The Millennium is the Church Age – A Study on Revelation 20

This page provides a detailed study on Revelation 20 as well as links to You Tube videos.  It is important to understand that the Millennium is a symbol for the entire church age from the cross to the start of the Great Tribulation.  The vast majority of evangelical Christianity believes in ‘Premillennialism’ of which it can be show is a false gospel and a false prophecy.  Click on video links, or continue study below.

Summary

Rev 20:1-3 – The Binding of Satan

Overview

Binding of Satan – Key Passages

Satan’s Kingdom to be Divided

Satan’s House of Lies

Overcoming of Satan by Christ

Spoiling Satan’s House – Unsaved are Slaves to Satan

Unsaved are Slaves to Sin

Liberty (Freedom) is Salvation

When was Satan Bound?

Gospel Truth Goes out after the Cross

Relationship to the Millennium (1000 years)?

Key, Chain, Sealing of Satan in the Abyss

The Deception of the Nations

The Thousand Years (Millennium)

Rev 20:4-6 – The Church Age is the First Resurrection

The First Resurrection

Analysis of Romans 6:3-14 (Raised and Resurrected)

They ‘Lived’ with Christ (Rev 20:4)

Dead Lived Not (Rev 20:5)

Dead – Spiritually

Kings and Priests – Description of Christians during the Church Age

Judgment was given unto Them

Those who have been beheaded for their Witness

Those who do not Worship the Beast or his Image, nor receive the Mark on their Hands or Foreheads

Rev 20:7-9 – The Releasing of Satan for a Short Season

Loosed for a Little Season from his Prison to Deceive (Rev 20:3,7)

Gog and Magog Gathered to Battle

Compassing of the Saints and the Beloved City

Rev 20:10-15 – Judgment Day – Great White Throne Judgment

Verse-by-verse Notes

Judgment Seat of Christ

Judge / Judgment

Passages on Good Works Prove Salvation

Outline of Salvation

To determine the order of the end time events (the Great Tribulation, the Millennium, the Church Age and Judgment Day), a fundamental passage of Scripture to thoroughly understand is Revelation 20. In order to understand Revelation 9as well as the rest of the Bible), it is imperative to use the very important Bible study tools of ‘comparing Scripture with Scripture’ and understanding that the Bible is a spiritual book and it must be interpreted spiritually.

Summary

Event	Verses	Short Title	Description
Church Age	20:1-6	The Millennium	·         Dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, – bound with key and chain a thousand years in the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled. (20:1-3a) ·         And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. (20:4) ·         But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.  (20:5-6)
Great Tribulation	20:7-9a	Loosing of Satan	·         … and after that he must be loosed a little season (20:3b) ·         And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, and shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city… (20:7-9a)
The Last Day	20:9b-10	Devil Cast into Lake of Fire	·         …and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. (20:9b-10)
The Last Day	20:11-15	Great White Throne Judgment	·         And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. (20:11-15)

Careful reading of the above verses should reveal to the reader, four basic events:

1. Satan is bound by the angel
2. Satan is bound for 1000 years in the bottomless pit during which time certain individuals reign with Christ. This is also called the time of the First Resurrection.
3. After the 1000 years are ended, Satan will be released from prison to once again deceive the nations. During this time he will gather the nations to surround the camp of the saints in order to battle against them.
4. Fire from God comes down to devour those who encompassed the camp of God and the devil was cast into the lake of fire.

As we study through Rev 20, we will find that the first event when Satan was bound occurred at the cross where Christ reigned victorious. The binding of Satan for 1000 years is symbolic of the age of the church where many individuals come to salvation and spiritually reign with Christ. After the church age is completed, there will be a short period of time (known as the Great Tribulation, Mat 24:21) where Satan will be loosed from his prison. His main task is deception and he persecutes true believers. We will see later that there are many parallel passages that confirm that the loosing of Satan for deception is the Great Tribulation. This Great Tribulation will be completed on Judgement Day where the devil will be cast into the lake of fire. These four periods of time are repeatedly discussed throughout the Bible. For the remainder of this work, they will be referred to as follows:

1. The Cross
2. The Church Age
3. The Great Tribulation
4. Judgment Day

Because Rev 20 is so fundamental in understanding the timing of the Great Tribulation, it is important to carefully study the passage. To understanding the meanings of the allegorical statements in Rev 20 as well as the entire book of Revelation, it is necessary to only allow God to define His own terms by comparing Scripture with Scripture (1 Cor 2:13).

The above conclusion that the binding of Satan is the time period of the church age is actually the belief that has prevailed in the Christian church for most of the Church Age.  It is only since the 1800’s that pre-millennialism has risen to popularity.  Indeed, it would be comforting to believe that the next event is the rapture of the church in order to avoid the Great Tribulation, but this is not the case according to the Bible.  Also, it would be comforting to believe that a millennial (1000 year) period of time occurs where the church reigns with Christ on this earth in a period of bliss, but the Bible does not teach this.

It is also important to note that Revelation 20 is the only proof-text that premillennialists have to offer for the so-called 1000 literal year reign of Christ and believers on this earth.  Let us move on and spiritually understand the real meaning of Revelation 20:1-10.

Rev 20:1-3 – The Binding of Satan

Overview

And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.  Rev 20:1-3

We see in the above passage that an angel comes down from heaven carrying a great chain. He also has the key to the abyss. He takes hold of Satan and binds him for a thousand years. God carefully emphasizes to us that this entity being bound in none other than Satan himself also called the dragon, the serpent, and the devil. This is the same character who has existed from the beginning. In the Garden of Eden, he was seen as a serpent (Gen 3:1-6). Throughout the ages, he has been very active in deceiving the world concerning the truth of God (1 Pet 5:8, 2 Cor 11:11-15).

But, now we find this old devil being bound in the abyss. Moreover, he is sealed and shut into the abyss. The reason that he is bound and shut up in the abyss is so that he will not deceive the nations any more until the thousand years is ended. At this time, he will be again free to deceive the nations.

But, how are we to understand this passage concerning the binding of Satan for 1000 years? When we study the Bible to find other cases that God refers to Satan as being bound, we only find one other event described in the New Testament that refers to Satan being bound (Mat 12:29, Lk 11:21-22, Mk 3:27).  Therefore, we must obviously pay very close attention to this passage since it is important signpost that God has given us in order to understand the nature of the 1000 year millennium of Revelation 20.

The passage of the binding of the strong man is contained in the broader context of a confrontation that Jesus was having with the Pharisees (see Mat 12:22-37). We find that this confrontation was a result of a healing performed by Jesus. There was a blind and dumb man who was demon-possessed. Jesus healed him. The Pharisees accused Jesus of casting out the demon by Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons (or in other words Satan himself). Beelzebub (literally: Lord of the flies) was used in the Old Testament in 2 Kings 1:2 and referred to a pagan god. The Jews had apparently adopted this term as a synonym for Satan.

Jesus replied to the Pharisees that if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself and his kingdom will not stand (Mat 12:26). Therefore, we should clearly see that in this passage Beelzebub is synonymous with Satan. Jesus went on in Mat 12:28 to explain that if Jesus casts out demons by the Spirit of God then the kingdom of God had come upon them. In Mat 12:29, Jesus then says:

Or else how can one enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house.  Mat 12:29

In this verse, Jesus refers to himself as plundering Satan’s house. In the context of the overall passage, Jesus was casting out demons and healing people, which is a symbol for restoring those who he healed to spiritual health.  Jesus was symbolically taking goods from Satan’s house. Those who were formerly under the complete control of Satan were now being saved from the grip of Satan. Jesus was going about healing and casting out demons of all those whom He chose to do so.

It is important to understand that the casting out of demons and healing of those who are blind, dumb or otherwise sick is a great portrait of salvation.  Prior to salvation, all people are spiritually blind, deaf, dumb and mortally sick. We are all spiritually dead (Eph 2:1-10). We find in 1 Pet 2:24 that by Christ’s work on the cross we became healed. He bore our infirmities (compare with Is 53 and Is 35).  In fact, we can see the spiritual meaning of all the healings that Jesus performed as pictures of salvation. Therefore, in Mat 12:29, Jesus was declaring that He was to plunder Satan’s house due to the work He was going to perform on the cross in order to bring salvation to His people. Therefore, it should be evident that the plundering of Satan’s house has altogether to do with the bringing of salvation for God’s people.

The learning for us in the study of the millennium is what Jesus would do in order to plunder Satan’s house and bring salvation for His people: Jesus must bind Satan first! Christ was unable to bring salvation for His people unless He first entered Satan’s house and plundered it.  Just as the house of God refers to the church of God, the house of Satan refers to those who are under the control of Satan. Or, in other words, the house of Satan consists of all those who are unsaved. So, we see that for Jesus to perform His work of salvation, He had to first bind Satan.

Binding of Satan – Key Passages

• But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you. Or else how can one enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house.  (Mat 12:28-29)
• No man can enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house.  (Mar 3:27)
• When a strong man armed keeps his palace, his goods are in peace: But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armor wherein he trusted, and divides his spoils. (Luk 11:21-22)
• Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.  (Isa 53:12)
• But thus saith the LORD, Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered: for I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children. And I will feed them that oppress thee with their own flesh; and they shall be drunken with their own blood, as with sweet wine: and all flesh shall know that I the LORD am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob.  (Isa 49:25-26)
• To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.  (Act 26:18)
• ‘Strong man’ symbolic for Satan:
  • … Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand: And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand? And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges. But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.  (Mat 12:25-28)
  • Or else how can one enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house. (Mat 12:29)

Satan’s Kingdom to be Divided

• Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation … (Mat 12:25)
• Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And said unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. (Mat 4:8-9)
• In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ … should shine unto them. (2Co 4:4)
• … that he should deceive the nations no more … (Rev 20:3)

Satan’s House of Lies

• He that commits sin is of the devil; for the devil sins from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin … because he is born of God. In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever does not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loves not his brother. (1Jn 3:8-10)
• You are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.  (Joh 8:44)
  • Lie – deceives the nations (Thy word is truth – John 17:17)

Overcoming of Satan by Christ

• LK 11:17-18 is a parallel passage to Mat 12:25-29
  • But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house falls. If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub. (Luk 11:17-18)
  • When a strong man armed keeps his palace, his goods are in peace: But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armor wherein he trusted, and divides his spoils. (Luk 11:21-22)
• Christ overcomes Satan
  • And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.  (Rev 6:2)
  • For whatsoever is born of God overcomes the world: and this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith. (1Jn 5:4)
  • Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. (Hebrews 2:14-15)
    • Destroy (Greek: katargeo) – to render idle / useless

Spoiling Satan’s House – Unsaved are Slaves to Satan

• Wherefore he says, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.  (Ephesians 4:8)
• Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience.   (Ephesians 2:2)
• … if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will. (2Ti 2:24-26)
• Jesus answered them, truly, truly, I say to you, Whoever practices sin is the slave of sin. (Joh 8:34)

Unsaved are Slaves to Sin

• Slavery to Sin ‑ Ro 6:6, Ro 6:17‑18, Gal 4:3‑11, Gal 4:21‑31, Gal 5:1, Titus 3:1, 1 John 5:19, John 8:34, John 8:44
• … knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him in order that the body of sin might be destroyed, that from now on we should not serve sin. (Rom 6:6)
• But thanks be to our God that you were the slaves of sin, but you have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. Then being made free from sin, you became the slaves of righteousness. (Rom 6:17-18)
• Even so we, when we were infants, were in bondage under the elements of the world. But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, coming into being out of a woman, having come under Law, that He might redeem those under Law, so that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. So that you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, also an heir of God through Christ. But then, indeed, not knowing God, you served as slaves to those not by nature being gods. But now, knowing God, but rather are known by God, how do you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements to which you again desire to slave anew? You observe days and months and times and years. I fear for you, lest somehow I have labored among you in vain. (Gal 4:3-11, see also Gal 4:21-31, Gal 5:1)
• Jesus answered them, truly, truly, I say to you, Whoever practices sin is the slave of sin. (Joh 8:34)

Liberty (Freedom) is Salvation

• And it shall come to pass, when all these things are come upon thee, the blessing and the curse, which I have set before thee, and thou shalt call them to mind among all the nations, whither the LORD thy God hath driven thee, And shalt return unto the LORD thy God, and shalt obey his voice according to all that I command thee this day, thou and thy children, with all thine heart, and with all thy soul; That then the LORD thy God will turn thy captivity, and have compassion upon thee, and will return and gather thee from all the nations, whither the LORD thy God hath scattered thee. If any of thine be driven out unto the outmost parts of heaven, from thence will the LORD thy God gather thee, and from thence will he fetch thee: And the LORD thy God will bring thee into the land which thy fathers possessed, and thou shalt possess it; and he will do thee good, and multiply thee above thy fathers. And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live. (Deu 30:1-6)
• Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! when the LORD bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad. (Psa 14:7)
• Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! When God bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad. (Psa 53:6)
• To the chief Musician,A Psalmfor the sonsof Korah. LORD, thou hast been favourable unto thy land: thou hast brought back the captivity of Jacob. (Psa 85:1)
• Turn again our captivity, O LORD, as the streams in the south. (Psa 126:4)

• Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free.  (Mat 17:26)
• Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. If the Son therefore shall make you free,  ye shall be free indeed.  (Joh 8:31-36)
• What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.  (Rom 6:15-23)
• So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man. (Rom 7:3)
• For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free  from the law of sin and death. (Rom 8:2)
• Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.  (Rom 8:21)
• Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather.  (1Co 7:21)
• For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord’s freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ’s servant.  (1Co 7:22)
• The wife is bound by the law as long as   her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord.  (1Co 7:39)
• Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord?  (1Co 9:1)
• For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant  unto all, that I might gain the more.  (1Co 9:19)
• Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man’s conscience?  (1Co 10:29)
• For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.  (1Co 12:13)
• Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.  (2Co 3:17)
• And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: (Gal 2:4)
• There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.  (Gal 3:28)
• For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the() other by a freewoman.  (Gal 4:22)
• But he  who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise.  (Gal 4:23)
• But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.  (Gal 4:26)
• Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.  (Gal 4:30)
• So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.  (Gal 4:31)
• Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free,  and be not entangled again with  the yoke of bondage.  (Gal 5:1)
• For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.  (Gal 5:13)
• Knowing that whatsoever   good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.  (Eph 6:8)
• Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.  (Col 3:11)
• But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.  (Jas 1:25)
• So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.  (Jas 2:12)
• As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.  (1Pe 2:16)
• While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.  (2Pe 2:19)
• And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;  (Rev 6:15)
• And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive  a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:  (Rev 13:16)
• That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great.  (Rev 19:18)

When was Satan Bound?

From the illustration of Mat 12:29, we can easily suspect that the binding of Satan occurred at the cross. The battle of Satan and Jesus was being conducted during Jesus’ ministry on the earth. We find that when Jesus entered into His ministry that Satan came to tempt Jesus in the wilderness (Mat 4). After Jesus successfully resisted these temptations, we find in Lk 4:13 that God tells us that Satan departed until an opportune time. Throughout the ministry of Jesus, we find that He was tempted Mat 4, 19:3, for example).  But, we also find that Jesus was a faithful high priest who was tempted in all points yet without sin (Heb 4:15).

Jesus was faithful until death. He completed His work on the cross. He successfully endured all temptations and was found without spot or blemish. Because of His success on the cross, He has led captive a host of captives (Eph 4:8). In other words, because of Christ’s work, He has released the captives of Satan and has led them into captivity to serve the living God. In short, He has plundered Satan’s house. God has raised us up with Christ and seated us in heavenly places (Eph 2:6).

We also find a dramatic change in the amount of people being saved after the cross.  Prior to the cross, there were a very few amount of people who being saved. We see that the Gospel was primarily preached to the nation of Israel (Lk 24:25-27) prior to the cross. The Gentiles were in blindness and only few were saved. We see some notable cases of Gentiles being saved such as Rahab, Naaman, and Ruth. However, by and large the Gentiles were in ignorance and not saved. In the Old Testament, they were normally the object of the wrath of God. Most of the time, the Gentile nations were being punished by God. For example, we see that the nations that were in the land of Israel were destroyed when Israel was led by God to enter the land. There was no salvation.

But, we also find that Israel themselves by and large were not saved.  Oh yes, there were notable examples of people who were saved like David, Josiah, Moses, Joshua, Caleb, etc. However, over and over again we find that Israel was being punished by God for their disobedience. Since they were seeking salvation by the works of the law, they found themselves under the wrath of God. In the wilderness we find of those who were over 20 years of age only Joshua, Caleb and Moses were saved. The rest died in the wilderness due to their rebellion from God. Later, both Israel and Judah were destroyed by God eventually being taken away in captivity.

At the time of Christ, the church was to be built – Mat 16:18-20. This was the time that the church age was to begin.  When we read Acts, we find great numbers of Jews and Gentiles being saved. We find that 3000 were saved on the day of Pentecost. Later we find many more being saved in the course of a very short time (Acts 1:8, 2:41, 4:4). In fact, the world had never seen such an outpouring of God’s Holy Spirit.

All this discussion should serve to emphasize the fact that the plundering of Satan’s house primarily was occurring after the cross. Although there were people saved by faith prior to the cross, the significant outpouring of God’s Holy Spirit occurred after Satan was defeated by Christ on the cross.

But, there is even more obvious evidence to attest to the fact that Satan was bound at the cross. In past generations, nations went their own way. There was very little salvation (Acts 14:16). We find that there was a major change at cross. First, the Holy Spirit was sent – John 14:16-17, 26, 15:26, 16:7, Lk 24:49, Acts 1:4, 2. With the advent of Christ, the nations shall be blessed – Ps 72:8-11,17, cf Gen 12:3, Am 9:11f, Micah 4:12 and many gentiles (or nations) will be saved. There will be salvation to all the earth – Acts 13:47, Lk 2:32, Acts 26:23. The mystery is now manifested to nations – Ro 16:25-26. All the above passages refer to the wonderful time of the church age where Satan was bound spiritually in that he no longer had the ability to deceive the Gentiles. God’s salvation program went out into all the world. It is important to note that the nations is a parallel to Revelation 20 where the Bible says that Satan is bound so that he will not deceive the nations for 1000 years.

At the cross, Christ disarmed rulers and authorities – Col 2:15. Demons now have become subject to the Gospel – Lk 10:17-18. Satan has fell as lightning – Lk 10:17-18. When Christ defeated Satan on the cross, Satan was spiritually thrown down – Rev 12:9. This forms a parallel with Luke 10:17-18 where the Word says that Satan falls as lightning. In fact, we find in the New Testament many examples where demons were cast out of people. All these statement of scripture serve as portraits of salvation in the casting out of Satan and his ministers  (Mat 8:16-17, Eph 2:2, 4:8-9, 6:12, 1 John 4:1-4,5:19, John 12:31). Consider the following passages that refer to the casting out of demons:

• Synagogue demoniac (Mk 1:23-28, Lk 4:31-36)
• Blind and dumb demoniac (Mat 12:22, Lk 11:14)
• Gaderene men (Mat 8:28-34, Mk 5:1-20, Lk 8:26-29)
• Dumb Demoniac (Mat 9:32-33)
• Syrophoenician’s daughter (Mat 15:21-28, Mk 7:24-30)
• Possessed boy (Mat 17:14-18, Mk 9:14-29, Lk 9:38-42)

The Bible says that the prince of the world (Satan) was cast out so that men would be drawn to Christ – John 12:31-32. Satan’s house is being spiritually plundered through the church age as many come to Christ. Grace has now been revealed – 2 Tim 1:10 and the prisoners set free – Lk 4:18, Is 61:1-2, Eph 4:8-10. The Grace of God has now appeared (Ti 3:3-7, 2:11, 1 Pet 2:25, Eph 4:7-13).

As a result of the advent of Christ and His work on the cross, Satan was judged (John 16:11). At this time, Satan’s angels were also judged – Jude 6, 2 Pet 2:4. In this sense, Satan’s head was crushed (Gen 3:15) with a mortal wound (see also Rev 13:3, Ps 68:21, Ps 91:13). The Son of God appeared to destroy works of devil – 1 John 3:8. Satan was rendered powerless at the cross:

Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil and deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.  Heb 2:14-15

Spiritually speaking, Rev 20:1-3 is a wonderful affirmation of the powerful work of Christ. On the one hand, He rendered Satan powerless at the cross in preventing salvation. This was so many could be delivered from bondage to sin and Satan (Ro 6:15-23, 2 Tim 2:24-26).

Even though Satan was bound at the cross in the sense that salvation would go out to all the nations and many would be saved in the day of salvation (2 Cor 6:2, Is 49:8, Heb 3:7, Lk 9:57-62, Mat 8:21-22), Satan is still influential. To be bound must be understood in relation to Satan’s deceptive ability as is discussed in Revelation 20. It does not mean that he does not walk around as a lion seeking who he may devour (1 Pet 5:8). He still deceives unbelievers (2 Cor 4:4) and enslaves the unsaved (2 Tim 2:24-26). In this sense, he has dominion (Acts 26:18, 2 Cor 4:4, Eph 2:2, 6:12, Col 1:13, Rev 12:1-3). However, Satan is restrained during the church age (2 Thess 2:6-9). However, as we shall see later, when the restraint is released (2 Thess 2:6-9) and Satan is spiritually released to once again deceive the nations concerning the nature of salvation, there will be a Great time of Tribulation.

Gospel Truth Goes out after the Cross

• But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith  (Romans 16:26)
• But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.  (Acts 1:8)
• … and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. (Acts 2:41)
• … many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.  (Acts 4:4)

Relationship to the Millennium (1000 years)?

We have seen so far that the binding of Satan (i.e. the strong man) in Mat 12:29 has altogether to do with the success that Christ had on the cross of Calvary.  Because Christ was a faithful high priest, he was able to release the captives and set them free (Lk 4:18). We are led therefore to relate this teaching directly back to Rev 20 in the binding of Satan in the abyss. We must respect the verbal inspiration of the Bible and submit to the fact that God defines His own terms and integrates His Word into to a unified document. That is, since we are taught in Mat 12:29 and Mk 3:27 that the binding of Satan has to do with Jesus’ work on the cross, we should naturally be led to understand that the binding of Satan has the same meaning in Revelation 20. We should begin to see that Satan was a defeated foe at the cross. He has not been reigning as king during the church age. Jesus is the King. He was born a King and is altogether in control of the world’s destiny. He is altogether in control of salvation.

We now have our first reason to understand that the millennium is actually a picture of the Church Age.  It is the time between the cross and prior to the period of time that Satan is released (Great Tribulation) and then the second coming of Christ follow the Great Tribulation.  However, we must go on to look at many more reasons that we find in Revelation 20 that lead us to that same conclusion.

Key, Chain, Sealing of Satan in the Abyss

We find in Rev 20:1 that the angel coming down from heaven had a key and a chain in order to bind Satan. Most people think of the physical meaning of a key and chain and assume that this means that it is impossible for Satan to influence the world at all. Therefore, they reinforce their belief that the millennium is some future time when Christ is reigning on earth and Satan is totally shielded and out of the picture as far as influencing the affairs of people.

It is important to look at the meaning of the shutting up and sealing Satan with key and the chain in the passage of the binding of Satan. In Revelation 20:1-3, four distinctive terms are used by God to underscore the method by which Satan is bound up in the Abyss. These terms are:

1. Key
2. Chain
3. Shut
4. Seal

To understand what God intends for us to be taught by these terms, we must study each term and allow God to define His own terms. That is, we must diligently search out God’s Word, the Bible, in order to understand the meaning behind these 4 terms. It would be an easy matter for us to apply our own physical, human meaning to these terms. We would naturally be led to understand the shutting up and sealing of Satan with the key and chain to mean that he is totally inactive in the affairs of men. Satan would be completely and absolutely removed from affecting mankind. He would be shut up and sealed from our view.  We would be totally unaffected by his schemes. Just like the criminal is sentenced to prison, so too would Satan be in his prison unable to affect us.

The problem with this view of Satan is that there are other Scriptures that seem to teach that Satan has much influence in the world.  Satan is referred to as being the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who is now working in the sons of disobedience (see Eph 2:2). Additionally, Christians’ struggle is not against flesh and blood but against the schemes of the devil and against the world forces of darkness, against the spiritual forces in heavenly places (see Eph 6:10-12, Col 1:13, Acts 26:18). Satan prowls about seeking someone to devour (1 Pet 5:8). All these references in the New Testament indicate that Satan is currently affecting the affairs of mankind.

We therefore are confronted with somewhat of a contradiction if we believe that Satan could be bound in the Abyss during the Church Age and that the millennium occurs during Church Age. On the one hand, we see Satan referred to being shut up and sealed with a key and chain, yet the Bible teaches that Satan walks about as a roaring lion seeking someone to devour. However, this is not a contradiction as we will shortly see. Remembering that we must allow Go to define His own terms, let us look at the four terms in question: key, chain, shut and seal.

Key

• Sovereignty of God
  • And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit … (Rev 20:1)
  • And the fifth angel sounded … and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit. And he opened the bottomless pit … (Rev 9:1-2)
  • I am He that lives, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.  (Rev 1:18)
  • … He that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that opens, and no man shuts; and shuts, and no man opens  (Rev 3:7)

Interestingly, in the New Testament, the term key is never used in a literal sense. This also holds true for the occurrences in the Revelation. We find that the term key normally has to do with whether one is to be saved or damned. We find in Mat 16:19, that the apostles were given the keys of the kingdom. When the meaning of that passage is searched out (see especially Mat 18), it is found that during the Church Age, church leadership is given the authority to make decisions as to whether one is saved or not in the act of excommunication. By the act of the church excommunicating a person, they are proclaiming that the person being excommunicated is in all likelihood not a true believer and therefore is excluded from the church (see 1 Cor 5).

In Luke 11:52, we find Jesus rebuking the lawyers.  He told them that they had taken away the keys of knowledge. By this statement, Jesus was referring to the fact that the Jews or the day had made their own rules and interpretation of the Bible. They had deceived people into believing a false gospel. They had taken away the keys of knowledge. They had hidden the true road to salvation. The true knowledge of God was shut up. In this statement by Jesus, we find that He was relating to salvation in that the Jews of the day had obscured the way of salvation.

We find in Rev 3:7 that Christ holds the key of David. This is a quote of Is 22:22. We find in these passages that Christ has the authority over the kingdom of God. He has the government of God on His shoulder (see also Is 9:6). The house of David is symbolic for Christ and His kingdom. Therefore, we find that Christ has the authority over salvation. We find that Christ and His kingdom is altogether concerned with the salvation of those who will become Christians.

We also see that Christ has the keys of death and hades (Rev 1:18). That is, Christ is the absolute judge of the world. He decides who will be saved and who will not. He has the authority to cast the unsaved into hell. He also has the authority to cast Satan and his demons into hell.

Keeping the above definitions of the term key that God gives to us, we must understand the meaning of key in Rev 20:1, 3 as follows. The term key must have to do with whether one is to be saved or damned. The term key cannot mean a physical binding of Satan since Satan is a spirit (Eph 2:2, 6:12) and the term key normally is used in a symbolic sense in the Bible. We can formulate the following meaning of key in Revelation 20:1-3. Satan has been bound with a key and a chain. He has been defeated on the cross of Calvary. His judgment is therefore certain. He has failed in his struggle to tempt Christ and cause Christ to sin. Christ has judged Satan. He is therefore thrown into the Abyss to await final judgment. Moreover, the binding of Satan has allowed for a great harvest of souls. We have seen throughout Acts that the church of God has grown like never before.  Many thousands were saved soon after the cross. Prior to the cross only a relatively few persons were saved throughout thousands of years.

Chain

• Satan – Earthbound
  • Paul was an ambassador in chains
    • For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. (Eph 6:20)
    • ‘Bonds’ is the same Greek word as ‘chains’
    • Chain points to limitations, not prevention
  • Satan is limited in power
    • … great dragon cast out … (Rev 12:7)
    • Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour (1 Pet 5:8)
    • … you walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience (Eph 2:2)

Let us go on to look at the meaning of the chain by which Satan was bound. We have already seen that the term key must be understood spiritually since the Revelation is an allegorical book, the term key normally holds a symbolic meaning of salvation or judgment, and that Satan is a spirit being. Therefore, it naturally follows that the meaning of the chain should be spiritually understood.

The term chain is used 8 times in the New Testament (Greek: halusis). Four times it is used of Paul’s chains. That is, he was a prisoner in the flesh. Because of his testimony for Christ, he was imprisoned (see Acts 22-28). One time, chain is referred to Peter being imprisoned (Acts 12). The other occurrences have to do with the man of Gadarene possessed with demons, otherwise known as the Gadarene Demoniac (see Mk 5:3-4, Lk 8:29). In these occurrences we find interesting spiritual truth that directly ties back to the binding of Satan.

First, we see something very interesting concerning the chains of Paul. We find that Paul was an ambassador in chains (Eph 6:20). The importance for us in this is that it is possible to still be influential in prison. Even though Satan is a defeated foe and was bound in chains after his defeat on the cross, he is still influential. He is spiritually bound in that he no longer is in almost absolute control of deceiving the world. After the cross, the Gospel went out all over the world and had great success. Even today, there are many Christians throughout all the ends of the world. Paul, on one hand, was a prisoner for the Gospel. Satan on the other, is a slave of sin and rebellion. However, he still prowls around like a roaring lion seeking one to devour with his false gospels. He still works in those who are unsaved in order to glorify wickedness. Therefore, we should see that Satan although bound with a spiritual chain can still be influential in the world although his power to deceive the world is now limited.  However, his chain limits him that he cannot deceive God’s elect.  God’s elect through the power of the Holy Spirit will be drawn to Christ and saved according to God’s sovereign will.

Another interesting usage of chain occurs in the story of the Gadarene demoniac. We find in this story a man who was possessed with demons. This possession was such that even chains could not bind him. He would quickly break the chains and be free to go about causing havoc. However, when he saw Jesus, he was compelled to bow down to Jesus. The demons begged Jesus not to send them out of the country but that they would be sent into a herd of swine. Jesus sent them out into the swine which promptly rushed down a bank and into the sea.

The above account of the Gadarene demoniac bears remarkable resemblance to the binding of Satan. We find that the Gadarene demoniac is a type of believers prior to when they are saved. In the natural state, all believers were under the influence of Satan and walked according to the price of this age, Satan (Eph 2:2). However, when we become saved, we come in a spirit of humility and in worship. We are freed from our bondage to Satan and are released to full heartedly follow Christ. We see that the demons (i.e. Satan’s kingdom) do not want to be sent out of the country. In the Luke account this is referred to as the abyss.  However, they were sent away into swine which then rushed into the sea. At this time the demons were now under the direction of Christ. Before they could not be bound with chains, but now they were obedient to the Lord.

The parallel with the binding of Satan should now be apparent. The kingdom of Satan was originally not bound. However, when Christ comes on the scene the demons are now bound to be obedient to the Lord. Relating this back to the account of the binding of Satan, we find that prior to the cross. Satan was not bound. He roamed about and was the ruler of the world. He was in a position of dictating the false gospels of the world. However, at the cross, he was defeated and now the Gospel was free to go out to all ends of the world. Many, many people were saved in the early days of the church because Satan is bound in order not to deceive the world.

The chain has an important meaning of restraint. Although Satan is now restrained from the Gospel going forth to the nations of the world (Ro 16:25-26), there is some freedom given to him. For example, he roams around as a roaring lion seeking someone to devour (1 Pet 5:8, Eph 2:2). Therefore, the chain is a restraining device but does not necessarily mean he is not given some length of chain.

Summary – Satan’s Chain Earthbound

• Paul was an ambassador in chains
  • For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. (Eph 6:20)
  • ‘Bonds’ is the same Greek word as ‘chains’
  • Chain points to limitations, not prevention
• Satan is limited in power
  • … great dragon cast out … (Rev 12:7)
  • Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour (1 Pet 5:8)
  • … you walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience (Eph 2:2)

Shut

The next term we need to analyze is that of shut. We are again tempted to draw a quick conclusion that since Satan is shut up in the abyss that h is unable to walk about as a lion and that he is no longer the prince of the power of the air. However, before we draw that hasty conclusion, we must carefully examine the usage of the term ‘shut’ in the Bible. We must trust God’s Word to explain itself to us. The term shut is used some 15 times in the New Testament. It almost always has to do with the shutting of a door or the access to a place. This is also the meaning of shut in Rev 20:3. From the other occurrences of shut we can draw some conclusions about the meaning of the term in Rev 20:3. We find in the parable of the 10 virgins that the doors were shut after the bridegroom has come. In other words, the way of salvation is ended. We also find in Mat 23:13 that the Scribes and the Pharisees have shut off the kingdom of heaven from those who were under their care. In other words, because the Jews were following a false gospel of works rather than faith, they had taken away the key of knowledge. They were hindering those under them from entering the kingdom of God. They have shut the door of salvation.

Another reference to shut has to do with the shutting of the heavens from given its rain (see Lk 4:25, Rev 11:6). Careful study of these passages reveal that the shutting off of the rain has to do with the closing off of the way of salvation. The rains of the Gospel were for these times shut off. Specifically, these times of the shutting off of the rain of the Gospel were during the days of Elijah and during the day of the two witnesses in Revelation 11.

Returning to Rev 20 concerning the shutting of Satan in the abyss, we find an important meaning. We find that Satan is shut up. Now that Christ defeated Satan on the cross, the Gospel has gone out with much fruit. The triumph of Christ on the cross has resulted in thousands upon thousands being saved. Satan’s ability to deceive the nations has been thwarted in order that the elect will become saved. Therefore, we should understand the shutting up of Satan in the sense that his deceptive ability is now terminated in that the elect are being brought into the kingdom of God. This agrees perfectly with the context of Rev 20:3 where we read that the reason that Satan was shut up was so that the nations would no longer be deceived. We will discuss more about the deception of the nations below.

The Sealing of Satan

Finally, we look at the sealing of Satan. Again, sealing at first seems to imply that Satan is totally dormant in the activity of the world. Therefore, we are naturally drawn to the conclusion that the millennium is still future since. Satan is obviously still active in the world. However, let us look at this idea of sealing a little closer.

We find the term seal used many times in the New Testament. It is used of Christians in that they are sealed with the Holy Spirit (see 2 Cor 1:22, Eph 1:13, 4:30). It is also used to speak of the fact that God is true (John 3:33). It is referred to in context of circumcision in that it was a seal of righteousness of the faithful (see Ro 4:11). It is also used in that it is the evidence that God knows who are His (2 Tim 2:19). That is God is altogether sovereign and in control of His salvation program.

In Revelation, we find several instances of ‘seal’. We find the 7 seals of the scroll that the Lamb was able to open (see Rev 5-6). We find in Revelation that believers have the seal of the living God on their foreheads (Rev 9:4). By harmonizing all the above usages of seal in the New Testament, we can formulate a working definition of the term seal. We find that it has to do with assurance. Christians are sealed with the Holy Spirit. They have the down-payment and the evidence of the working of God in their lives. It is the assurance or confidence in the power of God.  The same meaning should also be applied to Rev 20:3 in the sealing of the abyss that contains Satan. That is, God is totally sovereign and in control of His salvation program. He has given us the assurance that by sealing Satan in the abyss that His salvation program will accomplish exactly what the intent of God’s purpose is.

Finally, it should be observed that the angel that cast Satan in to the abyss had a great chain in his hand and he took hold of Satan and cast him down into the abyss. The significance of the chain being in the angels hand and the taking hold of Satan should not be underestimated. The term hand and take hold of has a very significant meaning in the Bible. We find that, on the negative side, a nation that has been in the hand of another. This refers to the fact that one nation has control over another (see for example 2 Sam 8:1, Ps 37:33, 71:4, 106:41).  On the other hand, being in the hand of God has to do with His purpose being done (e.g. Ps 10:12, 28:15, 136:12).  Therefore, relating the meaning of being in one’s hand to Rev 20:1-3, we find that the messenger of God, the angel, takes control of Satan and casts him in the abyss. This signifies the fact that God is sovereign and is in control of Satan. According to God’s sovereign predetermined will (see Eph 1:4-11), God has shut Satan in the abyss so that the Gospel may go forth and that the nations would become saved.

In summary, we find an important meaning to the shutting and sealing of Satan with the key and chain. We find that this language is symbolic language which refers to the fact that God is in sovereign control of the destiny of those who would be saved. God has a plan or mankind. According to the good pleasure of His will, He has decided on the timing and the course of His kingdom. He has determined that at the cross Satan would be defeated by Christ. Satan would b limited in order that the nations would no longer be deceived and that the elect would become saved. We have total confidence in the working of God since He has sealed Satan in the abyss.

The Abyss

The abyss is where Satan was exiled for 1000 years. The abyss brings much intrigue when we think about the nature of an abyss.  Literally speaking, it is a bottomless pit. It is a gloomy, dank place where one would not want to exist. But, this is where Satan is during the millennium. Because an abyss portrays the meaning of a gloomy place where one cannot readily have contact with the outside world, we are tempted to assume that the millennium must be a time after the Church Age since it is evident that Satan is still active in the current affairs of men. However, when we examine the abyss in the Bible, we are amazed to find out what it is. To arrive at what the Biblical meaning of the abyss is we must examine the Scriptures. We must allow the Bible to define its own terms.

The Abyss of the New Testament

The term used in Rev 20:1,3 translated in the King James Version of the Bible as the ‘pit’ is the Greek term ‘abussos’ from which we derive the English term abyss. This term is used 9 times in the New Testament (Lk 8:31, Ro 10:7, Rev 9:1,2,11, 11:7, 17:8, 20:1,3). It literally denotes the meaning ‘bottomless’. In Rev 9:1, 2 this term is combined with the Greek word ‘phrear’ meaning pit. ‘Phrear’ is used 6 times in the New Testament (Lk 14:5, Rev 9:1,2 (twice), John 4:11,12).

In Revelation, the abyss is a place where the locusts are who come out to torment men (Rev 9:1-2). Also, it is the place that the beast comes out of. This language is symbolic for the abode of demonic entities including Satan, the beast, and locusts ho have Abbadon (or Satan) as their king. However, this term is also used in some other notable places in the New Testament.

Jesus was in the Abyss

Other than its usages in Revelation, the term abyss only occurs twice – Ro 10:7 and Lk 8:31 which we will examine shortly. By examining Ro 10:7 and Lk 8:31, we find important clues as to the true spiritual meaning of the term abyss used in Rev 20:1-3. The most notable usage of the word abyss that helps us unfold its meaning of in Rev 20:1-3 is found in Romans 10:7. Remarkably, in Romans 10:7, we find that it is a place where Jesus was:

But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:)  Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.   Ro 10:6-9

We see in verse 7 that it is a place where Christ was dead in. Now, we know that Christ died on the cross and was buried in Joseph of Arimithea’s tomb from where He arose later. But, how does this help us understand the meaning of the abyss?

Many quickly will decide that the usage of abyss in Ro 10:7 just proves that Christ was in a terrible place called hell when He was dead.  It is important to briefly pause and reflect on the meaning of Christ’s death. Amazingly, although the death, burial and resurrection of Christ is central to the Gospel message (1 Cor 15:1-4), many have come to error in understanding the nature of Christ’s death. Unfortunately, many Christians believe that Christ died and when He died He actually was in a spiritual place called hell or as Ro 10:7 puts it ‘the abyss’.  We must learn that when Christ died, His spirit went immediately to be with the Father in heaven, while his soul was in hades awaiting the resurrection of His body.

The Meaning of Romans 10:7

First, we must understand the meaning of Ro 10:6-9 if we want to understand what the abyss is. Romans 10 is part of a very important passage of Scripture that teaches us concerning the nature of salvation. In Ro 10:6, we are instructed not to try to ascend into heaven in order to bring Christ down and verse 7 teaches us not to descend into the abyss in order to bring Christ up from the dead. Verses 8 and 9 teach us that rather we are to look to the Word of faith which is very near us and in our own heart. That is, if we confess Christ as Lord and believe in our heart that God has raised Him from the dead, we will be saved.

The meaning of this passage is this. Man cannot not search out Christ by trying, by their own works to reach into heaven for Him nor can they meet Christ in the abyss in order to bring Him up from the dead.  Both of these acts deny primary teaching concerning salvation in that salvation is only by the work of Christ and not by any work we try to do for salvation. On the one hand, by ascending into heaven, we imply that we must make some type of effort for our salvation. We must search Christ out and make the approach to God. We err in that we believe that we can make the approach to God.

Secondly, we err if we teach that we must descend into the abyss to meet Christ. In other words, we imply that we must do some work in order to find Christ. We imply that Christ has not succeeded in doing all the work of salvation and raising from the dead. We incorrectly believe that we must make the approach to God. Verses 8 and 9 teach us the true way to salvation. We must find Christ in our hearts. It is Christ who makes the approach to us by filling our hearts so that we and confess Him as Lord and believe in the resurrection. We cannot muster up the strength to loom for Christ. Rather, as a shepherd finds a wayward sheep, Christ finds us (John 10). Only those who are brought to Christ by God can find true salvation (John 6:37-45).  It is sad today when we find many who believe that they have made their own decision for Christ.  They effectively are saying that they ascended into heaven to bring Christ down to them. They have descended into the abyss to help Christ out in accomplishing His plan of salvation. On the contrary, Christ has entered our hearts with the circumcision made without hands.  He has given us a new heart. He has removed the heart of stone that we naturally had and replaced it with a heart of flesh. He has given us His Spirit and caused us to walk in His ways (Ez 36:26-27). How often today, we find a gospel presented that we must first make the move toward Christ then He will give us the Holy Spirit. No, no, no! First, we are given the Spirit then we can cry out Jesus as Lord (1 Cor 12:3).

To understand the abyss we must understand this: When Christ died on the cross, His spirit did not go to hell. The Bible teaches us that when Christ died, He commended His spirit unto the Father. He told the dying thief that today they would be together in paradise. He did not tell the thief that it would be in a couple of days that they would be together. It was that very same day. Moreover, we find ample proof repeatedly in the Bible that Jesus died physically and not spiritually. We find in Col 1:22 that Jesus has reconciled us through His fleshly body through death in order to present us holy and blameless. We have died to the Law through the body of Christ in order that we may be married to Christ (Ro 7:4). We find in 1 Pet 3:18, that Christ was put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the Spirit.  Concerning Jesus’ soul, the Scripture teaches that his soul would not be left hades since His body was not yet resurrected (Acts 2:27, 31, Ps 16:10) and rejoined with His spirit, which was with the Father.  As we know from man becomes a living soul when God breathes His spirit into the flesh.  We should see now that it was the blood of Christ through His death on the cross that we have been redeemed. Christ did not died spiritually and was sent to the abyss to pay for our sins. When Christ died on the cross, His Spirit, was with the Father.

The Meaning of 1 Pet 3:18-20

It is important to briefly examine 1 Pet 3:18-20 since this passage has led many to conclude that when Christ died, His Spirit went to hell (i.e., the abyss) to preach to those who were once disobedient in the days of Noah. We find in verse 18 that Christ died in the flesh but was made alive in the Spirit. By this Spirit, He went and made proclamation to the spirit us in prison who were disobedient during the days of Noah. This language makes us think that when Christ died, He went and proclaimed the Gospel to those in hell. It gives the idea that there may be a second chance for salvation or that at a minimum there is a pronouncement of judgment on those who were formerly disobedient. However, careful examination of this passage reveals that these conclusions are not right. First, we must understand that there is no second chance for salvation. Once someone dies, the next event for them is the judgement. It is appointed for men to die and then comes the judgment (Heb 9:27).

Additionally, as we have already seen, when Jesus died, He commended His Spirit into the Father’s hands. He was to be with the dying thief that day. Moreover, the context of 1 Pet teaches us that the time that Christ was in the Spirit proclaiming the Gospel to those who were formerly disobedient was actually in the days of Noah. We find in 1 Pet 1:10-12, that the prophets of old preached by the Spirit of Christ to those who lived in the Old Testament times. In other words, the Spirit of Christ has been preaching the Gospel since the inception of time. We find in Gen 1:3 that the light of the Gospel was proclaimed in the creative act of God.

Therefore, the meaning of 1 Pet 3:18-20 is this: Endure suffering and be patient, just as God also was patient in the days of Noah In the days of Noah, only eight persons were saved in the whole world. The Spirit of Christ was working through Noah in order to proclaim the Gospel to the world. God patiently endured the sins of man in order that the flood could serve as a great example of God’s salvation and God’s judgment. When 1 Pet 3:19 says that Christ made proclamation to the spirits now in prison it means that in the days of Noah (and all through the Old Testament era), the Spirit of Christ was preaching the Gospel in order to demonstrate the patience and mercy of God. It does not mean that Christ descended into hell to preach the Gospel after His death on the cross and before His resurrection.

So what is the Abyss?

With the above as background, let us understand the abyss. When Ro 10:7 says that Jesus was in the abyss, we must understand the nature of the judgment on Christ. We see that Jesus Christ was absolutely perfect and without sin (Heb 4:15). However, He bore the sins of those who were to become saved (Is 53:3-5) Therefore, He became guilty of the sins of the true universal church of Christ. In this sense, Christ had to endure the wrath of God to pay for these sins.

Jesus proclaimed that He must be 3 days and 3 nights in the heart of the earth which was typified by Jonah (see Mat 12:40). Now, many theologians have wrestled over this verse because Jesus did not literally spend three days and 3 nights in the tomb of Joseph of Arimithea.  Careful study of the Bible indicates that Jesus was crucified on Friday since He had to be buried prior to the Saturday Sabbath.  Moreover, the Bible records that He was resurrected early on the first day of the week or Sunday.  Therefore, He was buried late on Friday and raised very early on Sunday. More on this shortly.

When we spiritually understand that Christ was teaching that He was to endure the wrath of God for 3 days and three nights, the apparent conflict concerning the 3 days and 3 nights is cleared up. In Eph 4, we find an important passage to help us clear up this issue:

Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.  (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?  He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.  Eph 4:8-10

We find in this passage that Christ descended into the lower parts of the earth. This language refers to the picture of hell portrayed for us all throughout the Bible. Namely, that hell is a place of wrath and is illustrated for us in many ways in the Bible. It is referred to as a grave, a pit, a place of outer darkness, etc.

We see that in order to set the captives free, Christ had to descend into the lower parts of the earth. Prior to salvation, all believers are under the power of Satan and are taken captive by him in order to do his will (2 Tim2:24-26). However, Christ descended into the lower parts of the earth in order to set the captives free. In other words, Christ had to endure the wrath of God in order to provide substitution for those He intended to save.  His 3 days and 3 nights of suffering started in the Garden of Gethsemane, continued in his humiliating arrest, trial, conviction, lashings, crucifixion and His soul being in hades (grave) until His resurrection.

We find that in our natural state of unbelief that the wrath of God abides on us. In other words, although not physically in hell yet, we are under the condition of being in hell since the wrath of God abides on us. Therefore, Christ needed to meet us in hell and endure the wrath of God in order to save us.

Christ began enduring the wrath of God and was therefore under the condition of being in hell or the abyss beginning in the Garden of Gethsemane on Thursday night. We find that it was at this time that the ruler of the world (Satan) was being judged (John 16:11). We see that the time of the Son of Man’s passion was beginning. His 3 days and 3 nights of bearing the wrath of God in the abyss had begun. In the garden, we see that the blood of Christ was already being shed.

We see that Christ was bound that night symbolizing His bearing the yokes of our sin. In fact, careful study of the passion reveals many, many types and figures of Christ bearing the sin of the world. Therefore, it should be clear from the above that Christ bore the wrath of God from Thursday Night through Sunday morning or 3 days and 3 nights. Therefore, we should understand that Christ was in the heart of the earth for this time period. In other words, Christ was spiritually enduring hell for us. He had descended into the abyss to pay for our sins!

The Gadarene Demoniac

And they besought him that he would not command them to go out into the deep.  (Luke 8:31)

To continue our search for the meaning of the abyss, we return to the account of the Gadarene Demoniac. In Lk 8:31, we find the term used as a place of which demons do not wish to go to. When met by Jesus, the demons who possessed the Gadarene Demoniac entreated Jesus not to send them into the abyss. In the parallel account in Mk 5:10, we find that the demons did not want to be sent out of the country. Therefore, we see that being sent out of the country is equated with being sent into the abyss.

Now, it is necessary for us to determine the significance of the term country. This term is also translated field, land or ground. Notably, it is used in John 4:35 where Jesus tells His disciples to look up for the fields are white unto harvest. That meant that salvation had come and that those who were foreordained to be saved were present and the harvest time of salvation was at hand. Relating this back to the story of the Gadarene Demoniac, we could begin to formulate that the demons were asking.

Jesus not to be sent out of the field of those who were going to be saved. Therefore, tentatively, we can try to draw a preliminary conclusion that the abyss may be a place where demons cannot prevent salvation. This holds well with the context of the story of the Gadarene Demoniac since that account concerns itself with the coming of Jesus to releases the captives in order that they may be saved.

The Deception of the Nations

The next area that needs to be examined is that of the deception of the nations. Prior to his being bound, Satan was deceiving the nations. After his binding, he was no longer to deceive the nations although he was to be released for a short time. The fact that there would be deception in the world during the Church Age, many have quickly concluded that Satan could not be bound during the Church Age. After all, he prowls around as a roaring lion seeking someone to devour. However, as we shall see in this chapter, Satan would be bound during the Church Age at which time his deception of the nations that would be saved was halted.  Once he is released for a short season, His deception would once again be in full force.

We currently find many examples in the world today that we conclude are deception. There are many cults throughout the world. There are many false religions. Therefore, it appears that there is deception. Additionally, we are tempted to conclude that there has always been deception throughout the ages since there have always been false religions before and after the days of Christ. This leads us to want to conclude that the millennium has to be a time when there is absolutely no deception going on in the world.  Many theologians have concluded that the millennium will be a time that there will be absolute truth abounding.

However, when we compare Scripture with Scripture, we find that the deception that Satan is prevented from doing carries a very particular meaning. But, before we look at that it is important to understand exactly what the Bible means by ‘nations’.

Who are the Nations?

The term nations (Greek: ethnos, Hebrew: goi) is the exact same term that is used for Gentiles. Therefore, when we read in the Bible nations, we must bear in mind that the term Gentiles could be interchanged. The term nations naturally leads us down the path of concluding that the subject being discussed refers to each and every person on the face of the earth. However, we must be careful of jumping to that conclusion.  We must consider that the term nations also may mean Gentiles in the religious sense. That is, Gentiles is often used in the New Testament of referring to the fact that the Gospel has gone out to other people besides the nation of Israel.

Was there a change in Revelation to the Gentiles?

To understand when the nations (or Gentiles) were or are in a state of being deceived by Satan, we must look to God’s Word. Interestingly, we find that there was a change in relationship with the Gentiles as a result of the cross. That is, prior to the cross, God’s plan of salvation was primarily directed toward the Nation of Israel. God had choose them as a nation to reveal His Word through (Ro 3:2-3).

On the other hand, the Gentiles were foreigners to the promises of God. Consider Eph 2:11-22. We see that the Gentiles were foreigners to the covenants of God. They were strangers and were afar off. However, because of the blood of Christ on the cross, those who were afar off were brought near. In other words, prior to the cross, the Gentiles were not in view when it came to God’s purpose of salvation.

It is important to pause briefly to recognize that there were some in the Old Testament who were Gentiles and became saved. We recall Ruth the Moabitess. Ruth had great faith and became the predecessor of King David. We see Naaman the Syrian who was a Gentile yet came to a knowledge of God. We find the city of Nineveh who were Gentiles. Yet as a result of the preaching of Jonah, they repented and turned to the Lord. However, with these examples, we find that by and large the Gospel was only directed to national Israel.

Deception ends for God’s People

• … that he should deceive the nations no more… (Rev 20:3)
• Gospel Truth goes to the Gentiles in Church Age
  • Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.  (Acts 28:28)
  • Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles? (Ro 9:24)
  • To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory  (Col 1:27)
  • And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. (1 Tim 3:16)
• Gospel is enlightened in the New Testament by Holy Spirit who is sent by God

• But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (2Co 4:3-6)
• But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ. But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away. Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. (2Co 3:14-17)
• But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. (Joh 14:26)
• Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. (Joh 16:13-14)
• That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints (Eph 1:17-18)
• But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things. (1Jn 2:20)
• But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. (1Jn 2:27)
• For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: And they shall not teach every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest. (Heb 8:10-11)
• But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. (1Co 2:10-13)
• Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. (Joh 8:31-32)
• But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: (1Pe 2:9)

• Law by Moses, Jesus came full of grace and truth
  • And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth … For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. (Joh 1:14,17)

Satan and the Abyss

We have seen that the abyss is a place where Christ suffered the wrath of God. It is not a physical place since Christ did not physically descend into hell itself. Christ’s body was buried in the tomb of Joseph of Arimithea while His Spirit was with the Father in Paradise.  Rather, we find that the abyss was the condition of Jesus in that He was under the wrath of God. He was in this condition for three days and three nights until He was resurrected early Sunday Morning. In Romans 10:7, when we read that Christ was in the abyss, we understand this spiritually as meaning that Christ was in the condition of being under the wrath of God.  His soul was not left in hades (Acts 2:27, 31, Ps 16:10).

Similarly, the abyss in Rev 20:1-3 should be understood that Satan was a defeated foe at the cross. Because Jesus endured the wrath of God in the abyss for our sins, Satan has been defeated. The judgment of Satan had come (John 16:11). The ruler of this world was cast out (John 12:31, see also Luke 10:17-18).  Satan no longer has access to the throne room of God to present himself with the sons of God (see Job 1 and 2). He has been cast out of the presence of God. He has been judged and found wanting. He has been cast to the earth to prowl about as a roaring lion (1 Pet 5:8, Rev 12:9-10).

The abyss therefore is the condition that Satan is now bound. He has been judged and is now under the wrath of God awaiting to be cast into the lake of Fire on the final Judgment Day. He is bound in order that the multitude of the elect will be brought to salvation by Christ. The days of very few people being saved in the days of the Old Testament and the days that the Gospel was limited to generally one physical nation are over. Now, the Gospel goes out to all ends of the earth. Satan is bound from deceiving the nations during the church age. The Holy truths of the Bible can be found in all reaches of the world. While it is true that compared to all of humanity, the way is narrow and only few find it, it is also true that countless millions have found the way since the Gospel goes out to all ends of the world and that the masses of number in the billions.

Consistent with the rest of the book of Revelation, the abyss is just one more portrait that God has given us. It teaches us that Satan was bound by Christ at the cross. He is now under the wrath of God of which the abyss is a picture of. He no longer prevents countless millions (the Great Multitude of Rev 7:9-17) of the elect to come to salvation. On the other hand, Satan has been cast down to the earth. He no longer has any right to appear before God and accuse the brethren (Job 1). The accuser of the brethren now prowl about in the world and rules over those who are not the elect of God. He still rules as the prince of the power of the air in that He deceives those who are not saved Eph 2:2). However, He is bound under the wrath of God from preventing the elect from being saved. In summary the definition of the abyss is this:

The abyss is symbolic representation of being under the wrath of God. Specifically for Satan, it is his current condition of being judged because of the work of Christ on the cross and being prevented from deceiving the elect that come from all ends of the earth.

Summary:

• Abyss – symbolic of being under the judgment of God (hades)
  • … Who shall descend into the deep? That is, to bring up Christ again from the dead. (Romans 10:7)
  • Because you will not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. (Acts 2:27)
• Satan fell from heaven
  • Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. (John 12:31)
• And there was war in heaven…and the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceives the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ … (Rev 12:7-10)

The Thousand Years (Millennium)

In 2 Peter 3:9, we see that a 1000 years is as 1 day and 1 day as a 1000 years. Interestingly, other than Revelation 20, this is the only other occurrence of 1000 years in the New Testament. Therefore, we must pay careful attention to the meaning of this 1000 years in 2 Peter if we want to understand Revelation 20.

When we examine the context of 2 Peter, we find help in understanding what this seemingly obscure statement by God means. We find that in 2 Pet 3:9, the context reveals to us that the 1000 years being as 1 day and 1 day being as a 1000 years refers to the time before the second coming of Christ. It is the time that God is being patient not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to salvation. In other words, it is the time that God has allotted for His salvation plan to work out its course. It is the time that God’s plan of salvation for the elect is working out. Even though mockers will be on the scene (2 Pet 3:3), God patiently waits out His day as a 1000 years. God’s timetable is in His sovereign hands.

It is also interesting to note that this time prior to the second coming of Christ is referred to as a day. We find that in the Bible, the term day often holds a special spiritual meaning. In fact, all through the Bible we find cases where time is used in a spiritual sense. We will return to this point shortly. The term day in the Bible often refers to God’s plan of salvation in the New Covenant. Therefore, it is not surprising that the usage of the term 1000 years in the New Testament points to God’s day of salvation. We find it quoted as such in 2 Pet 3:8. We find the same meaning in Rev 20. The 1000 years of Rev 20 points to the time in which God’s elective program of salvation is being worked out. It is that glorious day of the church.

1000 Points to the Fullness of God’s Salvation Program during the Church Age

We should now be able to see the spiritual meaning of 1000 years used in Revelation 20. Consistent with the rest of Revelation, it is a spiritual portrait that God uses to depict the fullness of His church age. It represents the completeness of time that God has designated for His salvation program to work out. In no way can it be understood as a literal 1000 years. This would be contrary to the rest of Revelation. It would also be contrary to how God uses and defines His own terms in the rest of His word. We saw in 2 Peter that the 1000 years spiritually represents the Day of Salvation.

1000 as Used in Psalm 90:4

We find a notable usage of 1000 in the Old Testament that helps us confirm our understanding of Revelation 20 millennium. Consider the following:

For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night.  Ps 90:4

We find in this Psalm of Moses a similar usage of 1000 years. Again, we find that the term 1000 years is used symbolically. It is equated with a day. Again, when we understand the context of Psalm 90, we find that this 1000 years as yesterday precedes a time of judgment. We see that it is just prior to the time that the wicked will be swept away as in a flood. This language points to the judgment of God. Therefore, we find additional confirmation that God uses the term 1000 years as that time prior to the judgment of God. The 1000 years is not necessarily a literal period of time.

When we study the Bible, we find many other usages of time to refer to a spiritual period of time and not necessarily literal. We find on Dan 9:24-27 that 70 weeks of years are appointed to describe the course of events that would ultimately culminate with Judgment Day. These usages are spiritual and the days can not necessarily be taken completely literally.

The term day is often used in a spiritual sense. It is used as referring to the day of the Lord, the day of Christ, the last day, the last days, the day of Jezreel (Hos 1:11). Careful study of these passages reveal that these days referred to cannot be understood as a literal day.  Rather they a period of time that a certain activity transpires.

We find that term weeks also used in a spiritual sense in the Bible. In Dan 9:24-27, we find that 70 weeks were appointed to finish the transgression and make an end to sin and to make atonement for iniquity. It is evident that these weeks were not literally fulfilled. Rather, they stood for other periods of time that are related Christ’s first and Second comings.

We find the term year used in a spiritual sense in the Bible. In Is 61, we find a reference to the acceptable year of the Lord. This terminology refers to God’s plan of salvation in the New Covenant.  Finally, the term night is often used in a spiritual sense. We find that night refers to a time of spiritual darkness and not necessarily to a literal period of time.

In summary, we must be very wary of reading Rev 20 and understanding the 1000 years as being a literal time period. There is much usage of time in the Bible where it is used in a spiritual sense. Moreover, we find the usage of 1000 years in the Bible as used to represent the day of Christ or, in other words, the period that God’s salvation program is being worked out. Very important is the fact that the only other use of 1000 years in the New Testament refers to a spiritual period of time that is the Day of salvation. Therefore, we are obliged to good hermeneutics to conclude that the 1000 years of Revelation 20 refers to the day of Christ, the Church Age.

1000 – Other Symbolic Usages

• And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel. Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nepthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand. (Revelation 7:1-8)
• For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills. (Psalms 50:10)
• He hath remembered his covenant for ever, the word which he commanded to a thousand generations. (Psalms 105:8)
• The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver. (Psalms 119:72)
• But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. (2 Peter 3:8)
• For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. (Psalms 84:10)
• For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night. (Psalms 90:4)
• A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. (Psalms 91:7)
• Yea, though he live a thousand years twice told, yet hath he seen no good: do not all go to one place? (Ecclesiastes 6:6)
• Which yet my soul seeketh, but I find not: one man among a thousand have I found; but a woman among all those have I not found. (Ecclesiastes 7:28)
• And the women answered one another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands. (1 Samuel 18:7)
• (The LORD God of your fathers make you a thousand times so many more as ye are, and bless you, as he hath promised you!) (Deuteronomy 1:11)
• And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments. (Deuteronomy 5:10)
• Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations; (Deuteronomy 7:9)
• Thy neck is like the tower of David builded for an armoury, whereon there hang a thousand bucklers, all shields of mighty men. (Song of Solomon 4:4)
• And it shall come to pass in that day, that every place shall be, where there were a thousand vines at a thousand silverlings, it shall even be for briers and thorns. (Isaiah 7:23)
• One thousand shall flee at the rebuke of one; at the rebuke of five shall ye flee: till ye be left as a beacon upon the top of a mountain, and as an ensign on an hill. (Isaiah 30:17)
• A little one shall become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation: I the LORD will hasten it in his time. (Isaiah 60:22)
• For thus saith the Lord GOD; The city that went out by a thousand shall leave an hundred, and that which went forth by an hundred shall leave ten, to the house of Israel. (Amos 5:3)
• If there be a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to shew unto man his uprightness: (Job 33:23)
• If he will contend with him, he cannot answer him one of a thousand. (Job 9:3)

A Note on Numbers in Revelation

In Revelation 1-3, we find discussion of 7 stars, 7 lampstands, and 7 churches of Asia. All these numbers are used allegorically since there were more than 7 messengers to the churches and there were clearly more than 7 churches is Asia. Rather, the number 7 is used to represent the entire church of which 7 current churches in Asia were illustrative of the praise and rebuke Christ has for all local churches down through time.

Throughout the Revelation, there is heavy usage of numbers. We find the following numbers prominently featured.

• 2: horns, lampstands, olive trees
• 4: horsemen
• 7: spirits, churches, seals, trumpets, bowls, stars
• 10: heads, horns
• 24: elders
• 42: months
• 666: mark of the beast
• 1000: years
• 1260: days  
• 144,000: elect from tribes of Israel

Rev 20:4-6 – The Church Age is the First Resurrection

And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.    Rev 20:4-6

With the ground work laid above concerning the binding of Satan and the Biblical fact that the 1000 years (millennium) refers to a completion of a time period where salvation goes out through the church, it becomes easier to understand 20:4-6. Unfortunately, most believe that these Scriptures are for a future time period. However, clear Biblical exegesis reveals that the first resurrection of Christians has already occurred at the point of their salvation.

The First Resurrection

The Scriptures are clear that the first resurrection of believers is at the point of salvation.  Prior to salvation, believers are spiritually dead (Eph 2:2). The soul that sinneth, it shall die (Eze 8:4, 20). Any sin makes us guilty of the entire law (James 2:10). This results in death.  If physical death were the only death in view, then our penalty would be not all that significant. But, when we consider that the death meant here is the spiritual death, then we take note. God warned Adam and Eve that in the day that they partook of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, they would surely die (Gen 2:16-17). It is important to note that the death that they died was a spiritual death. Prior to sin, they were spiritually alive (Ro 7:9). But on that tragic day, they spiritually died. As we saw in Ro 5:12, this death has passed on to all men.  We find in Eph 2:1-10 and Col 2:13 that prior to salvation, mankind is spiritually dead in their trespasses and sins. This spiritual death involves separation from the love of God. They do not have everlasting life (John 5:24-30). They are subject to an eternity of separation from God. They await condemnation on the last day (John 5:24). They will be resurrected for judgment day where they will receive the penalty for their sins. This is called the second death (Rev 20:14) and will be discussed later.

Spiritual death can be likened to the miracle of the raising of Lazarus from the dead (John 11). We find Lazarus, a stinking rotting corpse, being raised by Christ as an example of our condition prior to salvation. It reminds us that Christ is the resurrection and the life (John 11:25-26). It is we who cannot do any type of work whatsoever for our salvation. We are completely dependent on God to raise us to spiritual life.

It is for this reason that when we are saved, we are said to be born from above or born again (John 3:3-6, 1 Pet 1:3, 23). We were spiritually dead, but when we become saved, we become a new creature (2 Cor 5:17). We are raised to walk in newness of spiritual life (Ro 6:4-11, 7:6, Eph 2:1-10).  We no longer walk according to the old ways. We were dead with Christ, but have been made alive (2 Cor 5:14-15). We have been crucified with Christ and He now lives through us (Gal 2:16,20).

It should be clear to the believer that our salvation is likened to a resurrection. The First Resurrection for the believer is past. We await the Second resurrection where our physical body will become a glorious spiritual body (1 Cor 15). The fact that Rev 20 refers to the First resurrection should make the Scriptures abundantly clear that the millennium (the 1000 years) refers to the Day of Salvation during the Church Age.

Premillennialism False Prophecy on the ‘First’ Resurrection

Pre-millennialism false teaches the the ‘first’ resurrection is actually four different resurrections that occur prior to a future millennium.

• 1^st Resurrection – Pre-millennialism
  1. Jesus Christ on the 3^rd Day (1^st century A.D.)
  2. Secret Rapture – prior to 7-year Great Tribulation
  3. After Great Tribulation – Old Testament saints
  4. After Great Tribulation – Tribulation saints (mostly Jewish)
• Millennium (1000 years) – Physical reign of Christ / David in Jerusalem on earth
• 2^nd Resurrection – only the unsaved resurrected for Judgment
• Source – Things to Come, J. Pentecost, Zondervan Publishing, 1964.

New Testament Verses on ‘Resurrection’ (‘Stand up’, G386, associated verb G450 and stand G2476)

• The word for resurrection is the Greek word (G386), anastasis, which is a noun that literally means ‘a standing up’.
  • Greek: ‘anastasis’ (42 occurrences in the New Testament) – noun
  • The prefix ‘ana’ (G303) literally means ‘up’.
  • The word ‘stasis’ (G4714) literally menas ‘astanding’.
• The associated verb for ‘anastasis’  is usually translated as ‘rise’ or stand up (G450) and is the Greek word ‘anistemi’.
  • The verb to rise (or stand up) again is ‘anistemi’ (112 occurrences in the New Testament)
  • Therefore, 154 occurrences in New Testament relating to ‘standing again’
• The related Greek word for ‘stand is ‘histemi’ (G2476).
  • Stand (Greek: histemi) occurs an additional 156 times in New Testament
• All three words (G386, G450 and G2476) can refer to the resurrection / raising of either Jesus Christ or of His people (Christians).
• Based on Rev 20:5-6, the first resurrection involves the living (zao) and reigning with Christ for 1000 years.

G386 – Saducees / Pharisees Beliefs

• The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him (Matthew 22:23)
• Then come unto him the Sadducees, which say there is no resurrection; and they asked him, saying, (Mark 12:18)
• Then came to him certain of the Sadducees, which deny that there is any resurrection; and they asked him, (Luke 20:27)
• But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question. (Acts 23:6)
• For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both. (Acts 23:8)

G386 – Last Day Resurrection of God’s People from the Dead

• Therefore in the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven? for they all had her. (Matthew 22:28)
• For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven. (Matthew 22:30)
• But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying, (Matthew 22:31)
• In the resurrection therefore, when they shall rise, whose wife shall she be of them? for the seven had her to wife. (Mark 12:23)
• And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just. (Luke 14:14)
• Therefore in the resurrection whose wife of them is she? for seven had her to wife. (Luke 20:33)
• But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage: (Luke 20:35)
• Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection. (Luke 20:36)
• And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. (John 5:29)
• Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. (John 11:24)
• Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: (John 11:25)
• And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter. (Acts 17:32)
• Except it be for this one voice, that I cried standing among them, Touching the resurrection of the dead I am called in question by you this day. (Acts 24:21)
• For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: (Romans 6:5) – see Romans 6:13, Ro 6:4 context
• Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? (1 Corinthians 15:12)
• But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: (1 Corinthians 15:13)
• For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. (1 Corinthians 15:21)
• So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: (1 Corinthians 15:42)
• If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. (Philippians 3:11)
• Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. (2 Timothy 2:18)
• Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. (Hebrews 6:2)
• Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: (Hebrews 11:35)

G386 – Of Jesus Christ

• Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection. (Acts 1:22)
• He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. (Acts 2:31)
• Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead. (Acts 4:2)
• And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. (Acts 4:33)
• Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection. (Acts 17:18)
• And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead: (Romans 1:4)
• For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: (Romans 6:5)
• That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; (Philippians 3:10)
• Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, (1 Peter 1:3)
• The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: (1 Peter 3:21)

G386 – Final Resurrection

• And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.(Acts 24:15)

G386 – First Resurrection of God’s People

• But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. (Revelation 20:5)
• Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. (Revelation 20:6)

G450 – Jesus Christ Resurrection

• And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead. (Matthew 17:9)
• And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again. (Matthew 20:19)
• And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. (Mark 8:31)
• And they shall mock him, and shall scourge him, and shall spit upon him, and shall kill him: and the third day he shall rise again. (Mark 10:34)
• Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils. (Mark 16:9)
• And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead. (Luke 16:31)
• For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on: And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again. (Luke 18:32-33)
• Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again. (Luke 24:7)
• And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: (Luke 24:46)
• Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? (John 11:23-26)
• For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead. (John 20:9)
• Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. (Acts 2:24)
• Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; (Acts 2:30)
• This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. (Acts 2:32)
• Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities. (Acts 3:26)
• God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee. And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he said on this wise, I will give you the sure mercies of David. (Acts 13:33-34)
• Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ. (Acts 17:3)
• Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. (Acts 17:31)
• For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living. (Romans 14:9)
• And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust. (Romans 15:12)
• For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. (1 Thessalonians 4:14)

G450 – Salvation of a Person in the Body

• And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. (Luke 15:20)
• Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? (John 11:23-26)
• But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. (Ephesians 5:13-14)

G450 – Standing after Healing – A type of salvation

• And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment. (Mark 5:42)
• But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose. (Mark 9:27)
• And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee. And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus. (Mark 10:49-50)
• And immediately he rose up before them, and took up that whereon he lay, and departed to his own house, glorifying God. (Luke 5:25)
• But he knew their thoughts, and said to the man which had the withered hand, Rise up, and stand forth in the midst. And he arose and stood forth. (Luke 6:8)
• And her spirit came again, and she arose straightway: and he commanded to give her meat. (Luke 8:55)
• There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole. (Luke 17:18-19)
• And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately. And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord. Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did. And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber. And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them. Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them. But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up. And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive. (Acts 9:34-41)

G450 – Stand Salvation of Paul

• And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. (Acts 9:6)
• And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, (Acts 9:11)
• And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized. (Acts 9:18)
• But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; (Acts 26:16)

G450 – Salvation – Disciples follow Jesus

• And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him. (Matthew 9:9)
• And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him. (Mark 2:14)
• And after these things he went forth, and saw a publican, named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he said unto him, Follow me. And he left all, rose up, and followed him. (Luke 5:27-28)

G450 – Resurrection (2^nd) of the Believer

• And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. (John 6:39-40)
• No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. (John 6:44)
• Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. (John 6:54)
• Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? (John 11:23-26)
• For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: (1 Thessalonians 4:16)

G2476 – Jesus Christ Standing Symbolic of Resurrection

• In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. (John 7:37)
• And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. (Revelation 5:6)
• And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads. (Revelation 14:1)

G2476 – Healing of Lame Man a Type of Salvation

• And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God. (Acts 3:8)
• And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it. (Acts 4:14)
• Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life. (Acts 5:20)

G2476 – Saved by Grace, Faith, Gospel

• By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. (Romans 5:2)
• By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I suppose, I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand. (1 Peter 5:12)
• Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; (1 Corinthians 15:1)
• Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand. (2 Corinthians 1:24)
• Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. (Colossians 4:12)
• Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; (Ephesians 6:11-14)
• Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand. (Romans 14:4)
• Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. (1 Corinthians 10:12)

G2476 – Stand as a Symbol for Salvation

• After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; (Revelation 7:9)
• And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; (Acts 26:15-16)
• And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God. (Revelation 15:2)
• These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth. (Revelation 11:4)
• And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 18:2-3)
• And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them, Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me. (Mark 9:36-37)
• And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child, and set him by him, And said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great. (Luke 9:47-48)
• He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled. (John 3:29)

G2476 – Resurrection of Christian at Second Coming

• And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them. (Revelation 11:11)
• Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man. (Luke 21:36)
• Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, (Jude 1:24)

G2476 – Satan Stood not in Truth / Satan’s Kingdom shall not stand

• Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. (John 8:44)
• And he called them unto him, and said unto them in parables, How can Satan cast out Satan? And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand. And if Satan rise up against himself, and be divided, he cannot stand, but hath an end. (Mark 3:23-26)
• And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand: And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand? (Matthew 12:25-26)
• But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house falleth. If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub. (Luke 11:17-18)

New Testament Verses on being Raised (awakened) from the Dead

The Greek word for raise, rise, arose is egeiro (G1453, G1454), which literally means to ‘awaken’.  This word occurs approximately 140 times in the New Testament.

Of Christ

• From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. (Matthew 16:21)
• And they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised again. And they were exceeding sorry. (Matthew 17:23)
• Saying, The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day. (Luke 9:22)
• And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses. (Acts 3:15)
• Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. (Acts 4:10)
• The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. (Acts 5:30)
• Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly; (Acts 10:40)
• But God raised him from the dead:(Acts 13:30)
• But he, whom God raised again, saw no corruption.(Acts 13:37)
• But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;(Romans 4:24)
• Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.(Romans 4:25)
• Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.(Romans 6:4)
• Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. (Romans 6:9)
• Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God. (Romans 7:4)
• But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. (Romans 8:11)
• That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (Romans 10:9)
• And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: (1 Corinthians 15:4)
• Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? (1 Corinthians 15:12)
• Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. (1 Corinthians 15:15)
• For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: (1 Corinthians 15:16)
• And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. (1 Corinthians 15:17)
• Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. (2 Corinthians 4:14)
• Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;) (Galatians 1:1)
• Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, (Ephesians 1:20)
• Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. (Colossians 2:12)
• And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come. (1 Thessalonians 1:10)
• Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel: (2 Timothy 2:8)
• Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God. (1 Peter 1:21)
• Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again. (Matthew 27:63)
• But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee. (Matthew 26:32)
• Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first. (Matthew 27:64)
• He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. (Matthew 28:6)
• And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you. (Matthew 28:7)
• But after that I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee. (Mark 14:28)
• And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him. (Mark 16:6)
• Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen. (Mark 16:14)
• He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, (Luke 24:6)
• Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. (Luke 24:34)
• When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said. (John 2:22)
• This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead. (John 21:14)
• Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. (Romans 8:34)
• But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: (1 Corinthians 15:13)
• And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. (1 Corinthians 15:14)
• But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. (1 Corinthians 15:20)
• Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. (John 2:19)
• And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. (Matthew 8:25)
• Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days? (John 2:20)

Of Christian at Salvation

• Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. (Romans 6:4)
• Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God. (Romans 7:4)
• But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. (Romans 8:11)
• Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. (Colossians 2:12)
• If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. (Colossians 3:1)
• And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. (Matthew 3:9)
• Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. (Luke 3:8)
• And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. (Romans 13:11)
• Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. (Ephesians 5:14)
• For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will. (John 5:21)
• And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out? (Matthew 12:11)
• And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: (Ephesians 2:6)

Of Those who are Healed

• The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. (Matthew 11:5)
• Now that the dead are raised, even Moses shewed at the bush, when he calleth the Lord the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. (Luke 20:37)
• Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead. (John 12:1)
• Much people of the Jews therefore knew that he was there: and they came not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead. (John 12:9)
• The people therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of his grave, and raised him from the dead, bare record. (John 12:17)
• And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee. (Mark 10:49)
• And as touching the dead, that they rise: have ye not read in the book of Moses, how in the bush God spake unto him, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? (Mark 12:26)
• Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Rise up and walk? (Luke 5:23)
• Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. (John 5:8)
• Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. (Acts 3:6)
• For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk? (Matthew 9:5)
• But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house. (Matthew 9:6)
• Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk? (Mark 2:9)
• I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house. (Mark 2:11)
• And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise. (Mark 5:41)
• But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive sins, (he said unto the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thine house. (Luke 5:24)
• And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise. (Luke 7:14)
• And he put them all out, and took her by the hand, and called, saying, Maid, arise. (Luke 8:54)
• And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them. (Matthew 8:15)
• And he arose, and departed to his house. (Matthew 9:7)
• But when the people were put forth, he went in, and took her by the hand, and the maid arose. (Matthew 9:25)
• And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion. (Mark 2:12)
• And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. (Acts 9:8)
• And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. (James 5:15)
• And he came and took her by the hand, and lifted her up; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them. (Mark 1:31)
• But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose. (Mark 9:27)
• And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. (Acts 3:7)
• And he saith unto the man which had the withered hand, Stand forth. (Mark 3:3)
• But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man. (Acts 10:26)

Of Christian at the Last Day

• Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. (1 Corinthians 15:15)
• For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: (1 Corinthians 15:16)
• Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead? (1 Corinthians 15:29)
• If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die. (1 Corinthians 15:32)
• But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come? (1 Corinthians 15:35)
• So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: (1 Corinthians 15:42)
• It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: (1 Corinthians 15:43)
• It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. (1 Corinthians 15:44)
• In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. (1 Corinthians 15:52)
• Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. (2 Corinthians 4:14)
• The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here. (Matthew 12:42)
• The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation, and condemn them: for she came from the utmost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here. (Luke 11:31)
• But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: (1 Corinthians 15:13)
• But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. (1 Corinthians 15:20)
• Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. (Matthew 25:7)
• And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, (Matthew 27:52)
• Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead? (Acts 26:8)
• Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure. (Hebrews 11:19)
• Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? (1 Corinthians 15:12)
• But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead: (2 Corinthians 1:9)

Awakened from Sleep

• And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands. (Acts 12:7)

Other

• And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David; (Luke 1:69)
• And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will. (Acts 13:22)
• Of this man’s seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus: (Acts 13:23)
• For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. (Matthew 24:7)
• And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. (Matthew 24:11)
• Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me. (Matthew 26:46)
• And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how. (Mark 4:27)
• For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows. (Mark 13:8)
• For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect. (Mark 13:22)
• Rise up, let us go; lo, he that betrayeth me is at hand. (Mark 14:42)
• I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth. (Luke 11:8)
• Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: (Luke 21:10)
• And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein. (Revelation 11:1)
• Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. (Matthew 11:11)
• And said unto his servants, This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead; and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him. (Matthew 14:2)
• And king Herod heard of him; (for his name was spread abroad:) and he said, That John the Baptist was risen from the dead, and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him. (Mark 6:14)
• But when Herod heard thereof, he said, It is John, whom I beheaded: he is risen from the dead. (Mark 6:16)
• And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people. (Luke 7:16)
• Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done by him: and he was perplexed, because that it was said of some, that John was risen from the dead; (Luke 9:7)
• And of some, that Elias had appeared; and of others, that one of the old prophets was risen again. (Luke 9:8)
• When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are: (Luke 13:25)

• And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. (Matthew 2:13)
• When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: (Matthew 2:14)
• Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child’s life. (Matthew 2:20)
• And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel. (Matthew 2:21)
• And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid. (Matthew 17:7)
• For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. (Matthew 24:24)
• But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence. (John 14:31)
• And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. (Matthew 8:26)
• And Jesus arose, and followed him, and so did his disciples. (Matthew 9:19)
• And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm. (Luke 8:24)
• As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly, and came unto him. (John 11:29)
• They answered and said unto him, Art thou also of Galilee? Search, and look: for out of Galilee ariseth no prophet. (John 7:52)
• He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. (John 13:4)

Analysis of Romans 6:3-14 (Raised and Resurrected)

Those who are saved (spirit baptism) have died with Jesus Christ

• Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?  (Rom 6:3)
• Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death… (Rom 6:4)

As Christ raised (G1463) from the dead, so are Christians raised to walk in new ness of life (1^st resurrection)

• … that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.  (Rom 6:4)

Christians to be in the likeness of His resurrection (G386) – future tense

• For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:  (Rom 6:5)

Crucified with Him, Christians are freed from practicing sin (should not serve sin)

• Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.  (Rom 6:6)
• For he that is dead is freed from sin.  (Rom 6:7)

Christians dead with Christ, but shall live with Him (future tense)

• Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:  (Rom 6:8)

As Christ is raised (G1453), Christians are dead unto sin but alive unto God through Christ (as instruments of righteousness unto God) – present tense

• Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.  (Rom 6:9)
• For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.  (Rom 6:10)
• Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.  (Rom 6:11)
• Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.  (Rom 6:12)
• Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.  (Rom 6:13)
• For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.  (Rom 6:14)

They ‘Lived’ with Christ (Rev 20:4)

• And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.  (Rev 20:4)

Lived (during millennium, church age):

• Gr: zao (G2198) – to live, often referring to be spiritually alive (142 occurrences)
  • See also G2222 (Gr: zoe) – life (e.g., John 14:6)
  • Eternal Life verses – Mat 19:16, Mar 10:17, Mar 10:30, Luk 10:25, Luk 18:18, Joh 3:15, Joh 5:39, Joh 6:54, Joh 6:68, Joh 10:28, Joh 17:2, Act 13:48, Rom 2:7, Rom 5:21, Rom 6:23, 1Ti 6:12, 1Ti 6:19, Tit 1:2, Tit 3:7, 1Jn 1:2, 1Jn 2:25, 1Jn 3:15, 1Jn 5:11, 1Jn 5:13, 1Jn 5:20, Jud 1:21
• Christians are spiritually alive (examples):
• And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.  (Rev 3:1)
• Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,  (1Pe 1:3)
• Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.  (1Pe 2:5)
• Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.  (Rom 6:11)
• Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.  (Rom 6:13)
• I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.  (Gal 2:20)
• For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you.  (2Co 13:4)
• For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.  (Rom 1:17)
• And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?  (Joh 11:26)
• I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.  (Joh 6:51)
• He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.  (Joh 7:38)

Christ / God lives forever more:

• To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,  (1Pe 2:4)
• And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.  (1Co 15:45)
• Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.  (Heb 7:25)
• Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.  (Joh 4:10)
• The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water?  (Joh 4:11)
• Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.  (1Pe 1:23)
• For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.  (Heb 4:12)
• I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.  (Rev 1:18)
• And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;  (Rev 2:8)
• And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying (Rev 4:9-10)
• And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.  (Rev 5:14)
• And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea,  (Rev 7:2)
• For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.  (Rev 7:17)
• And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever.  (Rev 15:7)

Dead Lived Not (Rev 20:5)

• But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.  (Rev 20:5)

• Gr: anazao (G326) – literally, ‘up lived’ (G303 – ana, literally ‘up’) – 5 occurrences
• Points to no life (spiritually dead) during the church age

• Prodigal son:
  • For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.  (Luk 15:24)
  • It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.  (Luk 15:32)
• For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.  (Rom 14:9)
• But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.  (Rev 20:5)
• For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.  (Rom 7:9)

Dead – Spiritually

• For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.  (1Pe 4:6)
• And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;  (Eph 2:1)
• Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)  (Eph 2:5)
• And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:  (Eph 2:6)
• And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;  (Col 2:13)
• Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.  (Luk 9:60)
• But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.  (1Ti 5:6)
• And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.  (Rev 3:1)
• For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.  (Luk 15:24)
• It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.  (Luk 15:32)
• These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;  (Jud 1:12)
• Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.  (Eph 5:14)
• For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. (2Co 5:14-15)

Kings and Priests – Description of Christians during the Church Age

More confirmation that the 1000 year millennium must refer to the Church Age is the descriptions of those who participate in this glorious age. These individuals are referred to as priests and those who reign with Christ. The Scriptures are clear that both descriptions refer to Christians during the Church Age.

A priest is one who intercedes to God for another (Ex 19:6, Is 61:6, 66:21). Christ is the fulfillment of the Old Testament High Priest (Heb 5). The New Testament is abundantly clear that Christians are priests. In 1 Pet 2:5, 9, Christians are referred to as a holy, royal priesthood. Elsewhere, we find that Christians offer up various sacrifices. Ultimately, they offer up the sacrifice of themselves (Ro 12:1-2). This accords well with the context of Rev 20:4 where the Scriptures state that they are martyrs (more on this below). As priests, we offer ourselves to service to God (Ro 6:13) as servants (Ro 6:16, 19). Our praise is the sacrifice of our lips (Heb 13:15). We are commanded to offer up sacrifices of righteousness (Ps 4:5). Paul was offered for sacrifice for the faith of others (Phil 2:17, 2 Tim 4:6, 2 Cor 12:15, Ro 15:16).

Believers also reign with Christ – Rev 1:6 (past tense), 5:10, 1 Pet 2:9-10, Eph 2:6, 2 Tim 2:12, Ro 5:17. Believers are seated with Christ (Eph 2:1-6, Ro 5:17) which is a metaphor for reigning with Christ since He is the King. It should be noted that believers are to receive crowns (1 Pet 5:4, 1 Cor 9:25, 2 Tim 4:8, Rev 2:10, 1 Thess 2:19, James 1:12, Rev 3:11) with Christ. It should be remembered that believers reign in heaven spiritually, not on earth (Rev 20:2-3, 1 Cor 4:8).

Some have stumbled over the fact that Christians are said to reign with Christ for a thousand years. Some reason that Christians become saved at various times during the church age, therefore, not all of them and reign for 1000 years together. This reasoning breaks down when we recall that the 1000 years is simply a spiritual representation for the fullness of time of the Church Age. That is, in their entirety, believers reign with Christ during the entire Church Age. This does not necessarily mean that each and every believer will be saved at the beginning of the Church Age. This goes beyond the spiritual meaning of the passage and ventures into the realm of vain speculations and foolish questions.

In summary, it should be clear so far that the idea of the First Resurrection, Priests, and Reigning with Christ all refer to activities that occur during the Church Age.

Judgment was given unto Them

Some have stumbled on the fact that judgment was given unto these martyrs. They assume that a judgment has come on the world and that the millennium is some future time period after judgment has occurred.

However, when we examine the Bible, we find that believers actually do judge during the Church Age. First, we find that in the Church Age, we find elders who rule (1 Pet 5:2, 1 Tim 5:17). To rule over the house of God naturally involves making certain judgments. For example, when one is excommunicated from a church, this is a judgment of that church. The church is to judge those who are inside, not those who are outside of the church (1 Cor 5:9-13). In this sense, the Church has the keys of the kingdom (Mat 16:19, 18:18, John 20:23).

Moreover, the church is commanded to separate from wicked persons (2 Cor 6:17, 2 Tim 3:5, 2 Thess 3:6, Eph 5:11, 1 Thess 5:21, Ro 16:17-18, John 7:24, Acts 17:11, etc). To do so, involves judgments. The Church is to judge those inside (1 Cor 2:14-15, 1 Cor 5:9-13, 1 Cor 6:2-5, James 3:1, 1 Pet 4:17, Gal 2:11, 1 Cor 14:29, 1 Cor 11:27-31, etc.).

The Bible says that he who is spiritual judges all things (1 Cor 2:14-15). That is, Christians read and study the Word of God to determine truth and to know what to do that pleases God. Such discernment involves judgement.

Therefore, we see judgment being given to Christians is entirely consistent with the activity of the Church Age.

Those who have been beheaded for their Witness

The statement that those who are priests and reign with Christ are those who are beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and the Word of God has caused some to think that these individuals are limited to those who have literally had their heads chopped off. However, this interpretation ignores God’s Word. All through the book of Revelation, we find allegorical language. Therefore, it would not be consistent to take this statement literally and assign other passages as allegorical statements. The only fair way to interpret God’s Word is to examine all Scriptures on a topic.

First, we find that martyrdom is a characteristic of all believers. This martyrdom is not necessarily physical, although it can be. However, it at least always occurs spiritually. The Bible teaches that we are in a spiritual war in which we are constantly being killed for the cause of Christ. Their battle of the kingdoms is a spiritual battle, not physical (Mat 10:34-36, Lk 12:51-53). Weapons are not of the flesh, but spiritual (not a political battle) – Eph 6:11-12, Phil 3:20, Mat 24:7, Is 42:6-7, Eph 2:6, 1 Pet 2:5-11,20ff,  Mat :15-19, Lk 2:14, Hos 1:7, 2 Tim 2:4, 2 Cor 10:3f, Eph 2:19, Mk 8:31-33, 1 Pet 1:1, Rev 1:6, Heb 13:14, Col 1:13, John 18:36-37, Col 3:1-4, Lk 12:14, Mat 10:34, 2 Tim 2:16, Mk 12:17, Ps 73:25, Zech 9:9, Lk 22:36, Ro 12:1-2, Lk 12:13ff, Mat 5:38f, 1 Cor 6:1-8, Hos 8:9, 7:11, Ro 13.  Christians are crucified with Christ and have died with Christ (Gal 2:20, 5:24, 6:14, Ro 6:4-6, etc.)

We see that one is spiritually killed by the words of others when one is persecuted (1 John 3:15, Mat 5:21-22, Pr 11:9, Ro 3:13-15, Jer 9:3, 18:18, Ps 140:3, Ro 3:13, James 3:8, Pr 18:21, Ps 52:4, 57:4, 59:7, 64:3, 120:2). Christians wage war by faith and a good conscience – 1 Tim 1:18-19. We fight the good fight of faith – 1 Tim 6:12. Fleshly lusts wage war against the spirit (1 Pet 2:11, James 4:11, Ro 7:23).  The spirit and flesh are in a battle (Gal 5:17, Ro 8:5-11).

The Bible teaches us that we must lose our life for Christ – Mat 10:39, Mk 8:35, John 12:24:25, Lk 9:23-26, 2 Tim 2:11 and bear the cross – Lk 9:23, Mat 10:38, 16:24, Mk 8:34, Lk 17:33, John 12:25. We mortify our members – Col 3:5. In other words, we constantly are spiritually put to death in our battle with sin.

The Bible teaches that Christians die daily –  Mat 24:9, 2 Cor 1:9,4:10-12, 6:9,7:3, Ro 8:35-39, James 5:6, 1 John 3:15, 1 Cor 4:9, 15:31, Mat 5:21-22, Hab 1:2-4, James 2:9-11,  Ps 94:1-7, 44:22, Rev 6:9, Mk 8:35. These Scriptures are important to understand that the Christian life is one of spiritual martyrdom.

The picture of martyrdom well accords with the Christian’s life. We are constantly being killed for Christ. We die daily (1 Cor 15:31).

But, one may ask: why is the type of martyrdom that of beheading. First, we recall that John the Baptist was beheaded for his testimony for Christ and the Word of God (Mat 14:3-12). In this way, John the Baptist was a grand example of the faith of Christ’s church.  Rev 20:4 causes us to reflect on the life of John the Baptist. This is the example for all true believers.  Additionally, when we recall that the head of the man is Christ (1 Cor 11:2-4), we recall the fact that it was Christ who was cut off for the salvation of His people.  Therefore, we can easily relate that just as Christ suffered and set the example, we too will suffer and be persecuted in this like since our head (Jesus Christ) has been cut off for us.

Those who do not Worship the Beast or his Image, nor receive the Mark on their Hands or Foreheads

Some have used the reference to those who worship the beast or his image or receive the mark on the hands or foreheads as proof that the millennium must occur after the events of Rev 13 through 19. That is, they would contend that the millennium is a victorious time of peace where those who have not received the mark and have not worshiped the beast or his image reign and judge in a millennial kingdom.  Therefore, they conclude that the millennium must be a future event.

However, truths such as the binding of Satan (Rev 20:1-3), the First Resurrection (Rev 20:5), the judging and reigning of Christians as kings and priests (Rev 20:4) are all metaphors for things that occur during the church age.  The solution to the reference of worshiping the beast, its image and receiving the mark can be resolved in two aspects.

First, all God’s people are crucified with Christ (Gal 2:20, Rom 6:6), they are buried with Him (Rom 6:4-5, Col 2:12) and we raised together with Him to walk in newness of eternal life (Rom 6:4, Col 2:12).  God’s people were written in the Book of Life from the very foundations of the world (Rev 13:8, Rev 17:8, Eph 1:4, 2 Tim 1:9, Titus 1:2, Acts 15:17-18).  In other words, in principle, God’s people were in Christ since the foundation of the world.  We also recall that before we were even formed in the womb God knew us (see Jer 1:5).  Therefore in principle we were in Christ (elect, foreordained) when He was crucified on the cross.  Therefore, in principle, all of God’s elect people have reigned with Him for that symbolic 1000 years.

Secondly, it should be recognized as a characteristic of the great multitude of Christians that will be living in Great Tribulation, but have also been alive during the church age (millennium).

In 2019, there are approximately 2.4 billion nominal Christians (see references below). If we assume that just 10% of nominal Christians are genuine Christians (many are called, but few chosen – Mat 20:16, Mat 22:14, Mat 7:13-14, Mat 7:21-23), that would mean that there would still be 240 million Christians from the church age (millennium) that would also enter the Great Tribulation (little season, Rev 20:7-8). Because genuine Christians will not worship the beast, its image nor receive the mark, then these millennium Christians would be included in the Rev 20:4-5 millennium description of those who are included in the first resurrection and reign and judge with Christ.

According to the Reference 2 below, it should also be noted that approximately 7% of all people who ever existed in this world are alive today. This percentage is rising exponentially as a result of recent population growth.  Also, according to References 1 and 3, the number of nominal Christians has been rising exponentially since the 17^th century (155 million) to the present time (2.4 billion).  Based on this data, it can be concluded that a very substantial fraction of the total number of God’s people will actually be physically alive at the onset of the Great Tribulation.  Therefore, a substantial fraction of all of God’s people of all time (who will not worship the beast, its image, nor receive the mark of the beast) will be physically living in both the church age (millennium) and at the onset of the Great Tribulation.  Hence, the inclusion of the characteristic of not worshiping the beast, its image nor receiving the mark is also an appropriate description of those of the millennium.

Reference 1 – Number of Christians Through History

 

https://www.mb-soft.com/believe/txx/numberch.htm

Estimated Christian population proposed c. 1810 by Sharon Turner:

Era	Estimated Christians
First century	500,000
Second century	2,000,000
Third century	5,000,000
Fourth century	10,000,000
Fifth century	15,000,000
Sixth century	20,000,000
Seventh century	24,000,000
Eighth century	30,000,000
Ninth century	40,000,000
Tenth century	50,000,000
Eleventh century	70,000,000
Twelfth century	80,000,000
Thirteenth century	75,000,000
Fourteenth century	80,000,000
Fifteenth century	100,000,000
Sixteenth century	125,000,000
Seventeenth century	155,000,000
Eighteenth century	200,000,000
(Nineteenth century)	(400,000,000)

 

Reference 2 – How Many People Have Ever lived on Earth

https://www.prb.org/howmanypeoplehaveeverlivedonearth/

 

Table 1. How Many People Have Ever Lived?

Year	Population	Births per 1,000	Births Between Benchmarks	Number Ever Born	Percent of Those Ever Born
50,000 B.C.E.	2	–	–	–	–
8000 B.C.E.	5,000,000	80	1,137,789,769	1,137,789,769	0.4
1 C.E.	300,000,000	80	46,025,332,354	47,163,122,125	0.6
1200	450,000,000	60	26,591,343,000	73,754,465,125	0.6
1650	500,000,000	60	12,782,002,453	86,536,467,578	0.6
1750	795,000,000	50	3,171,931,513	89,708,399,091	0.9
1850	1,265,000,000	40	4,046,240,009	93,754,639,100	1.3
1900	1,656,000,000	40	2,900,237,856	96,654,876,956	1.7
1950	2,516,000,000	31-38	3,390,198,215	100,045,075,171	2.5
1995	5,760,000,000	31	5,427,305,000	105,472,380,171	5.5
2011	6,987,000,000	23	2,130,327,622	107,602,707,793	6.5
2017	7,536,000,000	19	867,982,322	108,470,690,115	6.9
2030	8,563,000,000	16	1,806,595,106	110,277,285,221	7.8
2050	9,846,000,000	15	2,833,529,982	113,110,815,203	8.7

Note: ^{The estimates for those ever born apply only to live births; still births are not counted.}
Source: ^{Toshiko Kaneda and Genevieve Dupuis,} 2017 World Population Data Sheet ^{(Washington, DC: Population Reference Bureau, 2017); United Nations Population Division,} World Population Prospects: The 2017 Revision ^{(New York: United Nations, 2017).}

Reference 3 – List of Religious Populations

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_religious_populations

Adherent estimates in 2019

Religion	Adherents	Percentage
Christianity	2.4 billion	29.81%
Islam	1.9 billion	24.60%
Secular/Nonreligious/Agnostic/Atheist	1.2 billion	13.91%
Hinduism	1.15 billion	14.28%
Buddhism	521 million	6.47%
Chinese traditional religion[c]	394 million	4.89%
Ethnic religions excluding some in separate categories	300 million	3.37%
African traditional religions	100 million	1.24%
Sikhism	30 million	0.37%
Spiritism	15 million	0.19%
Judaism	14.5 million	0.18%
Bahá’í	7.0 million	0.09%
Jainism	4.2 million	0.05%
Shinto	4.0 million	0.05%
Cao Dai	4.0 million	0.05%
Zoroastrianism	2.6 million	0.03%
Tenrikyo	2.0 million	0.02%
Neo-Paganism	1.0 million	0.01%
Unitarian Universalism	0.8 million	0.01%
Rastafari	0.6 million	0.01%
total	8.0507 billion	100%

Rev 20:7-9 – The Releasing of Satan for a Short Season

And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, and shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog, and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.  And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.  Rev 20:7-9                        

It is important to understand that after the 1000 years, Satan will be released to once again deceive the nations. The word ‘expired’ in the Greek means to be ended (Gr: teleo (G5055 – to be completed, perfected). Therefore, the releasing of Satan is not concurrent with the 1000-year millennium. It is after the 1000 years. The nature of the release of Satan has to do primarily with deception. That is, Satan’s main purpose is to deceive the nations (see discussion on Rev 20:3 above). It was the nations who primarily received the benefits of the Church Age, during the time that Satan was bound. But, in this period of time called the Great Tribulation, there will be great deception once again.

Loosed for a Little Season from his Prison to Deceive (Rev 20:3,7)

…  and after that he must be loosed a little season.  (Rev 20:3)

• Loosed – Gr: luo (G3089) – to loosen, break up, destroy – 48 occurrences
  • And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?  (Rev 5:2)
  • And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.  (Rev 5:5)
  • Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates.  (Rev 9:14)
  • And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men.  (Rev 9:15)
  • And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,  (Rev 20:7)
• Little season
  • Little – Gr: mikros (G3398)
  • Season – Gr: chronos (G5550) – literally, time
  • Combination of G3398 and G5550:
    • Then said Jesus unto them, Yet a little while am I with you, and then I go unto him that sent me.  (Joh 7:33)
    • Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.  (Joh 12:35)
    • And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.  (Rev 6:11)
    • And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.  (Rev 20:3)
  • Other prophetic passages:
    • Points to the Great Tribulation (short time when Satan is loosed – Rev 20:3 – exact phrase as Rev 6:11)
    • See also days ‘shortened’ during the Great Tribulation – Mat 24:22, Mk 13:20
    • Generation will not pass away until all things accomplished – Mat 24:34, Mk 13:30-31, Lk 21:32-33
    • Last half of 70^th week of Daniel prophecy (Dan 9:24-27)
    • 5 months – Rev 9:5, Rev 9:10
    • 2 Witnesses – 3 ½ days not buried – Rev 11:7-10
    • Beast continued for 42 months – Rev 13:5
    • The 3 and ½ Chart:
      • 3 ½ days: Dan 9:27, Rev 11:9-11 – great tribulation
      • 3 ½ times:  Dan 7:25, Dan 12:7 – great tribulation
      • 42 months: Rev 13:5, Rev 11:2 – great – tribulation
    • For a while – patience of God – 2 Pet 3:9, Ex 34:6, Num 14:18, Ps 78:38, Ps 86:15, Ps 145:8, Ro 15:5, Nah 1:3
    • The Lord tarries – Mat 25:5, Mat 24:48, Hab 2:3, Lk 12:45, Heb 10:36-37, 2 Pet 3:4-9, Eze 12:22, Eze 12:27
  • Prison – it should also be observed that the bottomless pit is described as a prison:

• • A spiritual place of damnation – 1 Pet 3:19
  • Earth is a prison to believers – persecution – Rev 2:10, 2 Cor 11:23, Lk 3:20, Acts 12:4-7, 16:23-40, 26:10, etc

• Deceive – Rev 20:8, Rev 12:9, Rev 13:14, Rev 16:14-16, Rev 17:2, Mat 24:24, 2Co 11:3, 2Co 11:13-15, 2Th 2:9-11

Gog and Magog Gathered to Battle

• 4 quarters of the earth (land)
• The four quarters (Gr: gonia (G1137) – literally, corners) of the earth refers to the fact that Satan’s deception will be worldwide. The nature of the Great Tribulation is that it extends throughout the world in deception. Deception comes in many forms and can affect all people throughout the world.
• 4 corners ‑ the outermost areas ‑ Rev 7:1, Acts 10:11, Acts 11:5, Is 11:12, Eze 7:2
• See notes on Rev 4:5-9
• Four Points of the Compass (east, west, north and south)

• • Gen. 28:14; Num. 35:5; 1Ki. 7:25; 1Ch. 9:24; 2Ch. 4:4; Psa. 107:3; Eze. 48:10,16,17; Zec. 14:4; Luke 13:29; Rev. 21:13.

• Gog and Magog (land of Magog)
  • Gog (H1463)
    • 1Ch 5:4, Eze 38:2, Eze 38:3, Eze 38:14, Eze 38:16, Eze 38:18, Eze 39:1, Eze 39:11
    • Points to the Antichrist leading the battle of the Last Day (Armageddon)
    • Gog – chief prince of Meshech and Tubal – Eze 38:2-3, Eze 39:1
    • Antichrist as a King:
      • Satan gives His power to the Beast – Rev 13:2
        • And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority. (Rev 13:2)
      • 7^th Head of the Scarlet beast of Rev 17 – Rev 17:10-14
      • Nebuchadnezzer / King of Babylon – Is 14:4-17, Dan 2:37-38
      • Prince of Tyre – Eze 28:1-10
      • Little Horn of Dan 7
        • … it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it … (Dan 7:7)
        • Subdues 3 kings (plucked up) – Dan 7:8, 24
        • … and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces (Dan 7:23b)
        • Mouth speaking great words against the Most High – Dan 7:8, 11, 20, 25
        • Wear out the saints (given into his hand for 3 ½ times) – Dan 7:21, 25
        • Think to change times and laws – Dan 7:25
      • Little Horn of Dan 8
        • Little horn (came out of 1 of the 4 horns of the he-goat, Greece) – Dan 8:9
        • King of fierce countenance – Dan 8:23
        • Became very great toward the south, the east and toward the pleasant (glorious) land – Dan 8:9
        • Became great to the host of heaven , cast down host and stars to the ground and stamped on them – Dan 8:10
        • Became great to the host of heaven , cast down host and stars to the ground and stamped on them – Dan 8:10
        • Magnified himself even to the prince of the host (Christ) – Dan 8:11
        • Power is mighty, but not by his own power – Dan 8:24
        • Magnify in his heart – Dan 8:25
        • By peace, destroy many – Dan 8:25
        • Will stand up against the Prince of princes – Dan 8:25
      • King of the North – Dan 11:32-45, Dan 12:1-2
    • Magog (H4031) – from H1463 – 4 occurrences – 1 Chr 1:5, Gen 10:2 (one of the sons of Japheth), Eze 38:2, Eze 39:6
      • Sons of Japheth – By these were the isles of the Gentiles divided in their lands; every one after his tongue, after their families, in their nations.  (Gen 10:5)
      • Land of Magog – Eze 38:2, Eze 39:6 – Gog chief prince of the land of Magog (i.e., isles of the Gentiles)
        • Gentiles – points to heathen (unsaved) – 1 Cor 10:32
      • Primary prophetic passage concerning Gog of the Land of Magog – Eze 38-39
      • Eze 39:11, Eze 39:15 – Hamongog (H1996) – (literally, disquieted multitude of Gog) – The peoples of Gog and Magog refer to those who are opposed to God’s people.
      • Eze 39:16 – Hamonah (H1997 – feminine of H1995 (Hamnon – literally, a noisy, disquieted multitude) – points to multitude as ‘women’ – likely spiritual meaning (those who are opposite of the bride of Christ, i.e., Babylon)
        • King of the North’s multitude – Dan 11:13
        • Often tied to Egypt’s multitude – Eze 29:19, Eze 30:4, Eze 30:10, Eze 30:15, Eze 31:2, Eze 31:18, Eze 32:12 (2), Eze 32:16, Eze 32:18, Eze 32:24-26 (3), Eze 32:31-32
      • They come as an army against God’s people (Eze 38:8-12, 14-17, 39:2).
      • Judgment of God on Gog and Magog – Eze 38:19-23, Eze 39:2-6
      • Ezekiel 38 and 39 closely harmonizes with Rev 20:7-10 in that there will be large army that descends upon the people of God and God rises up in judgment.
      • See below on final battle
    • Outline of Eze 38 and Eze 39
      • Eze 38:1-8a – The Judgment on Gog, the chief prince of Meschech and Tubal
        • And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him, And say, Thus says the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal: And I will turn thee back, and put hooks into thy jaws, and I will bring thee forth, and all thine army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed with all sorts of armor, even a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords: Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya with them; all of them with shield and helmet: Gomer, and all his bands; the house of Togarmah of the north quarters, and all his bands: and many people with thee. Be thou prepared, and prepare for thyself, thou, and all thy company that are assembled unto thee, and be thou a guard unto them. After many days thou shalt be visited … (Eze 38:1-8a)
      • Eze 38:8b-17 – Great Tribulation – Evil thought to come like a storm on Israel, who dwell safely
        • After many days thou shalt be visited: in the latter years thou shalt come into the land that is brought back from the sword, and is gathered out of many people, against the mountains of Israel, which have been always waste: but it is brought forth out of the nations, and they shall dwell safely all of them. Thou shalt ascend and come like a storm, thou shalt be like a cloud to cover the land, thou, and all thy bands, and many people with thee. Thus says the Lord GOD; It shall also come to pass, that at the same time shall things come into thy mind, and thou shalt think an evil thought: And thou shalt say, I will go up to the land of unwalled villages; I will go to them that are at rest, that dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates, To take a spoil, and to take a prey; to turn thine hand upon the desolate places that are now inhabited, and upon the people that are gathered out of the nations, which have gotten cattle and goods, that dwell in the midst of the land. Sheba, and Dedan, and the merchants of Tarshish, with all the young lions thereof, shall say unto thee, Art thou come to take a spoil? hast thou gathered thy company to take a prey? to carry away silver and gold, to take away cattle and goods, to take a great spoil? Therefore, son of man, prophesy and say unto Gog, Thus says the Lord GOD; In that day when my people of Israel dwells safely, shalt thou not know it? And thou shalt come from thy place out of the north parts, thou, and many people with thee, all of them riding upon horses, a great company, and a mighty army: And thou shalt come up against my people of Israel, as a cloud to cover the land; it shall be in the latter days, and I will bring thee against my land, that the heathen may know me, when I shall be sanctified in thee, O Gog, before their eyes. Thus says the Lord GOD; Art thou he of whom I have spoken in old time by my servants the prophets of Israel, which prophesied in those days many years that I would bring thee against them? (Eze 38:8-17)
      • Eze 38:18-23 – Judgment day – God’s Fury upon Gog
        • And it shall come to pass at the same time when Gog shall come against the land of Israel, says the Lord GOD, that my fury shall come up in my face. For in my jealousy and in the fire of my wrath have I spoken, Surely in that day there shall be a great shaking in the land of Israel; So that the fishes of the sea, and the fowls of the heaven, and the beasts of the field, and all creeping things that creep upon the earth, and all the men that are upon the face of the earth, shall shake at my presence, and the mountains shall be thrown down, and the steep places shall fall, and every wall shall fall to the ground. And I will call for a sword against him throughout all my mountains, says the Lord GOD: every man’s sword shall be against his brother. And I will plead against him with pestilence and with blood; and I will rain upon him, and upon his bands, and upon the many people that are with him, an overflowing rain, and great hailstones, fire, and brimstone. Thus will I magnify myself, and sanctify myself; and I will be known in the eyes of many nations, and they shall know that I am the LORD. (Eze 38:18-23)
      • Eze 39:1-5 – Judgment Day – Gog’s army given to the ravenous birds
        • Therefore, thou son of man, prophesy against Gog, and say, Thus says the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal: And I will turn thee back, and leave but the sixth part of thee, and will cause thee to come up from the north parts, and will bring thee upon the mountains of Israel: And I will smite thy bow out of thy left hand, and will cause thine arrows to fall out of thy right hand. Thou shalt fall upon the mountains of Israel, thou, and all thy bands, and the people that is with thee: I will give thee unto the ravenous birds of every sort, and to the beasts of the field to be devoured. Thou shalt fall upon the open field: for I have spoken it, says the Lord GOD. (Eze 39:1-5)
      • Eze 39:6-10 – Judgment Day – Fire on the Land of Magog
        • And I will send a fire on Magog, and among them that dwell carelessly in the isles: and they shall know that I am the LORD. So will I make my holy name known in the midst of my people Israel; and I will not let them pollute my holy name any more: and the heathen shall know that I am the LORD, the Holy One in Israel. Behold, it is come, and it is done, says the Lord GOD; this is the day whereof I have spoken. And they that dwell in the cities of Israel shall go forth, and shall set on fire and burn the weapons, both the shields and the bucklers, the bows and the arrows, and the handstaves, and the spears, and they shall burn them with fire seven years: So that they shall take no wood out of the field, neither cut down any out of the forests; for they shall burn the weapons with fire: and they shall spoil those that spoiled them, and rob those that robbed them, says the Lord GOD. (Eze 39:6-10)
      • Eze 39:11-16 – Judgment Day – Burial of Gog and his multitude
        • And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will give unto Gog a place there of graves in Israel, the valley of the passengers on the east of the sea: and it shall stop the noses of the passengers: and there shall they bury Gog and all his multitude: and they shall call it The valley of Hamongog. And seven months shall the house of Israel be burying of them, that they may cleanse the land. Yea, all the people of the land shall bury them; and it shall be to them a renown the day that I shall be glorified, says the Lord GOD. And they shall sever out men of continual employment, passing through the land to bury with the passengers those that remain upon the face of the earth, to cleanse it: after the end of seven months shall they search. And the passengers that pass through the land, when any sees a man’s bone, then shall he set up a sign by it, till the buriers have buried it in the valley of Hamongog. And also the name of the city shall be Hamonah. Thus shall they cleanse the land. (Eze 39:11-16)
      • Eze 39:17-22 – Judgment Day – The Sacrificial Dinner (Last Day Supper – see Rev 19:17-21)
        • And, thou son of man, thus says the Lord GOD; Speak unto every feathered fowl, and to every beast of the field, Assemble yourselves, and come; gather yourselves on every side to my sacrifice that I do sacrifice for you, even a great sacrifice upon the mountains of Israel, that ye may eat flesh, and drink blood. Ye shall eat the flesh of the mighty, and drink the blood of the princes of the earth, of rams, of lambs, and of goats, of bullocks, all of them fatlings of Bashan. And ye shall eat fat till ye be full, and drink blood till ye be drunken, of my sacrifice which I have sacrificed for you. Thus ye shall be filled at my table with horses and chariots, with mighty men, and with all men of war, saith the Lord GOD. And I will set my glory among the heathen, and all the heathen shall see my judgment that I have executed, and my hand that I have laid upon them. So the house of Israel shall know that I am the LORD their God from that day and forward. (Eze 39:17-22)
      • Eze 39:23-24,28a – Great Tribulation – Captivity due to Iniquity of the House of Israel
        • And the heathen shall know that the house of Israel went into captivity for their iniquity: because they trespassed against me, therefore hid I my face from them, and gave them into the hand of their enemies: so fell they all by the sword. According to their uncleanness and according to their transgressions have I done unto them, and hid my face from them … Then shall they know that I am the LORD their God, which caused them to be led into captivity among the heathen … (Eze 39:23-28a)
      • Eze 39:25-29 – Salvation in Eternity – Mercy on God’ people brought out of captivity
        • Therefore thus says the Lord GOD; Now will I bring again the captivity of Jacob, and have mercy upon the whole house of Israel, and will be jealous for my holy name; After that they have borne their shame, and all their trespasses whereby they have trespassed against me, when they dwelt safely in their land, and none made them afraid. When I have brought them again from the people, and gathered them out of their enemies’ lands, and am sanctified in them in the sight of many nations; Then shall they know that I am the LORD their God, which caused them to be led into captivity among the heathen: but I have gathered them unto their own land, and have left none of them anymore there. Neither will I hide my face any more from them: for I have poured out my spirit upon the house of Israel, says the Lord GOD. (Eze 39:25-29)
      • Sand of the sea
        • Rev 20:8 – The army gathered against the Lord
        • Rev 13:1 – Where the beast is seen rising from the sea
        • Gen 22:17 – The promised descendants of Abraham
        • Gen 32:12 – The promised descendants of Jacob
        • Gen 41:49 – Joseph gather corn as the sand of the sea
        • Josh 11:4 – The Canaanites to battle against Israel – Josh 11:4
        • Jud 7:12 – camels without number of Midianites and Amalekites
        • 1 Sam 13:5 – Philistines against Israel
        • 2 Sam 17:11 – Israel under Absalom to fight against David – 2 Sam 17:11
        • 1 Ki 4:20 – Judah and Israel, eating, drinking and making merry (under Solomon)
        • Solomon – largeness of heart – 1 Ki 4:29
        • Job 6:3 – Job’s grief
        • Ps 78:27 – God rained flesh upon Israel (birds)
        • Is 10:22 – Israel like sand of the sea, yet a remnant shall return – Is 10:22
        • Jer 5:22 – Sand is the bound of the sea – perpetual decree – cannot be crossed by the sea
        • Jer 15:8 – widows of Judah – judgment
        • Jer 33:22 – Lord will multiply the seed of David
        • Hos 1:10 – Spiritual Israel, God’s people
        • Ro 9:27 – Children of Israel as sand of the sea, a remnant will be saved
        • Heb 11:12 – Abraham’s offspring
      • Sand – New Testament (G285, amnos) – 5 occurrences
        • See above on Ro 9:27, Heb 11:12, Rev 20:8, Rev 13:1
        • Sand – That which does not have a good foundation – Mat 7:26
      • Sand – Old Testament (H2344, chol) – 23 occurrences
        • See above on ‘sand of the sea’
        • Moses slew Egyptian and hided him in sand – Ex 2:12
        • Deut 33:19 – Zebulum / Issachar – offer sacrifices of righteousness – suck up treasures of the sand
        • Job to multiply days as the sand – Job 29:18
        • Ps 139:17-18 – The sum of God’s thoughts are precious
        • Pr 27:3 – sand is weighty, but fool’s wrath is heavier
        • Is 48:19 – if Israel listened, seed could have been as sand of the sea
        • Hab 1:9 – captivity of Judah as the sand
      • Sea – portrait of hell – see notes on Rev 10:2 notes, Rev 4:5 notes
        • Rise up out of the sea: loosing of Satan – Rev 20:1-3, 2 Thess 2:8
        • 4 Great beasts rise from the sea – Dan 7:2
        • Wicked are as a troubled sea – Is 57:20
        • Sea as hell – Ps 18:16-17, Ps 69:1-3, Ps 69:13-15, Ps 124:1-5, Ps 78:53, Ps 106:10-11, Jonah 1 with Mat 12:39-41
        • Sea – Gr: Thalassa (92 occurrences):
          • (Sea) Galilee of the Gentiles – Mat 4:15, Mat 4:18,Mat 15:29, Mk 1:16, Mk 7:31
          • Sea of Galilee is the Sea of Tiberias – John 6:1(see also John 21:1)
          • Jesus stills the tempest in the sea – Mat 8:24-27, Mat 14:24-26, Mk 4:39-41, Mk 6:47-49, John 6:16-19
          • Jesus sat by sea and taught – Mat 13:1, Mk 2:13, Mk 3:7, Mk 4:1
          • Kingdom of heaven like a net cast into the sea – Mat 13:47
          • Coin in mouth of fish from the sea – Mat 17:27
          • Millstone – drowned in the sea – Mat 18:6, Mk 9:42, Lk 17:2, Rev 18:21
          • Move mountain into the sea – Mat 21:21, Mk 11:23
          • Move sycamine tree into sea – Lk 17:6
          • Hypocrites compass sea and land to make a proselyte – Mat 23:15
          • Other side of sea – country of Gadarenes – swine rush into sea – mat 8:32, Mk 5:1
          • Pass by ship to other side of sea – Mk 5:21
          • Judgment day – sea and waves roaring – Lk 21:25
          • Other side of the sea – John 6:22, John 6:25
          • Appeared to disciples at the Sea of Tiberias – John 21:1
          • Peter cast himself into sea naked – John 21:7
          • Lord made the heaven, earth and sea – Acts 4:24, Acts 14:15
          • Simon a tanner – house by the sea – Acts 10:6, Acts 10:32
          • Paul travels by the sea – Acts 17:14
          • Paul’s shipwreck at sea – Acts 27:30, Acts 27:38, Acts 27:40, Acts 28:4
          • Paul in perils at sea – 2 Cor 11:26
          • Israel numbered as the sand of the sea – Ro 9:27, Heb 11:12
          • Fathers passed through the sea, baptized in the sea (Red Sea) – 1 Cor 10:1-2, Acts 7:36, Heb 11:29
          • He who doubts is like a wave of the sea – James 1:6
          • False teachers, raging waves of the sea – Jude 13
          • Sea of glass – Rev 4:6, Rev 15:2 (victorious people stand on the sea of glass)
          • All creatures including those in the sea praise God – Rev 5:13
          • Holding back 4 winds to not blow on the earth, sea or on any tree – Rev 7:1-3
          • 2^nd trumpet – great mountain burning with fire thrown into the sea – 1/3 part became as blood, 1/3 part in the sea died, 1/3 ship destroyed – Rev 8:8-9
          • Little book (7 thunders) – angel with right foot on sea, left foot on land – Rev 10:2, Rev 10:5-6, Rev 10:8
          • Woe to inhabitants of earth and sea – devil has great wrath – short time – Rev 12:12
          • Beast rises out of the sea (Antichrist) – Rev 13:1
          • Worship Him that made heaven, earth, sea and fountains of waters – Rev 14:7
          • 2^nd bowl of wrath – sea – blood of dead man, all souls died – Rev 16:3
          • Those who trade by sea (merchants) mourn for Babylon – Rev 18:17, Rev 18:19
          • Millstone cast into sea – fallen Babylon – Rev 18:21
          • Those who battle as the sand of the sea – Rev 20:8 (Judgment day)
          • Sea gave up the dead who were in them – Rev 20:13
          • No more sea in the New Heavens and New Earth – Rev 21:1
        • ‘Sea’ before the Holy Place in Solomon’s Temple – 1 Ki 7:30, 1 Ki 7:23-44, 2 Ki 16:17, 2 Ki 25:13, 2 Chr 4:1-6, 2 Chr 4:14-15, 2 Chr 6:13
          • The Bronze Laver before the Holy Place – Ex 30:17-21, Ex 30:26-28, Ex 31:9, Ex 35:16, Ex 38:8, Ex 39:39, Ex 40:11, Ex 40:30, Lev 8:11
          • Wash feet and hands – Ex 30:19-21
          • Laver anointed – Ex 30:26-28, Ex 40:11, Lev 8:11
          • Contributions for the laver – Ex 35:16
          • Washings – Exo 19:10; Exo 29:4; Exo 29:17; Exo 30:18; Exo 30:19; Exo 30:20; Exo 30:21; Exo 40:12; Exo 40:30; Lev 1:9; Lev 1:13; Lev 6:27; Lev 9:14; Lev 16:4; Lev 16:24; Lev 16:26; Lev 16:28; Num 19:7; Num 19:8; Num 19:10; Num 19:19; Num 19:21; 2Ch 4:6; Psa 26:6; Psa 51:2; Psa 51:7; Psa 58:10; Luk 7:38; Joh 9:7; Joh 9:11; Joh 13:5; Joh 13:6; Joh 13:8; Joh 13:10; Joh 13:14; Act 22:16, Heb 6:2, Heb 9:10
        • Sea often points to damnation – Ps 78:53, Ps 106:10-11, Rev 15:2, Ex 38:8, 1 Ki 7:23, Ps 124:3-5
        • Hell involves the sea (Jonah 2:1-5 w/ Mat 12:39-41, Lk 11:29-32, Gen 6-9 w/ Mat 24:37-39, Lk 17:27, Ps 18:16-17, Ps 136:15, Ps 32:6, Ps 93:3-4, Ps 46:1-3, Ps 69:1-3, Ps 69:13-15, Ps 124:1-5, Ps 144:7-8, Job 22:11, Hos 5:10, Rev 13:1)
        • Pharaoh’s Army destroyed in the Sea – Ex 14:23-31, Exo 15:10; Deu 11:4; Neh 9:11; Psa 78:53; Hab 3:8-10, Hab 3:13; Heb 11:29
        • Raging waves – Jude 13, wicked no peace – Is 57:20-21, James 1:6, Ps 107:25, Job 9:8
      • Gather them to battle of that Great Day of God Almighty
        • Battle – Final Day of Judgment – Rev 16:12-14, 1 Ki 22:21-23, Zech 14:2-3, Zech 14:12-14, Ps 55:18, Eze 13:5, Pr 21:31, Is 13:4, Joel 2:1-11, Rev 20:8, Rev 16:14, Rev 19:11-21 (especially Rev 19:19), Zech 10:3-5, Zech 12:2-11, Is 34:1-8, Rev 17:12-14, Eze 38-Eze 39, Zeph 3:8, Zeph 2:4-15, Dan 12:1 (war based on context of Dan 11:45), Dan 8:25, Dan 7:26-27, Dan 2:22-36, Dan 2:44, Micah 5:9-15, Is 31:7-9, Is 2:1-5, Joel 3:1-2, Joel 3:9-12
          • War in the Valley of Jehoshaphat – Joel 3:1-2, Joel 3:9-10
          • Plowshares into swords, pruning hooks into spears – Joel 3:10, Is 2:4
        • Gather – Joel 3:11-12, Is 13:4, Eze 38:9, Eze 38:15-16 w/ Rev 20:9, Eze 39:2, Zech 12:3, Zech 14:2, Zeph 3:8, Hos 8:10, Eze 22:19-21, John 15:6, Ps 2:2, Eze 38:18, Zeph 3:8, Dan 11:44

• Battle (literally, war)

• Battle – Final Day of Judgment – Rev 16:12-14, 1 Ki 22:21-23, Zech 14:2-3, Zech 14:12-14, Ps 55:18, Eze 13:5, Pr 21:31, Is 13:4, Joel 2:1-11, Rev 20:8, Rev 16:14, Rev 19:11-21 (especially Rev 19:19), Zech 10:3-5, Zech 12:2-11, Is 34:1-8, Rev 17:12-14, Eze 38-Eze 39, Zeph 3:8, Zeph 2:4-15, Dan 12:1 (war based on context of Dan 11:45), Dan 8:25, Dan 7:26-27, Dan 2:22-36, Dan 2:44, Micah 5:9-15, Is 31:7-9, Is 2:1-5, Joel 3:1-2, Joel 3:9-12
  • War in the Vally of Jehoshaphat – Joel 3:1-2, Joel 3:9-10
  • Plowhares into swords, pruning hooks into spears – Joel 3:10, Is 2:4
• Battle – Gr: 4171 (polemos) – also G4172 (polemeo) – literally, war
  • G4170 – Jas 4:2, Rev 2:16, Rev 12:7, Rev 13:4, Rev 17:14, Rev 19:11
  • G4171 – Mat 24:6, Mar 13:7, Luk 14:31, Luk 21:9, 1Co 14:8, Heb 11:34, Jas 4:1, Rev 9:7, Rev 9:9, Rev 11:7, Rev 12:7, Rev 12:17, Rev 13:7, Rev 16:14, Rev 19:19, Rev 20:8

Compassing of the Saints and the Beloved City

And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. (Rev 20:9)

• Breadth of the earth – Unsaved and unsaved all througout the world – Parable of the Wheat and the Tares – Rev 13:24-30, 36-43
  • Camp of the saints / beloved city – symbol of God’s people
  • Compassed – points to Great Tribulation
  • God’s people are scattered throughout the world
  • Parable of the Wheat and the Tares – Rev 13:24-30, 36-43

• Saints – literally, holy ones
• Saints will judge the world – 1 Cor 6:2, Psa 149:5-9, Dan 7:18, Dan 7:22, Zec 14:5, Luk 22:30, 1Th 3:13, Jud 1:14-15, Rev 2:26-27, Rev 3:21, Rev 20:4
• Ps 149:4-9 – God’s saints (His people that have been beautified with salvation) come with a sword for vengeance
• The Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, To execute judgment upon all – Jude 14
• Saints were given the kingdom – Dan 7:10, Dan 7:22, Dan 7:25, Dan 7:27 (God’s people – see context of Dan 7:18-21)
• You shall flee when God comes with His saints – Zech 14:5
• Deut 33:2 – Lord came with 10,000 saints with a fiery law
• God will come – gather my saints unto me – Ps 50:3-5
• The Lord Jesus comes with all His saints – 1 Thess 3:13
• Christ comes to be glorified in His saints an all that believe in Him – 2 Thess 1:10
• Give reward to the saints – Rev 11:18
• Lord God Almighty is the King of Saints – Rev 15:3
• Camp of the saints surrounded on Judgment day – Rev 20:9
• Christians gathered together – See Rev 16:14-16 notes for gathered
• Meet Christ in the air – 1 Thess 4:13-18
• Angels gather the elect – Mat 16:27, Mat 24:31, Mat 13:41, Mk 8:38, 2 Thess 1:7, Mk 13:27
• God will come – gather my saints unto me – Ps 50:3-5

• Compassed the camp of the saints and the beloved city

• Compassed (sieged)
  • Jerusalem being encompassed during the Great Tribulation period described in Lk 21:20, Mat 24:15 and Mk 13:14, Lk 19:43
  • Compassed – see Rev 11:2-4 for parallel, Hab 1:6 (believers are trapped, appears to be no hope in the world), see also 2 Ki 6:15, Mic 2:13, Mat 16:16-18, Lk 19:43
  • Babylonian captivity – Jer 32:2, Jer 37:5, Dan 1:1, 2 Ki 24:11, Jer 21;4, Jer 21:9, Eze 4:3 – see Babylonian Captivity study
  • Throughout the Bible, there are many references to encompassing cities which usually point to a period of Great Tribulation (e.g., Dan 9:27, Rev 5:11, 7:11, Ps 118:10-12 and many other verses in Jeremiah and Ezekiel referring to the siege of Jerusalem).

• • Fear on Every Side

• Therefore snares are round about thee, and sudden fear troubleth thee  (Job 22:10)
• For I have heard the slander of many: fear was on every side: while they took counsel together against me, they devised to take away my life.  (Psa 31:13)
• The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. (Psa 34:7)
• Go not forth into the field, nor walk by the way; for the sword of the enemy and fear is on every side.   (Jer 6:25)
• For I heard the defaming of many, fear on every side. Report, say they, and we will report it. All my familiars  watched for my halting, saying, Peradventure he will be enticed, and we shall prevail against him, and we shall take our revenge on him.  (Jer 20:10)
• Wherefore have I seen them dismayed and turned away back? and their mighty ones are beaten down, and are fled apace, and look not back:  for fear was round about,  saith the LORD.  (Jer 46:5)
• Behold, I will bring a fear upon thee, saith the Lord GOD of hosts, from all those that be about thee; and ye shall be driven out every man right forth; and none shall gather up him that wandereth.  (Jer 49:5)
• Their tents and their flocks shall they take away: they shall take to themselves their curtains, and all their vessels, and their camels; and they shall cry unto them, Fear is on every side. (Jer 49:29)
• Wicked Surround the Righteous, but God Delivers Them
• I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about. (Psa 3:6)
• The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted. (Psa 12:8)
• And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD. (Psa 27:6)
• For I have heard the slander of many: fear was on every side: while they took counsel together against me, they devised to take away my life.  (Psa 31:13)
• The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. (Psa 34:7)
• Thou makest us a reproach to our neighbours, a scorn and a derision to them that are round about us. (Psa 44:13)
• We are become a reproach to our neighbours, a scorn and derision to them that are round about us. (Psa 79:4)
• God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him. (Psa 89:7)
• LORD God of hosts, who is a strong LORD like unto thee? or to thy faithfulness round about thee? (Psa 89:8)
• Clouds and darkness are round about him: righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne. (Psa 97:2)
• As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the LORD is round about his people from henceforth even for ever.  (Psa 125:2)
• See Babylonian Captivity – siege study
  • Camp of the saints
    • True believers – see Deut 23:14, refers to Israel in the wilderness (type of the church)
    • Camp – (G3925 – parembole) – an army array – Act 21:34, Act 21:37, Act 22:24, Act 23:10, Act 23:16, Act 23:32, Heb 13:11, Heb 13:13, Rev 20:9, Heb 11:34
    • See also – Ps 48:1-3, Ps 74:2-4, Ps 125:1-2, Heb 13:13
    • Saints ‑ set apart, sanctified ones ‑ all believers are saints – Ro 1:7, Ro 8:27, Ro 12:13, 1 Pet 1:2,15, 2:24, Gal 6:15, 2 Thess 2:13, Jude 1, Heb 3:1, Col 2:11‑13, 2 Cor 3:1‑11, Ps 4:3, 5:4, Col 3:12, 1 Cor 1:2,12,30,6:11,5:7, Acts 20:32, 2 Cor 5:17, Jer 1:5, Rev 1:5, etc.
  • Beloved city
    • God loves Jerusalem – Rev 20:9, Ps 87:2, Ps 122:6, Isa 66:10, Ps 26:8, Ps 84:1-4, Ps 137:6
    • Heavenly Jerusalem – Rev 21:2, Rev 3:12, Ps 48:1-3, Ps 87:3, Isa 1:21, Jer 31:23, Heb 11:10, Heb 12:22, Heb 13:14, Rev 21:9-27, etc.
    • God loves the elect (His people), but hates the wicked – Ps 5:5, Ro 9:13, Mal 1:2, Ps 105:6, etc.
    • Not Physical Jerusalem – see Rev 11:2-4 notes
  • Fire came down from God and devoured them
    • Eze 38:22, 39:6, see 13:13 notes
    • Fire – picture of judgment – see notes on Rev 1:14-15
    • See – Rev 11:5, Rev 13:13, Gen 19:24, Exo 9:23-24, Lev 10:2-3, Num 11:1, Num 16:35, 2Ki 1:10-15, Psa 97:3, Psa 106:18, Isa 30:33, Isa 37:36, Eze 38:22, Eze 39:6, Luk 9:54, Luk 17:29, 2Th 1:8
    • Came down from God – God is the judge
    • Devoured them – see Heb 10:27
    • Devour – related to the word of God – see notes on Rev 11:5, 12:4, 9:17-19

Rev 20:10-15 – Judgment Day – Great White Throne Judgment

 

And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.  (Rev 20:10)

And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.  (Rev 20:11)

And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.  (Rev 20:12)

And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.  (Rev 20:13)

And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.  (Rev 20:14)

And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.  (Rev 20:15)

 

Verse-by-verse Notes

 

20:10 

And the devil that deceived them

• See notes on Rev 20:2-3, Rev 20:8, See Rev 12:9 notes concerning serpent and deception

Cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are

• Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels… And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal. (Mat 25:41, 46)
• And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. For every one shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt. Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another. (Mar 9:43-50)
• And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day. Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. (Jud 1:6-7)
• And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. (Rev 19:20)
• And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. (Rev 20:10)
• But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. (Rev 21:8)
• And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. (Rev 20:11-15)
• But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. (2Pe 3:7)
• The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings? (Isa 33:14)
• For it is the day of the LORD’S vengeance, and the year of recompences for the controversy of Zion. And the streams thereof shall be turned into pitch, and the dust thereof into brimstone, and the land thereof shall become burning pitch. It shall not be quenched night nor day; the smoke thereof shall go up for ever: from generation to generation it shall lie waste; none shall pass through it for ever and ever. (Isa 34:8-10)
• And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh. (Isa 66:24)
• Thy pomp is brought down to the grave, and the noise of thy viols: the worm is spread under thee, and the worms cover thee. How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! (Isa 14:11-12)
• I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire. (Mat 3:11-12)
• John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire: Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable. (Luk 3:16-17)
• But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. (Heb 10:27)
• For our God is a consuming fire. (Heb 12:29)
• And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. (Jude 1:23)
• Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire. And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire. (Mat 18:8-9)
• Three – Satanic Trinity – Rev 19:20, Rev 20:10, Rev 13, Rev 16:13
• Fire – see notes on Rev 1:14-15
• Brimstone – see notes on Rev 9:17-18, Rev 14:10, Rev 19:20, Rev 21:8

Shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

• Torment
• Hell is a place of spiritual torment (Luke 16:23, Lk 16:28) in being separated from God’s kingdom by a great gulf
• Greek word for torment (basanos, G931 (3 occurrences) and its cognates G928 (12 occurrences), G929 (6 occurrences), G930(1 occurrence))
  • G931 – Mat 4:24 (sickness), Lk 16:23, Lk 16:28 (Lazarus torment in his separation of being in hades)
  • In LK 16:23 and Lk 16:28, torment in the context of the Parable of Lazarus and the Rich Man, involves the conditions that exist in hades:
• Silence (No Fellowship) – Ps 31:17-18, Ps 94:17, Ps 28:1, Ps 115:17-18
• No Purpose / No Knowledge – Ecc 9:5-10, Ps 146:4, Ps 6:5
• No Communications with the Living – Ps 6:5, Job 7:9-10, Ps 88:4-8
• Darkness (no Gospel Truth) – 1 Sam 2:9, Job 17:11-13, Ps 88:6
• Cannot Praise or Hear from God – Ps 143:7, Ps 115:17-18, Ps 6:3-5, Ps 88:10-12
• As Prisoners, with no Hope – Is 24:21-22, Job 17:15-16, Ps 88:3-8
  • G928 – 12 occurrences
  • Torment of the locusts – Rev 9:5
  • Lake of Fire – torment of separation – Rev 20:10
  • Demons – Gadarene demoniac – Mat 8:29 (also tied to abyss – see above on bottomless pit), Legion of demons – Lk 8:28, Mk 5:7
  • Disciples ‘toiling’ in ship – Mk 6:48
  • Ship ‘tossed’ in waves – Mat 14:24
  • Righteous Lot ‘vexed’ in his soul due to watching sinful behavior – 2 Pet 2:8
  • Woman experienced pains in the advent of Christ – Rev 12:2
  • Torment of sickness of palsy – Mat 8:6 (see Is 1:4-6)
  • Sickness represents spiritual sickness of sin – Mat 8:17, Eze 34:4, Eze 34:16, Ps 77:10, Is 35:5-6, Ps 102:4, Pr 13:12, Ps 38:2-3, Is 1:4-6, Jer 8:22, Jer 30:12, Is 53:3-5, 1 Tim 1:10, 2 Tim 1:13, 4:3, Titus 1:9, Titus 1:13, Titus 2:1-2, 1 Cor 11:26-30, Jer 31:8, Jer 3:22, Ps 41:4, Ps 103:1-4, 1 Pet 2:24, John 9:39, John 12:40, Acts 28:27, Mal 4:20, James 5:15-16)
  • Sin brings evil consequences – Gen 3:16-19
  • G929 – Rev 9:5
  • Those who worship beast will be tormented – Rev 14:11
  • Judgment on Babylon due to her sin – Rev 18:7, Rev 18:10, Rev 18:15
• G930 – 1 occurrence
  • Mat 18:34 – Parable of the 2 debtors – wicked one given to tormentors to pay what he owed
• Torment of being separated from God by sin
  • Sin separates us from God – Is 59:2, Is 50:1, Pr 15:29, Jer 5:28
  • Holiness of God ‑ Hab 1:13 (pure eyes, cannot look upon sin), Job 15:15, Ps 5:4-5, Ps 11;4-7, Ps 34:15-16, 1 Pet 1:15-16
  • God hides His face – Is 59:2, Is 57:17, Deut 31:17-18, Deut 32:20, Eze 39:23-24, Eze 39:29, Micah 3:4
  • Previously, men could not see God and live ‑ John 1:18, 1 John 4:12, Ex 33:20, John 6:46, Col 1:15, 1 Tim 6:16
  • We shall see God ‑ Mat 5:8, Ps 17:15, Ps 42:2, 1 John 3:1‑3, Heb 12:14, 1 Cor 13:12, John 17:24, 12:26, IS 35:2, 40:5, 33:17, Ps 4:6, Job 33:26, 2 Cor 3:12‑18, Ex 33:11‑23, Deut 34:10, Rev 22:4
• Tormented day and night, forever – torment, no end – see App C notes on 9:5, 14:10
  • Day and night – see Rev 4:8, Rev 7:15, Rev 8:12, Rev 12:10, Rev 14:11
  • No rest – rest a picture of salvation – Heb 3:16-19, 4:1-5,8-11, Ex 20:12, Num 15:32-36, Ex 35:3

20:11

And I saw a great white throne and him that sat on it

• Great White throne

• Great – Gr: megas (G3173) – very great and large

• White
  • See Rev 6:2 – Christ conquering and to conquer
  • White – Gr: leukos (G3022) – white (different than Rev 19:8 (lampros))
    • Mat 5:36, Mar 9:2-3 (3), Mar 16:5, Luk 9:29, Joh 4:35, Joh 20:12, Act 1:10, Rev 1:14 (2), Rev 2:17, Rev 3:4-5 (2), Rev 3:18, Rev 4:4, Rev 6:2, Rev 6:11, Rev 7:9, Rev 14:13-14 (2), Rev 19:11, Rev 19:14 (2), Rev 20:11
  • White represents – clean / no sin / holiness – see Rev 1:14-15 notes
  • White represents holiness – Ps 51:7, Dan 12:10, Dan 11:35, Dan 9:7, Is 1:18, 2 Chr 5:12, Ecc 9:8, Song 5:10, Rev 7:14, Rev 7:9-13, Rev 1:14, Rev 2:7, Rev 3:5, Rev 3:18, Rev 19:8, Rev 19:11, Rev 19:14
  • White horses – Zech 6:1-8, Zech 1:8

• Throne (Gr: thronos)

• One Sitting on the Throne – Is 6:1, Dan 7:9, Heb 8:1, Rev 22:1
  • Oneness of God – Deut 6:4-6, Deut 4:35-39, John 10:30, 1 Cor 8:4, Eph 4:6
  • Majesty God is King ‑ Lord of Lords, King of Kings ‑ see 1 Tim 6:15, Rev 19:16, Ps 136:3, Deut 10:17, Pr 8:15‑16, Dan 2:47
  • God is sovereign ‑ Eph 1:11, Is 14:24, Mat 28:18, Ps 29:10, , Ps 24:1-2, Mat 19:26, Ps 97:9, Ps 8:1, Heb 1:3, Ps 90:2, Col 1:16-17, Ro 8:29-30, Ps 135:6, Ps 115:3, 2 Pet 2:5, Dan 4:35, Job 42:2, Jonah 1:14, Is 45:9, Gen 2:16, Is 53:10‑12, Heb 10:14, Ro 9:18, Col 2:10, etc.
  • Throne of Judgment:
    • Then he made a porch for the throne where he might judge, even the porch of judgment: and it was covered with cedar from one side of the floor to the other. (1Ki 7:7)
    • Blessed be the LORD thy God, which delighted in thee, to set thee on the throne of Israel: because the LORD loved Israel forever, therefore made he thee king, to do judgment and justice. (1Ki 10:9)
    • Blessed be the LORD thy God, which delighted in thee to set thee on his throne, to be king for the LORD thy God: because thy God loved Israel, to establish them forever, therefore made he thee king over them, to do judgment and justice. (2Ch 9:8)
    • For thou hast maintained my right and my cause; thou satest in the throne judging right. (Psa 9:4)
    • But the LORD shall endure forever: he hath prepared his throne for judgment. (Psa 9:7)
    • Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne: mercy and truth shall go before thy face. (Psa 89:14)
    • Clouds and darkness are round about him: righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne. (Psa 97:2)
    • For there are set thrones of judgment, the thrones of the house of David. (Psa 122:5)
    • A king that sitteth in the throne of judgment scattereth away all evil with his eyes. (Pro 20:8)
    • The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne shall be established for ever. (Pro 29:14)
    • Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this. (Isa 9:7)
    • And in mercy shall the throne be established: and he shall sit upon it in truth in the tabernacle of David, judging, and seeking judgment, and hasting righteousness. (Isa 16:5)
  • Judgment Seat:
    • And he provided the first part for himself, because there, in a portion of the lawgiver, was he seated; and he came with the heads of the people, he executed the justice of the LORD, and his judgments with Israel. (Deu 33:21)
    • And it came to pass, when he made mention of the ark of God, that he fell from off the seat backward by the side of the gate, and his neck brake, and he died: for he was an old man, and heavy. And he had judged Israel forty years. (1Sa 4:18)
    • When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him. (Mat 27:19)
    • When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus forth, and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called the Pavement, but in the Hebrew, Gabbatha. (Joh 19:13)
    • And when Gallio was the deputy of Achaia, the Jews made insurrection with one accord against Paul, and brought him to the judgment seat, (Act 18:12)
    • And he drave them from the judgment seat. (Act 18:16)
    • Then all the Greeks took Sosthenes, the chief ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgment seat. And Gallio cared for none of those things. (Act 18:17)
    • And when he had tarried among them more than ten days, he went down unto Caesarea; and the next day sitting on the judgment seat commanded Paul to be brought. (Act 25:6)
    • Then said Paul, I stand at Caesar’s judgment seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest. (Act 25:10)
    • Therefore, when they were come hither, without any delay on the morrow I sat on the judgment seat, and commanded the man to be brought forth. (Act 25:17)
    • But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. (Rom 14:10)
    • For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. (2Co 5:10)
    • But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats? (Jas 2:6)

From whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.

• Judgment Day – Face of earth and heaven fled away – see Rev 21:1, Isa 65:17, Isa 66:22, 2 Pet 3:10-13, 2 Pet 3:7, Mat 24:35, Dan 2:35, Jer 4:23-26, Rev 16:20, Rev 6:14, Ps 50:3, Ps 102:26, Is 51:6, Zeph 3:8, Mat 24:35, Mat 25:41, 2 Thess 1:8, etc.
• New heavens and new earth – the eternal state – see Rev 21 – Rev 22

20:12 

And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God

• Dead – first death since 2^nd death is the judgment that occurs at the Great white throne (see Rev 20:14)
  • Appointed for all men to die and then the judgment – Heb 9:27

• But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. (Gen 2:17)

• • Spiritually dead:

• And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;  (Eph 2:1)
• Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)  (Eph 2:5)
• Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.  (Eph 5:14)
• Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.  (Col 2:12)
• And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;  (Col 2:13)
• But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.  (1Ti 5:6)
• Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? (Joh 11:25-26)

• • See also – Gen 3:19, 2Sa 14:14, Job 14:5, Job 30:23, Psa 89:48, Ecc 3:20, Ecc 9:5, Ecc 9:10, Ecc 12:7, Rom 5:12, Heb 6:2, Job 19:25, Ecc 11:9, Ecc 12:14, Mat 25:31-46, Joh 5:26-29, Act 17:31, Rom 2:5, Rom 14:9-12, 1Co 4:5, 2Co 5:10, 2Ti 4:1, Jud 1:15, Rev 20:11
• Dead small and great – No prejudice with God – God judges all the wicked – Ro 2:11, Acts 10:34, Deut 10:17, 2 Chr 19:7, Gal 2:6, Eph 6:9, Col 3:25, 1 Pet 1:17
  • Small (Gr: mikros – G3398) and great (Gr: megas – G3173)
    • G3398 and G3173 together – Luk 9:48, Act 8:10, Act 26:22, Heb 8:11, Rev 11:18, Rev 13:16, Rev 19:5, Rev 19:18, Rev 20:12.
  • Both small and great (societal standing) – see Rev 13:16, Rev 19:18 (all types of people) Rev 6:15, Rev 17:12, Rev 17:15 notes
  • Note: tribes, tongues, nations, peoples, multitudes not mentioned
• Stand – Gr: G2476 – to stand (not to ‘stand again’, anastasis)
• Stand – appear for judgment – appear to account Gen 18:25; 1Sa 2:3, 1Sa 2:10; Psa 7:6-8, Psa 9:7-8, Psa 50:3-6, Psa 96:10-13, Psa 98:9; Ecc 11:9, Ecc 12:14; Eze 18:30; Mat 25:31-46; Act 10:42, Act 17:31; Rom 14:10-12; 1Pe 4:5; Jud 1:14-15; Rev 20:11-15
• All must stand before the judgment seat of God – Ro 14:10-12, 1 Cor 4:5, 2 Cor 5:10

• Before judgment – Gen 18:25, 1Sa 2:3, 1Sa 2:10, Psa 7:6-8, Psa 9:7-8, Psa 50:3-6, Psa 96:10-13, Psa 98:9, Ecc 11:9, Ecc 12:14, Eze 18:30, Mat 25:31-46, Act 10:42, Act 17:31, Rom 14:10-12, 1Pe 4:5, Jud 1:14-15, Rev 20:11-15
• Receive things done in body – 2Co 7:3, 1Ki 8:32, 1Ki 8:39, Job 34:11, Psa 62:12, Isa 3:10-11, Mat 16:27, Rom 2:5-10, 1Co 4:5, Gal 6:7-8, Eph 6:8, Col 3:24-25, Rev 2:23, Rev 20:12, Rev 20:13, Rev 22:12

The books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

• There are multiple books – Rev 20:12, Rev 20:15, Dan 7:10, Rev 22:19
• Book of remembrance – Mal 3:16
• Book of Life – Rev 20:12, Rev 20:15, Rev 21:27, Rev 22:19, Phil 4:3, Is 4:3, Dan 12:1
• Another book opened (Book of life – saved)
  • God will not erase the saved person’s name from the book of life – Rev 3:5
  • Names recorded in heaven – Lk 10:20, Eze 13:9, Heb 12:23, Ps 87:6, Is 4:3
  • Lamb’s book of life – From which no one’s name can be erased – Rev 21:27, Eph 1:3-4
• Some names are not written from the foundation of the earth – Rev 13:8, Rev 17:8 (see also Eph 1:3-4)
• Names can be blotted out from Thy book – Ex 32:32-33, Ps 69:28, Rev 3:5, Rev 22:19

• The above Biblical facts reveal that there is a Book of Life written from the foundation of the world that contains all the names of those who will be saved (Eph 1:3-4). It is from this book that no names will be erased. But, there is another Book of Life that contains all the people’s names who would ever live. From this book, the unsaved person’s names will be erased as they spiritually die because of sin, do not repent of their sins, and die unsaved. In the final count, the books (plural) will each contain the same names, that of the believers.
• Books opened, dead judged by things written – God knows all things (omniscient)
• Jesus is Omniscient- Mat 9:4, 12:25, Mk. 2:8, Lk 6:8
• God is omniscient
  • Eyes of the Lord ‑ Pr 15:3, Jer 16:17, Heb 4:13, 2 Chr 16:9, Ps 10:8, Zech 4:10, Job 34:21, 24:23, 31:4, Pr 5:21
  • Knowledge ‑ Dan 2:22, Ps 139:2‑4, 23‑24, Job 14:16, 31:4, Ez 11:5, Num 32:23, Hos 7:2, Acts 2:23, Pr 15:3, John 21:17
• Judged according to their works (see below on Good Works Prove Salvation’

• Rev 20:12-13, Rev 2:23, Rev 22:12, Psa 28:4, Psa 62:12, Pro 24:12, Pro 24:29, Ecc 12:14, Jer 17:10, Jer 32:19, Mat 16:27, Rom 2:6, 2Co 5:10

20:13

And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them

• Sea in Revelation – Rev 4:6, Rev 5:13, Rev 7:1, Rev 7:2, Rev 7:3, Rev 8:8, Rev 8:9, Rev 10:2, Rev 10:5, Rev 10:6, Rev 10:8, Rev 12:12, Rev 13:1, Rev 14:7, Rev 15:2, Rev 16:3, Rev 18:17, Rev 18:19, Rev 18:21, Rev 20:8, Rev 20:13, Rev 21:1.

• Sea often points to damnation – Ps 78:53, Ps 106:10-11, Rev 15:2, Ex 38:8, 1 Ki 7:23, Ps 124:3-5
• Hell involves the sea (Jonah 2:1-5 w/ Mat 12:39-41, Lk 11:29-32, Gen 6-9 w/ Mat 24:37-39, Lk 17:27, Ps 18:16-17, Ps 136:15, Ps 32:6, Ps 93:3-4, Ps 46:1-3, Ps 69:1-3, Ps 69:13-15, Ps 124:1-5, Ps 144:7-8, Job 22:11, Hos 5:10, Rev 13:1)
• Pharaoh’s Army destroyed in the Sea – Ex 14:23-31, Exo 15:10; Deu 11:4; Neh 9:11; Psa 78:53; Hab 3:8-10, Hab 3:13; Heb 11:29
• Raging waves – Jude 13, wicked no peace – Is 57:20-21, James 1:6, Ps 107:25, Job 9:8
• Waves represent trouble / judgment – Job 9:8, Ps 42:7, Ps 65:7, Ps 88:9

• 3 places where the dead are:
  • See spirit, soul and body study
  • Sea – under damnation (see above) – spiritual
  • Death – physical death (1^st death) – see above – flesh
  • Hades (only for unsaved) – place of silence (awaiting final resurrection for judgment) – soul
    • Isolation
      • Silence – Ps 31:17-18, Ps 94:17, Ps 28:1, Ps 115:17-18
      • Darkness (no Gospel light) – 1 Sam 2:9, Job 17:11-13, Ps 88:6
      • No Communication with the living – Ps 6:5, Job 7:9-10, Ps 88:4-8
      • As Prisoners without Hope, Waiting for Judgment – Is 24:21-22, Job 17:15-16, Ps 88:3-8
    • No Purpose / No Knowledge – Ecc 9:5-10, Ps 146:4, Ps 6:5
    • No Worship or Praise of God – Ps 143:7, Ps 115:17-18, Ps 6:3-5, Ps 88:10-12

They were judged every man according to their works

• See notes on Rev 20:12 above
• According to works – see also Rev 2:23, Rev 11:18, Rev 20:2 notes, Mat 16:27, Rev 21:12-15

20:14 

And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire

• Lake of fire – see notes on Rev 20:10 above
• Death – physical death – see above on Rev 20:12-13
  • Last enemy to be destroyed is death – 1 Cor 15:26, 1Co 15:55, Isa 25:8, Hos 13:14, Luk 20:36, 2Ti 1:10, Heb 2:14, Rev 20:14, Rev 21:4
• Hell – hades – the abode of the unsaved souls awaiting judgment Day
  • Souls destroyed on Judgment Day – Mat 10:28

This is the second death

• See spirit, soul and body study
• 1^st death is physical – Heb 9:27, see above notes on Rev 20:12-13
• Destruction of the body and soul – (no connection to new heavens / new earth)
• Spirit doomed to eternal darkness, where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth

At physical death – spirit:

• Spirit departs the body (for both the saved and unsaved)
  • For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. (Jas 2:26)
  • Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it. (Ecc 12:7)
• Saved person’s spirit goes to be with Christ
  • And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. (Acts 7:59)
• However, the unsaved person is spiritually dead (no connection to God)

At physical death – soul:

• At death the soul departs the body
  • …as her soul was in departing, (for she died) that she called his name Benoni: but his father called him Benjamin. And Rachel died…  (Gen 35:18-19)
• Unsaved souls go to Hades (Sheol, Pit)
  • The wicked shall be turned into hell [sheol], and all the nations that forget God.  (Psa 9:17)
  • Place of silence, darkness, no knowledge, no praise of God
• Saved soul goes to be with Christ
  • Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. (2 Corinthians 5:6-8)

At physical death – body:

• In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it was thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.  (Gen 3:19)
• They shall lie down alike in the dust, and the worms shall cover them. (Job 21:26)
• And why dost thou not pardon my transgression, and take away mine iniquity? for now shall I sleep in the dust; and thou shalt seek me in the morning, but I shall not be.   (Job 7:21)

For eternity – spirit:

• Saved – spirit continues to be connected with God
  • Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it – Ecc 12:7
  • Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever.  (Ps 145:2)
• Unsaved – spirit in everlasting fire / outer darkness
  • …Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels… And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.  (Matthew 25:41, 46)

• • Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.  (Jud 1:13)
    • Refers to spirits of the false teachers in the church
    • Spiritually dead – lost connection with God forever

For eternity – soul:

• Unsaved person’s soul destroyed
  • And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.   (Mat 10:28)
• Saved person’s soul saved on the Last Day
  • But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.  (Heb 10:39)
    • Judgment Day for unsaved
    • Day of Salvation for souls of those who are spiritually saved

For eternity – body:

• Unsaved – Body Destroyed in Hell Eternal
  • And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.   (Mat 10:28)
• Saved – New Spiritual Body for New Earth
  • So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. (1 Cor 15:42-44)
  • For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.  (1 Cor 15:53)

20:15 

And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

• Written in the book of life – Those who are saved – see Rev 3:5, 20:12 notes above
• Cast into lake of fire – see Rev 20:10 notes above

Judgment Seat of Christ

• Bema (not used in Rev 20:11) – G968, literally, a stepped up chair / seat
• Notably – 2 Cor 5:10, Ro 14:10-12 (judgment seat of God)

• When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.  (Mat 27:19)
• When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus forth, and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called the Pavement, but in the Hebrew, Gabbatha.  (Joh 19:13)
• And he gave him none inheritance in it, no, not so much as to set his foot on: yet he promised that he would give it to him for a possession, and to his seed after him, when as yet he had no child.  (Act 7:5)
• And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them.  (Act 12:21)
• And when Gallio was the deputy of Achaia, the Jews made insurrection with one accord against Paul, and brought him to the judgment seat,  (Act 18:12)
• And he drave them from the judgment seat.  (Act 18:16)
  • See Acts 18:15 – a Judge (G2923)
• Then all the Greeks took Sosthenes, the chief ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgment seat. And Gallio cared for none of those things.  (Act 18:17)
• And when he had tarried among them more than ten days, he went down unto Caesarea; and the next day sitting on the judgment seat commanded Paul to be brought.  (Act 25:6)
• Then said Paul, I stand at Caesar’s judgment seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest.  (Act 25:10)
  • Judged – G2919
• Therefore, when they were come hither, without any delay on the morrow I sat on the judgment seat, and commanded the man to be brought forth.  (Act 25:17)
• But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.  (Rom 14:10)
• For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.  (2Co 5:10)

Judge / Judgment

Greek word references

• Judge (G2919) used in Rev 20:12
  • G2917 (Gr: krima) – judgment (noun – neuter) – 28 occurrences
  • G2919 (Gr: krino) – to judge (verb) – 114 occurrences
  • G2920 (Gr: krisis) – judgment (noun – feminine) – 48 occurrences
  • G2922 (Gr: kriterion) – decision based on a rule – 3 occurrences

• Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? (1Co 6:2)
• But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats? (Jas 2:6)
• If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church. (1Co 6:4)

• • G2923 (Gr: krites) – a Judge – 17 occurrences

• Mat 5:25 (2), Luk 12:58 (2), Luk 18:2, Luk 18:6, Act 10:42, Act 18:15, Act 24:10, 2Ti 4:8, Heb 12:23, Jam 4:11, Jam 5:9, Mat 12:27, Act 13:19-20 (2), Jam 2:4
• Christ is the Judge of the quick and the dead (Acts 10:42, 2 Tim 4:8):
• Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly; Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead. And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. (Act 10:40-42)
• Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. (2Ti 4:8)
• To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect (Heb 12:23)
• Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door. (Jas 5:9)

• • G2924 (Gr: kritikos) – discerner – 1 occurrence – Heb 4:12

• For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Heb 4:12)

• G350 (Gr: anakrino) – literally, up-judge – 16 occurrences
• Said unto them, Ye have brought this man unto me, as one that perverteth the people: and, behold, I, having examined him before you, have found no fault in this man touching those things whereof ye accuse him:  (Luk 23:14)
• If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole;  (Act 4:9)
• And when Herod had sought for him, and found him not, he examined the keepers, and commanded that they should be put to death. And he went down from Judaea to Caesarea, and there  (Act 12:19)
• These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.  (Act 17:11)
• Commanding his accusers to come unto thee: by examining of whom thyself mayest take knowledge of all these things, whereof we accuse him.  (Act 24:8)
• Who, when they had examined me, would have let me go, because there was no cause of death in me.  (Act 28:18)
• But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.  (1Co 2:14)
• But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.  (1Co 2:15)
• But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man’s judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self.  (1Co 4:3)
• For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.  (1Co 4:4)
• Mine answer to them that do examine me is this,  (1Co 9:3)
• Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake:   (1Co 10:25)
• If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake.  (1Co 10:27)
• But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:  (1Co 14:24)
• G351 (Gr: anakrisis) – 1 occurrence
  • Of whom I have no certain thing to write unto my lord. Wherefore I have brought him forth before you, and specially before thee, O king Agrippa, that, after examination had, I might have somewhat to write. (Act 25:26)
• G4793 (Gr: sugkrino) – 2 occurrences – to judge one thing with another (comparing)
  • Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. (1Co 2:13)
  • For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. (2Co 10:12)
• G2631 / G2632 – see below on ‘Condemnation’

Condemnation

• • G2631 (Gr: katakrima) – condemnation – 3 occurrences

• And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification.  (Rom 5:16)
• Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.  (Rom 5:18)
• There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.  (Rom 8:1)

• • G2632 (Gr: katakrino) – just against (condemn) 19 occurrences

• The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is  (Mat 12:41)
• The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is  (Mat 12:42)
• Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death,  (Mat 20:18)
• Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,  (Mat 27:3)
• Saying, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be delivered unto the chief priests, and unto the scribes; and they shall condemn him to death, and shall deliver him to the Gentiles:  (Mar 10:33)
• Ye have heard the blasphemy: what think ye? And they all condemned him to be guilty of death.  (Mar 14:64)
• He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.  (Mar 16:16)
• The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation, and condemn them: for she came from the utmost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is  (Luk 11:31)
• The men of Nineve shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is  (Luk 11:32)
• When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?  (Joh 8:10)
• She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.  (Joh 8:11)
• Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.  (Rom 2:1)
• For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:  (Rom 8:3)
• Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.  (Rom 8:34)
• And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.  (Rom 14:23)
• But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.  (1Co 11:32)
• By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving  of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.  (Heb 11:7)
• Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.  (Jas 5:9)
• And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly;  (2Pe 2:6)

• • G2633 (Gr: katakrisis) – condemnation – 2 occurrences

• I speak not this to condemn you: for I have said before, that ye are in our hearts to die and live with you.  (2Co 7:3)
• For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.  (2Co 3:9)

Christians not to judge concerning salvation

• Judge not, that ye be not judged.  (Mat 7:1)
• For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.  (Mat 7:2)
• Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:  (Luk 6:37)
• Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.  (1Co 4:5)
• Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.  (Rom 2:1)
• Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.  (Jas 4:11)
• There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?  (Jas 4:12)
• But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.  (Rom 14:10)
• For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.  (2Co 5:10)

Christians Judge

• Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.  (Joh 7:24)
• For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.  (1Co 2:2)
• And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem.  (Act 16:4)
• And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide And she constrained us.  (Act 16:15)
• For Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus, because he would not spend the time in Asia: for he hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost.  (Act 20:16)
• As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication.  (Act 21:25)
• For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed,  (1Co 5:3)
• For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?  (1Co 5:12)
• But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.  (1Co 5:13)
• Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints?  (1Co 6:1)
• Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?  (1Co 6:2)
• Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?  (1Co 6:3)
• Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God:  (Act 15:19)
• Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.  (Luk 7:43)
• But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers.  (1Co 6:6)
• Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another.  Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?  (1Co 6:7)
• Nevertheless he that standeth stedfast in his heart, having no necessity, but hath power over his own will, and hath so decreed in his heart that he will keep his virgin, doeth well.  (1Co 7:37)
• I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.  (1Co 10:15)
• Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered?  (1Co 11:13)
• For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.  (1Co 11:31)
• But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.  (1Co 11:32)
• But I determined this with myself, that I would not come again to you in heaviness.  (2Co 2:1)
• For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:  (2Co 5:14)
• When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, be diligent to come unto me to Nicopolis: for I have determined there to winter.  (Tit 3:12)
• My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.  (Jas 3:1)
• And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.  (Rev 20:4)
• Anakrino:
  • These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.  (Act 17:11)
  • But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.  (1Co 2:14)
  • But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.  (1Co 2:15)

General passages – A place of judging under the worldly law or making a decision

• Note: See passages above on G350 and G351 (anakrino)
• For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?  (1Pe 4:17)
• Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord.  (2Pe 2:11)
• Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.  (Jud 1:9)
• I have many things to say and to judge of you: but he that sent me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him.  (Joh 8:26)
• And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also.  (Mat 5:40)
• Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.  (Mat 23:23)
• But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.  (Luk 11:42)
• Yea, and why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right?  (Luk 12:57)
• That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.  (Luk 22:30)
• And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.  (Mat 19:28)
• Doth our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what he doeth?  (Joh 7:51)
• Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man.  (Joh 8:15)
• But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.  (Act 4:19)
• Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.  (Act 13:46)
• Then said Paul unto him, God shall smite thee, thou whited wall: for sittest thou to judge me after the law, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law?  (Act 23:3)
• But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question.  (Act 23:6)
• Who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom we took, and would have judged according to our law.  (Act 24:6)
• Except it be for this one voice, that I cried standing among them, Touching the resurrection of the dead I am called in question by you this day.  (Act 24:21)
• But Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure, answered Paul, and said, Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me?  (Act 25:9)
• Then said Paul, I stand at Caesar’s judgment seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest.  (Act 25:10)
• And because I doubted of such manner of questions, I asked him whether he would go to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these matters.  (Act 25:20)
• But when I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death, and that he himself hath appealed to Augustus, I have determined to send him.  (Act 25:25)
• And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers:  (Act 26:6)
• Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead?  (Act 26:8)
• And when it was determined that we should sail into Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners unto one named Julius, a centurion of Augustus’ band.  (Act 27:1)
• For if the truth of God hath more abounded through my lie unto his glory; why yet am I also judged as a sinner?  (Rom 3:7)
• And not rather, (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just.  (Rom 3:8)
• Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not  judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.  (Rom 14:3)
• Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.  (Rom 14:4)
• One man esteemeth one day above another:  another esteemeth every day Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.  (Rom 14:5)
• But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.  (Rom 14:10)
• Let us not therefore judge one another anymore: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.  (Rom 14:13)
• Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.  (Rom 14:22)
• Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man’s conscience?  (1Co 10:29)
• Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:  (Col 2:16)
• Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:  (2Th 1:5)
• Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.  (1Ti 3:6)

Jesus judged

• But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?  (Luk 23:40)
• And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him.  (Luk 24:20)
• And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind.  (Joh 9:39)
• Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.  (Joh 12:31)
• Then said Pilate unto them, Take ye him, and judge him according to your law. The Jews therefore said unto him, It is not lawful for us to put any man to death:   (Joh 18:31)
• The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him  (Act 3:13)
• In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth.  (Act 8:33)
• For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every  sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning  (Act 13:27)
• God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.  (Rom 3:4)
• And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification.  (Rom 5:16)
• … the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!  (Rom 11:33)

Jesus sent in the world not to judge, but to save

• For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.  (Joh 3:17)
• Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man.  (Joh 8:15)
• And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.  (Joh 12:47)

Jesus (as the Word of God) is the Judge (see also below on G2523)

• For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:  (Joh 5:22)
• And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.  (Joh 5:27)
• I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.  (Joh 5:30)
• And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me.  (Joh 8:16)
• And I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeketh and judgeth.  (Joh 8:50)
• He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.  (Joh 12:48)
• And the nation to whom they shall be in bondage will I judge, said God: and after that shall they come forth, and serve me in this place.  (Act 7:7)
• Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.  (Act 17:31)
• God forbid: for then how shall God judge the world?  (Rom 3:6)
• I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;  (2Ti 4:1)
• Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.  (1Pe 4:5)

Satan judged at the cross

• And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:  (Joh 16:8)
• … Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.  (Joh 16:11)

Christians at the Judgment

• But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.  (Rom 14:10)
• For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.  (2Co 5:10)
• The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is  (Mat 12:41)
• The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is  (Mat 12:42)
• So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.  (Jas 2:12)
• For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.  (1Pe 4:6)

He who Believes is not Judged

• He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.  (Joh 3:18)
• And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.  (Joh 3:19)
• Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.  (Joh 5:24)

Judgment of God based on Works

• But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.  (Rom 2:2)
• And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?  (Rom 2:3)
• For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;  (Rom 2:12)
• In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.  (Rom 2:16)
• And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law?  (Rom 2:27)
• And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:  (1Pe 1:17)
• And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.  (Rev 20:13)

• Judged according to works – Rev 20:12, Rev 2:23, Rev 22:12, Psa 28:4, Psa 62:12, Pro 24:12, Pro 24:29, Ecc 12:14, Jer 17:10, Jer 32:19, Mat 16:27, Rom 2:6, 2Co 5:10

Resurrection of Life, Resurrection of Damnation (Judgment)

• And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.  (Joh 5:29)

Day of Judgment

• Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city. (Mat 10:15)
• But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you. (Mat 11:22)
• But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee. (Mat 11:24)
• But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. (Mat 12:36)
• And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city. (Mar 6:11)
• The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: (2Pe 2:9)
• But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. (2Pe 3:7)
• Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. (1Jn 4:17)

• Judgment Day – Rev 20:2, Rev 19:11, Gen 18:25, Psa 9:7-8, Psa 14:6-7, Psa 47:8, Psa 89:14, Psa 97:2, Mat 25:31, Act 17:30-31, Rom 2:5

Damnation (unsaved)

• Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:  (Mat 5:21)
• But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever
• shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.  (Mat 5:22)
• Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles.  (Mat 12:18)
• A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory.  (Mat 12:20)
• Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore  ye shall receive the greater damnation.  (Mat 23:14)
• Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?  (Mat 23:33)
• But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness,  but is in danger of eternal damnation:  (Mar 3:29)
• Which devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation.  (Mar 12:40)
• But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment, than for you.  (Luk 10:14)
• The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation, and condemn them: for she came from the utmost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is  (Luk 11:31)
• The men of Nineveh shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is  (Luk 11:32)
• And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow:  (Luk 19:22)
• Which devour widows’ houses, and for a shew make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation.  (Luk 20:47)
• And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.  (Act 24:25)
• Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.  (Rom 13:2)
• Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?  (1Co 6:2)
• For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.  (1Co 11:29)
• For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.  (1Co 11:31)
• But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.  (1Co 11:32)
• And if any man hunger, let him eat at home; that ye come not together unto condemnation. And the rest will I set in order when I come.  (1Co 11:34)
• I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be.  (Gal 5:10)
• That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.  (2Th 2:12)
• Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith.  (1Ti 5:12)
• Some men’s sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after.  (1Ti 5:24)
• Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.  (Heb 6:2)
• And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:  (Heb 9:27)
• But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.  (Heb 10:27)
• For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.  (Heb 10:30)
• Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.  (Heb 13:4)
• For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.  (Jas 2:13)
• Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:  (1Pe 2:23)
• For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?  (1Pe 4:17)
• And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.  (2Pe 2:3)
• For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;  (2Pe 2:4)
• For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.  (Jud 1:4)
• And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.  (Jud 1:6)
• To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.  (Jud 1:15)
• And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?  (Rev 6:10)
• And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.  (Rev 11:18)
• Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.  (Rev 14:7)
• And I heard the angel of the waters say, Thou art righteous, O Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt be, because thou hast judged thus.  (Rev 16:5)
• And I heard another out of the altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments.  (Rev 16:7)
• And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters:  (Rev 17:1)
• Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her.  (Rev 18:8)
• Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come.  (Rev 18:10)
• Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her.  (Rev 18:20)
• For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand.  (Rev 19:2)
• And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.  (Rev 19:11)
• And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.  (Rev 20:12)
• And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.  (Rev 20:13)

Passages on Good Works Prove Salvation

• But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.  (Rev 21:8)
• Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. (Rev 22:14-15)

• Does not practice a Lifestyle of Sin
  • 1 Cor 6:9‑11, 1 John 3:4‑10, Gal 5:19‑21, Gal 6:7‑9, Col 3:39, Eph 5:3‑5, Titus 1:15‑16, 3:10‑11, 1 Tim 1:8‑11, 1 Thess 1:9, Ps 15, John 8:34‑35, 2 Cor 6:17‑ 7:1, 3 John 11, Ro 6:1‑23, 7:1‑6, 8:1‑13, Mat 5:6‑8, Col 2:11, 2 Tim 2:19, 2 Cor 6:14, Eph 1:4, Gal 2:15‑20, Mat 12:33, Mat 7:21, John 5:29‑ 30, Ps 1:5‑6, Rev 22:12‑15, James 2:14‑26
• Will be Obedient to the Word of God
  • 1 John 2:3‑6 ‑ Heb 5:8‑9, 1 Pet 1:1‑2, John 15:9‑14, Ps 103:17‑18, Eph 5:5‑6, Mat 7:21‑27, 12:46‑50, 13:41, Mk 3:31‑35, Lk 8:19‑21, James 1:22‑27, 2:26, John 3:36, 14:15,21-23, Lk 11:28, Ro 2:12‑16, 6:16, Rev 1:3, Heb 10:36‑39, 1 Cor 12:3, Hos 14:9 , Ro 1:5, Rev 14:12

• Examine yourself – 2 Cor 13:5, 1 Cor 9:27, James 1:22, Gal 6:4, Job 13:23, Ps 119:59, 4:4, 77:6, 19:12, Mat 26:22. 1 Cor 9:27, Heb 3:12‑13, 1 Pet 1:17, Lam 3:40, 1 John 2:28, Hag 1:7

Outline of Salvation

• Spirit, Soul and Body
• Prior to salvation
  • Spiritually dead
  • Soul and body are alive on earth
• After salvation
  • Spiritually alive (born again, made righteous, new spirit, etc.)
  • Soul and Body alive
• Spiritually righteous by the faith of Christ
  • On-going battle between spirit and the flesh
    • Sin committed by desires of the flesh
  • Spirit victorious, resulting in being changed from glory to glory
    • Holy Spirit leads our spirit into holiness
    • Crucify flesh
    • Do not practice sin / unrighteousness
    • Good works prove faith
• Judgment Day – judged by righteous works of God’s people