Revelation 20 — The Thousand Years (Part 2)

Session 47 | A positive presentation of an alternative reading of Revelation 20: the millennium as a symbolic depiction of the present church age. Source: A2K Online Church Archive — Revelation 20 (Part 2 of 2)

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Context: Two Honest Views

The teacher notes that among professional biblical scholars, there is roughly a 50/50 split between the two major views:

1. Premillennialism — the 1,000 years is a literal future period beginning with Christ’s return
2. Amillennialism — the 1,000 years is symbolic of the present church age

Both views are held by honest, careful Christians. The teacher now leans toward the second view.

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The Binding of Satan (vv. 1–3)

*“An angel laid hold of the dragon… and bound him for a thousand years, and threw him into the abyss.””

What “Binding” Means

In the amillennial view, Satan’s binding is already accomplished through Christ’s death and resurrection (Matthew 12:29; Colossians 2:15; Hebrews 2:14). What is now bound?

Not his ability to tempt or afflict believers (1 Peter 5:8 warns he is still active) But his ability to deceive the nations — preventing the spread of the gospel

Before Christ, salvation was largely confined to Israel. Since Christ, the gospel has gone to all nations — Satan cannot stop the Great Commission.

The Abyss and the Seal

Satan is thrown into the abyss and sealed — not removed from activity, but restricted in scope. His power is contained by God’s sovereignty.

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The First Resurrection (vv. 4–6)

*“I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them… They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.””

Who Are “They”?

The ones who sit on thrones are:

• Those martyred for their witness to Jesus
• Those who did not worship the beast or receive his mark

What Is the First Resurrection?

In the amillennial view, the first resurrection is spiritual — the new birth, being raised with Christ (Colossians 3:1; Romans 6:4). When a person is baptized, they are raised to new life in Christ.

Reigning with Christ is present — believers already reign with Christ in the heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6).

“Blessed and Holy Is the One Who Has Part in the First Resurrection”

This is the second death having no power over them. Believers who have been raised spiritually with Christ will not face condemnation.

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Satan Released and the Final Battle (vv. 7–10)

*“When the thousand years are completed, Satan will be released from his prison, and will come out to deceive the nations.””

What Is the “Release”?

In this view, the release of Satan represents a future apostasy — a final outbreak of evil before Christ’s return. The church age (symbolized by 1,000 years) will end with a period of intense persecution and deception.

Gog and Magog

These names come from Ezekiel 38–39, symbolizing the nations assembled against God’s people. This is not a literal battle but a symbolic picture of evil’s final, desperate assault.

Fire from Heaven

God intervenes directly — no human army defeats Satan. Fire comes from heaven and devours the enemies. The devil is thrown into the lake of fire where the beast and false prophet already are.

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The Great White Throne Judgment (vv. 11–15)

*“I saw a great white throne and Him who sat upon it, from whose presence earth and heaven fled away.””

The Judge

God (or Christ) sits on the throne. Earth and heaven flee from His presence — the old creation gives way to the new.

The Books Opened

Two sets of books:

1. The books — containing the deeds of every person
2. The book of life — containing the names of the redeemed

Judgment by Works

*“The dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds.””

This does not mean salvation by works. It means that judgment is based on what people actually did — their deeds reveal their true allegiance.

Death and Hades Thrown into the Lake of Fire

Personified Death and Hades are destroyed. The second death is the lake of fire — final, eternal separation from God.

Anyone Not Written in the Book of Life

*“If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.””

This is the final, sobering conclusion: at the end of all things, there are only two categories — those written in the Lamb’s book of life and those not.

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Summary

Element	Premillennial View	Amillennial View
1,000 years	Literal future period	Symbolic of the church age
Binding of Satan	Future event	Already accomplished through Christ
First resurrection	Future bodily resurrection	Spiritual resurrection at conversion
Reigning with Christ	Future earthly reign	Present spiritual reign
Release of Satan	After literal 1,000 years	End of church age / final apostasy
Gog and Magog	Literal battle	Symbolic final rebellion
Great white throne	Final judgment	Final judgment

“Honest Christians disagree on Revelation 20. I don’t think you should base all of your theology on one chapter. But however you read it, the point is the same: God wins.”