal 1,000 year period during which Jesus Christ, in fulfillment of numerous OT prophecies (e.g., 2 Sam. 7:12–16; Ps. 2; Is. 11:6–12; 24:23; Hos. 3:4,5; Joel 3:9–21; Amos 9:8–15; Mic. 4:1–8; Zeph. 3:14–20; Zech. 14:1–11; Matt. 24:29–31,36–44), reigns on the earth. Using the same general principles of interpretation for both prophetic and non-prophetic passages leads most naturally to Premillennialism. Another strong argument supporting this view is that so many biblical prophecies have already been literally fulfilled, suggesting that future prophecies will likewise be fulfilled literally.” —John MacArthur

   2.  A Brief Release Period.   (Rev. 20:3b) “he must be loosed for a little season.”

Satan will be released so God can make a permanent end of sin before establishing the new heaven and earth. All who survive the Tribulation and enter the kingdom will be believers. However, despite that and the personal presence and rule of the Lord Jesus Christ, many of their descendants will refuse to believe in Him. Satan will then gather those unbelievers for one final, futile rebellion against God. Bear in mind that these people have only be outwardly compliant with the will of Christ throughout His reign.  Also remember they have never experienced the intensity of satanic temptation prior to this period.  They are quite easy prey for Satan’s final rebellion. It will be quickly and decisively crushed, followed by the Great White Throne Judgment and the establishment of the eternal state.