The Revelation of Jesus Christ | Christ’s Reign Over All Things – Revelation 20:1-15
by Daniel Burton
Read Revelation 20:1-15
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Christ returns and establishes His Kingdom reign in the face of sin and human nature.
Revelation 20 brings Jesus Christ’s return to earth as He inaugurates his reign, first on earth and then into eternity. When Christ first came, the Israelites thought the Messiah came to over throw the oppressive reign of Rome. In reality, the scope of the Israelites was too narrow and Christ’s final victory, while it may be secure, would not be fully realized until the end. We arrive at that moment in chapter 20 where Christ looks to conquer, not Rome, but the rule of sin and Satan. The whole of time culminates in this moment when the battle and struggle are completed and Christ’s victory is fully realized. Everyone, absolutely everyone, will one day stand before God’s throne to give an account for the faith they hold.
Millenial Theories
With regard to the millennial reign of Jesus Christ, there are three predominant theories. Amilleialism states that there is no literal millennial reign but that the millennial reign represents the rule of Christ in the church. It affirms Christ’s return but rejects the aspect of timeline. Premillenialism states that Christ will return to inaugurate the millennial reign over the world. Finally, Postmillenialism states that Christ’s reign will come through the church (the bride and representation of Christ to the world) and that Christ will come when everything has been completed. Based on this author’s reading and understanding, premillennialism seems to be the case based on what is described. Satan, the dragon, persecuted and attacked His beloved creation and beautiful bride. As a sovereign King and ruler, exacting judgment on an attack on the throne and on the bride is not a task to be outsourced. Even the language of scripture speaks of Christ’s return and the inauguration of the Kingdom. Jesus has always established His Kingdom through His incarnate presence.
Updated October 17, 2019 In truth, the debate for premillennialism, postmillenialism, and amillenialism is highly nuanced with supporting points and difficulties associated with all of them. Recently challenged by my thoughts on premillennialism, there are also other held convictions that may not mesh. In short, I believe that Christ will return, not metaphorically but actually. Whether this will be a literal thousand years to simply span of time is a matter of debate. Yet, for all discussions (hopefully civil) we can and should agree on some things; (1) Christ returns as Sovereign King (2) We can live our lives in the eager expectancy of His return regardless of whatever situation we find ourselves in. Whether the picture in Revelation is literal and prescriptive or imagery we should love the Lord with our heart, mind, soul, and strength. This is the message of Revelation to the church, be faithful to God, even in the midst of the end.
Christ’s Reign
Imagine for a moment what the world has endured during this point. It has seen the rise and fall of those who would seek to distract mankind from their ultimate purpose and from their relationship with Jesus Christ. The world restricted the church from any economic transactions and persecuted them simply because of a professed faith in Jesus Christ. Now, the martyrs of the faith stand as priests and rulers over the world. Christ’s reign over the world presents an image of the future. The dragon, who once had gathered the enemies of God together for one final battle is now captured and imprisoned, awaiting his final judgment in solitude. Christ’s reign over the earth seeks to justify creation and return it to its right standing in creation. It blends the perfection of heaven and earth coming together in unity for the glory of God. Revelation tells us that Christ will take His place as the proper ruler over earth for 1,000 years. This is the position that Jesus always had the right to take and gives us a glimpse of the New Heaven and New Earth that awaits mankind. The source of temptation has been thoroughly dealt with as the beast and false prophet burn in the lake of sulfur and the dragon awaits in captivity. Only one source of sin must be dealt with for the righteousness of God to be fully realized.
Satan’s Return and Final Judgment
After the thousand year reign has ended, Satan is released for a short time. During this time he gathers his forces one final time. Gog and Magog represent the extremities that sought the heart of the dragon, even if their actions temporarily displayed will of God. Their number is massive as they gather together in one place to march one final time against Christ’s reign. Satan ultimately cannot remain in holding forever and must be dealt with for God to be just. In this moment, people have the option to choose whether they will stand against God or stand against the dragon. The defeat of Satan and the army that marches with him is remarkably fast. In their arrogance they march against a sovereign Lord and as fire reigns from heaven, the end is complete. Satan, and those with him, are cast into the fire alongside the beast, the prophet, and the prostitute.
The release of Satan reveals the condition of mankind’s heart. With the introduction of sin in the garden of Eden, the hearts of mankind have been thoroughly corrupted to crave sin and rebellion against God. Even during the millennial reign of Jesus Christ, some still caved to the temptation to challenge God as ruler. Their outside actions may have been able to function in the world ruled by Christ, but the heart of man reveals the true intentions eventually. Those whose heart has not been redeemed by the grace of Jesus Christ, those who are not among the elect will ultimately not crave the things of God and take the opportunity to rebel against Him. Yet, like the Satan, they will meet the same fate. In uniting with Satan, people tie their fate to his, to be throw into the lake of burning sulfur, to experience the fullness of God’s wrath forever.
Judgment of Works and Life
Everyone will stand before the throne of God at some point. While the false trinity reside in the lake of burning sulfur, the dead appear before the fullness of God’s throne. There, God presents them with the totality of their works and whether they have shown themselves to be righteous and holy or impure and unholy. All mankind is judged by our works but for those who believe, the works of Christ are imputed to us as our own. For the elect whose name is written in the book of life, the death of Christ counted as our own and the life of Christ is credited to us. We are saved by the grace of God who conquers death and sin and imputes His life as our own in unity with Him.
Death and Hades, the holding place of the dead, no longer serve any purpose. At this point, those who will be dead are already dead and those who will be redeemed from Hades have been redeemed. No punishment is left for the bride of Christ whom Christ’s righteousness is imputed upon. Our names are written in the book of life by the blood of Jesus Christ. As we step into eternity with our Savior, we do echoing the words of the prophet Hosea “I shall redeem them from Death. O Death, where are your plagues? O Sheol, where is your sting?” (Hosea 13:14, ESV) We are redeemed, renewed, saved and secured by the blood of Jesus Christ who declares victory over sin and destruction to save those whom He loves.
Discussions Questions
Define the following
- Amillenialism: _______________________________________________________
- Pre-millenialism: _____________________________________________________
- Post millenialism: ____________________________________________________
What does it say about the condition of the human heart that, even during the reign of Christ, people still choose to rebel? Where does our redemption and saving occur? Do we seek God through our actions or in our heart?
What qualities of God do you see present throughout this chapter? Why are these significant?
What are our hearts capable of producing? Why should we trust in Jesus Christ?
How do works serve as a testimony to what Jesus Christ has done? Does your life reflect the grace and love of Jesus Christ? Where are you succeeding? Where could you do better?
