Chapter 20 tells us about the thousand-year reign of Christ on the earth, aka “the Millennial Reign”. This is an End Time concept that many people are very unclear on, which is unfortunate because it is one of the MOST GLORIOUS!
Let me put it simply: The Millennial Reign is the 1000-year period where Jesus Christ will rule the Earth, as a Jewish Man, from His Throne in the city of Jerusalem. It will be the process by which Heaven and Earth become One and all things are restored to the glory of the Garden of Eden, with everything in PERFECT Divine order. Now, THIS is something to look forward to!!
Let’s look at the breakdown of events chronicled in this chapter
1. Satan is cast into prison for 1,000 years! (verses 1-3) What?! Can you believe it? Yes, Satan will completely bound — evil will have no sway on the planet! Jesus will have destroyed all his enemies, and the final one will be completely incapacitated. Wow! Imagine what that will look like!
2. Saints are given the governmental leadership over the earth (verses 4-6). Yes, as we’ve been referencing, Jesus plans to exalt the faithful to places of government under His leadership! We who stay steady will literally rule the earth, its societies and peoples!!!
Now, let it be clear — you won’t end up in some position of power by accident. You will be exalted on that Day to the measure that you humble yourself and serve today. Those who have learned His Heart and joined with His government through intercession today, will be prepared to govern under Him in that Day.
Everything you do today has repercussions into the next age! What are you living for? If you live mostly for today, then today will be what you get. If you live for “tomorrow”, i.e. towards eternity, you’ll reap the rewards Eternally. Where do you sow the majority of your time, money and energy? Is it mostly for making a better, more comfortable, more pleasurable life here? If so, you’ll probably get it. However, if you sow the majority of your time, money, and energy into Eternal things, you’ll be reaping the benefits and blessings for ETERNITY, and that begins with the 1000-years! I don’t know about you, but I’m willing to be “meek” today, so that i can inherit THE EARTH in Eternity (see Matthew 5:5) — it’s a much better deal, don’t you think? 🙂 God’s economy is beautiful. So, are you sowing to the Spirit, or sowing to the flesh??
Galatians 6:7-9
Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. the one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Do not be deceived, there ARE different rewards in the Kingdom of God. Yes, we’ll all be saved if we do not turn away from Him. I’m not talking about salvation. But, within that Kingdom some will have higher position, authority and prestige!! Why else do you think the disciples even thought to ask for the best seats?? (see Matthew 20:21) Clearly, some will be more highly honored than others — and the rankings probably won’t be as we would expect, either ;).
3. Satan is released after 1,000 years giving all a choice to obey (verses 7-10). After Jesus has given 1000 to the perfect restoration of Heaven on Earth in partnership with His faithful ones, the people of the earth will have one final opportunity to say yes or no to Him, as Satan is released, and once again tries to amass an army for war against the Son of God.
This will Satan’s last stand, and He will finally meet his end — eternal torment in the lake of fire!
This deserves a shout of Hallelujah!! The people of the earth will have ALL finally chosen to voluntarily love Jesus!! Sin and Satan will be no more!!!
4. God’s final judgment of all enemies (Rev. 20:11-15).
With the Antichrist, the False Prophet and Satan in the lake of fire, all those who had died and whose names are not in the Lamb’s book will appear before God and give account. This will be a terrifying day for all who did not submit themselves to the loving rulership of Jesus. They will be judged for their sin, and without the blood of Jesus, be found guilty, and they will be thrown in the lake of fire. Death and Hell will be no more!
When Jesus taught on the Kingdom, He made it clear that the Kingdom of God is here now, in partial fulfillment, but that it is also yet to come, FULLY. When He taught His disciples to pray, “Let Your Kingdom come, on earth as it is in Heaven . . “, He was pointing to this reality. Heaven WILL be on Earth, it’s called the Millennial Reign!! We want Heaven, don’t we? Well, it’s coming here!!!
“Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end! . . . The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this!!” Isaiah 9:7
Let Your Kingdom come!
Jessie Still 
Hey! i have a question for you.
In v. 5 it says “The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.” And before that it talks of the saints being the martyrs and the ones that did not take the sign of the beast being the one’s in authority. Does this mean that the other Christians before the end times that have died will not live on the Earth for the 1,000 year reign? Just the faithful in the end times? Later in v. 5 it says “This is the first resurrection.” What is that all about?
Once again thank you so much for helping me and being patient! I’m pumped to go to my favorite place tomorrow! see you there =]
Again, an excellent question!
“The rest of the dead” refers to those who are NOT God’s people. When Christ appears, ALL Christians, living and dead, from all times, will be caught up in the air with Him. We will ALL receive glorified “resurrected” bodies — even if we haven’t died yet. ALL the saints will be alive in the 1000-year reign The unsaved ones who have died will remain in the grave until the Great White Throne judgment (20:11-14).
So, that’s why it’s called the “first resurrection”. The “second” will be those dead who are waiting to be judged.
Make sense?
ooooh okay! yes it does thank you! it also says the second death in 21:8 but that makes much more sense thank you!
#1000YEARS #THEPIT #DUNDUNDUN #THOUSANDYEARREIGN #HREATWHITETHRONE #BOOKOFLIFE #IWANTTOBEINTHEBOOKOFLIFE #NOLAKEOFFIREFORME #JESUSISCOMING!