By the Book: Revelation
Lesson 14 – Chapters 19 & 20
-Introduction
-We are going to conclude our study of the Book of Revelation with two more lessons: 19 & 20
tonight; 21 & 22, Lord willing, next week.
-However, it is my view that chapter 19 fits best with previous chapters while chapter 20 fits best
with the remaining chapters.
-So, tonight, we will conclude one section while introducing another.
-Revelation 19 – Hallelujah!
-Remember, chapters 17 & 18 revealed the fall of Rome. Chapter 19 continues that theme.
-vv. 1–5: Avenged
-Praise/worship offered to God
-v. 2 – “has avenged on her the blood of his servants” – cf. Rev 6:10
-vv. 6–8: the Victorious Church
-marriage terminology (cf. Eph 5)
-The faithful in the church had overcome and were therefore ready—clothed in fine linen.
-vv. 9–10: Overwhelmed
-It seems John was overwhelmed at this point. The church would survive the Roman
onslaught. The faithful would be victorious. The church would continue into the future.
-v. 9 – the Gospel
-vv. 11–21: The Victor on the White Horse
-vv. 11–16 - imagery of victorious conquest, glory, power, authority
-These vv. once again emphasize the victory of Jesus over the Roman Empire.
-vv. 17-21 – An angel calls the birds to come and gorge on the flesh of the defeated enemies.
-v. 19 – reference to those fighting against the church – 1st Century context
-v. 20 –The beast and the false prophet are thrown into the lake of fire. This is a new
element – eternal fate.
-v. 21 – The rest are depicted as being slain by the sword. The emphasis is clearly on the
ones who deceived them and misled them—the beast & false prophet.
-Revelation 20 – What About the Dragon?
-We have now come to a severely misunderstood and abused chapter in the Scriptures!
-Of course, this is a primary text appealed to in an effort to support a literal, 1,000-year-
long reign of Jesus on earth. That is simply a violation of the text.
-Remember one of the 4 legs of Revelation is symbolism. It is here that many simply remove
that leg from consideration and therefore become unbalanced in their approach and handling
of the information contained in chapter 20.
-Three very important points for properly understanding Rev 20:
1. 1,000 is a symbolic term—just as so many other things (including a variety of numbers)
have been in the book.
-What we need to be asking is, “What does it represent/mean?”
-Even with that understanding, there are still differences of opinion as to what it
represents. I will share my thoughts and you can decide if you agree or disagree.
2. “Bound” is the idea of being restricted rather than incapacitated.
3. The restriction placed on Satan pertains to his deceiving the nations.
-When we come to chapter 20, there seems to be a remaining question: What about the dragon?
-It seems to be this chapter which begins the transition to final events.
-vv. 1-3 – Satan bound
-While the beast and false prophet were cast into the lake of fire, not so for the devil.
-However, he is bound (restricted) for a thousand years.
-It is usually thought 1,000 years is an unspecified amount of time—and that is how I will
reference it. This is a contrast to the temporary time frames referenced previously (i.e.
42 months; time, times a half; 1,260 days). 1,000 years would point to alonger time.
-Some have suggested it should be viewed in terms of time but in terms of
completeness as a multitude of ten.
-Notice, the binding is in regards to his deceiving of the nations.
-After the 1,000 years, he “must be released for a little while” (v. 3). “Must” is very
intriguing & presents a question we simply can’t answer: Why must Satan be unbound?
-vv. 4–6 – Contrast between the “living” and the “dead”
-During this 1,000 years, the faithful who were killed/died still live & reign with Christ—the
concept of a first resurrection (symbolic, not a bodily resurrection; cf. Ezekiel 37).
-The rest do not have such life—neither do they reign with Christ.
-vv. 7–10 – Satan Unbound but Still Defeated
-Again, the loosing of Satan is in the context of deceiving the nations.
-Gog and Magog have OT background and seem to be a figurative reference to any enemy.
-Yet, it doesn’t matter how many enemies there might be—how powerful they may
appear—how dire the situation my seem—they simply are no match whatsoever for the
power and plan of God (v. 9).
-Just like the reference to Armageddon—there is no battle. There is only a threat.
-v. 10 – The devil himself will then be thrown into the lake of fire and experience torment.
-vv. 11–15 – Judgment Day
-v. 11 – Perhaps a reference to the end of the cosmos as we know it.
-vv. 12–14 – all-encompassing judgment
-v. 15 – Victory for those whose names are found written in the Book of Life.
-Closing
-There are differing views as to what is represented here. Some say this should remain under the
1st-Century context. However, it seems to me it has a finality. Death and Hades being involved
here seems to mark the last day (cf. Matt 25; 1 Cor 15).
-It is that day for which we must prepare (cf. Matt 24:24). Without the grace of God offered
through the blood of Christ—without a response to the invitation God has offered through his
word—without ongoing faithfulness in our Christian lives—we cannot be prepared.
-Thanks to the love, mercy and grace of God—being prepared for that day is a true possibility.
-We, like those in the 1st Century, must remain faithful and overcome.
-What about you?