26: Reign with Christ and Final Judgment (Rev 20:1-15)

The Basics

Setting

In the previous chapter, we saw the war between Christ and the beast. The beast and the false prophet were captured and cast into the lake of fire, and the beasts’ followers were killed with the sword. In this chapter, we read of the binding and release of Satan as well as the reign of believers with Christ. Like the beast and false prophet, Satan will also be cast into the lake of fire after a futile attempt to make war with God’s people. Then the dead are judged, and anyone not found written in the Book of Life is also cast into the lake of fire. This final judgment marks the end of world history and the beginning of a new heaven and new earth.

Key Verse

“Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years” (20:6).

Did You Know…?

1.         Common interpretations of the millennium: 1) Premillenialists believe that Christ will come before the millennium begins to reign in the world with His saints. 2) Postmillenialists believe that we are now in the millennium, and that Christ will come at the end of the millennium. 3) Amillenialists believe that there is no literal reign for a thousand years, and that the millennium is a spiritual reign at the present time.

2.         Gog and Magog (20:8): “Names of a ruler, Gog, and his land, Magog, in the Bible. Gog is the leader, in Ezekiel 38 and 39, of an invading army from ‘the uttermost parts of the north’ who will attack Israel ‘in the latter years.’” 7/1056

Observation

Outline

(20:1-3)

(20:4-6)

(20:7-10)

(20:11-15)

Key Words/Phrases

Segment Analysis

20:1-6

1a.       Who bound the dragon and why was he bound?

1b.       What does the binding of the dragon symbolize?

1c.       What does this passage tell us about the nature and extent of Satan’s power?

2a.       What is the function of the thrones in 4?

2b.       Who will reign with Christ?

3.         How is the binding of Satan connected to believers’ reign with Christ?

4.         What is the first resurrection? Is it a physical or spiritual resurrection? Support your answer.

5.         What is the second death? What does it mean that the second death has no power over those who have part in the first resurrection?

6.         How will the believers reign with Christ during the thousand years?

7.         When will the binding of Satan and the thousand-year reign begin?

7a.       During Jesus’ earthly ministry? The establishment of the true church in the last days? After Christ’s victorious battle in 19:11-21?

7b.       Before or after the tribulation period?

20:7-10

8a.       Why do you think God released Satan?

8b.       What will the nations of the earth do?

9.         What is the camp of the saints and the beloved city?

10.       What will happen to the devil and his armies?

11.       What kinds of spiritual battles are you going through today?

20:11-15

12.       What does it mean that the earth and the heaven fled away from God’s face?

13a.     Who will be judged at the final judgment?

13b.     On what basis will Christ judge the dead?

13c.     If we are saved by grace through faith, why is the judgment also based on a person’s works?

14.       What does the casting of Death and Hades into the lake of fire represent?

15.       On what basis will believers be spared at the judgment and escape from the lake of fire?

16.       How does your study of the reign with Christ and final judgment affect your own life?