Revelation 19:11 – 21:8

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The Appearing Through the Eternal State: 8 Visions
Revelation 19:11 – 21:8
 
Eight Visions. The book of Revelation picks back up with the chronological progression beginning at Rev. 19:11. The events are given to us in a series of visions where John says “I saw” (Rev. 19:11 – 21:8). These visions take us from the appearing of Christ on into the eternal state, which is the eighth and final vision. Afterwards, the Spirit of God takes us back to describe the Church in the administration of the millennium (Rev. 21:9 – 22:5). This moment is the culmination of the four great series of Judgments in this book:
 
 
The Times of the Gentiles Finished. The “times of the Gentiles” (Luke 21:24) – the period of Gentile supremacy over Israel – will be over. This will close Daniel’s 70th week, seven years from the time when Revived Rome made a covenant with the Nation of Israel. Just as Nebuchadnezzar’s dream had foretold, the times of the Gentiles will be finished when the “Stone cut out without hands” (Christ) smashes the ten toes of the image, which are the revived Roman Empire (Dan. 2:34-35). Read more…
 
 

1st Vision: Christ the Victorious Conqueror (19:11-16)

¶ 11 And I saw the heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and one sitting on it, called Faithful and True, and he judges and makes war in righteousness. 
 
v.11 Heaven Opened: A Conqueror. The first of John’s eight visions is of the appearing of Christ. This is the climax of the whole book! At the time of Noah’s flood the heavens were opened for rain to fall (Gen. 7), but here it is for the Lord to come and for His armies to ride out. We are told of “a white horse, and one sitting on it”. The “white horse” is a symbol of victorious power. It is a contrast to how the Lord came the first time, “meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass” (Matt. 21:5). His name is “faithful and true”, as that is what He is in His Person. Also, He is faithful to accomplish the promises of God (Gen. 3:15, Jude 1:14). He is a warrior (like David) but He also “judges” (Acts 17:31). His warfare and judgment is “in righteousness”; i.e. it is perfectly consistent with who He is.
 
Who is He, who comes with clouds,
In judgment on the earth so proud?
His humble mule, exchanged indeed,
For a splendid conqueror’s steed?
Who is He, claims victory,
‘Tis the Man of Calvary!
 
Four Times the Heavens Open: Jesus the Object. There are four occasions in scripture on which the heavens literally open.1 Jesus – as a man – is the object of each of these revelations; although each has its special character.
  1. His baptism. The heavens opened upon Jesus, the Son of God on earth, as the object of heaven’s delight, and He was sealed with the Holy Spirit (Matt. 3:16).
  2. His lifetime. The heavens continually opened upon Jesus, the Son of man on earth, as the object of heaven’s ministry, the angels as His servants (John 1:51). This scripture is also prophetic of the Millennium, when Christ as Son of Man on earth will be the restorer of all things, of the communication between heaven and earth, and the blessing that will result!
  3. Stephen. The heavens opened to reveal Jesus, the Son of man in the glory, as on high at the right hand of God, the object of the believer who is full of the Spirit, even in suffering here for His sake (Acts 7:56). Stephen was transformed by that vision!
  4. The Appearing. The heavens will once again open to reveal Jesus, the King of kings and Lord of lords, as coming forth to judge and make war against all that dispute His authority and oppress the earth (Rev. 19:11).
To us who believe, the heavens are opened now. We know the Father, we know His heart of love. The entire book of Hebrews in a sense gives us a sight into the opened heavens, where our Forerunner and High Priest has passed, and there is sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high. But still the object of the opened heavens remains the same, God’s beloved Son!
 
12 And his eyes are a flame of fire, and upon his head many diadems, having a name written which no one knows but himself; 
 
v.12 His Eyes, Crowns, and Name Written. In the vision of the Son of man (Rev. 1) His eyes were “as” a flame of fire, but now they “are” a flame of fire. It speaks of piercing discernment to search out and judge evil. On His head are not just one but “many diadems”, which speak of universal dominion and glory. He has crowns without number! He has a name written (presumably on His head), that “no one knows but himself”. This name is personal matter, unknown everyone else. Another has said, it speaks of “glory which He has in His own right as a divine person.”2 No created being will ever comprehend this (see Matt. 11:27), but as “the Word” (v.13) He can be apprehended!
 
13 and he is clothed with a garment dipped in blood; and his name is called The Word of God. 
 
v.13 His Garment and Name. A “garment dipped in blood” is a token of the avenging character that Christ takes when He appears (compare Isa. 63:1-6). The Son is the revealer of the Father, so He is called “the Word” (John 1:1). The Son is also the revealer of God in the aspect of judgment, so here He is called “the Word of God”. In 1 John 1:1 we find that the Son is also the revealer of Eternal Life, because He is the Eternal Life, so He is called the Word of Life (see notes on the Word and Words of God). If you want to see eternal life manifested or declared perfectly, it must be seen in the Lord Jesus Christ. In John 1 it is especially connected with His first coming, and the divine character of love revealed. At His first coming, the Word became flesh. He perfectly displayed the heart of God in grace toward man. In Rev. 19 it is His second coming, and it is more the character of light revealed. At His second coming the Lord will display the righteousness of God in judgment. He will come in a judgmental character, no longer presented to human responsibility. This does not rise up to the full revelation as we have in John 1, as judgment is a limited revelation of God.
 
14 And the armies which are in the heaven followed him upon white horses, clad in white, pure, fine linen. 
 
v.14 The Armies of Heaven. The armies are the heavenly saints (Jude 14). Like their Lord, these saints also ride on “white horses,” for His victory is our victory. This is one key distinguishing feature between the Rapture and the appearance. At the Rapture Christ comes for His saints but at the appearing He comes with His saints. The bride’s clothing (v.8) is the same material as the clothing of these armies (v.14). It is almost like white “clouds” accompanying His appearing (Rev. 1:7; Heb. 12:1; Dan. 7:13). We also find in Matt. 16:27 that the holy angels will also come with Christ when He appears.
 
15 And out of his mouth goes a sharp two-edged sword, that with it he might smite the nations; and he shall shepherd them with an iron rod; and he treads the wine-press of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. 
 
v.15 Three Images of Judgment. Next we get three images of judgment.
  1. The Sharp Sword. The first is a sharp sword that is used to smite the Gentiles. The armies of heaven have no weapons. The only weapon present is the heavenly army is the two-edged sword that proceeds from the mouth of Christ (compare Isa. 11:4). The sword will physically kill, but also judge the recipient with perfect judgment. This pictures the first actions of the Lord when He appears. As a warrior-judge, He smites the Western Confederacy (3 1/2 years from the middle of the week), then the Eastern Confederacy shortly after (1290 days). This will begin the Harvest Judgment.
  2. The Rod of Iron. Second, He will “shepherd” the nations with “a rod of iron” (allusion to Psa. 2). Christ then sets up His earthly kingdom and enforces His authority over the nations. This includes the Sessional Judgment.
  3. The Winepress. Finally, the Lord will treads the “wine-press of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty” (this takes place at 1335 days) to the south of the land (Russian confederacy).
The three things given in v.15, which correlates to the Harvest, Vintage, and Sessional Judgments combine to make up what scripture calls the Judgment of the Quick.
 
Judgment of the Quick. "The judgment of the quick" (Acts 10:42; 2 Tim. 4:1; 1 Peter 4:5). The judgment of the "quick" or living is when the Lord will deal with the living persons on earth, at the START of the Millennium. It includes:
  1. The Harvest Judgment (Rev. 14:14-16, Matt. 13:39-43),
  2. The Vintage or Winepress Judgment (Rev. 14:17-20; Isa. 63:1-6),
  3. The Sessional Judgment (Matt. 25:31-46).
However, those who are living throughout the Millennium will not escape judgment.
  1. The Ongoing Judgment throughout the Millennium (Zech. 5:1-4; 14:17; Psa. 101:8)
  2. The Final Judgment of the Quick (Rev. 20:7-9)
Judgment of the Dead. "The judgment of the dead" occurs at the END of the Millennium (Rev. 20:11-15), when those who have died without faith will be raised to stand before the great white throne, and then be cast into the lake of fire. See notes on the two resurrections.
 
 
16 And he has upon his garment, and upon his thigh, a name written, King of kings, and Lord of lords. 
 
v.16 His Name: King of kings, and Lord of lords. The final aspect of this vision is the name that Christ will take, “on his vesture” or publicly, and “on his thigh” or in practical reality. In this name Christ declares that He is sole monarch and sovereign authority. Nebuchadnezzar was “a king of kings” (Dan. 2:37), but only Christ is King of kings and Lord of Lords.
 

2nd Vision: Summoning the Ravenous Birds to the Supper (19:17-18)

¶ 17 And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in mid-heaven, Come, gather yourselves to the great supper of God, 18 that ye may eat (1) flesh of kings, and (2) flesh of chiliarchs, and (3) flesh of strong men, and (4) flesh of horses and of (5) those that sit upon them, and (6) flesh of all, both free and bond, and small and great. 
 
vv.17-18 Summoning the Ravenous Birds. This angel (Christ?) is standing in the “sun”, the center of governmental authority. These birds may be literal and figurative (see note below). This is the second supper in this chapter. The first was the marriage supper of the Lamb, and that was a scene of joy. This is the great supper of God, and it is a scene of death. The descriptor “great” refers to the supper. The bloodshed that occurs in the 75-day period called the “indignation” is unprecedented. There are several observations concerning this vision:
  • The fact that this angel calls the birds before the slaughter begins (v.17) shows the absolute surety of the outcome of Armageddon. It is finished in the mind of God.
  • Any “flesh” in opposition to God will be put down (v.18) immediately by the Lord. See Isa. 2:22, 1 Cor. 1:29. It refers to literal flesh, but also may figure “the flesh”.
In v.18 we get a sixfold pronouncement of the “end of all flesh” (Gen. 6:13), ranging from the flesh in the highest governmental positions, through the military ranks, the human agencies, down to the smallest peasant, or even a slave. 
 
The Ravenous Birds May Be Literal and Figurative. This supper speaks of a scene of moral and physical death, therefore, we can apply these birds:
  1. Literally, as physical birds, because somebody has to clean up the mess caused by the widespread bloodshed. It is very likely that there will be a great feast for the vultures. But that in itself is a shameful end for these enemies, part of the governmental judgment of God.
  2. Figuratively, the birds speak of demons (Matt. 13:19) who were the agents that assembled these armies (Rev. 16:13) but now come up with them, attracted to “dead flesh” in open battle with the Lamb, and their enjoyment of the destruction of human flesh (Luke 9:39). They “empower” these armies, but also “devour” them after the slaughter. At this supper, the demons are conveniently gathered for disposal into the abyss; “the LORD shall punish the host of the high ones that are on high” (Isa 24:21-23).

3rd Vision: The Judgment at Armageddon (19:19-21)

A War to Determine the Sovereignty of the Earth. In the next vision John sees the final encounter of the West. The Lord appears at the East, and the Beast, the Western Confederacy with their allies, gather their armies together to make war against Christ. This is the final holder of Gentile power, contesting the claims of Christ over His inheritance. This battle will determine who will have political sovereignty over the earth. The battle is very short!
 
¶ 19 And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to make war against him that sat upon the horse, and against his army.
 
v.19 Confederated Armies of the Beast Gathered. We have two leaders, the beast and “him that sat on the horse.” This is the great meeting between the Lord Jesus and the political leader of the apostate Western world. With the Lord is “his army”. From other scriptures it appears that the beast comes across the Mediterranean to make war with the King of the North who has just invaded “his” territory. But he arrives too late, because the Assyrian has already swept by Palestine at 1260 days from the middle of the week and passed into Egypt. Instead the beast meets the King of kings and Lord of lords. Incredibly, he decides to “make war” with the Lamb! The beast truly thinks he is greater than all other kings, even than God Himself (Isa. 14:4-20). Perhaps this is why he makes this war. This will be the end of Babylon (Rev. 16:19), the moment when the stone “cut out without hands” smites the Gentile statue on the feet of clay and iron (Dan. 2:44-45) – the end of the “times of the Gentiles” (Luke 21:24). In other places (v.14) the Lord has “armies” (plural) but here emphasis is on their being united (singular). The Lord catches the beast by surprise, “as a thief”. The beast realizes that Christ has come to personally intervene in his plans. His immediate decision is to “make war”. The question is of the sovereignty of the earth in the next millennium. Will the diabolical gentile power succeed to rule the world? or will Christ take His inheritance and set up His world-kingdom? The answer is immediately given in v.20.
 
The Beast’s Armies. The combined armies of the western world are “gathered together”. A Caesar or a Napoleon or even a Hitler could never bring about such a vast coalition of military force, and for such a purpose. Only Satan could accomplish such a thing (Rev. 16:13, 14, 16). The prophecy of Balaam gives in one verse a tremendous revelation concerning the armies of the Beast (Num. 24:24). The Beast’s armies come via ships: the West today still measures military strength by their naval power.
  • “from the coast of Chittim” – from Greece and Italy3
  • “and afflict Asshur” – early campaigns against the king of the north and his Arab confederacy
  •  “and afflict Eber” – comes across to Israel, Megiddo
  • “and shall be for destruction” – the Lord’s final victory over them.
The Kings of the Earth. Confederate with the Beast of the “kings of the earth”. These are not the “ten kings”, which are already included with the Beast (Rev. 17:14). Rather, these are the very kings who wailed over the fall of religious Babylon (Rev. 18:9-10), now about to meet their end in confederation with political Babylon. In Rev. 14:8, 17:2, and 18:3 we see that the false church had a cup in her hand, containing the “wine of the fury of her fornication”. It is a delicious cup to the kings and merchants, but it is laced with poison. The kings and merchants lament the fall of Babylon, but they are unaware that they have drunk a fatal dose, and will perish with final Babylon at the appearing.
 
20 And the beast was taken, and the false prophet that was with him, who wrought the signs before him by which he deceived them that received the mark of the beast, and those that worship his image. Alive were both cast into the lake of fire which burns with brimstone; 
 
v.20 Beast and False Prophet Cast Into the Lake of Fire. The first and second beast of Revelation 13 are found together at the end; combined in their hatred of the Lord. When the King of the North begins his attack (1260 days) the false prophet flees from his post in Jerusalem (John 10:13; Zech. 11: 17; Isa. 22:19-21) presumably to Rome. He returns “with” the Beast. The personal Beast and Antichrist are cast directly into everlasting torment; judge and jury are present, and there is no need for a judgment seat. This is the time of the harvest judgment – also cast into the Lake of Fire with them are the “tares” from the kingdom, gathered by the angels (Matt. 13:41-42; Matt. 24:36-41; Rev. 14:14-16). They are not killed, but “cast alive”. These ones will not need to be “raised” at the resurrection of the dead at the end of the millennium. The Beast and the False Prophet with shortly be joined in the lake of fire by the King of the North, who will be cast in (Isa. 30:33) at 1290 days from the middle of the week, only perhaps several weeks later. These are the first two individuals in the lake of fire, followed by those of like character (the “tares”). The False Prophet is indicted for his deception pf those who follow the beast; “he deceived them”. Leaders are always more responsible than those who are led. 
 
21 and the rest were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which goes out of his mouth; and all the birds were filled with their flesh. 
 
v.21 The Destruction of the Beast’s Armies. The fate of “the rest” of the beast’s armies is sudden and severe. There is no clash of swords, no actual battle to speak of. The heavenly armies don’t need to ride through the ranks slashing and stabbing. The only weapon in the entire army is the voice of the Lord. Instantly deprived of their leaders, the followers of the beast are killed – not by a literal sword – but by the voice of the Lord (Psa. 29:5). There they lie, dead, a great supper for the birds. But “after death the judgment” (see Rev. 14:9-11, 20:11-15). Their leaders go directly into the fire, but the followers must wait out the thousand years in torment (hades) until the great white throne.
 
Sessional Judgment. The sessional judgment of all living Gentiles (Matt. 25:31-46) chronologically takes place between Rev. 19 and Rev. 20. Revelation doesn’t mention it as it is concerned with the Christianized lands primarily, and the outlying nations are not focused on. Read more…
 

4th Vision: Satan Bound for 1000 Years (Millennium) (20:1-3)

Satan Bound. The next vision brings before us something of great importance. The binding of Satan is when he will be restrained in the bottomless pit for the duration of the millennium. It isn’t the final judgment of Satan, but his temporary confinement, when his evil influence on earth will be curtailed. Then the curse on creation can be lifted, and the earth can enter its golden age of peace on the basis of righteousness!
 
CHAPTER 20
And I saw an angel descending from the heaven, having the key of the abyss, and a great chain in his hand. 2 And he laid hold of the dragon, the ancient serpent who is the devil and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, 3 and cast him into the abyss, and shut it and sealed it over him, that he should not any more deceive the nations until the thousand years were completed; after these things he must be loosed for a little time. 
 
vv.1-3 Satan Bound. Who is this angel? I enjoy that it might be Christ Himself, although the expositors seem to think it is a mere angel. This is the same key that was used in Rev. 9:1 to loose the demonic influences from the pit. We see that although Antichrist used the key, the key resides in heaven. The key and chain show us‎ that God is supreme even over the satanic region of the abyss. Satan will be literally captured on earth, although perhaps not visibly to men (v.2). The names of the dragon are mentioned in the same order as Rev. 12:9 (see note). The only difference is the “great” is dropped. His is the plain old “dragon” after the middle of the week. There, his sphere of influence was restricted to the earth, here it is narrowed again. There is only one more step down (v.10). See notes on Rev. 12. The pit is “sealed over him” showing that the government – Christ – takes responsibility for his imprisonment; e.g. the Persian king Cyrus (Dan. 6:17), and the Roman prefect Pontious Pilate (Matt. 27:60, 64, 66). What a comfort to the millennial saints! He will “no more deceive the nations” which is his chief characteristic and role in prophetic events (Rev. 16:13, 14; Rev. 20:8), and has been his mode of success through history until this time (1 John 5:19).
 
The demons. Satan’s fallen angels too will also be cast into the pit for a thousand years, then “visited again”, see Isa 24:21-23. Abyss signifies “deep” or “bottomless”. Evidently the demons know they will be locked up there at some “time” in the future; they begged Jesus not to send them there early (Luke 8:31). This is a special holding place – not Hades or the Lake of Fire – a place called “tartarus” in 2 Peter 2:4, where the fallen “sons of god” are bound and never get out until the “great day”. Read more…
 

5th Vision: Heavenly Saints Reign with Christ for 1000 Years (20:4-10)

The First Resurrection (Rev. 20:4). It is of utmost importance to understand the first resurrection. The first resurrection is a resurrection "from among the dead". All of the dead will be raised, but the first resurrection is a special resurrection that will take place before the general resurrection. It is "from among the dead" because some will be raised and others left in the grave. Only believers will be raised in the first resurrection. The first resurrection is like a seal of God's approval on the souls of those who are redeemed by the blood of Christ; therefore He separates them from the rest of mankind. It the case of Christ, it was God's full satisfaction and pleasure in His Son. In the case of believers, it is on account of our acceptance through the Son.4 This is why our Lord spoke of those "who are counted worthy to have part in that world, and the resurrection from among the dead" (Luke 20:35). The first resurrection, or the resurrection from among the dead, is a matter of worthiness. For Christ, it was His own personal worthiness; and for us, it is on account of our standing in Christ's place before God. Christ was "declared to be the Son of God with power" by the "resurrection from among the dead" (Rom. 1:4), and so we too will be declared to be sons of God by adoption in the same character of resurrection!5 As we know, the first resurrection is separated from the resurrection of the wicked dead by 1000 years; "But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection" (Rev. 20:5). However, the first resurrection has three parts, or installments. All three installments are seen together in Rev. 20:4.
  1. Christ the first fruits (1 Cor. 15:23). When Jesus rose from the dead, the first resurrection began. His body was raised and changed into a "body of glory" (Phil. 3:21). Lazarus and others who were raised were not part of the first resurrection, because Christ is "the firstfruits". Just as the firstfruits of a certain crop promise a much greater harvest of the same fruit, so Christ's resurrection was the promise of many to follow in the first resurrection. As of today, Christ is still the only man with a glorified body; but that will change very soon!
  2. The sleeping saints at the rapture (1 Cor. 15:23; 52). All those who "are Christ's" that have died will be raised at the rapture; "afterward, they that are Christ's at His coming". The question might be raised, which part of His coming? The rapture or the appearing? This is answered for us in 1 Thess. 4:16, that the dead will be raised when the Lord descends from heaven at the rapture. This will include all saints, from Adam on down to the last one in the grave. We know this because while all saints are not "in Christ" (1 Thess. 4), yet they all "are Christ's" (1 Cor. 15). Hebrews 11:40 would also indicate that the Old Testament saints are waiting for us to be "made perfect"; i.e. glorified. These raised and raptured saints will go up to heaven to be "with the Lord". They are seen in Revelation under the figure of "the twenty-four elders". 
  3. The martyred remnant in the tribulation (Rev. 20:4; 14:13). After the rapture, the seventieth week of Daniel will unfold, and many saints will be martyred. Some will be killed in the first 3 1/2 years by the false Church for preaching the gospel of the Kingdom (see Rev. 6:9-11, 17:6, 18:24, and 19:2). Others will be killed in the last 3 1/2 years by the beast for not worshiping him (Rev. 13:15-17). Some will be Jewish (Rev. 11:3-12, 14:2-3) and some will be Gentile (Rev. 15:2). They will not miss out on sharing the Millennial reign of Christ with the other saints! By connecting Rev.11:11 with Rev. 14:13, it seems that the moment of the third installment in which all martyred saints are raised and bodily ascend, is just before the Son of Man appears. This is necessary so Christ can come with ALL His saints (1 Thess. 3:13) at His appearing, and then all reign together in the Millennium (Rev. 20:4).

The First Resurrection (vv.4-6)

¶ 4 And I saw thrones; and they sat upon them, and judgment was given to them; and the souls of those beheaded on account of the testimony of Jesus, and on account of the word of God; and those who had not done homage to the beast nor to his image, and had not received the mark on their forehead and hand; and they lived and reigned with the Christ a thousand years: 
 
v.4 The Membership and Moment. The first part of v.4 gives us the membership of the first resurrection. We find that there are different classes of saints who are raised. “But each in his own rank” (1 Cor. 15:23).
  1. Old and New Testament saints. The “they” must refer to Christ’s army (Rev. 19:19), the very twenty-four elders, Old and New Testament saints, seated on thrones with Christ (see Dan. 7:9). A “throne” is a symbol of administrative authority, and sitters are given “judgment” or administrative responsibility (Heb. 2:5, 1 Cor. 6:2-3). Two more classes now join them.

Note. He sees the souls (disembodied persons) then sees them come alive.

  1. Martyrs of the First 3.5 years. These are those who were killed by the false Church for preaching the gospel of the Kingdom, mentioned as a distinct class from those killed by the beast (see Rev. 6:9-11, 17:6, 18:24, and 19:2).
  2. Martyrs of the Last 3.5 years. These are those who were killed by the beast for not worshiping him (Rev. 13:15-17). Some Jewish (Rev. 11:3-12, 14:2-3) and some Gentile (Rev. 15:2).
  3. Christ. These three classes of persons are seen with Christ, the first-fruits (1 Cor. 15:23). Paul speaks of “the first-fruits, [Christ (4)], then those that are the Christ’s at his coming” [Old and New Testament saints (1) at the rapture, and first (2) and second half tribulation martyrs (3) at the appearing].
At the end of v.4 we have the moment of the First resurrection, but the expression “and they lived” could be translated “and they came to life”. It is a reference to the moment of the third phase of the first resurrection, in which all martyred tribulation saints are raised. See Rev. 14:13 and Rev. 11:11. The actual moment is just prior to the appearing of Christ. All the first resurrection will be at the marriage supper of the Lamb, will ride out of heaven with Him, and will reign with Him in the millennial kingdom. 
 
Death in the Millennium. There will be death in the millennium, but none of the righteous will die, and even the aging process in the unsaved will be slowed (Isa. 65:20).
 
5 (the rest of the dead did not live till the thousand years had been completed.) This is the first resurrection. 
 
v.5 Two Resurrections Distinguished. The significance of this verse is to show that the first resurrection is separated from the resurrection of the wicked by the a thousand years. Old Testament Saints knew of a General resurrection that is all (John 11:24). When Christ came he presented something new, that the resurrection would have two aspects (John 5:29). Paul adds even more detail: Christ rose first, then those that are Christ’s at His coming will rise (1 Cor. 15:23). Some will rise at the rapture (1 Thess. 4:13-18), but Paul did not explain that another phase will occur at the appearing – Revelation shows us that. Here (v.5) we get the added detail of the space of time between the end of the first resurrection and that of the wicked dead; the 1000 years. read more… The bodies of the wicked-dead bodies will be in the earth, sea, etc. (v.13) claimed by “death” but their souls will be in “hades” – these are two states.
 
6 Blessed and holy he who has part in the first resurrection: over these the second death has no power; but they shall be priests of God and of the Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. 
 
v.6 Blessings of the First Resurrection. If a dead person does not participate in the first resurrection, there is only one other left, that of the damned. The first death is the separation of the body from the soul and spirit. the second death is eternal separation from God. Rev. 21:8 tells us the second death is another name for the Lake of fire, eternal punishment. Those who partake of the first resurrection are blessed, or happy, and holy. They are exempt from the awful fate of the second death. Eternal separation is contrasted with being priests of God and Christ and kings with Christ. Both the holy (1 Pet. 2:5) and royal (1 Pet. 2:9) character of priesthood will be in fullest exercise. The thousand years is longer than the longest span of life ever: Methuselah at 969 years.
 
Details of the millennium. John seems to jump right over the details of the millennium pertaining to the earth. Ezekiel takes us much further, describing:
  • the settlement of the tribes in parallel bands across enlarged Palestine
  • the millennial temple and its services
  • the Jewish prince (Christ’s representative)
  • the healing of the Dead Sea, etc.
Yet John does describe the Church in her heavenly millennial glory in an appendix (Rev. 21:9 – 22:6). 

Satan Loosed and a Final Rebellion (vv.7-10)

Is the rebellion a test? Yes and no. The probationary period in which man was tested under various conditions was completed at the cross. The ultimate test was not the garden of Eden, nor the Millennial reign, but the grace and truth that came by Jesus Christ. In that sense the Millennium is not a test, but a display of God’s man (Psa. 2 + Psa. 8). But in another sense, God always tests profession. Many will only render feigned obedience (Psa. 2:9), and that profession will be tested.
 
Moral significance. The great moral significance of this final rebellion is that even the Millennium cannot improve the flesh. Man has three enemies: (1) the world, (2) the flesh, and (3) the Devil. In the Millennium, two of those three enemies will be out of commission. The world-system will have been destroyed and replaced with the world-kingdom of Christ (Rev. 11:15), and the Devil will be bound in the abyss for 1000 years. Yet still man is not satisfied. It shows that the worst enemy man has is really himself.
 
¶ 7 And when the thousand years have been completed, Satan shall be loosed from his prison, 
 
v.7 Satan Loosed. Before the eternal state can be ushered in, the unbelievers must be purged out. God has always used Satan as a man uses fire, a tool to do his will. This will be Satan’s final useful act that he will unwittingly perform for God.
 
8 and shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to the war, whose number is as the sand of the sea. 
 
v.8 The Nations Deceived, Gog and Magog. While the whole world will be under submission to the reign of Christ for the thousand years, many will only render feigned obedience to the authority of Christ. Theirs is not real faith, but a forced submission under the “iron rod” ‎(Psa. 2:9). Only the children born to Israel will be guaranteed to have faith. Some of the children born to Gentiles may not have faith. This deception will envelope all those who do not believe. It references “the four corners” which indicates it takes in mostly the outlying nations. “Gog, the Land of Magog” (Ezek. 38:2) is destroyed at the wine-press judgment, So this cannot be Russia and her confederacy. This final “Gog and Magog” is not the same Russia that we know today, but rather a vast hoard that will have the same godless character as Russia, and the same sheer numbers.
 
9 And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of the heaven and devoured them.
 
v.9 A Final Rebellion and It’s Defeat. The “beloved city” is Jerusalem, the “camp of the saints” is all believing Jews and Gentiles (see W. Kelly notes). Apparently, all believers will flock to Jerusalem and “camp” around it. Then the enemy hosts will come up and surround them. Quite different from the case of Christendom where the tare-wheat mixture continues to the judgment. In the final rebellion after the thousand years the “wheat” and the “tares” will separate themselves, forming two distinct arrays. The judgment however is the same as on the false professors in Christendom: “fire” speaks of the unmingled wrath of God. No saint will ever need a weapon after the appearing of Christ, even to the very end.
 
10a And the devil who deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where are both the beast and the false prophet; and they shall be tormented day and night for the ages of ages. 
 
v.10 The Final Judgment of Satan. As “the dragon” (cruelty) he is locked in the pit, as “Satan” (opposer) he is loosed to start the rebellion, and as “the devil” (tempter of men) he is finally cast into the lake of fire. Prepared for the devil and his angels, the lake of fire receives men long before Satan. This is contrary to men’s paintings of Satan in hell now, with a pitchfork in his hand. This is a token of the long-suffering of God towards the “anointed covering cherub” (Ezek. 28).  Satan’s angels who have been confined to the bottomless pit will be also cast into the lake of fire at this time (Isa. 24:22). The false tri-unity – the beast, false prophet, and Satan – will suffer unceasing torment all throughout their never-ending existence.
 

6th Vision: Great White Throne, Dissolution of Heavens & Earth (20:11)

¶ 11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled, and place was not found for them. 
 
v.11 Great White Throne. At the appearing of Christ, prior to the millennium, we saw Christ on a white horse. At the end of the millennium we see Him on a great white throne.  Both are “white”, which speaks of purity according to the nature of God Himself. The horse is connected with His warrior judgments, the throne with His sessional judgments. It is “great” because the Judge is great, the occasion is great, and the consequences are great. It is a “throne”, the symbol of absolute authority, before which every knee shall bow. The judge is the Lord Jesus Himself, the Son of Man to Whom all judgment has been committed (John 5:22, 27, 2 Tim. 4:1). The heaven and earth, even in a millennial condition, cannot stand before his unveiled glory; it triggers the dissolution of the elements.
 
The melting of the elements. This is literally, the "end of the world". The (physical) heaven and earth, our universe, will dissolve into the basic elements (Job. 14:12; Psa. 102:26; Heb. 1:12; 2 Pet. 3:10-12; Rev. 20:11). They “fled away” and “no place was found for them”. This is because the heavens and earth will be re-made afterwards (Rev. 21:1, 2 Pet. 3:13). “Making” supposes pre-existing material, see notes on Gen. 1. The Spirit of God is careful not to say that the elements will be annihilated, but rather reduced down to the building blocks of matter. God will use these same building blocks again to make something new.
 

7th Vision: The Second Resurrection, and the Second Death (20:12-15)

12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is that of life. And the dead were judged out of the things written in the books according to their works. 
 
v.12 Resurrection of the Wicked Dead, The Books Opened. The term “dead” here has a twofold significance; (1) physically dead, and (2) spiritually dead. John 5:28-29 tells us that the Lord’s voice will call the dead from their graves. The “great and small” are not talking about children and old people. There will be no children at this throne; Christ does not judge those who are under the age of responsibility (Matt. 18:10). Rather it is “size” in the aspect of stature in the world’s eyes; the important and unimportant. Notice that they stand before “the throne”… not, as some translations say, “before God”. Why? Because the Father has committed all judgment to the Son of man (John 5:22, 27). It is the Son of man who sits upon the throne.
 
The Books and Book of Life. “The books” contain the works done by every person, although the page is blank for the Christian who is covered by the blood of Christ. The “book of life” contains the names of the redeemed. You might wonder, “why do the books need to be opened? why not jump right to the book of life?” The answer is, the books are needed to determine the severity of judgment. Luke 12:47 and Romans 2:6 show that God’s judgment is according to the measure of responsibility a person has. We are responsible for what we know.
 
13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and hades gave up the dead which were in them; and they were judged each according to their works: 
 
v.13 The Dead Given Up. The “sea” is mentioned to answer the question of what happens to dead bodies the get torn apart by fish, etc. God knows where every body is. The sea may hold the bodies off all those who died in Noah’s flood. Two thirds of the surface of the earth is covered by sea. “Death and hades” are the respective custodians of the body and soul and spirit (see Rev. 1:18). Any held in those states are yielded up to stand before the throne. Bodies turned to dust are no obstacle to God as He started with dust in the first place!
 
14 and death and hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death, even the lake of fire. 
 
v.14 The Lake of Fire. These states (separation of body and soul/spirit) are not going to continue any more. Death and hades came into existence because of sin, and the lake of fire is the eternal depository of all that is contrary to God (1 Cor. 15:26, “the last enemy”). Some might say that the wicked are annihilated, but v.14 is clear that the second death is the lake of fire.
 
15 And if any one was not found written in the book of life, he was cast into the lake of fire. 
 
v.15 A Final Review. The “book of life” contains the names of the redeemed, opened as a “last check” for man’s benefit to see if they availed themselves of God’s offer of salvation. The last face that unbelievers will see is the face of Jesus as judge, the One they rejected. We must see that God is not a willing judge: He is “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Pet. 3:9). Rather, He “desires that all men should be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth” (2 Tim. 2:4).
 
The Book of Life. The “Lamb’s Book of Life” has the elects’ names written from the founding of the world, Rev. 13:8, 17:8. The “book of life” (Rev. 3:5) is another aspect of the same, and it has names written upon profession, then blotted out if unreal when the door of mercy closes.
 
Two Sessional Judgments. The millennium opens and closes each with an act of sessional judgment, the Lord is the Judge in both cases.
 
First sessional Judgment
Matthew 25:31		 Last sessional Judgment
Revelation 20:11-15
Beginning of Millennium End of millennium
Judgment of the Living Judgment of the Dead
Judgment of Gentiles Judgment of Gentiles
The throne of glory Great white throne
 

8th Vision: The Eternal State (21:1-8)

The Eternal State. There are only three passages that describe the eternal state: Rev. 21:1-8, 2 Pet. 3:10-13, and 1 Cor. 15:24-28, although there are other minor references to it, such as "the eighth day" (Lev. 23:36, 39), possibly "the everlasting kingdom" (2 Pet. 1:11) would include it, and the "reconciliation of all things" (Col. 1:20). The eternal state is the end of all God’s purposes for the glory of Christ and the blessing of man. This is when God will have reconciled "all things" unto Himself (Col. 1:20), and God will be "all in all" (1 Cor. 15:28). If the Millennium is necessary for the vindication of God's character, then the eternal state is necessary for the satisfaction of His heart!

There are really only three scriptural names for the eternal state:
  1. The "Age of Ages" (Rev. 20:10, Eph. 3:21)
  2. The "Day of God" (2 Cor. 15:28; 2 Pet. 3:12)
  3. The "Day of Eternity" (2 Pet. 3:18)
The truth about the Eternal State is only revealed in the New Testament. The Old Testament does not mention the eternal state. The expression "a new heavens and a new earth" in Isa. 65:17 speaks of the great changes that will happen when the earth has her Sabbath in the Millennial day!
 
Transition to Eternity. An important question may be raised: what happens to the Millennial kingdom? This is answered in 1 Cor. 15:24-28. Christ received the Millennial kingdom as a man, and He accomplishes God's purposes as a man: putting down all enemies (final rebellion, death, the great white throne, etc.) and then He will give it up to the Father as a man. He must do this for God’s pleasure. God made man with this moment in mind… a perfect man in headship over the creation. But when that has been fulfilled, he delivers it up, that God might be all in all, and to devote Himself fully to His Bride. When the Eternal State begins, time as we know it will end; “then cometh the end” (1 Cor. 15:24). The sorrows of the old earth will be passed away: death, sorrow, pain, tears (Rev. 21:4). All things will be made “new” and according to the mind of God. Every stain of sin will be removed (John 1:29). In the Millennium, the earth was reigned “over” by Christ and the Church; in the eternal state, God will “dwell with men” - no separation. There is no need for reigning in the eternal state, because there will be no more sin.6
 
Earthly inhabitants. Although we have no scripture to tell us precisely, it would appear that the saints of the Millennial earth will be transplanted into the new heavens and earth. We know there will be men on the earth in the eternal state (Rev. 21:3), that the righteous will not die in the Millennium (Isa. 65:20), and that only the wicked will be raised after the thousand years (Rev. 20:5).7 There will be no “nations” or different languages in the eternal state, just “men”. The distinction between Jew and Gentile will be gone. The number of distinct earthly inhabitants has changed in the following pattern: 1 – 2 – 3 – 2 – 1.
 
 
Three conditions for righteousness are helpful to remember. First, righteousness is not upheld at the present time; in fact, believers suffer for the sake of righteousness (Matt. 5:6). Second, "righteousness reigns" in the Millennium (Isa. 32:1). Third, "righteousness dwells" in the eternal state (2 Pet. 3:13). This is helpful also in understanding the difference between the Millennium and the Eternal State. The Millennium is a kingdom, and there are things to be ruled over, and evil to keep down. But in the eternal state, there is no more sin and rebellion, and also it is a permanent condition; hence, righteousness is said to dwell.
 
CHAPTER 21
And I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea exists no more. 
 
v.1 The New Heaven and New Earth. John now sees a vision of the new universe that God will create. “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea exists no more.” The “heaven” here refers to the physical heaven, the first heavens (atmosphere, space, etc.), not the third heaven where God dwells, as that never needs to change! There will be no more “seas” or separation between peoples of the earth, and no more masses in turmoil. Another has put it this way: John saw “the physical platforms on which the glories of eternity are to be displayed.”8
 
¶ 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of the heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 
 
v.2 The Church in the Eternal State. While there are no more separate peoples and nations, the Church always remains distinct, for eternity! The church is described as a “Holy city” (purity) and called “new Jerusalem” (tranquility). Both terms are used to describe the Church entering the eternal state. She “comes down” twice: once at the start of the millennium (v.10) and again a thousand years later (v.2). Evidently she is taken up before the dissolution of the elements to come down again in the new creation, of which she already belongs. She is “as a bride adorned”, still in her bridal attire after a thousand years of love and companionship. We will never cease to be the source of Christ’s joy! The term “bride” is used here. Compare with Rev. 19:7 where “wife” is used. It would seem that the term “wife” is discontinued after the thousand years. This could be because “wife” implies joint administration as well as relationship, while “bride” is pure affection!
 
3 And I heard a loud voice out of the heaven, saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he shall tabernacle with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, their God.
 
v.3 God dwelling (in the Church) with men. In Rev. 7:15, speaking of the millennium, God’s tabernacle was spread “over” men. Here it is “with men”. The tabernacle is still distinct, but there is no separation now. This is what God has desired since the beginning, as we see in the garden of Eden, but then sin came in (Gen. 3:8). The “tabernacle of God” is the new Jerusalem, the Church, the habitation of God (Eph. 2:22). Who are these “men”? They are the earthly millennial saints with changed bodies, transplanted into the new earth, but distinct from the New Jerusalem. Notice too that God is just called “God”, all His dispensational names disappear. It is only “God” and “men” now. There is no more “nations”, “tribes”, and “tongues”. Recall that nations were the fruit of governmental judgment (Gen. 11:1-9). Also, the Lamb is not mentioned at all, because the epochs of His special rejection and reigning are over. The mediatorial kingdom (the kingdom of heaven) will have been delivered up (1 Cor. 15:24) at the end of the thousand years, and in eternity it will be swallowed up in the moral supremacy of the kingdom of God.
 
Heaven and Earth. There will be a very close connection between the heavenly saints and the earthly saints in the Eternal State; "the tabernacle of God is with men” (Rev. 21:3). As a result of sin, today there is a great distance between heaven and earth. A nice illustration is the cup (Heaven) and saucer (earth). Today the cup is held away at a distance from the saucer, and we don’t have a very close communication between heaven and earth. In the millennium the cup will be held over the saucer; communication will be restored like before the fall (read Hos. 2:21-22). But in the eternal state, the cup is on the saucer... no distance!9
 
4 And he shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and death shall not exist any more, nor grief, nor cry, nor distress shall exist any more, for the former things have passed away. 
 
v.4 The Effects of Sin Completely Taken Away. Now we see that all the effects of sin coming into the creation are taken away. God will “wipe away every tear” for the saints entering the millennium (Rev. 7:17, perhaps taking away the immediate sorrows of the tribulation) and again entering the eternal state (Rev. 21:4, perhaps taking away the sorrows connected with the old world of sin).
 
5 And he that sat on the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he says to me, Write, for these words are true and faithful. 
 
v.5 All things New and According to the Mind of God. The one sitting on the throne is God Himself. He says “I make”. What comes from the hand of God is according to His own mind and character. Nothing of the old fallen creation will be imported. The mind of man raises a question: will God’s purpose be fulfilled? We have here a statement from God on His throne that the accomplishment is a sure as His own character!
 
6 And he said to me, It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to him that thirsts of the fountain of the water of life freely. 7 He that overcomes shall inherit these things, and I will be to him God, and he shall be to me son. 
 
vv.6-7 Eternal Reward Held Out to the Faithful. By “it is done” we find that the purpose of God is complete. Who has accomplished it? The “alpha and omega”. It is true that Christ is the “Alpha and the Omega” (Rev. 22:13) but here it is God as Father that is the source and goal of everything. The words “he shall be to me a Son” suggests it is God the Father. This same infinite Person offers the “fountain,” the source of life itself, to the thirsty. This is not a thirst for physical water, nor for the pleasures of life, but for the character of God Himself; “righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost” (Rom. 14:17), as such the faithful have always desired (see Matt. 5:6). This reward is something that will not be fully enjoyed until the eternal state; eternal satisfaction. “He that overcomes” in this context in anyone with faith; faith is characterized by overcoming (1 John 5:4). “These things” are those just named: (v.4) exemption from the effects of sin, and (v.6) eternal satisfaction with the character of God. The overcomer will inherit not only “these things” but will inherit God Himself (a Person) and the place of sonship (a relationship). It is not recorded that they cry “Abba, Father” like the Christian, who has the Spirit of God.
 
8 But to the (1) fearful and (2) unbelieving, and sinners, and (3) those who make themselves abominable, and (4) murderers, and (5) fornicators, and (6) sorcerers, and (7) idolaters, and all (8) liars, their part is in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone; which is the second death. 
 
v.8 Eternal Damnation Held Out to the Unbelieving. We find that eight classes of sinners are mentioned. The word for “sorcerers” here is really “pharmakois” (only found elsewhere in Rev. 22:15), or “drugger”, or “druggist”. In the final statement of eternity God speaks as light. God never foregoes His character as the Judge of evil. As there is a fixed state of eternal happiness for the faithful, so there is a fixed state of anguish (“fire and brimstone”) and separation from God (“second death”) for the unbeliever. It is so serious that the lake of fire is mentioned five times in the book of Revelation (Rev. 19:20; 20:10; 14; 15; 21:8).
 

Spiritual “Places” and “States”

 
Bk Sec Outline Sec Bk
  1. Note: in Acts 10:11 Peter sees the heavens opened, although in a vision, but there Christ is not the object.
  2. W. Kelly
  3. There is no difficulty as to Kittim, which is a term beyond controversy applied to two of the peninsulas of Europe, first Greece [or Macedon], then Rome or Italy. – Kelly, W. Early Chapters of Genesis.
  4. In Mark 9:9, 10 we read of "the rising from the dead," about which the disciples questioned; every Pharisee, every orthodox Jew, believed in the resurrection of the dead. What did the resurrection of Christ mean? It was God's seal on everything He was, and everything He had done during His life here. He took Him out from among all the other dead. If He takes people out from among the rest of the dead because He delights in them, that is the seal of their acceptance. Paul says, No matter what it costs me, I will attain to that. What condition is the saint raised in? "Sown in weakness, raised in power; sown in dishonour, raised in glory." "Christ the first-fruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming." As God put His perfect seal on Christ and Christ's work, and raised Him, so, when He raises us up, He puts His seal on us: only it is because of His righteousness, not our own. - Darby, J.N. Brief Thoughts on Philippians.
  5. It is indeed the capital truth of the New Testament, that as Christ, by resurrection from the dead was declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the Spirit of holiness, so we through grace are (not like Christ in Person but by adoption) also declared to be the sons of God, by attaining, when the time comes, the resurrection of the body. - Darby, J.N. Lectures on the Second Coming of Christ. Lecture 3.
  6. While there is no "reigning over" in the eternal state, yet it is important to see that God's authority will not lessen in that state. If anything, His sovereignty will be more abundantly manifest in the eternal state when "all things are of God". Perhaps 2 Peter 1:11 alludes to this: "the everlasting kingdom".
  7. The resurrection at the end remains consequently for the wicked dead solely. The righteous will be raised before the millennium the wicked after it. The just who live during the reign of Christ are not called to die at all, as far as scripture informs us. We may be sure that these millennial saints will be changed into the likeness of Christ; they will be transplanted into the new heavens and earth. We are not called upon to conjecture how this will be. It is sufficient for us to know that, though they are not described as dying during the millennium, and therefore do not need to be raised. - Kelly, W. Lectures on Revelation.
  8. W. Scott
  9. Illustration from Jim Hyland
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