Revelation | Reading Plan + Study QuestionsSample

REVELATION 20

THE 1,000 YEARS + THE BOOK OF LIFE

Next in his vision, John sees an angel from heaven holding the key to the bottomless pit. The dragon and the serpent, symbols of God’s enemies and evil, are bound in the bottomless pit for a thousand years.

John also sees all of the martyrs, those who had died for the sake of the gospel, and those who refused the mark of the beast, sitting in thrones. These believers reign with Christ for a thousand years. Believers who had previously died will not be resurrected until the end of the thousand years.

Once the thousand years have ended, Satan is released from the bottomless pit. He deceives and rallies the nations, attempting to start a rebellion. As Satan attempts to defeat God, he is consumed by fire, leaving him eternally tormented.

This time period, the thousand years, is known as the millennium. The timing of the millennium, as well as its literal or metaphorical meaning, is one of the most heavily debated theological topics among Christian scholars. Regardless of your interpretation, it is clear that Jesus deals with sin and vindicates His loyal followers.

After the final defeat of Satan, John sees a great white throne. Before the throne is an open book, recording who has been made righteous before God through faith in Jesus.

STUDY QUESTIONS

Revelation 20 introduces the concept of the millennium—a 1,000-year reign. There are multiple interpretations of this passage (premillennial, amillennial, postmillennial, etc.). Why might believers understand this period differently?

In Revelation 20:2, Satan is referred to as the “ancient serpent.” Read Genesis 3:1–15. What connections can you draw between the serpent in Eden and this final defeat?

Read Revelation 20:6. What does it mean to “share in the first resurrection”? How does this verse offer hope for eternal life?

The Book of Life is mentioned in Revelation 20:12 and 15. Why is this book so important? What does it mean for someone’s name to be written in it?