ESV Global Study Bible :: Footnotes for Revelation 20

Rev. 20:1–6 These verses, the last of three “interludes” in Revelation (see note on 7:1–17), are among the most controversial in the book. Scholars disagree about the meaning of the “thousand years.” The three main views are: (1) Premillennialists believe Christ will return “pre” [before] the millennium. They think this thousand years (or millennium) is a future time of great peace and justice. They usually consider this to be a literal 1,000-year period that will begin when Christ returns to reign on earth. He will be King, and resurrected believers will reign with him. (2) Postmillennialists believe that Christ will return “post” [after] the millennial period. They think that before Christ returns to earth the gospel will spread and triumph. Societies will be transformed. Peace and justice will reign on earth for a thousand years (or for a long period of time). After this, Christ will return for the final judgment. (3) Amillennialists hold an “a” [non-literal] millennial view. They think this thousand years is the same period as this present church age. They believe there will be no future “millennium” before Christ returns for the final judgment. Each of these views is within the framework of historic Christian orthodoxy.

Rev. 20:1–3 The dragon will be bound with a great chain and thrown into the bottomless pit, which will be shut and sealed. This symbolizes God’s restriction of Satan’s ability to inflict harm for a long but set period. The nature of this binding of Satan is important to the three millennial views. Premillennialists read this as predicting a complete removal of Satan from the earth during a millennium of social righteousness, international peace, and physical well-being. Christ will reign on earth during this time. Postmillennialists also think this will be a future peaceful millennium, but that Christ will not return until the end of that time. Amillennialists argue that this refers to the gospel’s spread among all nations during the present age. They also think it symbolizes God restraining the church’s enemies until just before Christ’s return (see 2 Thess. 2:3–8).

Rev. 20:4–5 I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. Premillennialists argue that “coming down from heaven” (v. 1) and the reference to “the nations” (v. 3) show that these “thrones” are on earth (during Christ’s millennial reign). Amillennialists argue that the echoes in these verses from Daniel’s vision (compare Dan. 7:9, 22) indicate the thrones are in heaven. John sees the souls of those who had been beheaded . . . and those who had not worshiped the beast. These are the faithful believers who came to life. Premillennialists think deceased believers will experience bodily resurrection at the beginning of the millennium, and that is what is meant by this is the first resurrection. Amillennialists think “they came to life” and “the first resurrection” means their souls entered into the presence of God in heaven after they died. Their deaths were their victory over the dragon and beast (Rev. 12:11; 15:2). They will be given new bodies at the final resurrection (20:12–15). Some postmillennialists agree with the amillennial view of “the first resurrection.” Other postmillennialists think it refers to the future victory of Christianity in the world after its earlier persecution. and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. Premillennialists think this means that these resurrected believers will assist with Christ’s thousand-year reign as righteous King over the whole earth. Amillennialists think this means deceased believers are “reigning” with Christ from heaven now. Postmillennialists see it as a future triumph of Christianity in the world.

Rev. 20:6 second death. The wicked are returned to bodily existence and condemned for their evil deeds. They will be cast into the lake of fire forever (vv. 12–15).

Rev. 20:7–10 Satan’s release after the thousand years will free him to deceive the nations and to gather them for the last battle. Amillennialists see this as the same battle as the one described in 16:13–16 and 19:17–21. Premillennialists see this as a separate, later battle. The gathered armies are called Gog and Magog, titles of Israel’s pagan oppressors, who would be destroyed by fire . . . from heaven (Ezek. 38:22; 39:6) and eaten by birds (Ezek. 39:1–6, 17–20; Rev. 19:17–18, 21). The saints are attacked by enemies as countless as the sand of the sea (see 12:17), but God will protect them.

Rev. 20:11–15 All the dead will be raised from the grave and the sea, to be judged either by their deeds recorded in “the books” (v. 12) or by God’s gracious registration of their names in the Lamb’s “book of life” (v. 12; see note on v. 13). This judgment was announced in 11:18.

Rev. 20:11 The great white throne reflects the purity and wisdom of God, the Ancient of Days (see Dan. 7:9). earth and sky fled away. This removal of the first heaven and earth (promised in Hag. 2:6; Heb. 12:26–28; and described in Rev. 6:12–14; 16:18–21) prepares the way for the new heaven and earth (21:1, 4–5; Isa. 65:17; 66:22; 2 Pet. 3:10–13).

Rev. 20:12 The dead, great and small include God’s saints (11:18; 19:5) and the beast’s worshipers (13:16; 19:18). Books recording their deeds will be opened (Dan. 7:10). The books will provide the evidence on which each is judged (Rom. 2:6–11). another book, the book of life. See note on Rev. 20:13; see 3:5; 13:8; 17:8; 20:15; 21:27.

Rev. 20:13 The sea, Death, and Hades (the realm of the dead; 6:8) will give up their dead as all people return to bodily existence to be judged. they were judged . . . according to what they had done. Unbelievers will be rightly condemned for their sins (20:15). Believers, whose names are in the “book of life” (vv. 12, 15), will enter into “a new heaven and a new earth” (21:1) because they are redeemed by “the Lamb who was slain” for their sins (1:5; 13:8). Their recorded deeds give evidence of their trust in Christ and are the basis for determining their rewards (see notes on 1 Cor. 3:14–15; 2 Cor. 5:10; Rev. 22:12–16).

Rev. 20:14 Death, the last enemy, will be destroyed when Christ returns and resurrects believers (1 Cor. 15:23–26).