20:1 key The fourth mention of a key in the book (see 1:18; 3:7; 9:1). Keys signify access and authority.

abyss Where demons and fallen angels resided. See 9:1 and note.

20:2 the dragon See 12:3 and note.

bound him The angel binds Satan to prevent him from deceiving the nations, accusing believers, and propagating evil (see 12:9–10).

a thousand years Concurrent with the length of Christ’s kingdom (see v. 4 and note).

20:3 shut it and sealed it above him In vv. 2–3, John repeatedly describes Satan’s binding to emphasize that the threat and influence of Satan has been thwarted by Christ during this period.

it is necessary Communicates that what follows is part of God’s sovereign plan.

released for a short time A final rebellion and judgment pave the way for the new heavens, new earth, and new Jerusalem (see vv. 7–10 and note).

20:4 those who had been beheaded Beheading was a common method of capital punishment exacted on citizens and prisoners of the Roman Empire. This group may represent martyrs only, or it may include all who remained faithful in the face of pressure to worship the beast.

word of God See 1:9 and note.

a thousand years This period is characterized by righteousness and unprecedented blessing. The 1,000-year duration may symbolize a perfect reign, or it may in fact last for 1,000 years.

Views of the Millennium Table

20:5 The rest of the dead If those who came to life in the previous verse are only the martyrs, then these are Christians who were not martyred. Alternatively, this may refer to the wicked only, who will be raised for judgment. Either way all the dead are ultimately described as being judged (Rev 20:12–15; compare Dan 12:1–4).

This is the first resurrection Premillennialists take this to be a physical resurrection before the millennium. A second resurrection, narrated in Rev 20:11–15, would then occur after the millennium. Amillennialists and some postmillennialists generally take this to refer to the saints’ reigning either in heaven or on earth before Christ’s return (compare Eph 2:6).

20:6 Blessed John’s fifth beatitude (see Rev 1:3 and note).

holy Without sin and reserved for God and His service.

the second death See note on v. 14.

20:8 the four corners of the earth See note on 7:1.

Gog and Magog An allusion to Ezek 38–39. Here, Gog and Magog probably represent the resurgence of evil nations, perhaps having been deceived by Satan to rebel against the Lamb’s rule (see Rev 20:10).

is like the sand of the sea Innumerable (see Gen 32:12; 41:49; Isa 10:22; Jer 33:22; etc.).

20:9 the beloved city Perhaps referring to Jerusalem, though that city is portrayed negatively elsewhere in the book (see Rev 11:8). This may not be a physical location but a reference to God’s people (3:12; 21:2). Regardless, this beloved city is where the saints are.

20:10 lake of fire and sulphur See 19:20 and note.

20:11 great white throne White connotes victory throughout Revelation. See 4:2.

20:12 the dead Includes believers and unbelievers (see Dan 12:2; John 5:28–29; Acts 24:15). Both will have their lives evaluated by the perfect judge.

books were opened Contains the record of their deeds (see Dan 7:10 and note).

the book of life See Rev 3:5; 13:8; 17:8.

what was written in the books Refers to their deeds. Believers have the finished work of the Lamb on their behalf to atone for their sins and rectify their shortcomings.

20:14 Death and Hades Both death itself and the place of the dead (the netherworld) are destroyed (compare 1:8; 6:8).

the second death This event, which is described here as occurring at the final judgment, is experienced by personified Death and Hades and people who have not accepted Jesus (v. 15). It is called a second death because those who have already died bodily now die spiritually (vv. 12–13; compare Dan 12:1–4).

the lake of fire This final death is permanent and inescapable (see Rev 2:11; 20:6 and note; 21:8).

20:15 book of life See note on 3:5.