Satan Bound And Christ's Reign For 1000 Years Series

WEEK 42

“Satan Bound & Christ Reigns for 100 years”

Date: July 2, 2003

Place: Allendale Baptist

Text: Revelation 20:1-10

Introduction

Chapter 19 ended with the Battle of Armageddon and Christ’s second coming. These are events that mark the close of the Tribulation. The events of chapter 20, the binding of Satan, Christ’s 1000 year earthly kingdom, Satan’s final rebellion, and then the Great White Throne judgment, fit chronologically between the close of the Tribulation and the creation of the new heaven and the new earth described in chapters 21 & 22.

In these 10 verses tonight we will look at the imprisonment of the beast and the 1000 year reign of Christ. Chapter 20 is seen by many as not an important because the millennium or 1000 year period is mentioned only in this chapter in Scripture. So some have dismissed and do not teach on the 20th chapter at all.

 The word millennium comes from the Latin word which means one thousand.

 Chapter 20 is the dividing point for the three main schools of eschatology:

1. Postmillennialism- this thought assumes that Christ will return after the events described in Revelation 20:1-6. Those that hold to this view generally expect the preaching of the gospel to improve the quality of life in this world. They anticipate the return of Christ to climax the period of the millennium.

2. Amillennialists- those that hold to this view teach that the picture of Christ’s thousand year reign in chapter 20 is merely symbolic of His present spiritual kingdom at the right hand of God in heaven. Many amillennialists suggest that the millennium is this present period of world history in which the gospel can be spread freely and influence history by bringing people to faith in Christ.

3. Premillennialists- these insist that the return of Christ will take place before the millennium begin. Those that hold to this view will follow a more literal interpretation of the book of Revelation.

4. Dispensational Premillennialists- emphasize that the return of Christ will occur in two stages. The first will take place prior to the period of final judgment known as the tribulation. This fist stage of Jesus’ return is called the Rapture. The second stage of Jesus’ return will occur at the end of the tribulation in the events described in Revelation 19-21.

5. Historical Premillennialists- Hold to the thought that the return of Christ is a single-stage event that will occur at the close of the tribulation but prior to the beginning of the millennium.

Having said all this lets begin our study.

Verse 1

 Before the millennium begins Satan must be restrained.

 An angel comes down from heaven with the key to the bottomless pit and a long or huge chain in his hand.

 Some believe that Satan is bound today at this very time.

 In one sense, Jesus bound Satan when He came to earth and His death, burial and resurrection did bring defeat.

“bottomless pit”

 This is not the same as hell; it is the abyss that we have looked at earlier in chapter 9:1-2; 11; 11:7 & 17:8

Verse 2

 Next John lists 4 names of Satan

1. Dragon- this emphasizes his fierceness and cruelty.

2. serpent of old- is a reference to Satan’s first appearance in the Garden of Eden.

3. Devil- which means accuser

4. Satan- which means adversary.

“Bound for a thousand years”

 This is the first of six times this thousand years is mentioned.

 As I look and have studied the book of Revelation, there is nothing that would bring me to the conclusion that this thousand years is symbolic but only a literal 1000 year.

 John MacArthur states; “Nowhere in Scripture when year is used with a number is its meaning not literal.

Verse 3

 During the millennium, Satan will be confined to the bottomless pit.

 It will be sealed so that Satan cannot deceive the nations

“But after these things”

 There is that word again meta tauta, which means after these things.

 After the thousand year reign of Christ, Satan will be released from the bottomless pit.

 Satan will be released so God can a permanent end to sin before establishing His new heaven and earth

Verse 4

 This verse means just what it says; Tribulation saints will reign with Jesus during the thousand year period.

 According to 1 Corinthians 6:2 and 2 Timothy 2:12; tribulation saints along with OT and NT saints will reign with Christ during the 1000 year kingdom.

Verse 5

“the rest of the dead”

 This refers to unbelievers of all ages will not be resurrected until the Great White Throne judgment at the end of the millennium.

“Firs resurrection”