1. REVELATION CHAPTER 20 “The King of Kings RULES AND REIGNS!” The Millennial Reign of Jesus

2. INTRODUCTION WE HAVE SEEN: Up to Chapter 16 – Unfolding of “Revelation future” culminating in the RAPTURE OF THE CHURCH Chapter 16 – 17 – 18 - Pouring out of GOD’S WRATH Chapter 19 – The Worship and “Wedding” in Heaven Chapter 19 – (Last Half) – The RETURN OF JESUS to conquer his foes at ARMEGGEDON and the setting up of His Kingdom on earth.

3. NOW WE COME TO CHAPTER 20:1-10 The Millennial (1000 years) Reign of Jesus Christ

4. Rev 20:1 Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven with the key to the abyss and a great chain in his hand. 2 He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for 1,000 years. 3 He threw him into the abyss, closed it, and put a seal on it so that he would no longer deceive the nations until the 1,000 years were completed. After that, he must be released for a short time. 4 Then I saw thrones, and people seated on them who were given authority to judge. I also saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony about Jesus and because of God's word, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and who had not accepted the mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with the Messiah for 1,000 years. 5 The rest of the dead did not come to life until the 1,000 years were completed. This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! The second death has no power over these, but they will be priests of God and the Messiah, and they will reign with Him for 1,000 years.

5. Rev 20:7-10 7When the thousand years are over, Satan will be released from his prison 8and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth-- Gog and Magog-- to gather them for battle. In number they are like the sand on the seashore. 9They marched across the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of God's people, the city he loves. But fire came down from heaven and devoured them. 10And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever. (NIV)

6. A CLOSER LOOK AT VERSE 11: Focused look at verses 1-10 1.It deals with the “ultimate future” – we can only “speculate”. 2.It deals with subjects found ONLY here in the scripture (1000 years, Satan loosed again, first resurrection, second resurrection, another “rebellion” against Jesus). 3.All of this is found, of course, in the Book of Revelation – a prophetic book filled with - at the same time- symbolism, literalness and symbolism that points to a specific literal reality…so which is it HERE…in these verses? CHAPTER 20:1-10 - IS EXTREMELY DIVERSE IN ITS INTERPRETATION among Bible scholars. It has a diversity of interpretations because it is a particularly difficult passage.

7. A CLOSER LOOK AT VERSE 11: Focused look at verses 1-10 CHAPTER 20:1-10 - IS EXTREMELY DIVERSE IN ITS INTERPRETATION among Bible scholars. 8 QUESTIONS THAT PEOPLE ASK: 1.What is this “1000 years” – literal or symbolic? 2.Why bind Satan for 1000 years only to “loose” him again ? 3.Why and how can the nations be “deceived” again – under the rule of Jesus? 4.What is the “First Resurrection” vs. the “Second Resurrection”? 5.Why use the term “resurrection” – where have the “dead” been all this time? 6. What happens to the earth and us – after the 1000 years? 7. Chapter 19 says that ALL were destroyed at the coming of Jesus…who will be left on the earth over which to “rule and reign”? 8. Why reign for 1000 years “on the earth” in the first place? What is THAT about?

8. A CLOSER LOOK AT VERSE 11: Focused look at verses 1-10 1.The ENEMIES of the “Church” will be defeated! (The antichrist, the false religious systems, Satan himself, and the godless that have joined them.) 2.The CHURCH will reign Triumphant! 3. The EARTH WILL ACKNOWLEDGE – Jesus as the rightful King of Kings! (Not earthly kings, presidents, politics, powers, armies or even Satan.) BUT - THERE ARE FOUR “BOTTOM LINE” TRUTHS FROM THIS PASSAGE – regardless of the nuances of interpretations:

9. A CLOSER LOOK AT VERSE 11: Focused look at verses 1-10 4. GOD’S PEOPLE will be vindicated – We will RULE AND REIGN with Jesus! NOT JUST PRETTY WORDS – BUT HIS PROMISE! Chapter 20:4 – “Then I saw thrones, and people seated on them who were given authority to judge.” BUT - THERE ARE FOUR “BOTTOM LINE” TRUTHS FROM THIS PASSAGE – regardless of the nuances of interpretations: 1 Corinthians 6:1-5 1If any of you has a dispute with another, dare he take it before the ungodly for judgment instead of before the saints? 2Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? 3Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life! 4Therefore, if you have disputes about such matters, appoint as judges even men of little account in the church! 5I say this to shame you. Is it possible that there is nobody among you wise enough to judge a dispute between believers?