REVELATION 20

THE 1,000 YEARS + THE BOOK OF LIFE 

Next in his vision, John sees an angel from heaven, holding the key to the bottomless pit. The dragon and serpent, who are representative of God’s enemies and evil, are bound in the bottomless pit for a thousand years.

John also sees all of the martyrs, those who had died for the sake of the gospel, and those who refused the mark of the beast, sitting in thrones. These believers reign with Christ for a thousand years. Believers who had previously died will not be brought into new life until the end of the thousand years.

Once the one thousand years has ended, Satan is released from the bottomless pit. He deceives and rallies the nations, attempting to start a rebellion. As Satan attempts to defeat God, he is devoured with fire, leaving him eternally tormented.

This time period, the one thousand years, is known as the millennium. The timing of the millennium, as well as its literal or metaphorical meaning, is one of the most heavily debated theological topics among Christian scholars. Regardless of your interpretation, it is clear that Jesus deals with sin and vindicates His loyal followers.

After the final defeat of Satan, John sees a great white throne. Before the throne is an open book, recording who has been made righteous before God through faith in Jesus.