Revelation 20 Commentary
The cleanup exercise started in Chapter 19 by the Rider of the white horse continues into Chapter 20.
Chapter 19 saw the defeat of the beast and the false prophet. The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur. Chapter 19 verse 20.
Chapter 20 sees the dragon defeated, and captured like the beast and the false prophet. He is also thrown into the lake of burning sulfur.
But wait a minute. There is a waiting period before the dragon is thrown into the lake of burning sulfur. As usual, John won’t hesitate to add figures to his literature – He has always done so! A period of 1000 years is defined.
A devil-less world, but only for a time – 1000 years! We probably should be less energetic about the 1000 years. It could be the usual Johnic stuff: Numbers always represent some concept.
Peter would say, “With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.” A period of 1000 years represented a concept of time and the Hebrews didn’t have problems understanding this concept.
The key could be found in the Spirit’s letter to the church in Philadelphia: “I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars—I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you. Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.”
Could this refer to the proverbial millennial rule of the Christ when the living saints experience elevation and the bad guys come over and kneel? We can only guess.
If Revelation is a bitter chew, Chapter 20 is partly the reason. Regardless, and happy for the reader, this minute item isn’t part of his or her action point!
No one will be examined on this subject! It won’t be part of your final exam; waste no hours on your desk for it! Read the letters to the churches, check your status in the mirror they provide, and know your next step. It boils down to simple doable items!
The enemy is thrown into the lake of burning sulfur. It’s a final act! No more trouble from him. The dead will also be judged. Physical death is the first death. We all experience it. The lake of fire is the second death for the unbelievers. Believers won’t experience the second death as their names are written in the Book of Life.
Recheck the phraseology and see how John uses the concepts “first and second resurrection” and “first and second death”. They both appear in Chapter 20.
The easier version is found in John’s gospel: Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.” John 11 verses 25 and 26.
Easier version indeed!!!
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