Revelation 20 describes a thousand years, the millennium. It begins when Jesus returns. The righteous dead are raised and, with the living saints, taken to be with Him; “they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years” (Revelation 20:4). The wicked who are alive die at the brightness of His coming, and the earth is left empty and broken (Jeremiah 4:23-26).
During those years Satan is bound (Revelation 20:2). He is held on a ruined earth with no one to deceive. Meanwhile the saints take part in the judgment (1 Corinthians 6:2-3; Revelation 20:4). They can see for themselves why some people are not in heaven, and that God has been fair and loving in every case.
At the end of the thousand years the holy city comes down, the wicked dead are raised, and Satan gathers them to attack it (Revelation 20:7-9). Then “fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them” (Revelation 20:9). Sin and sinners are ended for ever, not tormented for ever: “they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet” (Malachi 4:3). The universe will be clean, and “affliction shall not rise up the second time” (Nahum 1:9).
Key Bible verses
- Revelation 20:1-3Satan bound for a thousand years.
- Revelation 20:4-6They reigned with Christ a thousand years.
- Jeremiah 4:23-26The earth without form and void.
- 1 Corinthians 6:2-3The saints shall judge the world.
- Revelation 20:7-10Fire came down from God out of heaven.
- Malachi 4:1-3They shall be ashes.
- Nahum 1:9Affliction shall not rise up the second time.
Tap a reference to read it in the Bible.
Think about it
- Why do you think God gives the saved a thousand years to look into His judgments?
- How does an end to sin, rather than endless torment, show the love of God?
- What does it mean to you that sin will never rise again?
